WAHM Forums

Hello everyone! I'm hoping you can help me deal with a difficult hostess. Here's the situation:


I did her party on July 14th. She said she'd have 9 people there. Two showed up. She collected outside orders, but suddenly stopped returning my calls. About two weeks went by and I called the hostess that she booked from. Then she finally called me back. She gave me her other outisde orders, her hostess order, and agreed that she'd bring payment to my house the next Friday. Never saw her or heard from her. She hasn't been returning any calls or emails. I finally left a message to her indicating I would not be placing her orders. I called the three people for whom I actually had contact information. Two of the three still want to place their orders with me, so that's good. But now I hear that the hostess plans on calling me to try to close her show. I really don't want to close her show! I have a problem with the idea of giving her free or discounted merchandise after the run-around she's given me. So far I've heard that she's depressed, and another person told me she couldn't close the show because she needed the money for vacation, but that she could pay now and plans on closing it. Even if there were extenuating circumstances that she's been dealing with, I would have liked a quick call or email just to keep me up to date. The worst part of it all is that she's also in DS!


If you were in my shoes, would you keep her as a hostess and give her all the benefits?

I would close the party, because you are representing the company and if she doesn't like the way you treat her she'll be bad mouthing you and At Home. Be professional, and the bigger person.


And then don't deal with her again.


Sorry you had to go through that! I have a catalog party hostess who needed to close by Friday to get the discontinued items. Well, I've called and not heard back. I'll just try to work with her and see what we can do if she ever calls. Bummer, yes, but it's all part of the biz.


Debbie

Leah,


I agree with Debbie and close the show, be the bigger person. I myself have been dealing with a difficult person and its not fun. You are representing your company...do it well.Good luck and keep us posted.


Ellen

I agree with you guys that I should be doing what I can to make her happy. But what about the ordering guests who are all wondering what's wrong with AHA because it's been over six weeks since they placed their order and still haven't gotten the products. I know there are people here who have contacted the company after waiting just two weeks! Aren't I putting my company's reputation at risk by letting this continue?

Do customer care calls. Let them know that the hostess has not closed yet, and if she doesn't close by x date, you will be placing their orders for them.


Somethings we can not control. smileys/smiley5.gif


But you are doing great!


Debbie

Debbie,


I made those calls already. First I called to apologize for the delay and that I will connect with the hostess soon to close the show, but if we didn't get it closed by the end of the week, I'd call them again to let them know. Last Friday was my deadline. I left another message with the hostess stating that I assume we won't be closing her show and that I'd contact her guests to let them know. I started making the second customer calls on Sunday evening. I gave the guests the opportunity to order through me until this Wednesday.


I called my company directly. Knowing that it's been almost seven weeks since the show, they would rather have me makeinterested, buying guests happy, than bend over backwards for one lazy hostess. At this point, knowing all I've done, I'd have to agree.

Leah


If you have received payment from the other guests, I would send that order into your company so they receive their ordered merchandise. I have had hostesses drag their feet to close out their shows and I give them a deadline, tell them I am required as part of my contract with the customer and my company to submit their order. If I don't hear from her she will be forfeiting her hostess credit.


This usually receives a response. It is not a fun phone call, but you are the business woman and it is your name they will remember as not submitting the order not what the hostess did.


Lynn

Good job Leah!


Once I did just place the order. I called one of the guests and gave her a special gift for getting the orders to the other guests since it was out of town. I then called all the guests, gave them the date the toys would arrive and the contact.


Forgot about that one! And she was thinking about joining! Yikes! smileys/smiley5.gif


Debbie

Ya, this gal was interested in the business opportunity as well!!! Yikes! She rebooked herself for October. I guess one more date just opened up on my calendar. smileys/smiley5.gif

Leah,



I agree with everything above and think that in the vein of helping the
"greater good" you should have just given her a date to close and said
that once that date had come and gone, that you were sending the orders
in without hers and that no hostess credit can be extended unless there
is a timely closing.



Are you SURE you want to open a date for this woman again? AND work
with her? Trust me, she'll be more work than she will be income! When
you coach her for the show in October, make SURE she committs to a
closing date and then hold to it. Her guests will appreciate you for it.



LeAnn