Struggling as a New Pampered Chef Consultant: My Experience and Challenges

[nikihampton]

Wow, this thread is crazy. I just found this site today and was really excited to hear all the good tidbits from consultants. I have been a consultant for about 6 weeks and love it. It really is all about attitude. I have days were I feel like a total failure (or rather December lol) and then days like today where I booked a cooking show at a scrapbooking class- I feel amazing.

I've done Avon and that was by far the worst job I've ever had. PC is nothing to be compared to it. I am honored to be part of this company. I also understand busy and tough times. This is my second business and I have four small children and a husband who is unable to work because of a permanent disability.

The point is, it's tough for everyone out there. Recession, small town, taxes, feeling unmotivated...we all feel it from time to time. If you feel frustrated and like it's not for you- that's ok. If you want to keep working on it give yourself a chance to decompress from the stress you're feeling and come up with a new plan.

This is my second real month and I am still working on making sure my schedule is booked as full as I can. Today I started thinking in a totally different way. I started making phone calls to businesses and offering a lunch hour express cooking show. I go cook them lunch and they shop on the clock. It's also a great time for fundraisers to be scheduled. People will always find a way to support local schools and organizations, we offer them an opportunity to get our great products and support their community at the same time.

Anyway, just my few sense. I really hope you can find some peace in how you're feeling and make your decision to continue or not continue without anger.

 

[BethCooks4U]

Wow, this thread is crazy. I just found this site today and was really excited to hear all the good tidbits from consultants. I have been a consultant for about 6 weeks and love it. It really is all about attitude. I have days were I feel like a total failure (or rather December lol) and then days like today where I booked a cooking show at a scrapbooking class- I feel amazing.I've done Avon and that was by far the worst job I've ever had. PC is nothing to be compared to it. I am honored to be part of this company. I also understand busy and tough times. This is my second business and I have four small children and a husband who is unable to work because of a permanent disability. The point is, it's tough for everyone out there. Recession, small town, taxes, feeling unmotivated...we all feel it from time to time. If you feel frustrated and like it's not for you- that's ok. If you want to keep working on it give yourself a chance to decompress from the stress you're feeling and come up with a new plan.This is my second real month and I am still working on making sure my schedule is booked as full as I can. Today I started thinking in a totally different way. I started making phone calls to businesses and offering a lunch hour express cooking show. I go cook them lunch and they shop on the clock. It's also a great time for fundraisers to be scheduled. People will always find a way to support local schools and organizations, we offer them an opportunity to get our great products and support their community at the same time.Anyway, just my few sense. I really hope you can find some peace in how you're feeling and make your decision to continue or not continue without anger.

Excellent post! I'm sorry the original poster has had so many frustrations and I hope she can work them out. Sounds like she's just overwhelmed and each little thing is piling on top of everything. Busy people often make the best consultants but there is such a thing as too much. I also want to say that success in anything is all about attitude. The first year I was in I didn't think I could recruit. What others said they did didn't work for me. It was just the people I happened to know/meet. Wrong! When it clicked I got it and I started recruiting, not every month but enough to build a team. What changed? My attitude. If you believe you can do something you can. Even if you want to believe some things aren't for you and that's okay. You tried and now on to the next adventure... I wish the OP the best whatever she decides. This is not a scam or pyramid scheme. The value of what you initially pay is more than the dollars spent. Most of a consultants income is from their own sales. even those at the top have minimums in personal sales to get their overrides from their team. The rules are clearly spelled out. We are on commission and as a sales force we get paid by what we sell and that includes perks.Oh, and a correction. An inactive consultant can do a supply order - there can't be any products on it but she can get catalogs, order forms, business supplies.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

It sounds like you need to check your kit again your magic wand must have been missing. You just wave it over your products and you make thousands of dollars a month with no effort on your part! I think you should call HO and ask them where it is. As you can see, I won't be as nice as others here. I've been a consultant for over 7 years and have never heard anyone ask for advise and then be so rude to those you asked for help from. The business is about what you put into it and if you don't have the time or the desire to do that then you should quit! The people on this site are always encouraging and helpful and I won't sit back and let you be so nasty to them. I won't waste my time giving you advice for something you have already decided is not going to work in your area. I hope others take my advice and stop giving any to you. You do not deserve it! My biggest hope is that Greg removes you from this site!!

 

[Veevahchef]

It kind of sounds like direct sales just isnt going to be your thing... really you have to have a much better attitude. you really should take you kit and run. you got over $740 in products and biz supplies for only $195.
OMG... what a rip off!! LOL
But honestly with your attitude, you likely arent going to get very far. Ive been doing this for 11 years and it has its ups and downs like anything else, but it has really been fabulous and i wouldnt give it up easily!
I dont knwo who told you it would be so easy butthey were wrong. You dont get paid if you dont work, and with any other business even if you started your own from the ground up. You take a loss in the beginning usually (I personally didn't but I know that is the reality).
Your attitude stinks, so likely your business will as well..... just sayin...

