Supplies: Help! How Much to Order?

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around the experiences and concerns of participants regarding ordering supplies as Pampered Chef consultants. New consultants share their apprehensions about spending and the quantities of supplies to order, while more experienced consultants offer insights based on their own practices.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a new consultant, expresses uncertainty about how much to spend on supplies and whether they are ordering the right items.
  • Another participant shares that they prioritize ordering more Spring/Summer catalogs and suggests using mini-catalogs as invitations based on a successful experience.
  • Several users mention that it is common for the first supply order of the season to be the largest, with one participant stating their first order tends to be around $200.
  • One participant notes that they typically spend a similar amount during the season change and emphasizes the importance of getting new catalogs and supplies without overspending on prizes.
  • Another participant shares their strategy of using host benefits to acquire supplies, suggesting it can be a cost-effective approach.
  • Some participants discuss the use of postcard invitations versus mini-catalogs, weighing the cost-effectiveness against potential effectiveness in increasing attendance.
  • One participant reflects on their experience of not needing all new products and suggests that it is possible to run a business without excessive spending.
  • Another participant mentions they only purchase new products if they will use them personally, indicating a preference for practicality over novelty.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the necessity and quantity of supplies to order, with some participants advocating for larger orders while others suggest a more cautious approach. No clear consensus emerges regarding the ideal amount to spend on supplies.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and strategies related to supply ordering, reflecting a range of practices based on their individual business needs and experiences as consultants.

Who May Find This Useful

New consultants looking for insights on supply ordering and experienced consultants seeking to compare their practices may find this discussion relevant.

S
slapsappyhappy
Silver Member
Messages
47
Hello,

I am a new consultant and just became qualified (yay!). This is my first season ordering supplies on my own. Last season (Fall/Winter) I ordered the business building package and I had the new consultant kit, and I have about 25 catalogs left over. Now I am placing my first spring supply order and I do not know how much to order at a time.

So far I am ordering the pack of 100 Spring/Summer catalogs, 1 order of the new reusable bags, 10 new Seasons Best pack, and 1 pk Twix-its and 1 pk Hold N Slices for prizes for the host and games.

I am just concerned because the order is already up to $90 without ordering spices, dips, or sauces and without a lot of prizes. Also I have some extra receipts so I hope I get the free pack from HO b/c that would be an extra expense. Is that a lot to spend on supplies? It is a lot of money to me (a teacher) and I am just nervous b/c I want to make sure I am getting the right things. Should I get mini catalogs too? I have 3 parties in March and 2 in April so far. I just don't want to be stuck with not enough supplies and regret not ordering it now!

Also there are 2 numbers for certain products with different prices (ex Hold N Slice pk 5 #6995 is $11.25 and Hold N Slice pk 5 JM24 is $12. Can I still use the lower priced number and see if it works or just be safe and go with the more expensive one?

How much does everyone usually spend on supplies? Please let me know b/c I would like to place the order but I want to make sure I am getting the correct supplies. Is there anything else I am forgetting? Thank you in advance!:chef:
 
I would buy more SBs and leave off the other things. Duska Mills, who is a SD and Circle of Honor achiever says that catalogs are the most important thing to spend money on. The mini-catalogs are being used as invitations with a lot of success...there is even a video on the PC website from Nancy Jo Ryan about the outside sales doubling for some of her downline who are using them. I plan on using them for all invitations for Cooking Shows.Hang in there! You are doing great! It just takes a while to make money at this. Be sure and keep ALL your receipts!
 
It sounds like you're on the right track for your supplies! It's easy to overdo. As your season progresses, don't forget that you can always order more as you use things up. My first supply order of the season is always the biggest one.
 
Here is a document that Duska sends out that might help. The best thing you could do is speak to fellow consultants in your area. They are a great resource for the trends that affect your business. Be sure to ask your Director what she recommends as well.


Oh, btw, my first supply order of the season tends to be about $200. I try to order for the whole season though. I do not usually have to order again (if I do it is for more catalogs).
 

