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

[speedychef]

For the most part, I don't really care, as long as they realize the thing with the guarantee. One time, though, I had a catalog show host who encouraged people to combine orders. That was a problem because when she got the order, she didn't know who had ordered what. It was frustrating when she called me to ask, and I had no idea. All I could tell her was the names on the orders that she gave me. I kind of wanted to strangle her. THEN she used her free product for kit credit and NEVER SIGNED UP!! That's a whole nother story, but whatever...

 

[ChefinHarmony]

At least your "In-Laws" order!! I have yet to receive ONE order from my Mother-in-Law, or Two sister-in-laws. Oh, I take that back, my Husband was doing a fundraiser in May (for his non-profit org) and my Mother-in-law bought one Pink Bar Board - and complained about paying TAX!! My two sister-in-laws expect me to "GIVE" them items FREE!! ON A REGULAR BASIS!! I gave one sister-in-law for Christmas, the white rectangular platter with the Woven Traditions server... before opening the box she said "Oh, I hope this isn't the WHITE one, I really like the striped platter" In front of everyone!!! Then she says "Can you return it - I'd rather have stripes." Well, Hello, we only sell the striped one as part of the entertaining set now and I wasn't going to shell out that much money for her! I did take it back and found one on LMAD. She will never know! On the other hand, my side of the family are some of my best customers!! My sister bought two Exec Family Skillets with Lids for her daughters for Christmas - and all I gave her was the 10% past host discount. My in-laws are goofy, sometimes rude!! Okay - needed to vent - it's just always bothered me that they won't support my business by hosting or ordering off family shows. Thanks for listening...
Joanne

 

[DebbieJ]

I don't mind people combining orders for little things. But I also had a December catalog host combine EVERYONE'S orders because they (she?) had a problem with the S&H charge. I told her that she would have to figure out what belonged to whom and if there was ever a warranty issue, it was going to be a mess.

THEN she called me to complain that she didn't order the holiday mini catalogs and didn't appreciate being charged for them. WTF?? Yes, they are on the packing slip because they need to be included, but they are FREEEEEEEEE.

She was waving some red flags, but I ran far, far away.

 

[raebates]

She was waving some red flags, but I ran far, far away.

Good for you. You can't get away from people like that fast enough.

 

[chefann]

Sometimes you just have to smile and let your customers shoot themselves in the foot.

 

[KellyRedHead]

That's good to know the HO office won't come back on the consultant.

I have combined orders with my Mom also, but I just frown on combining like 5orders onto one.

I guess we will never make everyone happy!

Kelly

 

[sillylittlechef]

When I first started I combined a couple of orders to get the 10% phd (friends who said they weren't concerned with warranties) and didn't realize that I was losing commission that way. I no longer do that. (all my friends have had shows of their own now and get 10% off anyway)
I used to think the shipping was high (when I was a customer) but I never really thought about it until I became a consultant and realized how cheap it really is.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

yesterday I just placed an order with Southern Living At Home my shipping was $35 & tax was $25Teresa

 

[DebbieSAChef]

I combine small ordersI have these faithful customers at my mother's work that order periodically and it's usually small things because they are young girls who work part time and go to school.
My mother can usually get about $200 in orders for me almost every other month. I don't mind combining orders and we have never had a problem. I usually keep a Word document with the people's names and what they ordered so that we can seperate when the order comes in.
I try not to encourage this any other time but there are always those cheap people at parties that complain about shipping. I had a lady tell me
"Why do they charge $4.00 for shipping if I only buy an item worth $10?"
I said,
"Our shipping costs are actually one of the lowest in the direct sales business. Taste of Home, Southern Living and Candle companies will charge you much more for shipping. Our cost is only $4.00 no matter how much you order. Maybe this time you are only purchasing a $10 item but let's say one day you decide you want to purchase $100, the shipping is still only $4.00. This includes insurance and tracking with this package. I can't even send an envelope through priority mail with insurance and tracking for less than $6.00 at the post office."
This usually helps them to see they are being cheap and then I usually have other guest chime in about spending way too much on shipping elsewhere and this cheap person slinks to another part of the house to hide.
Debbie .

 

[mbh06]

What cracks me up is that people will complain about $4 s&h for only spending around $10, but if you look on ebay, people will pay $5 s&h on a $3 item and not think twice!! Hello?? What is the difference??

