Welcome to this Scout and Cellar MLM Review.
If you’re digging for some insider scoop on this newcomer to the drinks and beverage industry, you’re in the right place.
But don’t expect any dirt here!
In fact, Scout & Cellar prides itself on “Clean-Crafted™” wines, which are exactly what the name suggests.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, stick with me, and I’ll explain shortly.
Founded in 2017 by Sarah Shadonix, Scout & Cellar is a direct-to-consumer wine company specializing in wines that are free from synthetic pesticides, chemical additives, and added sugars.
Their focus is on natural winemaking, sourcing from small, sustainable vineyards around the world.
Whether you’re someone who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner or you’re looking for variety.
Scout & Cellar has plenty to offer. Just so you know, I have no affiliation with the company, so you won’t find me pushing their products or business opportunity here.
Instead, I’m here to give you an honest, unbiased review.
If you’re considering a new business venture, getting in early has its perks. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the details.
[Affiliate Disclosure: This Scout and Cellar Review has been thoroughly researched from information and testimonials that are in the public domain. This post may contain affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission, however, this won’t affect what you pay!
Scout and Cellar Review- Summary
Product: Scout and Cellar
Location: Farmers Branch, Texas, US
Founder: Sarah Shadonix
Founded: 2017
Website: www.scoutandcellar.com
Product Description: A producer of “Clean-crafted-wine” along with a business opportunity for those that are interested.
Cost to join: $249.00 first year plus $99.00 each year after.
Price of products: $16.00 – $72.00
Best For: Experienced network marketers with a love for wine.
Recommended: Maybe
Summary:Scout & Cellar is a direct-to-consumer wine company founded in offering “Clean-Crafted™” wines free of synthetic additives and sourced from sustainable vineyards.
It operates through a multi-level marketing (MLM) model, where independent consultants sell wines and earn commissions through product sales and team-building.
Like other MLMs, success in Scout & Cellar depends on both personal sales and recruiting others.
While the clean-crafted wine niche appeals to health-conscious consumers, those considering the business model should carefully evaluate the earning potential and challenges associated with MLM structures.
With that said let’s continue with this Scout and Seller MLM Review.
Scout and Cellar Review- TOC
- 10 Powerful Reasons to Try Scout & Cellar’s Clean-Crafted Wines
- What is Scout and Cellar about and who are the Founders?
- Is Scout and Cellar a Pyramid Scheme
- Let’s look at the Scout and Cellar Product Range
- Scout and Cellar Business Opportunity – What You Need To Know
- What others say about Scout and Cellar
- What We Like – Scout and Cellar MLM Review
- What We Don’t Like – about Scout and Cellar MLM Review
- Is Scout and Cellar a Scam?
- Is Scout and Cellar a Worthy Business to get involved with?
- Scout and Cellar – FAQs
- Lawsuits Past And Presnt
- Feedback, Follow and Subscribe
10 Powerful Reasons to Try Scout & Cellar’s Clean-Crafted Wines for a Healthier Sip
Here are 10 powerful reasons for joining Scout & Cellar:
- Clean-Crafted™ Wines: Scout & Cellar offers wines free from synthetic pesticides, chemical additives, and added sugars, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
- Sustainability: The company partners with small, sustainable vineyards, supporting eco-friendly and responsible farming practices.
- Direct-to-Consumer Model: As a consultant, you can earn money by selling high-quality, clean wines directly to customers through personal interactions or online.
- Unique Product Offering: The emphasis on “clean-crafted” wine gives you a unique selling point in a crowded wine market.
- Flexible Business Opportunity: As an independent consultant, you can set your own hours and work on your own terms.
- Generous Compensation Plan: Scout & Cellar offers a multi-tier compensation structure, including commissions on personal sales and team building.
- Strong Community: You join a supportive network of like-minded consultants who are passionate about health, wellness, and great wine.
- Personal Development: You’ll gain valuable skills in sales, customer service, and entrepreneurship while building your business.
- Expanding Market: As consumer demand for organic, natural, and sustainable products grows, Scout & Cellar is well-positioned in a flourishing market.
- Discounted Wines: Consultants receive discounts on Scout & Cellar products, allowing you to enjoy high-quality wines at a reduced price while sharing them with customers.
The above reasons should appeal to joining Scout and Celler, whether for personal enjoyment of clean wines or as a business venture.
What is Scout and Cellar and who are the Founders?
Scout and Cellar is a young vibrant
multi-level marketing business producing wine in what is becoming a popular niche amongst MLMs.Started in 2017 by an ambitious former attorney, Sarah Shadonix and they reside in Texas.
