Avoiding a Costly Mistake: Learn from My Recruiting Experience

[DMB75]

Sorry to hear about his. I wonder if she took money from the hosts and guests at her shows? Think of the people that think they are getting PC products and their shows haven't been sent in yet.

I'll say a little prayer that everything gets straighten out. I hope you get your money back.

Donna

 

[Paige Dixon]

I did the same thing last fall. Felt like a major dummy! I think I'm at the point of writing it off. After numeous messages, she's not going to get me the money or the kit. And her shows just aren't going to happen, especially if the hosts heard about me harrassing her for the money she owes me!! Luckily, she had bought down her kit with her host points, but she had some half-priced items that she still owes me for, too. Sucks!

 

[dannyzmom]

Okay...Um...I just read the thread in the Marketplace. Please do not send me any money! Seriously! I will take care of it! All I need/want are your prayers.

Thank you!

ROFLMAO!!!
Good luck with getting the kit back from her...I hope she has 4 shows she is just waiting to send in and she sends them in today and qualifies immediately...that's be the best outcome

 

[dannyzmom]

Any word on the gal yet? I totally feel for you! I had a kitnapper who was writing HOT CHECKs off her alleged sister's account. SHe didn't have her "card" with her when she came to my house to sign up online so I used mine (Have done it before-no problems) She wrote me a check, it bounced. Many excuses as to why she couldn't pay me. One excuse was it was her sister's acct. and her purse was stolen and so they had to close the acct and that's why it bounced. Then she claimed she never got her kit. She magically later "found" her kit and then I started getting bits of payments here and there. I did my own detective work and found out that the account she wrote the check off of had been closed for a year and a half!!! I FINALLY got the kit back from her, wrote P.C. a letter, sent kit back to them and they actually refunded to me the ENTIRE amount!!! I then filed a police report and never heard anything from them or her again!!! Who knows what happened! Please let this be a lesson to all of us. No matter how eager we are to have someone sign we need to get them to pay for it up front directly to Pampered Chef! Let me know how it works out with yours!

Wow - what a night mare. I am glad you got it resolved though. I am sorry ya'll are dealing with these morons, but am glad you're sharing your stories so I don't ever get so enthusiastic about a recruit that I would lay $$ out for her. Eh...who am I kidding...I am so cheap I won't even lay out $$ for my own husband - LOL

 

[chef_kimmo]

Hey Sandra, I hope you worked it out. Maybe if you go help her get the shows sorted out to just mail in? She isn't going to submit them unles she has the debit card anyway (if I recall correctly) so she can just do them on PP and then print the appropriate form and send them in. I know it will be harder for you with the kids but maybe if you go to her house get her set up and "Git-R-Done" then she will turn into that success you were hoping for.

BTW: I have those endorphins flowing right now too. I may have a new recruit signing in the next week or two. I gave her the Your Life Your Way DVD yesterday.

 

[Miss Cori]

Have we heard anything Chef Kearns

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Same here

My DD is 3 and her TV just broke. She got so mad when I told her that we couldn't go to the store and get a new one! I don't think she quite understands that you don't just go to the store and take whatever you want for no money, LOL!

My two (going to be three in May) tells me to write a check or use my credit card. LOL I tried to explain that it is linked to my checking account and that unless there is money in there for that certain item, we can't buy it.
So she turned to daddy and said "Let's use yours daddy!" LOL LOL
Kids are crazy but funny!!

Sandra I hope you get that kit or your money. I mean I am praying it all works out and she is just flaky in the beginning but ends up being your best recruit. I hope she gets those shows in to you for you to submit them. I am very weary of people who ask me to pay for them. I do sometimes and if they do scam me well I just let them have to deal with the Lord one day for doing that to me. Vengeance is His.
But since you still talk to her and she hasn't disappeared, as most scam artists do, I am sure you guys will work this out. You are a smart and wonderful consultant. I'm sure if you keep at her, you'll finally get her to either pay you back or get on the ball.
Debbie

 

[Chef Kearns]

She isn't returning my calls. I did go to her home to talk with her, she didn't answer the door. I know they were there. They only have one vehicle and it was there. When I knocked on the door I waited awhile and soon enough a cigarette smell wafted through the door to me then wafted away. I believe they came to see who it was then decided not to answer the door.

