Have You Seen Myspace.com Lately?

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants' observations and concerns regarding Pampered Chef consultants advertising their businesses on MySpace and Facebook, which some believe violates company policies. Participants share their personal experiences and reactions to these practices, expressing frustration and confusion about the implications for their own businesses.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses shock at finding multiple consultants openly advertising their Pampered Chef businesses on MySpace, suggesting this violates company policy.
  • Another participant shares their experience of discovering a Director from Tennessee promoting various specials on MySpace, labeling it as "sad and wrong."
  • Several users mention seeing numerous listings of consultants on MySpace, with some being very explicit about their business activities.
  • One participant notes that Facebook groups for consultants also contain promotional content, raising similar concerns about policy violations.
  • Another participant reflects on their fear of being reported for mentioning Pampered Chef as their occupation, indicating a sense of anxiety about compliance with company rules.
  • Some participants discuss the differences between MySpace and Facebook, with one noting that Facebook is perceived as more private and secure.
  • One participant shares their belief that consultants should be held accountable for blatant violations of advertising rules, suggesting clearer communication from the company regarding these policies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ significantly among participants, with some expressing strong disapproval of the advertising practices while others share their own cautious approaches to mentioning Pampered Chef in their profiles. No clear consensus emerges regarding the appropriateness of these actions.

Contextual Notes

Participants appear to be primarily concerned with the implications of these advertising practices on their own businesses and the perceived fairness of enforcement of company policies among consultants.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in understanding the community's perspectives on advertising practices and compliance with company policies may find this discussion relevant.

Paulette: That is just awful that someone who say that to you! Unfortunately, when I was trying to be fair and contact someone first, I got very similar responses.

I understand exactly what Beth was saying. Plus its hard to convey emotion through the board. So you don't know if someone is serious, joking or trying to be mean. I think 99% of us here are genuine, kind people who really wouldn't intentionally upset someone.

I respect those who choose to report the violators, you're better people than me. After my personal experience being unjustly reported and the mess that caused, I just backed off. Did you know that when HO contacts you about one of those violations, a couple of people in your upline get CC'ed? Crap!

Deanna: Oy! Is right!
 
raisingirl said:
Just to let you know it is against Myspace policy as well to advertise yourself or products. You can report them to myspace.

I just read that myself yesterday with my hubby. He said "well there ya go, seems pretty cut and dry to me!"
 
This topic has certainly caught the eye of this brand new consultant. Frankly, I'm relieved to read Richard's response to the questions and to have the policies clarified. I am in the financial services industry and that is ALL that I am allowed to say in any sort of profile. In fact, I'm not even allowed to conduct business thru e-mail. Snail mail even comes under scruitiny. My industry happens to be heavily regulated and every word I write must be passed through compliance, even thank you notes, before a client ever sees it.

Now, I realize that in comparison, being in the culinary business is not the same thing, but I wasn't really ready for a free for all out here in cyberspace. While I was contemplating signing my agreement I did a Google search on Pampered Chef, and that is how I discovered people were actually selling product on eBay. In fact, they are selling products cheaper than I will be. I can forsee all sorts of issues having guests coming to Shows to find out about the products and how to use them, then buying them online to save a couple of bucks.

I decided to forge ahead with my business for two reasons. One, I know that Berkshire Hathaway would not have bought PC if it were not solid and did not have a solid business plan. Secondly, I trust that the HO DOES deal with violators as they come to their attention.

Whoever said that the Pampered Chef name is protected property, just as is McDonalds and such is absolutely correct. If I want to be able to advertise "my business" in whatever fashion I want, I guess I better be putting MY name at the top of the letterhead.

Will I report violators as I see them? You better bet your britches I will. Information travels way too fast these days. If someone is willing to compromise their contract so blatantly, what other ethics standards are they willing to compromise? And if you think their behavior won't impact you, you are in for a rude awakening. This isn't about getting naughty people punished. It is about protecting the investment I have just made.
 
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MomToEli, one advantage we have over those ebay sellers is the warranty. One year on all products (except consumables), three years on many, lifetime on some.
 
Thanks Rae, for pointing that out. How about the consultant websites that pop up on Google that link directly to their PC website ordering page? The search criteria was simply "Pampered Chef". The person would get the warranty ordering through that page, wouldn't they?
 
Unfortunately, yes. I was talking about the items selling cheaper on ebay than at a show. People who link their PWS are a different matter.
 
MoMtoEli, Very Well Said! Yeahhhhh someone else who get's it!!!!!
 
I stumbled across one locally and it irked me..obviously they knew they were violating rules as their name was not mentioned at all. I was blunt - I will let you know if I get any reponse.
 
