stella & dot trunk show...direct sales??

[Anonymous]

Right it is much more practical to...what? Complain? Dodge your friends? Expect them to read your mind? I Guess I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never once just been invited to a sales party. There are always follow up e-mails and/or calls, etc. And it's one thing telling your close friend that you're not interested in the crap she's selling. It's another when it's a neighbor, mom from your kid's class, friend-of-a-friend type of deal. Frankly, no matter how you spin it, it's just bad manners trying to sell things to your friends or "hosting a party" with an intent to sell to the guests.

I am from the south where manners are de rigeur and I can say that hosting a party where you sell something whether it be Tupperware or jewelry is not considered bad manners. Everyone has the ability and right to decline an invitation graciously. Now bad mouthing your friends or neighbors on the other hand.....that's bad manners. I'm glad you guys aren't my friend. Do you feel the same about charity events?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never once just been invited to a sales party. There are always follow up e-mails and/or calls, etc. And it's one thing telling your close friend that you're not interested in the crap she's selling. It's another when it's a neighbor, mom from your kid's class, friend-of-a-friend type of deal. Frankly, no matter how you spin it, it's just bad manners trying to sell things to your friends or "hosting a party" with an intent to sell to the guests.

I am from the south where manners are de rigeur and I can say that hosting a party where you sell something whether it be Tupperware or jewelry is not considered bad manners. Everyone has the ability and right to decline an invitation graciously. Now bad mouthing your friends or neighbors on the other hand.....that's bad manners. I'm glad you guys aren't my friend. Do you feel the same about charity events?

Are you saying you are hosting these parties for "charity"? All the money you make from a sales party goes to charity?

[Anonymous]

First, I am not hosting these parties. Second, no I don't think the money goes to charity. I ask that question because I see going to these parties as something you do to support a friend. I have friends who also, in addition to hosting parties like these, host events for charities or take part in fundraising events. I host events fir charities and fundraise. Me and my friends support one another by supporting these parties, events and fundraisers. I am just taken aback that the posters here seem so irritated and am guessing that you must not ever need support for an event or project from your friends, or you would not feel so put upon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, I am not hosting these parties. Second, no I don't think the money goes to charity. I ask that question because I see going to these parties as something you do to support a friend. I have friends who also, in addition to hosting parties like these, host events for charities or take part in fundraising events. I host events fir charities and fundraise. Me and my friends support one another by supporting these parties, events and fundraisers. I am just taken aback that the posters here seem so irritated and am guessing that you must not ever need support for an event or project from your friends, or you would not feel so put upon.

New poster here. I tried to understand your comparison, but I can't. Events and fundraisers for charitable causes benefit the charity. They benefit needy children, fledgling funds for arts in schools, homeless people, homeless pets, etc. Stella and Dot parties benefit the hostess. And Stella and Dot. Very different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, I am not hosting these parties. Second, no I don't think the money goes to charity. I ask that question because I see going to these parties as something you do to support a friend. I have friends who also, in addition to hosting parties like these, host events for charities or take part in fundraising events. I host events fir charities and fundraise. Me and my friends support one another by supporting these parties, events and fundraisers. I am just taken aback that the posters here seem so irritated and am guessing that you must not ever need support for an event or project from your friends, or you would not feel so put upon.

New poster here. I tried to understand your comparison, but I can't. Events and fundraisers for charitable causes benefit the charity. They benefit needy children, fledgling funds for arts in schools, homeless people, homeless pets, etc. Stella and Dot parties benefit the hostess. And Stella and Dot. Very different.

Agree, how can you compare supporting a charity to a Stella and Dot party?

[Anonymous]

I think the point is that people may attend fundraisers you host even though they don't give a fig about your cause because they want to support you and are willing to spend money to do so. (I just got an invite from for a benefit for a dance company I've never heard of.) You can reciprocate by spending money to support them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the point is that people may attend fundraisers you host even though they don't give a fig about your cause because they want to support you and are willing to spend money to do so. (I just got an invite from for a benefit for a dance company I've never heard of.) You can reciprocate by spending money to support them.

