Share Your Worst Show Story - No Judgement Allowed!

[SillyChef]

Okay. Everyone raves on and on about how great their shows are/were/will be... I want to know how "bad" everyone has done, so I don't feel alone.. Anyone wanna let me in what what your "worst" show was?!?

 

[chefbritt]

Are you talking worst show in sales, or just in general as far as making mistakes and things like that?

 

[SillyChef]

I am talking about show sales...

 

[TerraOB83]

I had no one show up for one and she only 2 very small orders

 

[DebbieJ]

I had a show last August with just a handful of guests and they all placed small orders so it didn't make it to $150. Then the host REFUSED to collect any outside orders to make it count. Her house smelled like cats. It was gross.

I don't know what it was, but then she got really witchy about PC--that it cost too much, she didn't know she would have to spend money mailing invitations, she paid all this money for refreshments, etc. And the thing is, I send invites for my hosts, but she failed to return a guest list, so she mailed the 10 extra I include with every packet and that was it. AND I bought the recipe ingredients!!!!

She did VERY little and then was still ticked off in the end. Whatever!!!

 

[chefbritt]

My worst show was actually my own open house this past fall. I mailed out a ton of invites and had all sorts of food prepared, and only one person showed up, my grandmother. I never got enough to make it to $150, so I submitted hers as an individual order. As far as shows other than my own, I had one where only three guests came, and they brought several kids each. They spent the entire time picking apart the products and things they didn't like about PC, while the kids ran around screaming and fighting and whining that they were hungry and didn't like the food I'd prepared. It was a nightmare. It was also my first show, so that didn't help. Anyways, sales were just barely $150 after everything. So don't feel bad, I think we've all had horrible shows at one point or another.

 

[PampMomof3]

Hmmm, my very worst show? Was it the time that a dog got a hold of my food chopper lid and had his teeth mark indented in it. Or the time that I made the brownie pizza and the brownie spilled ALL over my hosts oven and made it smoky in there? Okay, for sales it is the time that my host who is also in direct sales invited all these people and her neighbor showed up with her mom to place an order. I still did the show but was not very happy. I left with $70 in sales which is good but man, with her doing DS, I KNEW she could do better.

 

[Jules711]

I had two shows last Feb that were bad sales. One was in a beautiful huge home and I thought whoohoo! However, she didn't really feel comfortable inviting many people so only 3 came and with one outside order, I had about $80 in sales. Since she didn't want to get anymore orders, she just spent $70 to make it a show. One of the guests booked for later that month and had $110 in commissionable sales (b/c of the host special for the past host). They were also two of the furthest shows I've done on a weeknight. Ick! However, they were all VERY nice...just not good with the hosting and I couldn't convince them that it IS okay to share a catalog with people. Another woman booked from that show, but then never had it.

 

[PamperChefCarol]

My worst show came early in my PC career.

I met a lady at BRU. I was offering a "free cooking show" to anyone who booked and she said she wanted to do a show. I called a few days later and she told me she wanted to do it that coming Sunday and that she would have 36 people. Great, I thought. Then she decided that she wants me to make shrimp scampi and to make plenty, because everyone was going to be hungry. I explained to her that I was not a catered, and what PC was again. She just kept saying, make sure you make plenty. I figured out 3 shrimp per person, and made a ton of fettuccini. I made up one pan at home and planned on demo'ing the rest. When I got to her house, there was no way to do a cooking demo with her layout. She assured me to just make the dish before her quests arrived. I was getting a bad feeling about the show, but carried on. When her quests finally arrived, and there were a bunch of them, I started to greet them and pass out catalogs. She ushers me into the kitchen and proceeds to tell me that she has been misled, I never said I was selling stuff, I was a caterer, she won a free dinner, etc. At this point, after having spent $40 on food, I was really getting a bad vibe. I was as polite as I could be with her. I explained to her what PC was, what she actually "won", and what I was doing there. She then says that none of her friends are interested in my junk and that I should leave. I packed up my stuff, left a catalog on the table and got out of there.

A few days later, I had another show, and it was one of my bests. Got right back on that horse and put her behind me.

 

[Jules711]

I actually had a show when no one showed up too (she had scheduled a baby shower for later that day too so I'm guessing they had better things to do than to hang at her house all day). I still finished the recipe since I had started it beforehand. Her husband was there and asking what everything was so I was entertained at least. She did collect over $300 in sales so that wasn't so bad.

 

[DebbieJ]

My worst show came early in my PC career.

