Are Your Hosts Causing Headaches? Tips for Managing Hosts and Their Parties

[KellyRedHead]

I have been host coaching ( so I thought) fairly well.
I sent out my host packets, telling them and highlighting I needed to point out as important, like guest list has to be back to me by this date, or no show. Call me with any questions, outline of hostess benefits.

Well I have been calling my host for her show on Nov 7th, still no list, promises she will send it soon, then promised to call me with it, still no list. Host Nov 9th, promised to email me her list, still no list. I want to get these done so I am not up all night trying to get these done and out on time. Do they think this is all I have to do in my life!!!!!!!

Closing out a show today (now I know I went over the benefits with her before I left again) wants free to go to half price items cost, wants more then one DCB, and the half price combo's in back wants have of the half price listed! :cry:

Then my host from Oct 15th, left and her show was around $250, promised she had more coming and we would close the following Monday on Oct 22nd. Called her at home 22nd and no answer, called her at work on the 23rd and they tell me she went to California !!!! I asked if it was unexpected, oh no she has been planning it for a month now! What the heck??? Do they not think this is my job and I don't want to get the show in for her and the guests (me to I want my commission). She also refused to mail out a guest list, I just seem to not have a hold on my hosts lately.

I think I am going to make them close out the show the night of the show. I am so sick of calling and begging to get them closed and in, its getting very, very old fast!!!!

Thanks for letting me vent!!

Kelly V.

 

[urbnk8]

Frustrating!!! I'm sure it's nothing you are doing! Just a run of bad luck, or bad hosts!

 

[mpkegley]

I am with you! I have a host right now that I can't seem to get her to close. Her show was 2 weeks ago and every time I talk to her (when she even answers her cell phone) she has some lame excuse. Her show was at $800 when I left that night and she has some more orders to add to it, but never has them when we talk. They are out in my car, can I get them later? or I just don't know what I want to pick as my stuff. I am getting really frustrated because I have been trying to call her for 3 days now and she is not answering her phone. I know that she screens her calls and she has not called me back. My next phone message is going to be that I am closing show as is if she does not call me back. (she did tell some of the stuff that she wants, but has not picked out her 1/2 price items). Has anywone done this with success? I just hate to leave out the outside orders that she has.

 

[stacywhitlow]

Ok...it is not just you. My fall shows are horrible. Sept. had 3 shows that were barely $150. And Oct. is pushing $1250 in sales (with 4 shows). I have had numerous cancellations which hasn't happened before. Last Oct. I did almost $5000 in sales. I have been host coaching (in person, on the phone, voice mail if no answer, email, postcards) It is very frustrating. I have a show (I guess) on the 1st. No guest list, recipe selection (& I am providing ingredients), no reply to emails or voice mail messages. Hello?

 

[chefmeg]

I have a friend that does Lia Sophia jewelry and does the following when people book at the show:
She gives them their packet with a sticker on the front with the date of their show AND another sticker that states when she must have the addresses for their guests by SO THAT THE CURRENT HOST GETS CREDIT FOR THEIR BOOKING! Example: she did a show Saturday night, 3 people booked and they have to have their lists emailed to her by Wednesday when she is closing the show!!
I am seriously considering doing this as it would make people have a sense of urgency about getting me their lists.

 

[finley1991]

One of the things I do in HC on the first call is say, "I know you know how much I love doing Pampered Chef and you may or may not know that this is my full-time job and I take it very seriously. I want you to know that I will do my best so that you will have the most successful show possible... What I need from you to make that happen is..."

That way they know that this isn't just some "cute" hobby that I do.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I had that problem in September. I was getting very frustrated--and it didn't help that I was 9 months pregnant! But luckily so far I've had all of my November guest lists on time so far. I had some extra Dates to Remember cards from Nancys & filled in when I needed the guest list on them. Then I also took a small post it & wrote a due date on it to put on the guest list itself. I've had all of the guest lists by that date or earlier so far. I also mentioned the due date in my host coaching call. I used to tell them when I was going to mail the invitations, but now I tell them their due date instead, so maybe that's what is making the difference.

My husband reminded me that not everyone is on top of things like me & that if they have a due date, even if they procrastinate, the probably won't procrastinate past that date. If they do, I'm going to call them & tell them they have 2 days to get me the guest list via email or snail mail & if I don't have it by such & such day that I'm opening up their show date for someone else.

 

[pamperedpals]

My DH is VERY frustrated with my hosts. He calls them rude and flaky. I have had a couple of months where I have had 8 - 10 shows on my calendar and then end up with only 2 - 3 shows, because everyone cancels.

I have been having a hard time getting them to answer the phone when I am trying to make that first call. I even go as far as setting phone appointments with them and they still don't answer. I then follow up with an email and what we were suppose to talk about.

I do like the idea of of the label on the invitation list that it is needed back by the time the show closes for the host to receive credit. I think I'm going to try it.

 

[KellyRedHead]

My director closes the night of her parties always, its her policy with her hosts. She has them get all their outside orders in before the night of the party.

If the hosts think there are other people that might order she tells the host that when she gets those together they will go in as a separate show for her as long as it adds up to $150.

She also has everyone that books get her guest list to her within three days of the show. She they do not then host doesn't get the credit.

I am thinking about changing a few ways I run my business. I had 4 shows this month and only one has closed. Guess I will have a good November on paper!

Kelly V.