Is My Host for Friday's Show Not Responding to My Calls and Emails?

[Suzy Englert]

I have a show on Friday night- I booked this show on Oct. 15th. As I was booking the show w/ the host and talking with her, I told her I'd be calling and emailing her to help her plan her show. She said that everything went to her Blackberry, which is fine. However, she has not responded to numerous emails and phone calls from me. I have not talked with the host since I met her on Oct. 15th. I talked with the friend she booked her show from, who told me that the host IS indeed telling her friends about the show.

Yesterday I sent her an email titled "please call me about your cooking show" to which she responded almost right away and said she would call me at 6pm. She did not call me, and I was home last night.

This morning I sent an email asking her to call me by 9pm tonight (I will not be home tomorrow night and she works full-time, so night is the only time we can talk) or her show would need to be rescheduled.

Usually I'm a very patient person and understand that hosts have other things going on in their lives besides their PC show. This is the first time a host has not responded to my phone calls & emails. And she may be my next recruit-who knows? Her friend told me she was out of a job.

Guess I just need validation that I did the "right" thing. I will try calling her tonight, but my patience is a bit low right now. In hindsight, my mistake during our initial meeting was not letting the host know the importance of my calls and how we would be working together as a team to plan her show. The things you learn after 7 years in the business!

Thanks for listening!

Suzy in Texas

 

[Hathery]

I just had a host like this too. She ended up canceling on me the night before her party. I hope your host isn't as bad as mine was

 

[Kelly8]

Try leaving her a message that says something like, "Hi Suzy Host! I have been trying to reach you about picking an awesome recipe for your show. If you could call me back, that would be great. If you can't I will bring the ingredients for my favorite Pampered Chef recipe with a receipt so you can reimburse me. I will see you for early set up at (time). If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me! See you Friday!

Usually that works for me. I had one host that it didn't work on. I actually showed up at her house with ingredients in hand and she wasn't home. Her DH was quite rude to me (hey, she asked me to book a show with her!), and when I finally got a hold of her later, I was quite upset and let her know. I did burn that bridge, but honestly I don't want to work with her anymore. But like I said, leaving a message like that usually works.

 

[Suzy Englert]

Kelly,
Great idea-I usually do what you said! But my last message was to call me by 9pm or we'll need to reschedule her show.
Still not sure what to do-
Suzy in Texas

 

[PChefPEI]

I would try her again and mention the recipe, as Kelly said, and see what happens.

 

[Suzy Englert]

Thanks-but at this point, since I have not talked with the host, I don't know if anyone is even coming to the show.

Suzy in Texas

 

[vwpamperedchef]

I just had a host like this too. She ended up canceling on me the night before her party. I hope your host isn't as bad as mine was

I had one the same, and it wasn't until I said "See you tonight, not to worry I will bring the ingredients". Of course, she called me back, but had avoided me like the plague! All I wanted was her to step up to the plate. I even sometimes let them off the hook and say "I won't be home til 9pm tonight, but please call me and let me know either way". Sometimes if they can avoid the confrontation or whatever it may be, it helps.

Since I have caller ID , even if I were home, I would let the call go to the machine.

HTH

 

[PCGINA]

Try leaving her a message that says something like, "Hi Suzy Host! I have been trying to reach you about picking an awesome recipe for your show. If you could call me back, that would be great. If you can't I will bring the ingredients for my favorite Pampered Chef recipe with a receipt so you can reimburse me. I will see you for early set up at (time). If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me! See you Friday!

I agree - this usually works well...

 

[Suzy Englert]

My Director suggested that in my email, instead of asking her to call me, ask her to email me and give me information about specifics-# of guests she's expecting, outside orders, direction, etc. The host did emil me back last night. All that was in the email were my questions, her answers, and her name. Nothing about "sorry I haven't been in touch" . So I hope that the show will go well tomorrow night and that the host is ok with me-since we haven't "spoken" it's hard to get a read on her.

Thanks for all of your good suggestions!

Suzy

 

[PChefPEI]

My Director suggested that in my email, instead of asking her to call me, ask her to email me and give me information about specifics-# of guests she's expecting, outside orders, direction, etc. The host did emil me back last night. All that was in the email were my questions, her answers, and her name. Nothing about "sorry I haven't been in touch" . So I hope that the show will go well tomorrow night and that the host is ok with me-since we haven't "spoken" it's hard to get a read on her.

Thanks for all of your good suggestions!

Suzy

Yeah, I could see how you would find it hard to read her....hope your show goes well! Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[ChefJoyJ]

Good luck Suzy!! I can understand how incredibly frustrating this must have been. Hopefully it will be a great show and make up for it!!

 

[Suzy Englert]

Thanks, everyone, for your support. When I got to the host's house she was not there (was out buying the recipe ingredients) but her roommate let me in. When the host did arrive there was no word about not returning my calls or emails. The show is just under $200 in sales right now. I was very clear that we need to close this show out by Thanksgiving and will call her at a designated time on Weds.

I'm guessing that the "under 25" crowd and those who use their Blackberries all the time (hope Im not stepping on any toes) think that they got the message/email but do not need to respond, nor does there need to be any dialogue?

The host's mom did book a show-which is fine. She is my age so is probably more responsible and will respond to my calls.

Suzy in Texas

 

[PChefPEI]

Glad you at least didn't make the trip for nothing and that you got a booking. Hope it's not "like mother, like daughter!" Some people have no manners!!