Home Parties!

[comom1]

I hate them. Unless, of course, there's going to be a large quantity of alcohol served. I almost never buy anything, but I warn the hostess ahead of time that I don't buy the stuff.

I do have a friend that sells Avon and she's so afraid of seeming pushy that I have to go after her three or four times if I need to replace something. She's always worried I'm only buying it because of her.

[daylight]

No, but worse, I was once forced to attend an aloe vera stuff initiation. A former classmate called up and insisted on meeting me. I thought he was in trouble or something, but was instead driven to an hour-long speech. Then we had to meet up for a follow-up conversation. This was someone, whom I really respected for a number of reasons, so I just said he'd be the first I'd contact should I need anything. 3 years later, I have not called. That was actually the second time that someone tried to make me enter an MLM programme, the first time around I was 18 and had no idea what MLM was.
The third attempt ended in a 2-minute phone conversation. The person insisted on meeting me without telling me why. I made her tell me what she does for a living and then flat out asked if she needed new people to buy stuff of her. She said yes and I said no thank you, I'm busy, and hung up. Third time is the charm.

[lynnerself]

More and more of my acquaintances are just doing "catalog" parties. Where you can order the stuff if you want, but are no pressure. I generally buy a little something because
1) I'm relieved not to go to a party and be pressured
2) It's kind of pay back for my kids school fund raising days

[wvugurl26]

I was in our post office/vendor area today and noticed a flier for a big show in March. Usually they only have 2 or 3 set up per day in the post office area. They are expanding to the lobby and having like 20 people that day. Tastefully Simple was listed so hopefully they have the spinach stuff I want. Now to remember to have cash with me.

[ohiositter]

I used to go to this parties.... but I got sooooo burnt out on them, it was usually MK, Tupperware, Pampered chef and a few others. I had a pizza stone from Pamper chef and it broke while in the oven, almost perfect in half, well I tried to get in touch with a rep. but didn't get a call back, I guess because I said all I want to do is replace it..... Also emailed the company and that was almost 6 months ago.... and now the stone is not under warranty? But I would be happy to pay for a replacement, I just don't do the credit card thing on line.......... LOL guess that's why I never got a reply....

[motherto2]

I absolutely hate these parties! I did them when I was young and stupid, and you put out a whole lot of money for snacks, drinks than you ever make in free/reduced stuff. I only hosted a couple of them because I really suck at being a salesmen, so I wouldn't invite many people. I finally got to the point that I started telling them no, I was busy. Then the catalog parties started rather than hosting a party, so then it was even harder to back out of. I usually ended up looking through the catalog about 15 times trying to find something I might like and was a little more reasonably priced than the other stuff. Or I would try to find something for an upcoming birthday, or for Christmas presents,etc. Then I didn't feel quite so bad spending the money. Well, then I got to the age where most of the people I knew stopped doing stuff like that. Then the new wave of younguns are now at work, and all of a sudden, they are having parties (or catalog parties) for all kinds of stuff. I've finally had to start telling them that I have so much of the stuff I just don't even use what I've already bought. Which is true, I still have a bunch of pampered chef, baskets, candles, jewelry, home interiors, you name it. Now one of my young coworkers sells the Thirty one bags (they are purses, various types of bags, etc) which truthfully aren't too bad. I bough me and my niece a purse that once you buy the purse you can purchase different skirts that just clip on and off for only $15. We both really like it alot. Buy now my supervisor is a seller under her for the Thirty one, so try to wiggle out of more of it . And I too have one of those friends that only gets in touch with me when she's having one of these types of parties. The worst one was having a party at one of those stores where you go in and partially put together meals and take them home and freeze them. Then you take them out and let them thaw and then cook the rest of the way. VERY expensive! I didn't really knnow that's what it was about until I got there. Silly me, I thought she was wanting to get together and hang out and have some fun . How ironic, she im'd me on fb about a week ago to see if I wanted to come to her Thirty one party!!!! It was sweet to tell her I already worked with 2 people who sold it!!!! I've had to tell the one girl that I wouldn't ever have another party. I'm very antisocial these days (I'm not involved with anyone and hate to be the odd person out so I don't go anywhere very often). I told her I didn't feel right just getting in touch with friends that I no longer keep up with just to invite them to a party. She's young and doesn't understand that.....