How Does Tastefully Simple Work?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores various aspects of how Tastefully Simple operates, particularly from the perspective of participants who have personal experiences or knowledge about the company. Discussions include commission structures, inventory practices, and product offerings.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses curiosity about how Tastefully Simple works.
  • Another participant shares their enjoyment of Tastefully Simple products, specifically mentioning the Honey Teriyaki Sauce and Merlot Sauce.
  • One participant mentions a former consultant who had to keep stock and is now looking to sell excess inventory.
  • Several users note that Tastefully Simple is moving away from requiring consultants to keep inventory due to past issues with unsold products.
  • One participant discusses the commission structure, indicating that consultants earn a higher percentage when orders are placed directly compared to show orders.
  • Another participant mentions the costs associated with sample supplies and credit card processing for consultants.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the necessity of paying for shipping and the value of the starter kit compared to other companies.
  • One participant shares a story about a neighbor who manages to host shows frequently, raising questions about the feasibility of such a schedule.
  • Another participant reflects on the challenges of balancing work and family life while considering the potential earnings from hosting shows.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of Tastefully Simple's business model, particularly regarding inventory management and commission structures. No clear consensus emerges on the overall experience with the company.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and observations related to Tastefully Simple, often comparing it to their experiences with Pampered Chef. The discussion reflects a mix of curiosity and personal anecdotes rather than formal evaluations.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and potential consultants interested in understanding the operational aspects of Tastefully Simple may find the shared experiences relevant.

My personal thought is that PC is more personable.... I found that when I walk into the grocery store I get hey look it's the Pampered Chef Lady..... I am the only consultant in town at this present time( I am working on recurits) But I am have a client based that I get return customers becasue I take my time at each show with each guest and talk to them. I have been to other home parties where it is hurry up and fill out the order form and write your check and get out of my face type of a consultant... I am so glad that I have taken the time!!!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #32
Yes... The whole concept of TPC is spending time with people and finding out what their needs are, instead of pushing something on them. I agree!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #33
So... I went to my first TS show last night. I had a good time. I liked how the samples were passed around. The consultant really didn't seem to have to do much, which was nice. She just set up a display and talked about the products. The host contacted me today and said that for every $100 in sales, she got $10 in free product. So, she told me that she got $60 in free prod. Doing the math in my head, she had a $600 show. When I think about what our hosts get, I thought, "That's all she got?" Yikes. She (the host) really did ALL of the work. The consultant opened the show with her rules "Don't be rude and make faces, don't double dip..." she was nice enough but the rules put me off a bit. They also encouraged everyone to have their order shipped to their house, that it was much better than other companies that make the host distribute the order and they don't. They said shipping to the customer's home is 10% of the order. Now, I have never been to a TS show before, but I have placed orders and the host did deliver them to me. If there are any TS consultants on this site, I'd love to know what they do. And is this something (indiv. shipping) something I should consider promoting more?
 
I had a TS party a couple years ago... LOVE thier Caramel.. and I think it was a decent party but it would have been low for our averages... and noone...not even me.. .ever reordered...she never contacted me either... but the caramel was SO good ... best when eaten with .... a spoon!
 
I love TS! I've been to a number of parties and know quite a few consultants (which I think is more of a dis-service to those consultants, because there isn't one I'm loyal to). I recently received an order from a gal at work who did a "book party". And, yes, the hostess delivered the product after the company had delivered it to the consultant, the consultant to the hostess, and finally the hostess to the guest. Anne - my feeling is the consultant doesn't want to mess with the delivery. I have ALWAYS known it to work that way. I'm glad they are stepping away from the inventory, but I think it's kind of like Mary Kay. If you want to be able to complete orders immediately, carry inventory, if not, don't! But, in talking about loyalty, with this most recent order, there was a flyer in there front and back that said "At a Glance". It had every current product available, item # & price. The consultant put her label at the bottom. I stuck it to the side of my fridge! I thought, what a great idea! Now if I ever need something else, I can see the products and prices right there and I can give her a quick ring! She was very quick in sending in the order and I felt I got my products within a very reasonable amount of time. I have had trouble in the past with consultants who carried inventory, because they would have to have a minimum order to place their inventory order with the company. So, if I ordered something she was out of, I had to wait until she placed another large order before I got my product. Anyway, enough of my rambling, I do love TS products, I use them all the time! But, as a Direct Sales company, Pampered Chef just can't be beat! :D
~Jen
 
chefjenibel said:
But, in talking about loyalty, with this most recent order, there was a flyer in there front and back that said "At a Glance". It had every current product available, item # & price. The consultant put her label at the bottom. I stuck it to the side of my fridge! I thought, what a great idea! Now if I ever need something else, I can see the products and prices right there and I can give her a quick ring!