A woman with a great passion for great wines.
Prior to the launch date, Sarah helped to develop a “better” brewing process, namely “Clean-crafted-wine” which contains only synthetic pesticides, free grapes and minimum sulfites.
An ORGANIC approach which is CHEMICAL AND PESTICIDE FREE!
This was brought about by the constant headaches she suffered from drinking wine, and through her research found that there were up to 300 additives in almost all mass-produced wines.
Interesting to know that only around 1% of the $70 billion US wine market is covered by the clean crafted wine process.
The whole process takes longer than the traditional way but the finished article is supposed to be a nicer wine and of course free from any additives and free from any headaches.
On launch day 55 consultants joined and today 7 years later has grown to over 11 thousand.
In their first year of trading, it was reported that they made $20 million in sales which is great going for any startup business.
Check out this Scout and Cellar promotional video presented by the founder Sarah Shadonix.
Who is Sarah Shadonix?
Sarah Shadonix is an undergraduate from Richmond University who qualified to become an Attorney, just like her father, although he didn’t want his daughter to go down that route.
A wine lover with plenty of passion, with experience in the wine industry working for “Wine Country Connect” as a distribution manager.
The business name “Scout and Cellar” came about due to her research in finding organic wineries that didn’t use chemicals or pesticides hence the term “Scout”.
“Cellar” has a double meaning in this case, “Wine cellar” and a reference to “Seller”, the company’s independent consultants.
Hence the name “Scout and Cellar”
Is Scout and Cellar a Pyramid Scheme?
People nowadays are so quick to get on the
pyramid scheme bandwagon without any real proof or research behind their findings.Maybe these are people who have tried MLMs in the past and had a bad experience or people who just follow the flow with what others say, I don’t know.
What is clear is that most MLM businesses don’t fit into that criterion and it is only a few that give the network marketing industry a bad name through the way they choose to operate.
My spin on this is simple; if the sponsor or team leader is getting paid for recruiting others then that would be deemed a pyramid scheme.
What some businesses do is attach a product of some description normally with no intrinsic value as a way of hiding the fact.
Government agencies are usually quick to get on their case but sometimes it is difficult to prove.
In Scout and Cellar’s case, they have a bunch of good wines which is quite extensive and you don’t have to recruit anybody to make money.
However, if you are looking to advance up the corporate ladder then recruiting in MLMs is key to you having success.
Scout and Cellar Product Range
I have researched several MLMs in the “drinks and beverage” Industry and Scout and Cellar are in a different league due to their unique production method and of course, their prices are extremely reasonable too.
Scout and Cellar best sellers
In the above image are some select wines which as you can see aren’t going to break the bank.
The Scout Circle Wine Club
If you are a lover of wines then why not join this exclusive wine club.
Exclusive because they are the only wine club that delivers “Clean-Crafted-Wine”
Selection…
- Red Wines
- 12 bottles @ $289.00
- 6 bottles @ $149.00
- White Wines
- 6 bottles @ $129.00
- A mix of Red and White Wines
- 12 bottle @ $279.00
- 6 bottles @ $139.00
To be paid either monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly
The Scout and Cellars product range can be found within the categories listed below…
- White Wines
-
- Chardonnay(6) $22-$25
- Sauvignon Blanc(2) $24
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris(5) $22-$30
- Sparkling White Wines(6) $22-$48
- Other White Wines(10) $24-$27
- All White Wines
- Red Wines
-
- Pinot Noir(8) $20-$42
- Cabernet Sauvignon(14) $23-$72
- Zinfandel(4) $20-$32
- Red Wine Blends(9) $16-$38
- Other Red Wines(10) $22-$42
- All Red Wines
- Rose Wines
-
- Still Rose Wines(3) $22-$25
- Sparkling Rose Wines(3) $25-$29
- All Rose Wines
- Sparkling Wines
-
- Wine Spritzers(2) $19
- Sparkling White Wines(6) $22-$48
- Sparkling Rose Wines(3) $25-$29
- All Sparkling Wines
For a closer look at the Scout and Cellar products range with current prices…
You can check out the full range of products here
Scout And Cellar Business Opportunity – What You Need To Know
MLMs are extremely difficult to crack and Scout and Cellar are no different.
I can’t stress enough the importance of thorough research before contemplating any business opportunity and especially an MLM.
An important fact you need to be aware of is that a high percentage of people who join any mlm struggle to make enough monney to replace a full-time job.
