You’re looking for information about selling Rodan and Fields. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who recently started an R + F consultancy. Maybe you’ve stumbled through the rabbit hole of the Internet and just ended up here.
Either way, welcome. Here at BOTTLESOUP, we are committed to providing transparent, non-biased breakdowns of direct sales and MLM companies.
Disclaimer: I, owner of BOTTLESOUP, am not – nor have I ever been – a Rodan and Fields consultant. I am simply a blogger who analyzes different direct sales and MLM programs, many of which are of interest to women and/or moms, and presents my fact-based findings and opinions.
All sources are cited as links within the article – and this article should not be taken in place of professional legal or financial advice.
About Selling Rodan and Fields
This article will dig deep into the intricacies of the Rodan + Fields consultant contract. (You can read the contract for yourself here.) We’ll examine:
- How to make money with Rodan and Fields.
- How R + F consultants can promote their business.
- The likelihood that you will make money from selling these products.
- Policies and other costs you should be aware of if you decide to become a consultant.
How to make money with Rodan and Fields
Maybe you’ve tried R + F products and truly believe in their goodness. You love their skincare offerings and enhancements like lash boost so much that you feel motivated to share this glory with the world. Maybe.
Most likely you’re considering selling Rodan and Fields to make money. Right? So let’s find out how you can do that.
First, it’s important to note that before you even open the consultant agreement on their website, the R + F Become a Consultant page has the following disclaimer:
Set your expectations now. There is no guarantee that you will generate any income. In fact, the Policies and Procedures are more direct:
There’s no guarantee that you will not lose money.
So what, you say? It’s true that starting your own business is a risk. It’s even true that sometimes it takes money to make money.
Maybe you’re comfortable with the uncertainty – but it’s important you understand the risks upfront. From there, let’s discuss how you make money selling R + F products.
First (provided you are accepted as a consultant) you can sell through your consultant website and/or Pulse Personal Website (PPW). Now, as a consultant, you will receive a free trial of Pulse Pro. After your trial is over, Pulse Pro will cost $24.95 a month.
If you don’t want to pay this, you can opt out and be downgraded to the free Pulse site, but you will lose all the data and customer info you collected during the trial. So, if you’re serious about selling, you’ll probably want to have the Pulse Pro service.
Total cost to consultants: $24.95 x 12 months = $299.40 annually. Here are some interesting facts from the Rodan and Fields Terms and Conditions regarding Pulse:
What are SV credits?
Apparently, you receive SV credits if you pay for Pulse Pro. What does SV stand for? Sales Volume.
And, as stated above, you must have a monthly sales volume of 100 in order to earn a commission. This isn’t something I’ve made up – this is straight from the R + F Compensation Overview. Take a look at the screenshot here:
So, let’s say you just want to sell R + F and you want to earn a commission your first month. So there are two ways to do this:
- Sell $100 worth of Rodan and Fields products through your free Pulse website. If you make 100 SV (Sales Volume), you will earn $10.
- Sell $80 worth of R + F products through your Pulse Pro website and earn 80 SV + 20 SV you get from subscribing to Pulse Pro and earn $10. However, factor the cost of the Pulse Pro website into these earnings ($24.95) and you’ve actually lost $14.95. So, you paid R + F to sell their products – they’ve made money off the sales and off of your subscription to Pulse Pro.
Oh wait, I knew I was forgetting something. In order to become a consultant, you have to pay $45 for your starter kit.
So, in either situation, if you sell 100 SV in products, you are still in the red. Negative $35 and negative $59.95, respectively.
So, in order to earn a profit, you must sell 451 SV in products under option 1 to earn a profit of $1. Under option 2, you must sell 700 SV and you will earn a profit of $0.05. Yes, that’s 5 cents.
Scared yet? We’re just getting started! Given the high price point of Rodan and Fields products, you may feel this is actually doable.
But do your due diligence: how many people do you know who are willing to try something new – on their face – for $50+? Sure, there are cheaper options (some items costs as little as $6) but keep in mind that you will need to sell a lot in volume in order to make up the difference.
How R + F consultants can promote their business
Perhaps you have business or sales experience, and you think you have a potential market of customers that would support a profitable R + F consultancy. How can you market your business?
Most Rodan and Fields consultants use social media to attract customers. This is a reasonable thing to do, because generally you have a captive audience of followers and you can share your passion and results with your friends and family. Here are a few things to consider:
- Facebook rules and regulations require all business transactions to take place through a business page.
