Home Office Just Sent Me an E-Mail

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants' experiences with receiving emails from the Pampered Chef home office regarding the unauthorized use of their names in online advertisements. Many express frustration over the policies governing how consultants can mention their affiliation with Pampered Chef on social media and other platforms.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses frustration about receiving a threatening email regarding their name appearing online without their consent.
  • Another participant shares a similar experience, noting that their name was mentioned in a Facebook group for consultants, leading to a warning from the home office.
  • Several users mention that they have had friends inadvertently promote their business online, leading to confusion and concern about policy violations.
  • One participant discusses the challenges of adhering to the policy while trying to promote their business, feeling that the rules are outdated.
  • Another participant notes that they have submitted suggestions for policy changes but received no positive response from the home office.
  • Some participants express a desire for more flexibility in how they can represent their business online, citing that other direct sales companies allow more freedom.
  • Several users mention the need for collective action to advocate for policy changes, suggesting that if enough consultants voice their concerns, it may lead to revisions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the appropriateness and effectiveness of the current policies regarding online representation. While some participants agree on the need for change, others express skepticism about whether their concerns will lead to any actionable revisions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a broader concern among consultants about the limitations placed on their ability to promote their businesses online, particularly in light of evolving social media practices.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants navigating similar issues with online representation and those interested in discussing potential policy changes within the Pampered Chef community may find this thread relevant.

C
cakepampered
Messages
67
:mad: Somehow my name has appeared on a website advertising my PC business. Mind you, my name is there, but there is NO personal website, or personal profile listed. The e-mail from PC was sort of nasty (to me anyway) threatening me with loss of my website if I did not provide them with proof that I was taking care of the problem immediately. Listen, I don't even have a "my space" or "face book" account. I NEVER advertise my business on anything but my business card. Somehow my information got out, and now I am in trouble. Has this happened to anybody else? Personally, I don't see what the big deal is???:confused:
 
What website was it?
 
I am curious too. Where did they find this information?
 
I too have gotten the e-mail from the home office regarding my information on the web. It was on facebook. Mind you, I wasn't advertising my business in any way. It was a group for PC consultants. I happened to mention "Pampered Chef" and someone reported me. I had to remove my posting on the message board. I think with today's technology that some policies need to be looked at and maybe revamped......
 
cakepampered said:
:mad: Somehow my name has appeared on a website advertising my PC business. Mind you, my name is there, but there is NO personal website, or personal profile listed. The e-mail from PC was sort of nasty (to me anyway) threatening me with loss of my website if I did not provide them with proof that I was taking care of the problem immediately. Listen, I don't even have a "my space" or "face book" account. I NEVER advertise my business on anything but my business card. Somehow my information got out, and now I am in trouble. Has this happened to anybody else? Personally, I don't see what the big deal is???:confused:
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Call them. They will give you more information so you can fix the problem. They are not out to get you. They want the playing field to be equal for all consultants and to keep the cooking show the way to promote the business.

I got one of those letters a while back - I had not put the info up there - someone had found my site and linked me and a lot of other consultants to it - they felt that HO's rule was illegal or something. Anyway, HO worked with me, I got my link taken down and had no further problem.

Hopefully some of this will change soon. Someone I know who is in the know said that there is a lot of support to change things but for now we need to follow the guidelines we agreed to when we signed our agreements.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
O.K., now that a couple of hours have passed, I am feeling better. Turns out that a friend of mine thought that she was doing me a favor by putting my name on "Linkedin". She figured that she always buys from my website, so why not tell others about it? She immediately contacted them, and asked to have my site taken down. As I mentioned, it wasn't much of a site at all, only my name and the words Pampered Chef. No website, no phone number, nothing. But, as someone said here, just the mention of PC was enough to send up the RED flag.

I did contact Home Office and my Director to let them know that I was working on the situation. Hopefully, this will be over with today.