Of course, there are exceptions but it all depends on how much hard work and comitment you are prepared for.
How to become a Scout and Cellar independent distributor?
Everybody joins by purchasing the…
Business Basics Kit ($249.00)
Which includes…
-
- 4 bottles of clean crafted wines
- Pulltaps and Corkscrew with Scout and Cellar logo
- Replicated website for 1 year
- 1 Scout and Cellar black book
- 5 Scout and Cellar brand guides
- 10 earning opportunity quick guides
- 2 measured wine pourers
- 2 wine glass markers
- An insulated wine tote bag that carries 6 bottles
- Table tent
- Vacu-Vin wine saver
- Wine journal
After your 1st year, there is a fee of $99.00 for your website.
How to Make Money With Scout and Cellar
The 3 basic ways to make money with any MLM is…
- Purchase the products yourself at discount and sell them to family and friends.
- Sell the products to customers.
- Recruit others into your team and make commissions on what your team sell.
If you want to be successful in this type of business you need to excel at recruiting others into your team, and be a great team leader and train your team, otherwise, they will leave pretty quickly.
Organising parties at home, events and functions is a great way to get the word out and people interested in the wines.
Remember there will be added costs because you have to supply the wines and the food yourself.
You can also look at social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram…
Another great way would be to develop your own website based around wines and create content that targets people who are searching in Google for wine-related things.
Once you have this up and running correctly it can generate income 24/7/365. Interested, then I can highly recommend a great training platform which I will briefly go into later.
Here you can check out the Scout and Cellar Compensation Plan for yourself
Are Scout and Cellar wine consultants actually making money?
Unfortunately, there isn’t any evidence of income made by Scout and Cellar consultants, but considering they haven’t been around too long, then that is understandable.
There are several rankings that you would need to climb but to get there you have to meet certain goals based on the collective sale of both yourself and your team.
-
- Consultant – Where everybody starts their journey
- Second Consultant – $700 in collective sales
- Executive Consultant – $1100 in collective sales
- Associate Manager – $1900 in collective sales
- Senior Manager – $2600 in collective sales
- Executive Manager – $3500 in collective sales
Retail Sales
This is the part of the compensation plan that rewards sales directly to the customer. Here are the various commissions you can earn based on your sales volume:
- Sales under $499 = 12%
- Sales between $500 to $1499 = 15%
- Sales between $1500 to $2999 = 20%
- Sales over $2999 = 25%
These are good commissions but you are going to have to sell a lot of wine to make a full-time income.
What Others Say About Scout And Cellar
I am finding it hard to find real customer reviews from the usual review sites and therefore had to dig out a few from their Facebook page.
If you have 30 minutes spare this documentary is worth watching.
Scout And Cellar MLM Review -What We Like
Being on the fence allows me to look at both the good
and the bad and highlight for you some facts if you are still considering this business.- Unique product amongst the wine community, with only around 1% of the whole of the US wine market actually producing wines with the “Clean-Crafted-Wine” method.
- Great price for an independent wine seller and very competitive with other online businesses, although they are still pricey when we compare against our local supermarket.
- Good products, I mean if you can produce wines that are exempt from the chemicals that are present in most wines, then that as to be great and shows that you are really thinking about your customers.
- You can really earn good commissions if you work hard at this.
- No mention in TINA which is short for “The Truth In Advertising” which is an organisation that dishes the dirt on any business that is not operating with their best intentions.
Nice to see that there is no mention of “Scout and Cellar”
Scout And Cellar MLM Review – What We Don’t Like
Where there are things you like about a business,
there is always a fair share of things to dislike and I have tried to highlight the most important.- State laws dictate who and where you can transport wines so you have to be aware of this when creating your marketing campaigns to find customers.
- Only the very top 1% is where the real money is made, which leaves 99% that don’t make enough for it to become a full-time living.
- Recruiting others
If you really want to excel in any MLM business you have to be exceptionally good at recruiting.
- I come across these methods all the time in MLMs and that is they push you to get the family and friends involved. In my book, this is a sure way to lose friendships.
- Not accredited with the BBB (Better Business Bureau)
- Not a member of the DSA (Direct Sellers Association)
- Customer support
I found many complaints where customers just couldn’t get through to support and when they did issues just weren’t resolved.
- Delivery issues
When wine is transported it has to be at a certain temperature otherwise the wine could be ruined.
In some cases, the wine is taking far too long to arrive at its destination and the cooling element fails, making the wine undrinkable.
Is Scout And Cellar A SCAM?
No, Scout & Cellar is not a scam.
