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Original poster

Has anyone held a Boden Party?

21 replies

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 14:02

I am asking as I emailed them and complained that there was not one near me, so they threw the ball right back at me and asked me to host one!!

It says to have an open house policy - I think it means people who would want to come and try on the clothes email me thru Boden beforehand, I would make some commission as well but not sure how much.

Would anybody really go to a complete strangers house and try on clothes there?

OP posts:

brimfull · 09/02/2010 14:04

have never heard of a boden party

I would rather order than go to strangers house tbh , but would go to a friends.

Original poster

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 14:08

Hi GGirl,

Would you go with a friend to this strangers house? You have to email the host through Boden to book to come along (? it appears that way) ...so I can understand how it would be a bit disconcerting.

Or should I hold it elsewhere, like a soft play area so parents can bring kids???

OP posts:

brimfull · 09/02/2010 14:15

I probably would not go to someones house unless I was absolutely desperate to try something on.
I would be more amenabale to browsing and trying on if it was in a public place....less pressure I think and less awkward .

Original poster

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 14:31

Brilliant, thank you very much

OP posts:

TuppyGlossop · 09/02/2010 14:33

I had one but I do not live in England so it may be different. Basically I had to persuade everyone I knew to come and the Boden rep sent out an invite to everyone she knew so theoretically I could have had total strangers in my house. The event was from 10am until 2pm. The rep turned up with the clothes an hour before hand and organized them. We had women's in one room and children and men in another. She also had a table direct selling old samples. She provide the hanging rails. When people came I just told them where to go to try on and kept people organized. The commission is obviously in Boden clothing! I did quite well but I am not sure that it was worth the effort to be honest. They have done away with the party system altogether here as the company felt they could not control the image the representative was portraying of the company - and to be honest she was a misery who spent most of the time on her phone. I did all of the hard work.

Original poster

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 14:37

thank you Tuppy - am sure that this time there is no Boden rep present, it would be me doing the work!!
Whereabouts are you?

OP posts:

TuppyGlossop · 09/02/2010 14:43

America.
Good luck - it was fun having all my friends together trying on clothes, so go for it.

Original poster

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 17:40

So far only two want to come!
How would you market this if you were me ?

OP posts:

MollyRoger · 09/02/2010 17:41

Is a boden party where we all flouynce around in a picturesque way wearing capri pants and hotch-potch tops, pretending to be called Mia?

Original poster

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 17:50

heh heh

OP posts:

Blu · 09/02/2010 17:51

I went to one!

It was in someone's flat - she had to have open house for two days - Fri and sat.

Basically they set up rails with a sample of all the stuff in the catalogue, there is a Boden Rep, and the host. You can try stuff on (in the hosts bedroom!) and order there and then - with a good discount and free P&P.

I don't know what the perks would be, but it would be a huge undertaking to host one, IMO. This woman had the whole of her front room and all of her kitchen crammed with sample rails, and hordes of people (many of whom brought toddlers who emptied the cupboards and drawers while the Mummies weren't looking).

Also invites were via Boden's mailing list for the surrounding area, but I was invited to bring a freind or two - so basically you have no idea who is coming into your house. We didn't have to identify ourselves.Plus there were drinks, tea, coffee, biscuits, squash, which seemed to be supplied by the host. Then all the kids wanted to go to the toilet...

It isn't a two-hour job with a group of mates, like an Ann Sumers party, you know!

Original poster

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 19:29

It's the same on this one Blu but it's just one day. There isn't a Boden rep, just me.
I know it isn't an Ann Summers type 2 hour extravaganza with pals, that's why I was thinking of having it elsewhere

OP posts:

Original poster

HinnyPet · 09/02/2010 21:26

Bumping shamelessly for more advice / hints / someone telling me NOT TO DO IT

OP posts:

charltonchick · 09/02/2010 22:21

Yes I've done a couple and am hosting another one next month. It's hard work - it can take a couple of hours to set up and another couple to pack away. You'll need a helper to take orders/make coffee. Plus you do have to have total strangers in your house but all the ones that have come to me have been very nice. Don't worry about not being able to round up enough mates - once word spreads you'd be suprised at how many people have no time to shop and are happy to come to your house for a cup of coffee and a try-on!

If anyone is interested you can find your nearest party here:

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/help/shopping-party-locations.html?cm_mmc=email--null--null- -BLUJpvB74YANaR

Original poster

HinnyPet · 10/02/2010 20:40

Thanks charltonchick

OP posts:

BonjourIvressedeNoel · 11/02/2010 11:26

my friends had one in a church hall.

Blu · 11/02/2010 11:27

What is the benefit for the party host? Commission?

Original poster

HinnyPet · 11/02/2010 15:10

Commission in the form of money off clothes yes...

OP posts:

NK243da750X12695e4b1ca · 14/02/2010 21:11

Hi, im holding one next week at my house(Cambridge). I think your commission is a cheque that they post to you a couple of months later. Ive asked friends and am going to post invites to my neighbors. I hope people will come. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.

simbo · 15/02/2010 07:22

I'm actually interested now as I'm a fan of Boden and didn't know that they did parties. Must look into this further.

purplepeony · 15/02/2010 09:03

I know someone who hosted one- I didn't go- in their local village hall and the entrance fee was £2 towards a charity.

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