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.

You can all say No you lot!

These provide income for folk who cannot perhaps work daytimes

All these ''strong' women being bullied into buying a Jamie Oliver spoon!

For people who host these parties, it's just a social get-together combined with buying thmeselves something nice and drinking and cackling a lot.

Not keen myself but can see why some quite like it.

there is a jamie oliver spoon.why the fuck is that required

I must admit I don't much care for the party plan arrangement - though just before Xmas I always do a Visit to the old people's home where I have a few customers. I do most of my sales either by catalogues through letterboxes - and these days only for regular customers though once or twice a year I letterbox a whole road to see if anyone wants anything. And now and again I might say to friends, I've got the new brochure with me if you want a look.
The thing is with all these home-selling ventures is they can be useful if you are unable to work full time, but you have to be careful not to hustle so hard that you piss off all your mates.

rofl at Getorf's description of having her colours done!!!

I mostly agree about these parties, but LOVE pheonix cards - so nice, so cheap! It really grates on me now if I end up having to buy a normally priced card, unless it's for someone special.

I think they are a nice destraction if you socialise with the same people a great deal.

Agree with Phoenix cards... there is also a charity element with those and they're the only "party plan" things that are actually cheaper and nicer than in the shops. Usually if you ask the host you can nominate your own charity for the proceeds of your party's card sales to go to.

I will grudgingly admit to REALLY liking Phoenix cards and especially wrapping papers. I think they sell themselves though, as no one round here appears to do parties for them.

Pampered chef are awful...a couple of years ago I went to one and saw there yorkshire pudding tins, it was near xmas and was going to buy my dad one..then I saw the price and thought no fucking way! theres no need to charge that much.

I remember when tupperwear used to be cheap and affordable...what's happened to that? 100.00 for a plastic oven roasting dish...get fucked mate.

A lady round here does captain tortue partys...again overbloody priced, 27.00 for a top.

Have to confess that I love these parties and actually a lot of the stuff is comparable with internet prices if you look for similar quality. I was skeptical about Pampered Chef as it seemed expensive but soon realised that similar stuff, even on Amazon, was actually more expensive. I also LOVE my stoneware muffin pan - it makes huge yorkshire puddings and muffins without the need to oil the pan so much less fat is used. I also have a stoneware bar pan which I make toad in the hole in without the need for added fat. I know you can go to Asda or Tesco or even Lakeland but their stuff is just not comparable in quality.

I did Usborne for a while but gave up when they started appearing on Amazon and with The Book People. It was just not worth what it was costing in time, admin and petrol, just for people at the parties to coo over the catalogue and then order them from Amazon the next day.

Hello

I've just started a "Party Plan" with my new toy shop enterprise and thought that it would go down a storm as a mum can just invite her mummy friends round for a coffee and a chat and get we'll bring a cake, catalogue and some toys for you to play with - and then order.

I thought it'd be a good way to have "stress free toy shopping"

I hate most party plan too. So I must be nuts to set up Chocolate World as a party plan business. Going round to someones house to eat chocolate can't be all bad though - can it?

Yes OP, they are all a con, and a throwback.Personally I would rather pull my own teeth out with pliers than attend an Ann Summers party. I don't ever buy any 'celebrity's' merchandise out of principle, and if I did then Jamie Oliver's would be the last stuff I did buy.
As far as Avon etc goes I don't really have a problem with it. I just place the catalogue, unopened, on my doorstep for collection.