I recently attended a home-based sales party for a new jewelry line which is an offshoot of a home decor line. My girlfriend has been selling the decor items for about three years and I have been to several of her parties and bought many items. I have also referred her to my friends for other parties.
I actually won the "prize" at the party for a silly game and received a nice home decor item. However, I am not much of a jewelry person but thought I'd go to be supportive and see if anything caught my eye. I was disappointed to find that nearly every item was priced between $75 - $150. Not inexpensive! Anyway, I didn't feel the quality merited the price and there was nothing I couldn't live without. After a few days of contemplating buying something just to be supportive, I decided against it. When I called my friend to say I wouldn't be buying anything, it was quite obvious she was annoyed.
Not sure that I really have a question except to ask if that's ok? Normally I won't attend parties if I don't have the intention of buying, but I thought I'd give the new line a chance to impress me. It did not. So should I have bought something just to be nice? I guess I have been completely over-saturated lately by an inordinate number of home-based sales parties and need to vent! Her reaction really just makes me want to avoid ALL home-based sales parties in the future. Thanks Ladies!
I am not a people pleaser so I do not feel obligated to buy and I do not feel I need to apologize for not buying anything. If she can't accept that you're not interested than she is not a true friend.
I wouldn't spend 75 dollars on something just to be nice. I've listened and looked at parties quite a few times and haven't seen anything I like - so I don't buy it. I came, I looked, you didn't have anything I wanted. No one's fault. I am very conscious of how I spend money and I don't want to waste it for my family.
Wow, that is expensive for jewelry for a home party! I have gone to a few of those and bought small items just to support my friends or for fun. But I would not pay 75.00 and up! And this is why I also avoid those parties now. I hate the feeling of feeling obligated to buy something. Plus it seems like the vendor is always pushing the guests to host their own party, I'm tired of being asked if I want to host a party. It's just not for me.
don't buy it if it doesn't wow you. nothing wow'd you - so you shouldn't feel inclined or obligated to purchase.
GOOD FOR YOU for standing your ground!! You done good kid!!
I loathe those types of parties, personally. For that price range, if I didn't see anything that struck me, then I would not purchase something. If the range had been something like $15 and up, then I would have made a purchase in support of my friend. You were nice to go; I decline those invitations because I don't like to feel pressured to buy ANYTHING!
Those parties should only be to browse items they have set up, and to look through the catalog they give you. You have an appetizer and punch, and IF you like something, you buy it. If not, you give a warm, "thank you for the invite! I needed a night out", and leave. There should be zero pressure to purchase.
Congrats on winning the prize!
I sell for another home based business and, while I don't expect everyone who attends a party to buy, I obviously hope they will. However, I wouldn't want people to buy something they didn't need or want just because they felt obligated to.
I think it's important that people who attend these parties go with the intention of buying something if they see a product they like. That way, you keep an open mind and are genuinely trying to support the host and/or the vendor. Hopefully you'll find something you like; if not, at least you tried. No hard feelings on the vendor's part, at least for me.
If you have zero intention of buying, I think you need to make it clear to the host in advance that they won't be making any purchases that evening. Then she can decide if she still wants you to attend for the moral support (or because she enjoys your company), or if she'd rather you stayed home so you don't offend the vendor.
I don't think you did anything wrong in this case. Money is tight these days. No need to spend it just to be nice.
I had a "friend" like that once. Turned out I was more of a mark to her than a friend. Don't feel bad. You showed up with an open mind and you were under no obligation whatsoever. I definitely wouldn't spend $75 if you didn't like the product. That's a lot of hard earned money.
I think the only way that it would not be "ok" is if you are a shopoholic and spend money on stuff you don't need all the time. Then your friend might have a reason to feel slighted. Otherwise, she is just mad because she wants to make a sale, it's rude and desperate.
Not sure if it was a jewelry line but I went to one and bought something just so I wouldn't upset anyone. It has sat in the box, in the bag in my drawer for two years. It was over 100 dollars! Sitting in my drawer!!
I am proud of you!
That's why I don't attend if the product doesn't interest me or if I know it's out of my price range. I feel like even if they say it's okay not to buy anything, it's really not & I will be the cheapskate that came & ate & drank & didn't buy anything. All under the guise of it being a "get together", so come & have fun, bug don't feel obligated to by anything.... right. It's either a "party/get together" or it's a sales function. I don't really think it can be both.
Tell her that you thought about it but you just couldn't find something you liked well enough for $75. In this economy, everyone is looking for a way to make or save money. I bought ONE thing from my sister's party, and only after a long contemplation. It was still $50. It is okay to not spend money. Though the perception is you will go and you will spend, if it's really not your thing then it's not your thing.
