Two Guests? Don't Give Up Your Party!

[leannvv]

Do you have a minimun number of guests you'll have a show for?
I had a party that was supposed to be for 6-8 and turned into 2 the day prior- I really wanted her to re-schedule, but didn't know what I should do/say that close in! Suggestions? This was 25 minutes away and on a Saturday afternoon, so I really hated to give it up for 2 guests!

 

[jaye]

If someone only had two, I would ask her to reschedule. But, I don't have a minimum. I have had shows where the person says that they have 10, and they only have 2 show... so it's a hard call.... Maybe see if she can turn it into a catalog show?

 

[chefkristin]

I would have let her know that it would only qualify if the sales end up at $150.00. If it was more than a half an hour drive I would tell her to reschedule. I have only had a couple shows end up with noone but I think I might start telling people a minumum unless of course there are outside orders involved. You could always ask her to change it to a catalog show and give her the rest of the month to get more orders. It will only increase her benefits.

 

[leannvv]

I already did it. Fortunately she got another 3 orders, but is still only at $228!

 

[chefkristin]

I already did it. Fortunately she got another 3 orders, but is still only at $228!

Have you closed the show yet? You can see if you can round up some more orders to add to the show or ask her to. Sorry about that.

 

[jrstephens]

I do not have a minimum. I have done several shows with only 2 or 3 guest there. They have turned out good b/c the host collected outside orders. Although I love bigger crowds and bigger orders, I do not want to tell my host that is not enough for me to do a show b/c I do not want them to think they are not just as important to me as my host that have lots of people and orders. Especially because having been a host myself, I know they feel just as bad if not worse than I do about the turn out b/c they are wanting a lot of free stuff.

 

[missmarie41]

On my recipe ingredients list that I give in host packets, I state that with less than 8 guests I'll make 1 recipe, with 8 or more I'll make 2 recipes. It's like telling them that I expect more people.

 

[Kathytnt]

I don't do a minimum but I hope that they got some outside orders.

 

[rennea]

My friend does "home" shows all the time and a lot of the people she has delt with from other companies have set a number to how many people there needs to be before they will do shows. Interesting idea! Don't know if it would work.

 

[jaye]

Well, on top of the fact that I would hate to go through a bunch of work and get nothing out of it. I would hate for my host to go through a bunch of work and get nothing out of it.However, I would probably just still hope for the best. I have a show on Thursday and I have no idea what the turnout is going to be. I pray for the bookings tho!

 

[DebbieJ]

It depends where the show is. An hours drive for two guests is not my idea of fun and I would probably ask her to do a catalog show at that point.

It's really at your discretion.

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

I don't have a minimum. I want my hosts to feel like they are important whether they have 2 guests or 20.

 

[lisacb77]

It's hard b/c they could have a lot of RSVPs and no one shows. I did see somewhere on here that a director packs it up if only 2 show.

I am going to start doing express shows so that way, I'm about done with the "work" if there's a poor turnout. That way I can just walk them through the catalog, serve and start packing. I've done enough cooking shows that I don't need to "practice" on 2 ppl b/c they tend to be less attentive anyway.

 

[Chefgirl2]

I was just going to post about what happened tonight at my show when I saw this!

I drove over 70 miles to my show tonight! When I got there the hostess was saying she wasn't sure who might be coming...she ended up with only a neighbor and the past host! I "joked" with her asking "Did she know how far away I live?"

Well, I made the best of it! I said we weren't going to do a regular show so tell me...What does this bowl do?, What about the chopper?, Why does everyone need a stone? The past host was ON IT! I gave her the "Experience Success" flyer. Asked her "If you were going to work a part time job with this how many days a week would you want to work?" She replied "One, maybe two." I made myself not throw up information on her, and I left with her signed agreement form!

Needless to say, I am very glad that I did not cancel because it was so far away and only two guest were attending! YEAH!!!!

 

[cookingwithlove]

I would do the show. Especially if she has over $200 in outside orders. You have to remain possitive. What if one of the people coming wants all new cookware or a bunch of stoneware? Or just bought a new house and needs all new stuff for the kitchen? What if one of the guests is looking for a new part time job? Whenever this happens, I take the opportunity to try some new stuff or a different way of doing a show. Sometimes I make them participate in the demo so they can use the stuff. Which is a lot easier to do with a small group of people. Your host can still collect some outside orders and turn it into a great show and you never know about the opportunities that you may have loss.

 

[yummy4tummy]

I would do a show as well with no minimum. Like was mentioned before, you have to have some consideration for your host too. I have traveled over 300 miles for shows. It is a tax deduction for me (although my TD's right now are far more plentiful than my commissions). The host gets nothing for all her time and effort he/she put into a show if it is a non show. I totally understand your frustrations however, customer service is just that...and she is still a customer.
Valky

 

[Muppetgal]

My cousin did a show for me and I told her I needed 10 to make a good go at it (she is family so I was able to sort of ask her for specifics). Anyway, other than my aunt and her two other people showed up...so in reality 2 guests. Both became booking leads and both spent nearly £100 each, so not at all a bad night. I got some good practice in and had a fun night.

If I ever show up to a small show (did one last week with 4 guests) I use it as an opportunity to try out some new things as it's not so stressful.

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I don't have a minmum for show attendance, I have had three people at a show and had a $500 dollar show....... anyless than three I recommend to the hostess that a catalog show would probley be best.. or trying to rescudule it for a differnt date if possible!!