Chef Mary Rose
- 69
A few weeks ago, I did a show for a woman who had booked off another host. It was an unusual show but now looking back on it, I learned so many lessons. It was held in a hair salon. (after hours and actually, the salon was pretty cool!) Seven people attended but only one gave me an order that night. They really didn't seem interested in trying out products but I did my best to keep it short and gave them plenty of time to socialize.
Here are my lessons:
1) Never take an order that is not written on an regular order form or OOF.
My host had already collected orders - however, they were scribbled on slips of paper. I've taken orders like this before to be nice. I tallied them up and gave her the total. Later, when I went to her house (thinking we were closing the show), she gave me more orders that were written on slips of paper. I thought I had them all but I didn't. As a result of one of the "slips" of paper not being included, an order was overlooked.
2) Before I send up an order, I am going to check with the host to make sure I have everyone so I don't miss a name.
If I had done this to begin with, I wouldn't have overlooked the order.
3) I have now made an Executive Decision for my business. No contact info given? No order will be placed. I need a full name and contact information.
I can't tell you how frustrated I have been with this portion of the business. I bend over backwards to be accommodating and I have asked hosts REPEATEDLY to please get the contact information for a guest. This crazy show's host had orders from people she worked with. She only gave me their first name. No last name. No phone number. No address. When I asked if she knew their last name, she said, "Nope! I just know them as "Suzy!"" She didn't seem to want to be bothered to ask for the information. I know some people do not want to give their contact information but you know what? I don't want to do business with them. That's it. Period. I'm done with not getting contact info.
So for now on, I will let the host know ahead of time that I need contact information for several reasons: First, I like to follow-up with my customers to make sure they received the products in good condition and answer any questions. Secondly, if they did have a problem, HO will have their info on file instead of me playing phone tag with the host trying to hunt down their contact info.
I feel much better after arriving at this decision.
We are in a different position than a "Big Box" store. We don't harass people. We genuinely want to give them a unique buying experience with helpful follow-up.
If a customer is that squeamish about their contact info, then really - why buy from direct sales? If that sounds cold, so be it. I'm just done trying to find ways to service customers who really don't want it. :grumpy:
Here are my lessons:
1) Never take an order that is not written on an regular order form or OOF.
My host had already collected orders - however, they were scribbled on slips of paper. I've taken orders like this before to be nice. I tallied them up and gave her the total. Later, when I went to her house (thinking we were closing the show), she gave me more orders that were written on slips of paper. I thought I had them all but I didn't. As a result of one of the "slips" of paper not being included, an order was overlooked.
2) Before I send up an order, I am going to check with the host to make sure I have everyone so I don't miss a name.
If I had done this to begin with, I wouldn't have overlooked the order.
3) I have now made an Executive Decision for my business. No contact info given? No order will be placed. I need a full name and contact information.
I can't tell you how frustrated I have been with this portion of the business. I bend over backwards to be accommodating and I have asked hosts REPEATEDLY to please get the contact information for a guest. This crazy show's host had orders from people she worked with. She only gave me their first name. No last name. No phone number. No address. When I asked if she knew their last name, she said, "Nope! I just know them as "Suzy!"" She didn't seem to want to be bothered to ask for the information. I know some people do not want to give their contact information but you know what? I don't want to do business with them. That's it. Period. I'm done with not getting contact info.
So for now on, I will let the host know ahead of time that I need contact information for several reasons: First, I like to follow-up with my customers to make sure they received the products in good condition and answer any questions. Secondly, if they did have a problem, HO will have their info on file instead of me playing phone tag with the host trying to hunt down their contact info.
I feel much better after arriving at this decision.
We are in a different position than a "Big Box" store. We don't harass people. We genuinely want to give them a unique buying experience with helpful follow-up.
If a customer is that squeamish about their contact info, then really - why buy from direct sales? If that sounds cold, so be it. I'm just done trying to find ways to service customers who really don't want it. :grumpy:
