Not Charmed With the Drink Charms

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants' experiences and opinions regarding the new drink charms released by Pampered Chef. Many express dissatisfaction with the color variations and overall quality of the product, raising concerns about its appeal and usability.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the drink charms were supposed to be changed based on feedback but received matching colors instead, leading to disappointment.
  • Another participant shares their experience of receiving charms that are too similar in color, making it difficult to distinguish between them.
  • Several users mention that they expected the charms to be solid colors but were disappointed with the actual product.
  • One participant expresses disbelief that the product made it to production, comparing it unfavorably to a homemade item.
  • Another participant suggests that the charms might be better suited for other uses, like hair accessories, due to their color issues.
  • Some participants express frustration with the overall quality of recent products from Pampered Chef, citing multiple issues with various items.
  • A new consultant shares their concerns about the frequency of product issues and how it affects their ability to relay information to customers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express dissatisfaction with the drink charms, indicating a lack of consensus on their quality and usability. Many agree that the colors are too similar, while some also raise broader concerns about product quality from Pampered Chef.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and opinions from consultants regarding product quality and feedback mechanisms within the company. Participants share their thoughts on how these issues may impact their sales and customer interactions.

Who May Find This Useful

This thread may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants looking for insights into product feedback and experiences shared by peers regarding recent product launches.

susanr613
susanr613
Gold Member
Messages
2,010
OK, so they were left out of the SAT packages with a note that due to feedback they were being changed.

I got mine today....and now 2 are matching colors and the other 2 are so close in color they look the same!

Lame, lame, lame!

Thank goodness everything else looks great (albeit tinged with lead)
 
I noticed that too!!! They should be dramatically different!
 
I thought that is what they were correcting?Maybe they accidentally sent out the old ones.
 
susanr613 said:
OK, so they were left out of the SAT packages with a note that due to feedback they were being changed.

I got mine today....and now 2 are matching colors and the other 2 are so close in color they look the same!

Lame, lame, lame!

Thank goodness everything else looks great (albeit tinged with lead)
Click to expand...

Really strange - I have one that is red (or is it gold...whichever color isn't the bottom ball color!), one that is green, and 2 that are different shades of purple....but you have to be in a bright light to tell that they are different shades.:rolleyes:
 
I still can't believe this product ever made it through to production and catalog fo rus to sell.
 
yeah the purples are really close in color. LAME product if you ask me.
 
I still can't believe this product ever made it through to production and catalog fo rus to sell.
Click to expand...

Me, neither. Also those beaded server things. My son made me a beaded blue spoon in daycare that looks eerily similar.
 
I like the beaded spoon, but the drink charms are too close in colors to me.
 
I also thought they were going to make the charms solid colors. All the beads purple or sage or orange. I'm not thrilled with these. I already have people wanting to order them, but I don't want to sell them.
 
Maybe people can keep track of their wine glasses by knowing which dots are missing from theirs!:D they certainly aren't going to be able to tell using the drink charms! I'm wondering if they would be cute as pony tail charms for little girls hair? (just trying to think of a way they could actually be used!:D)


And regarding the wine glasses:
I finally checked mine over yesterday - my neighbor was over and wanted to see them....well, 2 of the glasses have some dots on them that are half-circles, and I'm not even going to try to wash them. I don't want something that has to have that close of care.
 
susanr613 said:
OK, so they were left out of the SAT packages with a note that due to feedback they were being changed.

I got mine today....and now 2 are matching colors and the other 2 are so close in color they look the same!

Lame, lame, lame!

Thank goodness everything else looks great (albeit tinged with lead)
Click to expand...

My first snort of laughter for the day. Thank you :)

Just a thought, but since consultant feedback led them to change the design (in theory) after NC, maybe we all need to contact HO about the "new" drink charms.
I haven't received mine yet, so I can't really comment on them. If they are as similar as you all indicate I can only imagine the returns we'll get on this item. Either that, or we won't sell any b/c people will see them at the show & notice how similar they are.
 
I really can't believe that 2 of them are PURPLE! WHAT were they thinking?
 
I think HO should send the member of CS "test" products.... They will get honest opinions here and we can say "yes" or "no" before some of these ideas are listed in the catalogs :-). I am really bummed now because I want to show off the new Christmas items, wine glasses, and all the other goodies the most when I get my new product in.... but now.... well now I can't. :-(
 
I think HO needs to step it up a lot. They are so anal about us having sell a thon orders in by the minute, and not a minute later. They are so anal about having month in by the day of the last day of the month or you don't get squat. yet, now, a lot of their new products are crap. I mean, the dots glasses-dots coming off, the spreaders-many have mentioned they look like something a 2nd grader made, the Christmas plates and serving plate- with lead, the drink charms-still messed up. Please, come on! This is ridiculious. This really really looks bad to our new consultants who have only been with the company a short while. I understand that once and a blue moon, things will slip, but this many. It's unacceptable.
 
