Disappointed with the Home Office Tour?

[AJPratt]

Is anyone else disapointed with the HO tour? My director was so upset that she had told me to go, that it had really been great in the past. It was self guided and I was done in about 15 minutes. So, I had to sit in the auditorium for about and hour and a half. What a waste of time and money.

 

[jwpamp]

I thought it was ok. There were many people around to tell us what/where everything was. Guided would have probably been more informative, but I thought the areas were pretty self explanatory.

 

[jdavis]

I think I would have liked it much better if it would have been a guided tour. I am so upset that I didn't catch up with more of you guys than I did

 

[pamperedalf]

Anne now I wish I would have looked harder for you in there. I just didn't want to feel like a stalker. I felt it could of taken longer if I had someone to talk to, but I can't help it, but the end was a blur. I was the last to walk on my bus and got a cheer!I did keep thinking this one lady was you, and when I looked at her name tag it definitely wasn't.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I met up with Jennifer so had someone to pal around with (btw, she's so MUCH PRETTIER than her picture!) My main complaint was that I was on the 8:00 tour and we couldn't even get in line until 8:15 or so. I could have had at least another hour of sleep! I enjoyed seeing the HO and everyone was so nice, really makes you feel appreciated. A guide would have been nice though - someone to tell you tidbits....did you all see the onion goggles and the pig wand? Too funny!

I actually have an entire new perspective on this company! It is AWESOME! I am determined to be a director by next year as I am NOT going to miss out on the special directors only event! Plus I want all the FREE stuff!

 

[lacychef]

Oh, I'm sorry you guys were disappointed! Last year it was guided & I LOVED IT! Hopefully it gave you at least a little perspective on the HO, how it runs & all.....but you enjoyed the rest of conference right?

 

[jdavis]

Why thank you Linda . I am so glad we found each other, it was so cool. I kicked myself later on that afternoon for not making plans to meet up later. Especially around dinner time when I walked around by myself looking for something quick and easy so I could get back since roomy didn't want to do anything pouting, hy don't we have a pouting smiley, lol.

I can't believe it that my luck is always like that one number off from the shopping spree. We should have won, lol, there's no way I would have been picking and choosing, I would have just thrown all I could get my hands on into those carts, they would have had to have had more than 2 waiting for me, lol. There was one girl at my exec dinner that had won on her tour, but I don't know how she did, she was in Kim Powell's downline. I am so glad Kim was in our exec dinner since some of what she was talking about in her class she did didn't make sense to me until she spoke at the dinner then it all clicked. She seemed like a very nice woman, and after hearing her speak at the dinner I could relate to her a lot more than what I was feeling after her class.

 

[Shawnna]

The 2 HO tours I have been on were guided. There was a guide who rode on the bus with us to HO and she walked around with us telling us about things we were seeing. She walked us through the "picking" area and everything. I enjoyed it, but probably won't take another one. It would be awesome to win a shopping spree. Sorry to hear that you are disappointed. Let the HO know that you think the tours should be guided. They were probably trying something new.

 

[karlene]

Hi Jennifer...so glad to have met you and Linda on the HO tour bus!!! I too think it would have been more exciting if it was guided...I have to say I had great excitement with my consultant, Stephanie winning, and we are still
"kidding" her about picking and choosing...but I guess she knew exactly what she wanted and I know she got all the big ticketed items...every piece of cookware available and stones...had a great conference!!!!
karlene

 

[AJPratt]

I will be writing to HO. I missed a lot of the good stuff by not having a guide. I am still impressed with how the dist ctr functions and all of the products I saw, but would have loved the guide. So, if its not guided and you can get through it faster, why are they allowing the same amount of time and charging more money than last year?

 

[PampMomof3]

That really stinks! I went to conference last year and they were guided and charged $20. How much did they charge this year?

 

[mrssyvo]

Maybe they changed the format of the tour to enable more people to take the tour. Remember, when we first started registering, the tours sold out QUICK. They probably thought this was the best way, self-guided tour, but everyone who wanted to go could. A nice compromise.

