I Learned What Not to Say to a Potential Recruit!

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around personal experiences and opinions regarding interactions with representatives from Passion Party (PP) during a Bridal Expo. Participants share their thoughts on the sales tactics used by PP consultants and express their feelings about selling or promoting such products.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, recounts a conversation with a PP representative that felt pushy and dismissive of their Pampered Chef business.
  • Another participant shares their discomfort with the idea of selling PP products, noting they would feel embarrassed to admit to selling such items.
  • Several users mention similar experiences with other direct selling companies, expressing skepticism about the profitability and sales tactics of those businesses.
  • One participant reflects on the challenges of selling PP products, particularly in relation to personal comfort and the nature of the items being sold.
  • Another participant highlights the difference in market appeal between Pampered Chef and PP, emphasizing that food-related products have a broader audience.
  • Some participants express disbelief regarding the sales figures claimed by PP representatives, questioning their validity.
  • One participant discusses the logistical challenges and personal discomfort associated with demonstrating PP products at parties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the effectiveness and appeal of PP products compared to Pampered Chef. While some express skepticism about PP's sales tactics and market viability, others share personal discomfort with the nature of the products sold.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences are rooted in personal interactions at a Bridal Expo, reflecting their feelings about direct selling and the types of products they are comfortable promoting.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants and others in the direct selling community who are navigating similar experiences with competing brands.

Anne you are so funny!
 
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  • #32
Why, thank you! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aetsch/cheeky-smiley-004.gif
 
I am just picturing that...Get rear ended while your "samples" are in the trunk and well, I think anyone coming to the rescue would die of laughter. I know I'd be laying in the road hurting from laughing so hard! (I don't embarass easily but I think that would just abotu do it!)
I talked to the lady who hosted the show. I almost died! Now, she invited 35 people. 18 showed. The grand total was $277 dollars. And she got nothing for hosting. Then I had to laugh after reading one of the other posts - 2 of the credit cards never got charged. Apparently the signal wasn't good enough. It looks like it goes through but because they are wireless devices, it may not get received at the other end. She didn't call either. I would imagine that the compnay behind this will nto be in business very long if they are accidentally giving away product. It has to add up eventually. To me that means poorly run. Poorly run means Not Successful. And someone also mentioned something about the consultant said. Unpaid for CC charges she thinks comes out of the consultants pocket if it can not be traced back.
Oh well though. To each their own!
 
The only this funnier than me with "samples" strewn all over the road is you with the "samples", John!!
 
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  • #35
I can just see his face now.

I have to say that the thing I talk about with PC is that there is no "buyer's remorse" becauase while we treat ourselves as "chefs", what we buy benefits our whole family.
 
What? Their "samples" don't benefit their family? I bet PP has never tried that angle before!

"Our mission is to get the family gathered around the ....bedroom?" No thanks!!
 
A friend of mine works at the manufacturer where they import all of those lotions and "things" and the mark up is really high. She can get me those nice smelling lotions for about a dollar. On the "other" products, they are about 10-15 dollars and are selling at the PP shows for 130.00!!
I went to one show since a friend of mine started selling it (she's pretty racy) and she has only had 1 other show in the past 6 months. I can't even have a show for her because I don't know who to invite. What would I do with the kids?? My friends are PC and Party Lite freaks (so are my kids). I think after spending the 400.00 for the kit, she's regretting it. :(
 
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  • #38
I would do a show as a complete laugh, but I don't know how much $ it would be.
 
You want to talk about a limited market??? Good grief!!! Not everyone buys adult toys!!! But, who doesn't want to, need to, or have to cook for themselves or their families???? And who doesn't need to eat??? Good grief!!! :)

Way to go, Anne!! We are all in the right place for us!
Jaye :)
 
On a funny note about Passion Party and Slumber Party - I had an old girlfriend, who started selling it. She wanted me to have a show, but at the time, I had no one to invite. Well, she got pulled over for a broken tail-light, well the cop was trying to be nice and see if it was a loose bulb and asked her to open her trunk. She had her "toy box" in there and was was begging the officer, "please don't make me open my trunk!?" It's a funny story! But, glad that I don't have to do that! :)

I did end up having a Slumber Party, when a group of girlfriends thought it would be fun to do for me as a bachelorette thing. We had a fun time, but I would never host another one.

