63 Section 3.2 Other Nonstore Retailers Disadvantages of Catalog Shopping Catalogs are expensive for a retailer to create, print, and mail to customers. There must be enough sales made through the catalogs to justify the expense. Because the process of creating and printing catalogs can take months, product information may be out-of-date. When catalog shopping, customers lose the hands-on and social experiences of shopping for a product in a brick-and-mortar store. Even though retailers offer toll-free customer service numbers, the service is not personal. When a catalog order is placed, customers are usually charged for shipping and must wait for delivery. If a product needs to be returned, the customer must repackage the item, arrange for shipping, and often pay for return shipping. Direct Sales Direct sales is a form of nonstore retailing. The salesperson has direct communication with the customer. The sale does not take place in a store, but through a consultant or in-home parties. Consultant Sales A direct sale through a consultant involves a trained professional, such as a wedding planner or interior designer. The consultant helps customers make decisions about large purchases or planning an event. The consultant may bring sample products to the customer’s home and make recommendations. For example, an interior designer may bring samples of carpet, fabric, and wallpaper for the client to make a selection. The consultant makes the purchases or arrangements for the customers and charges a fee for their service. In-Home Parties In-home parties are direct sales events. Hosts invite people to their homes for a viewing or demonstration of products presented by a company salesperson. The products are not sold in stores and can only be purchased though in-home parties or online. The salesperson earns a commission and the host receives free products based on the amount of products sold at the party. Some common in-home party retailers include The Pampered Chef® and Mary Kay®. Portable Retailers Another way retailers interact with customers outside of a physical location is by moving from place to place to sell to their customers. Street vendors and food trucks are nonstore, portable retail businesses. NRF Tip NRF recognizes the importance of e-tailing as a modern option of the retail experience. The NRF website has compiled research on consumer behavior while shopping online. The research explains the effectiveness of e-tailing as well as the downfalls to avoid.