I certainly hope that the rules change soon about advertising in other venues beyond the personal website. I have a feeling that this is going to happen more often. Thanks for all of your comments and support.:love:
 
cakepampered said:
O.K., now that a couple of hours have passed, I am feeling better. Turns out that a friend of mine thought that she was doing me a favor by putting my name on "Linkedin". She figured that she always buys from my website, so why not tell others about it? She immediately contacted them, and asked to have my site taken down. As I mentioned, it wasn't much of a site at all, only my name and the words Pampered Chef. No website, no phone number, nothing. But, as someone said here, just the mention of PC was enough to send up the RED flag.
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That's part of the policy: we cannot indicate anywhere online that we are consultants and use the name of the company, even without a link to PWS.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Lesson learned!:angel:
 
What if we mention online that we are a consultant for a company that provides high quality cooking equipment for home use and don't mention the company by name?
 
That is fine - as long as you don't mention Pampered Chef, you're safe.
 
That's OK. But we can't mention PC. (This site is different, because of the membership requirement to get any info on the users here, although we cannot link to PWS.) On my blog, I mention that I represent a company whose name means "Spoiled Cook" and rhymes with "Hampered Jeff." :D
 
chefann said:
That's OK. But we can't mention PC. (This site is different, because of the membership requirement to get any info on the users here, although we cannot link to PWS.) On my blog, I mention that I represent a company whose name means "Spoiled Cook" and rhymes with "Hampered Jeff." :D
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I get that - but think it is ridiculous that we have to go to those lengths. As mentioned before, this is not a matter of national security! Times have changed and we need an updated policy. Is there any way that we could all put in a suggestion for this policy to be updated?
 
I think someone mentioned, there was talk of revising this policy.
 
lestat_de_leon said:
What if we mention online that we are a consultant for a company that provides high quality cooking equipment for home use and don't mention the company by name?
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Sorry, nope. I submitted this suggestion (almost verbatiem) to HO when I joined my first Chamber of Commerce over a year ago. They said no.
 
I hate this rule. everyother direct sales company allows this. I personally think it is a great way to advertise and get more business. I hope they change this soon! Katie
 
If they hear from enough of us maybe they will consider updating the policy.
 
DessertDivaFL said:
If they hear from enough of us maybe they will consider updating the policy.
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Who (or what email address) should we address our concerns to?
 
legacypc46 said:
Sorry, nope. I submitted this suggestion (almost verbatiem) to HO when I joined my first Chamber of Commerce over a year ago. They said no.
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Are you Kidding me! I know some (ACTUALLY ALOT OF ) people who have done just that, without mentioning PC!:grumpy::mad: What is the DEAL!??? They seriously need to REVISE this policy!
 
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I'm really happy to see that many of you are in support of a change. I mentioned maybe if enough of us "complained" then maybe they would change the policies on another thread, and no one really agreed. Weird! I think it's kinda sad not to be able to say that we just work for PC. On Facebook and Myspace, they ask what your company is. Right now, I put "Can you believe I can't say? But I will come to your home and cook for you." But it's inevitable that the words Pampered Chef are going to come out. I have many friends who have posted on my facebook page saying that they want to have a Pampered Chef show in the summer, next month, etc. Should I really be punished for that? And should I really feel obligated to tell my friends, "Shhh. Don't say the P word on my facebook page?" Seriously...
 
Kelly8 said:
I'm really happy to see that many of you are in support of a change. I mentioned maybe if enough of us "complained" then maybe they would change the policies on another thread, and no one really agreed. Weird! I think it's kinda sad not to be able to say that we just work for PC. On Facebook and Myspace, they ask what your company is. Right now, I put "Can you believe I can't say? But I will come to your home and cook for you." But it's inevitable that the words Pampered Chef are going to come out. I have many friends who have posted on my facebook page saying that they want to have a Pampered Chef show in the summer, next month, etc. Should I really be punished for that? And should I really feel obligated to tell my friends, "Shhh. Don't say the P word on my facebook page?" Seriously...
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yeah, that is ridiculous! I'd be happy if they'd let us just mention what we do or who we are!;) We should be proud to represent them, why not let us!
 