::::thinking to myself::::::
I like this new girl :)

MomToEli said:
This topic has certainly caught the eye of this brand new consultant. Frankly, I'm relieved to read Richard's response to the questions and to have the policies clarified. I am in the financial services industry and that is ALL that I am allowed to say in any sort of profile. In fact, I'm not even allowed to conduct business thru e-mail. Snail mail even comes under scruitiny. My industry happens to be heavily regulated and every word I write must be passed through compliance, even thank you notes, before a client ever sees it.

Now, I realize that in comparison, being in the culinary business is not the same thing, but I wasn't really ready for a free for all out here in cyberspace. While I was contemplating signing my agreement I did a Google search on Pampered Chef, and that is how I discovered people were actually selling product on eBay. In fact, they are selling products cheaper than I will be. I can forsee all sorts of issues having guests coming to Shows to find out about the products and how to use them, then buying them online to save a couple of bucks.

I decided to forge ahead with my business for two reasons. One, I know that Berkshire Hathaway would not have bought PC if it were not solid and did not have a solid business plan. Secondly, I trust that the HO DOES deal with violators as they come to their attention.

Whoever said that the Pampered Chef name is protected property, just as is McDonalds and such is absolutely correct. If I want to be able to advertise "my business" in whatever fashion I want, I guess I better be putting MY name at the top of the letterhead.

Will I report violators as I see them? You better bet your britches I will. Information travels way too fast these days. If someone is willing to compromise their contract so blatantly, what other ethics standards are they willing to compromise? And if you think their behavior won't impact you, you are in for a rude awakening. This isn't about getting naughty people punished. It is about protecting the investment I have just made.
 
Since this is about people breaking the rules, I'm only going to slightly highjack this thread.

A guest at my show on Saturday told me that she didn't need to fill out the survey slip because she lives in California and they have a Pampered Chef store there. (I ignored the fact that the survey slip entitles you to a chance at a door prize.)

I said, "A Pampered Chef store?"

And she said, "Yes."

I said, "Really? Because we're not supposed to do that."

She said, "Oh, it's just a little store."

I said, "Hmmm. Our contact specifically states that we will not sell from a retail establishment."

She said, "Oh, well, maybe it's a Sur le Table or something."



So, anyone out there in California come across a PC store?
 
I thought the same thing Carloyn!

One of the major offendors is gone.... at least for a few days....

If you look under groups and enter PC there are a bunch that say they are there to recruit and sell..... I found ne page the other day that had a link to her website in 3 places.

I soooo want to report them but still feeling pretty burned by my last experience.
 
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etteluap70PC said:
I soooo want to report them but still feelong pretty burned by my last experience.

Report them directly to the HO...no getting burned :)

Rae....what's a Sur le Table?
 
Does anyone know what happens to these people who violate the rule? If nothing, than that explains why it continues. I personally think these people should be fined or sanctioned some way.
 
raebates said:
Since this is about people breaking the rules, I'm only going to slightly highjack this thread.

A guest at my show on Saturday told me that she didn't need to fill out the survey slip because she lives in California and they have a Pampered Chef store there. (I ignored the fact that the survey slip entitles you to a chance at a door prize.)

I said, "A Pampered Chef store?"

And she said, "Yes."

I said, "Really? Because we're not supposed to do that."

She said, "Oh, it's just a little store."

I said, "Hmmm. Our contact specifically states that we will not sell from a retail establishment."

She said, "Oh, well, maybe it's a Sur le Table or something."



So, anyone out there in California come across a PC store?
None that I know of, it woudl be interesting to see it though!:eek:
 
Maybe it is similar to this establishment, that is in a town near by?

http://www.incredibleediblesandmore.com/about_us.htm
 
koeverson said:
Does anyone know what happens to these people who violate the rule? If nothing, than that explains why it continues. I personally think these people should be fined or sanctioned some way.

The Home Office will randomly audit links to Personal Web
Sites to ensure these guidelines are being followed. If you
wish to report a violation, please e-mail Consultant Career
Solutions at [email protected].
Anyone in violation of any communications policy will be
notified via phone and e-mail that they must correct the
violation. Additionally, their upline Director will be notified.
If the Consultant fails to comply within the time specified by
Consultant Career Solutions, action will be taken.
After the first failure to comply, the individual ordering
option on their Personal Web Site will be disabled.
After the second failure to comply, their individual ordering
option will be permanently disabled.
Finally, after the third failure to comply, the Consultant’s
Personal Web Site will be permanently disabled.
There are also penalties for repeat violations, even if the
person complies each time they are contacted. If a person
commits three violations, individual ordering will be
permanently disabled on their site.