I have been way nice on this. I am really upset that she isn't going to follow through. She didn't ask me to pay. I offered! Like an idiot!! One of my cluster mates' husband is a lawyer. He is going to draw up a letter for me and mail it to her at home and her husband at his work (in case they refuse the Certified letter at home). Hopefully the letter from a lawyer will scare them into action.

I don't think she is going to submit her shows. I think she's spent the customer's money. Because she went from not being able to purchase the kit to buying new clothes, buying 2 new laptops with Windows Vista, and getting a new Playstation in the month of February. We are no longer in contact. She is not returning my calls or answering the phone when I call. I do not plan on calling her again. My husband just wants to write it off as a lesson learned, but I am personally offended. (he is always letting people rip us off though...long long long story(s))

 

[Chef Kearns]

Congratulations Kim!! Hopefully we'll be walking together in July!!

 

[Miss Cori]

She isn't returning my calls. I did go to her home to talk with her, she didn't answer the door. I know they were there. They only have one vehicle and it was there. When I knocked on the door I waited awhile and soon enough a cigarette smell wafted through the door to me then wafted away. I believe they came to see who it was then decided not to answer the door.

I have been way nice on this. I am really upset that she isn't going to follow through. She didn't ask me to pay. I offered! Like an idiot!! One of my cluster mates' husband is a lawyer. He is going to draw up a letter for me and mail it to her at home and her husband at his work (in case they refuse the Certified letter at home). Hopefully the letter from a lawyer will scare them into action.

I don't think she is going to submit her shows. I think she's spent the customer's money. Because she went from not being able to purchase the kit to buying new clothes, buying 2 new laptops with Windows Vista, and getting a new Playstation in the month of February. We are no longer in contact. She is not returning my calls or answering the phone when I call. I do not plan on calling her again. My husband just wants to write it off as a lesson learned, but I am personally offended. (he is always letting people rip us off though...long long long story(s))

PLEASE dont let her take advantage of you like that. My dad is a cop and there are just too many people like that in this world. What is it with cruel people taking advantage of those Kind souls!! All you did was try to help her and look at what she did. If I could find her I would. Please dont let her do that. Gosh people like that make me sooo mad.

 

[sailortena]

You need to take action right away! Especially if she has taken your money, and other host/guests money! If she is not truthfully representing herself as a PC rep, what she is doing is fraud! That's a federal crime!

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Get that kit or money back!

She isn't returning my calls. I did go to her home to talk with her, she didn't answer the door. I know they were there. They only have one vehicle and it was there. When I knocked on the door I waited awhile and soon enough a cigarette smell wafted through the door to me then wafted away. I believe they came to see who it was then decided not to answer the door.

I have been way nice on this. I am really upset that she isn't going to follow through. She didn't ask me to pay. I offered! Like an idiot!! One of my cluster mates' husband is a lawyer. He is going to draw up a letter for me and mail it to her at home and her husband at his work (in case they refuse the Certified letter at home). Hopefully the letter from a lawyer will scare them into action.

I don't think she is going to submit her shows. I think she's spent the customer's money. Because she went from not being able to purchase the kit to buying new clothes, buying 2 new laptops with Windows Vista, and getting a new Playstation in the month of February. We are no longer in contact. She is not returning my calls or answering the phone when I call. I do not plan on calling her again. My husband just wants to write it off as a lesson learned, but I am personally offended. (he is always letting people rip us off though...long long long story(s))

Well I think that sending her a letter from an attorney is a great idea. It will definitely make her accountable and hopefully scared enough to send you a check (a good check) LOL or the kit back. Either way keep us posted and let us know what happens.

Debbie

 

[yummy4tummy]

Oh, I watch People's Court every day. Maybe you can be on there for all of us to see! LOL Don't let her walk and I would not quit calling her either. Eventually she will answer or repay the money to get me off of her back.

