topic Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties in Among Friends

Invites to 'Home' Parties

Nataliesgramma — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:21:13 GMT

This week I got 2 invitations to jewelry parties. I went to one last year and the stuff is so overpriced. I am retired now and don't wear jewelry like I used to. I have 2 amoires filled with both costume and the good stuff...

They are both friends that are still working and I know they will be miffed if I don't go.

Last year I went to Pampered Chef, Candle Party and Tupperware. I just don't need or want anymore of the things that they sell and I don't like the pressure to host a party of my own at these things.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

ladyroxanne — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:27:00 GMT

i've been navigating this minefield for some time now and i can only tell you what i tell my friends. i tell them that i've been to enough of these things that i don't want to do it anymore and that i have enough stuff to last me a lifetime. no one has been miffed at me at all. i think they appreciate my honesty or at least they act as though they do. there have been no hard feelings.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

circles — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:40:39 GMT

I have a friend who was always having parties for everything...and I was always invited...I hate house parties because the stuff is overpriced...usually not anything i would ordinarily purchase .....

Finally I had it...and I told her I had more stuff then I could ever use in my lifetime...and I would appreciate not being asked to anymore of her parties...

She was okay with my decision....and the invites stopped...yet the freindship remained....

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

haddon9 — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:55:54 GMT

It's a tough one. If it were me I would probably go but tell my friend that this is the last time! I know they all say to please come and you don't have to buy anything and just have "fun" but I always feel pressured to buy at least something. I agree that most of the stuff is way overpriced!

When my neighborhood was new 23 years ago I went to at least 6-8 "parties" a year! This went on for many years and I have accumulated so much stuff. I always said that I was never interested in hosting one but even there it's often high pressure.

Now thank goodness people rarely have them here. I think they have been partied out and everyone is tired of them!

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

jlkz — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:57:07 GMT

My sister used to host parties for different things but I never went. Then as a consultant on a project, I went to a jewelry one even though I have worn only the same signature gold jewelry pieces. I liked the colleague so I attended. Figured what was the least I would spend and got out of there as quickly as I could.

When I got the piece of jewelry, it was horrid and broke soon thereafter. Chalked it up to experience.

Resented the "recruitment" attempt to become a rep for the schlock. The commissions are what drive up the price. For folks who are on a tight budget and attend these gatherings, they are royally taken advantage of. They are being "used" by their so called friends.

In my mind I liken these "parties" ( I.e., partings from your $ ) to MULTILEVEL marketing schemes. Exactly who reaps the $ benefits from them ??? Think about it ....

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

BichonEmma — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:58:52 GMT

I would be honest and say you have more than enough jewelry. I'd leave out the overpriced bit.

Is is it possible your friends would just like to see you? If you don't see them often that could be part of it. Years ago we used to have a lot of those parties going around the office. I went to quite a few. There were always a couple friends of the hostess who seemed to mostly come for some catch up. Not everyone bought something either. I know I didn't every time.

As for the hosting your own party. I would just say I really couldn't. Some of the products reps would insist I take the flyer or whatever in case I changed my mind. The only time I had one really pushy is when I had a big order. She gave me the you'd save so much money on this if you had your own party. Since you don't plan on buying that shouldn't be a problem 😉

If you don't want to go and socialize at the party. You could say you "sorry I can't make it then but I'd really like to catch up with you how about you come over (or go out) for lunch next Saturday" or something like that. With a firm alternate plan offered your friends shouldn't feel too miffed

i hope that helps some

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

Financialgrl — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:02:45 GMT

These parties are things whose time has come and gone. This is very timely cuz I was just invited to two family members' "double party". A lot of people were invited and few even bothered to respond so it is now rescheduled.

One would think they'd have gotten a clue with the less than enthuusiastic response the first time but obviously not. Call it what you want but I know of no one that sticks with this stuff and makes money doing it bc after awhlle, people see you coming and avoid you for the very reasons stated here.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

panda1234 — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:17:58 GMT

@bichon_emma wrote:
I would be honest and say you have more than enough jewelry. I'd leave out the overpriced bit.

Is is it possible your friends would just like to see you? If you don't see them often that could be part of it. Years ago we used to have a lot of those parties going around the office. I went to quite a few. There were always a couple friends of the hostess who seemed to mostly come for some catch up. Not everyone bought something either. I know I didn't every time.

