Dealing with Hostess Payment Issues in Direct Sales - Need Advice and Venting!

[jrstephens]

If I'm reading this right.....this just doesn't sound legal to me??? But maybe I'm not understanding what you are actually doing?

I don't think it would be. It is no different than me using my CC to pay for my mom's purchase at a store when she has already given me the cash to pay for it. Or at least that is the way I see it. I have never done this b/c most of my guest/host pay with check.

I think we all have things we are comfortable with doing and not doing that others may not totally agree on.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I don't think it would be. It is no different than me using my CC to pay for my mom's purchase at a store when she has already given me the cash to pay for it. Or at least that is the way I see it. I have never done this b/c most of my guest/host pay with check.

I think we all have things we are comfortable with doing and not doing that others may not totally agree on.

I don't think I'm reading it correctly.....It just sounded like she was charging guests CC's on one show for purchases made by others at another show and pocketing the $ actually paid for the product - I guess I'm not understanding how you would do this - just because there hasn't been a problem yet - what if the CC company does question it?

 

[kristenskitchen]

Its too late for me to re-direct the show, it has already shipped long ago. I submitted the show on Oct 31st after she told me the MO was in the mail.

Here is her latest reply to my calls and emails (I got this today after trying to reach her since last Friday):

I am sorry i didn't get back to you but i can not open my email on yahoo for some reason . I just got your message on my cell phone today . I could check in on western union . I will let you know i think they have that at radio shack but not sure . Do i need info from you to do that ? I still haven't gotten the money back off of the money order that got lost in the mail , they caneled the money oder but it could take up to 30 days to get the money back . i got money back on the one because it was under $100.00 . That's hurting me too . Thats $247.00 on that money order i am still waiting on .I will never do anything like this again unless all the money is here the day of the party i will never send a money order ever ..... Let me know what i need to send money western union . i have never done that . I will have to wait intil friday because i am short this week but i have most of it anyway . Have you still not gotten anything ? Doesn't that make you wonder where letters and packages go that get lost . I hope you don't hate me for this mess !! I will do what i can after you let me know what i need . I need to go i have to pick up my car from the shop my hub baring went bad on the front right side what ever that means $590.00 later .

Hmmm....not sure what to think. The whole thing is making me numb.

 

[Paige Dixon]

Wow, it sounds like it's a really big mess for her, too.

 

[Iluvpc]

Wow,
So sorry to hear of your horrible problem with the payment on the show. I think the certified letter is a good suggestion. I am heading in to my 6th year with PC. In my first year I was burned by two different people. A check on an outside order (she worked with my sister) and payment on an entire catalog show. The story is too long to tell, but basically on the recommendation of my national senior exec, I have all checks made out to the host and then have the host pay me and I never submit a show until I have the entire payment. Best of luck to you on collecting. For that amount of money, I would definitely pursue some legal action - small claims court if you have must.

 

[jentapp]

Did you get your money?

 

[AJPratt]

I understand things come up, but puh-lease. Yeah, did you get the $?

 

[jrstephens]

Would love to know if you got it too?

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Don't feel badDon't feel bad because you trusted someone and gave them the benefit of the doubt. From now on you will know never to do that again. A valuable lesson has been learned. I'm sorry you have to go through all this. I hope you get your money. Please let us know.
It sounds like she is making excuses. I have had things happen to me too, as far as an accident, sickness, my car being totalled and taken away, but I still do what I say I am going to do, even if it's inconvenient for me.
It's important to be a person of your word, especially in this business. She obviously is a very immature, irresponsible person.
From now on I would just make sure the host pays one big check for everyone's payment. I do that and it keeps everything the way it should be. The host then becomes the person who must hunt down these guests for money and since they are her friends or family it is easier for her than for me. Of course when I have shows with church friends, or family I take individual checks with no problems.

Debbie

 

[ChefAggi]

I like how you spelled out how and where she can send you the funds. No excuse there for her, is there!!

However, I would take out the apologies. Start out with your second sentence and delete the first one. Also in your closing paragraph, remove the apologies. Try not to get personal by mentioning your loss of sleep and personal finance issues, simply state she still owes you money in X amount, and here is what you request she does about it. Keep it strictly business.

You should not be apologizing to her for running your business your way, and I think you lose some "Ooomph" by saying sorry.

Good luck, and please let us know how this turns out. What a crummy thing to happen...

I too have to agree here. You won't see large corporations apologizing for running business or financial worries on their side, therefore nor should you. The letter is great and is very to the point! (I still have more to read from this thread, but wanted to put my 2 cents into this at this point)!!

Cheers