This means that technically, you are not allowed to use your personal Facebook page to sell products. If you don’t want to be banned from Facebook, create a business page. Here are some other Facebook rules to consider
- Rodan and Fields has strict rules about what you can and cannot say about your experience using or selling their product. Specifically consultants:
- May not make claims about the effectiveness of R + F products in treating skin conditions
- Must disclose that you are a consultant
- Cannot make claims about any income you may or hope to receive from R + F – specifically lifestyle claims like getting out of debt, taking a vacation, etc.
You’ve probably seen people violating these rules. But before you do, ask yourself if it’s worth it for a couple bucks.
Because ethically, telling friends, family members and even strangers that selling R + F is some sort of life changing opportunity to earn income is wholly inaccurate. Do you want your friends and family making the same investment you did, only to struggle to earn money?
The likelihood that you will make money from selling these products.
Or: How much do I need to sell to recoup my Rodan and Fields investment?
As mentioned above, to break even after purchasing your $45 Business Portfolio (which is a mandatory purchase unless you live in North Dakota), you need to sell 450 SV ($450 in product) under the plan that gives you the free Pulse website. If you opt for the Pulse Pro website, you need to sell 700 SV ($700 in product) to earn back your investment.
But, you’re probably wondering how you can make more than that – how you can earn an income from selling Rodan and Fields.
Let’s compare earnings to a what you’d earn for a minimum wage job.
If you worked a minimum wage job, this is what you’d earn in a full-time week before tax:
To make that much, weekly, selling Rodan and Fields, you’d need a total SV of 2719 per week. Yes, you’d need to sell $2,719 in product weekly in order to take home the same amount as someone working a minimum wage job pre-tax.
(And, before someone loses their mind, you’d actually earn $0.12 more than a minimum wage earner. 12 cents.) Don’t forget, you will need to pay taxes on any earnings from R + F.
Monthly? To earn $1,087 as a full-time minimum wage earner would, you need to sell $10,870 in product each month.
Wondering how you could possibly sell this much to earn this much? Never fear. R + F offers things like the Fast Start Program, which would allow you to earn more in commission and bonuses. Here’s a chart from their compensation plan:
Sure, it costs $695 to start this program, but who cares! At 15% commission, you’ll need to sell just $4,633 in product to make that money back!
Policies and other costs
If you decide to follow through, note that while it only costs $45 to become a Rodan and Fields consultant, your future customers are unlikely to shell out hundreds of dollars on these products unless they’ve tried them first.
Also, you’ll need samples. You’ll want to do some before and afters, too, so you’ll be using the products as well. R + F knows that you are primarily the customer. In fact, their first perk of being a consultant:
Therefore the first benefit is that you can purchase the R + F Products at Consultant Prices. Not selling the product. Not earning money.
No, those are numbers 2 and 3. The first benefit is that you can buy their product for yourself at a discount. It’s like you’re a member of the preferred shopper’s club – and you paid a price to get in.
Verdict: Like many other direct sales and MLM companies, Rodan and Fields is – in my opinion – not worth the investment or effort. Remember, it’s more likely you’ll win big in a game of roulette in Las Vegas than it is for you to ever turn a profit with direct sales/MLMs.
Most of all, Vegas is much more fun.
Finally, if you’re serious about earning money from home or starting a business, make the investment in yourself first. Because you can do it.
You can find your passion. You are capable of hard work.
Probably the saddest thing about direct sales and MLM is the easy way out mentality.
These companies pitch an idea of fast-track business ownership. All you need to do is sell.
But the truth is they own everything – and they profit whether you succeed or fail.
My final piece of advice is to take a risk – but place the bet on yourself. Less people start their own business than join MLMs. Because starting a business is scary.
While it seems less risky to sell someone else’s product, mathematically the odds are impractical at best.
Don’t take my word for it. Do your research! Do the math yourself. Share your findings in the comments below. Because the truth is important.
Concerned Husband says
My wife tried R&F, it’s a scam. You lose the people you have under you if you miss a sales target for a couple months. Without people under you, it’s tough to sell enough product and make money. The result is several reps have ALOT of inventory purchased in a way they pay for it but it counts toward sales volume. If someone is asking you to sign up, tell them to SHOW you the numbers and what to look for is the re-order rate and the length in time that happens. A real business has reoccurring customers that order more at predictable lengths of time, don’t take their word for it. Finding new customers to hit that volume will take the average person way more time then they realize unless you live in a major metro area and even still, its work.
Run. Some products are good though but the business is awful .. IMO.