 

[pamperedbecky]

Maybe they changed the format of the tour to enable more people to take the tour. Remember, when we first started registering, the tours sold out QUICK. They probably thought this was the best way, self-guided tour, but everyone who wanted to go could. A nice compromise.

I agree, that's probably why the format changed. I've never seen them do a self-guided tour before. It's too bad they can't do some combination of self-guided and guided. Some areas are great to have the extra guidance so you know what you're looking at. Other areas it's easy to just go through and figure things out on your own and stay as long as you want to.

Sorry to hear people are disappointed. Definitely email the HO and let them know so they can modify it in the future.

 

[AJPratt]

The tour was $25. I understand if they did that to allow more people, but they should have made some announcement about the format change. The less for more concept just seems to be against everything PC represents.

 

[pc_cindy]

I enjoyed my tourIt was my first time going on the tour - I tried too late last year. I actually ran out of time and was only disappointed (besides being one number off of winning the shopping spree) that I didn't have a few more minutes to spend in the test kitchen. I also could have spent twice as much time in the PC museum, but kept moving so that I could see everything. Also, my favorite pic from the trip is me sitting at Doris Christopher's desk.

 

[chef_goods]

I was a bit disappointed, too. I would have liked a guided tour. And, for $25 we were supposed to get lunch Tour 2. They handed us what looked like what happened to left of the breakfast bags that contained yogurt. Well, the majority of us had already had b'fast and that yogurt was not going to last a couple of hours until lunch. So, after paying $25, we still had to buy lunch when we got back!

 

[AJPratt]

I believe in wiriting letters when you have a really good experience and when you have a bad one. This is what I sent:

I am writing to express my disappointment in the Home Office tour. At the enthusiastic encouragement of my Director, I signed up for Wave #2, Tour #1. When I didn't get in when I originally registered for Conference, my director insisted that I email the Home Office to request to get on a tour because she had such a great experience she didn't want me to miss out. I was happy when I was informed I had made the tour and gladly paid the $25 fee.

While I will say that some of the Home Office staff did their best to make it a nice event, I saw everything in about 20 minutes and was stuck waiting for over an hour until the shopping spree. No one in the video kitchen or test kitchens said a word, nor was anything said about the exciting women who are the backbone of the Pampered Chef when we visited their offices. I also understand in the past you were able to have your picture taken in the test/video kitchen. To be frank, I learned more from my Director about what happens at the Home Office and Distribution Center after the tour than I did being on it. Needless to say, my Director was embarrassed. I also understand the price for the tour was increased. I am sorry to say this, but getting less value for more money just seems to be against everything the Pampered Chef represents and I am respectfully requesting a refund. Had I known the tour was "self-guided" I would not have taken it. I wouldn't pay that much for a museum exhibit.

I feel that I could have made much better use of that time and my experience at Conference.

I must be fair and say that as a first time conference attendee I was absolutely impressed with the organization, professionalism and outstanding workshops. When you work with a company that constantly operates on an outstanding level, when that level dips, like with the tour, its glaring.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Hi Everyone,

I'm just back from Wave 3. I can't complain about the H.O. tour because I won a Shopping Spree! I'm going to post a new thread about it as well.

You're right the employees in the test kitchen didn't say anything, but I think if we would have asked them a question they would have answered it for us. They did have people everywhere I'm sure they would have answered questions for us. We just didn't ask any. We were the last bus to arrive so we were in more of a hurry then people on the first bus (they took 6 of them at a time).

It was a long bus trip from McCormick Place to the H.O. I'm sure the increase was due to gas prices. A bus uses a lot of gas and it's $1 more a gallon this year.

I actually would have liked to have more of a tour of the warehouse. I've worked in many offices so it didn't excite me as much to see conference rooms and offices. I did like seeing the test kitchens and Doris' office. I had my picture taken sitting at her desk (that was so exciting)!

I'm sorry so many of you were dissapointed. I do think those who were unhappy should voice their oppinion. I know I spoke to a rep. from H.O. before I went while I was doing an adjustment and she had told me they were trying the new "self guided" format this year. Maybe that's why it didn't bother me since I was expecting it.

