Carrying the Catalog Tote: My Everyday Essential!

[PCGINA]

thanks Gina - very cute! I guess I'm going to have to get out those remnants and start sewing!

You go Girl!!! If I could sew I would... I got a "D" for my Junior High sewing project... an apron ... so I was not going to attempt a quilted bag with plastic and pockets ...

I am sure it would have become a White Elephant gift instead

~G

 

[pamperedlinda]

You go Girl!!! If I could sew I would... I got a "D" for my Junior High sewing project... an apron ... so I was not going to attempt a quilted bag with plastic and pockets ...

I am sure it would have become a White Elephant gift instead

~G

I can sew - but I really don't like to do do it. I have to sew fairly easy stuff too or I get frustrated.

 

[christinaspc]

I did alot of sewing for christmas this year I could make this after looking at but I am debating on if I want to lol for christmas this year I made a sheet, pillow case & quilt for my daughters cradle and then made her matching pillow cases for her bed, made wallhanging for my son with matching pillow case and then made hubby a monopoly game, pillow case and then I made new stockings for me and hubby I did some embroidery as well I am thinking my machine went into over load mode lol But I did just order me one after thinking about all the things I made lol.

 

[Nanisu]

I have a girlfriend who makes purses and sells them and she is making me a catalog tote--I am bringing it to leadership. So, input? What color/features do you think I should have? She sells bags pretty reasonably and I thought if I could help her get some business that would be great--she's a pastor's daughter and has three adorable children, I'd love to help her out and she makes GREAT bags--really sturdy. So what do you think about colors and features?

 

[koima]

I got mine from Melony at the same etsy shop. It's fantastic! I've been carrying it around for over a month and have had quite a bit of interest, and it's CUTE! I've gotten compliments on the bag, which automatically leads to a PC conversation.Her bags are very well made - no loose threads or loose seams, you can pick the fabrics and dimensions and customize it. I have outside pockets just the right size for mini catalogs, which is perfect as I hand those out like water, haha. I would highly recommend it.This is mine: Etsy :: S/O Consultant bag for Jessica

 

[esavvymom]

That custom-made bag is very cute, and I can sew and have patterns for various bags, but right now- that is just one more thing I do NOT have time to do. So I just ordered mine yesterday. I got the email that it has shipped- so I should have it by New Year.

I hope it works for me as well as it did for Patsy! My problem is going to be getting the right words from my Brain to actually come OUT my mouth! I tend to just smile and kind of have that "That's nice" reaction to someone saying "I love PC!". I can't get my tongue to work! :yuck::cry:

 

[jkinak]

I just ordered one from Melony on Etsy, I should have it in a couple of weeks. I am going to FORCE myself to carry it everywhere on the weekends and hope to get some good contacts. I'm also going to have to work on some good replies when people comment on how much they love PC. I'm always afraid to look like some desperate, pushy consultant.

 

[chefsteph07]

I got mine, what, a year ago or so when they FIRST came out, took it out for a few months and never got a single thing out of it so I "retired" it, until the whole thing came back w/ Patsy carrying it, so I broke it out again and I've been carrying it again for about 2 months and again, NOT A SINGLE thing has come from it...

I kind of don't like it because it's so big I can carry more junk in it, plus my family gives me all THEIR stuff to carry in it, if someone DID approach me, I'd have to go through it for 10 minutes to find my mini cattys and info! LOL

 

[pamperedlinda]

Hey Steph - what are you putting in the clear pocket? I switched from having the current catalog in the front to something with food on it. MY SED was at the Fall retreat thing with Patsy and she said that every year Patsy tells the company that food HAS to be on the cover!! She says that FOOD is what gets people's attention. so, I printed out the Homemade for the Holiday's brochure and used that during December - it did catch people's eyes. I pulled-up the CN on CC and I'll be using that when we get it - that recipe looks divine!

I too wind-up with a lot of extra stuff in that bag ..... I call it "the Pit" LOL

 

[pamperedlinda]

That custom-made bag is very cute, and I can sew and have patterns for various bags, but right now- that is just one more thing I do NOT have time to do. So I just ordered mine yesterday. I got the email that it has shipped- so I should have it by New Year.

I hope it works for me as well as it did for Patsy! My problem is going to be getting the right words from my Brain to actually come OUT my mouth! I tend to just smile and kind of have that "That's nice" reaction to someone saying "I love PC!". I can't get my tongue to work! :yuck::cry:

I usually say something like: "Really? Me too!" Then I followup by asking them when the last time was that they were at a PC show (if it's been a while I'll say "wow, you should see all the new products we've got now!"). Then I'll ask if they have a consultant. When they tell me no (they usually do) I hand them a recipe card and mini catalog and tell them that I'm so glad they found me! I introduce myself and point out that my info is on the mini and the recipe. I then ask if they would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter (I alway say "I'm getting ready to mail it out in the next day or so, would you like a copy"...even if I sent it out last week ) and I get their name, email address and phone number. I went to the office supply store and bought a little zip pack like what Patsy uses in the video to keep everything together.

 

[chefsteph07]

Hey Steph - what are you putting in the clear pocket? I switched from having the current catalog in the front to something with food on it. MY SED was at the Fall retreat thing with Patsy and she said that every year Patsy tells the company that food HAS to be on the cover!! She says that FOOD is what gets people's attention. so, I printed out the Homemade for the Holiday's brochure and used that during December - it did catch people's eyes. I pulled-up the CN on CC and I'll be using that when we get it - that recipe looks divine!

I too wind-up with a lot of extra stuff in that bag ..... I call it "the Pit" LOL

Linda, that's a great idea, I just have the catalog in it..with the brochure being in the front, do you have the current catalog behind it?

