Will It Ever Close?! (Another Host-Slapping Thread)

[Brandie]

ARG!!!!!

I have a host who just can't seem to get her show closed! I keep emailing, calling, and so on, but I either get no response or a machine. Or, I get a quick reply like, "I forgot the stuff today--I'll email tomorrow<" and then it never happens.

Her show was almost TWO WEEKS ago! I know her guests have got to be wondering where their stuff is. I told them at the show that it should be in within a week (because the host had planned to close the next day...), and now I look like a liar! GRRRRR!!!!!

 

[raebates]

Once again, my ankle-kicking services are available. The shock keeps them from suing like they might if you slap them upside the head.

 

[AJPratt]

Well, if you want some advice, this is what I would say: We can be flexible with closing your show, but if we don't close it by the 30th, your guests won't be able to get the monthly special." That ALWAYS lights a fire under them. They don't want to disappoint all of their friends. I know some may disagree with this verbiage, but the great thing is its your business and it that's how you want to handle things, you can.

As far as the "how long does it take" issue, I usually tell people that "Once we close the show, it should take 7 to 10 business days." This could be a good opportunity for you to contact the guests and just let them know "there was a delay because Susie Host was trying to meet her goal of X and needed a little more time to collect some more orders." Maybe they wanted something else they didn't get.

And, whenever something doesn't go as I would like it to, I tell myself "this is good training for me." Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

 

[raebates]

I use pretty much the same wording you do, Anne, in answer to the question about when products will be in.

As for you, Brandie, in all seriousness, my next call to this host would be to say, "I need to close your show no later than __________. If I haven't heard from you by then, I'll have to submit the show without your free or discounted products."

That usually lights a fire under their tails.

 

[Brandie]

Thanks, ladies.

This host is a friend from college, and I know she's really busy, but this is getting ridiculous. I feel like a stalker because of the number of times and ways I have tried to contact her. If I have heard nothing by tomorrow, I'll zip her an email to tell her that it has to close by the 30th with or without her order attached because otherwise I won't be able to add the guest specials.

**sigh**

It'll be okay, I know, but it's just frustrating when the person who is the host is a friend and ought to know better, you know?

 

[raebates]

Drat it all, I still haven't been able to kick any ankles.

 

[Kathytnt]

I had a fundraiser atalog host in Alaska and e-mailed the other day to let her know that I had not gotten her orders yet - I get an e-mail Oops I found them in my trunk

 

[Brandie]

Rae, she lives near Indy, so it's actually not that far for you--I'll get you her address if you are in need of doing some serious shin-kicking.

Still haven't heard from her today, by the way---RRRRRRRRR!!!

 

[raebates]

Feelin' your pain, Brandie. I've got a host who was supposed to do a live show the first week of April. She switched to a catalog show two days before her show and asked me to call her to schedule the closing. Finally got hold of her yesterday, and she "hasn't done anything yet." We set a date to close on May 10. Let's hope she keeps that. She was interested in the Trifle Bowl. We'll see. I'm getting my ankle-kicking toes ready.

 

[Brandie]

Finally!!!Well, she finally closed today. WHEW! Another smallish show, but at least it's done! Wahoo!

Good luck with that Catalog Show, Rae. I know how that it--some people just don't get it!

 

[raebates]

Yea!

Thanks. I knew she was a bit flakey when she scheduled. Can't say I'm particularly surprised. Still, you never know. She could be the one to pull out a $1,000 catalog show.

 

[jrstephens]

I hace a caty that has been dragging the whole month of April. I called her Thursday and told her if I did not have it SUBMITTED by Monday she would have to switch to a May show and the guest that spent $60 would not get their dishcloths and her special would change too. I always tell my host they have to submit by the last day of the month to get that month's special - this usually helps and I have had no problem getting them turned in. Well, no one ordered $60 and the host likes the May special better, so, it is now a May show and who the heck knows when I will get it! This is the 2nd time this host has done this so I am not surprised AT ALL. And she will probably take up for two months and have about $200 in sales!! Oh well, they all count even if it takes a while I reckon!