What We Would Like to Say to Some Hosts....

[Susan M]

Pat reminded me of this one from last summer at 1 p.m. and an hour from home:

No really? You invited everyone tonight for a birthday party and told them at the last minute to come early for a Pampered Chef Party? And did you really think they wanted to be in this god forsaken dump for more than 20 minutes? You could have at least picked up that moldy whatever off the counter! And then you wonder why no one showed up for the Pampered Chef Party? And if I had wanted to cater your dang party I would have baked a cake! Of course I would have immediately applied it to your face!

That is so funny - I had the same thing happen to me. She had an actual birthday party the same day scheduled right after my party - she had all kinds of things everywhere giving me no room to move - then she had the audacity to let a family member sell AVON while I was there in the other room doing a demo - people kept getting up and going to the other room - then they started decorating for this party while I was in the middle of my demo. Arggghhhh!!!!!!

 

[LauriChick]

Is it THAT hard to pick up the phone, send an email or even a text message?!

I KNOW that you get my emails on your black berry (because it says sent from my blackberry), take three seconds to email me back!!

 

[pampered1224]

Do they think we are bill collectors or what? I will never understand that!
AND THE PACKERS RULE RAE!!!! SUPER BOWL HERE WE COME!!!!OOOOO THE DEVIL MADE ME SAY IT!!!

 

[NooraK]

Another of my favorites is when someone calls you all excited and states "I want to have a show!!!" So I see what dates are available and tell them. They state let me run the dates past my friends and see what's good. OK well you haven't called me back and I've left three messages to see which date you want. Hellooooo you called me to have the show, you intitiated the call.....grow up and say you changed your mind you can't avoid me forever because guess what I'm gonna keep calling you!!!

I tell them straight out: Not everyone will be able to come on any given date anyway, so the best thing is to pick a date for the two people that have to be there: you and me. If you start asking your friends if they'd like to come to a show, and whether a certain date will work, you'll get a lot of negative response. If you (excitedly) tell them you've booked a show, they'll get excited with you. If it turns out that some of the key people you really want to be there can't make it, we can always reschedule.

Thanks for booking your show and thanks for doing such a great job inviting everyone - 25 attendees - But No thanks for getting pre-sliced cheese because you thought it would be easier, and the pre-minced Garlic to help me out - Oh did I mention thanks for all the wine that everyone drank and 3 DHs had to be called to drive them home and the 6 people who didn't know this was a PC show and thought it was just a get together, so did not purchase anything. -- Whew for 25 people you would think that she would at least hit $500 in sales.

When I provide the recipe ingredients to my host, I specify on there, in writing, what exactly I need. "Block cheese so we can demonstrate the grater" or "Clove of garlic so we can demonstrate the Garlic Press". You'll want to go over it in host coaching, too, but if it's written on the list they most likely print to take to the grocery store with them, you're more likely to get the right ingredients.

 

[LauriChick]

Force me to leave you this message when you book and refuse to get in touch with me at all before your show:
" Hi this is Lauri from PC, I'm looking forward to your show on Friday night, I will be picking up the ingredients for you since I couldn't get in touch with you and you can reimburse me for them when I arrive at 6:30, see you then!"

Or refuse to get in touch with me to let me close your show because you got drunk that night:
"Hi this is Lauri from PC, Im calling to let you know I need to close your show by 7pm tonight, if I do not hear from you by 7pm I will choose your free products for you and submit it tonight."

I have actually used the second line before. The host wasnt drunk at her show but she had other orders, coming and never got in touch over a week after. Then never called me back. Left this message and got a very apologetic call back 15 minutes later.

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

Force me to leave you this message when you book and refuse to get in touch with me at all before your show:
" Hi this is Lauri from PC, I'm looking forward to your show on Friday night, I will be picking up the ingredients for you since I couldn't get in touch with you and you can reimburse me for them when I arrive at 6:30, see you then!"

Or refuse to get in touch with me to let me close your show because you got drunk that night:
"Hi this is Lauri from PC, Im calling to let you know I need to close your show by 7pm tonight, if I do not hear from you by 7pm I will choose your free products for you and submit it tonight."

I have actually used the second line before. The host wasnt drunk at her show but she had other orders, coming and never got in touch over a week after. Then never called me back. Left this message and got a very apologetic call back 15 minutes later.

