FAQs
Make sustainability your business!
Applications:
How do I apply?
Ready to apply or want to learn more? The process is the same! Fill out the application form and we'll get back to you with all the information you need to decide which program is right for you. Not ready to jump in yet? Once we receive your application, we'll send you all the information you want to decide if Common Good At Home is right for you. You'll also be able to speak with someone on our team or another member to ask questions.
When will I hear back about my application?
When you submit a successful application, you'll be redirected to a confirmation page. Give us a few days to review your application and get back to you.
How do I get started with Common Good At Home Online?
Start by filling out our application form here. Once approved, you'll receive an email with information on how to set up your membership portal. This is where you'll be able to see your referral bonuses and commissions, media assets to share with your contacts, and our member resources page to help you each step of the way. You can get started referring sales right away and setting up the At Home Online program takes less than an hour.
How do I get started with Common Good At Home Refill Stations?
Start by filling out our application form here. You will be able to set up your At Home Online membership portal and access our step-by-step guide to get set-up for refills. Becoming an At Home Refill Station Host is a bit more involved. Read through our Business & Tax set up section below to learn more. You will most likely have to apply for authorization to collect sales tax instantly. Some states issue this instantly, while others might take a couple of weeks. When you receive your authorization and/or EIN, you can send it to us and you'll be able to purchase a refill station. When you receive your refill station product, you can start selling refills!
Programs
Can I be in both Common Good At Home Online AND have a Refill Station?
Yes! Every member has access to Common Good At Home Online. You choose whether you want to host a Common Good At Home Refill Station.
Why can't I purchase my refill station product yet?
Because you will be reselling the product to consumers, you have to register to collect sales tax and provide us with your resale certificate before we can sell to you tax-free. Once you send us your certificate, we will send you a link to buy product tax-free. We have to hide the product so only verified members have access. Once you will have ongoing access, you will be able to see starter sets and single refill box units to purchase without tax.
Common Good At Home Online:
What is the Common Good At Home Online program?
Common Good At Home Online is a commission-based social sustainable selling program where you make a commission on every sale you refer. You also get bonuses when a new member you referred joins the program. And you make commissions on their sales.
How much will I make as a member of Common Good At Home Online?
We have a set commission on orders you generate, as well as bonuses for referrals you make and orders their contacts place. Earning capacity will be different for everyone but we have a lot of helpful guidance on how to make your business a success. To see program details and actual amounts, you will need to complete the application process. There is no commitment to join when you apply.
When will I get paid?
We pay commission every 15 days or when you hit a minimum balance.
Do I get a discount?
Yes, Common Good At Home members get discounted product to use at home. This is so you know the product really well and have suppplies on hand when friends drop over and need a demo.
Do my customers get a discount?
Yes, you will have coupons and direct link discounts to share with your contacts.
How much time will this take?
That's up to you! You can spend time educating and selling through phone, email, and on social media. You can throw Common Good At Home parties so friends and family who live near you can try the products. Most of the time will be in the beginning as you reach out to get people their first order discounts and explain the products. You will receive a commission on every order they place so following up with people is a good idea.
Do I have to order a starter set?
You are not obliged to order an At Home Online starter set although we highly recommend that you do because it's the best value product available to you.
Common Good At Home Refill Station:
What is the Common Good At Home Refill Station program?
Common Good At Home Refill Stations are 2.5 gallon boxes of soaps and cleaners that you buy from us and resell to your friends, family, and neighbors. Just like our retail stores, you offer refills to customers. You either sell them bottles or they bring their own. When a product gets low, you place a new order with us and we ship you the product you need. You can be open for business on your schedule. Read below for advice on how to set up a refill station.
How much will I make hosting a Common Good At Home Refill Station?
It's up to you but using our wholesale model, you sell product for 2x what you pay. Use this handy calculator to work out how much to charge per bottle.
And remember, you are also enrolled in Common Good At Home Online so you make commission on online sales. And when you refer new members, you'll receive cash value bonuses to reinvest in your business or spend on yourself.
When will I get paid?
You will charge your customers when you sell them refills. You can accept whatever methods of payment you like but a service like CashApp or Venmo are popular methods and easier to track than cash. Read below for tax implications on our Refill Station program.
Do I get a discount?
We charge you half price (which is our wholesale price) when you buy refill station products to resell. Once we receive your resale certificate, we will not have to charge you tax on your order (this is not a discount but an important thing to know. Read more about sales tax below).
All Common Good At Home members have access to ongoing discounted product to use themselves.
How much time will this take?
That's up to you! But like all good things, the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. In the beginning, building a community of refill customers will take time. You should set up refill times that work for you so the program fits in around your life, not the other way around!
Income & Payments:
How do I get paid?
