Nominee for Worst Guest of the Month

[bethsbiz]

Had to share about a guest from a show last night. Most of you will either cringe, laugh or both!

First, the guest, Angie, arrives 15 minutes early. She enters the house while the host, Carol, is in the kitchen. I'm setting up in the living room. Very small house so the host is maybe 20 feet away from the front door and I am virtually standing in front of the guest.

Guest Angie shouts to Host Carol, "you are lucky I'm here, I hate parties like these, I think they are stupid".

GGGGrrrrreeeeeaaaaatttttttt. Welcome Guest Angie and thank you for your kind words.

About 5 minutes later, another guest arrives. Guest Angie has laid in wait for someone to talk to. She immediately restates her aversion to home parties. Then she asks the other guest if she has had any problems returning Avon products.

She goes on to state that she: "bought an Elvis purse about 6 weeks ago but didn't open it until a few weeks later. It seemed kind of big but I decided to try it out anyhow. Well, about a month later it just still seemed to big so I called the Avon lady and she didn't want to take it back. Can you believe that! Avon is suppose to have a life time warranty on their things, aren't they? (no) Anyhow, she said that I should have returned it sooner but I told her I hadn't really gotten it dirty so what was the problem. The Avon lady acted like I wasn't a clean person or something, I was really offended....Yes, she finally agreed to return the purse but I'm still waiting for my money".........blah, blah, blah, blah...bad mouthing Avon and all direct sales....blah, blah, blah....

Wow. I'm glad I wasn't her Avon rep.

So...next up is the inevitable conversation about Pampered Chef products being overpriced and our high cost of shipping. Highway robbery! Involves every new guest entering the room in her rant.

Wonderful.

Fast forward 5 more minutes....I've actually started the show and we are doing the guest sharing. Guest Angie is sitting next to an apparantly "long lost friend". Remember the room is small and I'm probably no more than 4-5 feet from anyone. Guest Angie and her friend commence to having a full conversation, with laughter, in normal tones. I interrupt them once with a polite "excuse me, but we're getting started now". They went right back to their loud conversation like no one else was in the room. I hadn't felt well all week so decided to just talk louder rather to argue. Made no difference.

Love it.

Host Carol finally asks them to be quiet. They start up again within about 30 seconds. Carol then says that they need to stop or she'll have to separate them. (These are 50-60 year old women.)

Both of these guests just sat there glaring at me for the rest of the show. Thankfully they stopped being disruptive.

Guest Angie did not order (thank goodness!!!!) and the other guest placed a small order and double checked the math. Pointedly.

Show did end up over $850 with 2 bookings and not closing for several more days so likley go higher. I think I may have got some sympathy orders just for putting up with Guest Angie.

Oh...my host actually was quite upset at Guest Angie. She said she only invited her because "she would raise heck if she found out she hadn't been invited".

 

[raebates]

At least your host knew her for who and what she was. Some people just aren't happy unless they're making trouble for someone else.

 

[quiverfull7]

You were probably blessed with those bookings because you managed Guest Angie with such grace and poise! YOU did great! She's a mess!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

OH I have been their done that... As a matter of fact.. that was my second show!!! ONLY SHE WAS THE ONLY GUEST WHO SHOWED UP!!!!! and then only ordered the food chopper!! got to love guest like that!!! But you handled it with grace and style!!!!

 

[chefheidi2003]

You were probably blessed with those bookings because you managed Guest Angie with such grace and poise! YOU did great! She's a mess!

Very well put Diane. I wanted to say something like this but I didn't know how to word it correctly...now I just copied you..Thank you for helping me...

 

[Brandi2007]

I had myself one of these ladies. You will never forget her... this is how mine turns out... three months later I show up at a show booked form an entirely different party... guess who the mother inlaw was??? You got it! My favorite guest! Knowing her opinions already I tailored a lot of the show to her without her realizing it. Instead of asking what products they loved I asked for product reviews... good or bad... not one person had a bad thing to say... not even her! It's no fun when you are asked to do it! The show went great and guess who wanted to book at the end??? YOU GOT IT! My lovely guest! Turned out she isn't so bad afterall just very opinionated.

 

[amy07]

kudos to you for handling that so well!

 

[pamperedbecky]

Oh wow!!! Way to hold it together dealing with THAT!