As for the hosting your own party. I would just say I really couldn't. Some of the products reps would insist I take the flyer or whatever in case I changed my mind. The only time I had one really pushy is when I had a big order. She gave me the you'd save so much money on this if you had your own party. Since you don't plan on buying that shouldn't be a problem 😉

If you don't want to go and socialize at the party. You could say you "sorry I can't make it then but I'd really like to catch up with you how about you come over (or go out) for lunch next Saturday" or something like that. With a firm alternate plan offered your friends shouldn't feel too miffed

i hope that helps some

If people truly want to catch up with you, it should not involve money or sales.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

chrystaltree — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:44:35 GMT

If the ladies will be "miffed" if you don't go and BUY something; that means they aren't really your friends. So, don't go to those sales parties. Which aren't parties at all. When you get invited to them, just be honest. Thank the them for the invitation and just say that you don't need whatever it is they are selling. It's not that hard. Do it once and it will be easier the next time around.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

Financialgrl — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:48:28 GMT

Agree with the comment if someone wants to see you or catch up with you, it shouldn't involve money or an invite to a party. I'll say it again - I personally never have met anyone who can make a living off MLM parties.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

millieshops — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:50:55 GMT

Sometimes if the partygiver is quite close to me, I go just to give them a seat count if they say they need to meet a quota. I no longer feel any pressure to buy what I don't want.

Now if I couldalso learn to resist the cake.....

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

JJsMom — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:58:46 GMT

I used to go to these home parties out of obligation. These days I have no problem declining. I had a friend give me a hard time about not going, but I didn't give in. It's obnoxious to pressure your friends and family attend these things. I think these multi-level marketing schemes, which are basically pyramid schemes, are scams. If you have to bully your loved ones into supporting your "business," you're not selling a legit product.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:11:35 GMT

The last home party I attended was Tastefully Simple and I only went because a relative hosted the party. Yes I felt obligated to buy something and ended up buying 2 items that were way too expensive. Granted both items were good but the price was silly to begin with and the s/h was even more ludicrous. If she does this again (she's already talked about it), I will definitely take a pass.

My SIL is into these things for everythig. Home gold parties where you sell your gold, Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, etc. I just don't attend.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

kittyloo — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:18:29 GMT

Like most of you,I don't need any of the overpriced junk. I always inform the hostess I will be a seat filler and come for the fellowship. Don't expect me to buy.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

ChynnaBlue — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:22:30 GMT

@Nataliesgramma wrote:
This week I got 2 invitations to jewelry parties. I went to one last year and the stuff is so overpriced. I am retired now and don't wear jewelry like I used to. I have 2 amoires filled with both costume and the good stuff...

They are both friends that are still working and I know they will be miffed if I don't go.

Last year I went to Pampered Chef, Candle Party and Tupperware. I just don't need or want anymore of the things that they sell and I don't like the pressure to host a party of my own at these things.

If your friends will get mad at you for not showing up to a party where you're expected to spend money so that they can get free things, you can find better friends.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

CANDLEQUEEN — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:49:45 GMT

I am probably only invited to maybe 2 Home Parties a year, and they are usually Pampered Chef and Partylite, and I don't mind going to either of them, I like both of their products, but I do not feel compelled to order each time either, as both are pricey! A personal friend of mine sells both so I usually go to one of each of them per year......That is my limit, and I am not interested in jewelry or Tupperware, etc. Do not feel obligitated to go, or if you do go , do nt feel like you have to purchase anything. I think that they bank on people feeling obligated to purchase somethine they would not ordinarily buy!

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

Group 5 minus 1 — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:10:46 GMT

I think it is best to be honest and just say you don't go these things. Mom used to call them "demonstrations". If it destroys your friendship what does that tell you.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

RedTop — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:19:30 GMT

I also don't do parties for the very same reasons that have already been expressed.

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

spix — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:28:03 GMT

I think something similar is being done on facebook, supposedly a "private" invite, they say "I'm not selling" yeah right! anyway I forget the name of the jewelry, but you personalize it with whatever you want, sports, career,nicknames, etc no word yet on prices, anyone else ever hear of this?

Thanx

Re: Invites to 'Home' Parties

JJsMom — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:51:57 GMT

The worst right now is the It Works! company. They sell wraps that supposedly tighten and firm your body parts (what a scam). Their representatives are the pushiest. It is very cult-like.