“Hey Katelyn! Have you heard about Usborne Books & More? They are a great company that sell high quality and affordable children’s books. I would love for you to attend my Usborne Books & More Facebook Party on Thursday, May 12, 2016 @8:30pm Central time…”
Oh great. Another friend is messaging you on Facebook about another party for Usborne Books & More! What is it with these people? Why are so many people obsessed with Usborne Books & More? Don’t they know that you have 10 perfectly legitimate reasons to not want to buy books from Usborne?
10 Reasons You Should NOT BUY Books from Usborne Books & More
1.) You think books are dumb. There are way better, more mind-numbing ways to be entertained. Reading is way too much work.
2.) You think the studies suggesting that a child’s exposure to various reading materials at home, and children reading for fun, playing a critical role in a child’s growth as readers and academically is really just a conspiracy invented by book companies to increase sales of children’s books.
3.) You prefer your children waste their free time at home in front of the TV or a tablet rather than reading a book. Besides, movies and video games are better at expanding your child’s vocabulary and imagination.
4.) You are afraid your child will become addicted to Usborne’s delightful stories and creative and engaging illustrations and become a dreaded book worm!
5.) You don’t mind shelling out good money to the library, paying full price to replace books your child or dog destroys, and therefore don’t want to take advantage of Usborne Books & More’s 50% off replacement policy for life.
6.) You love giving your nieces and nephews and your friends’ kids toys and trinkets and things that are broken, discarded, forgotten, consumed, or destroyed quickly rather than something they can use and read over and over again. I mean, if a kids’ present doesn’t require batteries or have small parts, is it really a good gift? Honestly, you cringe at the thought of little kids discovering new interests through the pages of engaging, quality books.
7.) You don’t believe in reading to your child at home! That’s why you send your child to school every day isn’t it? That’s the teachers job, not yours.
8.) You don’t believe in investing in your child’s future, even though only 100 pieces of printed material in a child’s home is shown to improve reading scores and the likelihood your child will graduate from college. Usborne Books & More’s collection of almost 1000 affordably priced books priced at $10 or less is highway robbery and akin to flushing money down the drain anyway.
9.) You’re afraid that all the amazing non-fiction books from Usborne Books & More – their amazing encyclopedias, illustrated dictionaries, See-Inside books, and true adventure stories – will make your child smarter than you! That type of thing is completely unacceptable in your home. You cringe at the thought of your child discovering new interests through the pages of engaging, quality books.
10.) You are all for big business and hate supporting independent Usborne Books & More consultants who are trying to earn extra money for their families, and hate your friends who host these Usborne Books & More Facebook parties in the hopes of earning free books for their kids, and for sharing a product they genuinely love with you. Ugh. Don’t they know you just want to support companies that pay their employees low wages and commissions and yet have CEOs who make millions or billions of dollars? Entrepreneurship, small business owners, and self-employed individuals are lazy and should get real jobs already, preferably working long hours, doing things they hate, so they can barely pay the bills, and never see their families.
Really, there are more than 10 reasons you shouldn’t buy Usborne Books & More, what with their mission to educate children and improve literacy in the United States, among other similarly gross values.
So, no, I won’t be attending Katelyn’s Usborne Books & More Facebook Launch Party. I have way more important things to do… like watching another episode of some TV show I don’t really care about.
I hope you enjoyed the satirical rant above about why you shouldn’t buy books from Usborne Books & More! I became an Usborne Books & More Independent Sales Consultant a few weeks ago.
*UPDATE: I no longer sell Usborne books and more. If you are interested in a fun way to regularly (and inexpensively) build your child’s library, look into Bookroo! Bookroo delivers 2-3 books to your home every month, wrapped like gifts, for your family to enjoy. The subscription fee is only $17.99/month or only $16.66/month with a 3-month subscription, plus $5 S&H in the US ($16 to Canada, and $25 everywhere else).
For 2-3 brand-new, high-quality books, it’s a pretty great deal! It would make a great gift for a new mom or for a child’s birthday.
You can see my full review of Bookroo in my post about how I taught my homeschooled children to read.
You may also enjoy these posts:
What’s an Usborne Facebook Party and Why You Should Check One Out
Julie @ Fab Working Mom Life (and Chapter Break) says
Love how you did this post!!! Seriously, Usborne sounds like a great company. It is probably the only direct sales company I would consider joining – cause bookworm (and also book blogger) here wants to raise a bookworm kiddo. You’ll have to keep us posted (which I know you will) on how you like being a rep.
JEN says
Well, you got me to click on that! I couldn’t think of any good reason not to read Usborne books, amazing how you came up with 10, lol. 🙂 Can’t wait to “see” you at the party.
Jill Robbins says
We LOVE Usborne books. I’m glad you didn’t say something sleazy about them. Now pick me!
Karen says
I’d love to buy some of the coloring books! Some of the patterns look fun for me and my daughter to color! The Art Deco coloring book looks especially pretty.