P.S. R&F also has the most annoying Facebook messaging. Reps talk about vacations that R&F paid for but in reality their husband had a good year. They call these “raw”posts to show emotion and tell a story. #BossBabeScammer
Mrs. Bottlesoup says
Thanks for your comment! What’s interesting is it’s totally against their policy for consultants to claim that R&F paid for their vacations – also for consultants to disclose their actual earnings. This should be such a red flag, but I understand why women want to earn extra income. These companies are despicable for exploiting people’s desperation.
Shay says
I LOVE YOU Bottlesoup!
I have been waiting for a review type article on Rodan & Fields.
My Thoughts
I guess I can appreciate R&F doesn’t make false claims like Herbal Life did..
It looks like you earn a mere 10%-15% commission.
Do you have to stockpile like Mary Kay?
You also forgot to mention; Proactive (made by R&F) is sold in malls everywhere. And the stuff R&F consultants do sell is ridiculously expensive.
Mrs. Bottlesoup says
You don’t *have* to stock inventory, but if you’re asking people to spend $85 on face cream and they’re used to spending $6 at the drug store, they’ll probably want to try it.
Jackie says
You earn 10-15% commission but you also earn retail profit, which is the markup difference, so it is more like 20-31% You also earn commission of team and other prizes, trips, bonuses. They are very generous and it is not just the top people that can earn. Any consultant has a chance. No inventory like Mary Kay. The $26 for website and $80 in product each month is your overhead or electricity bill, if you will, and the $80 can be in products you use yourself, give as gifts, or resale. Pretty cheap to run a business for $100 / month.
R+F cost what it does because it is clinical strength. It is premium skincare unlike Proactive. It is much cheaper than going to a dermatologist and getting a prescription. You definitely get what you pay for for sure! You go look at any premium skincare like Estée Lauder, Lancôme, or Clinique, and the prices are lower or about the same. If you have any other questions, let me know. I will be honest with you.
Mrs. Bottlesoup says
$106/month is a lot of overhead – if the products sold themselves, there would be no overhead the company would simply use an affiliate marketing strategy to give “consultants” a percentage of profit sold.
Anita says
Perhaps if you’d like to sell ‘clinical’ skincare, you may wish to attend university for years to gain an unbiased knowledge.
Please never put yourselves & dermatologist in the same sentence ever again! You are incomparable & the fact that you suggest you are, is highly offensive & ignorant.
Michelle says
This is completely leaving out so many facts and misrepresentating Rodan and Fields and it’s sad. Nothing is mentioned about the payment you get for retail or how having preferred customers make a difference too. If someone is interested in the business aspect yes they should talk to a current consultant and ask as many questions as possible. Don’t miss out on an opportunity because you got your information from someone not in the business.
Michelle says
It also can not be compared to Proactive. Proactive is all about acne. Even still it can’t even be compared to Rodan and Fields Unblemish line. They are made with different ingredients and Unblemish was created to take into consideration more than just acne.
Mrs. Bottlesoup says
I’d love to hear more facts about R + F if you can provide evidence of those facts (screenshots, guides, etc.)
Jackie says
I think your figures are way off. I started with R+F 2 years ago and paid $995 for the kit I chose. Within the 1st 2 weeks, I earned over $700 and I did not sell close to $4000. I earn anywhere from $1500-$2000 (and it is growing) every month with my own sales volume now anywhere from $3000-$4000 and my team with a sales volume of $10,000-$15000. I spend right around $100 per month to keep my business afloat ($26 for website that does everything for me plus $80 in product usually for my own replenishment). Pretty low overhead of you ask me! Especially with a company that has built a name for itself, I keep no inventory, nor do I make deliveries or have to give parties. Even before I had others join me in business, I made anywhere from $800-$1200 on just my own sales and that is never hitting over $4500 with my own sales volume.
Let me give you another example. I just had a lady join me and her sales volume was a little over $600. She made over $200. She will pay $26 in website and $80 in products for her own replenishments to keep her business going. Her profit is $100+ For her first month. She will earn more as she keeps working and earn her whole kit investment back, plus some. With any business, it takes a little bit to earn your total investment back. I am making huge profit now. Real money from sharing real products and helping others do the same. Take a better look at this business. These are products that were in the retail industry and ones that are literally changing people’s skin. I am making great money and it is not easy! I hate you said MLM is easy because it is not at all. But you can make some amazing money so it is so worth it. I am not even going to comment on the non tangible benefits. Smart business if you ask me! I love this company I represent and I am very proud to be a part of it. It is changing our financial future in a real way. I just wish more people were open because it could be a great vehicle for change.
