Sunday, February 3, 2008

Pampered Chef and all that other stuff




So I was at a Pampered Chef party the other night. You know how it goes.."Let's all go around the circle and say what our favorite 'tool' is...And if you spend such and such amount of money, you get this (cheap lookin') heart-shaped candy dish for only $14.99... Does someone want to come up and demonstrate the Ultimate Chopper? Oh, my kids just love the sud pump (or whatever it's called)... They've never been so excited about washing their hands!... Ooohhh, yeahhh... Wow, I'm so grateful to have 'tools' that allow me to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the family...blah, blah, blah..."
I'm sorry. It's just that the whole time I was at the party, I was almost laughing because I just kept thinking about what I would blog about it. I know what you're thinking. "Ann, you're just bitter because you can't afford to buy anything but a spatula and some hand wash. Ummm, true. However, that's not the point. The point is--man, I am so not the sales type of person.

I remember working at the GAP when I was sixteen and being pressured to accomplish all of these stupid little sales goals that were on this little card. I hated it. Was I a good salesperson? Heck, yes. I was good because I was super friendly and helpful, but not because I ever tried to manipulate someone into buying something that they really didn't need or want.

I also remember that when Brian and I were first married and were living in Provo, Brian applied for a job that appeared to be some kind of installer. Turns out it was one of those multi-level companies that sold vacuums of all things. So Brian got all roped into selling really expensive vacuums. Again, you know the drill. You call up all of your close family and friends and ask them if you can give them a presentation or whatever, and you hope to pressure them into buying a stupid vacuum that doubles as an air filter. I'll tell you what, man. I seriously could not deal with the idea of having a husband who was a vacuum salesman--or any salesman for that matter. I remember calling my mom and telling her that I didn't think my marriage could survive such a trial as this, and I remember her telling me that the world does need sales people and that somebody has to do it. Lucky for me, Brian was not meant to be that somebody. He quit shortly after he started.

What do I hate so much about sales? Well, I guess it is the fact that there always seems to be some level of dishonesty and insincerity because the person selling is always self interested. And yeah, even the casual selling that goes on at all of these parties that we all go to is too much for me. Whenever I am at a "party" for Pampered Chef or home stuff, or body lotions or candles or whatever, I always feel like I have to leave my real self in the car and only take in my artificial self that can ooh and aahh appropriately. Does anyone hear what I'm saying?

Ironically, I really enjoy going to all these silly parties. I love to be social and I love to eat, so I'm willing to pay the price of having someone trying to sell me something.

I guess what I'm saying is that there will never be a selling party at my house. I will, however, be throwing a super cool party someday. It will be a giving party. The kind that Oprah has once a year where she gives each member in the audience a sample of all of her favorite things. I'm going to start saving my pennies...

P.S. I do fully recognize and respect the fact that there are many people that love going to these parties just because they ARE anxious to learn about and buy all the new products--I'm just usually not one of them.

15 comments:

nikki said...

This post makes me laugh. Primarily because my mom tends to get me stuff from Pampered Chef, most of which are luxury items rather than items of necessity. And in my NY apartment it is hard to find space for necessity items let alone luxury items. I am not a sales person either and I hate trying to be sold something I do not need or want. I share your sentiments...

Adventures in Healing said...

Ann. You are so funny.

Rachel McEwen said...

I hear what you are saying and I feel exactly the same way. My problem is that I am too nice to say no and I end up spending money on stuff that I really DID NOT want in the first place.

P.S. I think I remember Brian doing his vacuum speil on me and Justin. How funny?

Theresa Rodriguez said...

Amen sista

Jen said...

I know! I've stopped showing up at Pampered Chef parties...is the world being taken over by Pampered Chef or what????

Danalin said...

I groan every time I get an invite...not because I don't want to go and hang out with my girlfriends, but precisely for the reasons you stated. The one "sales" job I had felt the same as yours at GAP. I worked at a bridal shop and I did a great job because I was excited for the bride and wanted to help her find her perfect dress; not the one that would give me a bigger comission. I loved it!

