Pampered Chef (etc) parties

[shadeofgreen]

I'm friendly with several of my co-workers. We'll typically have lunch together, occasional happy hours, etc. It's nice to be able to socialize with them since it is hard to make connections in post-college life.

Every few months someone hosts a Pampered Chef party. Or a Tastefully Simple party. Or a Silpada party. I've gone to a couple of them, but the whole thing just leaves me cold. No one ever just hosts a nice get-together. No one wants to have a "party" unless the host is going to be profiting from it. And the stuff is really pretty frivilous and overpriced. Okay, I admit Pampered Chef has some cool kitchen gadgets, but nothing I actually want to spend money on.

So I don't go to these things often, but it seems like my choices are to be anti-social and not go at all, to go but seem like I'm just there for the free food because I'm not going to spend money, or go and buy something I don't need. If I do go I typically tell the person, "sure, I'll go, but I'm not looking to buy anything." I still feel like a cheap ass.

I'm not really seeking advice here, just ranting, and wondering if anyone else had encountered this.

[meatwad]

I just did the exact same thing last week. Dullsville. I bought a pizza stone and a vegetable peeler because they were cheap and I wanted them and that was about it. It was like a live infomercial. Never again.

[pisces2473]

Yes, but not with coworkers, just friends.

Why don't you host some kind of "normal" get-together?

[meatwad]

Yes, but not with coworkers, just friends.

Why don't you host some kind of "normal" get-together?

No kidding. Everyone throw $5 into a bucket, drive to the supermarket buy a bunch of ingredients and make your own dinner party.

[KCboy]

be anti-social and not go at all

asocial

[hoodie]

The worst of these types of "profit parties", is Longeberger (sp?) Basket parties. If you've ever been invited to one, back away slowly. My mom ended up buying a set of 50 dollar coasters at one out of guilt for not buying anything. At least Pampered Chef has cool stuff. And actually I do like the parties that sell...er...toys.

[meatwad]

The worst of these types of "profit parties", is Longeberger (sp?) Basket parties. If you've ever been invited to one, back away slowly. My mom ended up buying a set of 50 dollar coasters at one out of guilt for not buying anything. At least Pampered Chef has cool stuff. And actually I do like the parties that sell...er...toys.

"Alright, so you ordered the double ended 18" jelly dong, right?"
*room goes quiet and all the girls look over at you*
"What? Don't judge!"

[wordsmith]

Hate 'em, hate 'em , hate 'em. I'm the bitch friend right now, because I just flat out won't go. My friends SHOULD know better by now than to invite me. My least favorite aspect (other than the guilt tripping to buy overpriced crap) is the pressure to host one yourself or the Amway-esque "Become a dealer."

[Skyblade]

Ugh...I went to one of those candle ones (I forget the company name). They made me feel like I was committing a crime if I bought any other type of candle. I'm like...who cares? they're just freaking candles!

[redsail]

I've never actually been to one but I hate the MLM industry as a whole.

[texasgirl]

So glad I'm not alone in this. I HATE these kinds of parties. If I never, ever hear Mary Kay, Arbonne, Pampered Chef, Longeberger, etc. again, I will die a happy girl. There is one lady in my apartment complex who hounds me relentlessly (seriously, it is at least a 3-times-a-week occurence) about becoming an Arbonne consultant or hosting one of her parties. I seriously run for cover when I see her coming... I want to yell, "No, I don't care if I never drive a pink Cadillac, a white Mercedes, win a diamond broach, get to go to Dallas for a "directors' meeting," or win cruises!!!! IT'S NOT WORTH ANNOYING MY FRIENDS AND COWORKERS WITH THIS USELESS CRAP!!"
Ok, I'm done now :)

[NewMrs.]

The worst of these types of "profit parties", is Longeberger (sp?) Basket parties. If you've ever been invited to one, back away slowly. My mom ended up buying a set of 50 dollar coasters at one out of guilt for not buying anything. At least Pampered Chef has cool stuff. And actually I do like the parties that sell...er...toys.


Longaberger is the worst!

I used to work with a woman who was a Longaberger "Director" or whatever they're called, as her second income. I believe that she made almost as much money doing her Longaberger thing as she did working at her day job. (FYI - Our company didn't pay anybody that much.) She was ALWAYS peddling her $100 baskets at work. She was a vice president at our company, so she had her own office, and the office was decorated with Lonaberger baskets. She also used a Longberger basket as her purse. Very unprofessional.

