Has This Ever Happen to You . . .

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores participants' experiences and opinions regarding the distribution of Pampered Chef catalogs and flyers, particularly in relation to legality and neighborly reactions. Participants share their personal anecdotes about similar situations and discuss various methods of distributing materials.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of receiving a negative reaction from a neighbor after placing a flyer on a mailbox, expressing reluctance to continue this practice.
  • Another participant comments that the neighbor's reaction seems extreme and suggests that most people would not respond negatively.
  • Several users mention that they believe the negative reaction was unwarranted and that many people would simply discard unwanted catalogs without complaint.
  • One participant notes they have heard of others successfully distributing catalogs without issues, despite not having done it themselves.
  • Another participant raises concerns about the legality of placing items in mailboxes, citing potential fines and suggesting alternative methods like leaving items on porches.
  • Some participants share their own methods of distributing catalogs, such as leaving them at local businesses or on doorsteps, and express a desire to find effective ways to use old catalogs.
  • One participant recounts a similar experience where a friend received a negative call after distributing catalogs, reinforcing the idea that reactions can vary.
  • Another participant mentions advice from a mail carrier regarding what can be placed on mailboxes and posts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the appropriateness and legality of placing catalogs in mailboxes, with some participants expressing concern over potential legal issues while others feel that negative reactions are not common. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best method for distribution.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a range of experiences, indicating that reactions to catalog distribution can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and local norms.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on distributing promotional materials and those interested in learning from the experiences of others in similar situations may find this discussion relevant.

koeverson
koeverson
Messages
59
Several days ago I got an idea on what to do with my about to expire catalogues. I decided to use "a Pampered Chef consultant lives in your neighborhood flyer" along with an introduction letter. I put in on the mailbox rather than in (I know putting in the mailbox is a crime) Yesterday I put a few on the mailboxes in my immediate neighborhood. Today I received an extremely nasty phone call from one of my neighbors upset that I put something on his mailbox. He went further to say he was not interested in my product and how dare I assume he would be. I politely said "no problem, I will make sure I do not encroach upon your mailbox in the future and sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you". He kept on talking about his living on a private road (the road is not private) and blah blah blah. I thought this was a good idea and a good use of the old catalogues. Now I am reluctant to put them on the other side of the neighborhood. Any suggestes for anyone? Was this a bad idea?
 
Wow! He sounds like one in a million! Wonder if he calls everyone who sends him junk mail too?

I don't think many (if any more at all) would respond the way that he did!
 
I think it was totally fine. It sounds more like this guy is just a jerk. How dare you assume that he was interested in your product? Just ridiculous. I'm sorry that you had to deal with that, but I think you will be fine in the future. Most people that aren't interested will just throw your catalog away and forget about.
 
this never happend to me, i have never done anything like this (although i want to), but know of alot of people that have done it with great success! its just probably a bitter old man, so dont let it get you down.

maybe for the other side of the neighborhood you could go door to door and leave it with them?

by the way, how did you leave it on their mailbox? how did you do that?
 
I have wanted to do this for a long time but have been told it is illegal to leave anything even hanging off a USPS mailbox without proper postage and without being handled by the PO.
 
Instead of putting it on the mail box how about on the front porch. I know it's more steps but at least the legality of mailbox infringement won't be an issue. I would not leave it at all if there's a sign that says "no solicitation" either.

I haven't done that with old catalogs either - I use them at fairs - but it's not a bad idea! I also leave them at hairdressers, coffee shops, car dealers, doctors offices (where ever I do business and they say it's okay. I even tell my hosts and guests to keep the catalog (recipes!) but if they want to get rid of it please don't throw it away. Leave it somewhere that someone might find it (like the above).
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
abrahamlaur said:
this never happend to me, i have never done anything like this (although i want to), but know of alot of people that have done it with great success! its just probably a bitter old man, so dont let it get you down.

maybe for the other side of the neighborhood you could go door to door and leave it with them?

by the way, how did you leave it on their mailbox? how did you do that?
Click to expand...
Everyone in the subdicision has the same mailbox there is a bar on the top of the mailbox that has the house number and there is a space between the top of the mailbox and the bottom of the bar. I put the information in between that space.
 
Don't put things in mailboxes! The fine is around $700. Only stamped mail can do in there...
 
I've used the catalog bags (from Nancy's :cry: ) and just threw them on the driveway next to the newspaper. Haven't gotten anything good or bad from it! (No leads, but also no nasty phone calls/emails).

I've only done it twice in the past 3 years to get rid of out-of-date catalogs. I figured I'd rather have them "out there" than sitting in my cabinet!
 
today i put one of those flyers and a catalog in a catalog bag on a neighbors door... now i'm scared to do more. lol thanks for the warning.
 
This happened to someone in my cluster and evidently there does seem to be a law that you cannot leave things on a mailbox. She didn't get in trouble, but did get a nasty phone call from one of her neighbors. I would leave it at the front porch if I was to do something like this. Not everyone will react that way, but as you can see, some do.
 
What my mail lady told me was that the mailbox itself is "owned" by the USPS so you can't use it; however, the post is not USPS property so you can put a thumtack into the post with your info.
 
If there's an open slot UNDER the actual mailbox, like for a newspaper, you can put it in there. But most of the time, people will treat your catalog the same as unsolicited advertising, and just pitch it.
 
I just leave mine on the doorstep. Come to think of it, I should have gotten plastic bags since it has been raining :o Oh, well. I will continue to do this as it is excercise and I just don't know when I will get that lucky break.
 
I have way too many extra catalogs right now too (recruited 4 in May/June) so I'm just going to start leaving a trail everywhere I go...grocery store (shopping cart), drug store, bank, doctors office. I will accidentally leave one everywhere!! :cool:
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Has this ever happened to you when you tried to host a Pampered Chef party?

Yes, many people experience challenges when hosting a Pampered Chef party, such as low attendance or difficulty in getting friends to commit. It's important to choose a date that works for most people and to promote the event effectively through social media and personal invitations.

Has this ever happened to you when you couldn't find the right products during a demonstration?

This can happen, especially if you're using a variety of products. To avoid this, make sure to prepare in advance by organizing your products and having a checklist. Practice your demonstration to ensure you know where everything is and how to use it.

Has this ever happened to you when guests were hesitant to place orders?

Yes, it's common for guests to feel unsure about placing orders at a party. To encourage them, highlight the benefits of the products, share personal experiences, and offer incentives like discounts or free shipping for orders placed during the party.

Has this ever happened to you when you felt overwhelmed with the sales process?

Feeling overwhelmed is a common experience in direct sales. To manage this, break down the process into smaller, manageable tasks. Focus on one step at a time, whether it's reaching out to potential hosts, following up with customers, or preparing for a party.

Has this ever happened to you when you faced challenges in recruiting new team members?

Yes, recruiting can be challenging. To improve your success rate, share your personal story and the benefits of joining your team. Offer support and training to new recruits, and create a positive, welcoming environment that encourages others to join.

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