Pretty Much agree with you! Can you explain to me about not having your order in by the end of the month or you don't get squat part. LOL I am newer to PC and thought as long as it is in by the 15th then everything is the same??? OH MY! LOL
 
As a new consultant, I am rather surprised by all these stop-sells and back order issues. Is this rare for PC or is this common but only consultants are truely aware of how often? I know at the last show I went to before signing, the consultant mentioned the problem with the sheet pans and that turned me off a bit. I'm a bit nervous about relaying info to customers. I don't think I'm going to mention things unless someone asks. Then just say how HO cares so much about their consumers that they are double testing the claims of the manufacturers before they are sold to the public. I'm sure there are many reasons why things like this happen in the last minute, after the catalog is published...but it makes you scratch your head a bit. It's too bad they can't have new products finalized with a special trial period of a group of "tester" consultants to get feedback before they go with a product and do all their marketing. Who knows for sure which way costs more money. But boy, what a mess this lead issue could've been if customers bought them, the potential lawsuits and a tarnished reputation.

I just hope things get fixed and everyone feels good about recommending these products, and in time for the holidays.
 
PamperedCaniac said:
Pretty Much agree with you! Can you explain to me about not having your order in by the end of the month or you don't get squat part. LOL I am newer to PC and thought as long as it is in by the 15th then everything is the same??? OH MY! LOL
Click to expand...

In order to get the guest and host specials, you have until the 15th of the next month to turn orders in. But for consultant promos (like Sell a Thon or the In The Bag promo), the dates can be different. HO publishes the submission deadlines on the bottom of each flyer, as well on on the monthly calendar in the back of the newsletter.
 
This is newer and it is not common.1. The crack down on submissions for host specials is new this year. Last year the September special (cookware) was greatly abused and caused havoc for the warehouse. I was there in November and they were STILL trying to deal with the demand on cookware at 60% off. That hurts us all.2. Incentives - they are that - incentives. You enter a contest expecting the drawing to be on a certain date. HO has the right to set what they want for incentives. If they want, they can say all shows have to be submitted on September 4th. It's their choice. I'd rather have the OPPORTUNITY to earn something than nothing. You can't have it all unless you WORK to have it all. I think as a society as a whole we expect too much to be handed to us and too many rules to be bent.3. Products - this causes a whole different debate. As having in the past worked for a company that outsourced to Mexico and China, I know how China can really mess with companies. PC is trying to compete with all the other companies out there with products, cost, speed to market, etc. You have to weigh costs vs. benefits. Can PC fully test products and content - yes, but when? At what cost? They have to make a commitment to buy a certain amount of product for it to be produced...they HAVE to go on what the manufacturer says and based on samples. Then when produced, it takes about 3 months for it to arrive from overseas. Is that time to get photographs done, catalogs printed, testing done, out to customers/consultants? Not usually. Society has created a DEMAND for fast-paced and the market does not allow for time to react. We just shop elsewhere. PC is reacting as fast as they can to many curveballs this season. So, rightfully, politely express your concerns to them and be patient as they deal with them. They will. Don't get all upset and vent that to customers if there is nothing that can be done about it. People will sense your frustration.
 
tabnat80 said:
I think HO needs to step it up a lot. They are so anal about us having sell a thon orders in by the minute, and not a minute later. They are so anal about having month in by the day of the last day of the month or you don't get squat. yet, now, a lot of their new products are crap. I mean, the dots glasses-dots coming off, the spreaders-many have mentioned they look like something a 2nd grader made, the Christmas plates and serving plate- with lead, the drink charms-still messed up. Please, come on! This is ridiculious. This really really looks bad to our new consultants who have only been with the company a short while. I understand that once and a blue moon, things will slip, but this many. It's unacceptable.
Click to expand...

It's not being anal - it's having policies and procedures and adhering to them. It would be detrimental for the business to be making exceptions to the rules all of the time. There are 70,000 U.S. Consultants...and I don't know how many more in Canada....so, would it be wise to make exceptions even 1% of the time? I don't think so.
In her book, Doris explains the why they made the decision to not make exceptions. It was a very well thought out decision and makes perfect sense. If you read the book, I think you would understand that better.

