Home-Based Business For Dummies
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Many companies hire home-based employees to sell goods or provide services for them. Although the vast majority of work-at-home opportunities are legitimate, plenty of them aren’t. For every opportunity you explore, follow these tips to help you avoid the scams:

  • Identify a company or product that appeals to you. Check with the Direct Selling Association (DSA) for a list of member companies, or look in your local phone book.

  • Take your time deciding. A legitimate opportunity won’t disappear overnight, so don’t let someone tell you that you have to make a decision right away. Think long-term.

  • Ask questions. Ask about the company, its leadership, its products or services, the start-up fees, the realistic costs of doing business, the average earnings of distributors, the return policies, and anything else you’re concerned about. Get copies of all company literature, and read it!

  • Consult with others who have had experiences with the company and its products. Check to see whether the products or services are actually being sold to consumers.

  • Investigate and verify all information. Don’t assume that official-looking documents are accurate or complete, or even produced by the company. (They may be created by the person trying to recruit you.)

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Paul and Sarah Edwards are award-winning authors of 17 books with over 2 million books in print. They have also hosted radio and TV shows. Peter Economy is a home-based publishing consultant and is the best-selling coauthor of more than 50 books, including Consulting For Dummies.

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