 

[esavvymom]

I think there is a misconception between the Pampered Chef style of business, and what some other Direct Sales companies do. The OP mentioned not having to submit sales, etc to stay 'active' and be able to place personal orders with Avon (?) I believe it was. I have heard of other companies like this. The way I see it with regards to that, is that the Pampered Chef company is in this as business. If they didn't have some sort of guidelines to insure that company consultants are not actively working their business, then everyone would just "sign up as consultants", to get the personal discount on their own orders, without ever really doing anything. With the PC Business Model, they are in it to make money as a business should! And by doing so, they are encouraging consultants to make money (even if it isn't much sometimes!) and maybe even weeding out those who just want a nice discount. I am NOT saying the OP got into PC expecting this for herself, it sounds like she really wanted to make this work, and maybe still does. But when things get rough, and we all know they do, the lack of sales each month is handled differently with PC than with other companies.Again, personally, I would take a break from the business for a few months, keep my eyes and ears open and regroup in awhile. There is nothing wrong with walking away. You can always come back when the timing is better. But if folks aren't buying, and there are no other opportunities that you can find in the area, what else can you do?Here are two files (probably quite a bit duplicated, I haven't looked at them in awhile), that give different ways to get bookings/business. Maybe something will jump out at you (or anyone else looking for bookings)"101 Ways to get Bookings"
"118 Ways to get Bookings"Again, good luck. And for everyone else, let's let this one die, shall we? Stop the nastiness on both sides. Feathers were ruffled, things were said. It's done. I really do hate it when threads go this way. As my WW leader says "STOP THE STINKIN THINKIN!"

 

[angel7581]

I am a little curious about what you are doing in the time you are working. Maybe there are some tips to help you streamline some of those and spend less time? What are your actual goals with PC? From your posts it is not clear to me if you are looking for a full time income or just a little something extra. I agree that with your other obligations you probably do not have time for the full time income .. but that is ok as long as it is ok with you. I started this out really slow because I had time issues. At times I did just enough business to keep active. Once I lost my career sales (that hurt a bit). I kept going because this is something that I really want to do .. and I knew that someday I would have that time. Now my business is doing well. Have you checked with Parent Teacher organizations about fundraisers? I do some that are strictly the pantry items. These are easy for kids to sell/deliver and lets face it, people will buy from kids to help their cause. One thing I will say, don't buy anything to enhance your kit that you don't want. You don't have to have every item to show the customers.

 

[Teresa LM]

I'm doing a 60 hour a week management job. I am still trying to fit 2 shows a month. Don't get discouraged. You can do it if you want to.

 

[ShellBeach]

And for everyone else, let's let this one die, shall we? Stop the nastiness on both sides. Feathers were ruffled, things were said. It's done. I really do hate it when threads go this way.

I'm on the other side of the fence on this. I don't think this thread was nasty; I think mandalie was venting and Chef Success is a great place to vent.
It wasn't a personal attack on PC or any of us, IMO.

Step back and think about it a moment. Avon is a consumable direct sales company and PC is not - except for pantry items, which are always available on a supply order up to the 6 months. If I'd come from Avon where I could order product every month even without sales, of course I'd be unhappy with PC's policy.

I see this thread as a learning experience, to be able to compare PC to another direct sales company. Now it's got me wondering what the policies of other consumable direct sales companies like Taste of Home (isn't that the spice & dip company?) and candle companies (Scensty,Partylite,etc) are different than hard goods like PC, all the jewelry ones, Tupperware, etc.

 

[mandalie]

Well over 24 hours later and Im feeling just a little more kicked down from responses. As i said it previous posts, im sorry i was sounding nasty and yes I did take some advice OTHER THAN spend more time i do not have. I belive i said this a few times and I will be honest is that I will NOT spend more time I already am currently but I will reassess what my time is spent on doing.

Again, I think a good half of comments from mine were, if not, just as nasty and very discouraging. Again, this is my first post and I was in a bad moment at the time, and again I know I sounded pissed off venting and I was.

I didnt mean to make a hit at PC for all of you freaking out. All i was trying to make you realize is that they are flatly refusing for me to us MY pc dollars and MY MONEY to buy their products. I just never heard of a company who refuses to take my money because I havent been able to get the shows they want me to. Thats all I was trying to point out and I also do not believe in the way they recruit as it is advertised as being a totally different experience that I find the reality is.

Im sorry for any of you who might have felt insulted from anything I said but again, i was extremely depressed and angry at the time and people say things they wouldnt normally said so again sorry if anyone was insulted but i think i also derserve an apology for everyone for taking it all way too personal and make it how you felt instead of helping me get out of the state i was so obviously in at the time.

I dont think I will post after this if this is what the majority of responses are like. Yes you offer advice but the support part felt more like trying to push me to quit and get off the forum.

Shame on you.

