Bait and switch get together (MLM)
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Anonymous
| I was invited to a get together for a friend who recently remodeled her house. She asked if I wanted to come over and see her new kitchen/great room. I went out and bought some kitchen gadgets for her. I used to work long hours full-time and don't know many moms from my kids' elementary school. Since I now work from home half time I was excited to meet other moms. I just got an email from someone I don't know reminding me about the event where refreshments will provided and ---- will be displayed (I don't want to say exactly what is being sold but I am pretty sure it is a multi level marketing product.) I no longer want to go. How much of an obligation do I have to purchase items? It seems rude to not purchase anything when the refreshments are being provided by the seller. I also don't want to come across as rude when there are moms from my kids' school there. Debating whether to skip the whole thing or go? |
Anonymous
| Go. Eat. Buy nothing. I hate a bait and switch, but go anyway. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Just to clarify I only work 50% now so I will be around the school more. And my friend isn't selling she is just hosting event in her house. |
Anonymous
| No need for a gift if it is a remodel. I'd just make up an excuse something came up. |
doodlebug
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| I'd probably skip unless I knew at least two other people who were FOR SURE going AND if I thought the refreshments were going to be REALLY good, not some processed crap from Costco or Trader Joe. But I'm a food motivated introvert so take my attitude with a grain of salt. |
Anonymous
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She's "just" hosting? Nobody should be enabling those idiots, OP. I never go to these things for that reason. These are NOT potential friends. |
Anonymous
| "Sorry. I thought this was a real party for your remodel! I'm not going to attend, as I'm not interested in [product here]. See you at school!" |
Anonymous
| This happened to me but I didn't know until I arrived. I was so pissed that I left. Seething mad too since I had arranged childcare thinking it would be a nice night bonding with SIL. Frick was I mad. |
Anonymous
| Ugh. I went to one for a bachelorette party. It was for sex toys, and I was unemployed at the time and had a baby. I didn't know a lot of people going, but I love the bride so figured it would be a fun night out. I had no money to spend, too few opportunities to use these toys, and then was stuck in a room with strangers passing around intimate objects when I was hoping to have real conversations with real grown ups for a change. The party was a far enough distance away that I couldn't just turn around and go home early on. |
Anonymous
+1 DON'T reply as PP suggested ("sorry thought this was a real event!") unless you want awkward relations down the line. You don't have to buy anything and you can still eat and socialize. Also, as the "host" she is getting something out of it, probably a discount or something, and she may herself be interested in selling one day. |
Anonymous
Agree. If they ask about not buying, you can say (honestly) "I didn't realize this was a product party when I RSVPed. I don't think I need anything. It was great hanging out with you, though. Let's get together again." What I've found with these is that hosting the party for someone else is the first step. I've been annoyed at the invitations (and said as much) only to get the explanation that "so-and-so wouldn't leave me alone, so.I said I'd host one for her. I don't care if you buy anything." |
Anonymous
Or, she may have been manipulated into hosting the event. That happens too. And the whole thing is very awkward for as well. |
Anonymous
| She's using you. Don't go. |
Anonymous
+10 |
Anonymous
It is not rude not to buy something. Ever. I hate these kind of parties because of the pressure to buy stuff that you don't want/need or can't really afford. If you want to go, go, but you are under NO obligation to buy something. |