to think that Pampered Chef, Jamie at Home, Neals Yard, Avon etc.. are all a con and a throwback to the 50s?

[Himalaya]

I mean if you want to buy hand cream or frying pans at home there is always, you know, t'internet

And on the other hand if you want to have a party with your mates why do you need an excuse of listening to some cringeworthy sales pitch.

And if you want to earn some money, there has got to be a better way than guilting your friends into buying over priced tat.

Couldn't agree more.

I've just been invited to a "Sell your old gold" party FFS.

If I wanted to sell any old gold, why would I do it at a "party", where the host is clearly getting a cut?

Yep - I got conned talked into hosting a Body Shop party for a friend. I bought food and drinks and managed to amass 22 -mugs- customers to buy the same bloody stuff they could buy off the High Street.

I spent £60 on food and drinks and the orders were all sent to my address so I had to deliver the fecking things in my time and using my petrol.

Thanks 'mate'.

Never again. Also 'Pampered Chef' my MIl bought 'everyone' in the family that crap quality items for Xmas one year. I have never used it. Anyone want a muffin pan made
of terracotta type material that feels exactly like nails going down a blackboard?

All too true.

These are awful.

However, I do have parties where you can buy Usborne books and Phoenix cards but that's because we live abroad and it is hard to get both English books and greetings cards. Most of my friends beg me to do these evenings.

And I don't get a cut, just 10% off whatever Myself buy.

HATE them. Just went to a Jamie party this week. Was such a hard sell - awful. I just went to support my MIL but it was horrible. The stuff was so overpriced. Nothing special. WHY, WHY would I need to wait to spend £8 on a stinking spoon when I can get the same at poundland

I always turn down these invites now, and after making the exception for MIL I remember why!

Would never go to the following-
tupperware/cookware party
jamie fecking oliver tat
candles(would bludgeon host to death with hideous overpriced phallic crap!)
but am going to friends Ann summers party next week and cant wait(stuff is tacky,scratchy and yuk but wil drink loads of vino and have a laugh).

Jamie Oliver crap
Avon crap
Ann Summers crap and gives me a rash

YABabitU. I'm an Avon rep and a lot of my customers are old ladies in sheltered housing who don't get out much and love looking through Avon brochures.
I don't force all my mats to attend parties, either - every now and again I might hand out a brochure or two but that's it.

I only liked Ann Summers parties cos at least they were a laugh even if the undies were overpriced didnt come in my size

Bollocks am shite at strike throughs

Greythorne... that's NOT how Phoenix Cards works... (if you're doing this through an intermediary you're being ripped off.) You buy from Phoenix at a considerably higher discount than 10% and sell for profit. Not to mention the bonuses they pay out for volume sales.

I have just been to 2 (yes, 2) tupperware parties, and whilst it did remind me of being little in the 70s and going to them with my Mum, fvck me,the quality of the wee boxes is awesome.

I am of course, in the housewifferly mecca of the western world (Sth Italy)

I certainly wouldn't bother going to a Body Shop or other where you can buy online though.Not for fear of being ripped off, but because I just don't like people enough to sit in a room and sniff creams with them.

Sandinmyshoes

I am not the seller of Usborne books or Phoenix cards...I just "host" the party where the two women who do sell them tip up to my place and flog their wares.

I don't know if I've been unlucky, but every time I've bought Avon cosmetics, I've given/thrown them away. They have NEVER been as good, or the same colour, as they appear in the brochure.

LOVE Neals Yard essential oils, though. :)

Well I kind of agree. I was a pampered chef consultant for a while but stopped due to not having enough time. Then I discovered Lakeland! Exactly the same stuff there from what I can see and a bit cheaper! I also stopped doing it as I hated the fact that I felt I was forcing myself on people so to speak .

However suncottage YABU about the muffin stoneware. It cooks the most amazing yorkshire puddings known to mankind (with a slight brushing of oil and without preheating the tray in the oven)

I wouldn't have another of the parties but I do see why they appeal to people who want to work flexibly when they have kiddies.

I was at a Jamie party and felt I had to buy something so ordered a baking tin for £20.Sadly it was out of stock !!! Saw identical (well not Jamie but will do same job) for £2 with 1 free pound of butter in Asda YANBU

I'm delighted I've never been invited to anything like this since living in UK (16 years). Guess central London is 'party plan' free :). NZ was crazy about this style of selling though - anyone remember AMWAY?

Usborne is just ridiculous - you know you can buy anything they sell on amazon for a lot less, and get it delivered to you for free in a few days. This model of selling just doesn't work anymore, unless you're getting things that aren't available on the net or are cheaper through a party.

YANBU at all - I'm off to a Pampered Chef on Friday only because I don't want to say no to a good friend who has for some reason decided it's a good idea. A couple of weekends ago I was at a similar sort of thing in the local hall...I have had well enough of the hard-sell, and will not be purchasing on Friday.

Finding my Mojo - yes I never knew about these things when I lived in London. Now I've died and gone to the suburbs I get invited to about for a year.

Four....

The part that really is ridiculous is that all the stuff gets delivered to the 'host' house. So then she has to arrange collection/delivery of all items. There is just nothing good about that model of selling now.

FindingmyMojo

Amway! My parents were almost suckered into that bloody pyramid selling rubbish in the early 80's.

My Mum said to the rep - "If this stuff is sooo fantastic, why can I not buy it in shops"?

Quite.

heard of avon but dont know what other stuff is

Candlelight are a total rip off but yes, i went to friends party and bought 10 tea lights for £1,000,000 or whatever.