Mrs. Bottlesoup says
Can you provide screenshots of your pay statements?
Jacqueline says
Would you be willing to provide screen shots of your pay statement from this blog? I am not affiliated with rf in any way, but find it very inappropriate to ask someone to post their income statements
Bottlesoup says
Hi Jacqueline,
I’m very transparent about my earnings, here. You can check out My Blog’s Failure Resume for details. Spoiler alert: it’s not much.
Maureen Hatcher says
Sorry…your figures are not correct. Consultants also earn retail profit on each sale (after achieving 100SV). So they’d get the difference between the retail and consultant price PLUS the 10-15% commission on top. So saying that you’ll have to sell $2791 per week to make $271 is not correct. You’d have to sell considerably less. Also with the Fast Start Program, you can also get the cost of your kit reimbursed if you join 2 EC consultants under you in 3 months. Plus if the reach Level 3 in 6 months they get the cost of the kit back again. Perhaps you could revisit the figures so that they are accurate?
Mrs. Bottlesoup says
What would you have to sell, exactly? If my numbers are wrong, please provide exact figures. Thank you.
Danielle says
Well, it looks like you are trying to convince people against R+F instead of being informative.
I wonder how easy it is a job that you get paid minimum wage? So I don’t think it is a good point. You did not mention that R+F can be easily done at anytime, from anywhere, for how long and through a conversation or using the internet (as so many other business advertise, R+F Consultants talk about the products)
I have 3 R+F women in my family, and none of them gave up since they started 5 years ago. Also they had fully paid vacations and none of their husbands had to pay for that!
Yes, if you don’t work hard, you won’t make money. Daaah which job can you do that anyway?
Dude!
You sounded so negative in this article.
I hope smart people really look for the right info and don’t rely on you about R+F!
Pity
Mrs. Bottlesoup says
I’m simply providing my opinion and analysis.
It’s against R+F policy for their consultants to brag about their “fully paid vacations”, etc. It’s right in their bylines. So, I’m not sure how to respond to your comment as the women in your family are violating the rules.
Sam Brandon says
I’ve already have someone who’s sees the potential in me into becoming a Rodan + Fields Consultant. I was and still am nervous about this because I don’t know where would I end up if I try and besides as much I stay to myself socializing with other people doesn’t make me a people person. I do have trouble in communicating with other people especially if it regards to skin products. I would hate to start off on a bad foot cause I don’t have no knowledge about business or how to handle it. Please help me because this talented lovely lady is a great sponsor and she like for me to be on her team what shall I do????
Bottlesoup says
Hi Sam, that choice is yours to make. We just share what we know. We’re curious though – what did you decide?
Lori says
Rodan and fields is the biggest bullshit scam company on earth
Bottlesoup says
Ha! That’s debatable. But it’s definitely up there with the Pet Rock.
Gloria Quick says
Wow! Your opinion and analysis is so off! Ive been earning a paycheck with R+F for 6 years. Let me help you. We earn 10%-15% commission PLUS profit. And, if someone doesn’t fill their $100 SV, they won’t earn commission, but they always earn profit.
So taking your example of a $100 sale the profit would be $30 if it was a retail sale. If they did their $100 SV and it was a Preferred Customer sale, they would earn 10% commission which is $10 PLUS profit which in this case would be $25. So $35 in one month selling basically 1 Lash Boost. However, If someone is serious about this as a business, they would be working it everyday and likely sell more than $100 in one month. When they sell $600 or more, they earn 15% commission plus profit. Add a business partner and we earn an additional 5% 5 levels down. It’s like a franchise only we’re all independent business owners.
And that person who bought the Lash Boost likely will love it and reorder. This is called residual income. Our doctors are brilliant and are world renowned and highly respected among other dermatologists.
When I was looking into purchasing a franchise a few years ago, it was going to cost over $250,000 just to get started. So $45 to own my own skincare business partnering with the doctors who created Proactiv was a no brainer for me. And investing $24.95 a month for a website the company manages and investing in my business by purchasing products that I’m using anyway is nothing compared to my earnings. Feel free to reach out if you want further clarification of our business model.
Gloria Quick says
Also, we ARE allowed to do a lifestyle post as long as we add our disclaimer stating it’s our personal story.
Bottlesoup says
Can you back that up with an income statement, please? You can blur out your personal information, but we’d like to see the facts for themselves. Thank you.