To help you become more acquainted with our Ideal Gifts® family, we have compiled a list of questions most asked about out company.

1. WHAT IS IDEAL GIFTS?®

Ideal Gifts® was started by Chris and Mary Hoffman, right in their own home, in Albany, New York. The intent of the business was to provide other families with the ability to generate a second source of income, and the potential to own their own successful business. Ideal Gifts® has grown from the basement of their 3 family residential home to a huge 287,000 square foot office/warehouse facility. We publish Two New Catalogs each year featuring fantastic items, from toys and gifts to home decor and Christmas items. Today the company is operated by Chris and Mary's children; Tom, Chris, Bob and Mary. As we approach our 50th year in business, we are still dedicated to the same business principles that have made Ideal Gifts® Advisors so successful: Dependability, Value, Service, Quality & Integrity. The ingredients our customers have come to expect and deserve.

2. WHAT KIND OF WORK IS INVOLVED?

Our items are sold directly in either the home at a gathering of friends, or by taking orders directly from our catalogs. We offer Toys, Gifts, Home Decor and Novelty Items for sale in two beautiful color catalogs containing hundreds of highly desirable items - including many Exclusive to Ideal Gifts®. We are looking for self motivated people who would like to own their own business, working out of their homes, scheduling and demonstrating a display kit of Ideal Gifts® top selling items at their Hostess's home parties and/or by having their Hostesses obtain orders directly from the catalogs.

3. WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE IDEAL GIFTS?®

People from every walk of life have chosen a career with Ideal Gifts®. Our Advisors include homemakers, retirees and career women & men. They've chosen Ideal Gifts® to obtain additional income without a cash investment, for the independence and flexible hours working for Ideal Gifts® provides them, as well as personal growth and contests that offer exciting travel opportunities as prizes. Ideal Gifts® advisorship allows Moms and Dads the freedom to spend valuable quality time with their growing families, while earning extra income to enrich their lives. Some of our best Advisors are husband/wife teams working together. One of our top $100,000 plus Advisors works May thru December, then vacations in Florida from January thru April. Other Advisors have full time jobs, and work at Ideal Gifts® part-time and achieve sales well over $20,000 per season.

4. HOW DOES A PARTY WORK?

You line up someone who will host a party and share our catalogs with their friends, relatives and co-workers to obtain orders upon which the Hostess will receive Free merchandise of her selection, and set a date for her Party. We call this booking a Party. If the Hostess is having a Home Party, she would invite her friends to her home where you would demonstrate the items to them. If the Hostess is having a Catalog Party, you would give her ample catalogs and order forms to hand out to her friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, etc. You determine all the Hostess Free Merchandise the Hostess is entitled to simply by adding up all the order forms.

5. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE PARTY?

Ideal Gifts® computers do all your paperwork for you. Our Advisors have no invoice to write up. There is no recapping necessary. The computer automatically does this for you. All you do is send your white copies of the customer order slip into the company in your party envelope. Just total up all the customers' orders and let the Hostess know how much she has earned Free for Hosting the Party or showing our catalogs. You'll set the Payment Due Date with the Hostess. Ideal Gifts® will send the Hostess her invoice and she sends in the payment to Ideal Gifts®. The Advisor never has to collect money or deliver merchandise. Ideal Gifts® handles all this work for you.

6. IS IT DIFFICULT TO BOOK PARTIES?

No! It is very easy to obtain bookings. Think of all your friends, relatives and co-workers who would love to receive their selection of our beautiful items absolutely FREE. Anyone would love to shop FREE and that is exactly what you have to offer the Hostess, "FREE SHOPPING" . Plus, when you tell the guests how much Free Credit the Hostess has earned, they are anxious to earn Free Gifts themselves. The Hostess also receives extra Free credit for the guests at her party who book their own parties.

7. IS THERE ANY CASH INVESTMENT?

No! New Advisors will receive a Basic Catalog Kit of 25 Catalogs, Promotional Items and supplies to start them on their way to become a Successful Career Advisor with Ideal Gifts®. New Advisors can also send in a merchandise/catalog kit add-on which will be shipped when the basic catalog kit and add-on are cleared at 50% with paid parties. New Advisors and Returning Career Advisors with previous years sales under $1500 will receive Rebate/Credit starting with their 2nd paid party. Their 1st paid party Rebate/Credit will be released when they have four paid parties and $800 in paid sales.

