Invited to a selling party, but no intention to buy anything. Is it better not to go?

[argyllherewecome]

A friend's dd is in university and has become a demonstrator for a very expensive product. I can't afford it, even if I wanted to buy it. I've been invited to a demo party and my DM says you can't go to these things without buying something as the host doesn't make anything. She proceeded to tell me how many things she bought from Pippa Dee/Tupperware/PartyLite just to "support the host". DM is prone to strange ideas, but I just want to check if this is a thing? Is it better for me not to go if I know I won't purchase anything?

And this is one of the reasons I hate these events. I don’t go to them either for this reason

If you are absolutely decided that you aren't buying anything don't go. I thought these 'parties' died a death years ago.

Yes, this has a retro feel all right!

Interested to know what the expensive product is, though.

I wouldn't go if I had no intention of buying the product being sold. Waste of everyone's time.

I do think you need to buy "something " it used to be candle parties amongst my circle and it was expected that you bought something, Just decline if you don't want to buy anything, it's fine.

I'd decline. Not only will be the hard sell on the night, it will probably be followed by trying to recruit you to sell for the cult.

Your mum is right, and the person inviting you is not a friend.

If it was a good friend, I’d probably say ‘Look, Sarah, I will definitely not be buying anything, as I’m skint/ would rather burn fifties than own an Expensive Whatever, but am happy to come along to make up numbers if that helps (and it’s not too boring watching you demo whatever it is).’

Don't go if you're not going to buy. Stops a lot of hard feeling. I can't tell you how much stuff I've bought in the past that I didn't really want at these things.

edited for typos

Is it a health a beauty thing op ? I saw someone on Facebook trying to flog some vitamin powders it was extortionate.

I've been to Tupperware, Avon and Ann Summers parties. You were always expected to buy something. I also once went to one where they were selling handbags, but they were overpriced and not a style I was after, so didn't buy. I was made to feel a bit guilty about not purchasing anything. I tend not to go to these things now.

I went to an Anne summers party in the 90s I couldn't face buying anything that's when I realised I was a total prude!

Yeah she's right, don't go unless you're happy to buy something (even the cheapest item). The awkwardness will force you to buy once you're there.

Definitely don't go. If you do you'll be on a mailing list and keep getting bombarded. My niece did a Scentsy one, I get my wax from Devon Wicks and Scentsy are relentless with emails. Luckily I have a throwaway email address for these occasions.

I’ve been to many of these parties, clothes, cleaning products, Tupperware, hoovers, books, make up etc. I have accepted but told the organiser I may not buy anything, so if they want to invite someone else in my place. I did buy Tupperware and some 30 years later, items are as good as new. Some parties need a minimum number of people attending, so maybe that’s why you’ve been invited, but never buy anything if you don’t really need it or can’t afford it.

Decline. I've been to these things out of obligation, bought something to be polite and still had barbed comments about people having not spent enough. Much better to just not go.

Don't want to say what it is, but it's one product and more than £1000 to buy. I'd be happy enough to buy a candle or piece of tupperware to support her, she's young and trying to support herself through education. I think I'll politely decline, thanks all.

Is it a Thermomix? There was a whole crazy loyalty, terrority thing round here ten years ago. Two demonstrators mining two different schools but with a huge amount of friend overlap between them.
A friend who got caught up in it reckons in her first year each batch of home made soup cost her £50 in capital expenditure.
Years down the line, nearly everyone is still mostly loyal but it's all about air fryers and intermittent fasting at the moment.

At that level of cost, I don't think there can be an expectation that everybody is going to buy the item, I presume it's something like a Thermo mix? However, if you really have no interest in that one product or any intention of spending money on it, I would politely decline.

I don’t understand the appeal of these parties. There’s just so much potential for awkwardness. Even if you’re fairly sure you want to buy something, what if you change your mind once you see it IRL?

To be quite honest I would rather have no friends than have friends like this. The type who have these hideous, repugnant, bloody 'selling parties.' They are all MLMs, and I have actually lost friends by saying no, no, and no again, because I am sick of being badgered by people who have been brainwashed into pushing their product onto people.

I have lost them, because I have blocked them. They became insufferable, with 9 out of 10 Facebook posts advertising the MLM they had been taken in by. I am not easily conned, and have no time for this shit, so I have blocked quite a few people for trying to push their shit on me.

Tell your friend you are not going @argyllherewecome as you won't be buying anything, so there's no point!

Actually that might be different. They can't possibly expect everyone to buy something of that value so it's possible you might be helping her by being a bum on a seat without being obligated.

It's still not a way I fancy spending my evening.

I think what I resented was I spent more than I was really comfortable doing, so as not to piss off my friend, and she was still pissed off that I hadn't bought enough. Never again!

Cross post! I'm struggling to imagine what life experience a student would bring to a thermo mix.
After a hard day of one lecture, I like to carry my stupidly heavy Thermomixx into the communal.kitchen and use the on board recipe computer to make custard.
You should go and report back!

If it's Thermomix give it a miss.