I admire PC for being proactive and safe! They are doing what they can to make things right as quickly as possible. This is a wonderful company to work with, and I have 3 new consultants who will be hearing from me all of the great things that are happening for the Fall....we won't be focusing on the stop-sells - so it won't be a negative thing at all, and PC doesn't look bad to them - in fact, they are incredibly excited about their businesses! The stop-sells are just a minor blip in a great opportunity!
 
ChefBeckyD said:
It's not being anal - it's having policies and procedures and adhering to them. It would be detrimental for the business to be making exceptions to the rules all of the time. There are 70,000 U.S. Consultants...and I don't know how many more in Canada....so, would it be wise to make exceptions even 1% of the time? I don't think so.
In her book, Doris explains the why they made the decision to not make exceptions. It was a very well thought out decision and makes perfect sense. If you read the book, I think you would understand that better.

I admire PC for being proactive and safe! They are doing what they can to make things right as quickly as possible. This is a wonderful company to work with, and I have 3 new consultants who will be hearing from me all of the great things that are happening for the Fall....we won't be focusing on the stop-sells - so it won't be a negative thing at all, and PC doesn't look bad to them - in fact, they are incredibly excited about their businesses! The stop-sells are just a minor blip in a great opportunity!
Click to expand...

Like coming across an accident on your way to work...

...I have a great story about that...but I digress, I'll have to put it on another thread.
 
babywings76 said:
As a new consultant, I am rather surprised by all these stop-sells and back order issues. Is this rare for PC or is this common but only consultants are truely aware of how often? I know at the last show I went to before signing, the consultant mentioned the problem with the sheet pans and that turned me off a bit. I'm a bit nervous about relaying info to customers. I don't think I'm going to mention things unless someone asks. Then just say how HO cares so much about their consumers that they are double testing the claims of the manufacturers before they are sold to the public. I'm sure there are many reasons why things like this happen in the last minute, after the catalog is published...but it makes you scratch your head a bit. It's too bad they can't have new products finalized with a special trial period of a group of "tester" consultants to get feedback before they go with a product and do all their marketing. Who knows for sure which way costs more money. But boy, what a mess this lead issue could've been if customers bought them, the potential lawsuits and a tarnished reputation.

I just hope things get fixed and everyone feels good about recommending these products, and in time for the holidays.
Click to expand...


We also have to realize that PC wants to stay current with kitchen trends and innovations. If it takes more than a year to go from idea to catalog we could miss the rush of that new trend. It stinks that some things are sub-par, but they've at least realized this flaws and are working to fix it. We are with a company that won't just sell anything and stick our customers with it.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #22
getting back to the orginal purpose of the thread, my main disappointment is that PC acknowledged feedback at NC, said they were retooling, and the result is so similar to the original that its as if changes were not made at all.

with regard to the lead, i see janet's point about not having the final product in their hands until release to the market. thank goodness they did run those additional tests.
 
susanr613 said:
getting back to the orginal purpose of the thread, my main disappointment is that PC acknowledged feedback at NC, said they were retooling, and the result is so similar to the original that its as if changes were not made at all.

with regard to the lead, i see janet's point about not having the final product in their hands until release to the market. thank goodness they did run those additional tests.
Click to expand...

Susan, I totally agree with you on your original point! ...and I would truly ask HO about it to get the story.

I just don't think on the other issues we need to over-react and also to build all these issues up and up and make things more negative than they are.

I'm not thrilled with the drink charms, wasn't in the showcase room either and was glad they were working on them.

If they don't have the end result, I just won't carry them to shows...not like I ever carried a grilling plank. :rolleyes:

There is a product for EVERYONE in our catalog - the joy of the variety of life!
 
Chef Kearns said:
We also have to realize that PC wants to stay current with kitchen trends and innovations. If it takes more than a year to go from idea to catalog we could miss the rush of that new trend. It stinks that some things are sub-par, but they've at least realized this flaws and are working to fix it. We are with a company that won't just sell anything and stick our customers with it.
Click to expand...

Very good point. It must be such a challenge at coming up with new items every season and try to beat the competition in function, style, and quality, and yet also have a fair price to boot. I am very glad that they are trying so hard to make sure things are okay and feel bad that they have so many headaches this season.
 
janetupnorth said:
this Is Newer And It Is Not Common.

1. The Crack Down On Submissions For Host Specials Is New This Year. Last Year The September Special (cookware) Was Greatly Abused And Caused Havoc For The Warehouse. I Was There In November And They Were Still Trying To Deal With The Demand On Cookware At 60% Off. That Hurts Us All.

