Anyone else despise shopping parties?

[epcotfan]

HATE THEM, HATE THEM, HATE THEM!!! I went to one of those candle parties, a few years back. The only reason I went was because my employer at the time was hosting it. There was a ton of pressure to buy stuff. The only reason I bought something was so my boss wasn't displeased. I know, stupid reason. NEVER AGAIN.

 

[RUDisney]

I'll go beyond hate with these parties. I ABHOR them! If someone wants to invite me to their house, do it because you want to, not because you want to sell me something.

Barb, your typing sound very weak and scratchy. I think you should just go to bed early tomorrow so you can rest your typing fingers.

 

[Spinning]

I must be the out cast I actually enjoy them! Maybe it is my circle of friends we do something about 2 times a year but we all know we don't have to buy anything but we get together , eat and drink and have a good time! We turn it into a girls night out! I think sometimes the demonstrator gets mad at us because we have a tendancy to joke and laugh and have a good time. Plus we are so competitive with the contest!
But I will admit to not going to demonstration parties if I don't know the person really well.....

 

[lulubelle]

I hate them all EXCEPT the PartyLite candle parties. I love their candles even though they are more expensive than say Yankee candles. But, I prefer to just order over the phone, not do the whole party thing. Then they pressure you to have a party yourself - NO WAY! Just my two cents.

 

[grinningghost]

I really hate them too, except for Home Interiors. I love their candles and always need a few by the time the next party rolls around. The lady who invites me to her Home Interiors parties makes really good roast beef too. So that's a plus.

Oh, and I do like "bag" parties. Those are the ones where they pass out brown bags to everyone, then pass around baskets with all different junk in them. Everything is cheap. I can usually find a few things that I like and I don't go home broke. And the same roast beef lady throws these too.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
Well, do yourself a favor and when you first receive the invite, call right then and say "I'm sorry Iwon't be able to attend. I have another commitment that night." That is not a lie...you probably do have another commitment that night, even if it's just a commitment to go to bed or read a book or watch TV.

I have to admit it is kind of rude to leave the hostess hanging for 2 weeks and still not have responded the day before the party.

That would be a lie, because I don't have another committment that night.

And as for the unsolicited opinion on etiquette, but there was no RSVP on the postcard.

 

[RUDisney]

Originally posted by Spinning
I must be the out cast I actually enjoy them! Maybe it is my circle of friends we do something about 2 times a year but we all know we don't have to buy anything but we get together , eat and drink and have a good time! We turn it into a girls night out! I think sometimes the demonstrator gets mad at us because we have a tendancy to joke and laugh and have a good time. Plus we are so competitive with the contest!

Do you realize that the demonstrator is trying to make a living with these, albeit God-awful parties? Why don't you and your friends just have each other over without wasting the demonstrator's time?

 

[grinningghost]

One thing that always drives me nuts at these parties, is when they try to get YOU to have another party at YOUR house. That's where I draw the line. I'll go to them if I have to, but I will NOT be hostess for one.

 

[KimR]

I hate them as well. I used to go out of a sense of obligation, but not anymore. I just politely decline and I've never had anyone get insulted yet.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Originally posted by RUDisney
I'll go beyond hate with these parties. I ABHOR them! If someone wants to invite me to their house, do it because you want to, not because you want to sell me something.

Barb, your typing sound very weak and scratchy. I think you should just go to bed early tomorrow so you can rest your typing fingers.

LOL RU. I have to save some of my steam for my new thread:

PARTIES WHERE YOU ARE ASKED TO BRING A DISH, BYOB, AND THROW IN SOME MONEY FOR THE MEAT!



Don't laugh. My sister got an invitation like this. Now don't get me wrong, any one or maybe two of those combinations is fine with me. But all three?!?!

 

[RUDisney]

Originally posted by Bichon Barb
PARTIES WHERE YOU ARE ASKED TO BRING A DISH, BYOB, AND THROW IN SOME MONEY FOR THE MEAT!

WOW!

