Here is something that I have wondered about for quite a while: do you like going to home parties?
What I mean by home parties is Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Epicure, Partylite etc etc. I am not asking this because I sell Partylite I am genuinely interested in what people think of them. When you get that call from your friend or family member inviting you to her annual Pampered Chef party, what is the first thing that runs though your mind? Is it: "Oh man, not again" or "Oh this will be fun to see some girlfriends and get out for an evening"
I love getting invited to these parties but seldom have success with them when I have them, sometimes I get a few turning out and sometimes hardly any, now I'm told by my sister that this is because I have too many of these parties and my friends just don't want to come but I'm not sure if that's the case cause I only have maybe 2 a year if that. When you go to the parties what are you thinking when you go? Like do you think "Ok, I will by a little something to help my friend out" or just go for the night out?
Anyways, I was just wondering, please post your comments in the comment section for all to see, you can remain anonymous if you like.
Thanks!
About Me
- Adventures of the Homemaking Mommy
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25 comments:
My personal opinion is that most products are too expensive at home parties especially when you consider the shipping and handling they charge. Take Tupperware for example, yes they do have a good product and it does have a guarantee, but we can buy almost the same items at Wal-Mart for way less - especially if we have school age kids that are going to lose these bits of plastic at school. It is the same with Partylite, Epicure, Home Decor or Spa Parties. We work hard for our money and in an effort to save money we'll shop around to get a better deal.
My second opinion is the cleanliness of the hostess home. Can you imagine being at a Home Spa party where the sales rep asks everyone to lay on the floor to relax and meditate, but the carpet smells like dog pee! Don't think I'll be going back there again.
I'm not sure if people want to get together for a night out anymore. I think they are on the go from morning to night with kids, school, activities, work, meetings, family, appointments, etc. and going out is just one more thing on the list. But that's just my opinion.
I tend to be the "oh no" type...I am always afraid of offending the hostess if I say no, so I usually will go, but inwardly I wish I wasn't there because I feel I have to buy something in order to be polite. Alot of times I don't feel I have the money available to buy, unfortunately, so I'm generally pretty uncomfortable the whole time.
But - I do really appreciate the effort that the ladies put into selling these items and how they are trying to make ends meet for their own families!!
The products are generally too expensive. Usually really good quality, but I just can't justify the expense. And getting invited to SO many of these parties makes me want to not go. If my friends really want to spend some time with me, then call me up and make a coffee or dinner date! Saying that a home party is an excuse to get together for a visit is just an excuse to guilt people into showing up.
I'm impressed with the girls that can make these things into a real money maker for themselves ... but I work hard for my money too, and can't just spend it on a whim.
Parties are fine, but I usually only go if I genuinely have interest in what is being sold. I like Pampered Chef, but I have all of the Pampered Chef I'll ever need. They used to have unique things. But what I don't have, I can usually find somewhere else cheaper now.
I am usually the "oh-no" type too, usually because I am being invited to 6 of these things a year, by more than one host of course. I feel guilty for saying no. I feel guilty if I do go, but don't buy anything. Then, if I buy something out of that guilt, I find resentment and that's not good.
I commend folks that try this sort of work. It can be a successful way of supplementing income, but the seller needs to reach beyond their normal circle and really put themselves out there.
As consumers, these aren't the best times to be spending more than we need to. A lot of these various parties supply things on people's "want" lists, not on their "needs" lists. I am more careful now than I was 10 years ago.
I agree with everyone-too expensive and usually the stuff sold is unneccesary-not to say it isn't good quality, but it's frivilous. I tend to agree with your sister, it seems you have a lot of parties-maybe cause you're also selling it, but it feels like the only time you're inviting people over is to have a selling party-sort of disappoining if it truly is meant to see your girlfriends-just starting to feel used. A true friend does stuff for her friends, without expecting anything in return. It's got to be really hard to make money by pushing your produts all the time, espeially in this hurting time-I think if money is truly needed there a lot more profitable ways to earn and many part time jobs available to help your family.
As a SAHM (a.k.a. One-income-family) we don't have money to be spending buying expensive products. I work hard to save the money that my husband makes. Often, many of these parties are also not things that I really NEED. I don't need candles, and I will never buy them as gifts because it is not something I would appreciate recieving so I don't give it. Same with stamps. When on earth do I have time for that? I have a single friend over right now and I asked her and she says the same thing, she has a tight budget and cannot afford those things. Next factor is time. My family struggles to find time together as it is. I hardly need another thing to do and if I was going to have a "girls night out", it would certainly not be sitting in someone's living room with people I may or may not know, listening about more "things". "Things" are just not important in my life. Even Usborne books - great product, but I NEVER buy brand new books for my kids. I pretty much don't buy very much brand new (save for our groceries), so why would I buy brand new plastic when I don't even buy brand new clothes?
