Anyone else despise shopping parties?

[gdulaney]

I'm probably in the minority too. I like to attend some parties - and worse of all....I sell the "t-ware" stuff , but I don't really do parties. If somebody wants to buy something, then I will either "direct sell" the products or offer them the opportunity to do a basket party (I put some items in a basket and demo three or four items) with outside orders. I don't want anybody to feel pressured to buy something that they can't afford or don't need. I've attended those types of parties and it just stinks to feel like you have to buy something...especially if it's super expensive. I attended a Southern Living at Home party and the sales consultant was pretty high-pressure. Unfortunately for her, I'm immune to high pressure sales tactics. Hubby and I have attended back-to-back time-share presentations...so I can say "no" with the best of them.

To the OP --- I hate it that you're being pressured to attend a "party", especially when you don't really know anybody. If you decide to go, maybe you could take a friend along. At least then you'd have a buddy and if it's the kind of party where you get a gift for bringing a buddy...you'd get a gift.

Ginny

 

[Skywalker]

Count me with those who hate these things. I went out of obligation to one my sister-in-law was having and stupidly I put down on some form that I would consider hosting one myself. Well, this woman turned out to be the party co-ordinator from hell. I had like 5 messages the next day from her asking "When can we arrange your party? Huh? Huh? When?"

Final straw was, my father passed away a few days after the party and she happened to call me right after I'd heard the news. I was kind of in shock and I said "Actually, I can't talk about his right now, my father just passed away." And she said. "Oh, I am so sorry...I'll call you tomorrow." Gee, nothing like having time to grieve before getting back to the priorities of that candle party!!

Anyway, I have never gone to one since.

 

[froglady]

Worse than being invited to one is accepting an invitation to one without knowing it! I remember my husband and I being invited for "dinner' only to discover it was a cookware demonstration! Needless to say, I didn't buy anything...I didn't even have any money with me; just a bottle of wine as a gift.

 

[GIOny]

Originally posted by Bichon Barb
Banahiem, whew! Thank God I'm not the only one. Misery loves company. One company charges each individual for delivery. Not to your doorstep but to the hostess's doorstep. And it's not one all inclusive charge that is split up, I'm talking like $5.00 for delivery for each person.

You are right about the delivery charges but it is not just one company, it seems to be most of them now, at least the ones I've been to. What a rip off. You are paying for shipping for your stuff to go to someone elses house. If the persons house it is going to is out of it, it can take forever to get your stuff. I ordered some candle holders in October, I wanted them for Thanksgiving - they were an autumn leaf pattern, I got them after Easter!! Some of the parties I don't mind, it depends on what they are selling. Not long ago I went to a basket party, I can buy baskets just about anywhere for $10.00-$20.00, the basket I picked out with a liner was $150.00. Yes, that was for 1 basket!! Didn't buy it when I found out the price. The cheapest basket I saw was around $90.00. I'm careful about what invitations I accept now, I will only go if I need or want something.

 

[skuttle]

Someone I work with once invited me to a creative memories party. Before I got the actual invitation, I was looking forward to going... I just started scrapbooking when DS was born and I wanted a few things I had read about. When I got the real invitation and saw that there would be a $10 charge, I decided not to go. I'm not paying a cover charge to go to one of those parties!

 

[trola2]

Most of the companies will direct ship to your door if you pay a higher shipping fee. For the company I am familiar with, most guests prefer to pay $3.25 and let the host deliver to them, rather than paying up to $14 to have it sent direct. Plus, that's part of the reason she gets the free stuff...because she does the leg work and makes those deliveries.

Just passing on information.

 

[MelessaG]

Originally posted by Skywalker
I said "Actually, I can't talk about his right now, my father just passed away." And she said. "Oh, I am so sorry...I'll call you tomorrow."

THUD! That was the sound of me falling over in shock! I actually am a direct-seller and would NEVER say such a thing to a customer who had just lost a loved one. Then again, I wouldn't have already called you 6 times by the next day either. Though I do work with the type you are talking about. (I seem to have a similar 'business strategy' as Ginny. I sell to those who want it, hate doing the big drawn-out demo's, I couldn't be a high-pressure salesperson if I tried. I just don't have it in me.) Still, I am very sorry that happened to you. That's awful and inexcusable. I'm sorry about your father too.

 

[Alice28]

Okay, I am also in the minority...I like some these parties! I like CM, Pampered Chef & Tupperware and I would be interested in a Tastefully Simple. I think they're fun and I don't feel pressured to buy from my friends. This Spring 3 of my girlfriends and I took turns doing PC parties- we all booked off each other, so that gave each other extra goodies....then we made our wish lists, and one month I bought $50 from Beth, the next month $50 from Diana, and then I got the rest of my wish list free or at deep discount cause they bought off my party....that way I could afford all the stuff I wanted without blowing $200 at once. Does that make sense?

I used to sell CM- the cover charge party gets you quite a bit of stuff for that $10...it's not just $10 to go and listen; you get stuff to take home and work with to make your first page. There is another party that the consultant can do that is no charge...and as far as the shipping goes, that is at the sole discretion of the consultant..I didn't charge for shipping at all; I used it as a tax write off (the $15 I paid UPS for my deliveries). I usually had such a decent inventory that I rarely had to make an order just for a party; I had the stuff or my upline had it, so I just figured it would be better customer satisfaction if I didn't charge the fee. But, some companies, like Pampered Chef, ship to the hostess---the consultant keeps no inventory so everything must be shipped to somebody. I don't think the $3 they charge is that outrageous, considering how heavy some of those stones are (if that's what you buy anyway).

