Pampered Chef Experiences?

[ChefSusie]

I am currently thinking of becoming a PC consultant (I still need to find the six people to sign-up for the first party as I don't really want to badger friends and family too much). As I have not yet formally committed myself, can anyone share some good or bad experiences they have had either as a consultant or as a hostess?

I know it will vary depending on the consultant. I hosted a party a year ago that was awful, but then attended one with another consultant that was so much fun.

I would love to hear people's thoughts. I love the products and just want to do this as a hobby for now.

I have just joined this board and have enjoyed reading through the archives. I eagerly await my CL subscription each month! I look forward to joining in here in the future.

[chefbec]

Hi, ChefSusie. I've been with PC for over five years and would be happy to chat with you. Please feel free to e-mail me privately.

[Tiger]

ChefSusie,
Since you like to cook I'm sure you would be good!
I think I own all their products and I am happy with them. My only complaint is when something does go wrong it's not easy to get help. Even thought they know their product, they want a receipt. And you usually have to find the exact consultant that sold you the product. In otherwords they make it not worth your while.
A while back I sold tupperware. Even thought I love to cook I would hate cleaning up someone else's kitchen! So that's why I never did PH. Have fun and good luck!

[Melman]

I've been buying PC products for years. I've personally never run into a problem at all that wasn't worked out quickly and professionally.

The most important thing you can say at your parties is to have folks hang onto the receipt. Tell them to put it in a particular folder...or stick it beneath the silverware tray in their kitchen drawer. BUT....I've managed to have a piece of broken stoneware replace with just a nice letter written to their customer service. I didn't have a reciept, wasn't completely certain when I bought it (didn't know the party or the rep), and gave them a ballpark idea on when I bought it. New item was sent to me with no questions asked.

I had a party a couple of months ago and found one piece actually showing on the packing slip but wasn't in the carton. Called the 800# on the packing slip....the new one arrived within a couple of days. A VERY polite customer service person answered my phonecall.

YOU make the parties fun....YOU give out the cool tips that make people want to use the stuff. I was always so-so with kitchen skills...didn't love cooking...didn't hate it. The PC items just make it fun!! I love being able to reach in a drawer or cabinet and be able to find an appropriate tool for whatever I'm making. (Ok, we won't talk about the girl who one time talked about not having a garlic press but would take her garlic to her garage, cover it in towels, and "mash" it with a sledge hammer!!!) :-)

[chefbec]

Just needed to set the record straight here. We don't clean up other people's kitchens. When I do a show, I'm given a table to work on. I clean up the products I use at the demo and wipe the table clean. That's it! Then I go home and put my tools in the dishwasher. I get paid quite well to "clean up after myself". I wish I got paid as well when I clean up after my family. As for the receipts, every product has a specific guarantee. If you don't have your receipt, the company has no idea how old the product is. I tell all my customers to hold onto their receipts, and I'm happy to make a new one if they lose it. The company stands behind all our products, and since we're all independent contractors, we can't make up other consultants' receipts. What Melman said was true. If you write to the company, they will help you.

And ChefSusie, if you take the attitude that you're "badgering" people, you will never be successful at this. This is fun and entertaining. You're helping people save time in the kitchen and helping your hosts get free products. You should be asking everyone you know, and even people you don't know. And if they say no, move on. Don't take it personally. I've done well over 500 shows, have traveled on many trips for free thanks to PC, and have made wonderful friends, not to mention my bills all get paid on time. GO FOR IT.

[Tiger]

Chefbec- Sorry I hit a nerve. As I said before I do like their shows and products but I personally have had problems when products don't work correctly. ( to this day I can't get my apple, slicer, cor. thing to work), but I do like their stones.
(Around here the PC consultant does clean up the kithen, thank goodness!!)

[browneye]

I attended my first PC party a couple months ago. It was really fun. The consultant was great, very nice and had great tips and yummy food! I thought it would be very fun to do, myself. However, I question whether it would really be a good idea for me. (don't quite think it would replace my current income) Someday maybe! I bought a ton of stuff and the consultant made sure I got an item that was missing from my order very quickly...
I love my stone for baking, garlic press, chopper, etc. etc....
A few sales tips: Be positive, provide excellent followup, be friendly, honest and fun, and you can't go wrong with the line!

[chefbec]

Tiger, that's okay. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I was just really setting the record straight like I said. What seems to be the trouble with your Apple P/C/S? Have you asked your consultant about it? I see you live near me. Maybe I can help you.

What types of problems have you had? I'm just curious as I rarely get calls from people with problems, and I do tell all my customers to take my business card and call me with any problems or questions.

Browneye, PC is not meant to replace your current income when you start. It's great extra money. Eventually it can replace your current income if that's what you're looking for. I would hate to give up my "real" job. I've been a professional singer for over 25 years. But I just got home from a PC show and made quite a lot of money. I'd be happy to discuss this further with you privately. Feel free to e-mail me.

[This message has been edited by chefbec (edited 05-24-2001).]