Caution!!! Don't Order Catalogs!!!!

[wadesgirl]

This is really frustrating!! I always order 100 and hardly ever use them all but I've always been able to get rid of them towards the end of the season. Financially I flat can't afford this anymore!! Last week was my last week of unemployment and I'm still going thru the paperwork portion & drug screen, physical, etc. for my new job. I won't order 100 at a time again!! Nope not gonna do it!

Judy

You get 100 for about the same price as 50, but I guess it would depend on how many shows you do a season.

You don't have to buy the new catalogs, you can still use the current ones.

 

[Liquid Sky]

I think it'd be nice if they mail us out a pack of 25 for free!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

You get 100 for about the same price as 50, but I guess it would depend on how many shows you do a season.

You don't have to buy the new catalogs, you can still use the current ones.

Yes, I'm not planning on ordering new ones - the ones I have will be fine...I'll just use the flyer to advertise the one new product.

 

[leftymac]

For all those who say they can't afford it:1. Print out one flyer of the new product and show it at your shows.
2. Sell one of the new products at said show.
3. Make at least $8.40 commission off of it.
4. Use that $8.40 to buy some of the inserts for the new catalog.
5. Use those inserts and sell more of the new product, earning more commission.

 

[wadesgirl]

For all those who say they can't afford it:

1. Print out one flyer of the new product and show it at your shows.
2. Sell one of the new products at said show.
3. Make at least $8.40 commission off of it.
4. Use that $8.40 to buy some of the inserts for the new catalog.
5. Use those inserts and sell more of the new product, earning more commission.

And then repeat!

 

[raebates]

I rarely order fewer than 100 at a time. It's just too good a deal to pass up. I, of course, ordered new catalogs on May 1. I plan to use the leftymac plan.

 

[leftymac]

Just got this from my Hospitality Director:FYI, I contacted Home Office to find out if everyone would be able to purchase the new Cool and Serve Tray in June and this is the response that I received. It is a great tool to use to get hosts to book, but we need to be aware that the ONLY people that can get the tray are June hosts with $650 in sales. As consultants, we can only get it by holding and submitting 2 shows before May 15th or by hosting a party of our own in June with $650 in sales.Shelly Dear Shelly,

Thank you for contacting The Pampered Chef. As of right now the Cool & Serve Square Tray is just a June host special and also our consultants can earn the item if you hold and submit 2 shows May 1 - 15.

Ney Perssico
Solution Center Representative
The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
The Pampered Chef
If that's the case, why have a catalog insert (or a new catalog)? Something's amiss....

 

[Becca_in_MD]

If that's the case, why have a catalog insert (or a new catalog)? Something's amiss....

Ah, yeah, WTH? Maybe guests can only order it starting in July? I want it available in June to boost SAT sales. Some better communication from HO is in order!

 

[Becca_in_MD]

The more I think about it, the Sol. Ctr. Rep. must have been saying the only way currently to get it is by earning it in May or hosting in June. She didn't say it won't be available for sale in June. It would certainly be nice for HO to say "it will be available for sale in June for $42" and hence the idea of new catalogs and the inserts. Internal communication may be a little slow there, too.

 

[kdangel518]

You could just print a copy or two and put them inside a plastic sleeve and send them around at your parties after you discuss it.:chef:

This is what I was thinking. I have a plastic document display thingy I got a staples... it stands up on a table. I have one for the next month's host special and this month's guest special for each show. I would put one of these in there, or put two in a sheet protector and pass them around.

 

[kam]

Just got this from my Hospitality Director:

FYI, I contacted Home Office to find out if everyone would be able to purchase the new Cool and Serve Tray in June and this is the response that I received. It is a great tool to use to get hosts to book, but we need to be aware that the ONLY people that can get the tray are June hosts with $650 in sales. As consultants, we can only get it by holding and submitting 2 shows before May 15th or by hosting a party of our own in June with $650 in sales.

Shelly

Dear Shelly,

Thank you for contacting The Pampered Chef. As of right now the Cool & Serve Square Tray is just a June host special and also our consultants can earn the item if you hold and submit 2 shows May 1 - 15.

Ney Perssico
Solution Center Representative
The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
The Pampered Chef


If that's the case, why have a catalog insert (or a new catalog)? Something's amiss....

That is bizarre! I agree, why issue a NEW catalog with it if guests can't buy it?

 

[NooraK]

I think HO trying to keep things as a surprise is going a bit far here. We're not stupid. We can figure out this will be an item available for purchase based on everything that's going on.

I can kind of understand not wanting us to focus too far into the future, but they have to be a bit realistic too. Many of us are already booking June (it's less than a month away), and since HO encourages us to send invites, we should know what to tell the guests to expect.

 

[esavvymom]

That's very confusing then from what the CN says. It just said "Available June 1st". That really sounds like it is available for ANYONE.What would be the point of having the new catalog then? Am I missing something? Sounds like someone in HO doesn't know what they are talking about. Why put a great new product on the catalog front (a summer one at that!) that is SURE to be very popular and then say to customers- "Sorry, you can't have it. You'll have to wait until September." ????!?!?

 

[raebates]

Here's what is says in yesterday's PC Newswire:

Our hottest new product — the Cool & Serve Square Tray — is yours FREE when you hold and submit 2 Shows May 1-15!

Check out the Cool & Serve Square Tray video available on Consultant's Corner to see this must-have new product in action!

Beginning May 17, you'll be able to order catalogs, catalog inserts and mini catalogs — all featuring the Cool & Serve Square Tray. Our newest product will be available for guests to purchase on June 1! [Emphasis added.]​

Clearly the person at HO either misspoke or was mistaken.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I checked with my SED and it will be available to guests starting June 1 for $42.