Yes, that was my point exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the point is that people may attend fundraisers you host even though they don't give a fig about your cause because they want to support you and are willing to spend money to do so. (I just got an invite from for a benefit for a dance company I've never heard of.) You can reciprocate by spending money to support them.

But this is exactly why it's awkward to say no when you're invited to one of these stupid parties. The thing is it's NOT a charity, it's not a cause close to the body's heart. It's a way for them to make a few bucks for themselves. If my friend is that bad off I'd rather help them directly than have to give half the money to some random company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the point is that people may attend fundraisers you host even though they don't give a fig about your cause because they want to support you and are willing to spend money to do so. (I just got an invite from for a benefit for a dance company I've never heard of.) You can reciprocate by spending money to support them.

But this is exactly why it's awkward to say no when you're invited to one of these stupid parties. The thing is it's NOT a charity, it's not a cause close to the body's heart. It's a way for them to make a few bucks for themselves. If my friend is that bad off I'd rather help them directly than have to give half the money to some random company.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never once just been invited to a sales party. There are always follow up e-mails and/or calls, etc. And it's one thing telling your close friend that you're not interested in the crap she's selling. It's another when it's a neighbor, mom from your kid's class, friend-of-a-friend type of deal. Frankly, no matter how you spin it, it's just bad manners trying to sell things to your friends or "hosting a party" with an intent to sell to the guests.

I am from the south where manners are de rigeur and I can say that hosting a party where you sell something whether it be Tupperware or jewelry is not considered bad manners. Everyone has the ability and right to decline an invitation graciously. Now bad mouthing your friends or neighbors on the other hand.....that's bad manners. I'm glad you guys aren't my friend. Do you feel the same about charity events?

I'm from the South too and where I come from, hosting "parties" with the intent of selling things is indeed considered quite tacky. Gracious people wouldn't put their friends in the position of having to respond to an invitation in order avoid buying something they never wanted in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the point is that people may attend fundraisers you host even though they don't give a fig about your cause because they want to support you and are willing to spend money to do so. (I just got an invite from for a benefit for a dance company I've never heard of.) You can reciprocate by spending money to support them.

But this is exactly why it's awkward to say no when you're invited to one of these stupid parties. The thing is it's NOT a charity, it's not a cause close to the body's heart. It's a way for them to make a few bucks for themselves. If my friend is that bad off I'd rather help them directly than have to give half the money to some random company.

Exactly!

PP here. I meant to say "the host's heart," not "the body's heart." That sounded strange. But the point is the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: If my friend is that bad off I'd rather help them directly than have to give half the money to some random company.

But maybe that's not what your friend would prefer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: If my friend is that bad off I'd rather help them directly than have to give half the money to some random company.

But maybe that's not what your friend would prefer.

Then that friend should get a job that involves being paid for actual work done rather than guilting their friends into buying crappy stuff. Most people I know who do sales parties are people who choose to stay at home rather than work. That's a valid choice but their friends shouldn't have to finance it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never once just been invited to a sales party. There are always follow up e-mails and/or calls, etc. And it's one thing telling your close friend that you're not interested in the crap she's selling. It's another when it's a neighbor, mom from your kid's class, friend-of-a-friend type of deal. Frankly, no matter how you spin it, it's just bad manners trying to sell things to your friends or "hosting a party" with an intent to sell to the guests.

I am from the south where manners are de rigeur and I can say that hosting a party where you sell something whether it be Tupperware or jewelry is not considered bad manners. Everyone has the ability and right to decline an invitation graciously. Now bad mouthing your friends or neighbors on the other hand.....that's bad manners. I'm glad you guys aren't my friend. Do you feel the same about charity events?

I am from the deep south and expecting friends to shell out money for crap they do not want, all just to benefit the hostess, is tacky.