**The "I'm Not Ordering" Guest**

[jenniwest04]

Hey, that guest needs to host a January show! Then she can earn more stuff for free and not have to spend ANY money!!! It's a win/win situation!!!

I just had a show on Sunday with a college student as a guest. She wasn't being rude, but using more of a disappointed tone with the demo upset that she LOVED the products but couldn't use "that" in the dorm room. I had a 4 page (2 pages front & back) attachment on my clipboards with all kinds of holiday gift basket ideas. I directed her to the one designed for college students and told her that those where all great items to have in the dorm room & why. She put evey one of those items on her order form & was HAPPY!!!

I'm curious on the "college dorm room" basket. That would be great to promo around graduation; I work at a college and have many contacts with the local high schools What's included in your idea? Microcooker...hmmm...I need to grab the catalog!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Thanks. Usually when people refer to me as wise it's followed by a 3-letter body part.

Yes, you are a very wise EYE!!! Very, very, very wise eye Miss Rae!

 

[raebates]

Yes, you are a very wise EYE!!! Very, very, very wise eye Miss Rae!

You know, I have a friend who says that a certain body part of mine is so smart that I can tell what flavor ice cream is just by sitting on it. I'm guessing you have that power, too.

 

[Sheila]

I'm curious on the "college dorm room" basket. That would be great to promo around graduation; I work at a college and have many contacts with the local high schools What's included in your idea? Microcooker...hmmm...I need to grab the catalog!

My list has these items:

#2776 Small Micro Cooker
#2758 Can Opener
#2233 Small Batter Bowl
#2997 i-slice
#2635 Mini-Whipper​

One of the guests told her that the nylon pan scrapers were really good for anything & EVERYTHING around the house ... including getting sticky stuff (from posters) off the wall. So she added them to her order as well.

The hostess was bragging about the Twixit Clips and how she could close up chips, crackers, etc. So she bought those too.

 

[susanr613]

To answer your question Ginny...there's a difference between people who are interested in the products but can't afford them, and people who are just yanking your chain. The ones who yank your chain have a certain body language that implies that you are lower than they are. After only a year, my chain yanking radar is well-tuned, but I still have to not let it aggravate me.

I offer the hosting opportunity to everyone and I try to offer the business opportunity to everyone. I have also been told that I am a good salesperson AND low-pressure. I have a non-ordering guest once every few shows, and I am ok with that. Fortunately, none of them have been as defensive and disrespectful as the one at Rennae's show.

Oh well, it can't be all flowers and sunshine right?

 

[gailz2]

My few non-ordering guests have been very civil about it and I have truly felt bad for some of them. I try to ignore the fact they aren't going to order and treat them like everyone else. I do offer the hosting to them, as well, and a couple have done this.

 

[LCOLACHICO]

I try to give the guests at my shows permission not to buy. It tends to eliminate the "I'm not buying" announcements from them, since they know that while I (and the host) appreciate the orders, nobody's going to force them to stay until they order. I've found that making it low-pressure like that can actually make some guests more receptive to placing an order, when they weren't planning to.

what do you say?? I get the idea but I would love to know your smooth way of doing it
thanks

 

[LCOLACHICO]

I get this a lot too. I think they do this so their friends think they are going to order a lot!

Sometimes they ask tons of questions (especially after the show when I am trying to take orders and assist those that ARE ordering) - then order NOTHING!

I hate that when they do it !!! I have to agree with the statement that they are trying to mk it looks as if they have a huge order.. .don't they stop and think ... the host will find out what I am ordering...
I have even had a guest tell me NOT to tell the host what she has ordered !!!
that was uncomfortable...

