Order Sorting for Improved Host-Guest Interaction

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various approaches to order sorting and delivery for Pampered Chef shows, with participants sharing their personal experiences and preferences regarding the service of delivering sorted orders to hosts.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions sorting and delivering orders to hosts as a way to enhance customer service and engage with hosts face-to-face.
  • Another participant expresses strong opposition to the idea, stating it complicates their business and is not feasible due to the amount of driving involved.
  • Several users mention that they prefer not to make deliveries, highlighting the convenience of having hosts pick up their orders instead.
  • One participant shares that they offer this service to local hosts, who appreciate the added convenience, but only for those living nearby.
  • Another participant notes that they occasionally deliver for larger shows or when hosts are unable to receive deliveries at home.
  • Some participants emphasize that hosts enjoy the experience of opening boxes and seeing what others ordered, suggesting that this aspect should not be taken away from them.
  • One participant describes their practice of providing additional services, such as including recipe cards and thank you letters, which they believe enhances the overall experience for busy hosts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ significantly on the practice of sorting and delivering orders, with some participants supporting it as a valuable service while others firmly oppose it, indicating no clear consensus emerges.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences vary based on their geographical locations, the size of their shows, and their personal circumstances, such as whether they work part-time or have other commitments.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering different methods of managing order delivery and host interactions may find the shared experiences relevant to their own practices.

pc_jessica
Messages
653
do any of you recieve all your shows to your house...and then you sort and separate the orders adn then deliver to your hosts house?? someone in my cluster mentioned this and it has got me thinking, gives you another chance to talk with your host face to face, and shows a bit more customer service. just wondering what your thoughts are on this?
 
no way would i do this, makes our business look harder and my DH would flip.
i print sales receipts and highlight with customers names and give to her and pick up any final checks and this keeps me in touch with the host or i tell them if they need help sorting to call me, but with the highlighted names and products they have never called me!
 
no way. I do shows ALL OVER the place and I would be in my car way too much if i did this.This is part of our hosts job and it is a very easy task for them to do.
 
I totally understand your thinking on this, and I think it's to each his own, but working this p/t I would never be able to do it. I also do shows all over- I have driven 60+ miles for a show, and I have had shows with 5+ boxes delivered, so I would never be able to cart all that stuff around, lol.

I LOVE that I don't have to make deliveries!
 
No! The only time I have shows delivered to the house is if I happen to have a host who isn't comfortable with her neighborhood to have boxes delivered - but they come pick it up at my house. Or, if I have someone do a catty show, but I add a bunch of orders to it, I may have it delievered to my house. But, those are usually the only times I'll do it.
 
One of the things I love best about my job is NOT making deliveries.

Like Deb, I do shows all over - up to an hour away - and there is no way I want the work of separating and then delivering the products. That would be time away from my family, or it would require my 5 yr old always having to be in the car while I do deliveries. Right now, I would be making deliveries on 8-10 shows a month, and that wouldn't include catalog shows.


Plus, I would say that the vast majority of my hosts LOVE opening the boxes and seeing what everyone else bought at their show! I've gotten orders from them, once they see products that others ordered, or I've had them tell me they've started their shopping list for the shows booked from theirs. I wouldn't want to take all of the fun away from them!
 
I actually do offer this as a service to my local hosts. Most of them love it & are so excited that I offer it. However, I ONLY offer it to those that live in the same town as me. Then, they come to me to pick it up.
 
I've been offering it to local hosts. Some really enjoy the added customer service, and some have wanted to go through the boxes on their own to see what everyone got. Of course most of my hosts have been people from work so far, so delivery hasn't really been an issue!
 
I do from time to time. Depending on how busy the host is and how big the order is. Some hosts work during the day and are worried about having boxes delivered when they are not home.
 
I've occasionally done it, but only for someone here in town with a large ($1K+) show. She certainly appreciated it :)
 
No way - not a chance. Once in a very blue moon if I have a host within 2-3 miles of my house who does a show of $1200 or more I'll do it as a courtesy...otherwise never.
 
YES I do do this! My hosts love it! I don't advertise it as a service, I only tell my hosts about it when I close. I tell them they have the option of having me accept the delivery, sort the items and bring it to them. Also, if I decide the host lives to far away, I don't offer this service.
 
