Why Did My PartyLite Catalog Show Fail?

[AJPratt]

So, I agreed to do a PartyLite Catalog show. NO ONE wanted anything. I feel just awful and I don't know what to tell the rep. I had one lady take a catalog and never got back to me. She knows I sell PC, so I feel like a jerk. Maybe closer to the holidays would be better?

 

[lisacb77]

Maybe. I am thinking of doing a Dec open house at the community center in our neighborhood and might invite the PartyLite rep I know, and my neighbor who sells Avon. Dec. is real busy for me at work so I don't think I can do anything that month but this and catty shows. Maybe see if she'd do something like this with you?

 

[lacychef]

I know what you mean Anne! I tried having a Home Interiors party before, since the rep is a good customer of mine. Not a very good show. Seems I can only sell PC At least I have better luck with the stuff I'm making income off of! Right? I know what you mean though, I did feel bad.
The open house idea is good...I do that late Nov-early Dec with the same Home Int lady,a Silpada lady, & anyone else we can get. It's fun.

 

[dannyzmom]

I can't fathom how those PL people are able to sell anything when they are up agains Yankee CAndle and the fact that people can buy darn nice candles at Wal Mart!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I can't fathom how those PL people are able to sell anything when they are up agains Yankee CAndle and the fact that people can buy darn nice candles at Wal Mart!

Carolyn - we must be the only ones on this morning but I totally agree! I just got a coupon from Yankee - $15 off any purchase of $45 - and they had new fall scents buy one - get one 1/2 off - I bought 3 medium jar candles and some votives and an air freshener for $30 - and I love the new fall scents - I'm burning a Macintosh-Peach candle right now! I like the Partylite candles - but they are pricey!
Anne - aren't you glad you sell PC and not PL?

 

[AJPratt]

I am glad I don't sell PL.

 

[bbauman07]

It bites when that happens Anne. That has happened to me before. Just tell her exactly that, you tried to get orders and right now is just not a good time for your friends and family. Let her know how sorry your are and that you would like to try again at a later time. Knowing you sell PC should hopefully be enough for her to know that you didn't "flake out".

I just had a pl party about 2 weeks ago. But my pl cosultant just had a $700 pc show for me and rebooked for Dec!!! So I felt like I owed her.

 

[AJPratt]

I did call her today and we talked a bit. She, of course, would like to do a home show with me, but we'll see. I've attended her shows and they are long and boring. I respect her because she has been doing PL for a long time and has some great advice.

 

[hmolah]

I can't fathom how those PL people are able to sell anything when they are up agains Yankee CAndle and the fact that people can buy darn nice candles at Wal Mart!

AMEN! I think PL is a waste of money personally...I either like Yankee Candle, or there is 2 ladies that work together to make really yummy homemade candles that smell SOOO strong and so nice. They are a fraction of the price, and I can even pick out my own jars! I never got the PL thing!

 

[ChefinHarmony]

I used to sell PL (over 10 years ago) and have had very successful parties (over $1K) in the past. I was a PL regular - my old Director counted on me for her income each August and would invite me to her "Host Rewards" party (gave away lots of goodies). Anyway, when I started to sell PC she was mad. I agreed to do a Catalog show last November (right after I started selling) and I couldn't even collect $150 off people. So I totally understand this post!! They wanted to buy PC from me. Then she talked me into trying again - by booking my Mom as a catalog show for January. That one totally flopped. We didn't have one order. I haven't heard from her since & she USED to be what I considered a friend of mine! You know casual chats & Christmas cards. Now I realize I was just "business" to her. Boy, she was mad when I called to tell her both times I couldn't get any orders. She was actually a bit mean - I think she thought we were close enough to be honest/mad at me. Anyway, she didn't invite me to her Host party this year (she has it every July - and my girlfriend was invited this year) so I think I'm off her list. And you think she could at least order one item from me for the 11+ years of PL business I've given her!! She is on my PC email list and I don't intend to remove her!
Joanne

 

[ChefinHarmony]

One more thing - it was sooooo much harder to sell PL. People would love the products but once they saw the price would say "OMG how expensive!" and it was hard to represent the products when you think they are over priced too.

My first recruit (I plan to sign her TOMORROW) was just about to sign with PL. She told me the PL lady was too pushy, she had to do 6 home shows, etc - that's why she was holding out. After she saw our Consultant SS program and talked to family about PC, she said "I'm so glad I didn't sign with PL". Wish me luck!!

Joanne

 

[jaye]

PL wants you to have your first 6 shows your first 2 weeks. I love PL candles and admit that they are the only candles I purchase. Yankee tea lights ruined some very nice tea light holders that I got as a gift and while they smell nice, they don't burn as cleanly.
I will place orders, but no longer hold shows... I can't the response either. I think that they candles are pretty fair in price. They burn a long time and smell nice. However, their decorative pieces are just too costly. None for me thank you.

I will trade shows with other reps from other companies, but if they don't book with me, I don't book with them.

Also, if you can do an open house for the holidays... do it. Sometimes you get a lot of orders, other times it's just bookings... but in the end it all pays off!

Best Wishes!
Jaye

 

[AJPratt]

I think PL has good products and I think they are pricey. I don't think the host program is anywhere near as generous as ours.

 

[gilliandanielle]

I know everyone is tired of me whining about the BeautiConrtol party I went to, but the hostess gift was a microwavable neck wrap! You can buy them for $5 at the store, and how does that give me incentive to get more sales if I don't get any extra products??

 

[AJPratt]

I haven't heard you whine about it! LOL

You're right, though!

 

[lorilynn]

PL wants you to have your first 6 shows your first 2 weeks. I love PL candles and admit that they are the only candles I purchase. Yankee tea lights ruined some very nice tea light holders that I got as a gift and while they smell nice, they don't burn as cleanly.

I love PartyLite candles and have been using them for over 6 years now. They burn so cleanly and complete (no waste). Those candles that leave all that black stuff behind always make me wonder what I am breathing. YUK just thinking about it.

I agree the accessories can be pricey, however, in honesty I have heard the same said of some of our higher end pieces. I think, like P/C it is all in the quality. Plus the high-end stuff is there to get folks to book and get it for half price or free.

In my experience PartyLite catalog shows always seem to bomb, I have tried to do a few and always gotten poor results. However I now do 2 live shows a year (I trade shows with the rep) and have always done well at least $500 in sales, which for me means I get at least $125 in FREE stuff! I think it is the kind of thing people need to see in person, so they can see the quality.

We are lucky, with P/C our catalog shows can be just as good as a live show! I guess that’s why we all LOVE IT!

 

[jennifer34691]

I was a PL consultant and agree with some comments made. I did pretty well as a consultant (well enough to put my daughter in private school and pay for it entirely with PL). It did start to get hard tho when Yankee candle came to the mall. It is hard to explain to someone why they should buy PL candles for $10 when they can go to Walmart or to Michaels and use a coupon and spend $3-$5.
PC is SO much better anyway! LOL