 

[MelB]

My director gave a pointer when guests act up at our show she said to walk over to them and to stand next to them until they stop talking and then just walk back and restart your demo I think this would have really gotten their attention. I have some people compair our products to tupperware but I simply tell them that our products are more durable and not made of wearable plastic. I hate when guests are rude and I am sure I am not the only consultant that feels this way.

 

[chefann]

The nerve of some people! They just don't understand that even without a storefront, we're still a retailer. Would you go to a local shop and badmouth it to everyone going in? Well, yes, if you were protesting something, but generally no. Why do people think that they can do that just because we're in someone's living room instead of renting space in a shopping center?

You handled it fabulously! Great job! And I hope that the bookings are even better!

 

[Christ Follower]

WOW! I think your guest wins the "worst host ever" prize. Great handling though! I had a similar situation at my mom's party when a lady pretty much bad mouthed every product I brought up. The only booking? Her daughter of course who wanted to have the show at her mom's house! That's a whole other story.....

 

[Debala715]

Looks like you handled that wonderfully! Probably better than I might have. And how nice that your host helped you out.

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Direct sales police!!I would not hesitate one second to give some of my commission to hire a DIRECT SALES POLICE!! LOL

That would be hilarious. I know, I know it will never happen but it's fun to imagine us getting on the phone and calling up the direct sales cops. We see them come in and escort these obnoxious hecklers out, give them a fine and send them home!!

They would be so embarrassed, surprised and would probably behave themselves next time.

The cops could handle all unruly, loud, obnoxious, and rude guests!
They could find kit nappers and demand our products back or get them to have four shows!!
They could find missing hosts and get them to call us to let us know if they are having a show or not. Then if they said no, they would go on a most wanted list of hosts who cannot have a show with any direct sales company for 3-12 months; depending on their record and excuse.

We could have a show called COPS (direct sales division)!! Bad hosts, Bad guests, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

Ahhh we can dream!! LOL

Debbie

 

[Christ Follower]

I would not hesitate one second to give some of my commission to hire a DIRECT SALES POLICE!! LOL

That would be hilarious. I know, I know it will never happen but it's fun to imagine us getting on the phone and calling up the direct sales cops. We see them come in and escort these obnoxious hecklers out, give them a fine and send them home!!

They would be so embarrassed, surprised and would probably behave themselves next time.

The cops could handle all unruly, loud, obnoxious, and rude guests!
They could find kit nappers and demand our products back or get them to have four shows!!
They could find missing hosts and get them to call us to let us know if they are having a show or not. Then if they said no, they would go on a most wanted list of hosts who cannot have a show with any direct sales company for 3-12 months; depending on their record and excuse.

We could have a show called COPS (direct sales division)!! Bad hosts, Bad guests, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

Ahhh we can dream!! LOL

Debbie

ROTFL!!!!

 

[chefheidi2003]

I would not hesitate one second to give some of my commission to hire a DIRECT SALES POLICE!! LOL

That would be hilarious. I know, I know it will never happen but it's fun to imagine us getting on the phone and calling up the direct sales cops. We see them come in and escort these obnoxious hecklers out, give them a fine and send them home!!

They would be so embarrassed, surprised and would probably behave themselves next time.

The cops could handle all unruly, loud, obnoxious, and rude guests!
They could find kit nappers and demand our products back or get them to have four shows!!
They could find missing hosts and get them to call us to let us know if they are having a show or not. Then if they said no, they would go on a most wanted list of hosts who cannot have a show with any direct sales company for 3-12 months; depending on their record and excuse.

We could have a show called COPS (direct sales division)!! Bad hosts, Bad guests, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

Ahhh we can dream!! LOL

Debbie

Debbie that is too funny...but you should have used the singing smiley next to your song...

 

[Kitchen2u]

Host Carol is MUCH nicer than I ~ I would have said "So Angie, if you hate these parties why did you come? You didn't order anything ~ sorry I wasted your time, but I knew you'd get mad if I didn't invite you"

YESSSSSSSSSSSS I'm usually bold and up front...not with my customers (heavens no!) but with my family/friends...they know where I stand! LOL Take it or leave it...don't like it? Leave ME! LOL

 

[bethsbiz]

I LOVE the COPS idea! Maybe I'll fantasize about that the next time I have a rude, obnoxious person in the audience. Kind of like when you are doing a speech and are nervous so you visual all the audience naked. Works for me!