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Not a boneheadBy the way I wanted to say, you are not a bonehead because you cared enough to help someone out. That was a very nice thing to do.

She is the bonehead for being dishonest and deceptive.

Keep us posted!!

Debbie

 

[janetupnorth]

She isn't returning my calls. I did go to her home to talk with her, she didn't answer the door. I know they were there. They only have one vehicle and it was there. When I knocked on the door I waited awhile and soon enough a cigarette smell wafted through the door to me then wafted away. I believe they came to see who it was then decided not to answer the door.

I have been way nice on this. I am really upset that she isn't going to follow through. She didn't ask me to pay. I offered! Like an idiot!! One of my cluster mates' husband is a lawyer. He is going to draw up a letter for me and mail it to her at home and her husband at his work (in case they refuse the Certified letter at home). Hopefully the letter from a lawyer will scare them into action.

I don't think she is going to submit her shows. I think she's spent the customer's money. Because she went from not being able to purchase the kit to buying new clothes, buying 2 new laptops with Windows Vista, and getting a new Playstation in the month of February. We are no longer in contact. She is not returning my calls or answering the phone when I call. I do not plan on calling her again. My husband just wants to write it off as a lesson learned, but I am personally offended. (he is always letting people rip us off though...long long long story(s))

I hope the hosts/guests can be contacted and informed of what happened so they can take action too - that is wrong if she took money from them too. ...and will make them wary of PC even if it isn't PC's fault!

 

[Chef Kearns]

I've already called PC to let them know what I suspect. So now they will be ready to respond if customers start calling about their stuff. They will be able to reconstruct the show and send them their stuff. I really really hope that I am wrong about that though.

 

[GourmetGirl]

Good luck with everything! Keep us updated on what happened! and p.s. I don't think you're a bonehead either -- everyone gets excited when someone wants to sign, I'd probably do the same thing you did!

 

[Jules711]

I had a recruit that never did anything. Luckily, she paid for her kit, but then couldn't figure out how to load PP and we scheduled times to meet but couldn't. I told her I could do it over the phone too if meeting didn't work, but she didn't call me back. The only time the phone was answered was when her husband picked it up and they were "out of town". Believed her then, but not anymore. She said she had 3 shows to submit but mailed them with the checks and hadn't heard anything. I called and no, she didn't mail anything. Plus, hello, she couldn't send the customers' checks! I actually don't believe that she collected any orders. She manages a Clinique counter and it would be dumb to steal from her co-workers. I'm fine with kit nappers. Just be honest about it!

I'm so sorry that this happened to you. If the attorney letter doesn't work, do you know where she works? Or could you and your "lawyer" go visit the husband? I wouldn't go alone and bring someone that is loud and won't back down. Sounds like they are counting on you just going away. Good luck and I'm praying for you right now!

 

[sillylittlechef]

Anything worked out yet? just curious. I Hope you get your money back.

 

[naekelsey]

I am also curious has to how things have worked out!!

 

[Chef Kearns]

Right now I am kinda waiting. The lawyer has drawn up the letter. He will be sending it tomorrow. In the letter he gives her a 10 day ultimatum to pay. So by the first of the month I'll know what we need to do next.

 

[Paige Dixon]

Hey, can the rest of us in the same situation borrow your lawyer's letter to plagerize?

 

[Chef Kearns]

Hey, can the rest of us in the same situation borrow your lawyer's letter to plagerize?

I don't think so. He is being really sweet. He is not charging me (yet). I think he thinks the letter will scare her into paying me. I'm not so sure. Neither is my husband. I tried asking him what the next step would be if she doesn't pay within the 10 days. He hasn't given me a straight answer. I assume because that would mean he would have to start billing me. I don't know. I really do believe in my heart of hearts this girl is on meth. Especially after seeing her home and meeting her husband and young daughter.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

See I'm such a scaredy cat I would be scared to send the letter to the husband's job for fear of him being angry and retaliating.

