Here is a situation I haven't come across before.

[Anonymous]

Six months ago I sent out invitations for a birthday party. In the invitation I explained that we were pulling the kids out of the daycare, but we wanted to keep in touch with the children's friends. We had the party, kept in touch with some of the friends, all was good.

Today I got an email from the mother of a child who never RSVPed, and didn't come to the party. No big deal, I don't care that she didn't RSVP, I just counted those as "no". The issue is that she had told me she held onto the invitation because she wanted to get in touch with me at some point to recruit me into her Avon type business, and there is some sort of convention coming up.

I wasn't buddy-buddy with a lot of the parents there, and I honestly don't remember this woman or her child. I am gobsmacked and not sure how to respond. DH laughed and said to just hit delete, but I am not sure that I am comfortable with that.

[Anonymous]

Just say thanks, but I'm really busy right now and can't make it. You can be sure she sent these to everyone she knows and barely knows.

[Anonymous]

Avon, Amway, and other businesses of this type teach their salespeople to do rude things like this. Everyone they meet who reaches out to them in anyway is to be considered a business contact and preyed upon. Hit delete without a second thought.

[Anonymous]

I don't think her email was rude, just unwelcome. It's a simple proposition which you can simply decline; it's not harassment. Send her short, polite "thanks but no thanks."

I hate those kinds of companies myself, but in this economy I don't anyone for trying it.

[Anonymous]

Oops, meant "I don't blame anyone for trying it."

[Anonymous]

I remember that my DC's classmate's parent was fundraising for Obama and added all the parents to her list as a result of a snack schedule email. On the one hand, you can't blame some one for trying. On the other, I prefer a certain separation between business and personal connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I prefer a certain separation between business and personal connections.

Welcome to America!

[Anonymous]

I'd respond with a "no thank you" rather than hit delete. If she is persistant, she may keep trying until you respond.

[Anonymous]

Just be polite and say thank you, but you are not interested.

You can't blame a person for trying to further their business!

[Anonymous]

my mom paid for me and my brother's high school tuition in a private school in a 3rd world country doing avon for those 4 long years.

this is her job and she's doing it somehow very well.
the failed when she didn't attend YOUR event.
if she wants to build business connections it was a must to attend your event.

don't blame on her.

what she's doing is legal and admirable.

[Anonymous]

by the way.. avon IS NOT like amway.

[Anonymous]

I like Avon. But, if anyone ever pulls that Amway speech to me, I'm going to stick their literature up their ass & dare them to do anything about it.

[Anonymous]

Simple question needs a simple response:
No, no thank you.
What's the big deal?

[Anonymous]

No thank you should suffice.

[Anonymous]

I sent an email thanking her, but turning her down.

I know several woman who have done well selling things like Arbonne, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay and Avon. I was also previously in sales, so I have an understanding of how sales work, however she didn't know I worked in sales.

Like I said I don't care that she didn't come to my event, I think it was the presumptuousness of it all. I really have no freaking clue who this woman is. I don't know if I ever met her child either, but do remember her child's cubby was next to my child's.