Jaye
 
Not to burst anyone's bubble, but I have a good friend who sells stuff like this, but with another company that is very professional and well run. She does keep an inventory and has to pay 6% on credit card orders, but she is busy 5 nights a week and is able to pay a house payment, car payment, and for food for two kids and a husband (who is on military disability...they do get some money there, mainly for medical expenses). She is very professional and nonjudgemental and is actually going to school full time as a Biology major. We sometimes debate the benefits of each business, but it truly is that she preferrs to have an inventory and get paid that night and I prefer the way PC does things. Plus, I'm not sure if I could stand up there and talk about products I don't actually use. As for the toys, you DO have a set for the shows that is ONLY for the shows. You do not use them yourself. I don't want to upset anyone, but I just felt after reading this that I would be embarrassed to show this to my friend...who, by the way, was a contact from a fair we were both doing...we swapped shows. In fact, I ended up having to cohost the show with another friend because all men and children had to be out of the house for the duration for legal reasons, and my hubby is not one to go out. Granted, some of the products are not for me, nor would I invite my mother. However, there is a place for everything. Imagine people who cannot copulate due to broken backs. Imagine people who grew up in such a strict religious home that they have a problem with adult time with a spouse. I understand that some of it is not for everyone, but she had an amazing take on some of the stuff she showed. For instance, they carry Ph balanced bubble bath. That might not seem fabulous, but for those of you who have Ph balance issues and cannot take bubble bath for fear of an infection, this lets you. There is another bubble bath which is glow-in-the-dark. Fun time with hubby and a black light...cheap date. ALSO great to get boys into the tub because you can tell them it is toxic waste. They can't WAIT to get in!Oh, and about the BenWa balls that help with bladder control...it is scientifically proven that they do because they strengthen the muscles in that area. They are fabulous for ladies who have had babies as well as keep you from having to wear diapers in your older years.Anyhoo, just wanted to give everyone another take on the products. I could never do it, but there are people who say that about PC. As for the pushy people, you find them in every line of sales...and they suck!
 
Kate,

I could never sell it and I don't think that there is THAT big of a market for it. I did host a show and I had a great time and I got some stuff for me and new hubby... massage lotions, etc.

I agree, there are uses for everything! It can be fun, but I can't imagine selling it.

And that whole carrying inventory thing? I don't think so. :)

Good luck to you and your friend!
Jaye
 
Thanks for posting this Kate! It does show a different side of that business. We have been picking on PP, but everyone has their loyalties, and maybe on the PP boards they have conversations about how much PC sucks. I could never sell PP stuff or even hold a show, but I'm sure that some people are very successful with that!
 
Websites vs actual shows...I would think that their website would get FAR more business than people going to a show would create. Personally, I would DIE if anyone ever physically saw me buy 3/4 of the stuff they offer (maybe it's my "old age" showing itself). I would be far more willing to at least check out the inventory online in the privacy of my own home without any of my friends checking out any purchases I might make. I did notice that their website is on an auto-rotater so that a variety of consultants have a chance at getting a sale rather than just the same person all the time, which is nice.

If you look around, there are TONS of those kinds of stores around (usually with no windows), and then there's that old woman on Lifetime (I think it's on Lifetime) that is always talking about sex toys and acts (like getting sex advice from your grandmother...creepy, yet compelling...like watching a traffic accident where you just can't turn away). I do think there's a HUGE market out there for that kind of product, but I think more people than not would be too embarrassed to have their friends and family know what they do behind closed doors to be a successful "show" product line.

That said, that glow-in-the-dark bubble bath sounds COOL!!!! :D
 
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  • #45
Kate: I don't think you upset anyone at all! I think they offer a great product, by I personally, could never sell it. My reason for starting this thread was how rude the lady was while trying to recruit me. The actual products themselves are secondary. As with many other threads, we tend to get off topic, but I just go with the flow.

I am thrilled that your friend has experienced success in direct sales! I have been invited to parties but on both occaisions I was sick and couldn't make it. I would certainly go to see what the hype is about but it wouldn't be a good fit in my life to sell it.
 
I didn't realize legally the men had to be out of the room...interesting!

From the one I remember going to like 6 years ago, you go into an adjoining room to order, so NO ONE knows what you got unless you tell them! I guess that is why I'm partial to doing my PC order taking that way. Not that anyone cares what PC stuff you bought, but I still don't think it's the other guests' business what a customer spends!
 
I've been to a couple of PP shows and the only thing I remember about the first one was some woman volunteering that she was ordering a negligee for her husband. That was a bit tmi for me, if you know what I mean. Otherwise I've found them very tasteful, considering the product. I don't think there's anything wrong or shocking about sex or sex products though. I wouldn't choose to sell it, but I do think it's a perfectly honest home business and I'm glad someone is having such a great time and doing so well at it!
 