Thea says
Sorry. The slant you took on this blog post was so rude and so condescending. I am sure you won’t post this comment but as a very experienced and highly educated educational professional you clearly have no idea how to promote literature and reading. This take was just pure manipulation to hook readers. Usborne books have a place in a child’s library but after reading this embarrassing post I will no longer have any interest in the Usborne collection. I hope you were paid well by the company.
Katelyn Fagan says
The company didn’t pay me to write this… The slant I took was a facetious one. I am an Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant as well as a homeschooling parent, am married to an educator, and am member of a monthly book club. I love great books, especially for kids. There are plenty of highly educational and “professional” articles out there on reading to kids and its benefits. This wasn’t intended to be that post. This was a fun way to highlight the benefits of reading and of Usborne in a satirical way.
fun mom says
I bet Thea’s fun at parties.
Katie says
Are you mentally retarded??? Usborne did not pay her to say this. She’s just a stupid blogger writing a stupid post. Don’t take that out on a great company.
Echo Day says
LOVE this! 🙂 Great job with an out-of-the-box idea!
Jen says
I really like the Wipe-Clean Capital Letters and lower case letter books. I think these would be great for my daughter.
Andi says
I love Usborne Books. I have several for my kids. The Impossible Quest series looks like it would be a good set for you bookshelf.
Becca says
Love this post! Last year there was a Happy Meals promotion here that gave away free Usborne books (really small ones – but still) with each Happy Meal. It’s the only time I’ve ever said to the kids, “Say, what about a Happy Meal?”
Tami Qualls says
I laughed my way through the reasons! I love, love, love reading and hope to pass it on to my children!
Jo says
Ok I was expecting Quality issues Not Satire.
Caught me off Guard.
LOL
But I do Have one excuse you don’t have listed up there.^^
I have to many books. It has collapsed my bookshelves.
In he process of building a new one Out of IRON.
Jessica N. says
Awesome way to think outside the box. I’d love to use something like this. I just became a consultant last week and things aren’t going so good. One sale making my $10 richer but still not where I thought I’d be. Lots of “I’ll think about it” or “I’ll take a look but not until…” Do you have any advice? I have events coming up that I want to pass out business cards/catalogs at.
Katelyn Fagan says
It hasn’t been easy for me to find anyone willing to host a Facebook party. I don’t have a lot of great advice for you, unfortunately.
Brianna says
Are you serious? These are reasons to buy BOOKS, sure, but why in the name of the reading gods would I want to buy from Usborne when I can buy from Amazon, my local mom-and-pop bookstore, get books at the library, swap with friends, etc? There are literally so many ways to get books that are as good or better than Usborne for less money, without having to deal with Facebook parties.
Bev says
This was extremely condescending and just a turn-off about the company. Maybe it’s funny to other salespeople in your organization, but to someone on the consumer side who doesn’t know much about your company and is a curious observer, clicking this link made me realize what you think of people you can’t bully into buying products in Facebook parties. I’m obviously just stupid if I prefer the library or a local bookstore? That’s not a joke. No thanks!
Jes says
I completely agree. I love literature. I own at least a thousand children’s books. I do not like Usborne – at all. I’ll pass them up for a quarter at the thrift store because they are not worth the shelf-space in my home with floor to ceiling bookshelves everywhere. Usborne books are twaddle with snippets of interesting material amidst a sea of unreadable gibberish and cringe worthy non-realistic pictures.
I have no problem if you love Usborne – if your entire book collection is Usborne. I’ll still love you as a person if you are my friend. I’ll still think you care about your children and desire them to grow up loving books and reading as much as my children do. I would never in a million years write something like this about you because your book taste does not reflect my own.
Theresa Little says
Hi! Love this post! May I use the “Reasons Not to Buy Usborne Books” graphic? I’m a consultant and would love to use it for my business.
Thanks! 🙂
Katelyn Fagan says
Sure! Just pop a link along with the image to this post when you do. 🙂
Theresa Little says
Thank you! 🙂
Ronni Peck says
ha, I asked too before seeing this comment. I’ll be sure to include a link as well. Thanks!
Ronni Peck says
I’m a UBAM Consultant as well and I love your 10 Reasons graphic! Do you mind if I use this in an upcoming facebook party? 🙂
PissedMom says
No no no! Glad you all have had a good time reading this but Usbirne is a nightmare. Their customer service is nill. Go ahead and try to call. Their shipping sucks the big one. Like I placed an order 6 weeks ago and nada. Then they only offer you 50% 30 days after your order. Since that time frame passed I’m out 50% of the money I paid for Christmas presents back in the first week of November. And if you Google usborne you’ll quickly learn I’m not the only one. And your consultant can’t do jack to help you. Good luck pimping books! There’s this new fangled thing called Amazon where you get garauntees on deliveries and can find books cheaper and anything else under the sun.