I've never been asked to bring something, though I've offered and taken different things.

I've heard of everyone being asked to bring a specific type of wine, from a specific region for a wine tasting party. Then, everyone votes on who brought the best wine with them. Even at these, there is usually a limit on the amount you can spend.

But, to throw in money for the meat?!? You might as well not have the party if you can't afford to provide your guests with a main course.

 

[Bichon Barb]

In this day and age with people being so busy (i.e. working, etc.), I almost find it rude not to ask "what can I bring"-- especially at holiday gatherings or barbeques. And if the host says "nothing", then I would bring a bottle of wine.

Actually, when my family and my in laws get together during the holidays, there are usually at least five crock pots lined up on the counter. It's really makes life easier when you are hosting the party. (And it's a lot of fun! )

 

[FroggyinArk]

lol ok gotta add my 3 cents,, i hate the shopping parties, unless there is a specific iterm i'm neding,, like a tupperware party should my thats a bowl be damaged, or pampered chef if i cracked a stone and talking about bringing fod is what made me coment,, last weekend we invited friends for a bbq at our houes on saturday, and they were going to grill at thier house for fathers day sunday,, i cooked,, 3 slabs ribs, 1/2 brisket, 2 lbs sausage, gallon of bbq beans grilled potatoes, grilled squash , onion, and peppers with pineapple( fresh not cannedc) and home made sauce,, we had 2 slabs left over and veggies too,, friends ended up taking hte left overs home and reheated them for the differnt crowd on sunday

 

[birdiesunshine]

I hate them and I hate it even more when you are guilted into going by one of your friends throwing the party who's sole purpose is to make money off of you so they can get a free gift!!!!!!!!!! TACKY.

 

[JVL1018]

It depends what it's for and what I need, sometimes I like them, sometimes I go just to be with friends-if I didn't want to go I would have RSVP'd when I first got the invite and said that I could not attend, if pressed I would say I had a prior engagement.
If it's a party at the home of someone I barely know, or where I wouldn't know anyone but the hostess, I wouldn't go. Not a fun evening for me.

 

[HollyJoy]

I like them, but I don't like to be pressured to buy anything!! Most of the ones I go to are hosted by friends, so I feel okay about not buying anything.. no problem!

 

[Lewski709]

Bichon Barb you know I love snacketizers, but ITA....I hate being guilted into these "friendship" parties.

While I really liked the Tastefully Simple party.....I didn't want to go and was dragged along. They have great beer bread!

All these DAMN parties rank right up there with fundraisers from schools. They yank my chain!

HollyJoy your girls are beautiful and should be in modeling!

 

[Nancy]

Usually I will go if it is a really good friend throwing the party. I like Tupperware and can usually find something on the cheaper side to buy. I've been to some Party-lite shows and I love the candles but they are so expensive that I usually just order a box of tealights or votives. If I'm invited to one that someone from work throws I usually will look at the book, but don't always buy and I never go to thier parties.

 

[soccerchick]

Okay-- I'm definitely in the minority. I do like SOME of them. (In fact, I'm rather addicted to Southern Living at Home). I don't mind parties where there is a very short demo in the middle of socializing over food and drink. I do like some of the Pampered Chef products, but I hate their parties; it takes FOREVER to demo stuff. I also will never go to a "party" where they charge you a $10 fee like CM does for scrapbooking, and I love to scrapbook.

Certainly there are some parties where I would never buy the product and I just don't go. I have also gone to some for products I like or was just interested in and not made a purchase and did not feel guilty in the least.

When we move this fall, I'm going to have a huge ladies night out there and I'm tempted to put on the invitation "I'm not selling anything...just come have some drinks, food and fun."

I'm not sure why women feel the need to hide behind these types of parties. We should just get together. We don't need excuses like shopping.

 

[vald1977]

Don't like and don't attend the "parties". I do enjoy the $10 workshops though. You aren't obligated to buy anything and you usually get to learn some neat techniques. I go to the Stampin' Up ones. Never been to a CM.