 

[chefann]

I think part of the mindset is because the $4 PC shipping isn't coming straight to them. They'll pay more to have it come direct to their door, but they don't like having to pay when it's not being delivered to them. They look around a party, count people, and say, "There are 6 people here. That's $24 for shipping! That's outrageous!" without realizing how heavy an entire show is, especially in February, when stoneware is on sale.

 

[jenf]

A few people at my last show combined orders and it ended costing the host not to get the free gift for over 15 orders. I didn't realize it until I was closing out the order last night. Normally I really don't care, but I felt really bad for the host.

 

[etteluap70PC]

I had a show last Sept. where the hosts mom brought like $400 in orders from her work. They were all on these little slips of paper and 2 or 3 at a time went in on orders together. It was a nightmare! It wasn't even worth me trying to explain to them why it was not a great idea. The host had been a consultant about 3 years ago so I was very surprised that it didn't even phase her.

The show was over 800$ so I guess I can't complain too much....

 

[TwinGirlsMom]

There is an office of ladies who turn in a catalog show to me every other month. The ladies combine their orders to save *$4* all the time...I never know who really ordered what because it's always under just one name. And they don't seem concerned too much about the guest special.
I guess it's all about the final sale...so who cares how it's divvied up!

 

[dannyzmom]

There is an office of ladies who turn in a catalog show to me every other month. The ladies combine their orders to save *$4* all the time...I never know who really ordered what because it's always under just one name. And they don't seem concerned too much about the guest special.
I guess it's all about the final sale...so who cares how it's divvied up!

...until one of them has a tool break and needs to utilize the warranty to get it replaced...

 

[pamperedharriet]

...until one of them has a tool break and needs to utilize the warranty to get it replaced...

That may be when a wake up call is made! I don't encourage combined orders as it is a pain when something goes wrong.

 

[TwinGirlsMom]

I know...I've explained all this and they still don't care. That *$4* sure saves them money! The positive thing is that the host does save her slips of paper that shows who combined with whom...should a warranty issue arise.

 

[amcclanaghan]

As far as the PHD is concerned if you ask for them to write their orders down separately and tell them you'll order them on the same order to SAVE on shipping you could charge the full price for the Non-PH, and donate the extra $$ to the Round Up.
Next time they won't be so quick to tell you their combining orders

 

[jenniferp417]

As far as the PHD is concerned if you ask for them to write their orders down separately and tell them you'll order them on the same order to SAVE on shipping you could charge the full price for the Non-PH, and donate the extra $$ to the Round Up.
Next time they won't be so quick to tell you their combining orders

I *think* that sounds like a good idea, but I can't wrap my mind around it. Maybe I'm tired. Could you (or someone else) explain this one differently?

I need an idiot smiley. I hate when I don't "get" things.

 

[rennea]

As far as the PHD is concerned if you ask for them to write their orders down separately and tell them you'll order them on the same order to SAVE on shipping you could charge the full price for the Non-PH, and donate the extra $$ to the Round Up.
Next time they won't be so quick to tell you their combining orders

I don't get what you mean

 

[Sandibeach]

I really don't see the big deal. I had one small catelogue show in which the host combined everyone's order into 1 order and then the host order. In total it was over $500 in products and technically $5 paid for shipping. HO never said a word to me. And then I had a show last week where I had 10 guest orders and it totalled $400 in products, so they got $50 in shipping for $400 in products... I think it all works out in the end. To get frustrated over this is not worth it if you ask me!

 

[chefann]

I don't get what you mean

Some folks combine orders to use one person's PHD. That is officially against the rules. So to discourage it, keep a list of who ordered what. Only give the PHD to the actual past host. Charge everyone else the regular price. Then add those product totals together, and add tax and shipping. BUT when you submit the order, the PHD will show up for all the products, so take the "extra" and make that the Round Up amount.

Those guests will still save the $4 shipping, but will be less likely in the future to want to combine simply to use the PHD.

 

[jenniferp417]

That makes sense, Ann! I just couldn't grasp that last night!And Sandra, I see where you're coming from too.I'm still new enough that I don't know what's going to work best for me... but I could NOT do it without all of you!