 

[chefann]

what do you say?? I get the idea but I would love to know your smooth way of doing it
thanks

Um, actual words? I ad-lib so much at my shows based on the vibe from the crowd that it's hard for me to type things out. Generally, I try to say something along the lines of:
Suzy Host is going to get so many things from The Pampered Chef as a thank you for opening her home. And while I'm sure she'd be thrilled if every one of you order a full set of cookware so that she gets credit for those sales, I recognize that that's not realistic. We all have budgets, and I don't want anyone to purchase something they're not actually going to use in their kitchen. If you find that you do have a large wish list, we can figure out after the demo which items you need right away, and which can wait until you have a chance to host and get to pick out free things.

After the demo, when I go over the order form, I point out the Round Up line, and say, "IF you place an order, you can choose to round the total up to the next dollar or more and those additional cents will be directed to Gleaners Food Bank." That "if" is very powerful.

 

[raebates]

People have often commented that they appreciate that I give permission not to order. No one feels pressured. (I think most of the time that pressure is self-induced, but that's a different discussion.) I say things like, "If you're ordering today . . ." That makes it clear that there will possibly be people who aren't. When I hand out the order forms at the end of the show, I say, "If you're not ordering today, be sure to put the order form in your holder so I can use it at my next party."

 

[Pams_kitchen]

That persn is a pain .... but I always tell them that they do not need to order but host a show and use your free monies and product towards your gift giving,, whether it is christmas, birthdays or new home.

 

[pamperedcheermom]

That's my experience, too. The line I've been using recently is...

"I am not a high pressure sales person so you don't need to rush to the door after I finish my recipe. I want everyone to hang around, visit with your friends and enjoy your time away tonight. If you end up placing an order, I will go over it with you if you need my help..."

something like that, anyway. I make sure I am animated with the rushing to the door thing and they always laugh. I just make it really light-hearted.

I LOVE that idea! I'm going to use it at my next show. I try to come across as being easy going and not pushy about PC. I do want them to order and be repeat customers but I know if I pester them to death they won't be. Thanks, I use that in February. All my January shows have cancelled!

 

[PC Angel]

I have had many shows where there is a lady in the crowd that seems to like to heckle.

1.) If you start out (after saying thanks to the host) and say "Who here likes to cook?" "Who here Doesn't".... this will give you an idea of who you will have to do some convincing too.

2.) I always remind the guests that the majority of Pampered Chef product is UNDER $ 25. Which is why I joined! "Ever been to a show where you spend $50 and only get 1 thing... with PC you can get 4-5 things for $25!

3.) I alway's say sometime during the show "Remember, if you don't cook anymore or have all your kitchen tools, Mothers/Fathers/B-Day/Weddings are coming up! Why not get that perfect gift for someone special!" - Just had a show this past weekend and one lady (who applied to above) bought 4 ice cream scoops + 3 Micro Scrapers as gifts for her family!!

If ALL ELSE FAILS..... tried, tested and proved..... give them a drawing gift (twixit, scraper) and say (while your smiling of course....)

OK..... IF I GIVE YOU THIS WILL YOU JUST ENJOY YOURSELF
TONIGHT!!!!??????

This will make everyone giggle and also get the heckler off your back!!! (Plus, she just might start to like you!!!!)

:thumbup:

 

[cookingwith_tara]

Angel, what a brillliant way to handle that situation. Kudos!

 

[dancedivine]

I am wondering how everyone else has/would deal with people who come to shows and proclaim loudly and many times "I'm not ordering anything". I had a show a couple of weeks ago and a girl that was there proclaimed about a dozen times that she was saving for Christmas or broke and wasn't going to buy anything.

It was very annoying!:grumpy: If you are not going to buy anything then don't! By about the 7th time I just wanted to scream "ok we got it now shut up girl!" I just kind of ignored it and went about the show as usual.

Anybody have anything that they say when this comes up?

I can relate - a little.... I have been the "I'm not ordering anything girl" at times - especially at parties where there really was nothing that I could find in the catalog that I felt comfortable spending the money on (especially those expensive Silpada parties!).... But, I try to let my hostess friend know up front that I am not interested in ordering anything. If she still wants me there - just for the company - then I'm there! But, I am certainly NOT going to sit there the whole time being all whiny & loudly proclaiming that I will not be buying anything. That is just plain rude!