Usually when I go to a home based party, I feel obligated to buy something. After all the hostess did go thru the trouble of sending out invitations, providing food and beverages, and an enjoyable evening. However, I also think that there should be items in the $10-$20 price range. Since there was nothing that wowed you, and nothing that you could purchase as a token of appreciation, then don't feel guilty.
I am in an MLM business. I occasionally do presentations, but rarely parties. I NEVER expect anyone to purchase anything unless they really want to. One time purchases are ok. But I am looking for people who want the product and will continue to purchase it. I would be disappointed in myself if I felt I had pressured someone.
I don't like to go to those parties either. I will occasionally attend if it is for a good friend, but I don't purchase anything unless I really want it.
Um..You do not have to buy stuff.
I throw a Party Lite party every year....Just had it this past Friday at my moms house.
I throw them...not intending to buy anything. Because I get the hostess credits, from what everyone else buys. But when I send out the invitation I let people know in writing that they do not need to feel obligated to buy.
We do a Chili/Chowder dinner with dessert and everything.
I just like the socializing, and it is the only way I get my candles and stuff I use throughout the year.
Sorry but if she was upset that is sorta in my opinion rude.
No one should ever feel obligated to spend their money on stuff. Especially if it is something you will not use.
Hi, Krista:
What was the reason you called her to tell her that
you weren't going to buy anything?
You can make choices for yourself. You don't have to do
anything you don't want to do.
We have to live with the consequences of our choices
whatever they are.
Good luck.
D.
Your friend is being exceptionally rude to you and I hope, with time, she realizes that. She was probably disappointed b/c you have been a solid purchaser in the past and she needed your sale to meet another goal or something. You definitely should NOT buy something just to make her happy even if it were $5!!! I have a friend who is a home sales nut - she has been with 4-5 companies already. Now she's on to her latest and begging me to come to a party this Sunday. I think I've become more of a sales boon than a friend to her and am wondering if I should say something, just not go or both. Friends and business just don't mix!
You are not obligated to buy anything. Especially for those prices. Not everyone can afford to drop $75 on something, especially if they aren't in love with it, and it's rude for a hostess to assume people are always going to buy... especially since you have been so supportive of her in the past. This is one reason why I no longer go to home based parties. You can't financially support everyone in their new business ventures.
It's definitely ok not to buy something. You went to see what was being offered and nothing sparked your interest.
Do you buy something everytime you go to the mall? Sometimes you are there knowing what you want, sometimes you go to browse and see if something grabs your attention.
I went to a party once having not been told in advance that it was a Party Lite party. I got really annoyed when items kept being pushed on me and finally said that no, I didn't intend to buy anything because I didn't know it was that kind of party. I had recently moved and was on a budget, the friend who invited me just said we were stopping by for drinks and snacks, she didn't tell me it was a sales presentation, as well. Had I known I wouldn't have gone.
You shouldn't feel obligated to buy although that's what they hope for. They all want the sale. It is their business. I have to say this is why I love my business so much. I don't have to sell you anything. You are already buying what I sell.......everything!
I tried several MLM companies and if you are not a great sales person it's tough. I'm not saying folks don't make money but it's tough and you may just have been feeling her frustrations. I actually should say owning your own business is tough. She may have had other things going on too and it wasn't really the fact that you won't buy again that bothered her. Maybe she isn't liking the quality and isn't sure what to do. Don't take it personally. :)
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I definitely would not spend $75. just to be nice my husband would flip! Not cool of your friend to be annoyed. I think the hostess gets a credit towards the product based on the dollar amount sold, hence your friend's disappointment. I do avoid the in home sales parties.
I know what you mean! Maybe next time you could look up the product/company online and if it peaks your interest enough and prices are what you would want to pay, then maybe go to give it a chance to impress you! I have gotten to the point that if I go, I try to purchase something at least (even small dollar amount) or if I know I'm not going to want to buy anything, I'll not attend.
I avoid them for exactly this reason. And some of them don't have games, food, or drink. The items are on display and you walk through marking an order card while the sales lady and hostess ask you questions.
True friends understand and dont do guilt trips!!
I don't think in this day in age you should feel obligated to buy something. She also needs to look at is as you may not have liked anything and the products aren't your thing, but if she were courteous and the products were something your friends liked she may get referrals.
I always try to buy something - usually the cheapest in the catalog if it really comes down to it. I do think it's rude to attend, eat the food, and not buy anything.
Sorry ...
I believe the assumption when you accept an invitation is that you intend to purchase something - however I do not think you have to feel obligated. I have been to parties, hosted parties, and for a short while sold Lia Sophia. In each position there were people who didn't purchase.