I can't seem to she the option for shipping to consultant...I'll have to double check though.
 
dkitten13 said:
I can't seem to she the option for shipping to consultant...I'll have to double check though.

On the Host's order, Click on Ship to Shipping Address. In the Shipping address box, type C/O your name and your shipping address.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
well after reading everyones responses, i think i am going to offer this service! i don't work outside my own, so i definitely have the time to do this! and right now i have only done shows in my hometown so it won't take much to delilver but a 5-10 min drive across town. i told my last 2 hosts about this and they were both beyond grateful for this, they both work 40+hours a week. so i will just sort it all then take it to them and then they jsut have to deliver from there! i think i will continue to offer this and just see how it goes! thanks for all your input!!
 
crystalscookingnow said:
I actually do offer this as a service to my local hosts. Most of them love it & are so excited that I offer it. However, I ONLY offer it to those that live in the same town as me. Then, they come to me to pick it up.

ditto.. :-)
 
ChefBeckyD said:
Plus, I would say that the vast majority of my hosts LOVE opening the boxes and seeing what everyone else bought at their show! I've gotten orders from them, once they see products that others ordered, or I've had them tell me they've started their shopping list for the shows booked from theirs. I wouldn't want to take all of the fun away from them!

Agreed! :thumbup:
 
I do it......and so far EVERYONE loves it!
 
crystalscookingnow said:
I actually do offer this as a service to my local hosts. Most of them love it & are so excited that I offer it. However, I ONLY offer it to those that live in the same town as me. Then, they come to me to pick it up.

Ditto for me. I offer it to all of my hosts who live in my town or at work and they love it! However, I as well drive to far away shows (have one coming up that is 3.5hrs away) and no way jose am I delivering that show.

To each their own. I like to see the items I haven't seen before, I check out all the stoneware to see if I see any cracks, and then I bag'er up and drop them off at the hosts house (I don't deliver to guests unless its a friend and close by).
 
Of the 85 show I have done, I have offered to receive the order and do the sorting for all but the out-of-town hostess'. The hostess' come to my house and pick up the orders.

It gives me a chance to add a Spice packet and recipe card, to each order, and sometimes a thank you letter, telling them the benefits the hostess received, and inviting them to consider being a future hostess. Two of my best hostess' are night nurses, so this was a very important service for them. Most of my hostess' are fulltime employed, and this makes life easier for them, and many have been repeats (I think because of that extra service). I also offer to do the shopping for which they reimburse me. Note: I am retired and have the time to offer these extras. I also pay for and send the invitations. I am now encouraging e-vites, and that has worked very well on
several of my shows, where the hostess is computer savvy, and does it herself after I set up her show on my website. I love opening up my e-mails and seeing that orders have been placed for a show.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is order sorting in the context of direct sales?

Order sorting refers to the process of organizing and categorizing customer orders in a way that enhances the interaction between hosts and guests during a direct sales event. This can involve grouping orders by guest, product type, or delivery method to streamline the fulfillment process and improve communication.

How can order sorting improve host-guest interaction?

Order sorting can improve host-guest interaction by making it easier for hosts to manage and communicate with their guests. By having organized orders, hosts can quickly address questions, provide updates, and ensure that everyone receives their products in a timely manner, fostering a more engaging and personalized experience.

What are some effective methods for sorting orders?

Effective methods for sorting orders include categorizing them by guest name, product category, or order date. Additionally, using digital tools or apps that allow for easy tracking and organization can enhance the sorting process, making it more efficient and user-friendly for both hosts and guests.

How can I train my hosts to effectively sort orders?

Training hosts to effectively sort orders can involve providing them with clear guidelines and best practices, such as creating a checklist for order organization. Hosting training sessions or providing instructional materials, such as videos or handouts, can also help them understand the importance of order sorting and how to implement it successfully.

What challenges might arise with order sorting, and how can they be addressed?

Challenges with order sorting may include confusion over order details, miscommunication among guests, or technical issues with sorting tools. To address these challenges, it's important to establish clear communication channels, provide ongoing support, and encourage hosts to double-check orders for accuracy before finalizing them.

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