I met a lady at BRU. I was offering a "free cooking show" to anyone who booked and she said she wanted to do a show. I called a few days later and she told me she wanted to do it that coming Sunday and that she would have 36 people. Great, I thought. Then she decided that she wants me to make shrimp scampi and to make plenty, because everyone was going to be hungry. I explained to her that I was not a catered, and what PC was again. She just kept saying, make sure you make plenty. I figured out 3 shrimp per person, and made a ton of fettuccini. I made up one pan at home and planned on demo'ing the rest. When I got to her house, there was no way to do a cooking demo with her layout. She assured me to just make the dish before her quests arrived. I was getting a bad feeling about the show, but carried on. When her quests finally arrived, and there were a bunch of them, I started to greet them and pass out catalogs. She ushers me into the kitchen and proceeds to tell me that she has been misled, I never said I was selling stuff, I was a caterer, she won a free dinner, etc. At this point, after having spent $40 on food, I was really getting a bad vibe. I was as polite as I could be with her. I explained to her what PC was, what she actually "won", and what I was doing there. She then says that none of her friends are interested in my junk and that I should leave. I packed up my stuff, left a catalog on the table and got out of there.

A few days later, I had another show, and it was one of my bests. Got right back on that horse and put her behind me.

Carol, that is so horrible. I just had a bad experience with a BRU "host" as well.

 

[Jules711]

Wow! Yick! I've been very fortunate not to have any rude hosts. Everyone has been very nice even if not good with the follow up and getting people to there homes. I have had several shows for 3 people, but am excited that the last few have had about 10 people there. That seems to be a lot for me regardless of the number of people invited. As long as they are willing to get outside orders though, I am happy. So sorry you had to deal with that. I don't get people! Didn't you give her catalogs and a host packet?

 

[Jules711]

What is BRU?

 

[DebbieJ]

Babies R Us.

 

[Jules711]

You just ran into people or had a booth there?

 

[DebbieJ]

They do a once a month Baby Fest and I (and many others on this site) do a table at my local store.

Best part? It's FREEEEEEE!!!!

 

[hoosierchef]

Okay. Everyone raves on and on about how great their shows are/were/will be... I want to know how "bad" everyone has done, so I don't feel alone.. Anyone wanna let me in what what your "worst" show was?!?

So far, my worst show was my first show....the one that my "best friend" held for me. She had a great turn out, but hardly anyone bought anything. She barely made the $150! Even with her order, my com sales were only $200!!! I don't really think she put any effort into it, then wonders why she had such a bad show. Oh well......

 

[Jules711]

Huh...that's a great idea! We have a Toy R US in our area, but don't think I've heard of them doing anything monthly. I do have an open house at a local coffee shop with about 3 other consultants every couple of months. We get their walk-ins and they get our customers buying coffee and lunch so it's free too. Whenever people see a friend of mine & I there together, they assume that we are having an open house. Sometimes, we DO just meet for coffee or lunch!

 

[speedychef]

I had one where the host told me, "there will be at least 4 people, maybe 5" and I was thinking, "well that's not great, but it's not awful, either..."

Turns out th 4 were HER, her husband, and her 2 18-20 year old daughters who lived at home. Thankfully the FIFTH person DID show up and she placed an $80 order (probly because she felt bad...) and the host managed to collect the orders to make it a show.

The craziest part about it? She wanted to become a consultant! She was my first recruit and I was so excited that I didn't think that if she couldn't get anyone to COME to her show, she couldn't get anyone to HOST a show...

 

[Jennie4PC]

my worst show was about 75 in sales I actually had 2 that same time so I had to combine them to hit 150 I kept telling one host that in order for it to count she needed 150 in sales and she just didnt get it she was a CM consultant

 

[SillyChef]

Well, since I started this thread ask you all to tell me your worst show, I wanted to share mine. First, when I became a consultant in November I had a "open house" that same month. I did it with a few friends who are in the DS business too. We were all supposed to invite our customer base (remember I did Naughty products too, and had "loyal" customers) Well, the two other girls didn't want to "share" thier customers so basically it bombed. HARD.. Plus, PC didn't get any sales. And one of my "customers" ended up spending like $150.00 on MK.

Then today. I had a "Spring Sneak Peek" I don't know what was up with that?!? I invited over 120+ people. (I am seriously NOT KIDDING) I have 3 orders right now. They are totalling about $94.25. I know that I can do outside orders and I intend on doing that to the fullest extent. But it is just a MAJOR let down when I am trying to make this something that can supplement income from me not working a full time 9-5 job. I don't know what I did wrong? When I made my customer reminder calls, most people declined and said they weren't able to make it, but they would like a catalog. So all hope isn't lost, just a little bummed out....

BTW- out of my 120+ people I invited I had:
My Sister (my wingman)
My Friend
My Cousin
Past Customer
Next Host

That was it.... Ugh. I am disgusted right now, and don't know how I can get ppl excited about it already!

 

[DMB75]

Alright, maybe I shouldn't have read this thread before I have my first show. Now I'm worried.

