Advice Needed: Giving Out Catalogs to a Friend of My Neighbor

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the challenges of giving out catalogs to a friend of a neighbor who has not generated any orders. Participants share their experiences and thoughts on whether to continue providing catalogs and how to approach the situation.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of giving catalogs to a friend of a neighbor, noting that the friend has not collected any orders and is asking for more catalogs.
  • Another participant suggests sending old catalogs to avoid losing new ones, especially if the friend is leaving them in public places.
  • Several users mention the idea of creating a flyer with website instructions for the friend to distribute, allowing for better tracking of orders.
  • One participant expresses a firm stance against giving more catalogs without orders, emphasizing the cost involved in acquiring them.
  • Another participant reflects on the potential advertising benefit of having catalogs in public spaces, suggesting that it could lead to new customers.
  • One participant notes the importance of communicating the need for commitment before providing more catalogs, while also considering how to phrase it politely.
  • Another participant highlights that many businesses charge for catalogs, implying that consultants should consider the value of their materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on whether to continue giving catalogs to the friend, with some participants advocating for caution and others seeing potential benefits in exposure.

Contextual Notes

Participants are primarily consultants navigating the challenges of managing catalog distribution and customer engagement.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants facing similar dilemmas regarding catalog distribution and customer commitment may find the shared experiences and suggestions relevant.

Christ Follower
Christ Follower
Gold Member
Messages
4,976
Okay, Normally I don't have too big of a problem giving out catalogs but...
I met a friend of my neighbors in May and she wanted some catalogs so she could collect orders. She didn't want to commit to an actual show but thought she could help me out collecting orders. I gave her about 4 but she wanted more. I gave her 3 more. I never heard from her again. (I know, I should have got her info. but I didn't! My bad.) So I finally got her number and called her yesterday to see if she was able to collect any orders (or if she had any of my 7 catalogs to give back--I'm running low). Not only did she not collect any orders, she wants more catalogs!!! I have about 6 shows for July so far and am starting to get stingy with my books. (at least with this lady). What do I do???:confused: She doesn't want to have a cooking show and when I mentioned a catalog show, she said, "maybe but I'll have to find out who has your catalogs.." I guess she's just been leaving them at the gym and at the office or something. Is this good or bad? I don't want to keep giving her catalogs for nothing. Need advice please!
 
The nerve of some people!

Do you have any old catalogs? Maybe you should send her old ones with the "old catalog" poem on the front. Then if she leaves them at the gym, you're not out "good" ones.
 
Do you have a website? I would make her up a flyer that she can hand out with the instructions for them to go to your website and order towards her show. This way, you can keep track of orders being placed as well!
 
No more catalogs for her!
 
I wouldn't give her more, but that's me. Especially if no orders are coming your way. Maybe you could explain that you have to buy those as part of your business, and since you are expecting a busy month you need to have plenty on hand.
 
I don't know... this is a tough one. I might look at it like the catalogs that she is leaving out in public places have my name on them so she may in turn actually be advertising for me. You could also try to recruit her!
 
I'm torn. Every catalog out there with my contact info on it is another chance for a new customer to call or visit my website. However, catalogs aren't free. I think the idea of giving her some older catalogs is a good one.You could always tell her that you've decided to not hand out catalogs unless someone is committed to doing a catalog show.
 
Just tell her you need the ones you have for your busy show schedule, and give her your website address. Have you asked her specifically what she does with them? It may be awkward to ask that, now. If you haven't gotten any sales from random catalog shoppers then don't give any more.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
No, I don't have any old catalogs, but that's a really great idea.
No, I don't have a web-site yet. I probably will after conference though. I was waiting for the sting of the conference expense to wear off before getting the web-site. I don't know...
Maybe I'll go ahead and tell her that she needs to commit to a catalog show before I can give her more due to a busy July. It's all about how to word it without sounding rude. I hate this!
 
You just did.

I appreciate you wanting to help me out by passing out catalogs. However, I'm a fairly new consultant and don't have a lot of extras right now, due to a full show schedule. If you'd like more, I need to know that I'll get some orders from them - when can we close your catalog show?
 
Think of it this way. In many stores you have to pay to receive their catalog.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it appropriate to give Pampered Chef catalogs to a friend of my neighbor?

Yes, it's generally appropriate to share Pampered Chef catalogs with friends of your neighbors, especially if you have their permission. It's a friendly way to introduce your products, but always ensure that your neighbor is comfortable with you reaching out to their friend.

How should I approach my neighbor about giving their friend a catalog?

Start by having a casual conversation with your neighbor. You can mention that you’re a Pampered Chef consultant and ask if they would be okay with you sharing a catalog with their friend. This shows respect for their relationship and ensures transparency.

What if my neighbor's friend is not interested in Pampered Chef products?

That's perfectly fine! Not everyone will be interested in your products. When you give the catalog, you can mention that there’s no pressure to buy anything. Just sharing the information can be enough, and they may appreciate the gesture even if they don’t make a purchase.

How can I make the catalog more appealing to my neighbor's friend?

You can personalize your approach by highlighting specific products that might interest them based on what you know about their cooking habits or preferences. Including a personal note or a small sample of a recipe can also make the catalog more engaging and relatable.

What should I do if my neighbor's friend shows interest in the catalog?

If they express interest, be ready to answer any questions they may have about the products. You can offer to set up a casual cooking demonstration or provide additional information about hosting a party or placing an order. Make sure to follow up with them in a friendly manner to keep the conversation going.

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