 

[AJPratt]

They did have people everywhere I'm sure they would have answered questions for us. We just didn't ask any.

I don't even know what I would have/could have asked. Instead of telling a few people, they should have let everyone know about the format change.

Congrats on the spree!

 

[AJPratt]

Be sure to voice your disappointment!This is part of the email I received back from HO.

Please know that the self-guided process was new this year, and overall very well-received. It gave people a chance to see the building at their convenience, not have to worry about not being able to hear a guide that's trying to speak to 15 people at once, and made the tour more relaxing and enjoyable. We had signs placed throughout the building with the information that a guide would have spoken, and staff available on each floor to answer questions and give directions as requested. With a little more time, your tour would have met and probably exceeded your expectations.

 

[chefkeri]

Glad I wasn't the only one....It was my first conference and my first tour; so I didn't have much to compare it too. I was a little disappointed. I would have liked more of a guide. I was in the test kitchen and opened one of those LOVELY LARGE cabinets; and got scolded? What's that about? They are beautiful. It thought PC was don't just look, touch?

I liked seeing the "big picture". It would have been nice if they gave us a heads up about the guide.

I would do it again, but was a bit let down.

 

[AJPratt]

It was my first time as well, but I had been told by my director how great it was. I would go again if it was guided.

 

[pamperedlinda]

We looked!

I was in the test kitchen and opened one of those LOVELY LARGE cabinets; and got scolded? What's that about? They are beautiful. It thought PC was don't just look, touch?

We were allowed to open the kitchen cabinets on our tour they just asked us not to touch anything since they use it. Our group opened EVERY cabinet to take a peek inside....wish my cabinets were as organized as those! They even had some people in the last area of the test kitchen (near the dining room) explaining something (I didn't catch the first part and didn't ask them to repeat) and then they answered questions for whoever asked as long as they asked.

 

[AmyjonesPC]

This is part of the email I received back from HO.

Please know that the self-guided process was new this year, and overall very well-received. It gave people a chance to see the building at their convenience, not have to worry about not being able to hear a guide that's trying to speak to 15 people at once, and made the tour more relaxing and enjoyable. We had signs placed throughout the building with the information that a guide would have spoken, and staff available on each floor to answer questions and give directions as requested. With a little more time, your tour would have met and probably exceeded your expectations.

I'm dying to know, did they return your money?

 

[Harrle]

...It gave people a chance to see the building at their convenience, not have to worry about not being able to hear a guide that's trying to speak to 15 people at once, and made the tour more relaxing and enjoyable.

I have taken a few office tours in my time and I have to agree that when they had the guides 'escorting you around like a herd of 3rd graders - who are not in single file with their mouths closed and ears open at all times' it did get a bit frustrating if you were at the back of the 'herd' and couldn't hear the guide.

I did enjoy the fact that we could linger in the different areas, it was nice to be able to look at your own leisure and not feel like you were holding up the herd or left behind to search for your group and get tangled up with the next.

The ladies in the last kitchen were very pleasant and were answering all sorts of questions, however I could see if you were in unfamiliar territory you may not have been comfortable asking. Also in the video kitchen the gal had told us that they were cleaning up - they had just finished filming about 1/2 an hour before we arrived (maybe some new S/S 07 products????)

For those who were first time HO tour attendees - please understand I completely understand where you are all coming from but also give HO credit for trying something different, I'm guessing this test format was based on the feedback they received from previous conferences. Anne I think your letter was great and I encourage everyone to share their thoughts with HO, I love that HO listens to all of us and tries to make changes to the best of their ability to accomodate accordingly.

Congrats to those who won sprees - it's great to hear about all of the boxes being shipped!!

