If I go to the party, do I have to buy something?

[disykat]

I just got an invitation to a neighbor's Creative Memories party. I have no interest in the product (though I'm sure it's great, I just would never use it!) . I wouldn't mind going to just be sociable with the neighbors though. I feel like I can't win without looking rude. So, which is worse? Stay home (where they can see my car) and look like I'm being unsociable - or go and not buy anything. I need to make up my mind so I can RSVP!

 

[CBRorBust]

You could go and buy something small. You don't have to spend $100 or anything, there are a lot of great products for around $10-20. Just act like you're not sure what you want to buy, and buy something small.

 

[msteddom]

Well, I'm no Emily Post, but my mother told me (and let's face it, mom is usually right about everything) that when invited to these types of product parties that you really should buy something. She always buys the least expensive item available, and has stumbled on to some good ones. So yes, I think you should buy something if you attend.


Melissa

 

[Minnie824]

I'd go, definitely just to socialize. I've gone to some different types of parties too, and not always bought anything. Who knows, maybe they'll have something for $10 you could buy just to buy something, but even if not, I wouldn't feel bad. Have fun!

 

[trishy]

I agree with Melissa, but only because that's what I've been taught also. If you can't or just don't want to buy something and you know this ahead of time, I would decline the invitation.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

If I go, I buy something. I realize the hostess didn't invite me over just to entertain me. If I don't feel like buying something from that particular company, I don't go.

 

[CEDmom]

The parties I've gone to the creative memories person charges $10 but provides the supplies to do 2 pages and a little gift.

If that's not the case and you're friendly enough with the neighbor you could just say "wow, getting together sounds like fun but I don't do scapbooking". She'll either say "ok maybe we can get together another time" or "come anyway, you don't need to buy anything".

Another option would be to go and buy something for someone you know who does do scapbooking.

 

[Lewski709]

Never been to a creative memories party. I don't feel OBLIGATED to buy anything at any parties. It's an opportunity to sell, yes...but it's not an obligation to buy. I don't feel bad AT ALL if I go and don't buy anything. .

The only way I know if I am going to be at all interested in buying something is by going and seeing what is there, if it's not something I already know about.

Consider this:

Invited to a bracelet party. Went. Thought, I like bracelets. The cheapest bracelet was 45.00 and I didn't like it. They were the bead types that you choose the beads for right there. I didn't buy any. Sorry, I don't like bracelets that much.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I don't think you should feel obligated to buy if there is truly nothing that you want. Your hostess still might benefit just by having you show up--sometimes these companies give a bonus to the hostess if they have X number of people at the party.....you might want to offer to bring some food to share with everyone, though, if you want to assuage your guilt, that would help off-set her costs.

 

[Rajah]

I wouldn't have any problem with going and just looking through the catalog. You can always say you weren't sure they had anything you wanted, but you wanted to come to see what she had anyway.

Never know, you might find something you like.

 

[Bichon Barb]

This is the whole reason I'm no fan of these types of "parties". What especially drives me nuts is when you are pressured at these parties to have a party of your own.

 

[mommytotwo]

If you don't have any other plans, I would attend it. Buy something small maybe a gift for someone or you could sell it on ebay.

 

[Mishetta]

One of my neighbors invited me to a candle type party (is it Partylite??) Anyway, I called to tell her that I really didn't need any candles, so I was declining the invitation. She told me to come on over anyway...she didn't care whether I bought anything or not, she just thought it would be fun for all of us neighborhood ladies to get together. She said to me "anyway, it's up to the sales rep to sell you something. If she can't make a sale, then that's her problem!" I went. I bought nothing, but I did win a little door prize. It was fun to visit with my neighbors too.

If you'd feel that uncomfortable going & not buying anything, then don't go. If you'd really want to socialize with the guests, then go & don't feel obligated to buy anything.

 

[disykat]

If it were a closer friend I would have no problem not buying anything - I certainly wouldn't want my friends to feel obligated if I had a party. I just don't want to offend her. Since I don't know her well enough to know if she'll be offended I guess I'll just decline. I'm not going to buy something I don't want or need just to earn my way into her party! I'm a cheapskate and that just goes against every grain in my body LOL!

Thanks for the help.

 

[KristiKelly]

I used to sell Creative Memories and there are several things that can be bought for less than $20. If someone did not want to do album pages @ the show, they didn't have to pay $10. I know they have Disney stickers (Pooh & Friends and Mickey & friends) even if you don't scrapbook, give them to your kids or as part of a gift for a child or someone who scrapbooks. Stickers, if I remember correctly, are $4-5.

 

[tkyes]

I have gone to a couple of parties and never purchased anything. I often call the hostess and say "I would love to come to your party, I'm not really a scrapbooker, can I just come and watch the demonstration?"

Don't feel obligated. Sometimes it's nice to just have a lot of people at a party.

I have Pampered Chef parties occassionally, I have them because there is something I need to buy. I invite other people because they might need something. If someone didn't buy anything I wouldn't care in the least.


tamie

 

[Alice28]

Here's another perspective:

I am a Creative Memories Consultant. I do the demos not only to sell stuff (obviously), but I really feel passionate about preserving family history. I find joy teaching the ways of preserving your photos and momentos so that they can be passed down from generation to generation. I have taught several classes where not everyone has bought something- it's FINE! It's expected that not EVERYONE will catch the bug right off the bat, or even at all. I am just grateful they came to hear how they can do it if they ever decide they would like to down the line. And there are LOTS of fun things to buy for under $15- as a matter of fact, there is a Disney Snap Pack that has several sheets of stickers that include Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Buzz, Woody, Pooh and friends, Mickey & Gang, Alice, and more. Plus papers and a little booklet telling you step by step how to put a little momento album together- that's only $13.50. Or there are Mickey or Pooh combo packs (stickers and a couple die cut papers) for only $5.50. Perfect for any Disney fan! Plus there are almost always door prizes, raffles, etc. Just let your neighbor know that right now you probably aren't interested in buying the products, but you would like to come and hear the spiel and I'm sure she will understand.

The one difference between Creative Memories and all of the other at home parties is that this is something that can become a passion, a hobby, something you can do together socially with friends and family....to me it's different that just buying a candle or bakeware (and I LOVE Pampered Chef, don't get me wrong!).

 

[bclydia]

I love what Alice28 had to say!
I sell Tupperware because I love the product (and it gives me some extra money to feed my Tupperware habit!! )but I've never been concerned if a guest doesn't buy something. A home party should be fun and a chance to socialize and laugh!
Go and visit with your neighbours and feel free not to buy anything!
If you feel you must buy something, others here have given great ideas but here's one more. If you know someone having a baby anytime soon, a few baby scrapbooking items make a great gift!
My baby will have her scrapbook long after that cute pooh-bear onesie is a distant memory!!