Should I Still Offer Her the Business Opportunity?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

This thread explores the challenges faced by Pampered Chef consultants when hosts cancel shows, particularly in light of financial concerns and the economy. Participants share their personal experiences and thoughts on how to approach the situation, including whether to offer business opportunities to hosts who are hesitant.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares that a host canceled due to financial issues, prompting uncertainty about how to proceed with offering the business opportunity.
  • Another participant suggests discussing affordable meal options and power cooking as a way to engage the host and potentially reschedule the show.
  • Several users mention the idea of offering to cover food costs to encourage the host to proceed with the show and consider the business opportunity.
  • One participant expresses frustration over hosts not recognizing the effort consultants put into organizing shows, especially when cancellations occur.
  • Another participant notes that some hosts may feel obligated to create a perfect party atmosphere, leading to stress and potential cancellations.
  • Several participants reflect on the broader economic context, suggesting that some hosts might be using financial concerns as an excuse to back out of parties.
  • One participant recounts a personal experience with a host who canceled last minute, highlighting the unpredictability of host commitments.
  • Another participant emphasizes that not everyone is struggling financially, suggesting that some individuals may still be willing to invest in quality products despite economic challenges.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the motivations behind host cancellations, with some participants believing financial concerns are genuine while others suspect they may be excuses. No clear consensus emerges on how to best approach the situation.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a range of experiences related to hosting parties, including the impact of the economy on attendance and sales. The thread reflects a variety of personal strategies and emotional responses to cancellations.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to consultants navigating similar challenges with hosts, particularly those considering how to approach cancellations and potential business opportunities.

N
noelskitchen
Messages
300
My host just cancelled this morning, (LMOM) that she was cancelling her show next Sat. due to financial issues and the economy, she just couldn't do it. Now mind you this show was already FREE for her because she won a free cooking show at my Expo. I haven't called her back yet because I'm at work. I was thinking about calling her back and offering her the business opportunity but now sure how to word it.

I booked her from my expo on Sept 20th and couldn't connect with her to confirm her show until Mon. I had left several message to get ahold of her than I finally connected with her, she said she was really busy but stated she still wanted to have the party. I had already mailed her hostess packet.

I'm still going to try and reschedule her party. But the business opportunity ugh. If I don't have a visual in front of me I get flustered. What to do, What to do.........
 
talk to her about you will teach fast easy affordable meals, do power cooking, help people save money on groceries....that sort of thing.I had someone on the phone today who said no no no, then I said "well, think about this..." and offering power cooking and we booked Nov 15th. :)If you need ideas on what to say, click the box in the upper left behind CC that says "Now More Than Ever"--it's all answers to the economy objection.
 
I would call her back and offer to pay for food etc..then you can write it off. You could say like I know this is a bad time for all of us, but I would love to help with your show so you can get products for free etc, then maybe offer the business opportunity. I am always puzzled when hosts say this to me b/c we as consultants do all the work and we spend time and gas getting there don't people realize that!
 
I lost 4 shows in September with friends and family with no money.
 
Maybe she means that her friends and family don't have money to spend...
 
I try to approach it as a "girl's night out" and say that your friends can spend money going to a restaurant or out for a drink. Why not come to your house for pre-paid food and spend the money they would have spent on permanent items for their house? Also, I have lowered my expectations of hosts. Meaning, my show totals are going down and they don't get as much free stuff but I'm still making something so that's alright.

Be understanding and tell her to tell her friends to come but they don't have to order. Hopefully, they will but, hey, if they're broke, they're broke. Maybe you can help them out...
 
cewcooks said:
I would call her back and offer to pay for food etc..then you can write it off. You could say like I know this is a bad time for all of us, but I would love to help with your show so you can get products for free etc, then maybe offer the business opportunity. I am always puzzled when hosts say this to me b/c we as consultants do all the work and we spend time and gas getting there don't people realize that!
Click to expand...

We have to remember that there are costs for hosts... and alot of people just dont have the money for extras. I am hosting a show tomorrow night at my house for my friend who does purses and I have had several friends call me and say they just cant afford anything extra right now.
 
Everytime I've hosted a party, whether it's pampered chef or something else, I've always felt obligated to have it all perfect. I'll have tons of food and cute plates and napkins, several drinks and desserts. I always spend way too much money on this but at the same time, I love to entertain. Maybe you could suggest that she only get a few 2 liter drinks, some tap water, and something cheap like brownies, chips, or cookies to accompany your dish. I have all kinds of hostest. Some do go all out with the full spread, others, like my last show, have chip and dip. It's all good either way.
 