 

[speedychef]

I LOVED the tour. I like to get the chance to linger and read everything. I talked to the woman working in the test kitchen and she had some interesting things to say. I talked to many of the Home Office staff members and told them how much I appreciated everything they do. We got to talk to Doris' assistant (how cool would it be to get to work with her every day!!) and get our pictures taken at Doris' and Marla's Desks. I found my director and upline directors on the plaques for the career club. I don't so much like being shuffled around where I can't linger. I opened the cabinets not only in the test kitchen, but in some of the conference rooms too! I am SO nosy! Anne, I feel like you should have taken a little more time to linger on. I have NO idea how you got through all 3 floors in 10 minutes! The only thing I was really disappointed in is that we didn't really get to see the warehouse and how that works. The video just isn't the same. I love all that industrial stuff. Factory tours are SO cool. I've been to the big 3 breweries, a few wineries, the WonderBread Factory, Ferrara Pan Candy Co, Electromotive, Cereal City, Hershey's Chocolate World...I could sit and watch those assembly lines all day long! Anyhoo...I think the $25 might have been excessive, but I have to say I was thrilled when they fed us because I didn't realize it was going to happen! It was an awesome surprise!

 

[AJPratt]

Amy: They said they would give me a credit.

SpeedyChef: In my post I mentioned that I got through it in "about 20 minutes". I just can't see what standing around longer would benefit me in an empty room. I wasn't watching the time, it could have been 25 minutes. I don't know. I started at the opposite end (4th floor) of where everyone else was. So, when I went through there wasn't a large crowd. I went up to the sign, read it, took a picture and moved on. There wasn't really anyone answering questions. And, frankly, with having two hours of sleep, I don't think I could come up with any. I can show you the picture I took of the video kitchen where the two HO employees had their backs to us, talking to each other, and where there weren't any employees in the event room or conference rooms. Which, I didn't really mind, but it just sounds like we had very different experiences. As I entered one test kitchen, I heard the tail end of what one of the employees was saying and when I asked, "What was that?" She said, "Oh, she was just asking about the ovens."

Harrle: Thanks! It was just my personal feelings! I can appreciate that others had enjoyed it, but I was really looking for information to share at my shows, or with my clients. I would have loved to talk with Doris's assistant!

Maybe they should give an option to have either a guided or self guided tour.

 

[jdavis]

Yes, I was hoping for a guided tour, to explain everything and see the things in action, I wanted to know what it felt like to be on the other side!! (Pout) In my ughh, other job, there are tours going through all the time, and it seems like it always happens when we're on breaks or lunch, so they get to see real action, lol. Anyway, I was a bit disappointed. Like Linda said we got in on the end of a conversation that was going on in one of the test kitchens, but I figured they weren't going to go through tha speil again any time soon since she started asking for questions, and we didn't even know what she had said since we just got in there.

 

[its_me_susan]

Hi Ladies! This was my 1st HOTour... I was in the 8am, wave 1 (green bus) and met Jayne and Janice there. We saw everything.... but did have to rush through the test kitchen a bit to make it to the "movie" we thought we would miss. Everyone I asked questions to (and I asked just about everywhere we went) answered and was really friendly. They were filming too and that was kind of fun. The only disappointments I had were the box "breakfast" wasn't great, the movie wasn't that intriguing, and I didn't win the spree when I was sure it would be me! lol. The bus ride was rather long too - but hey, I got to hang with Jayne and Janice on the way back (the lady I sat with there was nice too btw!) ~ it went more quickly then.

I am already planning to attend next year's tour.... Hey, the odds of winning that spree are not too shaby! lol.

 

[DebbieJ]

Hi Ladies! This was my 1st HOTour... I was in the 8am, wave 1 (green bus) and met Jayne and Janice there.

I was on that bus! Sorry I missed you guys!

 

[Cookin'InTX]

HO Tour that wouldn't end!!!OMG!!! Since this was my first year to National Conference, I was told that I had to go to the HO Tour so I could try to win the Shopping Spree. I was so excited to get my spot. So the tour I signed up for was the 8am tour! Well, let's just say I will NEVER forget Conference '06.

So we get on the bus and take off. Well after about 15 minutes, my recruiter who was with me mentions to me that she thinks we may have taken a wrong turn and she thinks we're lost. I wasn't paying attention to which way the bus driver was going, because I didn't even know where HO was. So after about an hour she says, "oh yeah, we're definately lost!" So after about an hour and half, we finally make it back to McCormick Place. So they ask if anyone wants to just stay at McCormick Place or if we still want to do the tour. We of course everyone still wanted to tour. So here we go...round 2!!! Well, we get lost again!!! 55 Consultants on the bus trying to tell this poor old man which way to go...meanwhile he's trying to call the bus company, I guess to tell them we are yet again lost. So once again we fainally make it back to McCormick Place. By this point, everyone is fuming mad! We demanded they get someone from HO on the bus to speak to us.

