Submit Orders Earlier in the Month...ha!

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

This thread explores the challenges and experiences of Pampered Chef consultants regarding the timing of order submissions, particularly the tendency for many orders to be submitted at the end of the month. Participants share their personal experiences with hosts and the impact on their business practices.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions submitting orders as soon as hosts are ready, rather than intentionally delaying them.
  • Another participant shares their experience of waiting for a host to provide funds for closing a show, highlighting the difficulties in getting timely responses from hosts.
  • Several users note that the holiday season affects scheduling, with many hosts preferring to wait until after January to hold shows.
  • One participant expresses frustration with hosts who delay closing shows, impacting the timing of order submissions.
  • Another participant discusses the idea of a commission bonus for early submissions, suggesting it might motivate consultants to close shows sooner.
  • One participant reflects on the challenges faced by warehouse staff during peak order times, emphasizing the need for better planning from the company.
  • Another consultant shares their strategy of closing shows quickly to avoid delays for guests, noting that it helps distribute orders more evenly throughout the month.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the company's ability to manage order influxes, comparing it to retail practices.
  • Another participant acknowledges the speed of Pampered Chef's order fulfillment compared to other companies, sharing positive experiences with shipping times.
  • One participant describes their frustration with hosts who delay closing shows, impacting the overall process.
  • Another participant suggests that the email from the company was likely a response to complaints about shipping times, rather than a directive for consultants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the reasons for delays in order submissions and the effectiveness of the company's planning. While some express frustration with hosts, others emphasize that they do not intentionally hold orders.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects the personal experiences of consultants navigating the complexities of host interactions and order timing, particularly during busy periods.

Who May Find This Useful

This thread may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants looking to understand common challenges related to order submissions and host management.

I submitted one Feb 15th and 2 boxes shipped on the 19th and the other 2 shipped on the 20th. Still a 5 day turn around and it was not the end of the month. I think no matter what they will always get more on the last day of a commission period during the month.
 
pampchefrhondab said:
I think there are several different things they can do to help with this problem. First, they could plan on working the first weekend after the end of the month if it is late in the week. Jan. 31 was on a Thursday. If the orders came in at midnight that only gave them one day to work on them and then two days off. No wonder it took so long to get orders out. Not to mention they had consultants ordering new spring products/supplies.Another thing they could do is let us keep our commission up front and only issue us checks for the upper levels and bonuses. Example my show total is $475, I would only have to send in $370.50 (plus tax/shipping charges). I would keep my 22% commission up front. If I knew I was going to get $104.50 the day the show closes I would be pushing for it to close as soon as possible. If I know I'm not going to get my money until the 8th of the next month I don't really have a big incentive to get it in sooner. This is the way many DS companies do it. This does not mean I try to hold my shows until the end of the month by any means. I like to close them as soon as possible. I have a host who had a show a week and a half ago I have called about 6 times to try and close her show. Although I don't think I'll get her to close it until her Mom gets back from a cruise. They did the show together. The Mom did a great job getting her orders in before the trip (the show was Mon. and she left Thurs.), but she gave everything to her daughter who was collecting orders herself since none of her friends showed up the night of the show. I don't think we will know what the Mom wants to order for free and 60% off until she returns now.I have another host MIA from last month! She is only at $187 and was trying to get to $350 because I had offered a $25 bonus for a $350 show. I have called her about 6 times as well. It's just crazy. I'm going to try to reach her again today. If I don't reach her I'll be sending her an email stating I'm sending in the orders I have received payment for (which aren't enough to equal a show) on Monday. Hopefully this will get her to finish! I didn't get any bookings from this show so I don't care if I make her mad at this point.
Click to expand...
I think a lot of other DS companies may be changing that policy and I would prefer not to do that. It would cause an accounting nightmare. Receipts and 1099s would not accurately reflect the movement of money and the IRS could have a field day if they wanted!
 
janetupnorth said:
I think a lot of other DS companies may be changing that policy and I would prefer not to do that. It would cause an accounting nightmare. Receipts and 1099s would not accurately reflect the movement of money and the IRS could have a field day if they wanted!
Click to expand...

Yes, I did this for a brief misguided period as a college student selling Jafra Skincare......it isn't as great as it sounds....and usually, the companies that do that also require host gifts, etc....to come out of the $$ that you keep.
 
jrstephens said:
I submitted one Feb 15th and 2 boxes shipped on the 19th and the other 2 shipped on the 20th. Still a 5 day turn around and it was not the end of the month. I think no matter what they will always get more on the last day of a commission period during the month.
Click to expand...
I think that they had that longer turn around time this month because of all the last minute orders due to the incentive deadlines (and all the other reasons above mentioned) and the fact that the weather has been aweful in that part of the country. It used to take ALL orders almost 2 weeks so even 5 day turn around it fabulous!

I submit shows as I get payment and I remind my hosts that everyone wants their stuff ASAP but some just won't do it on our schedule.

PC just sent that out to remind us to try. There are a LOT of consultants who do send all their shows in on the last day of the month every month. The email was a way to try to get them to change their practice without making them feel too bad - and to explain why they haven't achieved the 48 hour turn around we have gotten used to.

I could be wrong but I do think the order processing department works on the first Saturday of the month. Also, I believe that's why our supply/sample orders are slower - they move people over to process show orders during that time. But as Janet said, the belts can hold just so much - it still has to go through the system one box at a time per belt. They recently expanded that area too. We are just too spoiled. :p
 
I'm guessing that January is especially bad about shows bunched up at the end of the month. That's why they offer extra incentives for early January shows.
 
janetupnorth said:
I think a lot of other DS companies may be changing that policy and I would prefer not to do that. It would cause an accounting nightmare. Receipts and 1099s would not accurately reflect the movement of money and the IRS could have a field day if they wanted!
Click to expand...

