How Much a Guest Is Going to Spend???

[AmieCream]

I have a question. Do you feel like people come to our shows knowing how much they are going to spend? Do you feel like it even matters what tools we use or how we sell items.

I sometimes think people are going to spend $20, $50 or $100 no matter what I do or what I say.

anyone have compelling evidence otherwise?

 

[chefmoseley]

I can say that I normally attend shows with a budget in mind. However based on what happens that night definitely effects whether I return to that company, find a gift for an upcoming bday or holiday....So for that night I have a set amount but I may come back to spend more.

 

[leftymac]

I have a question. Do you feel like people come to our shows knowing how much they are going to spend? Do you feel like it even matters what tools we use or how we sell items.

I sometimes think people are going to spend $20, $50 or $100 no matter what I do or what I say.

anyone have compelling evidence otherwise?

I think that, in general, they know what items they want. You may be able to sell that on an additional item, though. Or, best bet, you get them wanting so much they need to host a show!

 

[MissChef]

I think if kinda depends. I think if you can grasp how to sell "the need" and "the just got to have it" of our products then people will buy more, and/or book shows more.
I had an older woman, who told me at my show on Tuesday that just when she thought she wouldn't need anything else for her kitchen because she was getting too old and didn't cook much, then I came along and showed her why she just had to have the things she got, and she was so excited to get them!!! She spent almost $100.00 and she only came because her daughter asked her to come with her and she didn't plan on ordering anything!! That was such a compliment to me!
I think it also depends on the the people and what money bracket most of the people are in! Seriously!! Sad but true. I know I fit into the tight budget a lot of times! Like if I went to another direct sales show in these next few weeks, I would not go over my budget because my focus of my extra money is on my kids this month and all the back to school stuff I have to buy!

 

[Christ Follower]

I only voted no because I can't even tell you how many times guests have given me their order form and told me that they weren't even going to get anything!

 

[DessertDivaFL]

I have had many people come up and say "This is all I told myself I could spend tonight" and I have a few that say "I spent more than I planned."

 

[vwpamperedchef]

I voted yes, only because I know when I am invited to "one of those" parties myself, I give myself a limit. I find that candles, tupperware are not really a NECESSITY, so I cannot say for sure if I was invited to a PC show (not being a consultant of course) would i spend more? Perhaps, which is why I am a consultant!

 

[legacypc46]

I agree with Missy (that's my mental nickname for Cathy...it's short for MissChef). We can make a difference...even with some who come with a firm budget. If they believe what they are purchasing is a value and of benefit to them personally (and their family), they will spend more.

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got on CS was from ScottCooks (I think it was Scott). I now always tell my guests up front "I don't want you to buy something because you feel you have to. I also don't want you to buy something you aren't going to use. So, please relax and enjoy the opportunity to test drive the products and spend time with each other."

As Scott posted last year, the irony is that guests generally end up spending more. Our exchanges become more informational than sales oriented. If they buy something they don't end up using, they may feel bad about PC everytime they see it sitting in a drawer or on a shelf. When guests don't feel they have to buy, I think they listen better and are more inclined to give themselves permission to purchase what they discover they 'want after all.'

 

[legacypc46]

...and if they can't go over budget, they consider booking a show.

 

[raebates]

At my shows it seems to be about 50/50. I work with some really frugal crowds. They hold shows fairly frequently, and most of the guests come with a certain budget. I don't feel it's my place to encourage them to go beyond that budget. As a matter of fact, I'm thrilled that such frugal men and women consider PC products worthy of their hard-earned dollars. A recent guest told me that she always heard that PC was expensive, so she didn't expect to be able to find much to fit in her budget I was proud to tell her that the vast majority of our products are $20 or less. These guests are very likely to book a show of their own in order to save even more with our host benefits.On the other hand, I have guests who come without a clue what they want or what they'll spend. These people often wind up with large orders. Many of them book their own shows because they've had so much fun and want to share that fun with their other friends.

 

[pampered.chris]

I agree with Rae. It is tough to determine who will spend what as some people just can't fathom spending so much on something when they can get a similar product at (eek) Walmart or the Dollar Store. Granted, they will spend more replacing those products again and again and again and had they origionally purchased the PC item, they would know WHY we charge what we do. B/c it is the only one you will ever need.

I go to a lot of DS parties and some of them I set a budget. Like the jewelry party I am going to next week. It is being hosted by a dear friend of mine's mother and she just hosted a $1200 party for me in February so I feel I should attend, also, the consultant is a great friend of mine and I would like to support her. Now on the downside, I was also invited to a party the following night for the same DS company, different consultant, also a past hostess of mine and is being hosted by a neighbor who is also a past hostess of mine...um....what to do what to do? So therefore, I will attend the one I can (the night of my neighbors party I have a party of my own w/ PC so I can't make it) but I plan to set a budget and order something from each party.
On the other hand, if it is a company I LOVE, I may and probably will spend more b/c I don't give myself a budget at that party. But that always gets me into trouble, so I should set a budget and stick to it. LOL!!

 

[MissChef]

I agree with Missy (that's my mental nickname for Cathy...it's short for MissChef). We can make a difference...even with some who come with a firm budget. If they believe what they are purchasing is a value and of benefit to them personally (and their family), they will spend more.

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got on CS was from ScottCooks (I think it was Scott). I now always tell my guests up front "I don't want you to buy something because you feel you have to. I also don't want you to buy something you aren't going to use. So, please relax and enjoy the opportunity to test drive the products and spend time with each other."

As Scott posted last year, the irony is that guests generally end up spending more. Our exchanges become more informational than sales oriented. If they buy something they don't end up using, they may feel bad about PC everytime they see it sitting in a drawer or on a shelf. When guests don't feel they have to buy, I think they listen better and are more inclined to give themselves permission to purchase what they discover they 'want after all.'

Now I have a mental nickname from you?!! Too funny! So, guess what I did? This is silly, are you ready? I was reading your post and only got to "I agree with Missy", I didn't go any further, I just scrolled up and tried to find "Missy"!! Then I went back to your post and read the rest and was like "oh geez!!!":blushing: As I said, too funny! LOL!
How are you Kris? Still wish I could have seen you in Chicago! Oh well, there is always next year! And I already have Conference Club being taken out of my commission! Sorry for the hijack!

 

[legacypc46]

I don't know why, but whenever I see your screen name, I think 'missy chef' and 'missy' for short.

 

[PChefPEI]

I'm kinda thinkin' that they have an idea, but once they get there, I'm sure a few go over budget! But really, who knows?