Of course they apologized for the inconvenience and told us that if we still wanted to go to HO, we could get on another bus with a different driver who had driven with PC for years and knew exactly how to get there. Everyone asked if they would be refunded their money and we were told yes. So I was HOT!!! Talk about major let down...and we were only on Day 1! So before I got on the other bus, I asked tyhe girl from HO if they really thought that just refunding our $ was going to fix everything. I explained that I wasn't at all trying to be rude to her because I knew it was not her fault, but she had to realize that we had spent all morning on the bus, still didn't get there yet and I was really concerned that If we still chose to go on the tour we paid for, would we make it back in time for our first workshop. We were assured that we would be back on time. She also said that she would talk to HO to see what else they could do to make things right. So I said okay. We finally get there and the good news for whomever the lucky winners were, was that they were pulling FOUR winners for the shopping spree!!! And they would provide us with lunch.

So all in all, I didn't think it was worth all that hassle! The only thing that would have made it worth all the hassle would havee been if I'd won a shopping spree. But of course, no such luck.

I am going to send HO an email, since we've been home a week already and have heard nothing. I just thought, what a total let down!

 

[BethCooks4U]

I totally understand your frustration but it sounds like they did everything they could. Sometimes we get to the point that they could give us the stars and it wouldn't be enough.

Have a better day.

 

[dollfangs]

OMG!!! Since this was my first year to National Conference, I was told that I had to go to the HO Tour so I could try to win the Shopping Spree. I was so excited to get my spot. So the tour I signed up for was the 8am tour! Well, let's just say I will NEVER forget Conference '06.

I will never forget it either. I was on that bus with you. I was furious that we did not make it back for the beginning of the sessions. I was lost when I got there. I also have not heard anything and since they said something would be coming to us, I think I will email them tonight and ask what and where it is. I did not win one of the shopping sprees either but the girl next to me and the one behind me did lol. All in all, I had a not so impressive conference and really ripped them on the eval they sent. I will give it one more chance but if it is as bad next year, I will not waste my money again.

 

[loreedfk]

I will give it one more chance but if it is as bad next year, I will not waste my money again.

What aside from the home office tour was bad? Just curious.

I've been to two other company's conferences and they all run them pretty much the same - so I was not disappointed nor was I greatly impressed. But overall, it was a positive experience for me!

 

[AJPratt]

I guess I really don't have naything to complain about after reading your stories!

 

[pamperedlinda]

I think I had that same bus driver after the Director's dinner....It took us an hour to get from the Sheraton back to the Hilton! We just kept driving in circles - and almost hit a bridge support! It was scarey! Maybe it was the same guy - our clueless driver was an older white man?

 

[Cookin'InTX]

Same bus driverYeah it probably was the same old man. You know, I put part of the blame on the bus company and part on PC. PC should have had someone on the bus to make sure nothing like this could happen, but also you would think that the bus company would have sent someone who knew how to get there. I don't know, I sent HO an email last nite and got the generic response that they always send out. So we'll see what happens!? Melissa, let me know if you hear something before me, okay!

 

[AJPratt]

Yeah it probably was the same old man. You know, I put part of the blame on the bus company and part on PC. PC should have had someone on the bus to make sure nothing like this could happen, but also you would think that the bus company would have sent someone who knew how to get there. I don't know, I sent HO an email last nite and got the generic response that they always send out. So we'll see what happens!? Melissa, let me know if you hear something before me, okay!

As someone mentioned, maybe in another thread, PC used to have someone from HO on the buses.

 

[dollfangs]

What aside from the home office tour was bad? Just curious.