Katelyn Fagan says
I no longer sell Usborne… and you are right with everything you said. I was appalled when some of my customers’ orders came 4 weeks after they ordered them! The illustrations are cute and some of the stories fun or whatever, but with free 2-day shipping and book stores or Walmart, why do we need Usborne? I should write a follow-up post…
Kenly says
What happened? You are no longer a consultant? I was thinking about signing up, but am wishy washy…
Katelyn Fagan says
It’s up to do to decide. The signup cost is really a great way to score a bunch of books for a lot less (though you don’t get to pick what you get), so you won’t really lose out any money in that regard, and chances are your first launch party will go well with friends and family wanting to support you. So, it’s a bit of a wash.
However, if you want to really make it a BUSINESS and find true success, you’ll have to work hard, and deal with quite a bit of frustration with the company itself as things get messed up and it takes forever to get through to customer service, etc.
Natalie says
I enjoyed this post! I love the sarcasm and it sure made me wonder before I started reading 🙂 I’m a consultant and joined just last July. I took a good break from the company over the winter for personal reasons with my family situation, but am now back on track and let me tell you, the shipping has COMPLETELY changed! They’ve really made some huge changes in customer service!! 1. Shipments in all my parties from the last 3 months (and I have a good 4-5 parties a month) have had zero mistakes. 2. Shipments have been arriving before I even close out the party 3 days after the party began! It’s crazy how fast the shipping is now compared to last fall (that was a ROUGH season!). They have really changed a great deal in the company over this past year. I just wanted to put my 2 cents in as this business is truly making a WORLD of a difference in my family as I get to stay home part time because of the money I’m able to make when people buy from me rather than amazon. I wish you well in your future and just had to share the good news and changes of the company 🙂
Jenny says
Natalie is right, shipping is very fast these days. I think there is value in books from everywhere, library, walmart, and Usborne included. 🙂
Adrienne says
5 reasons I buy Usborne Books:
-I’ve never heard of Amazon
-I have no idea where my local bookstore is
-I like to wait 4 weeks to get a book
-I enjoy really boring parties
-I’m morally opposed to libraries
Amber says
This. Except you forgot the quotes around “parties”
Toddlers.Mommy &Usbornes Newest Bookworm says
Well with that being stated feel free to let me provide my contact information and I can help you finally get started fulfilling these desires in the appropriate times requested or sooner lol ♡♡I am new consultant and single mother that is attempting to reach out any means possible to turn my 2yr old newly purchased usborne book collection into more then a library for him.. shooting for monthly deposits into his college fund. And maybe school clothing funds for the future years.. so I know this comment is long past old but I’m down for roping in new customers with all ideas.. cause I want a future for my toddler and his 10 yr old brother and success has to start somewhere right ?
Nope Thanks says
So you got a better kickback from Bookaroo?
Here’s why you shouldn’t buy from Usborne Books: There are already too many great books out in the world that you cannot possibly get to. You do not need to buy some random books that a company is peddling when you can focus on exposing your kids to a whole world of wonderful books already there? Why buy from some hokey telemarketer company when you can purchase from an number of wonderful independent book store? Or better yet, visit a public library.
N says
Very disAppointed in the shine a light books!!!!! Will not purchase any again.
Katrina Weiss says
I’m not sure why you feel the need to put down libraries. They are a lot cheaper than buying Usborne books.
Mary Holmes says
I agree with Katrina, libraries are a great resource especially for children. There are so many places where you can purchase books with fast shipping, so 2-4 weeks is plain ridiculous.
Rbooknook says
I thought the article was funny but was disappointed with the comments. A lot has changed with the company since 2016. Now, most orders ship out the day you place your order or within the first 24 hours. I’ve heard customer service used to be a nightmare, not really sure in which ways. I know that if you go through your consultant, they can submit a support ticket and usually get the issue resolved within 24 hours, depending on the issue. The book guarantee is a life time guarantee. Again, go through your consultant and they can get everything taken care of for you! Yes, I am a consultant. I mainly run my business through book fairs and markets. I hate hearing when someone is disappointed with any Usborne products because we really do have some amazing books. I do apologize if anyone has had any negative experiences with the company or any consultants. I would argue that most consultants genuinely care about literacy and support local book stores and libraries just as any of you do; they are great resources!
Lisa says
You hit the nail on the head!! People who don’t buy your books are just dumb and mistreat their children and don’t take education seriously and they aren’t supportive of their family and friends.
Wow.
Or maybe they can’t swing $15 for one book when you can get amazing books at the library for FREE.
What a rude post. Ew.
Melissa says
Omg I was literally yelling at you while reading yiour comment like YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! LOL I agree with you completely. I thought the post was in poor taste and even worse to see grown adults name calling or putting other commenters down because their opinions didn’t agree with theirs. I was laughing at the library part “shelling out money at the library and paying full price to replace books”seriously? My library has been an amazing resource for my family and I’ve paid approximately $10 in late fees in the last 4 years since I’ve been a member. I misplaced one book during that time period and they didn’t charge me a dime for it because I had never lost a book before. It’s honestly very easy to keep track of items checked out and being a new homeschooling family, we have roughly 30+ books out a week! My library even has a bookstore section where I’ve been able to purchase books and DVDs for 25 cents a piece so beat that! Lol