The parties that BUG me----Party Lite and Longerberger....too expensive and just not my thing.

And Spinning----you and your girlfriends were my kind of customers----I loved parties where the gals were having FUN and laughing and such...the same spiel gets old after awhile anyway...

 

[Spinning]

Maybe you took my post the wrong way! I guess I posted my comments wrong. But when I have a party or my friends have one we do not put any pressure on them to buy or have the next round of parties. We play the games and have fun.
Yes I know they make money on it and believe no demonstrator has ever left one of our parties with out at least $250-$300 or more (tastefully Simple YUM! She did great in sales that has to be my favorite party yet!) in sales so believe me they leave happy. Plus most of the demonstrators know us very well. And stay and have a good time with us. I think that is why we have fun with it. It isn't just a half hour demo but a night out. Sorry if I offended you.

 

[cats7494]

Oh, I definately hate them! I have gone to several and have usually bought something out of guilt... I know, shame on me....
LOL

 

[piglet too]

As a TS consultant, I truly do not care if everyone at a "party" buys or not. I truly want my host and her friends to have a good time. I also do not ask for bookings, nor do I "plant" booking "seeds" in my demonstration. I just want my hostess' to feel good with the number of people who show up, and to maybe earn some products for free. I truly would rather just take outside orders all the time, much cheaper and easier for me. As for the shipping costs, I just charge what I get charged by my company.

To the OP, if you do go to the party. Do not feel obligated to buy anything, and if the consultant asks, tell her you just are not a party person and leave it at that. If you do like the products, keep her name and order some other time, or pass on her name to someone who might like it. Trust me, there is nothing better than getting that phone call from someone who wants to order, espcially if they had not been to a show or did not want to order at the time.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Okay, so I looked at the postcard to see what time the party starts, and what is at the bottom in fine print? Something to the affect of "Please give me a call so I can plan, blah, blah, blah". I called and got her answering machine. I apologized for the late reply and told her that I am coming and bringing my mother. (I figure the extra potential customer kinda makes up for my late reply. )

But I still have to complain. If it were me, I wouldn't ask my invitees to make a committment to shop at my house weeks in advance. Also, I wouldn't want to put them in any uncomfortable position--like having to fib if they are not interested. I'd have an open house. JMHO.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Barb, the open house idea is good, and a lot of home party company reps can do them. I sold Tupperware for about a year, and I never pressured anyone into having a party or buying anything. I haven't been to any home parties in at least 8 years, either. I never saw any of the invites as somehow pressuring me to buy something, anytime I went to a demo if I didn't want to buy something, I didn't. And made no excuses, either.

 

[SC Minnie]

I guess I am in the minority too. Most of these parties I enjoy going to because I like the products. I always give myself a max. spending amount usually $50 before I go. I just hate hosting them. I have been roped into a few of these. And after the last one I swore I would never do it again- I was a nervous wreck for a week. My ex-sil sells Mary Kay and a couple of months ago she asked if I would host a party and I flat out said no and explained why.

I found that many people do not RSVP (wonder if some of these educated I know even know what it means ).

 

[bubbasmom99]

I would not go to a party where I wasn't interested in the product, and I've been invited to a few... that being said, I am a PC consultant and I would feel horrible if anyone were at one of my shows against their will. I keep my shows short (under 20 min if I can help it), only mention booking once or twice (and I hope it's never with undue pressure), and I honestly do not care if people walk out without buying anything. I think we have great products that speak for themselves... to the people that are interested in buying, but certainly they are not going to appeal to everyone.

And regarding RSVPs, it can be very difficult to walk into a party without having some idea of how many people will be there... for everything from order forms and catalogs, to how much food and drink to have ready. I don't like appearing unprepared...so please, give the host a little heads up if you could.

ETA: The whole reason I started selling was to earn extra money for our Disney trips!! Just so you know, I DO have an ulterior motive

 

[RUDisney]

So, Barb, what did you buy?

 

[Bichon Barb]

The chopper ($28.50) - everyone raved about that product.
Bamboo tongs ($2.00) - for my kids to get bagels out of the toaster
Oil sprayer thingie ($10.00) - I use a lot of olive oil

My mom bought the chopper and the tongs.

We put our order together. After the $3.50 shipping fee and tax, it came to about $80.00.

 

[MelCald]

I know this really bad, but I have pretended that I never received the invite! You know, it would be easy for those little postcard to get lost in the mail!!!

Melissa

 

[rhanditresmom]

I don't mind going, just won't host. I don't have time to clean my house for myself, nevermind a whole crew of people!!!!! I have a friend who sells and she is forever after me to host a party. Maybe when I get out of grad school.....

 

[Mishetta]

I wonder if this thread is "a sign?"

Story: Last night a close friend & I went to dinner after Curves and the short version of this story is that we ran into a Tupperware Consultant. She was trying to get us to book a party. I LOVE Tupperware but have never had a party before. My friend said "you should have at least one of those parties in your lifetime!" So I was actually considering it. Oh boy...after reading all your comments, now I'm really having second thoughts!!

Personally, I enjoy some of those parties. I only accept invites to the ones where I would be interested in the product. Then, if I do attend, I will only buy if there is something I really want. I used to order the cheapest thing out of the catalogs but I don't do that anymore. If I want/need something, I'll order it. If there is nothing I want/need, then I just won't.

The way I look at it is, if I walk in a store & they have nothing I need/want, then I just walk out without making a purchase. To me, the same applies to these home parties.

So would anyone here be interested in attending my first Tupperware Party????