Also, I really, really like the idea of moving over to the rude person and standing in front of them until they stop being disruptive. Problem in this room was that I was pretty much already standing in front of her...the room was that small and there were that many people there. BUT, I'll remember this tip for later cause I'll surely have another situation like this in the future.

Have to have a few "classics" a year or we really aren't doing enough shows!

 

[vwpamperedchef]

wow. ive been there too. unruly guests that is. some people have no self discipline. sheesh!

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Singing smiley

Debbie that is too funny...but you should have used the singing smiley next to your song...

This is the only singing smiley I could find!! Take a look!

Debbie

 

[RuthV]

I had a pair of guests similar to your guest, beth. It was for my first show, too. The hostess was a "new friend" I'd met through another friend. She was only friends with me because she thought I would be all into the gossip going on in the church group I was with at the time(she found out later that I'm not into gossiping about everybody and dissing everybody). She hosted my first party "as a favor" and made sure to remind me frequently that she was doing me a favor although she thought PC was way too expensive. She had 4 guests(2 I knew weren't going to order due to their finances). The other 2 guests were young military wives, both from the same area in Puerto Rico. We had it originally planned as a cooking show but when got there all my hostess wanted to do was have me "slice & dice" some viggies for a tray(she was having a cook out after the party). I was already feeling kinda used by then. As I'm doing my demo and talking about all the products, the Army wives were conversing in Spanish about how crappy and overpriced the PC products were. I asked them in Spanish(I know enough Spanish to ask basic questions) to explain what products they had had problems with and to please speak in English so everyone could understand since my Spanish was shakey. Turned out neither of them owned any PC items and were just going by the prices in the book and what their friends had told them. I ended up with about $250 in commissionable sales(after I picked up 2 outside orders). The 2 Army wives wanted to order a few items but didn't want to pay for them until they saw the products. I was stupid enough to back the party with money from my savings. These 2 wives never would accept their orders after they came in so I got stuck with their orders(which I put to use or used to fill orders). My hostess got upset that the order wasn't placed fast enough for her tastes(I closed 3 weeks after the party because the original amount was so low that the order wouldn't go through til I added a couple of outside orders). By the time the order came in the hostess had left for a 3 week vacation so she didn't get her products until she got back. She decided that it was apparently all my fault and has not talked to me since I took her her products. I sned her e-mails with the lastest PC sales and call her once in a while but she never picks up the phone. So, my 1st party was......interesting.

 

[bethsbiz]

First shows like that can sure be horrid! Glad you are sticking around...most hosts and guests aren't that rude, thankfully. My first show I had a drunken group of friends with a heckler acquaintance in the crowd. I am almost to show #400 and really only have a handful of really memorable rude customers or hosts a year. Gald those are the exceptions and not the rule!

 

[buzz26]

Sunday I had a guest who repeated this phrase 100 times "I have everything! I almost sold Pampered Chef". I'm not going to go into detail, but let's just say...I hope she doesn't.

 

[chefsteph07]

I just don't understand guests who come to these parties and don't like the products and then diss them the whole way through? I mean, WHY come if you aren't going to purchase anything and if you don't like the actual products? I certainly would not go to something and waste MY time on products that I think are overpriced! And, if I were the host, I would've said to Suzy Rude.."I didn't invite you bc I know you don't like PC"...and be done with it. I would have been totally embarrassed if that had been my friend and I were hosting a party! I prob would have told my friend to SHUT UP and that "I" (as the host) liked the product and that's all there was to it! LOL

 

[cathyskitchen]

This is the only singing smiley I could find!! Take a look!

Debbie

What about this one? :sing:

I hate guests like this. My neighbor (who hosted one show then was a guest at a show that was booked from hers) did this at both shows, and I was completely shocked at her ignorance. Several people at the show said something to me while taking orders, too. Some people just have no clue. Sorry you had to deal with that!

 

[missyciccolella]

I appoint a "Party Cop" who is in charge of a toy car that makes a police siren noise. This person is suppose to push the siren every time something "negative" is said b/c you can't have a good time with negative energy!

Having said that...I did a show where there was one guest who said something negative about everything I did. The party cop wore the car out...many people laughed but it didn't shut her up...I sympathise with the rude (to be polite) guests as I've never had an experience quite like that (and I hope I never do)!