I used to watch her dog while she went on vacation, so I spent some time at her house. The entire house was full of that Longaberger crap. She also had Longaberger brand dishes in her cupboard and Longaberger brand wallpaper in her dining room.

The scariest thing is that Longerberger's corporate headquarters in Ohio is SHAPED LIKE A GIANT BASKET. My co-worker would go out there every once in awhile, and she referred to it as "the hive" or "the cove" or something stupid like that. Also, in our area, one of the local bus companies would arrange recreational day trips to Longaberger's headquarters - apparently its really tourist trappy, and you can watch the "locals" handweave the baskets there.

Finally, even though our company didn't pay much, I had several co-workers who spent large chunks of their income on Longaberger stuff. On woman made her two daughter's Easter baskets out of Longaberger baskets. Somebody else bought one to use as the flower girl's basket at a wedding.

[mishl982]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I actually like the parties and have yet to be invited to one where I felt pressured to buy things or guilty if I didn't buy things. I probably went to more parties where I didn't buy anything than parties where I did. I enjoy them more for the social aspect and the yummy snacks ;):

Anyhoo, shadeofgreen, have you tried hosting your own non-product party? Get them together for cocktail or movie night or a potluck?

[WorkInProgress]

Why don't you host some kind of "normal" get-together?

I was wondering the same thing.

I actually have fun at a lot of these things, but I realize that many (most?) don't. I also don't feel bad if I don't purchase anything, or only purchase something cheap. It doesn't bother me when others don't either.

[pisces2473]

I don't get what's wrong with Longaberger baskets. They are hand-made, they are excellent quality, and go well with a country-style home.

It all boils down to this: if you don't need crap, don't buy it.

[Syracuse]

I wish someone would ask me to one of these parties just so I can go on a rant and ruin their day. Maybe that's wny no one does, because they know I like to go on rants.

[meatwad]

I wish someone would ask me to one of these parties just so I can go on a rant and ruin their day. Maybe that's wny no one does, because they know I like to go on rants.

Good point. I'm pretty sure that's why nobody here likes you. *ducks* :D

[pisces2473]

*snort*

[shadeofgreen]

Why don't you host some kind of "normal" get-together?
I figured someone would ask. The short answer is that my apartment's tiny. I have an itty bitty living room, no dining room and a cramped kitchen (that has no room for Pampered Chef stuff.)

But my irritation isn't so much with the lack of non-commercial opportunities for socialization with my co-workers. It's just that every few months someone's asking me if I'm gonna go to their [insert company here] party. If I thought they wanted the pleasure of my company I'd be happy to attend. But when I get the impression they're more interested in earning their free orange peelers, well, I'm less excited about it.

[wordsmith]

I have an intense dislike of being marketed to by friends. It's an unnecessary dynamic, for me. The only exceptions I make are for kids with select school/club fundraisers. Like buying Girl Scout cookies from my friend's little girl, or merchandise from my high school band and choir so they can go on tour. But I don't see any reason my friends should lean on me to support their businesses just because we're friends. I don't call them up and pressure them to subscribe to my paper.

[pisces2473]

I figured someone would ask. The short answer is that my apartment's tiny. I have an itty bitty living room, no dining room and a cramped kitchen (that has no room for Pampered Chef stuff.)
How about just arranging to meet for drinks or dinner at a bar or restaurant somewhere then?

I understand the frustration though...they just see work as a bunch of people who might buy stuff so they can get stuff. It IS annoying.

[weary]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I actually like the parties and have yet to be invited to one where I felt pressured to buy things or guilty if I didn't buy things. I probably went to more parties where I didn't buy anything than parties where I did. I enjoy them more for the social aspect and the yummy snacks ;):

Anyhoo, shadeofgreen, have you tried hosting your own non-product party? Get them together for cocktail or movie night or a potluck?
i'm in the minority with you, michelle. ;)

i've gone to several of them at friend's homes, and have hosted a few myself. i think it's a fun/silly excuse to have a get together, especially for people who don't go out much (read: me). i'll only host them when i know the seller/product and there's not any pressure. same for the ones i'll attend. if it's some random friend of a friend of a friend or colleague i don't talk to much, i know the deal and will decline.

