Closing Your Show: Tips for Handling Delays and Ensuring Timely Results

[princessmeshelle]

ok, i'm not a fan of holding shows for that last order that seems to take FOREVER to come in. However, i am giving this customer time because i agreed to. i left a msg with her hubby asking her to call me back tonight, time doesn't matter, so we can get this show closed. so, is there a better way to handle this? it has only been a week since the show, however, i'm not happy about the hold up. any advice to get this show closed asap? on the one hand i don't want to alienate the customer or the host, but i don't want to let this drag. TIA

 

[ChefSharain]

I say if you had an agreement that you should be able to stick to it. Call the host and let her know that time is running out and you would hate for her guest to miss the opportunity to order and hopefully it won't change the amount of money she has in FREE stuff.

 

[aPamperedBride]

Not sure if I would trust hubby to give her the message...have you thought about sending her an email? If it has been a week, that means your show was in Sept. You only have until the 15th to get it in or all host/guest specials are null and void. Is the host close to the next reward level? If so, it may be worth giving this guest extra grace; if not, it is time to get tough.If you don't hear from her tonight and it won't make a difference on the host rewards, then try first thing in the morning or middle of the day tomorrow when hubby is at work and you'll either get her or a machine. Tell her that you want to honor your word and give her a chance to order, but you also need to honor the other guests who have already ordered and paid. Don't tell her the official deadline, but state "TPC has a deadline for submitting shows from the previous month and I need to get this show submitted in order for those guests to receive the Sept. special." Tell her if you don't hear from her by midnight, you will be submitting the show without her order.If you hear from her after the deadline, wondering if she can still get in her order, you can tell her the show has already been submitted and either:
1) suggest she have her own kitchen/catalog show to get the products free instead
2) offer to put it on your next open show so she saves on shipping
3) take her order as an individual order with direct shipping (if you feel generous, you can offer to pay the difference between direct ship and guest to host shipping)This way, you are not turning down her business but reinforcing what you told her about the deadline being a deadline.

 

[princessmeshelle]

seriously!!!!why did i let it happen to me? for future reference, i'm never letting a show stay open for one more order EVER AGAIN! my host just informed me that the last order backed out after all. big surprise right? if my host were anyone but a friend, i might be more annoyed:grumpy:
happily though, my host must love me. she is giving me ALL her host rewards. free product value and host special. i can't believe it. i knew about the host special, but now i'm floored! i know its only 25$ in FPV but still... i'm just thankful to have her as a friend! i guess, i'm a lucky girl.

 

[scottcooks]

Lucky you! In the future, tell hosts we have a two-days-after-the-show closing policy. Since I have shared this, I have not had any hosts stretch beyond that. I follow up with guests, but after the 2nd contact make it the host's problem...if they want the added orders for their next bonus bump, they'll make it happen.Remember all the contorting we do actually hurts the PC image for our hosts--make the job as simple as it is, and ask them to join!