Should Past Host Discounts Apply to Combined Orders with Non-Host Customers?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the frustrations and experiences of participants regarding the application of past host discounts to combined orders, particularly when non-host customers are involved. Participants share their thoughts on shipping costs and customer complaints related to these practices.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over co-workers combining orders to save on shipping while applying a past host discount, feeling it should not apply to non-host purchases.
  • Another participant shares their experience with customers frequently combining orders, noting it is a common occurrence.
  • Several users mention their views on shipping costs, with some believing the current rates are fair compared to other companies.
  • One participant describes a situation where a host was confused about shipping costs and the process, highlighting communication challenges.
  • Another participant points out that combining orders can complicate warranty issues if something breaks.
  • Some participants discuss the impact of shipping costs on sales, with one noting that higher shipping percentages could deter customers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on whether combining orders for shipping savings is beneficial or problematic, with some participants expressing frustration over the practice while others see it as a common occurrence.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences related to shipping costs and customer interactions, reflecting a variety of perspectives within the consultant community.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants dealing with similar shipping and discount issues may find the shared experiences and frustrations relevant to their own practices.

S
SummerG
Messages
215
Good Afternoon!

Uggh! I got frustrated with 2 of my co-workers today. Let me try to explain...Co-worker A is having a catalog party right now. Co-worker B is a past host and co-worker C is not. Co-workers B and C combined their orders *to save $4!* and therefore 10% past host discount is being applied.

This frustrates me because the past host discount should not be applied to anything that co-worker C is buying! I also had to explain over and over that the Guest Special applies to the total AFTER the past host discount has been applied. This meant that for co-worker C to get her freebie she had to grumble and spend more. I tried explaining the whole warranty issue with separate orders, etc but it didn't matter.

Just frustrates me but I can't really do anything about it... :rolleyes:
 
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I know what you mean. It never fails to amaze me when people complain about our shipping. Have they never ordered from other direct sales companies or on-line? Ours is a really good deal - especially for those that order a lot.

Oh well! You can never please everyone!
 
Me TooThis is so common for me. Every show or caddy I put in has at least two people that "must" do this. Last month I ordered from another company and they charged me 6% of my order for shipping. Then last week I was going to order some candles from another company and they were going to charge me $30.00 shipping:eek: Needless to say I didn't buy the darn candles.
 
That is the good thing about Alaska shipping! It is 15% of the order total, so no one combines because it doesn't save them anything. I guess when we change to 15% plus $2 in March I might see a few more orders combined!
 
gilliandanielle said:
That is the good thing about Alaska shipping! It is 15% of the order total, so no one combines because it doesn't save them anything. I guess when we change to 15% plus $2 in March I might see a few more orders combined!
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15%:eek: :eek:
 
We still have one of the best shipping costs around and yet people still complain. If it is a real small order I can see adding it to another order so they are not paying more for shipping than the product but I think we are fair.
 
That is just until March 1st, then it is 15% PLUS $2!! My customers have had it up to here!!
 
gilliandanielle said:
That is just until March 1st, then it is 15% PLUS $2!! My customers have had it up to here!!
Click to expand...

I have to say Gillian that I believe 15% too high. It must hurt your sales!!
 
It definetly affects sales because with each item they add on they add on shipping too. At least with a flat rate like the $4 they can add as they please without bumping the shipping!

I could always upsell them previously because the direct shipping topped out at $14 with a $100 order, so I could easily get that. Now they changed it so any order over $130 is charged 11%. When ordering cookware that really adds up!
 
Does it really cost that much more to ship up there?? Shipping in Canada can be high. It is cheaper for us in Canada to ship to the US then to ship on our own country. Now that is Stupid:(
 
Maybe I'm missing something here...why would it upset you if 2 people combine orders to save on shipping? :confused:
 
I just got off the phone with a host who is having a cooking show in February.
She wanted to know who gets the free shipping, everyone? I said no just you the hostess. So she says, what do my guests have to pay, and I told her $4.00 (I don't think she really looked over anything I sent her). Then she wants to know if this goes directly to their homes? When I told her no the orders came to her and she would have to separate it, but it was very easy, she blew her cork!

Then she goes on to say how when she sold for another direct sales company (H.I.), the order came to the her the consultant, and then she delivered to the host. And how $4 is way to much! Does anyone know how much that company charges for an order? I think it depends on how much you spend doesn't, and it can get very expensive!

I offered to have it shipped to me and I would separate it and meet up with her for delivery, but she said no she would do it.

