Handling Declined Credit Cards: Tips for Catalog Parties During Difficult Times

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread discusses experiences and strategies related to handling declined credit cards during catalog parties, particularly in sensitive situations where hosts are dealing with personal challenges. Participants share their approaches to managing communication with hosts and customers while navigating these difficulties.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of dealing with declined credit cards while the host is facing a family emergency, expressing concern about bothering the host.
  • Another participant suggests waiting to contact the host until she is available and emphasizes not to pay for the orders personally.
  • One participant mentions the importance of collecting complete contact information from hosts to avoid difficulties in tracing customers.
  • Another participant notes they have reached out via email and are willing to wait for the host to return before resolving the issue.
  • One participant expresses sympathy for the host's situation and suggests alternative methods for contacting customers, such as social media, while also recommending gathering contact information during the party in the future.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best approach to take in this situation, with some participants advocating for direct communication with the host while others prefer to wait until the host is available.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects the challenges faced by consultants in managing customer orders during emotionally charged situations, highlighting the need for effective communication and planning.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who encounter similar issues with declined credit cards during catalog parties may find the shared experiences and strategies relevant to their own practices.

Jenni
Jenni
Messages
780
I had a catalog party close over the phone Tuesday evening. Since host had a death in family and was leaving to go out of town Wed am. Two of the orders have declined credit cards. I have no contact info other then email. I emailed both and have gotten no response. What do I do??? I don't want to bother host while she is dealing with a death in her family... She asked what to do with the outside order forms(that have contact info cuz I asked her to have them fill that in) I said I would get them from her when she gets back. Not a wise choice next time I will get phone numbers over the phone with the orders. I was just trying to make our phone call short and easy and let her get back to packing!
Any advice??
 
I would just wait until you get ahold of the host. Do not pay for the show with your own money unless you have it shipped to you.

You could call and tell her the problem. She should be able to give you phone numbers quickly. She may not be home, and you can tell her you need to contact them. Tell her in the message that she can contact you at her convenience, but you won't be able to send the show in until you get new credit card information. Also mention that she may just pay for those orders if she wants the show sent in quickly.
 
I always ask my Hosts to give me complete contact info just in case "I have a question". With just someone's name, it will be pretty hard to trace. You might try http://www.anywho.com to see if you can find the name there to give you a hint of the phone number. I also use http://www.411.com. You can still wait to close the Show until Oct 15th unless you are wanting it to count towards "In the Bag" points.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
I just sent her an email... which goes to her cell. I just feel like this is the last thing she wants to hear or deal with. I told her if she happens to have contact phone numbers with her to please email them to me. If not we will handle it when she returns. We will see i guess...
I just hate that everyone is waiting so long to get their stuff.
 
Hi there,I am sorry to hear about the difficult situation your host is going through. It can be challenging to handle orders that have declined credit cards, especially without direct contact information. In this case, I would suggest reaching out to the host and explaining the situation. Let her know that you understand she is dealing with a loss and that you don't want to add to her stress. Ask if she can provide any alternative contact information for the customers who have declined credit cards, such as a phone number or another email address. If she is unable to provide any, you could try reaching out to the customers through social media if you have their names. If all else fails, you may need to cancel those orders and apologize to the customers for the inconvenience.In the future, it would be best to gather contact information and payment details during the catalog party itself. This way, you can avoid any potential issues and ensure a smoother ordering process for both yourself and your customers. I hope everything works out and please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.Best of luck,
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if a customer's credit card is declined during a catalog party?

If a customer's credit card is declined, reach out to them directly to inform them of the issue. Politely ask if they would like to try a different payment method or if they need assistance in resolving the issue with their bank. It's important to maintain a positive and understanding attitude during this process.

How can I prepare for potential declined credit cards before the catalog party starts?

To prepare for potential declined credit cards, encourage customers to check their payment information before placing orders. Provide clear instructions on how to enter their credit card details correctly and suggest they contact their bank if they anticipate any issues. Additionally, consider offering alternative payment methods, such as PayPal or Venmo, to accommodate different preferences.

What are some common reasons for credit card declines during catalog parties?

Common reasons for credit card declines include insufficient funds, expired cards, incorrect card information (such as the card number or CVV), and issues with the customer's bank, such as fraud alerts. Educating your customers about these potential issues can help minimize declines.

How can I follow up with customers whose cards were declined?

Follow up with customers whose cards were declined by sending a friendly message or email. Express your understanding and offer assistance in resolving the issue. You can also remind them of the products they were interested in and encourage them to try a different payment method or update their card information.

What should I do if multiple customers have declined cards during the same catalog party?

If multiple customers have declined cards, it may indicate a larger issue, such as a problem with the payment processing system or a common misunderstanding among customers. Review your payment processing setup and consider sending out a reminder about checking payment information. Additionally, offer to assist each customer individually to resolve their specific issues.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

Any "New" Issues With Declined Credit Cards?
  • c00p
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
2
Views
1K
Admin Greg
Frustrated With the Whole Declined Credit Card Thing...
  • Symara
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
13
Views
2K
Symara
Guest With Declined Credit Card Now Hosting?
  • wadesgirl
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
22
Views
4K
chefann
What Should You Do If a Guest's 1-Time Credit Card is Declined?
  • kam
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
4
Views
2K
NooraK
Declined Credit Card - My 90-Day End Date Is Today!
  • andrealynne719
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
7
Views
3K
andrealynne719
Credit Card Fraud Strikes Again: My Guests' Experiences
  • ChefZee
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
20
Views
3K
pampered1224
Resolving Credit Card Declines: What to do?
  • cincychef
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
6
Views
2K
cincychef
Declined Credit Card & Show on Hold
  • LibrarianChef
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
15
Views
3K
yummybytes
Future Host's Credit Card Declined
  • Cookin' Mama
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
25
Views
3K
Cookin' Mama
Can I use multiple credit cards for online show orders?
  • Intrepid_Chef
    • Pampered Chef Finances
Replies
7
Views
6K
DebPC
Back
Top