I'm sure there are plenty who have used (and plenty more that SHOULD use) those responses!!!

 

[NooraK]

To my Host: I emailed (since that's the best way for us to connect) you last week to let you know the show was set to close on Friday on my website, and ask if you wanted it extended. You did not respond, so I did not extend the date, and now I have an email for Online Activity to the tune of $93.75 for someone I don't know, that's probably supposed to be put in with your show.

To the guest: How in the world can you seriously get through all those steps asking you if you are sure you want to place an order not associated with a show without realizing you are not ordering with the show?

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

To the guest: How in the world can you seriously get through all those steps asking you if you are sure you want to place an order not associated with a show without realizing you are not ordering with the show?

Actually Noora, it's sometimes pretty difficult for a person to place an order with a show. I had a guest with a $30 order try to place one and she kept getting an error at the end. When it finally went through, it was not part of the show although she'd originally selected a host.

 

[mountainmama74]

Thanks for letting your extremely rude and disrespectful (seriously, I never heard this child ask for anything nicely ONCE, but rather he DEMANDED the things he wanted) child and his friend conduct an all out nerf war, complete with running, screaming and nerf bullets THROUGH THE KITCHEN while I'm trying to do a demo. It's so fun to try to talk over all that noise and distraction.

 

[chefsteph07]

Thanks for lettng the 10 teenagers and preteens who came to the party w/ the parents eat FIRST so there wasn't enough food for everyone, including the host! (and thanks for letting ME know that there were going to even be teenagers there because if I had known, I would have had you get double ingredients!)

 

[pattybrady]

Please don't wait until the day of the party, after I've already arrived and am ready to do my pre-show prep, to tell me you are going to "run to the store now" to get the ingredients.

(Yes, when I asked during host coaching the night before if you were able to get everything, you said oh yeah, we're all set.)

 

[NooraK]

Actually Noora, it's sometimes pretty difficult for a person to place an order with a show. I had a guest with a $30 order try to place one and she kept getting an error at the end. When it finally went through, it was not part of the show although she'd originally selected a host.

That I can understand, but she wouldn't have even been able to choose the host, because the show closed on Friday on my PWS, and this order was placed on Sunday. Why would you not call or email someone to say "Hey, I want you to get credit, am I doing this right, I don't see your name?"

 

[BethCooks4U]

Sure you can "just get back to me" with a date to reschedule the show but I won't hold my breath because I know you won't. Can't you just admit that you decided you don't want to do it?

 

[pkd09]

If you wanted a caterer, you should have hired one!

 

[chefsteph07]

This JUST happened so I had to run here and post it:

From a HO lead

No, I'm sorry, I will NOT "tack on" 4 mini serving spatulas to an order I already have going in, then have to pick them up from my host, then drive them 30 min to your house to save YOU on direct shipping! However, you can put a book party together to get those items at a discount and you won't have to pay for shipping at all and they will be shipped right to your house! (she is doing this!)

 

[pkd09]

What is it with people paying $4.50 shipping? Have they never ordered something online and looked at their shipping charges? I can bet they paid a heck of a lot more than $4.50!!!!!

 

[chefsteph07]

What is it with people paying $4.50 shipping? Have they never ordered something online and looked at their shipping charges? I can bet they paid a heck of a lot more than $4.50!!!!!

Exactly! And I'm sure not driving around delivering spatulas when gas is $3.15/gallon!

When I offered up the book show, she said "ok, I will try, but I can't make any promises"...LMAO! I guess you dont want your items on sale very much then, do you???

Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised! LOL LOL

 

[Leanna]

OMG this thread is great! I hope (although I know I'll be wrong) that I don't have to post here ever but reading them is certainly giving me a giggle!

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

New one:

Please DONT post on facebook that you "feel bad" that there weren't a lot of people there and that you "really want to help out Shelby" and that if someone wants to order to let you know.

Yes, she did host the party because she wants me to reach my goals, but we went in with the expectation of it being a small luncheon party. One attendee besides the two of us was REALLY all I'd expected! I was there to socialize - this wasn't a regular show and I knew that!! On the plus side, she did get two people who responded telling her they needed to order something asap. She's meeting with one tonight and the other one is her neighbor. It just kind of made ME feel bad when she posted that!