I also had a couple of bad sessions. The first one that I walked out on was probably not that bad but I was lost as I had missed the first 20 minutes of it and on top of that, the guy talked so fast I couldn't understand him. Then the class about the new products was horrendous. They put a picture on the projector and picked up a piece of paper and read from it. It was the same information that we got in general session. I (and most of the class) walked out. I then went to the product showcase room and learned more about the products than in the class. The only class I can say I was really really wowed by was Belinda Ellsworth.

 

[loreedfk]

Melissa, I'm sorry to hear that conference wasn't the best experience for you. Just focus on the Belinda session, being among the first to know about the new product and just the great break to recharge your batteries - try to forget about the bad stuff - the bus ride will be a great fun story to tell once your annoyance with it fades!!!

 

[Harrle]

...So we get on the bus and take off. Well after about 15 minutes, my recruiter who was with me mentions to me that she thinks we may have taken a wrong turn and she thinks we're lost. I wasn't paying attention to which way the bus driver was going, because I didn't even know where HO was. So after about an hour she says, "oh yeah, we're definately lost!" So after about an hour and half, we finally make it back to McCormick Place. So they ask if anyone wants to just stay at McCormick Place or if we still want to do the tour. We of course everyone still wanted to tour. So here we go...round 2!!! Well, we get lost again!!! 55 Consultants on the bus trying to tell this poor old man which way to go...

We heard about this - didn't someone on the bus get sick too??

 

[dollfangs]

Yes a lady did get sick and the bus driver dropped her at the edge of the parking lot at McCormick place and she had to walk to the building. At least someone got off with her so she wasn't alone but I wanted to choke the bus driver.

 

[AJPratt]

Good Lord!

 

[dollfangs]

Melissa, let me know if you hear something before me, okay!

Have you heard anything yet? I haven't

 

[dollfangs]

Well I guess I am not going to hear anything as it has now been over a week since I emailed them and other than the canned we will respond to emails as we get them, I haven't heard anything. This really dissappoints me and makes me question whether or not I want to continue. If the company tells me the consultant something and then can't be bothered to reply when sent an email questioning 2 weeks later, how are they treating the customers?

 

[AJPratt]

It may take some time. I emailed the HO the minute I got home, before I even unpacked. If I had found WIFI access, I would've done it from conference. They probably have gotten a TON.

 

[Harrle]

Park N RideI utilized the park and ride and instead of waiting for the bus @ 3:00 I stood in the stand by line for the HO tour - I figured what the heck, there worse things to do waiting until 3:00 and the bus ride could have taken longer in traffic etc. Any who I did get on the HO tour, didn't win the shopping spree left HO around three (instead of McCormack Place and then sitting on the bus) to drive home.

Before conference I had called and they told me if I was able to get on that HO tour they would credit me for PNR I didn't utilize (one way = $5.00) and to just e-mail after conference. I didn't do it right away - maybe a week later and they responded that they would get the credit processed, it did take a few days to get the response.

Maybe if it has been more than a couple of weeks I would contact HO again and just let them know this is your second inquiry with no response from your initial contact and you just wanted to make sure that inital inquiry was received or maybe a response from them had not been received on your end.

'Once is asking - Twice is reminding - Three times is nagging'

Leea

 

[dollfangs]

I had to call about an adjustment this morning so I asked then. I got an email stating that a "gift and apology letter" had been shipped via UPS ground yesterday to all consultants on the bus. So now I guess I just have to wait but at least I should get it by this weekend

 

[its_me_susan]

I think I had that same bus driver after the Director's dinner....It took us an hour to get from the Sheraton back to the Hilton! We just kept driving in circles - and almost hit a bridge support! It was scarey! Maybe it was the same guy - our clueless driver was an older white man?

Linda, I think I was there - did the bus start singing "The Wheels on the Bus"???? I was sitting in the front.

 

[pamperedlinda]

Linda, I think I was there - did the bus start singing "The Wheels on the Bus"???? I was sitting in the front.

I was sitting in the back of the bus and I don't remember hearing anybody singing....but then my director and I were talking and then all of us in the back started taking bets on how many more times we were going to circle the same block!

I was in Wave 2 so it was the directors dinner that was held on Friday night.