 

[SillyChef]

Alright, maybe I shouldn't have read this thread before I have my first show. Now I'm worried.

Well you would learn things that don't work for others, but might work for you. Don't be nervous. You will do just fine! Good luck with your shows!

 

[DMB75]

Well you would learn things that don't work for others, but might work for you. Don't be nervous. You will do just fine! Good luck with your shows!

That is true. Though at some point I'm sure I'll be posting on here about how I dropped the food, cut my finger off or sat there alone with the host.

 

[raebates]

The worst show I ever had was for the 18-year-old daughter of a host. The mom's show was only about $200, but it was a legitimate show, so no big deal. This show was only a couple of months after mom's. The daughter wanted the host special, so I figured she'd be motivated. Mom said she'd help.The night of the show, the weather was bad. No one showed up. There were no outside orders, so I left that night with a $0 total. She wound up collecting about $80 in orders (after a couple of weeks of "oh, I think I have someone else who wants something." Her mom ordered a couple of things. I had a few people interested in some things, so I added those to make it a $151 show. Waaay more trouble than it was worth.Bad things happen to everyone, though. To be honest, I had to really search my memory for a good bad show story.

 

[Rachelhuff]

I had the worst show last night !!!!
It was my 4th show ....I arrived half hour early and set up ....Did prep on food ...Her 2 year old son was into all of my things...EVEN MY SHARP things...He was dusting with my kitchen brush!!! I had to keep taking things away from him!! 30 min into the show time no one had showed up...I began doing just the dessert ..Then ONE guest showed up ...So I decided to make the other recipe...The ONE guest seemed very interested and had alot of questions... She had $70.00 in out side orders and the guest that showed up late did not even order! However, she booked a party for June!!!!!!
It was a let down ...But a good learning experiance for me!
She is trying to get more orders and will close in two days..AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE!!!! OMG!!!!!

 

[Chef_2_Four]

I had a catalog show that didn't make it, not even close. I think she had $75 in sales and that was it. My worst actual show was $300 which were all outside orders except 2. The two were the ones who showed up to the show and were an hour late!! I don't know what happened to this show b/c I host coached, made extra phone calls and everything. It was before Christmas so I figured everyone decided to go shopping instead.

 

[etteluap70PC]

well.... lets see....... There was the show a year ago last sept (my first in our new town and after having baby #2) It was actually my realtor. Not 1 person showed up! I made her the desert and left. She only managed to collect about 100$ in orders so I made up the rest from a few loyal customers.

There was my HWC open house last year (first time I tried to do an OH) Not one of the over 80 people I invited showed up. I did learn not to do an OH in MN on fishing opener weekend. In my town aparently there is also a fairly large womens expo that day. Live and learn....

Then there is yesterday.... as many of you know the weather in the midwest finally reared it's ugly head yesterday! Well I am in MN an hr north of the cities. I had a show booked in St. Paul. (over an hr in good weather) I was promised 8 guests. (I had told the host I could not do it as a cooking show without at least 8 since I had to drive and for saturdays I pay a sitter) She said no prob!
Well I drive there in freezing rain. Get there right when I said I would (amazing since I had no idea where I was going!) My brownie pizza ran off the stone (first time in the 50times I have made the recipe) Her guests are 1/2 hr late. 3 of the 6 guests thur out to be people that were at her sisters show from the Sunday before that she booked off. So far her show is at $250. with a few more orders to come in and she is going to talk to one about doing a show. BTW driving home was a mess... My Jeep sure earned her keep yesterday!!!

 

[janetupnorth]

So far, my worst show was my first show....the one that my "best friend" held for me. She had a great turn out, but hardly anyone bought anything. She barely made the $150! Even with her order, my com sales were only $200!!! I don't really think she put any effort into it, then wonders why she had such a bad show. Oh well......

Tammi - thank you I'm feeling a twinge better now...about to close my first show (online) - had tons of people saying they were going to order by yesterday (the deadline) but they never followed through and I offered to take their orders a few times... Product totals are currently at 290...not counting whatever the mystery host will order...we'll see when turns out...hoping the person I draw loves PC and wants to get a few more things...

 

[Jules711]

Another idea for mystery host shows when you want to boost sales. Let the non winners choose an item at the host discount. This is really nice when it's 25-30% off, but regardless, it's a sale. It's also loved when stoneware is one sale since it's a discount on top of the 20% off!! If you tend to get decent attendance, you can put in your invite that attendees will receive one item at 25% off. Mine are hit or miss so I don't know what the % will be. I just contact people after the show and tell/email them that they didn't win the big prize, but the consolation prize is one item at...I also call people that didn't attend after the show to see if they need anything. It doesn't always work, but I've gotten a couple of $100 orders that way!