 

[cincychef]

First date: Her daughter got really sick and almost died, was in the hospital.
Second date: Had to reschedule because work rescheduled because of sickness and weather.
Third Date (today) I was going to call you, my brother in law just died, suddenly and I am barely holding my sister together.
What I wanted to say was "either you have the worst luck ever, or you are leading me on"
What I did say was"I am so sorry and I will call you in a few weeks."

 

[ShelbyMichalek]

First date: Her daughter got really sick and almost died, was in the hospital.
Second date: Had to reschedule because work rescheduled because of sickness and weather.
Third Date (today) I was going to call you, my brother in law just died, suddenly and I am barely holding my sister together.
What I wanted to say was "either you have the worst luck ever, or you are leading me on"
What I did say was"I am so sorry and I will call you in a few weeks."

It happens. One of my close friends has rescheduled several times due to some odd and sad circumstances, including death, sickness, and work.

 

[mountainmama74]

My director had a show Sunday - she got there and the host said, "I almost had to cancel, my brother died yesterday."

Julie was astounded and didn't know what to say! I guess the host decided to continue on with the show because there wasn't much she could do at that point, and she was happier having her friends and family around her.

Still, flabbergasting!

 

[Gina M]

That must have been quite a show to get through! I can't imagine.

 

[vanscootin]

My director had a show Sunday - she got there and the host said, "I almost had to cancel, my brother died yesterday."

Julie was astounded and didn't know what to say! I guess the host decided to continue on with the show because there wasn't much she could do at that point, and she was happier having her friends and family around her.

Still, flabbergasting!

It's weird how people handle death so differently. My dad died on a Sunday and the next day I had to go to the mall to buy a black dress or suit or something suitable because I literally had nothing with me and wasn't leaving my mom to drive 2 hours home to get clothes... so we go to the mall and after she decides she wants to go house hunting... yes house hunting. She wanted life to go on... after being married to him for 44 years I thought she would have been more upset... not once did I see her cry... but I know she did... she hid it pretty well. I, on the other hand was an absolute wreck and could barely keep myself together.

 

[cincychef]

It happens. One of my close friends has rescheduled several times due to some odd and sad circumstances, including death, sickness, and work.

The problem is she is the only show in the last year that has done her own invites and I have a sneaking suspicion that she isn't inviting anyone. I will give her the benefit of the doubt one more time

 

[pampered1224]

I have told this one before. Oct 13, 2002. I have a show way out in the boonies. Roughly 4 miles from any main road. Get there late as I got lost. On the phone with the hosts boyfriend after she answers and sounds drunk and he guides me to the house. Got there, get out of the car and am met with this awesome Outdoor Halloween display. My host comes out of the house and yes, very drunk! She says to bring the stuff into the kitchen. I ask her about the Halloween display. She explains to me that a very good friend of hers from California shot himself to death in the head the night before and they had not had time to clean up! OMG!!! I ask her if she wants to not do the party. Her reply was simple and straight forward. No, I did not have time to call and cancel and I have at least 10 people coming. I do not want to be alone either. Well, most of the time we just talked and a few of us prepared the recipes. Mary was in tears on and off the whole time. It was an $875 party. Then everyone is gone and as I was cleaning up, Mary had gone to "sleep it off" and her boyfriend comes downstairs after showering, completely naked. Dang cute too! The thing I wanted to say was "Seriously?" in both cases! The show going on and the boyfriend naked!

 

[Becca_in_MD]

her boyfriend comes downstairs after showering, completely naked. Dang cute too! The thing I wanted to say was "Seriously?" in both cases! The show going on and the boyfriend naked!

Wahoo! A little bonus for you, John

 

[pampered1224]

UH YEP! Talk about the events of that day throwing me off though. Mary told me later he swings both ways and I totally missed it! Oh well, I was and am with Pat so...

 

[Chef Kearns]

NO, you cannot have 10 catalogs to run a Catalog party! Your show is set-up online and I have already given you 4 catalogs!!! Use your resources lady!

 

[Becca_in_MD]

NO, you cannot have 10 catalogs to run a Catalog party! Your show is set-up online and I have already given you 4 catalogs!!! Use your resources lady!

AMEN! They want 10 catalogs b/c they expect to contact 10 people. And in the end they have 5 orders.