Maximizing Credit: Navigating Online Registries and Ethical Dilemmas

[jbachen]

I have a friend (L), who has a friend (M) with an online registry through another consultant. L wants to order something from M's wedding list, but with me as the consultant, so I get credit for the order. She said there was a way to go to the friend's wedding registry and log in as a consultant, and I would get credit for the sale.

Would that work? And is it ethical for me to do that, or should I just encourage L to order through M's consultant, so I am not stealing her work??

 

[paigev71]

I would tell L to order something from M's list from you directly. M (or you could call if L doesn't want M to know what she bought) could tell L that the gift was already purchased and L could remove it from the list. Although, by doing that L won't get the hostess credit for the order. I see what M is trying to do in helping you by giving you the order but it wouldn't be nice to hijack the show from the other consultant. I don't think it would be allowed since the show is set up under the other consultant. It definitely wouldn't be ethical if it was allowed. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[aPamperedBride]

You may want to explain to L that while you appreciate her commitment to your business, M is getting rewards through the registry with the other consultant and you don't want to take away from that. Encourage L to promote you to all engaged friends so it isn't an issue next time!That said, some people feel that they should be able to buy the gift they want from the consultant they want to use and that the bride shouldn't be greedy for extra rewards! SO if L flat-out doesn't want to do business with consultant X, by all means service your customer/friend by taking her order! You aren't hijacking the show if it is just one order. Hijacking the show would be planning with L to throw a PC bridal shower for M. That would be unethical.My childhood best friend was like L. She contacted me to purchase a gift for her friend because she had committed to always purchase PC through me. Yes, the bride could have gotten more rewards from the registry, but she still got the item she registered for...and it's better to get it free as a gift than to have the item unfulfilled and use the free product credit or discounts to get it! If L is like my friend, it was either buy it through me or buy her something non-PC.

 

[jbachen]

Ooh, I didn't even think of the bride missing out on the hostess credits. That is a really good point... I will just tell L to order through the regular registry, and keep me out of it...Thanks!

 

[lauradahl]

It's inevitable isn't it? We all have this happen at some point and our customer base is just very loyal to us. I do encourage them to purchase thru the registry/shower and I do explain the rewards system and most are recpetive to that knowing she can fill her registry even more. I have only had 1 person insist that she purchase it thru me, so I did, but I did speak with the other consultant thru the whole process (she's a great friend and now my director) and we adjusted the registry.