What I don't love is when I have friends that start into a business like this and ask me to host a party. Ugh. I've done it a few times and it is so not my favorite, even though I love to host parties. One great thing, though, is that I have a friend who goes to all of these parties and buys all of the tricky stuff they sell and then she lets me borrow it. I borrowed 5 pampered chef things from her for food that I am making for New Beginnings tonight. :)
(Whoa...long comment!)

Amy said...

oh my goodness.....I can't get over how breathtakingly beautiful you are.....

Anonymous said...

Ann! Those pictures are so cute! I love the one wear Jane is laughing; it cracks me up because she is so freakin cute. And you look so pretty! Yeah I don't know much about Pampered Chef parties, but I recently got suckered into doing a Mary Kay demonstration (No offense to anyone who works for Mary Kay). I thought I was going to get some kind of sweet product at the end. Yeah that is when I learned I was a sucker. All I got was a catalogue of really expensive products that I should buy. No thank you! I don't have any money anyway.

Mindy said...

Thats funny you mention a giving party. My cousins went out for a sisters weekend (which of coarse moms are included in) before my cousin left on her mission. Well, one of the things they did on their weekend was to buy 1 of their favorite things for each sister. Then they explained and exchanged. They said is was one of the best things they did on that trip. OH and I wanted to tell you on my blocked blog I added what you asked me to so I need your e-mail so you can see. At the last P.C.P I went to I bought a mini cake set for Lillie for Christmas and the little microwave bowls that you can make cakes in to fit that mini cake set well I tried it out for her and she was so excited (picture it...) BAM the cake blew up in the microwave. I tried more then once with the same results. Fun HUH?

Heather Bell said...

Every time I read your blog, I almost cry from laughing. It is hilarious! You can never stop! I have to go to a tupperware party for my sister, so I totally agree with you, but oh well, you are right about the food!

Jordan and Jodi said...

Hey Ann- I just starting Blogging and yesterday I saw tons of old friends who also blog. How are things? My email: jmneeley@juno.com and my blog is http://mcdofamily.blogspot.com/
I just started a few days ago so I am just getting use to all the cool things that can be done. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love
Jodi

Lila said...

I hate those parties! Occasionally there is one that I do want to go to but I always tell them I'll come but I don't host.
Cute pics with the kids!

Miller Family said...

Hahaha! I love this post and I completely agree!

Anonymous said...

Ann, You don't know me I just happened to stumble across your blog. I am a Pampered Chef consultant and I love what I do. I get the flexability to do what I want when i want. I can honestly say that I am not a great salesman, and I have NEVER called up a family memeber or a friend and ask them to do a show for me. They all volunteered becasue they wanted to do one. Some people enjoy getting FREE things! I am not great at upselling because it is not in me. I agree some people are over-the-top, but some of us doing a business do it becasue we love what we do and we want to earn some income while having FUN! I am sorry that you feel so negatively about our businesses, but honestly who doesn't need a spatula, or a nice knife in their kitchen? Do you buy things because you feel like you have to or because you want a nice item you won't have to buy 10 times at Wal-Mart? Nobody twisted your arm to buy the spatula you did! I think that you need to consider that people invite you to these parties becasue they feel like you are a friend and they want to spend time with you, but probably not with the attitude you bring. I wish that you would change your mind, not all of us are beggars!

Anonymous said...

I came across this blog while surfin' the net, and laughed. I can relate, having been to a few similar "parties" myself. I've been asked to host, but with a full time job, 3 kids, 3 stepkids (any number of whom are visiting every weekend), I cannot do it. My main issue with all those parties is that neither I nor most of my friends can afford any of it. The products are nice, but if you can't buy them, what the point of going to any of the parties? I get so uncomfortable at those parties when I see the prices. I just can't do it.