8. CAN I INCREASE MY KIT?

Yes! You can choose items of your choice (except Buyer Bonus or Hostess Free items) to add to your Kit. Simply send in a list of the regular items you wish to add. We will continue to credit you 50% of your paid parties. When the add on is clear, we will ship your selection to you.

9. CAN I RETURN THE KIT?

Yes - The kit can be returned for full credit as long as it is returned within 30 days from receipt and is in an unused, completely resellable condition or you may purchase the full Kit at 50% of retail, or any portion of your Kit not cleared by 50% credit.

10. ARE THERE SALES QUOTAS?

No! Once you hold your required 4 parties and your kit has been cleared, there are no sales quotas. An Ideal Gifts® Advisor is an independent business person. You set your own goals - the higher your sales, the higher your earnings.

11. HOW HIGH CAN MY EARNINGS GO?

The Sky's the Limit! After your kit is cleared, you'll start to receive your commission checks. Checks are mailed twice a month. You can earn up to $108.00 cash for each Party based on Ideal Gifts® season party average of approx. $360.00. Our highest Advisor has sold, in one season over $150,000 in individual sales. That's over $45,000 in cash rebate for a part-time business. Your own earning potential is determined solely by your own efforts. You practically write your own income checks.

After your sales reach $6,000, your rebate changes from 25% to 30% retroactive back to $2,000 and is paid as high as your sales can go. We call this extra 5% Profit Sharing. Profit Sharing is issued in 5 equal checks, from February thru June of the following year to assure you year round income. The higher your sales, the greater your monthly check will be!

13. ARE THERE ANY OTHER INCENTIVES

Yes! Yes! There is a Sales Increase Contest at the end of the year. The top 50 Advisors in the Company with the HIGHEST ACTUAL DOLLAR INCREASE IN PAID SALES plus the top 50 with the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE IN PAID SALES at the end of the season will be winners of the following Cash or Merchandise Prizes:

1st Place Winner in each Contest will receive $1000 in Cash or $2000 in Merchandise
2nd - 5th Place Winners in each Contest will receive $500 in Cash or $1000 in Merchandise
6th - 10th Place Winners in each Contest will receive $250 in Cash or $500 in Merchandise
11th - 20th Place Winners in each Contest will receive $100 in Cash or $200 in Merchandise
21st - 30th Place Winners in each Contest will receive $50 in Cash or $100 in Merchandise
31st - 50th Place Winners in each Contest will receive $25 in Cash or $50 in Merchandise

Plus... when you recruit other New Advisors to join the Ideal Gifts® Family, you are eligible for cash prizes, cruises, trips, merchandise prizes and more.

14. CAN I PROMOTE MYSELF?

Of Course! Simply by recruiting One Qualified New Advisor you can become a Junior Unit Manager, recruit Two to become a Unit Manager and Five or more to become a Full Manager. You will receive an advertising allowance to recruit even more New Advisors & YOU can earn override on the sales of all your recruits too ! Plus.... override on your own sales as a Manager. Plus Cash Prizes, Merchandise, and Fantastic Trips or Cruises just for Recruiting New Ideal Gifts® Advisors. For complete infomation on our Manager Program click on the "Manager Program" Link on the left side of this page or Just Click Here

15. HOW DO I GET STARTED?

First, make a list of all your friends, relatives, and co-workers, everyone you believe would be interested in receiving FREE merchandise. Then select the ones that will be your first four Hostesses, list them on the booking form you receive from the company along with your completed application. We will assign a Manager in your area to contact you and answer any questions you may have about your parties. She will verify your bookings and approve your kit. If you are not near a Manager, the company will act as your Manager.

16. HOW SOON CAN I START?

Immediately! As soon as your application is approved, your kit will be shipped and you'll be on the road to increased earnings. Your success is Guaranteed with Ideal Gifts®. If you already have your 4 bookings, (see #15 above) you can fill out your application online Just click here

These are the answers to the most asked questions by New Advisors. If, after reading this, you have any additional questions, please feel free to write or call us at (518) 452-0081, you may also click on the "contact us" link to the left and we will respond as quickly as possible. We are here to help you in any way we can!

We look forward to receiving your Application and Interest Sheet in the mail, and we will do everything we can to assist you in becoming a successful Ideal Gifts® Advisor.