Why do people think $4 is so much, and our orders are the easiest by far to separate out! I just bought something today and it cost me $15 to ship!!

Can't please everyone, can't wait for her show, I have a feeling people will be combining orders and complaining on the shipping. :mad:

Thanks for let me vent!!
Kelly
 
KellyRedHead said:
I just got off the phone with a host who is having a cooking show in February.
She wanted to know who gets the free shipping, everyone? I said no just you the hostess. So she says, what do my guests have to pay, and I told her $4.00 (I don't think she really looked over anything I sent her). Then she wants to know if this goes directly to their homes? When I told her no the orders came to her and she would have to separate it, but it was very easy, she blew her cork!

Then she goes on to say how when she sold for another direct sales company (H.I.), the order came to the her the consultant, and then she delivered to the host. And how $4 is way to much! Does anyone know how much that company charges for an order? I think it depends on how much you spend doesn't, and it can get very expensive!

I offered to have it shipped to me and I would separate it and meet up with her for delivery, but she said no she would do it.

Why do people think $4 is so much, and our orders are the easiest by far to separate out! I just bought something today and it cost me $15 to ship!!

Can't please everyone, can't wait for her show, I have a feeling people will be combining orders and complaining on the shipping. :mad:

Thanks for let me vent!!
Kelly
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Sounds like you have got your hands full!! I would make a point at her show to point out to all the guests how good our shipping rate is and that you "only" have to pay $4. Good luck!
 
Lisa-

It depends first off how many combine shipping. If many of them do, and the shipping is alot, I believe P Chef can come back on you the consultant for the shipping charges, I maybe wrong, someone correct me if I am.

Second, if they combine for shipping, then something breaks, and the order wasn't in their name, but they claim they got it at so and so's show, it makes it hard to find and replace.
Kelly
 
I think she is also upset because they are sharing the past host discount...
 
rennea said:
Sounds like you have got your hands full!! I would make a point at her show to point out to all the guests how good our shipping rate is and that you "only" have to pay $4. Good luck!
Click to expand...


I have had to explain everything over and over again it seems. When I got off the phone the other night with her, my daughter asked me who I was talking to and why I had to keep repeating myself!!

UGH!!!!!
 
KellyRedHead said:
Lisa-

It depends first off how many combine shipping. If many of them do, and the shipping is alot, I believe P Chef can come back on you the consultant for the shipping charges, I maybe wrong, someone correct me if I am.

Second, if they combine for shipping, then something breaks, and the order wasn't in their name, but they claim they got it at so and so's show, it makes it hard to find and replace.
Kelly
Click to expand...
If you do show after show with just one or 2 orders they would probably give you a call to question what you are doing, otherwise they wouldn't say anything.

Yes, if orders are combined it is hard to figure out but if they have the basic show information they can get by with it - maybe they got it as a gift or something - they have their stories.
 
Kelly - PC shipping is really good. If you want to give her a comparison have her go to a local UPS store with the weights and box dimensions of a typical order and ask her to have them quote from IL to NY with the new dimensional weights affective with UPS and FedEx this year. Then take that total and divide among the guests. She should see that she is getting a GREAT deal! I deal with shipping daily and work at a major pet supply company and can vouch that they are getting a great deal.
 
I would try to talk about the host bonus for orders if there is one (XXXXXX free with 15 orders) so people know they are cutting the host short by doing this!
 
People will complain no matter what sometimes. I think some people are just complainers looking for a bargain and sometimes don't even see it right in front of their noses.
 
gilliandanielle said:
I would try to talk about the host bonus for orders if there is one (XXXXXX free with 15 orders) so people know they are cutting the host short by doing this!
Click to expand...
You can only hope that they see it that way!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #22
LisaAnn said:
Maybe I'm missing something here...why would it upset you if 2 people combine orders to save on shipping? :confused:
Click to expand...

Because a past host discount is being used in this case and she didn't earn a 10% discount. If she didn't earn it then it's not fair to be able to use it. Plus, she is getting the Guest Special this way without even spending the correct amount. AND, it is reducing commissionable sales due to the past host discount.
 
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Just wait until Co-worker C has a prob with her item and Co-worker B has to do the return b/c it's in her name! They may think twice next time about the "savings" lol.
 
but...
gilliandanielle said:
It definetly affects sales because with each item they add on they add on shipping too. At least with a flat rate like the $4 they can add as they please without bumping the shipping!

