I've been invited to three "parties" this month alone. I really don't like these things! The merchandise is usually over-priced and of lesser quality than I can pick up elsewhere. And how many kitchen gadgets, household decorator, or candle items do you really need, anyway!
I always feel like I have to buy something and then the inevitable question comes about hosting ... UGH!
Am I the only one who feels this way? It really seems like it, since people keep having these "parties".
Don't get me wrong, I love the social aspect, but rest I can do without!

By Jackie on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 03:28 pm:

I dont buy when I go to the party. Ok, let me rephrase, only very rarely do I buy. I dont ever host parties. I have no problem saying no to hosting parties. I do like going, just to get out of the house and chat with other ladies.

By Amecmom on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 03:35 pm:

But don't you feel bad, not buying? I always feel "obligated".
Ame

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 03:38 pm:

I do Southern Living at Home and really, if you don't feel like going, then just say that you're busy. People always overinvite and if you feel like you need a good cookbook or the new candelier, then go for it. If not, then I wouldn't feel obligated.

By Vicki on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 03:45 pm:

I also do a home sales party type of thing and I agree, if your not interested in the item, don't feel like you have to go. I usually have people that want to host parties so they can get free items and items at a reduced cost, but if your not interested in the products that are going to be offered, I wouldn't feel like I HAD to go at all.

By Cocoabutter on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 04:10 pm:

I have been involved in 3 types of home hosting things. I have been around that block more times than I can count. I wan't successful at any of them, mostly b/c selling isn't my nature. I put myself in the position of trying to convince people they need something, people I know nothing about. I don't know what their personalities are, what their needs are, or what their finances are and what they value. I was no good at it b/c even *I* don't like it when people try to talk me into something or tell me that I have a supposed need for something.

So as a result, I just don't go to any of these types of parties anymore. I politely say I am unable to attend. I don't need to formulate an excuse- it's no one else's business anyway what I am otherwise occupied doing on such n such a date.

By Mommmie on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 04:15 pm:

I hate them, too, and usually I just decline and tell them I don't attend MLM parties as a general principle. One constant hostess always had wine and I told her I would only attend for the wine and I sat and drank and didn't buy a thing and then, what do you know, I never got invited back!

Also, what I found out was the hostess resells the freebies to her friends for a cut rate price and that's really what's going on. That one jewelry party that I went to the hostess rec'd NINE freebies and turned around and sold them to guests for lower than the real price. I just don't want to be involved in that kinda stuff. It's a high price to pay for a social life.

By Amecmom on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 04:16 pm:

As I said, I like the social aspect. Do those of you who sell expect everyone who comes to buy something?
Ame

By Andi on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 04:41 pm:

I'm a consultant for Discovery Toys and I LOVE going to different Sales parties. It's fun to get out of the house and see some great items that you can't always find in the store. Plus, I LOVE GETTING OUT of the house without the kids!! I personally love Pampered Chef, Southern Living at Home and my favorite is At Home America, they have such cute stuff!

No I don't expect everyone to buy when they come to the parties. Heck, I have these parties in my home all the time. Just had a Pampered Chef one about a month ago a online Tupperware one about 2 weeks ago and a Pottery Painting one last night. If my friends want to come hang out have a drink and talk that is fine with me. If they buy something that is up to them. I make sure everyone knows they are in now way obligated to buy something.

By Kaye on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 05:36 pm:

I too love these parties. I guess I sort of feel obligated to buy though. Honestly it depends on how many people. When just 4 people show you really do feel obligated to do so. When I invite people(I don't hostess much). I say you know I was going to place an order for myself, but thought it would be fun to have a ladies night out, so please feel free to come and drink, but don't feel obligated to buy.

I used to sell Discovery Toys, I loved it, I really don't recall if everyone bought at all the parties. I loved the stuff and had a great time playing with toys and getting kids hooked to new toys I was very successful at this business, because I loved my product, it sold itself. I only quit because of the time commitment.

As far as stuff being over priced. There are some companies I feel that way about. BUT I love my pampered chef stuff, it really does last forever and i have bought nothing that doesn't work as directed. I bought some southern living stuff, felt it was a little spendy, but good stuff. Tupperware is worth its weight in gold I think. My new favorite is Homemade gourmet

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 07:18 pm:

People I work with keep having candle parties. I don't go, since I'm not really THAT into candles! It seems it would be a waste of time, when I know I really don't want to buy the item.

By Andi on Sunday, September 4, 2005 - 09:48 pm:

I love Homemade Gourmet...I have a pantry full of the stuff.

By Reds9298 on Monday, September 5, 2005 - 07:17 pm:

I love to go to the parties, as long as it's something I'm interested in and usually it is. I am one of those people though that feels I should buy something, so if I can't afford it at the moment I just decline the invite. I have 3-4 home parties a year and my friends always buy from me, so I feel like I should help them out, too. It's also a lot of fun. Sometimes I'll get hit with like 4 P Chef parties in a month though, and unless I need Christmas gifts, I just decline because it's not in my budget.

I've never heard of Homemade Gourmet.

By Jann on Monday, September 5, 2005 - 07:20 pm:

I love Homemade Gourmet too!
I have gotten to the point in my life that I am very comfortable with the word 'no'. If I want to go to the party for the social aspect, I will be very upfront when I rsvp "I would love to come, but I am really not in the market to buy anything right now" and then just go enjoy myself.
If I am not interested, I just say no thank you.

By Vicki on Monday, September 5, 2005 - 07:37 pm:

No, I don't expect everyone to buy something at all. What I sell, usually everyone buys though. But at one or two shows, I have had a person not buy and I am not at all offended by it at all. It is just a nice evening out with the girls!!

By Kaye on Monday, September 5, 2005 - 10:48 pm:

Homemade gourmet is a company (Christian I think) that sells spice packets, little meal helpers. They have a smashed potatos instant potatoes that even I will eat. The have a spaghetti sauce mix that I love too. So others share your favs with me!

Vicki, can I ask, what do you sell?

By Eve on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 - 03:17 pm:

I enjoy them--especially the food ones! I've also enjoyed the Pampered Chef parties. I agree--it's a nice chance to get out. I don't feel obligated, but I usually see something cool that I want to try out. It's a win-win.

By Eve on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 - 03:18 pm:

BTW, Andi--I'm still loving my pop up Tupperware.

By Andi on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 - 04:12 pm:

Eve, I got some of that too...I love it!

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 - 04:46 pm:

I do enjoy the social aspect of the at home parties. I could do with out the "who wants to host the next one" mentality.

I hosted a tupperware party about 3 or 4 years ago. I WILL NEVER HOST A PARTY AGAIN! This woman just ruined it for me. She talked and talked and talked and talked about being a consultant. She was totally trying to get people to be consultants and the next thing was talking and talking about people being hosts for parties. She BARELY spoke about the tupperware. It was so annoying and my guests were really annoyed by her too. I felt stupid because i invited them to my house for a nice fun tupperware party and we did not have fun at all. We were annoyed.

And at the time my ds was 2. He ran thru the room once or twice and wanted me a few times. He was not bad or loud at all, but you could see by the look on her face that she was annoyed by him. Oh well.

I don't mind attending them. And my friend that hosts them always tells me not to feel obligated to buy, just come and drink some wine and have fun.....i usually do buy something very small. Only because i want to tho.

My favorite is probably the pampered chef ones.

By Jann on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 - 06:11 pm:

Kaye, love the smashed potatoes too! Any of the desserts are divine. Like the pot roast seasoning (i get 3 meals out of their one bag).