[NewMrs.]

I don't get what's wrong with Longaberger baskets. They are hand-made, they are excellent quality, and go well with a country-style home.

It all boils down to this: if you don't need crap, don't buy it.


They ARE of excellent quality, are hand-made, and provide good jobs to people in Ohio.

I do think its funny that the basket ensembles in their catalogue include several different pieces that are each sold separately. For instance, you might end up paying $50 for the basket, $30 for the liner inside the basket, $20 for the fabric ruffle, and $20 for the lid.

You're right, if somebody doesn't need the basket, they shouldn't buy it. I just used to think it was ridiculous to see my former co-workeres, who were making maybe $20,000 a year each, buy these things on a regular basis. But yes, everybody needs to accept responsibility for managing their own budgets.

[Skyblade]

I remember in high school my friend had a Mary Kay party at her house right before winter formal. It was cool because we all got our make-up done together. I ended up only purchasing the lip gloss to freshen up during the night.

[embrassezla]

I have a Longaberger basket I will ship to whomever wants it and is willing to pay shipping.

[coll214]

I actually like the parties; they're different and none of my friends are gonna pressure me to buy anything, they know better than that. I just went to my first pampered chef and bought some cool stuff! Though the body shop ones can be dangerous :D.

[weary]

I have a Longaberger basket I will ship to whomever wants it and is willing to pay shipping.
ha ha ha ha. re-gifting?

this makes me think we should have an e-bay or white elephant like thread. the "QLC marketplace". LOL.

[shadeofgreen]

How about just arranging to meet for drinks or dinner at a bar or restaurant somewhere then?

I understand the frustration though...they just see work as a bunch of people who might buy stuff so they can get stuff. It IS annoying.
We do that sometimes...happy hours for someone's birthday or last day or whatever. Some of my co-workers are more fun after they've been enhanced by a couple of margaritas. :)

[wordsmith]

Why is it that Longaberger baskets should cost so much more than your average craft show/flea market handicraft, again? Oh, right. No real reason.

[pisces2473]

Why is it that Longaberger baskets should cost so much more than your average craft show/flea market handicraft, again? Oh, right. No real reason.
I don't see too many handmade baskets at craft shows.

NewMrs.--regarding the accessories being sold separately, hasn't that been the case since Barbie? :) But yes, I completely agree with you, if you don't have the money, don't buy it. Oh well, maybe someday people will learn.

I do have a few baskets, given to me as gifts, and I really like them. But I am not a sucker for "if you buy this and this, your friend will get THIS" tactics.

I don't mind most parties, esp b/c they are thrown by people I know. I don't go to random ones, but actually, I haven't been to one in a long long time.

[weary]

We do that sometimes...happy hours for someone's birthday or last day or whatever. Some of my co-workers are more fun after they've been enhanced by a couple of margaritas. :)
ha ha ha...i find this to be true of most ppl.

[asm198]

I haven't been invited to one of these in years, but I don't really like them. The only stuff I would ever consider buying would be pampered chef or partylite candles. The one pampered chef party I went to had some cool stuff, but I didn't have the cash to buy anything since I was a poor college student. And I like the candle holders and scents of the candles.

[EmberMae]

I actually like pampered chef, they have some nice gadgets. My mom used to sell Longaberger and Home Interiors. She never made a lot of money selling Longaberger, mostly she just enjoyed the discount for being an independent consultant, which pissed off the higher ups (some of those ladies are freaking crazy). Those baskets are alllll over my parents' house. Don't really care for them myself. But honestly if someone were to invite me to a party at their house I would be freaking thrilled, unless of course they made it obvious that the purpose was only to sell me stuff and not to have a good time.

We had a Mary Kay party at work, it was pretty fun. I didn't feel that pressured to buy anything, it was more like..."hey this lady wants to give us a free makeover during our lunch hour, let's do it." The only thing I buy from Mary Kay is the concealer because I can't find a drugstore brand that works as good, not that I wear makeup much anyway. It annoys me you can't just buy it from their website, you have to go through somebody. I used to get it from a friend of my mom's but she moved away. The last person I bought it from kept calling me and sending me emails asking me to try out new products and go to open houses, it was annoying as hell.