Anyone Have Items "Disappear" During a Show?

[wadesgirl]

Lesson learned... at a show I did at family friend's house, I left about 4 things behind. She had put them in the sink when normally I put everything in my dirty dish bin... she saw they were dirty on my table so she picked them up. As I packed up for my next show, I realized they were missing. I called her and here was her response: "Well, you mentioned how you get most of your stuff free so I thought it didn't matter since you didn't pay for it. And I really didn't think you would notice it was missing!"

WHAT?

Lesson learned.

I also did a vendor show once and people kept picking up my products and putting them in their goodie bags they got at the door. I had to "police" my area and tell people they weren't free goodies (the small saute pan!). I was constantly asked why I had everything out there if it wasn't free. Goodness!

I did a booth at our state fair last year and we had to do a check list at the start and finish of the shift. By the end of the first couple days I remembered hearing that two items were missing. But the funny part were the people eating the chips that had been on display for several days!

 

[elizabethfox]

At my first show I left my large serving tongs at the hostesses house( got them back , and since then I write a list of items I bring with me to shows, and check it off as I put them back in my tote. That way I don't forget anything and I would know right away something was missing. I also tell the hostesses if they have any PC items to put them away so we don't get ours confused!

 

[kspry]

I almost walked off with my host's 29 Minutes to Dinner at last night's show.
I've also come home with extra chef's tongs, mix 'n chop....the hosts always get them back, but it's kind of embarrassing even though they understand.

Hmm, in 2 years I've had a bar board and salad chopper go missing.

 

[Nanisu]

My pens are always the ones disappearing. I'm attaching flowers to the ends of them, and have guests put them in a SA bowl with coffee beans when closing out. Whose going to leave with a big flower?

I had this problem too so I finally got pens with my name and phone number printed on them--i bought about 500 of them about 3 years ago and I think I paid $200+==toally worth it to me. I don't worry about losing them anymore--it's advertising.

Nancy Collins

 

[Debala715]

So far I've been lucky, never had anyone take anything. I did leave a microfiber towel at a hostess' house, just wrote it off.I can't even get my folks to take my pens (LOL), I only hand out red ink pens.

 

[Christ Follower]

I've lost a couple of mini serving spatulas before. But I (still) havd a prep bowl from one of my hosts! (I do shows for her often so she'll get it back soon). Luckily I have never lost anything major.

 

[kspry]

I only hand out red ink pens

Me too - I always get them back.

 

[janetupnorth]

I use purple and green pens. (Matching last springs colors).

Anyway, I NEVER had anything disappear at a show until yesterday. I realized today I'm missing two prep bowls. Hopefully when I close with my host tomorrow night though she'll tell me she has them and bring them to the next show...

 

[pamperedlinda]

Ya'll jinxed me with this thread! I left my small bamboo tongs at my host's house this afternoon! She called when I was half way home to tell me though!

 

[pc_cindy]

I've attached flowers to my pens since the beginning of my business and still have most all of them. I made them 3 1/2 years ago and haven't had to replace them. In fact, they even survived when a host's 3 year old daughter took the "vase" (Measure All Cup) filled with the flower pens and "watered" them. I've also been lucky enough to not have anything taken (that I know of!)

 

[cathyskitchen]

Wow, this thread is eye-opening. I've forgotten things, but always got them back from the host.

I did have one of my cookbooks stolen at a bridal fair a few months ago, though. I was SO p-o'd!!! The organizers of the event were upset for me, too, and even made an announcement that "if someone mistakenly picked up a PC cookbook, please return it", but no one did. It was in a mall, so I'm sure someone with sticky fingers just grabbed it and ran. GRR!!

 

[iteachurkid]

It's really sad, but you really have to watch people. I've had a couple of small things disapear, I've asked about them, and no one has seen them.

Totally not PC related, but totally related to how brazen people can be...when my sister graduated from high school we had a big party for her. She had her beach week money in a bank envelope clipped on a magnet on the side of the fridge. (Looking back, it wasn't smart, but there were tons of things there, and really was a place we always left bank envelopes.) Now, everyone who was invited to her graduation party were friends/family, people you trust...well when she went to leave for beack week the next morning, the money was gone. After a lot of tears (on her part) and my parents and grandmother gathering up cash to give her, we learned several lessons. Number one, unfortunately, you can't trust everyone (even as much as you want to), Number two, never leave bank envelopes on the side of the fridge, and Number three, that whoever took it, must have needed it much more than us...

