Stupid, Stupid Order Entering Mistakes

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants sharing their experiences with mistakes made during order entry in their Pampered Chef businesses. Many contributors recount similar errors and the challenges they faced in correcting them, highlighting the commonality of such experiences in the community.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared an experience of double charging customers due to entering orders twice, expressing feelings of embarrassment and concern about customer reactions.
  • Another participant mentioned a method of organizing orders to avoid mistakes, noting that distractions can lead to errors.
  • Several users discussed their own order entry mistakes, such as forgetting to add shipping costs or making calculation errors, and how they handled those situations with customers.
  • One participant shared a humorous anecdote about a mistake that led to a misunderstanding with a customer, emphasizing the importance of double-checking quantities.
  • Another participant suggested entering any extra costs as "consultant gifts" for tax purposes, reflecting on the financial aspects of mistakes.
  • Several contributors noted that mistakes are common, especially for those new to the business, and emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that mistakes are a common occurrence in order entry and that they can be managed with honesty and communication. However, there are differing views on the best methods to prevent such errors and how to handle them when they occur.

Contextual Notes

Many participants shared personal anecdotes that reflect the challenges of multitasking and the pressures of managing orders, particularly in a direct sales environment. The experiences shared highlight the learning curve associated with order entry in the Pampered Chef business.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for new consultants or those experiencing similar challenges with order entry, as it provides a range of personal experiences and coping strategies from fellow community members.

mindyanne44
Messages
19
So tonight I found out from a host that one of the guests at her show got double charged and sure enough it was me who entered this person's order into P3 twice. Not only that, I did it to another customer too. There were 17 orders on this party. I just double checked myself to death I think.

Anyone else been this stupid before? I hope that it all gets fixed okay. I called the home office and know what I need to do to get these people their refunds. I just feel like a total idiot. I called the host back and let her know what we'll need to do, and plan on calling the customer tomorrow (the other one that I caught is on the host's credit card and she was going to collect payment later, so there's no reason for that person to ever know).

I'm just hoping that the host (who also does direct sales) didn't hang up with me after I called her back and say 'what a freaking dimwit'. She sounded sort of abrupt, but she always sounds like that so who knows.
 
I enter one order, and move the form to a separate pile. Maybe that will help you in the future? You can also sort by name and double check that there are not duplicates too. (((hugs))) Mistakes happen. Especially with distractions. I've found that I can't hold & feed my son while entering orders. I tend to typo addresses when I do that.
 
In everyone of my shows, while checking people out, I always manage to charge the tax on the order including the shipping, but on at least 1 from everyshow, I forget to add the shipping back into the total price...I have eaten way too many shipping charges- without getting the credit for it either! So I know how annoying it is to make mistakes on orders!!
 
Oh I'm so sorry.

I tend to make adding errors which is dumb since I use a calculator. Depending on the mistake I will call the customer and tell them "Sorry, I am apparently calculator-challenged and I made an error on your order...your correct total is..." Of all the times I've called the customer on it, not a single one has been upset with me and in many cases they've already noticed the error themselves.

But occasionally I make errors that I decide aren't worth calling customers and I eat the difference. For example, at one show I completely blanked on the tax rate and the host didn't have her note that I gave her about her tax rate...I had an idea what it was so I went with it. I was off by .5% so I ate the difference on all the orders, thankfully it was just change but still it added up. But I felt like that wasn't a mistake I could call all the guests on and change - I should have written it down before I went to the show, not just relied on my memory.

The nice thing is, you can bet you'll be more careful in the future and not make that mistake again! We all try to multi-task sometimes and mistakes happen. Apologize, correct it as quickly as you can, maybe consider making a customer service gesture (free shipping or 10% discount on next order), and assure them you've learned your lesson and won't make that mistake again, and then let it go!
 
Mistakes happen and I bet the host who is also in DS can tell you some real whoppers!

I swapped shows with a PartyLite lady (worked out great, btw) and after the guests had left, a few of her team members hung around. OMG the stories I heard! Look at it this way: At least you didn't set anyone's carpet on fire!!:eek:
 
Anytime you make a mistake and have to cover the extra cost yourself, always enter it as "consultant gift". Then at least it's deductible at tax time.
 
Oh that stinks! I'm sorry that happened. Don't beat yourself up over it, though. Mistakes happen...especially when we're new at something. I made so many mistakes when I first started. I'm a little better now, but still...things can go wrong here and there. The important thing is to learn from it and try to figure out ways to avoid doing them again. When things go wrong, I try to be honest about it and the guest/host is usually understanding. As long as we try to smooth it over and fix it as best we can and make up for it (free SB or rub or other door prize), then you have to forgive yourself and move on.(((hugs)))
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
I think part of the problem is that some things got entered at the party, some things the next day and some things a few days later, as they trickled in and then I was double checking several times to make sure everything was in and then didn't even think to double check that things were in twice. And I use a tiny laptop, so they weren't on the screen at the same time.I've eaten SO many tax charges because it changes by %.05 within a few miles of here. I don't even count that as an error because most of the time it was when they did the figuring and its usually pennies.
 
We've all made those kinds of mistakes at one time or another. The HO will be able to fix everything. Once you make sure you have some sort of system in place to avoid this happening again in the future, forgive yourself and move on.
 
After I enter each customer's order, I put a check mark next to the total so I know the computer agreed with my calculations and I know that I've entered the order. If there is a small error (less than $1.00) I usually just enter the difference as consultant gift. As has been said on here many times before, we are Pampered Chefs, not Perfect Chefs, which I guess could apply to our calculation skills at times! Don't worry about it.
 
I did a show at the end of July where a lady and her sister placed their order together. They ordered 2 kernel cutters but I only ordered 1. I filled out the totals on the sales receipts not noticing that I had missed this. I get a call from my host about this and look at my receipts and realize what I had done. I saw the sister at my show last Friday and she asked me about it and I had my laptop so I showed her what I did and that they only paid for one kernel cutter. She calls her sister to see if she wants to order one and I get on the phone to explain to her what happend. The lady would not believe me. She said I charged her for 2 when I didn't. She told me my math was bad lol. She would not listen when I was trying to explain what happened and that she was only charged for 1. But according to her math (and what I wrote on her receipt) that she was charged for 2. She basically accused me of stealing and hung up on me lol. Her sister said she was a very mean person and she was right! I have learned to double check quantities!!!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common order entering mistakes in direct sales?

Common order entering mistakes include entering incorrect quantities, selecting the wrong product variants (like size or color), misplacing customer information, failing to apply discounts or promotions, and not double-checking the shipping address before finalizing the order.

How can I avoid making order entering mistakes?

To avoid mistakes, always double-check your entries before submitting an order. Use a checklist to ensure all details are correct, confirm customer information with them, and take your time to review each order. Additionally, utilizing software tools that flag errors can be beneficial.

What should I do if I realize I've made a mistake after submitting an order?

If you realize you've made a mistake after submitting an order, contact your customer service representative or the order processing team immediately. Provide them with the order number and details of the mistake so they can assist you in correcting it as quickly as possible.

Can order entering mistakes affect customer satisfaction?

Yes, order entering mistakes can significantly impact customer satisfaction. Incorrect orders can lead to delays, wrong products being delivered, and increased frustration for both the customer and the seller. It's essential to minimize these errors to maintain a positive relationship with customers.

What tools or resources can help reduce order entering mistakes?

Using order management software that includes validation features can help reduce mistakes. Additionally, training sessions for team members on best practices for order entry, as well as creating a standardized process for entering orders, can also be effective in minimizing errors.

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