I could always upsell them previously because the direct shipping topped out at $14 with a $100 order, so I could easily get that. Now they changed it so any order over $130 is charged 11%. When ordering cookware that really adds up!
Click to expand...

do other's realize what I hadn't; you get paid per family member, CORRECT? for living in AK :)

When people complain about the s/h to me and try to combine, I tell them it's the insurance/guarantee, if anything breaks, or isn't to their satisfaction it takes care of it to pay the $ 4.00 s/h. Many of my customers have a hard time understanding why they have to pay in advance too. I surely can't cover their orders. Some of the biggest complainers make 6 digit salaries too. My boss being one of them.

Good Luck.

Maybe you could remind them as well that the hostess' free items taxes are taken care of my PC.

My director used to say PC needed orders separately as that's how they got credit for them.

Good Luck!

Liz
 
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Most of my customers that have combined all order small things. I do not mind if they combine to save on shipping. Me and my mom place orders together all of the time with other companies to save on shipping.

I have not had a PH try to combine orders. If I did, I would try telling them it was against company policy and I could let someone get the PHD when they did not host a show and if they wanted to combine orders the discount could either not apply to all are only apply to part of it. BUT I know sometimes people can get out of hand with disagreeing with you.

Luckily, I do not have to deal with this often. Some bank employess that order from me, their department combines orders and they always put it in the same person's name and keep the receipt at the bank so they all know where they are.
 
I always remind people, that it makes life very difficult if one of the coworkers leaves the company, and the order was in their name...If you need to return something, it is a pain.
 
KellyRedHead said:
Lisa-

It depends first off how many combine shipping. If many of them do, and the shipping is alot, I believe P Chef can come back on you the consultant for the shipping charges, I maybe wrong, someone correct me if I am.

Kelly
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This is incorrect. HO will not come after the consultant - and besides, they have no way of knowing if orders were combined.
 
lizcooks4u said:
do other's realize what I hadn't; you get paid per family member, CORRECT? for living in AK :)
Click to expand...

That is true Liz. Alaskans get a dividend from the oil sales every October. You have to prove residency and there is a length of time that you have to be here to qualify. This year we will get 4, but once the baby gets here we get 5 in 2008! The dividends have ranged from $800-$1800 for each person depending on the oil prices. There is a 5 year lag, which means that in 5 years we will see more money from the high oil prices now.

It sucks because everyone gets their money on the same day, so everyone flies out of the villages and you can't TRY to park at a store. I stay home for at least 2 weeks after it comes out!
 
I had this happen to me in the extreme a couple of years ago. My MIL hosted a show and my SIL took some books and order forms to work to collect outside orders. That month, there was a really great guest special: free asjustable measuring spoon with any order, free adjustable scoop with $50 order. So dingy Marlene (my SIL) decided to work the system. She combined her coworkers orders (about 5 of them) onto 2 orders, both with her name. And they included 5 free spoons. And the 2 scoops. When I told her that I couldn't do that, she moaned and complained that she told everyone we could combine orders to reduce the shipping charge, but they'd still get the freebies. I told her that she'd only get 2 spoons and 2 scoops, and it was up to her to distribute them to the people who ordered (who I couldn't contact, because I didn't have names or phone numbers). And I only gave her 1 receipt for each order. She had the nerve to tell me that I was cheap for not giving her the extra spoons. PP would only let you enter one per guest order! I think she thinks that I make 75% commission. Why else would our stuff be so expensive (her words, not mine)? Oh- this is also the same SIL who wanted to order the kit in December just to get the products. She has absolutely no intention of ever being a consultant or even hosting.
 
You got to love family!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should past host discounts apply to combined orders with non-host customers?

No, past host discounts are typically intended for the host's personal orders and cannot be applied to combined orders that include non-host customers. The discounts are a reward for hosting a party and are meant to be used exclusively by the host.

Can a past host use their discount if they are ordering with friends?

A past host can use their discount on their own order, but if they are combining orders with friends who are not hosts, the discount cannot be applied to the entire order. Each individual must place their order separately to utilize any discounts.

What if a past host wants to share their discount with friends?

While a past host may want to share their discount, company policy generally prohibits sharing discounts with non-host customers. The discount is a personal benefit for the host and is not transferable.

Are there any exceptions to the rule about past host discounts?

Exceptions to the rule about past host discounts may vary by company policy or specific promotions. It’s best to check with your Pampered Chef consultant or refer to the official guidelines for any special circumstances.

How can non-host customers benefit from a past host's party?

Non-host customers can benefit from a past host's party by taking advantage of any available host rewards, such as exclusive products or discounts on their own orders, but they will not receive the past host discount. They can also enjoy the opportunity to purchase products at regular prices during the party.

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