Attachments

I usually spend about that much at the season change over time. You have to get new catalogs, SB, etc. As for buying other things, don't feel like you need to give away the bank for certain things. For door prizes, I keep it to the cheaper items, twix-it clips, citrus peelers and pan scrapers. You can place an order any time you want so don't worry about having to buy it all now. You can order once a month at the $4.25 shipping price and then any other time during the month it's the individual shipping price.You should have possibly earned some PC$ by now, you can use those towards your supply orders.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
I wish I could stop spending my PC dollars! I used them to get the Sample Package A so I could have all the new spring products. I need to save them for the Kit Enhancement month and also supply orders.

Once you get past 90 days are there any other opportunities to earn PC dollars?
 
Once in a while they have opportunities to earn PC$ but not that often. Honestly I would use the PC$ to help out your business - ie, buy supplies. I have never even used my kit enhancement months ever. I prefer to hold shows or collect orders every once in a while to get things that I want that way rather than spending money.
 
I do that, too - do a consultant as host show and use the host benefits to get things. I use those host benefits to get things to use as door prizes, too (like SBRCs).
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
What about the mini catalogues, is it better to get the postcard invitations at 40 for $1.00 or the mini catalogues at 25 for $3.00. Economically it makes more sense to get the postcard invites but if it really makes that much of a difference I will invest in the mini catalogues. What do you think?
 
The great thing about this business is that you don't have to spend alot of money to run your business.

It can be very tempting to spend money on all kinds of extras, but until you start actually making money consistently, I would hold off on those items.

I've discovered that I don't NEED all of the new products when they come out. Most of them never even make it to a show. Thankfully, I earned most of the new products, but I'm not worried about the ones I don't have. I did buy a few things, but that's because they are things that I either knew I would want to take to a show, or because I wanted them for my own kitchen.

I used just postcard invitations for the first 5 years of my business, and did fine. I love having the mini's now to use, but if I had to cut something out, I know that I could go back to just postcards, and still do fine.
 
I only buy the new products if I will actually use them in my own kitchen. And then I try to either earn them or host my own show to get them for free.

As for supplies I buy 100 catalogs. I usually have some left over but it is cheaper in the long run for me to go ahead and buy the 100 instead of buying 25 at a time and paying shipping each time. I buy about 4 or 5 things of post cards. Most all of my host only ever want 20 cards. I do 2 or 3 shows a month. Some of my host are repeat host and they just call their friends and do not even send invites or I will send them an invitation I put in an email for them to send.

I buy the P3 receipts when I get extras over what I already have.
 
If I have a hostess who is giving me what I ask for in terms of a guest list - at least 40 people - then I will send the postcard invitations but if I have a hostess that is really struggling with her guest list or is convinced she doens't need to invite that many people and only gives me 20-30 names, then I use the mini-catalogs in hopes of bumping up attendance and outside orders.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine how much inventory to order for my Pampered Chef business?

To determine how much inventory to order, consider factors such as your sales goals, the size of your customer base, and the frequency of your events. Start by analyzing past sales data and trends, and consider seasonal items or promotions that may influence demand. It's also helpful to maintain a balance between having enough stock to meet customer needs and avoiding overstocking, which can tie up your resources.

What are the best-selling products to focus on when placing an order?

Focus on best-selling products that have consistently performed well in your previous sales events or those that are popular among your customer base. Items like kitchen tools, cookware, and seasonal products often see higher demand. Additionally, consult with your Pampered Chef community or resources to identify trending products that may attract more customers.

How often should I reorder supplies for my Pampered Chef business?

The frequency of reordering supplies depends on your sales volume and inventory turnover rate. A good practice is to review your inventory levels weekly or bi-weekly and reorder as needed to ensure you have enough stock for upcoming events. If you notice certain items selling out quickly, consider placing orders more frequently for those specific products.

What if I order too much inventory and can’t sell it?

If you find yourself with excess inventory, consider running promotions or discounts to encourage sales. You can also bundle products together or offer them as incentives for hosting parties. Additionally, keep track of which items are not selling well and adjust future orders accordingly to minimize overstocking.

Can I return unsold inventory to Pampered Chef?

Pampered Chef has a return policy that allows for the return of unsold inventory under certain conditions. It's essential to review the specific guidelines provided by Pampered Chef regarding returns, including time limits and condition requirements. If you have unsold items, contact your consultant support for assistance with the return process.

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