wow, that is some strong opinions which we are all entitled to...yes the economy is bad...and money is tight for everyone these days, but I love Partylite, and when you get the guest specials..3 doz tealights of your choice for 12.00 holy crow! sooo worth it, makes up for the pricy candleholders they sell...I buy for gifts and myself, one to two times a yr, take advantage of the specials and get free stuff with a house party or a book party without even trying. Either you love something or you don't. And Epicure, simply yummy without all the added garbage and "stuff they put in food"...we all cook for our family...we save in doing this...by not eating out...why not spice up your menu with something that lasts a long time with such true flavour? I am just saying...you either see the quality in a brand or don't. I find what I buy worthwhile...
I also wanted to say, in the time I have known Angela...I have gone to her for Partylite...she does not push it upon me, never ever...I find Angela to be a good friend, a quality friend that I feel blessed in knowing, who does not use her friends for her own profit. She truely likes to socialize, she is at home alot, I too...LOVE to socialize and have the girls over for a bite to eat and see a party, whatever it may be. It is a nice relaxing atmosphere...not pushy...if you don't want to buy something you don't have to! She is always welcome in my home, and the people that have come to my parties have become friends with her. She is a great soul...truely unique!And some of her friends perhaps need to get the courage to not be a "oh no" kind of person and feel obliged to go to these parties (for Ang or anyone else) you don't clearly want to go socialize at and say NO thanks...then you are not spending money you don't have being frivelous in your eyes. Angela is just trying to be friend...and I apprciate her friendship very much. If you think she is a friend that uses you, do not be her friend, that is quite an opinion to have a so called friend...friends are there for eachother through thick and thin, she is the kind of friend I adore with her big heart...who has always been a true friend to me. Thanks Angela for being you, you speak your mind yet have people's heart in mind too....you have so many qualities and I stick by you 100%. Sorry if I seem defensive, just seems like some of the opinions would personally hurt me, my so called friends thinking this of me...glad you did it anonymously...ouch! yes she asked for your honest opinion but OUCH really????
Wow. There is something to say about being Honest and then there is something to say about being Hurtful and all out Rude. Sometimes, giving your opinion, includes also remembering who we are.. people -with feelings. We are ALL flawed, imperfect and I would like to believe well meaning.
I am a person who gets invited to Angela's parties, but tends to say no thank you, because, like the rest of us I am a stay at home mom who`s hubby has hardly any work and have no extra money to spend on most of the products. I find Walmart to be my store of choice not because I find it to be the new Holt Renfrew, but because lets face it, I have two boys who can dismantle and destroy in less than 60 secs.
I value Angela, because she is a warm and loving person who would NEVER say half of the CRAP Anonymous has shared with us all.
To Anonymous;
1)Grow Up.
2)Take a good long hard look at your post and think to yourself; Would I send that to my best friend/mom?
3)Please continue to say "oh no" to the next party your invited to, because I for one DO NOT want to be associated with someone like you.
Thank-you for the support #7 and #8! I had no idea that people thought this about me and I appreciate that you 2 took the time to show me that not all my friends think bad of me! :o)
Wow. This has become an interesting thread of comments? But I think some folks are forgetting the question that was posed: "Do you like going to home parties?" (yes/no, why/why not) . . . not "What do you think about Angela personally?"
I've written my opinion about home parties already (#4). . .just wanted to add that out of all the products out there, I think Epicure and Avon have good repeat business. Having said that, I only like a handful of things that I consider 'staples' in my kitchen for Epicure. And even that, I only need to replenish once or twice a year.
As for Avon, it's a could be a good endeavour Ang. . . it would probably be more successful if you made it a habit to personally drop off current catalogues (or had a website) for repeat business. I (for example) am the kind of Avon customer who only orders what I see in the book (there's nothing that I repeatedly by from Avon, I just don't know their products well enough). I, also, buy less Avon than say, Epicure, because I wear very little makeup/lotions/potions, but I cook tons in the kitchen! Every customer is different.
Unsolicited Advice: You could come into a nearby established neighborhood (like mine?) and just blitz every door (that you're willing to deliver end-product to) and drop a booklet. That would be an effective way of advertising yourself beyond your circle of friends. Do this religiously. Someone will order something, and tell their friends in passing, especially if they don't already have an Avon consultant. Make it a point to deliver the orders within a week of you receiving it too - everyone likes prompt delivery!
wow....I know Angela's heart, it is soft, sensitive, and caring. She is the type of woman who would be up all nite if she knew she hurt someone and would do everything in her power to make it right. #5 has the right to her opinion but not the right to be rude. Maybe it was not meant to be so cutting but I think an apology is in order. If you really are her friend you should have known her heart and her intentions. I am Angela's mom and I know her better than anyone. It pisses me off that someone who is a supposed "friend" could be so off about her.