Kelly8 said:
I'm really happy to see that many of you are in support of a change. I mentioned maybe if enough of us "complained" then maybe they would change the policies on another thread, and no one really agreed. Weird! I think it's kinda sad not to be able to say that we just work for PC. On Facebook and Myspace, they ask what your company is. Right now, I put "Can you believe I can't say? But I will come to your home and cook for you." But it's inevitable that the words Pampered Chef are going to come out. I have many friends who have posted on my facebook page saying that they want to have a Pampered Chef show in the summer, next month, etc. Should I really be punished for that? And should I really feel obligated to tell my friends, "Shhh. Don't say the P word on my facebook page?" Seriously...
Click to expand...

Who would disagree about changing this ancient policy!?? I am not saying we should be able to sell stuff or advertise online like on ebay or craigslist! Just simply letting us put who we are in our Profiles would be nice!
 
How ridiculous does it make us look to potential recruits? In a day and age with technology and the internet in EVERYTHING, they have to figure out a better way.I don't want to see people turn the internet into their only way- I like having to keep the cooking show the focus and understand that, BUT why can't I join my local Chamber of Commerce or advertise in a local newspaper without being afraid that their online presence and listings are going to mistakenly list my information or say the Pampered Chef words and I get in trouble? How bad does it make us look when I have to say "um, please don't put my name in your directory because i will get in trouble."Yes- I think we should all present our complaints and suggestions. Time for PC to get into THIS Century!
 
UGH, I just had a catalog party host who was struggling to get orders post my website link on facebook for all her friends to see (I just set up my website today) and I had to ask her to take it down. What a horrible thing to have to tell her!!! Yes, true, the more sales she has the more commission I make, but I'm pissed for HER sake!

Question though - I have a host who's contacting me about plans mainly on facebook through comments (not private messages), however, she hasn't mentioned "the Pampered Chef" she's just said stuff like "when should I receive the host packet?". Could I get cited for that or is it ONLY if "the Pampered Chef" is written (rather than implied?)
 
I think the problem is if they mention Pampered Chef AND your name/website. I had a did a show at the end of March and the host told me she was inviting people via her Myspace page. Of course I got very nervous and quickly explained the HO's view about "internet advertising". Turns out all she said on her page is "I'm having a Pampered Chef party please come, if you can't come and want to place an order contact me and I'll tell you how." (paraphrasing due to bad memory). BTW, I never heard from anyone at HO.
 
I think it would really stink if we have to police our HOST's internet usage too! I am not going to be able to track or know if someone who's hosting a show posts it on Facebook or My Space or their blog. That's just messed up....and it makes us look really stupid. I know I was talking to other folks (Direct Sales) and they couldn't believe we had this policy.
 
While I personally would appreciate a rules change I can also appreciate why then don't.

One of the founding principles of The Pampered Chef was to educate and assist the home cook by providing simple recipes, quality products, and show them how they work. It has always been about "hands on" and integrity.

I can only imagine that once the "door was opened" to allow online advertising and selling it wouldn't be long before "cooking shows" began to decline. And of course there would become "mini-wholesalers" setting up online stores and incorporating discounts into the prices to encourage business. All of these things would be detrimental to the average home-based consultant.

I am afraid that if and when the changes come the face of The Pampered Chef will change and never be the same again.

Soooo, while I personally would like to be able to post my business online and sell online, I understand and agree to abide by the rules that I signed up under.
 
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I never thought about it that, way, but I totally understand what you are saying!
 
KimoMakano said:
While I personally would appreciate a rules change I can also appreciate why then don't.

One of the founding principles of The Pampered Chef was to educate and assist the home cook by providing simple recipes, quality products, and show them how they work. It has always been about "hands on" and integrity.

I can only imagine that once the "door was opened" to allow online advertising and selling it wouldn't be long before "cooking shows" began to decline. And of course there would become "mini-wholesalers" setting up online stores and incorporating discounts into the prices to encourage business. All of these things would be detrimental to the average home-based consultant.

I am afraid that if and when the changes come the face of The Pampered Chef will change and never be the same again. Soooo, while I personally would like to be able to post my business online and sell online, I understand and agree to abide by the rules that I signed up under.
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Well said.
 
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