I do not want ANYTHING different that would cause more complications with the IRS!!! I already worry enough about messing that up!:D
 
BethCooks4U said:
I think that they had that longer turn around time this month because of all the last minute orders due to the incentive deadlines (and all the other reasons above mentioned) and the fact that the weather has been aweful in that part of the country. It used to take ALL orders almost 2 weeks so even 5 day turn around it fabulous!

I submit shows as I get payment and I remind my hosts that everyone wants their stuff ASAP but some just won't do it on our schedule.

PC just sent that out to remind us to try. There are a LOT of consultants who do send all their shows in on the last day of the month every month. The email was a way to try to get them to change their practice without making them feel too bad - and to explain why they haven't achieved the 48 hour turn around we have gotten used to.

I could be wrong but I do think the order processing department works on the first Saturday of the month. Also, I believe that's why our supply/sample orders are slower - they move people over to process show orders during that time. But as Janet said, the belts can hold just so much - it still has to go through the system one box at a time per belt. They recently expanded that area too. We are just too spoiled. :p
Click to expand...

I wasn't complaining just pointing out that I think no matter if they were to change deadlines like some are suggesting would help that some people will always wait until the last minute to turn them in no matter what.

I, too, turn mine in as soon as I receive full payment - I want that to be one less thing on my mind! I always feel stressed if for some reason I have a couple of shows to turn in at the same time :D
 
I'm guilty of turning in 4 shows the last day of January. But all 4 of those shows were held within a week of Jan 31st - so the closing date wasn't out of line. I had 9 shows in January - and they were all between the 14th & 31st. Of course I was going to push to close by the 31st, that extra 1500 point bonus was on the line! Really, if they give an incentive like that in the month of January, when most shows are held later in the month - they should expect a crazy busy end of month! Sorry, but I'm just not feeling the sympathy. Although, because of this, I also assume that shows are going to ship slower, and I let all of my hosts who closed on the 31st know that their show was going to take a few days longer than normal. It was no big deal for any of them.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
I let all of my hosts who closed on the 31st know that their show was going to take a few days longer than normal. It was no big deal for any of them.
Click to expand...

Mine never seem to mind either b/c we already ship faster than most companies I know. I ordered from Princess House in January and I think it took 3 weeks or more for me to get my stuff. And my direct ship order from TW took a little over 2 weeks too.

I will admit I got frustrated with waiting for my Samples and Supplies but normally I have no problem with the shipping of shows. Unless of course I am having a pregnant day and therefore not happy with ANYTHING!:D :eek: :D
 
Well, my host that has been holding her show open for 2 weeks b/c she had 5-7 people that were going to order just called mad b/c none of them are now ordering. I was having to console her - she was really wanting to get to the next level. She still had an awesome show though!
 
I find that I end of scheduling my shows in waves and the most end up at the end of the month. Somehow, when I discuss another date with people, they always want the last week. Therefore, I'm closing the show and the end of the month.

HO could "control" our behavior a bit more by changing the incentive dates. I never hold a show or close it early based on commission. I figure it all evens out in the end. I do, however, close shows in a more timely manner if I have an incentive to earn. Change that date and I'll change my close date as well....
 
beepampered said:
I find that I end of scheduling my shows in waves and the most end up at the end of the month. Somehow, when I discuss another date with people, they always want the last week. Therefore, I'm closing the show and the end of the month.

HO could "control" our behavior a bit more by changing the incentive dates. I never hold a show or close it early based on commission. I figure it all evens out in the end. I do, however, close shows in a more timely manner if I have an incentive to earn. Change that date and I'll change my close date as well....
Click to expand...

You know you don't have to close out the show at the end of the month you held the show, right? The only reason to do that is so you can get paid on your commission on the 8th of the next month instead of the 22nd. A lot of people get this confused.

I agree that incentive points have a lot to do with it, too, but with proper planning, you can avoid closing shows on the last day. I always tell my hosts that I won't close their show on the last day of the month and risk that they'll have something missing from their order - that gets them to close out quickly and before the last day! :)
 
Oh, and I meant to add that, to avoid booking all of your shows at the end of the month, don't show your potential host a "blank calendar" to pick a show. I always have the dates I want to book shows circled in my calendar, then hand it to them and tell them to pick a circled date. I've also heard that it works well when you mention the earlier date LAST (I'm available March 31st and March 15th) - they tend to go with the one you suggest second (weird psychology, I know, but it works!) :)
 
That is interesting stuff Cathy. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

It Wont Let Me Submit a Kit Enhancement
  • LilChefBeth
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
4
Views
2K
esavvymom
Can I Order September Specials Through Individual Orders?
  • JanisF
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
4
Views
3K
AnaCash
Should I Submit the Show or Wait for Payment?
  • pamperedchef.carol
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
8
Views
2K
pamperedchef.carol
Trying to Submit a Show and Can't!
  • elizabethfox
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
4
Views
2K
AnaCash
When Is the Last Day I Can Submit a Feb. Show?
  • dancedivine
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
9
Views
2K
raebates
Maximizing Your Cooking Show Orders - Understanding the Importance of Copy PWS
  • virgomama
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
7
Views
2K
DebbieJ
Taking Online Orders Now for April Show?
  • dancedivine
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
4
Views
1K
AnaCash
Will I Go Inactive If I Submit My Orders Late?
  • rennea
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
5
Views
1K
missydivine
Trouble with Entering Aug. Host Special Orders in P3?
  • straitfan
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
2
Views
2K
toastnthekitchen
How Do I Correctly Submit a Tax-Exempt Show on a Native American Reservation?
  • ltricarico
    • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
5
Views
3K
scottcooks
Back
Top