She was ordering it for her husband to wear?!?
 
cmdtrgd said:
She was ordering it for her husband to wear?!?
WOW! That would definitely be TMI!!
 
lisacb77 said:
I didn't realize legally the men had to be out of the room...interesting!

At least for here, they can't even be in the house. Aparently it could possibly be seen as solicitation.
 
Kate- YES!! for her husband to WEAR!!! I died, I just died. Then I found out that he wore pantyhose and women's underwear under his MILITARY UNIFORM everyday.... Okay, before anyone says anything, I know there are regs about this, but who checks on people's underwear anyway?
 
jentapp said:
I would think that their website would get FAR more business than people going to a show would create. Personally, I would DIE if anyone ever physically saw me buy 3/4 of the stuff they offer (maybe it's my "old age" showing itself). I would be far more willing to at least check out the inventory online in the privacy of my own home without any of my friends checking out any purchases I might make. I did notice that their website is on an auto-rotater so that a variety of consultants have a chance at getting a sale rather than just the same person all the time, which is nice.

Yes, the ones I have been to they take you to another room and you just come out with a bag, you don't have to let anyone know what you have ordered, unless you want to.

PoseyMom said:
Kate- YES!! for her husband to WEAR!!! I died, I just died. Then I found out that he wore pantyhose and women's underwear under his MILITARY UNIFORM everyday.... Okay, before anyone says anything, I know there are regs about this, but who checks on people's underwear anyway?

I would have definately not let anyone know what I ordered in this woman's case. Woah!
 
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  • #53
Hey, everyone deserves to feel pretty every now and then.
 
AJPratt said:
I was just imagining if I was walking along and dropped my crate of PP stuff. She said her shows are about $1800, which I just don't believe.

Actually, I believe this is possible.
I have been a hairstylist for 10 years. I would always have different parties (PC, PP, candles, whatever) and invite all the girls from the salon I worked at. I usually had 2 or 3 of them show up at candles or PC, but at passion, all 25 girls came and spent a ton of money each! It was crazy! The average person spent around $80!
For some reason, hairstylists are very outgoing and uninhabited. We don't care what other people think if we buy something considered 'not nice'! When you work with all girls, all subjects come up and sex is usually top of that list! :D
 
jaye said:
You want to talk about a limited market??? Good grief!!! Not everyone buys adult toys!!! But, who doesn't want to, need to, or have to cook for themselves or their families???? And who doesn't need to eat??? Good grief!!! :)
Jaye :)[/QUOTE

You'd be surprized! I think a lot more people are in to it than admit it! :D
 
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  • #56
This is funny: I JUST GOT invited to a PP show! Now, I need an adult to go with me, to supervise.
 
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  • #57
vangogirl said:
Actually, I believe this is possible.
I have been a hairstylist for 10 years. I would always have different parties (PC, PP, candles, whatever) and invite all the girls from the salon I worked at. I usually had 2 or 3 of them show up at candles or PC, but at passion, all 25 girls came and spent a ton of money each! It was crazy! The average person spent around $80!
For some reason, hairstylists are very outgoing and uninhabited. We don't care what other people think if we buy something considered 'not nice'! When you work with all girls, all subjects come up and sex is usually top of that list! :D
Maybe it is, but I don't believe anything this lady told me. I just didn't like the way she badmouthed PC, for no reason.
 
Christmas is coming Anne! Make sure you do ALL your shopping at the PP! LOL! Don't forget something FRILLY for Dave!
 
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  • #59
Everyone will get a little something special this year!
 
Obviously we Jennifer's (vangogirl) are on the same thought track, lol. I work in a factory and have been invited to many 'girl parties' or 'toy parties' as we call them, lol. There are quite a few people who won't admit it out loud, but then you see them at the shows and sometimes they come out with the biggest bags, lol, well, maybe not the biggest, the one with the biggest mouth in this case usually comes out with the biggest bag. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/rolleye0013.gif

And the ones who say they wouldn't go to something like that and get drug into it or whatever the case may be end up booking the next party like my friends, or become the consultants. The consultant that had been doing the last few shows I went to said that her sister tricked her into going to a party and that she had said she would not go to one of 'those parties' and she ended up being the one giving the parties?! So, don't let people fool you.

Anne will not be on as much after this party, lol, she will go get her some new things to keep her and dh busy.
 

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