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Original poster

To think sodding Sell-You-Stuff parties are a work of the Devil ...

266 replies

Fecklessdizzy · 30/11/2011 22:25

Rant Alert ...

Seething (and stinking of garlic). Just got back from Stupidly-Overpriced-Cookware demo that I wasn't going to go to on account of having a foul cold and not being interested in podding out fifty quid for a casserole dish.

The friend who was hosting the thing was panicking about no-one turning up and guilt-tripped me into coming along to make up the numbers so I sat through the demo ( think shopping channel but much, much duller ) When the demonstrator handed round the stuff she'd cooked at the end I had a nibble or two then made my excuses and started to slink off when she says " Not buying anything, then?" My mate says " Oh, Feckless isn't feeling well, I made her come " and the bloody demonstrator whips back with " Shame, lucky it didn't affect your appitite, though! "

Snarl ... BlushBlushAngry

OP posts:
auntiepicklebottom2 · 30/11/2011 22:28

yanbu.

LoveInAColdClimate · 30/11/2011 22:28

God, what a horrible woman. I just refuse to go to them, I hate them. YANBU.

mistressploppy · 30/11/2011 22:28

Totally with you. I hate them

HappyCamel · 30/11/2011 22:29

YANBU

BonnyBanks · 30/11/2011 22:45

After having suffered through candle, handbag,and a huge variety of smelly stuff parties I now have a policy of politely declining all invitations to such gatherings. They appear to work by embarrassing the guests into shelling out quite extraordinary amounts of money for things they don't really want just so the hostess can earn her 10% reward for hosting.

The last one I went to was for a nasty, horrible, bitchy staff member. She invited all the women in the team. They all said no and I felt sorry for her and didn't want her to be embarrassed so not only went along but dragged my friend along with me. The evening was excrutiating, the cheapest thing was £30 and the ungrateful woman hosting shortly thereafter went on to make my worklife briefly hellish.

There is now a law.

I don't go.

Original poster
Fecklessdizzy · 30/11/2011 23:06

Thanks chaps ... Calmed down a bit now. I'm never not ever going to another one. Panicking friends or no panicking friends! Grin

OP posts:
PomBearAtTheGatesOfDoom · 30/11/2011 23:07

You should have said "well I'm constipated too, I needed something to give me the runs and thought the muck you cooked would do the trick. It certainly smelled like it would"

Original poster
Fecklessdizzy · 30/11/2011 23:09

GrinGrinGrin Wish I'd thought of that!

OP posts:
joanofarchitrave · 30/11/2011 23:11

Been to two. Never again. Note that the 'articles' saying how much fun the parties are, are to be found in magazines, aka sales rags.

slavetofilofax · 30/11/2011 23:15

YANBU.

I hate those things, and very nearly lost a friend because she decided to become an 'at home consultant' and then pressure me every time I saw her about hosting a party.

I never go to them now, and the fact that you had to deal with someone so rude and unproffessional just strengthens my resolve to never ever go to one.

SantaDesperatelySeeksSedatives · 30/11/2011 23:15

Oooh was it a Pampered Chef do? I have mate who's a convert and it all looks a bit shit and overpriced tbh. Don't get her obsession at all. Lucky for me I'm not that sort of friend (it pays to be a chav at times). Her DH says if she buys anymore of that crap it'll be grounds for divorce Grin think he's joking....

Cherriesarelovely · 30/11/2011 23:19

They are so, so, so dreadful. I foolishly hosted a "Body Shop" party years ago to help out a friend who had just started doing them as a PT job. It was so embarrassing, particularly when she announced that unless my friends spent a certain amount of money I would not get my free gifts! I felt mortified. Never again!

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 30/11/2011 23:20

Ohhh tell me about it, I don't get it! Though that woman was exceptionally rude I have to say.

I recently felt compelled to shell out 9 quid for a 'microwave saucepan' while surreptitiously avoiding the eye-wateringly priced muffin trays. The next day I saw one in TK Maxx for 2 quid

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 30/11/2011 23:20

Ohhh tell me about it, I don't get it! Though that woman was exceptionally rude I have to say.

I recently felt compelled to shell out 9 quid for a 'microwave saucepan' while surreptitiously avoiding the eye-wateringly priced muffin trays. The next day I saw one in TK Maxx for 2 quid

FairyArmadillo · 30/11/2011 23:26

My friends went through a phase of Body Shop parties. Not only was I struggling financially but I resented paying full price for the products when I had one of those 20 per cent loyalty cards for the shop itself. The card can't be used at parties.

My friend's then 15 year old daughter had a Body Shop Party. I felt obliged to buy something so she could get her free gift. The Body Shop at Home consultant read her script off a clipboard thing which I found slightly amusing.

Pretended I was ill for my friend's candle party as I knew I wouldn't really want to buy anything. Their candles just aren't my thing but you always feel obliged to buy something at these parties.

CointreauVersial · 30/11/2011 23:28

I used to sell Phoenix Cards! But it wasn't so bad, because people could get away with spending £1 on a card, so no-one was under pressure. I used to enjoy doing the parties, but Phoenix isn't a pressure sell, and I really wasn't bothered if people bought stuff.

I asked my friends ONCE if they were interested in hosting a party for me, and respected those who said no, and never asked them again (some were happy to, though). I would never want people to start avoiding me because they thought I might try to sell them something.

Original poster
Fecklessdizzy · 30/11/2011 23:28

Santa Spot on! ( probably outed myself if party-hurling mate is online but don't care, frankly ) Who the Hell pays nearly ninty quid for a turkey tin? The world's gone mad, I tell ye ...

OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 30/11/2011 23:30

Actually, OP, I use my Pampered Chef Apple Corer/Slicer all the time (yes, it was one of the cheapest items they sold). I have a nice PC spatula somewhere too.

Get0rf · 30/11/2011 23:32

haha at this silly twat

Get0rf · 30/11/2011 23:32

Oh shit sorry Blush Blush wrong thread

Original poster
Fecklessdizzy · 30/11/2011 23:35

Cointreau Jolly good, I'm happy for you ... I'll give you a heads-up next time she has one and you can go instead of me ...

OP posts:
UterusUterusGhali · 30/11/2011 23:37

I really like Phoenix cards!

RoaminGloamin · 30/11/2011 23:38

Last one I went to was a candle party - after politely declining the previous two invitations.

Not sure if it was me but everyone was passing round the candles and smelling them and sounding like Stepford Wives - 'ooh I must buy that one' and the seller was almost robotic and sounded brainwashed 'and wait til I show you what we have for Hallowe'en' - a very overpriced witch candle - woo hoo.
I bought some stuff and it's a family joke that the £20 candle stands beside the one for £2.50 from Matalan and no one can tell the difference!

Original poster
Fecklessdizzy · 30/11/2011 23:39

GetOrf Grin Someone forgot to say " when " when they were shooting-up the collogen ...

OP posts:
TroublesomeEx · 01/12/2011 01:06

I've been to a fair few of these type of parties. And never bought a thing!

I've eaten some nice food, had a make-over and been oh so polite to members of the WI. But I've not parted with any money Grin

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