It sounds to me like she's backing out of having a party in general. You mentioned that it took a long time to get in touch, you left messages, she said she was busy etc.
I would of course follow the advice others have give, and I would also consider that she is making excuses for bailing out on you.
 
susanr613 said:
It sounds to me like she's backing out of having a party in general. You mentioned that it took a long time to get in touch, you left messages, she said she was busy etc.
I would of course follow the advice others have give, and I would also consider that she is making excuses for bailing out on you.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. Right now, the economy is an easy excuse - who can argue with a bad economy?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
susanr613 said:
It sounds to me like she's backing out of having a party in general. You mentioned that it took a long time to get in touch, you left messages, she said she was busy etc.
I would of course follow the advice others have give, and I would also consider that she is making excuses for bailing out on you.
Click to expand...

I believe your right but since I don't know her personally I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. I'll call her back and see if I can offer her the opportunity or put her on my roating contact list.
 
Don't feel alone. I had a host cancel on the me at 10:00 the night before her show back in Sept. Apparently her whole family was in Florida and they were the main ones coming. OK.....we talked and emailed everyday for 3 or 4 days before the show date. Did she not know her whole family was out of town. I found it hard to believe! We reschedule for Oct 14 and I've kept in touch by phone and email. I called her over the weekend to make sure she has told everyone about the date change. She acted like she didn't know who I was and when I said "with Pampered Chef!! We're having a show on Oct 14!?" She finally said "oh, the party.........well I'm not have that anyway". ????? Where did that come from? I didn't know what to say and the whole time we were talking she was eating something and chewing constantly. She finally said her brother is getting married and it will be a long time before she could do it. OK, did she just find out her brother is getting married? And how does that affect her with something that was happening in two weeks. Her brother wasn't invited anyway. I told her I would have appreciated a phone call because I thought we were still set for Oct 14. The way she acted really made me mad because she had no intentions of calling to tell me and I was relying on her show. I had already put in a lot of time and effort preparing for the first one that she cancelled. I just told her that was fine and if she ever decides to do one to give me a call. But trust me........I would NEVER do one for her. She's out of town and came across as very flaky. I was just shocked when I talked to her last weekend and she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about.

I get all kinds of excuses for hosts to cancel. The economy is a big one right now and the fact that they're sooooo busy. I explain that it takes two hours (or less) to do a show and I do all the work. All they have to do is give me the guest list and furnish the ingredients. I even make the reminder calls for my hosts. I'm learning that some hosts will back out at the last minute with any excuse they can find.
 
Wow! I've had last minute cancels before but never like pamperedcheermom's! While I love PC, I'm glad that I'm at the hobby level now where I don't have to rely on this income! So I'm going to put in the other aspect. NOT everyone is hurting economically! This isn't to minimize the pain of those who are, but to point out that there are people (maybe in the Dave Ramsey thread :-) ) who budget conservatively and thus aren't feeling economic hurricanes, but just a bit of rain. These are the people who save for a rainy day; purchasing quality tools is not an extravagance but a wise investment. Let's stay positive and focus on how our products help people. We don't have to 'convince' them to have shows, just truthfully share all the benefits with them with their (and their guests) needs in mind.
 
pamperedcheermom, i remember when you posted originally about the "family in florida" and i am sorry about the further developments. it's frustrating when people string you along, and this person was just so disrespectful to you. i'd almost rather have whining than fake amnesia/rudeness.

it took me a good 6 months or so to tune my bulldoo meter and cut out when i start hearing the excuses and delays. now i have to fine-tune it! LOL
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I still offer her the business opportunity if she's hesitant?

Yes, you can still offer her the business opportunity. It's important to provide her with all the information she needs to make an informed decision. Address her hesitations and highlight the benefits of joining, such as flexibility, potential income, and community support.

What if she seems uninterested in direct sales?

If she appears uninterested, it's essential to respect her feelings. However, you can still share your personal experience and the positive aspects of the business. Sometimes, people may not realize the potential until they hear about it from someone they trust.

How can I gauge her interest in the business opportunity?

You can gauge her interest by asking open-ended questions about her career goals and interests. Listen carefully to her responses, as they can provide insight into whether she might be open to exploring the business opportunity further.

What if she has had a negative experience with direct sales before?

If she has had a negative experience, acknowledge her feelings and ask her what specifically didn’t work for her. This can help you address her concerns and differentiate your opportunity by highlighting the unique support and training that Pampered Chef offers.

Is it okay to follow up with her later about the opportunity?

Absolutely! Following up shows that you care about her and her potential. Just ensure that you approach the follow-up gently and respectfully, giving her space if she still seems uninterested. Timing can be crucial, and she may be more receptive later on.

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