This is from the policy and procedures manual. Personally, I think taking away individual ordering is just a slap on the wrist. This policy also doesn't cover those that sell on ebay, etc. This is just for those that put their link on myspace, facebook, and other places.
 
GeorgiaPeach said:
Report them directly to the HO...no getting burned :)

Rae....what's a Sur le Table?
Sur le Table is "under the table".
 
  • Thread starter
  • #108
OMG - Rae, I was in that store in March when my family I went to Carmel/Monterey for the weekend. I didn't really stop and look because I'm so into PC but I'm sort of freaking out that I saw the store. They really sell PC stuff? They have a website: http://www.surlatable.com/home.do . I just checked it out and I don't see (at my first glance) PC items. I see cooking gadgets that look similar....sigh.
 
There's "Sur La Table" around here (Chicagoland) and it's similar to Williams-Sonoma. Although they seem to have more and fancier stuff to choose from. They wouldn't carry PC stuff, but they sure have similar things. THey also have cooking classes, which are great. I took a Knife Skills Class after getting the Forged Cutlery. They periodically offer FREE knife sharpening, just FYI. I won't need mine for another year or 18 months since we don't have to professionally sharpen our forged cutlery more than every two years.:)
 
Your contract will be terminated if you are caught selling on ebay, I had a consultant that happened too. She was first warned in October, again in March and terminated in the middle of April. She can not sell PC again. The person who signed her, looked at her history and she sold alot and made alot of money, maybe that is why she was fired! Not worth the risk if you ask me.
 
Sur le Table does not sell PC products. It's just a great, high-end kitchen store. As a confirmed kitchen gadget junkie, I love all those stores: William Sonoma, The Chef Store, etc.

I just wonder if someone has really set up a little place at a flea market or little farmer's market and is selling PC products from that.
 
GeorgiaPeach said:
Report them directly to the HO...no getting burned :)

QUOTE]

I just worry about reporting a bunch of people then HO looking at me wierd. I don't want to look like a troubble maker.
 
ok did anyone call the HO on the girl on myspace?? I have messaged her a few times and I even quoted what the wekly bites says and told her what page it is on in the policies and procedures. and she was VERY rude in her response to me. I told her that I was trying to help her, but she must not have read that part, because her responses to me were RUDE. So if no one has called I am going to. Beacuse me helping went right out the door when she said the things she said.
 
To me, her rude responses indicate that she knows what she's doing. Go ahead and contact the HO, and include her responses.

My DS set up my myspace. He put "Pampered Chef Consultant" as my job. I didn't realize he had done that, and even if I had known, I'm not sure I would have realized it was a breach of policy. As soon as I became aware that it was, I double-checked my homepage. Sure enough, there it was. I changed it immediately. If someone had contacted me about it, I would have changed it and thanked them. That is the response of someone who has unintentionally broken a rule.
 
Amberd said:
ok did anyone call the HO on the girl on myspace?? I have messaged her a few times and I even quoted what the wekly bites says and told her what page it is on in the policies and procedures. and she was VERY rude in her response to me. I told her that I was trying to help her, but she must not have read that part, because her responses to me were RUDE. So if no one has called I am going to. Beacuse me helping went right out the door when she said the things she said.

It is my personal opinion that when you contact someone on myspace/facebook/ebay informing them of the violation of policy and they respond to you in an ugly way, that email should be forwarded to HO with a report of their violation. I know that there are plenty of people out there that just don't have a clue but the one's that respond in that way will continue breaking the rules until someone higher up puts a stop to it.

I think it's human nature when an equal tries to point out something we did wrong we get all defensive....if someone in authority says that same thing, we are apologetic :)
 
OK I know its on here somewhere, but who do i contact about that??
 
This is the place to send complaints.

[email protected]

Yes definetly include all corespondance including your initial msg. That is what I did. I was not ashamed at what I wrote but the person who responded to me should have been.

Do we really want these people working with customers. What if a customer made them mad???? Would they be as rude?
 
I know I think if I was as rude as this woman then I wouldnt have any customers at all!!
 
Oh my goodness, its only getting worse with this woman, I did contact HO especially after this last message she sent me. I would post it on here but I am positive that her language is not allowed on this site. I'm sure you all could imagine. I really dont know how people in our business can have that kind of attitude and succeed
 
I got b*&$@YI printed about 25 pages of MySpace stuff after keying in the words Pampered Chef.

I converted them to .pdf and sent them to the home office.

I'm sorry but that is a blatent breaking of the rules. I plain and simply told them that if a lot of people - even directors who know better- are taking unfair advantage, then they should let all of us do it.

I am really sad that the company that I love has such a bunch of rotten, low down, scheming, self centered, two faced, back stabbing S*B A***@#s in it!
 

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