It is a legitimate wine company founded by Sarah Shadonix, focusing on producing and selling “Clean-Crafted™” wines that are free from synthetic pesticides, chemical additives, and added sugars.
The company operates through a direct-to-consumer model, allowing independent consultants to sell their wines and potentially build a business.
While the company has been praised for its emphasis on sustainable and natural winemaking, like any business using a multi-level marketing structure, some people may find the business model challenging.
However, there is no indication that Scout & Cellar operates in a fraudulent or deceptive manner.
Is Scout and Cellar a Worthy Business to get Involved With?
Scout and Cellar do make good wine and they do go the extra mile to ensure the wine is as chemical-free as it could be.So is it really “Organic Wine“?
The business opportunity is often the weak point.
If you’re still considering this venture after reading the review, I recommend trying the wines first, possibly by joining the “Wine Club.”
Keep in mind that only the top 1% typically earn significant income, while most people struggle to make a full-time living, with many ending up out of pocket or in debt.
Speaking from personal experience, having tried and failed twice, I have a good understanding of what’s involved.
In my opinion affiliate marketing is a much better solution to making money online but don’t take my word for it, check out this training platform yourself, which was designed around the newbie.
If you are contemplating using a website (which you should be doing) for targeting customers then this site teaches you exactly how to do this.
I nearly forgot it is FREE to join so you are under no obligation and no worries about UPSELL after UPSELL because there aren’t any.
Scout And Cellar FAQs
- What is Scout & Cellar? Scout & Cellar is a direct-to-consumer wine company founded by Sarah Shadonix in 2017.
It specializes in “Clean-Crafted” wines, which are free from synthetic pesticides, chemical additives, and added sugars.
- What does “Clean-Crafted” mean? “Clean-Crafted” refers to wines that are grown naturally without synthetic pesticides and are bottled without added sugars or artificial processing aids.
This ensures a more natural and pure wine experience.
- How does Scout & Cellar verify that their wines are Clean-Crafted? Scout & Cellar uses a multi-part process that includes tasting, working with growers to understand their practices.
Reviewing viticulture and vinification reports, and conducting two independent lab tests to confirm the absence of synthetic pesticides and other unwanted substances.
- Where are Scout & Cellar wines sourced from? Scout & Cellar sources its wines from various regions around the world, including Napa Valley, Willamette Valley, Mendoza, Provence, and La Mancha.
- Can I purchase Scout & Cellar wines at retail stores? No, Scout & Cellar wines are not available in retail stores.
They are sold directly through their website and independent consultants.
- Do you ship to all 50 states? Scout & Cellar ships to most U.S. states, but currently, they do not ship to Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Utah, and P.O. Boxes.
- Can I make a one-time purchase? Yes, customers can make one-time purchases or send wines as gifts without needing to join the wine club.
- How much does shipping cost? Shipping costs vary based on the quantity of the purchase and the time of year.
Specific details can be found on their website or by contacting customer support.
- What happens if I miss a delivery? If a delivery attempt is missed, FedEx will try two more times.
After three failed attempts, the package will be returned to the winery.
Customers can also choose to reroute their package to a FedEx holding center.
- Can I return my purchases for a refund? Scout & Cellar does not offer refunds but does allow exchanges.
If customers are unhappy with their wines or service, they are encouraged to contact customer support to resolve the issue.
Scout And Cellar Lawsuits
Multi-level marketing companies tend to fall fould at some point in their career.
Here are a few issues that we came across:
- Marketing and Health Claims: Scout & Cellar has marketed its wines as “Clean-Crafted,” emphasizing that they are free from synthetic pesticides, chemical additives, and added sugars.
This marketing strategy aims to appeal to health-conscious consumers. However, some industry experts have criticized this approach, arguing that promoting wine as “clean” or healthier can be misleading.
They assert that, despite being marketed as such, wine is inherently an alcoholic beverage and should not be perceived as a health product.
This type of marketing may give consumers a false impression about the health benefits of the wines.
- Multi-Level Marketing Model: The business model of Scout & Cellar resembles that of many multi-level marketing (MLM) companies.
This structure involves independent consultants who sell products directly to consumers and are encouraged to recruit others to join as consultants.
Critics have raised concerns about the financial sustainability of this model, suggesting that it can lead to financial difficulties for those who are unable to recruit enough new members or sell sufficient products.
The MLM structure often comes under scrutiny for its potential to prioritize recruitment over actual product sales.
- Transparency and Sourcing Concerns: There have been questions regarding the transparency of Scout & Cellar’s wine sourcing and pricing practices.
