BethCooks4U
Gold Member
- 13,010
Sorry but I need to whine a little...
I got an email today:
Background: Usually my hosts provide the ingredients. We pick a recipe under $15 and if she chooses to get more that's on her. This fall in order to get back on track after not working most of this year, I decided to offer to do the grocery shopping for my host for the demo recipe and if the party hits $500 (which all have so far) they would not have to pay me back.
This host wants to provide a meal. I said I would cover part of the cost but not the entire amount, explaining the above. I gave her lots of recipe choices (I know, I know...) most of which were much less expensive than pork tenderloin. She is confused. She has collected orders already so she feels like she'd doing all the work. I replied, well I'll put that on here too...
Purpose of this thread:
1. To whine - really? I was shaking when I read this. I am doing more for this host than I do for most - letting her pick lots of things, buying some of the ingredients...
2. Did I say too much? Was I clear but still caring? Of course I think I was but I wrote it. I actually had more but I walked away and then edited it twice before sending. I probably shouldn't have included that last part but it really got to me that she thought I'd "work" 40 minutes.
When this host started talking about a meal I said that I only demo one recipe but that I would come up with ideas on what she could also serve if she wanted to but that was obviously lost... :cry:
Lesson learned. I will first decide on the recipe with the host and THEN IF it is one that I am willing to shop the ingredients for I will offer that. NOT BEFORE.
I got an email today:
Beth, I'm sorry i wasn't at the party in mebane, but did i understand you saying that if a party is over 500.00 YOU would take care of the food. Was that the statement you make ?.. I don't feel like I should provide ALL the food and get orders, and you just work FOR 40 minute that not the way I understand the purpose of having the party. It matter to me if we can get a understand the food situation ok.I guess the bbq sandwiches is fine, veggie and dip and cake. I'm feeling disappointed already and i haven't even had the party isn't that something..I really like feeling this way.
Background: Usually my hosts provide the ingredients. We pick a recipe under $15 and if she chooses to get more that's on her. This fall in order to get back on track after not working most of this year, I decided to offer to do the grocery shopping for my host for the demo recipe and if the party hits $500 (which all have so far) they would not have to pay me back.
This host wants to provide a meal. I said I would cover part of the cost but not the entire amount, explaining the above. I gave her lots of recipe choices (I know, I know...) most of which were much less expensive than pork tenderloin. She is confused. She has collected orders already so she feels like she'd doing all the work. I replied, well I'll put that on here too...
No, no, no... I think you are totally misunderstanding! Let me try to explain.
Pampered Chef has it set up that you get $15 in free product for providing the food for a cooking show. It's a pay back for that. How it usually works is we agree on a recipe (not a meal) that I will demo and as a responsible consultant I recommend recipes that cost you $15 or less unless the host wants something more, then it's their decision. Really though, most people just expect a tasting of a recipe. They don't expect a meal so this can be very inexpensive for hosts. You told me you want to provide a meal for your friends and that is fine but it's much more than we usually do at a party.
As a special extra, I am currently offering to purchase the ingredients for one demo recipe and if the party is $500 or more I will not ask for the payment for those groceries (it's out of my pocket then - Pampered Chef does not expect me to do that and they don't pay me back). Most of the recipes I offer with this deal have a grocery bill of between $6 and $12. This is something that I don't have to do and most consultants don't do. I thought it would be something nice to do for my hosts. I do appreciate you and like everyone I have to watch my budget. I have a package of pork tenderloin that I got on sale for $11 and a box of chocolate cake mix. I could bring that if you provide the rest of the ingredients (except those noted below) or if you want to get the meat I would shop the remaining ingredients but I can't do it all if we're providing a meal.
Here is what we'd need if we do the BBQ pork sandwiches, veggies and dip and cake:
BBQ pork sandwiches
1 pkg pork tenderloin (could substitute 1 1/2 - 2 lb chicken if desired)
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar (if you don't keep this I could bring it)
2 Tbsp Smokey BBQ rub (I bring this)
2 tsp cider vinegar (if you don't have this I can bring it)
small buns (snack size)
Veggies & dip
carrots, celery, broccoli, cucumber (your choices)
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
a seasoning chosen by you (from those that I would bring)
Cake
cake mix
16 oz sour cream
3 eggs
1 tub frosting to compliment the cake flavor (not whipped!)
additional garnish toppings (that I bring)
If I bring the pork (or chicken) and cake mix all you would need to provide is: ketchup, snack buns, 1 cup mayonnaise, 16 oz + 1 cup sour cream, 3 eggs, tub of frosting and veggies. If you want to get the meat then just please tell me what of the other items you already have in the house (like ketchup, eggs...)
Your job is to invite people and get orders from those who can't come so that your guest sales are as high as they can be which means more free and higher discounts for you. My job is to show the products by making a recipe and talking about the benefits of them so people see why it would benefit them to have them and to get orders at the party. It's also my job to ask for bookings so that I get further business and you get more discounts at their parties. Then you get the fun job of spending your host benefits.
Please call and let's get this straightened out. I want you to be happy!
Beth
Also, I wanted to talk about the time I spend on a show. I estimate that I spend between 4-5 hours on each show that I do. I am there for about 2 hours plus driving time plus I spend a fair amount of time before the party trying to help the host have a successful show (getting host packet together, calling/emailing info, ordering and paying for the supplies, etc) and after the party getting the host all they can with their benefits. For example, with Michele's show she could have added a $20 order to her show to get to the next level of benefits which would have made my commission higher but I spent the time to do the math (she wouldn't have known any different if I hadn't done that) and by putting her items all in the host order and leaving the party level lower she actually saved money. I got paid less, she spent less. Honestly, I really am all about getting my hosts the most I can! I feel that it is a way to have happy hosts which means referrals and repeat business.
I hope this helps you understand.
Purpose of this thread:
1. To whine - really? I was shaking when I read this. I am doing more for this host than I do for most - letting her pick lots of things, buying some of the ingredients...
2. Did I say too much? Was I clear but still caring? Of course I think I was but I wrote it. I actually had more but I walked away and then edited it twice before sending. I probably shouldn't have included that last part but it really got to me that she thought I'd "work" 40 minutes.
When this host started talking about a meal I said that I only demo one recipe but that I would come up with ideas on what she could also serve if she wanted to but that was obviously lost... :cry:
Lesson learned. I will first decide on the recipe with the host and THEN IF it is one that I am willing to shop the ingredients for I will offer that. NOT BEFORE.