 

[pamperedlinda]

Linda, that's a great idea, I just have the catalog in it..with the brochure being in the front, do you have the current catalog behind it?

yes, I carry 2 current catalogs - just in case... but I pretty much only hand out the minis

 

[koima]

Mine has a pocket on the side that is just right for minis, and on the other side I keep a little note pad and pen to get their info. I have the catalog on the front, but I'll try something with food for the next month to see if it helps!

 

[caraighan]

Hi, Linda,
I've been reading the posts about the catalog totes. I saw where some were saying that they hated to carry it as a purse because it's so big and a lightbulb went off!!! LOL
What if someone had one made like a clutch or a small purse with a clear window big enough to put a mini catalog in it?!?!? Does that sound like a stupid idea???
I like having a big purse because I always seem to have SOOOO MUCH STUFF!!! But when it comes to shopping, I like to carry something smaller because I've had trouble with my shoulders and they get to hurting after a while and I end up leaving my big purse in the car anyway!

 

[chef131doreen]

I love the one I made it's just like the ones on that web-sit I also have an inside pockets for all of the other info stuff ( wedding, mini and recuting )pockets so I have what I need in a flat pocket on the inside . I am not going to Leadership but i may make a few and bring some summer ones to national Conference. .

 

[caraighan]

Doreen,
Which conference wave will you be at? I think we will be in wave 3... but I'm not sure...
I would love to see yours!

 

[chef131doreen]

I will be at wave 3 too Chris Manions July 16th

 

[chefsteph07]

Ok, I printed off the power cooking page and put it on the front of my purse...we are going bowling tomorrow for New Years so I'll see if I get any hits..

 

[pamperedlinda]

Ok, I printed off the power cooking page and put it on the front of my purse...we are going bowling tomorrow for New Years so I'll see if I get any hits..

You go girl! That's the way to work it - and let us know if you get lucky

 

[esavvymom]

I usually say something like: "Really? Me too!" Then I followup by asking them when the last time was that they were at a PC show (if it's been a while I'll say "wow, you should see all the new products we've got now!"). Then I'll ask if they have a consultant. When they tell me no (they usually do) I hand them a recipe card and mini catalog and tell them that I'm so glad they found me! I introduce myself and point out that my info is on the mini and the recipe. I then ask if they would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter (I alway say "I'm getting ready to mail it out in the next day or so, would you like a copy"...even if I sent it out last week ) and I get their name, email address and phone number. I went to the office supply store and bought a little zip pack like what Patsy uses in the video to keep everything together.

Thanks for the advice and words!!

 

[caraighan]

back to the tote bags from the etsy site... this question if for those of you who have bought one.
what are the dimensions of the bag itself? I know that the clear pocket has to be about 9 by 12 or so to accomodate a catalog... but I was wondering about the bag itself?
Also, they do have pockets on the inside... right?
thanks,
Maria

 

[esavvymom]

I got my tote a week or so ago. I carried it yesterday for the first time to my WW meeting. I groaned when I pulled in remembering that it was the first meeting since "New Year's Resolution" season started. That always meant a line! But now I'm happy about those lines!! I was waiting to weigh-in, and had a lady behind me spot my tote. She asked if I sold PC, I smiled real big and said yes! (I'm usually very tongue tied but I tried to focus and remember things you all told me on here!) I asked her something- and now I can't remember what it was! But I do remember giving her a recipe card, and then pulling out a catalog. The lady behind HER saw this going on and said "Oh, I want one of those too!". So I gave her one. Both catalogs had a post-it note on it so I could ask them for their name/phone/email so that I could contact them later. I briefly told them about our January Host special going on and neither of them shot-me down! Both are PC product owners and had things that need replacing. They shared a few stories (DH melted a spatula or something, DS used a knife to cut tree limbs, stuff like that ). We just chatted friendly for the few minutes, and then I said I'd email them more info on the January/February specials. I said I would be in touch later this week to talk to them more about our specials for earning great FREE products. I kept reiterating the "free stuff" part.

I was so excited! I'm really struggling getting my calendar started, so this was a boost. Now to capitalize on it!

I have a "Cut your grocery bill in half" workshop this weekend...and you can BET I'll have PC shirt on and my tote as obvious as I can be!

 

[twinkie10]

Ok, I printed off the power cooking page and put it on the front of my purse...we are going bowling tomorrow for New Years so I'll see if I get any hits..

Did you wear it over your shoulder as you rolled the ball down the lane?? Now, that would've drawn some attention!!!! How'd it go? Any bites that night?

 

[Get_Pampered]

I will be at wave 3 too Chris Manions July 16th

I am under Chris Manions, too! Crazy, huh? I am in AZ and you are in CT!

 

[tara0925]

I have the ribbon bag, the diaper bag, and then a tote that I got made from Belladonna with a window for my catalog.

I seem to get the most bookings and orders from my ribbon bag.

 

[Get_Pampered]

I just ordered my custom catalog tote from Melony. I am so excited about the fabric I chose and she is also making a little zippered makeup bag to match and putting a magnet/snap closure on the tote itself!!!! I cannot wait to see it!:love:

 

[caraighan]

I just ordered my custom catalog tote from Melony. I am so excited about the fabric I chose and she is also making a little zippered makeup bag to match and putting a magnet/snap closure on the tote itself!!!! I cannot wait to see it!:love:

I finally bit the bullet and ordered my tote bag from Melony!!!

 

[caraighan]

Here is what my bag will look like!!! and I can't wait to get it!!!

Etsy :: Custom order Catalog Bag or Consultant bag

 

[caraighan]

I will be at wave 3 too Chris Manions July 16th

I'm in Wave 3 too!!!

 

[ChefDaynaDos]

I have been carrying my tote around with me for about 2 weeks and so far, not a single person has approached me. I do hope that it will draw some attention soon!