Jacinda: I had been thinking about doing that, going to a neighborhood and putting catalogs at peoples doors, and yours would be perfect cause it's close. Thanks for the advice!
Thanks Mom! I love you!
From one party hoster to another - just keep doing it if you WANT to! People can and should say no if they don't want to come. And, if people are always saying no - well, it might be time to take a break, right?
I love that your mom commented under annonymous and then said she is your mom! LOL!
wow is all i can say. I know who # 5 is, and all i can say is that I understand where they are coming from. I think that everyone sees and hears different sides of situations. I do not believe for one minute # 5 was trying to be rude or anything. Angela is a very sensitive person and to approach her about this would have not been an easy thing, nor do I think that it would have been accepted; i think this because there are many people with the opposite opinion, but I can also say there are many people with the same opinion, # 5 was the only one willing to say something. People need to calm down and go easy. I love you ang, i know you have a great heart and are a wonderful person, but when you start a blog you open yourself up for people to right their opinions down, maybe this person felt they could not tell you any other way.
The fact is is that I did not ask the question "do you like coming Angela's parties" The question was "what do you think about them?" not what you think about me or what you think of my invites.
The fact is that yes I am writing a blog and maybe I open myself up for these things but I'm not asking to be put down or to be told that I'm not a good friend, I'm doing the best that I can and I started writing this because I love to write and it's a creative outlet for me. And #5, if you so choose, just tell me who you are so I don't bother you again, no sense in bugging you anymore if that's all that I'm doing in your eyes.
Jessica: Yes, I thought the same thing and had a good laugh over it! lol
I"m anonymous #5 and I"m truly sorry for any hurt feelings, it was not intended at all!!! I know Angela's heart and love her DEARLY and don't think bad about her at ALL! I was trying to support #3's comment about socializing not having to be at parties only-in fact I really do like going, but don't always have the money, and when the hostess does say to come you don't have to buy anything, but then according to some of your comments, that's really annoying when people come and just eat the food and don't buy anything?! It's contradicting to say you want it for socializing. Angela don't take this as a personal slight against you, I know you are an awesome person, mom and friend and I didn't mean that you want people to do stuff for you without anything in return, I just meant at parties if you truly mean for people to come for the socializing don't be upset with them when they don't buy anything. I do think Avon is great, and a good fit for you, sorry again.
I suppose maybe it does sound like I get frustrated when people come and not buy but that's not what I meant to get across, I have been to lots of these parties and done lots of these parties as a consultant and people haven't bought, that's fine, it's your choice as well it should be. Why buy something you don't want or need? That's rediculous. I just want to be clear that if I ask you if you want a catalog or would like anything that you are free to say no with no hard feelings, I love the products and that is why I ask, not in a self serving way but because I just want to let you know of a deal or whatever in case you would like something. Now about some of the comments about if I truely wanted to see a friend I would ask them out for coffee or dinner, here is what I have to say to that: (1) That sounds really nice, but I don't have a husband that is home on a nightly basis, so that means planning ahead and arranging my Mom to babysit (2) That also costs money, not a lot of which we have right now. It is easier for me to host a party than it is to plan a night out most of the time, how rediculous right? But that's the case, with a party I don't have to plan babysitting most of the time and I don't have to worry about being home at a certain time for the kids to go to bed. I think this form is very hard to get across ones point sometimes, it may sound better in ones head then when someone is reading it and that's is probably where the problem lies. The other thing is a dumb feeling from me: generally speaking I don't get invited out for coffee or dinner with my friends either so how do I read that? That they don't want to spend time with me? Or just that they have busy lives too? I think it's the latter, whatever the case it's all good, I love you all no matter what.
anonymous #5 ... thanks for your apology I am also sorry for getting "pissed off" maybe we were all personalizing it too much. I think this is a great form for discussion. We don't always have to agree...we can agree to disagree and still love each other. Life is too damn short to waste any time being mad or miserable
Well said!
How bout' an invite over to your house for coffee? free as well:) and no babysitter required!
Sure! You tell me when you are available and come on over, maybe a Grey's Anatomy party or something? lol And maybe tell me who to invite seeing as I don't know who wants to come.
now that's better....coffee a visit isn't life just grand. People, people now lets all get together and love one another right now.....maybe no time later...enjoy!!!!
I think I just plagerized a song lol
I am glad #5 apologized...and I am thinking your mom is awesome and so right! we can all agree to disagree...and we love you for WHO you are Angela...I would not change a thing about you! you are such a sweet dear friend, and I love you! Carole
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