So, how would I handle it? I would probably say something like, "Sorry you didn't find anything in the catalog that you're interested in. But, I'm really glad you could join us today. Let me know if you might be interested in hosting a show in the future so that you can earn some of these products for free!" And then, just leave it at that.... You very well can't just tell her to "shut up".. lol

 

[beepampered]

I respect that guests are going to consider our products when they go home. I often have them place an order although just as often they don't. I like warm bodies there so that there isn't pressure to buy something that you don't really want. Small shows are no fun for anyone so an extra body is okay in my opinion.

A rude guest like that is hard to handle. I would probably tell her that I was calling her in the fall to book her own show. Then, the next time she said it, I'd tell her that she could get xxx free by hosting her own show. Then, the NEXT time she said it, I'd say that she could earn it free in addition to earning a commission as a consultant. Then, the NEXT time she said it, I might say, "Suzy, the host, is glad everyone else is shopping tonight so that she can earn xxxx."

What I don't like is when people bring products they don't have a receipt to and me to wave a magic wand and get it replaced even though they called HO and were told NO.....

 

[DebbieSAChef]

I think these people are rude and really annoying. I have never gone to a home party type show with the intention of not ordering. If I didn't want to order I wouldn't go and I definitely would not show up just for the free food. I have had those types of guests come to my show and one lady in particular was really loud and obnoxious and guess what the host was serving? Alcohol, that didn't help the situation. I was calm and just said:
"Well thank you for coming anyway, I hope you enjoy the recipes we prepared and maybe after the demonstration you'll find at least one or two things that you might like to add to your kitchen. I don't pressure anyone to buy anything at my shows. For me personally I love Pampered Chef and always came to shows with a set budget of what I could spend, but not everyone is familiar with our products. I hope after I am done you will come up and try the products for yourself. These products sell themselves and so please don't feel like you have to tell me you aren't going to buy anything throughout the show. It's ok. Thank you for coming!"
Debbie

 

[Erica-Nichols]

I don't say anything b/c she just wants attention.

I also have the ones who say "I'll order on the website when I get home."...Really? No you won't. You're not gonna hurt my feelings if you don't order something, so don't lie to me. I've never had someone say they're gonna order later and then actually do it.

I'm not sure I agree with this. At the show I went to I said that I was going to order on the website when I got home. So I went home and ordered over a hundred dollars worth of products. Now that I'm a consultant I'd really like to get one of the personal websites for people like me who'd rather do it that online than at the party.

 

[cherylsam]

I told my "I'm not ordering" guest that I didn't want her to feel left out and I gave her a wish list and asked her to fill this out instead of the order form because we always have specials and she'd certainly want to be notified when her favorite products will be 60% off...7 months later she had a huge party right before Christmas and I was glad I kept her in the loop.

 

[diradt]

OK I have a question: I know this sounds petty but catalogs cost money and I recently did a show where almost every guest took the catalog AND folder home with them. Obviously having the catalog out there is fine but I know these people put them in the trash when they got home. Someone even TOOK my copy of Season's Best! I didn't know of a classy way of getting it back so I chalked up that dollar. LOL.

So my question is how do you get the catalogs back from guests without sounding nuts?? If someone acts directly to keep it that is fine. Any ideas ....or should I just let it go?

 

[raebates]

Honestly, I just let it go. I'm shocked at the number of people who call me weeks or months later because they have my contact info from the catalog they took from a show.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I go over my folder contents at the beginning of the show. I use manila folders. I tell them that they are welcome to keep the folder, and anything in the folder, if they want to keep it, or pass it on to someone else. But that if they are just going to throw it away, then they can hand it back in to me when I help them with their order at the end of the evening.

 

[chefann]

I tell people that the folders are mine, but they can keep anything in the folder. If, however, they don't need a catalog, please leave it in the pocket so that I can recycle it for another show.