The company sells wines under its own label, which are produced in collaboration with various wineries.
While this practice is common in the wine industry, it can sometimes confuse consumers about the origins and production processes of the wines they purchase.
Clearer communication about these aspects could help address these transparency concerns.
- Product Quality and Testing: Scout & Cellar claims to rigorously test their wines to ensure they meet their “Clean-Crafted” standards, which include the absence of detectable levels of certain pesticides and chemicals.
Independent lab tests have supported these claims, showing no detectable levels of specific harmful substances.
Despite this, some within the wine industry remain skeptical about the necessity and efficacy of such stringent purity claims, given that the wine industry is already subject to safety and quality regulations..
These issues highlight the challenges and criticisms faced by Scout & Cellar, particularly in the areas of marketing practices, business model sustainability, and transparency.
Potential customers and consultants should consider these factors when deciding to engage with the company.
For more detailed insights, refer to resources such as Wine Enthusiast and Mamavation
Feedback, Comments and Subscribe
I hope that you found this review helpful and it gave you more of an understanding not just about “Scout and Cellar” but multi-level-marketing businesses in general.
Why not share on social media and let your friends know so that they don’t make the mistakes that I did.
Any questions regarding Scout and Cellar or affiliate marketing feel free to put them down in the comments section below.
Until next time, stay safe.
Hi Mick,
Another superb review, but as expected.
I was actually starting to get a little excited while I was reading, as this sounds like something I may be interested in.
I do enjoy the occasional glass of vino every now and then, and the chemical-free and “clean” element certainly appeals to me.
However, much like yourself, I’m not a fan of MLMs, so as far as I’m concerned for me to get involved everything will have to be absolutely on-point.
Everything seemed to be going so well until I came to your comments around delivery of goods and customer support. This is a massive factor for me, and I have learned over time to completely trust your honest reviews, so unfortunately this is where Scout and Cellar lost me.
This is not one for me.
Thanks again for the review and keep up the great work.
Partha
Hey Partha, thank you for your time and glad you enjoyed the review
Hey Mick,
Someone who loves wine and never heard of Scout and Cellar I was intrigued to know more about it and you derived everything I would need to know about them. This review provided me with all the good and the bad about the company an I truly appreciate it.
Whenever I heart MLM I am always skeptical but keep an open mind as anything is achievable with some handwork. Going through the review the idea sounds great but the cons outweigh the good.
The review was able to give me the information needed to make a sound decision on whether or not to look into Scout and Cellar and I can confidently say it will not be something I look into.
Thank you for the review.
Thank you Elias, and glad you enjoyed this review on Scout and Cellar MLM review and it cleared up a few things.
Hi, thanks for the review. I don’t think MLM’s are bad but this MLM would be a challenge. It’s not like you can’t market to athletes, only athletes that drink wine. You can’t market to executives, only the executives that drink wine. You can’t market towards people with health issues… etc… It is such a specific audience. This product is so specific yet not specific to any certain demographic of people. It sounds like a good product but I think a product to this limited number of people would make this MLM unsuccessful from the start. I agree with your review fully. Now on to your recommendation. Wealthy Affiliates sounds like a win! It sounds like it is focused to each individual’s interests or passion. Anytime passion plays a part in anything usually makes the goal easily obtainable and successful.
I’ll be looking into this deeper. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hey Jamie, thank you for sharing your view on the Scout and Cellar MLM review.
I like a glass of wine sometimes and to make this business work you need to be selling large volumes, and unless you are prepared to go to events and fairs and organizing wine events then you will struggle.
Affiliate marketing is a much better business model and gives you so much more flexibility.
Once again thanks.
Hey Mick,
I know my friend’s wife is interested in starting her own wine business. When I saw your review, I thought I had found gold for my friend’s wife and was about to share it with her. However, after reading your excellent review of Scout and Cellar, I am not sure this would be right for her.
I have been part of pyramid and MLM schemes in the past and they didn’t work for me. I am still recovering from them actually. I am not saying this is a scam because as you say, they do have great wines. But, it seems extremely difficult to make this a worthwhile business and make money from it.
Cold calling and things like that is not something I think my friend’s wife would be interested in doing either.
Thank you for the review and for opening my eyes on this.
Keep up the great work and all the best,
Tom
Hey Tom, thank you for stopping by and taking time out to read and comment on this Scout and Cellar MLM review.
MLMs are notoriously difficult and I have been scammed in a couple of them in the past.
Something I am not and that’s a salesperson prepared to cold call.
Thank you for your support