One of my supervisors started one of those at home businesses, you know the type that you throw "parties" like the tupperware parties or like mary kay. She buggs me about ordering from her several times a week. She's my suprior (a vengefully petty one to be honest) so it puts me in a hard position to keep making excusses as to why I can't buy this week. Is there any legal issue to this, or is it just ethical?

It's tacky, it's not illegal.

Making up "excuses" not necessary. "I am not interested; please do not ask me any more."

It's not illegal as Patty says, but in every company I've worked in, it was against company policy, on two grounds. (1) Pursuing private business interests on company time and (2) soliciting subordinates for money. It would also violate most ethics policies that I have seen in recent years. Even if it isn't against any written policy in your company, I doubt that upper management would approve unless you work for a small company and the supervisor is one of the owners.

Normally, I am opposed to the following approach, but it this case, I recommend filing an anonymous complaint. If your company has a complaint process that permits you to remain anonymous,use it. If not, a letter to the executive you feel would be most likely to act.