No Inventory Is an Obstacle-Long

[pamperedchef88]

I love the fact that as a Pampered Chef consultant I dont have to stock expensive inventory (like my last DS experience). However it just caused me to loose a big show and I am so bumed.

I just had my second baby and I am ready to jump back in to PC full swing so I got the info for this show.

This show was a Holiday shopping event and the lady told me that having some kind of inventroy was a must cause a lady with another company last year only had a few things and ONLY sold $700 worth of stuff...My jaw dropped...I would love to sell that much at a booth.

When I called to check back about doing it she said she talked to people who knew more about what we do and she said that its probably a NO that I cant come because I would need a ton of inventory for the event. (I could get some but not much)

The good news is she said that she liked the products so much that she said she wouldnt rule it out andd that I could check back with her every couple of weeks just to see if they had changed her mind. So basically she really really wants me but isnt sure she can make an exception.

I am really dissapointed but who knows maybe I can get a booking for her. I really need a pick me up after this loss.

I have only been doing PC since Feb and have only done catalog shows since June I dont have alot of old hosts any ideas of how to handel situations like this.

 

[wadesgirl]

I've never heard anyone demand you have to have inventory on hand to sell. Yes sometimes it's helpful but in the event of the booth I did this last weekend, they require you to collect sales tax on all items sold and I didn't want to deal with that so I just took orders for people.

 

[cmdtrgd]

Our guarantee is not transferable. We have over 400 products. The weight and size of the larger products is a hinderance in a booth. Pampered Chef has been doing booths for almost 30 years and they encourage us not to have stock. Personally, I have spices on hand since they are guaranteed to get to you and most people don't want to wait for the spices. Since most places get their products within a week of ordering, I don't understand what her hold up is. I would go over the above points and ask her why you must have inventory. If she still says you have to, tell her no thanks. Then go to your local newspaper and look through the holiday boutiques and start calling the people listed to see if they need a PC rep.

 

[nikked]

I would explain to her that one of the great things about TPC is the warranty, and when you operate on a "cash & carry" basis, there is NO warranty, and anyone familiar with TPC would rather place an order and have their warranty...

 

[pamperedchef88]

Thats a good point. Thanks

 

[PampChefJoy]

Is this a big event or something inside her home? what gives her the right to make that call? Is she asking for a cut of the profits? Because I don't really see why it's any of her business whether you have inventory on hand or not, unless she is asking for a percentage of the day's sales. The red flag for me is her comment about last year's sales.

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

The only reason that makes sense to me is if the event takes a percentage of your profit on sales from the booth.

 

[ShellBeach]

Even if you did have inventory, it wouldn't be what they want. Stock up on ice cream scoops? They will want food choppers. Stock up on food choppers? They will want ice cream scoops. Or mini spatulas. Or something else you didn't stock.

About the only thing I would buy for this type of event is Season's Best. It could count as inventory to satisfy the inventory requirement, and you can put a sticker with your contact info on the back. Buy them on a supply order for 10/$6.00 and charge the catalog price of $1 each. This is an item that you really don't have to worry about the guarantee. Most people enjoy them, $1 is not too much, and any leftovers can be given as host gifts.

 

[Becca_in_MD]

The only reason I can see that the sponsor/contact has for requiring inventory is that she's advertising the event as a cash and carry kind of thing, ie. "get all of your holiday shopping done at once." Still, with the explanations that others have given, I bet you could talk her into letting you participate.