 

[mrshamel3808]

What I don't like is when people bring products they don't have a receipt to and me to wave a magic wand and get it replaced even though they called HO and were told NO.....

I'm a new consultant (2 shows under my belt) but heard a GREAT testimonial from a friend. She had a PC wedding shower 7 years ago and got the stainless steel cookware. Well just recently, one of the pans warped somehow and the lid no longer fit. She didn't have the receipt anymore but she called the consultant who had hosted the shower and she had kept all her records from that far back! So they were able to call the HO and got her pan replaced! I'm definitely going to keep my receipts, and I'm glad I got that tip so early in my business!

 

[raebates]

Congratulations on completing your first 2 shows. Thankfully the computer keeps all of that for us. Plus, the HO can look it up if the guest knows the state and the host's (not necessarily the consultant's) name. Chances are that since the HO had already said no the item beepamered was talking about was out of warranty. or the person couldn't remember when/where she got it. In either of those cases the consultant having the info wouldn't make a difference.I'm just concerned that you might keep hard copies of everything for the next 25 years. LOL!

 

[MWCOOKIN]

OK I have a question: I know this sounds petty but catalogs cost money and I recently did a show where almost every guest took the catalog AND folder home with them. Obviously having the catalog out there is fine but I know these people put them in the trash when they got home. Someone even TOOK my copy of Season's Best! I didn't know of a classy way of getting it back so I chalked up that dollar. LOL.

So my question is how do you get the catalogs back from guests without sounding nuts?? If someone acts directly to keep it that is fine. Any ideas ....or should I just let it go?

YOU MAY WANT TO RECONSIDER!!!!! I HAVE HAD PRE & TEENAGE GIRLS ASK FOR A CATALOG AND I LET THEM HAVE IT. I HAVE BEEN BOOKING WEDDING REGISTRIES AND PARTIES AND EVEN RE-CRUITED 2 GIRLS WHEN THEY REACH THE AGE OF 18 OR ARE ENGAGED. THE SAYING MAY BE WHAT YOU DO TODAY AFFECTS YOUR BUSINESS 3 MONTHS FROM NOW BUT GIRLS BECOME WOMEN SO TODAY CAN AFFECT 3 YEARS FROM NOW!!!!

I ALSO HAD A LADY CALL ME ABOUT A FUNDRAISER SHE SAW MY CATALOG IN THE RECYCLE TRASH AT WORK (BY THE WAY IT WAS AN $11,000. FUNDRAISER!!!:chef:

 

[jbdowd0798]

I give everyone, teens included, a guest packet. It makes them feel special, included in the conversations, and more importantly THEY are cooking at home, THEY are learning to bake, THEY will want to know how to use the tools their parents buy. A lot of times the moms talk with the girls about what THEY want to buy, and what they would use it for, etc. So include EVERYONE!!!!

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

I always say, "No worries", your company is what we really wanted. I explain that the point of the show is to give everyone an excuse to get together and relax and catch up. I tell everyone that I want them to buy something, but ONLY if they're going to use it. I state that I watch my money, and want to make sure they too get their money's worth. I finish up by saying that I will be calling to find out what they've done with their purchase. Most people like the idea that fun is more vital than sales, and allows everyone to relax and enjoy themselves. This usually results in some type of purchase.....even if they combine their order with someone else to save money. Once they have a PC item, it seems to become an addiction resulting in more orders and more shows.

 

[maassl]

Because of our extremely limited budget I never had money to buy anything at any of the home parties I went to when my husband was in college but I was very thankful that the consultants and my friends welcomed me anyway so I feel for the people who come just to get a night out away from their kids and don't have any money to spend! I really think that if the consultant at my first Pampered Chef party that I went to did everything that we are supposed to do (offer business opportunity/ hosting benefits/ followed up with me) I probably would have signed years ago but they didn't so I didn't for too long. Sorry you had such a rude guest. I am sure that the hostess was embarrassed. I think that there have been some good suggestions on this thread that I am going to use at my shows.