 

[Stampaholic1961]

The other 2 guests were young military wives, both from the same area in Puerto Rico.... As I'm doing my demo and talking about all the products, the Army wives were conversing in Spanish about how crappy and overpriced the PC products were. I asked them in Spanish(I know enough Spanish to ask basic questions) to explain what products they had had problems with and to please speak in English so everyone could understand since my Spanish was shakey. Turned out neither of them owned any PC items and were just going by the prices in the book and what their friends had told them.

That's great! Another good reason to learn a foreign language!!

 

[rennea]

I appoint a "Party Cop" who is in charge of a toy car that makes a police siren noise.

Are you joking?? OMG LOL!

 

[Smashie]

I had a guest that told other guests to "pace themselves"...not to order a lot on their first order. I was so ticked! The ironic thing is the whole time she was raving about the products; how much she loved them, and how she has everything! UUUGGGHHHH!!!!

 

[baychef]

Are you joking?? OMG LOL!

No, she isn't joking. Julie Weiss (Outward Image Coaching) teaches to do this kind of a party. Some have had great success. I have the car and other props, but haven't really used them. I have her DVD to watch first.

I think one of my consultants had the worst guest....they had a Margarita party. Except this crew started doing shots of Tequilla before the party. The host's underage son passed out but not until he was sick on himself while sitting on the couch.

 

[Smashie]

No, she isn't joking. Julie Weiss (Outward Image Coaching) teaches to do this kind of a party. Some have had great success. I have the car and other props, but haven't really used them. I have her DVD to watch first.

I think one of my consultants had the worst guest....they had a Margarita party. Except this crew started doing shots of Tequilla before the party. The host's underage son passed out but not until he was sick on himself while sitting on the couch.

 

[lockhartkitchen]

Being a teacher by day, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. One show I had a guest who was yak yak yakking and no one could hear my demo. I continued the demo without talking, but had my mouth moving and hand gestures like I was on mute. With the room silent except for her, I got her attention. "That darn mute button sticks sometimes!" "Shall I rewind so we can hear what I did?" The room all laughed. I pull out the teacher card sometimes.

 

[jlevernier]

Being a teacher by day, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. One show I had a guest who was yak yak yakking and no one could hear my demo. I continued the demo without talking, but had my mouth moving and hand gestures like I was on mute. With the room silent except for her, I got her attention. "That darn mute button sticks sometimes!" "Shall I rewind so we can hear what I did?" The room all laughed.

I pull out the teacher card sometimes.

I love this! Isn't another teacher trick to talk softer as the class (guests) get louder?

--Jenny L

 

[yummybytes]

I've also heard a good teacher trick - Say "If you can hear me, clap you hands two times" and clap your hands... a couple people will, too. At that point people will look up. Repeat... thank them for their attention, and you will have silence.

 

[raebates]

I do the negativity cop thing. It works pretty well. I haven't had anyone quite so negative at any of my parties, though, so I can't say whether or not it would have stopped her.

 

[baychef]

I've also heard a good teacher trick - Say "If you can hear me, clap you hands two times" and clap your hands... a couple people will, too. At that point people will look up. Repeat... thank them for their attention, and you will have silence.

I see this in the primary school lunch rooms so for me, this would be out of my comfort zone. I don't mind some chatter because it is a party. However, if it is interfering, I am all for either getting someone up to demo a product or brining it to them (ie the can opener) to distract them.
I also find that the more a person complains about something, I try to take it as an opportunity to explain a product. If I hear...oh I sold it in a garage sale, I then say, oh that is too bad, did you receive your full payment amount for that? Then go on to explain that Pampered Chef and I do not want customers buying products they will not use. I offer to help them with it or return it for a full refund within the first year. Kinda shuts them down cold but it is actually a learning experience.
I do like the demo with no sound idea for those out of control crowds!!!
Another comment I wanted to share was customers that complained that a popular consultant make the entire crowd be quiet like they were in the classroom and they did not want to attend their shows.

 

[sfdavis918]

Being a teacher by day, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. One show I had a guest who was yak yak yakking and no one could hear my demo. I continued the demo without talking, but had my mouth moving and hand gestures like I was on mute. With the room silent except for her, I got her attention. "That darn mute button sticks sometimes!" "Shall I rewind so we can hear what I did?" The room all laughed.

Knowing my luck everyone would continue talking and not even notice that I had stopped!