Common Good At Home Online:
When you set up your membership information, you'll need to connect a PayPal account where you'll receive payments from us.
Every time you refer an order online, we'll pay you a commission. Depending on whether you refer other members and if they start selling, you might receive other commissions and bonuses. All this income flows into your member account for you to track.
We'll send you commission payments every 15 days or when your account balance hits a minimum balance.
Common Good At Home Refill Stations:
You get paid when you sell product. You can accept any method of payment you choose. We find that CashApp, Venmo, and Paypal are popular ways to collect payments.
How much money will I make on the Common Good At Home Online?
That depends on many factors like the size of your network, the size of their households (more people use more product). We have some helpful data we share with members about the size and frequency of an average online order.
How much money will I make on a Common Good At Home Refill Station program?
Like our wholesale program, you resell product for double what you paid for it.
How can I pay for my refill station?
We accept credit and debit cards through our website.
Do I have to pay tax on the income I make?
We strongly recommend you discuss this question with your accountant. There is a minimum earning that doesn't need to be reported but we think you'll probably make enough to require filing and paying income tax. An accountant will be able to help you understand what you need to do and help you claim expenses.
Orders & Shipping:
How do I place an order?
All starter set orders are placed online. Only members have access to Common Good At Home starter sets and products.
When will my order arrive?
We usually ship orders out in 1 - 2 days and carriers can take 1 - 7 days, depending on shipping location.
How much does shipping cost?
Common Good At Home orders ship for free.
How do I order more product
To order more product to use at home, you'll have a discount code to apply at checkout. For those hosting refill stations, once you have provided your resale certificate to us, we'll give you access to the tax-free section of our site where you can order inventory whenever you need it.
Business and Taxes:
Do I need to charge tax?
If you are only referring orders through the Common Good At Home Online program, you do NOT need to register to collect or pay sales tax. We handle sales taxes through our website.
If you are hosting a refill station, you do need to review sales tax requirements in your area and possibly register to collect sales tax. TaxJar has a very helpful tool that shows which states require sales tax collection (hint, most of them do). Select your state to get information and contact links for registering your business and/or to collect sales tax.
Once registered to collect sales tax, you should receive a resale certificate (also known as a sales tax license). You need to send that to us in order for us to sell to you without charging you sales tax.
As you're selling a tangible, likely taxable product, you will need to charge your customers sales tax. Your state will ask you to file sales taxes and submit paperwork. If you're savvy, you can work out how to do that yourself. Or if you're not feeling as confident, you can use a service like TaxJar, TurboTax, or Quickbooks to help you track and file taxes.
Do I need to register a business?
Many states require you to register as a business to collect sales tax. It's often rolled into the same thing. It's simple and you don't need to come up with a name or file trademarks or anything, you can register as a sole proprietor under your name.
I haven't received my resale certificate yet, can I still place an order?
You can but you will have to pay sales tax on that product. Most states take around a week to process a new authorization to collect sales tax. If you are having problems, reach out and we will try to help.
Do I need to pay income tax on the money you pay me?
We will issue you with a 1099 federal tax form which will show any commission or bonuses we've paid you for the previous year. There is a minimum income you need to make before you are required to file taxes. Especially if your Common Good At Home income is in addition to other income you're making, you should get advice on how to file. Again, we strongly recommend you get tax advice from a certified practicing accountant. Everyone's situation is different and we are not in a position to give individual advice on taxes.
Can I claim any deductions?
Another great question for your tax advisor! The simple answer is yes, you can usually claim deductions for any expenses incurred running your business and generating income. Lots of expenses can be deductible like the food or flowers you buy for your Common Good At Home party, some of the cost of your phone service if you're calling prospective customers, a portion of space if you're hosting a refill station. Unless you're very savvy with income taxes and deductions, this is something worth getting help on. Use one of the online tax services like TaxJar, TurboTax, or Quickbooks or your tax return preparer/accountant.
Setting up a Refill Station:
How do I set up a refill station?
Each refill box measures 10 x 10 x 10 inches. They can stack but you want to be careful they aren't dripping onto the box below because it'll look messy. Each box weighs around 22 lbs so if you're putting a lot of them onto a surface, make sure it's sturdy enough to handle that weight. You may want to put something under the faucet to catch any drips.
Detailed directions on how to set up a refill station are sent to members when they're approved.
Other:
I'm confused, is there someone I can talk to about getting started?
Yes, please choose a time to speak in Calendly.
How can I get more involved?
We're just getting started with Common Good At Home but our plan is to grow a supportive network that can help new members navigate the programs and make their small businesses successful. To reach everyone, we're going to need help. If you're interested in being a founding Common Good At Home advisor, let us know at athome@cgco.co.
LINKS & INFORMATION