 

[hoosierchef]

I don't think so. He is being really sweet. He is not charging me (yet). I think he thinks the letter will scare her into paying me. I'm not so sure. Neither is my husband. I tried asking him what the next step would be if she doesn't pay within the 10 days. He hasn't given me a straight answer. I assume because that would mean he would have to start billing me. I don't know. I really do believe in my heart of hearts this girl is on meth. Especially after seeing her home and meeting her husband and young daughter.

WOW. I'm just astonished when reading all these posts about your situation. I'm so sorry to hear that this has happened to you. It just goes to show, that no matter how much we want to be trusting and helpful, we much remain vigilant to protect ourselves. I'll be praying that this all works out for you. Keep us updated.

BTW, I know it would be like squeezing blood out of a turnip, but two things come to mind:
a. small claims court
b. filing theft charges......


Have you heard anything back from HO??

 

[jasonmva]

I may be a bit late for this but can you legally send the letter to her husband at his work place when he is not on the contract? I would be careful in that case because he could come back at you for a disruption of something at his workplace. I personally feel it should only be sent to her. If they refuse the certified letter, then one should be hand delivered, like a summons.

 

[Chef Kearns]

I may be a bit late for this but can you legally send the letter to her husband at his work place when he is not on the contract? I would be careful in that case because he could come back at you for a disruption of something at his workplace. I personally feel it should only be sent to her. If they refuse the certified letter, then one should be hand delivered, like a summons.

I just asked my lawyer to send it to him at work. It was suggested to me by my upline. I thought it was a good idea. Right now he has just sent the letter to their home. If it is refused then....I don't know.

 

[Lisa/ChefBear]

At least in PA, I know you would have not "right" to contact the husband as he didn't sign the contract and he isn't the one responsible for paying for it.

I used to work at our local County Courthouse and it's amazing the things that you see go on and the people that do crap like this, and it's not always just the "drug" people, it's more "upstanding" citzens that do this type of thing allot of the time........

What I would do here, is contact the Sheriff's office and ask if a Sheriff's Deputy could serve her the letter if she won't accept Certified Mail, of course you'd have to pay for that, but that's a cost that can be "charged" to her at a later time.

Sorry about this and I know what it is to get kit nappers, I've signed 2 so far ;(

Lisa

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Kit nappers

At least in PA, I know you would have not "right" to contact the husband as he didn't sign the contract and he isn't the one responsible for paying for it.

I used to work at our local County Courthouse and it's amazing the things that you see go on and the people that do crap like this, and it's not always just the "drug" people, it's more "upstanding" citzens that do this type of thing allot of the time........

What I would do here, is contact the Sheriff's office and ask if a Sheriff's Deputy could serve her the letter if she won't accept Certified Mail, of course you'd have to pay for that, but that's a cost that can be "charged" to her at a later time.

Sorry about this and I know what it is to get kit nappers, I've signed 2 so far ;(
Lisa

I know it's tempting for people to pay $155 for almost $500 worth of products. They sign a contract but it really isn't binding, except morally and ethically. There really is no legal consequence to breaking it.
Unfortunately they get away with it and there's nothing we can do. I mean in Sandra's case the lady won't even be decent enough to pay for the kit and then kit nap it!
That' horrible! And with a nice person like Sandra, it really upsets me because there truly are people out there who could use that help and be honest about paying her back and trying to do shows! It's a shame. Sandra keep us posted! We want to know if this way of dealing with people will actually work for us if we are in the same boat!
Debbie

 

[Chef Kearns]

Okay here's the deal, she didn't pay within the 10 days. Sunday is her last day to comply. I spoke with my lawyer today and he said that it would cost me about $500-600 to pursue this matter in small claims court. He said I would more than likely win the case; however, it she has not paid $150 it was not likely that she would pay $500. I don't think I'm going to pursue it any further. My husband thinks I should just let it go and I don't think I have the energy it will take to get the thing going. NOT to mention I cannot afford to shell out $500! Granted, if I won she would have to pay for the court and lawyer fees, but like I said it is not likely she would pay AND I have to front the money then wait to be reimbursed.