 

[sarahlegare]

I would not hesitate one second to give some of my commission to hire a DIRECT SALES POLICE!! LOL

That would be hilarious. I know, I know it will never happen but it's fun to imagine us getting on the phone and calling up the direct sales cops. We see them come in and escort these obnoxious hecklers out, give them a fine and send them home!!

They would be so embarrassed, surprised and would probably behave themselves next time.

The cops could handle all unruly, loud, obnoxious, and rude guests!
They could find kit nappers and demand our products back or get them to have four shows!!
They could find missing hosts and get them to call us to let us know if they are having a show or not. Then if they said no, they would go on a most wanted list of hosts who cannot have a show with any direct sales company for 3-12 months; depending on their record and excuse.

We could have a show called COPS (direct sales division)!! Bad hosts, Bad guests, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

Ahhh we can dream!! LOL

Debbie

SOOOO FUNNY!! I got my daily dose of laughter!! Thanks!! Oh, and when you find these cops, please pass along their number!!

 

[bethsbiz]

I actually gave more thought to "disruptive guest control" last night and had thought of simply to stop talking but pull out a product that makes noise and begin to demo it (without words). Then, when everyone, including the disrupters do stop talking, I could say something like "now that I have your attention, lets continue with showing you some great tips and products...).... but pretending to continue to do the demo by mouthing words is a great idea too.

For the record, I actually don't mind chatter at my shows and I laugh right along with my crowd as I lose control of the group! In some cases, I just say "I give up...you gals are having a great time so keep at it, and I'll finish this recipe and then take your orders. If anyone wants to ask me questions, or see a particular product, please come on up but y'all are enjoying yourself so eat, drink and be merry!". I also wouldn't willingly attend a show where a consultant tells the entire group that there is to be no talking during the demo. There is a distinction between a fun, noisy crowd who is interested in the product line and a disruptive person/s who are clearly being negative and rude.

My standard opening mantra at shows is that "my first goal is that you have fun; my 2nd goal is that you learn some tips or tricks to make your life easier in the kitchen and then 3rd, I hope you'll consider purchasing some great products that do make a difference in your kitchen!" (I do the booking/recuit info just a bit later...)

Oh, I forgot another part to my Guest Angie story....after her first comment, screeching to host about these kind of parties being "stupid", she then asked me my name. Next she said, "oh, I was really looking forward to consultant so-and-so doing this show...her mother and I are really good friends". Hmmm...wonder if they'd be such friends if this gal was so rude at a show the friend's daughter did.

 

[Christ Follower]

I actually gave more thought to "disruptive guest control" last night and had thought of simply to stop talking but pull out a product that makes noise and begin to demo it (without words). Then, when everyone, including the disrupters do stop talking, I could say something like "now that I have your attention, lets continue with showing you some great tips and products...).... but pretending to continue to do the demo by mouthing words is a great idea too.

For the record, I actually don't mind chatter at my shows and I laugh right along with my crowd as I lose control of the group! In some cases, I just say "I give up...you gals are having a great time so keep at it, and I'll finish this recipe and then take your orders. If anyone wants to ask me questions, or see a particular product, please come on up but y'all are enjoying yourself so eat, drink and be merry!". I also wouldn't willingly attend a show where a consultant tells the entire group that there is to be no talking during the demo. There is a distinction between a fun, noisy crowd who is interested in the product line and a disruptive person/s who are clearly being negative and rude.

My standard opening mantra at shows is that "my first goal is that you have fun; my 2nd goal is that you learn some tips or tricks to make your life easier in the kitchen and then 3rd, I hope you'll consider purchasing some great products that do make a difference in your kitchen!" (I do the booking/recuit info just a bit later...)

Oh, I forgot another part to my Guest Angie story....after her first comment, screeching to host about these kind of parties being "stupid", she then asked me my name. Next she said, "oh, I was really looking forward to consultant so-and-so doing this show...her mother and I are really good friends". Hmmm...wonder if they'd be such friends if this gal was so rude at a show the friend's daughter did.

OH! That's just like icing on the cake isn't it!!! That's the worse! We have a married couple that do shows together in our area and they sing as they do the show. People know them well around here so I have often been to parties where the guests bring them up and say "Aren't you going to sing a song for us?" "So and so couple puts on a whole show...."
I usually say, "I would probably ruin your appetite if I started singing..." or something like that.