Are Neighborhood Networks Worth It??

[texaschef]

I just got a solicitation for joining a Neighborhood Network in my city-for $115 a month. Is that too pricey? I have been doing this since Jan 08 so I don't have TONS of money....
The company gathers info for different businesses and make welcome bags for new residents of high price subdivisions in my area. They will get about 125 bags out a month (or so they say)....I just don't know if it will be worth the money....and if so..is it a good idea to give them a catalog??? Or should I do a flyer??? What to do????!!?!?

 

[easytoprepare]

Ouch! $115/month....that's ALOT. We have what's called a Chamber of Commerce and it's like $300/year to be a member and they also do the welcome packets for new people to the area, and inserting things in there is free to chamber members. $115/month is VERY VERY pricy to me, but i would look into the Chamber thing and if you do have one I would invest in it if you can afford it. I am hoping that by '09 I will be able to and will be involved in my community. Until then I bust my butt on vendor fairs/booths. I am also working on a packet for realators (but I'm not sure what I want in them) figuring they would have first dibs on new people to the area, and i plan on making the investment in full catalogs to them.

Hope that helps!

 

[easytoprepare]

I forgot to mention as far as networking join groups. I joined our local Jaycee chapter (leadership organization for people ages 21-39), and it's been very worth the $62/year dues and it's great because our chapter does ALOT in the local community as far as volunteering!

 

[Chef Kearns]

YES!!! It is too pricey! The fact that they only are going to put out 125 packets a month shows that the value is not there. For the price of the network I would expect more like 3-500 or MORE. If I were you I would research the Chamber thing.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

That's almost $1 per bag! That is insane. It might be worth a little bit more if you were getting the names to follow up with, too, but it's still way too pricey for me!

 

[DebbieJ]

Too much. Don't do it.

 

[texaschef]

Yeah...I thought so too...the price is $85 if you sign up for 12 months!!! I thought it was a bit much. Thanks for all the advice and heads up. I hope the lady still hosts a show for me.....

 

[zmom58]

Think about it...How many times have you contacted someone when you have received a goodie bag with lots of pamphlets etc....If you are like me, you may glance at them then toss em. Too much $$$ with too little return.
Deb

 

[texaschef]

So true Deb...my DH was telling me...well if they are new to the subdivision who are they going to invite???? If they are new to Austin they won't have any family yet so then you are stuck with handing out all those catalogs for them to just end up having a PC show with someone else in 6 months or so...which is true.
Thanks you all for your insight...I love CS. (My director's been wondering why i stopped calling her so often!!! It's b/c of all the helpful info here!)