 

[keril]

Mandalie,
I understand your frustration, truly I do. But I feel so badly that you even mention the word "scam" and TPC in the same sentence. Where in the world can you start your own business for only $159 plus tax? And with your $1500 in sales, you made up your investment, plus a profit, in only 40 days! I have been a consultant for almost 11 years with tremendous success and I really believe it's because I just LOVE the products and enjoy my hosts/customers. I have fun with them at my shows by playing games and giving away prizes and have them come up and try the food chopper and garlic press and I make it very interactive. Perhaps you can try these ideas? I certainly don't make the kind of full-time $ I did when I was a teacher, but then again, I don't put in the same grueling hours I did either. I have never felt like a pushy salesperson, never. And I get all kinds of referrals and bookings at all my shows. But...there have been times when a potential host says her friends can't come because they can't afford to buy and we have to cancel show or reschedule. But I just keep on going, on to the next person. This biz is about building relationships so I hope you will continue to try.

 

[ChefMarylu]

@esavvymom

Thank you for the docs on getting more bookings. I'm struggling with bookings right now and am looking for all the help I can get, so I'll go over the suggestions you posted.

Thanks again! :thumbup:

 

[heulflodyn]

aw I'm really grateful for the tips, I'm finding it so hard getting bookings right now and I feel a bit depressed about it too. Hope the OP is feeling more positive

 

[pampered1224]

I normally do not post to long ago threads but I felt I must do so here. A little piece of advice I was given when I started was simply to slow down. Do not go into a host getting phone-a-thon or running to neighbors, friends and family host getting venture with a crazed mind. Be calm, be patient, be informed about what you want to say to people. Also and more importantly, you must decide on the time YOU HAVE AND WANT TO SPEND ON YOUR BUSINESS before you can do any of this. Specifically set aside time for your business. One or two hours a day or even a week to do what you can. Do not set this in stone as life can get in the way. But promise to do it at some point at least once a week.
1) Write a script - use the words mentioned earlier about "...can I come and Host a fun show with a great recipe for you and your friends...".
2) Make a decision about the food cost BEFORE YOU CALL. Will you or your host pay for it? Decide to offer a "free show" or not. This way going in to the call, you know in advance if you are willing to accept that cost yourself if the host can't or won't. We can use our tax benefits and can write it off, they can't. So it may be better to get the booking and pay for food than to loose the booking over what, $15 tops!
3) Always, always, always promote the freebies we give. Do NOT dwell on the discounts. This can and is sometimes a big turn off. Money out of pocket scares the you know what out of some people. ESPECIALLY IF THE THINK WE DO WHAT OTHER DS COMPANIES DO! Tax on free, make up the difference themselves to get a party, (Yes, I had to do this to make another companies minimum at $250), or no discounts unless you hit $600 in sales! Whatever it is, counter act it before they can even respond! ONLY talk about FREE!!!!! AT $150 you get FREE S&H, NO TAX on FREE. No cost for food! (Unless you or they decide differently), I even make sure I have my Quick-Stir and a powdered drink mix so the host does not have to buy beverages! If the only thing they need to provide is guests and maybe do some dishes afterwards, it is so much easier to get bookings.
I need to revamp my calls. Here is my thought.
"Hi Mary! This is John Watschke, your Pampered Chef Consultant. Do you have a few minutes to talk right now? Great. I am calling because I would love to give you free Pampered Chef Products. No tax, No shipping, just free!
And I can make it even better! You will not have to pay for food or beverages! I will do that for you. The only thing I need you to do is contact some friends for fun and food! That is it!" Of course I would go into further detail but hey, it should get their attention! HTH!

 

[LI Chick]

I think there is a misconception between the Pampered Chef style of business, and what some other Direct Sales companies do. The OP mentioned not having to submit sales, etc to stay 'active' and be able to place personal orders with Avon (?) I believe it was. I have heard of other companies like this. The way I see it with regards to that, is that the Pampered Chef company is in this as business. If they didn't have some sort of guidelines to insure that company consultants are not actively working their business, then everyone would just "sign up as consultants", to get the personal discount on their own orders, without ever really doing anything.

With the PC Business Model, they are in it to make money as a business should! And by doing so, they are encouraging consultants to make money (even if it isn't much sometimes!) and maybe even weeding out those who just want a nice discount. I am NOT saying the OP got into PC expecting this for herself, it sounds like she really wanted to make this work, and maybe still does. But when things get rough, and we all know they do, the lack of sales each month is handled differently with PC than with other companies.

Again, personally, I would take a break from the business for a few months, keep my eyes and ears open and regroup in awhile. There is nothing wrong with walking away. You can always come back when the timing is better. But if folks aren't buying, and there are no other opportunities that you can find in the area, what else can you do?

Here are two files (probably quite a bit duplicated, I haven't looked at them in awhile), that give different ways to get bookings/business. Maybe something will jump out at you (or anyone else looking for bookings)

"101 Ways to get Bookings"
"118 Ways to get Bookings"

Again, good luck.

And for everyone else, let's let this one die, shall we? Stop the nastiness on both sides. Feathers were ruffled, things were said. It's done. I really do hate it when threads go this way. As my WW leader says "STOP THE STINKIN THINKIN!"

Thanks for much for posting the how to get bookings files - I can't wait to read through them. It can be tough that is for sure - frustrating too. I had a party last night that ended with no bookings. Hard not to take personally when guests tell you a firm "no" right to your face.

All we can do is take a deep breath and get right back on the horse