Unforgettable First "Total Strangers" House Party - My Experience and Learnings

[sassypip]

Oh my!! I get really paranoid about my house and having ppl over cause I'm not Susie Homemaker! I can clean, but I have a lot of clutter, and I don't always dust baseboards and such. But never FILTH, I wipe and dust and of all things keep my kitchen clean! For my Grand Opening, I even wiped down walls lol I was so paranoid, and then hid clutter in another room cause I was too tired to go through it. This is the one, and sometimes only impression of you, that's how you want to be percieved?!

Same here! WIth having 6 kids, there is always something somewhere that needs picked up, but I do try to keep it CLEAN! LOL! I totally get the wall wiping thing too. I have a 2 year old that thinks the world is his canvas, so my walls always have some sort of mark, handprint etc. If I am having a party though, I make sure the place is tidy and clean. I am sure my standard of clean is different form others, but this house was just gross. My husband is always ranting because the kids leave messes here and there and thinks our house is a mess. After a few of the houses I have been too, I am feeling much better.

I did not get any bookings either, which is fine with me because of the rude factor I really did not want to deal with any of them anyways. It is not worth it.

 

[lt1jane]

I can't tell you how often I've had a show that is $300 when I left the house. By the time we closed, it was double that. I have found if they have a few more days to drum up orders, they do. It motivates them because they have something they want to buy. One such party the host's sister (the past host) wanted the stainless steel mixing bowls, but the party had to reach $650. The past host went to work and drummed up $300 in sales so she could get the mixing bowls at 60% off. Then she booked ANOTHER party!! When I met her, she told me she doesn't cook and was only doing the party because her sister wanted her to. She basically ordered her free products and that was it. Now that she has some products and is using them, she's hooked!! She said she hasn't been cooking because she doesn't have good tools to use.

When I was a hostess, I never wanted to close the night of the show. Personally, I liked knowing what level my sales were at and THEN going through the catalog to figure out my purchases.

 

[colegrovet]

If you don't have THAT type of party at some point of your PC business.. your not doing enough parties!!
I did one in a row home in Baltimore, in late spring, no AC, hotess invited 10.. all 10 showed along with each bringing 1-2 guests!!! the living room the living room had 2 chest freezers in it, along with dining room table. and we packed... yes packed 22 guests along with hostess, boyfriend, and mother into that room.. Her cat's were not happy with that many people.
Turned out to be a great show.. with many bookings!

 

[Hunter Mom]

Worst show ever - we did it at a bank because she didn't want it at her house. In a small town an hour from home. She shows up DRUNK. At 11 am. For an 11 am show. With only part of the ingredients. In a small town without a grocery store.

Did my best with what I had, and turned out ok. Got a booking. Host #1 said she sent me an order for Host #2 when she closed her own show. Host #2 never followed through and hosted. Host #1 calls PC (never called me) to demand her $10 back from the order she said she placed. I get a nasty call from PC. I called her and never could reach her. Figured if she wanted ot send me a copy of her check I'd gladly reimburse her, but she never did. Because it didn't exist.