My hosts are normally very honest, but I know one day, I'm going to come across someone who isn't...I mean we are going into the houses sometimes of strangers (people met at fairs, shows, etc.)...it's going to happen. Do write it off though, that way you can replace it at essentially no cost to you. This has gotten entirely too long...so sorry...off to bed

 

[cathyskitchen]

RE: the pens - I used to get so bent out of shape losing pens all the time - and they were RED pens to boot! I finally just gave up getting upset about it, and ordered black pens with "Pampered Chef" on them from Merrill. I was able to get a TON of them pretty cheap, and now I could care less if they get feet and walk away. Someone will use it somewhere, and someone else will see it and say "Oh, do you sell PC?" and they'll say, "No, but I know someone who does, do you want her info?" - so, win-win to me. I thank my "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff" book for getting me over that one! Now if I could just get over those 3 stolen lap boards!

 

[RebelChef]

Now if I could just get over those 3 stolen lap boards!

Ok, that's just pathetic. Taking pens is one thing because you could just drop it in your purse without realizing you've done it. A lap board? Why would anyone even want one?

 

[chefann]

Ooh- when I used lap boards, I had a host tell me, "I'm taking this for my neighbor for her crossword puzzles. Since you just made it from a binder, I didn't think you'd mind." Excuse me? Since you know how I did it, you can buy a binder and make one for your neighbor (who wasn't placing an order, either!).

 

[wadesgirl]

My pens are always the ones disappearing. I'm attaching flowers to the ends of them, and have guests put them in a SA bowl with coffee beans when closing out. Whose going to leave with a big flower?

I had this problem too so I finally got pens with my name and phone number printed on them--i bought about 500 of them about 3 years ago and I think I paid $200+==toally worth it to me. I don't worry about losing them anymore--it's advertising.

Nancy Collins

Where did you get your pens at? I use the flower pens and have had no problem doing that way but like the idea of advertising with pens. I used to work for a company who does pens but want to shop around a little.

Since we cannot actually put The Pampered Chef on a pen, what would be catchy to put so someone knows what I do?

 

[RebelChef]

OMG That is just ridiculous! The nerve of some people amazes me. I guess if she had several kids, she'd have taken them all? You wouldn't mind, of course.

I like the idea of the personalized pens, too. I can only imagine what Merrill would charge for them. lol I think I'd put "Stolen from...." and my contact info.

 

[jrny2001]

Well, I've had a few lap boards (made myself) gone missing, red ink pens have walked away too. I've had my bag with door prizes just about emptied at one show.
I had to search for some demo items when packing up at a show not too long ago. I found them in the host's sink, under her dirty dishes. I take my dirties home with me so after I use it it goes right into my tote. Wonder how they made their way into the sink...

 

[ChefMoore]

I had a show Saturday night and didn't realize until Sunday that I was missing my Utility Knife! I didn't use it for the demo, but maybe someone pulled it from my tool turn about to use on some of the other food the hostess had set out. I'm calling her today to see if it was left there.

 

[RebelChef]

All these posts almost make you not want to demo any products or give door prizes. The door prizes, pens, etc may not cost that much but the totals add up. I think I'll be making a checklist of what I take from now on. :grumpy:

 

[DebbieSAChef]

What???

Ooh- when I used lap boards, I had a host tell me, "I'm taking this for my neighbor for her crossword puzzles. Since you just made it from a binder, I didn't think you'd mind." Excuse me? Since you know how I did it, you can buy a binder and make one for your neighbor (who wasn't placing an order, either!).

Wow that's amazing how cheap and insensitive some people can be. It can drive a person nuts if you think about it too much. :yuck:

I hate when people come to shows not to order anything but just to eat and then ask if I have any free prizes they can take!!! LOL
I always stress at my shows, if you placed an order or are going to place an order please drop your name in my bowl so you can enter a raffle. I have had too many people win that don't order anything and that's just a waste of money in my opinion. I'd rather give it to someone who orders something, even if it's small.