2. Incentives - They Are That - Incentives. You Enter A Contest Expecting The Drawing To Be On A Certain Date. Ho Has The Right To Set What They Want For Incentives. If They Want, They Can Say All Shows Have To Be Submitted On September 4th. It's Their Choice. I'd Rather Have The Opportunity To Earn Something Than Nothing. You Can't Have It All Unless You Work To Have It All. I Think As A Society As A Whole We Expect Too Much To Be Handed To Us And Too Many Rules To Be Bent.

3. Products - This Causes A Whole Different Debate. As Having In The Past Worked For A Company That Outsourced To Mexico And China, I Know How China Can Really Mess With Companies. Pc Is Trying To Compete With All The Other Companies Out There With Products, Cost, Speed To Market, Etc. You Have To Weigh Costs Vs. Benefits. Can Pc Fully Test Products And Content - Yes, But When? At What Cost? They Have To Make A Commitment To Buy A Certain Amount Of Product For It To Be Produced...they Have To Go On What The Manufacturer Says And Based On Samples. Then When Produced, It Takes About 3 Months For It To Arrive From Overseas. Is That Time To Get Photographs Done, Catalogs Printed, Testing Done, Out To Customers/consultants? Not Usually. Society Has Created A Demand For Fast-paced And The Market Does Not Allow For Time To React. We Just Shop Elsewhere. Pc Is Reacting As Fast As They Can To Many Curveballs This Season. So, Rightfully, Politely Express Your Concerns To Them And Be Patient As They Deal With Them. They Will. Don't Get All Upset And Vent That To Customers If There Is Nothing That Can Be Done About It. People Will Sense Your Frustration.
Click to expand...

....amen!!!
 
susanr613 said:
OK, so they were left out of the SAT packages with a note that due to feedback they were being changed.

I got mine today....and now 2 are matching colors and the other 2 are so close in color they look the same!
Lame, lame, lame!

Thank goodness everything else looks great (albeit tinged with lead)
Click to expand...

aaahhhh, after a few glasses of wine what's the difference between my glass and your glass anyways?!?!:p



just kidding!! I thought the same thing when mine came in the other day too! Worthless to me, but someone may LOVE them!
 
[SIZE="2" said:
just kidding!! I thought the same thing when mine came in the other day too! Worthless to me, but someone may LOVE them![/SIZE]
Click to expand...

I love the fact that while it may not be a product that I love that someone else will. There are a few products that just aren't my thing and I feel as though I have a hard time selling something that doesn't quite work for me. I personally have no desire to purchase the stemware or the drink charms. Especially after reading this post.

I also wanted to add that yes, the last few months w/ product issues and stop sells are VERY uncommon and unfortunate for HO. We as consultants know how tough it is to have to "point out" that a product is not available and then all of the sudden the customers want the product that they may not have seen otherwise and can't get it. But w/ as hard as it is on all of us, imagine how it feels to HO right now. After the sheet pan ordeal they were probably so excited to not have to deal with anything like that and then China messed up. LOL. I still feel as thought this company does a WONDERFUL job!!!
 
I have been waiting to receive my drink charms from my director's pack. When I was talking with a fellow director at lunch today it occurred to me that I must have thrown them out....she said hers were in one of the boxes with the bamboo bowls. OOPS!

Oh well, I'm not impressed with them either...they hardly seem useful if you can't tell them apart. I learned my lesson about checking my boxes thoroughly, though!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #29
AZ you're not missing anything :-)
 
Sure, I'll clarify. Basically. During the June sell a thon, I had and order that was going to make me have the 3000 level products for free. Well, my pampered partner crashed and I wasn't able to get it up and the order entered before Midnight. Went through a big spill with pc about the whole ordeal. Had several ho folks tell me they would work with me if I couldn't get it in by midnight. Well, they didn't. It was after midnight when I got it in and they pretty much told me tough crap, but not in those words. So, that June show submitted on July 1st didn't count towards my July shows either so I didnt' even get the free pumpkin dish. Oh well. That's the way they roll. Lesson learned. Now I make sure orders are submitted 2 days before the month end deadline. Just in case the same thing happens again.

PamperedCaniac said:
Pretty Much agree with you! Can you explain to me about not having your order in by the end of the month or you don't get squat part. LOL I am newer to PC and thought as long as it is in by the 15th then everything is the same??? OH MY! LOL
Click to expand...
 
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