What a great idea to do for anyone that orders a PC pantry item.
 
I had my first tastefully simple party last week, I only had two people show up for the show, which totaly bummed me out, She went over the rules about not making faces, and no double dipping, I DID ALL OF THE WORK.... I was wore out by the time the party started, I didn't even want to pay attention to the party I just wanted to go take a hot bath and go to bed...... I decided I wouldn't put my hostess through that much work.
 
And here is a Pampered Pantry "sheet" to give to customers when they order for easy reordering.
 

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  • Thread starter
  • #39
I would think the "rules" are more like what manners should be.
 
It's kind of like the duh factor with the "rules" plus I had no clue how she was going to do the show, so I was using simple additions stuff for dips and such... my kitchen went from clean to an uproaer in two seconds!!
 
tlennhoff said:
And here is a Pampered Pantry "sheet" to give to customers when they order for easy reordering.

That's great! You came up with that very quickly. Nice. :)
 
I went to my first TS party at the end of September, and ended up bookin one for Oct 22... I'm really looking forward to it... though I hadn't thought much about the food I will be making, She gave me a back full of stuff... I understand it is simple, quick...etc... but I'll just have to see HOW simple and quick! It is a lot of food...like 10 things...and I'll keep the leftovers, but how many dips do I really want as left overs?

I ordered the Merlot Sauce - Anne... I'm glad to hear it's wonderful! It wasn't tasted at the show I went to ...it just sounded yummy!
I also got the Apple Cake, Wheat Beer Bread and the Dried Tomato& Garlic Pesto Mix...
I'd love to see PC come out with a Wheat Beer Bread!
Anyway...
I've invited a ton of people and right now have about 10 confirmed and about another 9 maybes... and several who haven't RSVP'd yet...
I've had people asking to come! TWO of my September Hosts, I wouldn't normally invite hosts to something like this, but when they mentioned about sending out invites, and not hearing back, I let them know that I understand because of my TS show...and they want to come!
And I have an outside order... I'm trying to do what I want my hosts to do! I have definitely OVER invited!

We'll see, I'm looking forward to being the HOST !!
 
The strawberry-rhubarb fruit spread is amazing!

Someone in my cluster did a loaf-to-loaf comparison of TS beer bread and ours, using the same type of beer and the same type of pan (a PC stoneware loaf pan, of course!). We all thought that ours had better flavor and was lighter in texture. Plus, ours comes with enough to make 2 loaves, TS only makes one.
 
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  • #44
Glad you like the Merlot!
 
My TS party was tonight...
I had 10 ladies come... two outside orders before the show...and another one called after the show...
My sales are at $486... she got two definite bookings, and I think two potential bookings, but no date set.

I thought the food was very simple to whip up... the consultant brought another 10 things that she made...
I'm just very confused about the Host Program...and I"m sure I'll get to $500...but if you look at the chart on the website..the level goes:
Level 1
Party Sales: $200
Number of Bookings: 0
• $20 or more in products
• Leaf Dish

Level 2
Party Sales: $400
Number of Bookings: 1
• $40 or more in products
• Leaf Dish & Dip Bowl OR 2 products at 50% off

Level 3
Party Sales: $600
Number of Bookings: 2
• $60 or more in products
• Leaf Dish & Bread Baker OR 3 products at 50% off

Level 4
Party Sales: $800
Number of Bookings: 3
• $80 or more in products
• Leaf Dish & Pitcher OR 4 products at 50% off

Level 5
Party Sales: $1,000
Number of Bookings: 3
• $100 or more in products
• Leaf Dish, Dip Bowl & Pitcher OR 5 products at 50% off

Level 6
Party Sales: $1,500
Number of Bookings: 3
• $150 or more in products
• Entire Host Collection OR 8 products at 50% off

So where exactly do I fit in?? I"m currently at the $400 level...but with 2 bookings...
When I get to the $500 level...do I stay at the $400 benefits...??
It just isn't clear to me...and for a $500 show... just doesn't seem to get ya as much!
plus...I'd pay shipping...OR get less free product in order to not pay shipping.
But ...I'm happy with any thing free! So I'll take it :-)
 
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  • #46
UGH! tHAT'S very CONFUSING!
 
Several people that I work with like TS. I am trying to woe them to PC with some free samples of our pantry items. I know one lady who loves their garlic rub. I sold her two of our spices and told her to pick out a couple more and I would give her a free sample of them. I need to order supplies anyway and maybe I'll pick up a loyal customer along the way.
 

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