I have had some people come to my booth and try to take my SB's. I had to stop them and say "Sorry those are not FREE, but it's only $1 for over 40 recipes." I still have cheapskates put it back with a frown.

Debbie

 

[chefann]

I got sick of the people who came to eat and win a door prize, too, Debbie. That's why my door prize is usually free shipping. If they win and don't place an order, I'm not out anything.

 

[Chef Mary Rose]

I have had some people come to my booth and try to take my SB's. I had to stop them and say "Sorry those are not FREE, but it's only $1 for over 40 recipes." I still have cheapskates put it back with a frown.

Unbelievable! I mean for pete's sake...you can't buy a recipe book for less money!

I spoke with my host today. Not only did my Sweet Caramel Sprinkle go missing, so did my utility knife with it's sharpening case. She and her husband looked everywhere. Somehow I think it was one of her friends who seemed drunk. It's a shame but this experience opened up my eyes WIDE as to what I have been taking and so grateful nothing has been stolen before.

I even did a booth at a small town's festival last year and left my display up (covered at the end of the night) for FOUR NIGHTS and THREE DAYS...

Outside, yet! But nothing was stolen! I can see that I thought this was the status quo, that people didn't steal from us but I now know that was pretty naive. You have people with sticky fingers from all walks of life, and often those you'd never think would do it.

So, my decision is that from now on, I will take very little to shows as far as a display goes. I'll ask the host ahead of time if there are any items she'd like to see up close. If they are pricier items (such as the Forged Cutlery), I'll bring my one knife (hehe...yes, I only have one!), show it to her and then slip it into my apron pocket.

I also have to admit I'm now wondering about going into a quiet part of the house to tally up orders. That seems to be when people feel most bold at taking something, when a consultant is away from her products and display.

Well. Still kicking around some thoughts as you can all see. I'm just really disappointed that people do this. It's one thing to forget our tools and have our hosts let us know. But it's quite another to have our stuff totally "disappear!"

 

[pamperedtara]

Did anyone notice the products in cases or tied down at Leadership? That is because several items disappeared at National Conference from the product room! So yes, people from all walks of life have sticky fingers. Very unfortunate that PC consultants would steal from a company that is so incredibly generous to us!

As a side note, I tried the pen flags from The Booster for the first time this weekend. First time ever (3 years) that I didn't lose any of my pens!!

 

[Chef Mary Rose]

I got sick of the people who came to eat and win a door prize, too, Debbie. That's why my door prize is usually free shipping. If they win and don't place an order, I'm not out anything.

Oooo...Ann, as always, you rock! Love that idea! I just might...ahem..."borrow" it!

 

[carissaz]

I had lost all of my Nylon Tools. They were all in one grouping toghether. To replace all of them is like $144. I didn't realize it right away, but I have a pretty good idea about which show it may have been. Of course the host had not seen them. It's hard because you want to be diplomatic and not lose a customer, but it's terrible that someone would do that.

 

[raebates]

Did anyone notice the products in cases or tied down at Leadership? That is because several items disappeared at National Conference from the product room! So yes, people from all walks of life have sticky fingers. Very unfortunate that PC consultants would steal from a company that is so incredibly generous to us!

Not everything is tied down. I walked out with one of the new 29 Minutes to Dinner cookbooks. :blushing: I sat down in the Dream Room, looked down, and realized I still had it in my hands. I took it right back, of course.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I got sick of the people who came to eat and win a door prize, too, Debbie. That's why my door prize is usually free shipping. If they win and don't place an order, I'm not out anything.

I do this too - but I have noticed lately that when someone wins the free shipping, they end up with their friends order included on their order too.:grumpy:

 

[salthechef]

As far as the pens, I have a bunch of the cheapest papermate pens, and I bought a ton thinking I would have a problem losing them, and have probably lost more in my house myself than have ever disappeared!

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I also buy the papermates and come home rip the caps off and throw them away Women will not stick a pen in their purse without a cap.