Buy my junk "parties"

I was wondering how you guys handle all of these Mary Kay, Arbonne, jewlery, toy, etc. parties that friends host. I feel bad if I don't buy anything, but I don't want to waste my money on stuff I don't want, either. And of course, since I am a "rich doctor's wife" I get invited to a lot of them!!!

What do you guys do? I feel bad if I say no to all of them!

I'm in an interesting position, b/c during residency I was one of those "buy my junk" reps. We needed the $, and I found something I could stomach the idea of selling b/c it was reasonably priced and the parties were actually pretty fun (taste-testing). If people weren't really interested they could get out by ordering a $2 or $5 item (or nothing at all). Also, as the rep I brought 90% of what was eaten at the party with me, so it wasn't an expense for people to host them.

That said - I usually hate going to the things and try to avoid it unless I actually like the products. I just hosted a Pampered Chef show b/c the rep is an incredibly good friend, and I really enjoyed hosting a Body Shop show before I moved (who doesn't like soaking their feet in bubbly stuff).

I guess I'm in the middle.

[DCJenn]

I guess because I'm in the city where most people I know work full-time or are SAHPs, I don't even get invited to parties. (although I probably wouldn't go- the good thing about the medical spouse is their schedules are so easy to use as excuses, although sadly, most of the time it isn't really an excuse!)

I did go to a Silpada silver jewelry show that one of my staff held in San Antonio- but that's about it.

Jenn

[Cumberland]

I get invited to them all the time, and I have never been to one. One girl in particular is borderline harassing me about a Southern Living at Home party. I feel bad for her, bc I know she is trying to get her business off the ground, but still! One invite, which I RSVP'd to is enough. I dont need a catalog, a call to see if my other plans were still on, and an invite to another party for those who couldnt come.

[Phoebe]

Back in fellowship, I think the only party I was invited to was Tupperware which was pretty useful to me. Where we live now, there are parties all over the place. If I like the product then I will go otherwise I just say I can't make it. I have hosted two parties in the past, Pampered Chef and recently Gold Canyon Candles. Good friends were selling both, so I opted to have a catalog party for Pampered Chef and told people I knew I was ordering stuff. Then people didn't feel obligated. For the candles, I had a happy hour thing where the candles where here and they could bring their kids and hang out. I was ordering stuff so my neighbors could come if they wanted to. I felt this was a low pressure way to help a friend and not make people feel like they had to come or buy something they didn't want.

I was just invited to a Silpada Jewelry party. I don't know anything about them. What is the stuff like, Jenn?

Jennifer

[SueC]

I go with the intention of buying the cheapest thing and somehow I get all caught up in the products and I buy way more than I intended to. (I'm a schmuck who is easily persuaded). There are some I won't go to (candle parties, cosmetics other than Mary Kay, Southern Living, and other random crap I don't need), but I will go to Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, and the occasional Discovery Toy party.

[Meenah]

I don't go at all, because the times I have gone I bought crap I didn't want or need. I'm like you Sue!!
Luanne

[mommax3]

I go if the person is a friend, I like what is being sold, and if it won't make me feel used. I like Pampered Chef a lot and never mind going to those parties....there are cheap things to buy and I have often done some Christmas shopping through them because my MIL and two SILs like their stuff, too. I am not really into Longaberger, and I haven't been invited to a Mary Kay party in ages.

Sally

I've been to a Mary Kay party, and one candle party a friend dragged me along to. I definitely avoid going, and in the area I live, and with the people I know, its not all that difficult. There just aren't a lot of people having parties. I hate feeling like I have to buy something, and I hate the presentation and demonstration. I guess if I was interested in the product, it would be different.

[DCJenn]

The Silpada silver stuff is actually pretty nice. I bought a couple pairs of earrings.

Jenn

Ugh....I really can't stand these parties because I always feel obligated to buy something, but I hate spending my money on overpriced junk just so the hostess can get a free pie plate.

I was invited to yet another Southern Living party that was held a couple of weeks after my son was born. I got the invite but with everything going on I didn't get around to rsvp'ing. The SL sales rep did everything she could to track me down....left several voicemail messages, sent me several emails asking why I hadn't rsvp'd. I realize that she probably didn't know that I was otherwise preoccupied with a newborn, but give me a break...one message would have been sufficient. I have been to a few parties given by this rep in the past and she is very high pressure. Drives me nuts! At least now I can use my son as an excuse to get out of future parties!

[PrincessFiona]

I have gone to a few, but for the most part, I avoid them. I do enjoy scrapbooking and went regularly to crops/croptoberfest etc before my rep moved....but I hated the pressure to buy. I knew that this individual was working hard to get her business off the ground, but I felt pressured to buy things that I didn't want/need. I really love creative memories and even considered becoming a consultant...but....I wouldn't want to have to sell to people because I hate how uncomfortable I felt!

[lilponygirl]

I know EXACTlY what you mean. I actually became a CM consultant. I figured, I love to scrapbook and am buying all this stuff anyway, so I might as well try selling it. Three months after I got my kit I deactivated. I just don't have it in me to pressure people to buy stuff when I know full well they can buy comparable items in the store. Don't get me wrong, I love Creative Memories and still use mostly their product. I'm just not cut out to be a salesman (saleswoman?). And what sucks is, you have to be pushy in order for your business to succeed. So now when I go to those parties and they say "how wonderful it is to be a consultant" I immediately zone out.

[Phoebe]

My neighbor/friend is a CM consultant. She just had a baby and is desperate for an order and basically emailed her clients and said she has to place a big order by the end of the month in order to stay on as a consultant. It kind of irks me to feel pressured to buy stuff just so she can remain a consultant. However, she gives me her 30% discount. The thing I don't like is how they have workshops to use their tools and eat lunch and they charge you $10 bucks. I normally don't go to those when I can scrapbook at home for free.

Jennifer

[Vishenka69]

Ah, another good reason to avoid the 'burbs.