 

[leftymac]

Here's what is says in yesterday's PC Newswire:

Our hottest new product — the Cool & Serve Square Tray — is yours FREE when you hold and submit 2 Shows May 1-15!

Check out the Cool & Serve Square Tray video available on Consultant's Corner to see this must-have new product in action!

Beginning May 17, you'll be able to order catalogs, catalog inserts and mini catalogs — all featuring the Cool & Serve Square Tray. Our newest product will be available for guests to purchase on June 1! [Emphasis added.]​

Clearly the person at HO either misspoke or was mistaken.

Thanks, Rae. You're the best!

Another reason why I don't like my hospitality director.

 

[sandilou]

The new product: This is something I have a hard time with and don't understand the thinking. It seems like it would make more sense to EARN it in April and be able to BUY it as a sample in May if you didn't earn it. Wouldn't that make sales for all better and benefit the company?

Also, I think it would be nice if they got the word out early about the catalog change. I seems kinda sneaky to let people order so close knowing they would be changing soon. :grumpy:

Sandi

 

[Becca_in_MD]

PC is usually very careful about product testing before putting something on the market. My guess is that they tried to have this product ready to be in the spring/summer catalog but weren't through with testing in time. Rather than waiting another year to come out with it, they brought it out now. Yes, the timing, esp. with letting us know about new catalogs being available, could have been better.

Anyone else remember the year they tried to introduce the containers that you could bring your lunch to work in? I think they were supposed to keep things cool but could also be put in the microwave, though my memory could be faulty. PC spoke too soon, put them in the catalog, then they were on stop sell for the whole season b/c there were quality issues and we never actually got them. Never saw them again. Believe me, it's harder when something is in the catalog and you have to tell customers that there's a stop-sell than being excited about a new product that's not in the catalog. And better not to have unhappy customers dealing with a faulty product. Remember metal sheet pan stop-sell or backorder?

 

[NooraK]

Or the plates with the trees.

I think that's a very good point. Things like this are frustrating, but in the end PC is trying to come up with the best solution overall.

 

[wadesgirl]

PC is usually very careful about product testing before putting something on the market. My guess is that they tried to have this product ready to be in the spring/summer catalog but weren't through with testing in time. Rather than waiting another year to come out with it, they brought it out now. Yes, the timing, esp. with letting us know about new catalogs being available, could have been better.

Anyone else remember the year they tried to introduce the containers that you could bring your lunch to work in? I think they were supposed to keep things cool but could also be put in the microwave, though my memory could be faulty. PC spoke too soon, put them in the catalog, then they were on stop sell for the whole season b/c there were quality issues and we never actually got them. Never saw them again. Believe me, it's harder when something is in the catalog and you have to tell customers that there's a stop-sell than being excited about a new product that's not in the catalog. And better not to have unhappy customers dealing with a faulty product. Remember metal sheet pan stop-sell or backorder?

That was my thought too!

 

[babywings76]

PC is usually very careful about product testing before putting something on the market. My guess is that they tried to have this product ready to be in the spring/summer catalog but weren't through with testing in time. Rather than waiting another year to come out with it, they brought it out now. Yes, the timing, esp. with letting us know about new catalogs being available, could have been better.

Anyone else remember the year they tried to introduce the containers that you could bring your lunch to work in? I think they were supposed to keep things cool but could also be put in the microwave, though my memory could be faulty. PC spoke too soon, put them in the catalog, then they were on stop sell for the whole season b/c there were quality issues and we never actually got them. Never saw them again. Believe me, it's harder when something is in the catalog and you have to tell customers that there's a stop-sell than being excited about a new product that's not in the catalog. And better not to have unhappy customers dealing with a faulty product. Remember metal sheet pan stop-sell or backorder?

Or the plates with the trees.

I think that's a very good point. Things like this are frustrating, but in the end PC is trying to come up with the best solution overall.

I agree, too. The only thing that I wish was that we had a heads up sooner. But maybe that was to help us be surprised and excited, and therefore help to get our customer base surprised and excited.

 

[esavvymom]

They probably didn't say anything sooner because they didn't want to be stuck with all of the older spring catalogs either.

 

[pampered1224]

Don't forget the woven round trays! Those handles made them dangerous! I still have my original, I use it for other things but the handles just sag on it!
And I am going to print out a flier my self for the new product. Why waste my money when I have ink and paper already. Besides, I can not remember which thread but someone placed an awesome flier out her for it.

 

[esavvymom]

Here's the flyer John eluded to above.http://www.chefsuccess.com/f18/cool-serve-tray-flyer-61679/#post737093

 

[sassypip]

I just had to order more catalogs last week before this came out and ordered enough to get me throught he rest of the summer. I am bumming now, becasue I will not have the new ones.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Here's my concern:I have a June 5 show. I will be sending out my host packet soon, with the usual request for a guest list so I can send out invites.It would be REALLY NICE to have the new mini's to send with my invites ... but I'm not going to place a supply order with mini cats on them before I can get the new ones! And May 17 I'm a bit worried that it wouldn't get here in time for my June 5 show.

 

[sjspchef]

Anyone been able to order the summer mini catalog? I think the item # is KA90.

 

[otisbg]

sure - and I got them in 2 days!

 

[sjspchef]

All I have is the red dot next to them item #. ?

 

[chef131doreen]

Years ago some of you may remember we had MID SEASON Products . some where around May june a new product was intoduced and all we had to do is use the insert flyer . we didn't have anything added to new catalogs. and it all worked out ok .
I alread sent out my Host packs for JUNE & early July so I am going to send the host the flyer with WOW look what we have Now