WAHM Forums

Ok, just need to vent a little bit here.


I just live in a weird area or something. People here don't buy books for their kids, unless it's junk reading. So I've had to switch gears and find a new passion to be able to keep working from home.


I found Homemade Gourmet and I just love what we offer, the concept, what we can teach people, I could just go on & on. Before the holidays, I had introduced people to this product line and my services and got initially good response. It is brand new to this area, so I know I will have to work hard to really get it going.


I have some customers who made large purchases well before the holidays, but I had trouble reaching them to follow up with some customer service. Ya know..."How did you like it?" Well, holidays have settled down and I was making customer service calls & invites to my New Year Open House. So many of these customers told me they haven't tried ANYTHING they bought yet...these purchases are just sitting in their cupboards. Huh?


Why would you buy something and let it sit for months without even looking at it?

It's very common! Lots of times people buy things with the intensions of giving it as a gift, or using it on a special occassion and just don't get to try it. I have to admit, I've bought several food mixes at different parties and wait to use them. Usually they are a little pricier than the grocery store and I want to make sure I use them sparingly and for special get-togethers. I would've expected people buying before the holidays would have used them during the holidays, but perhaps they just forgot or just went with the "old standby" (if you try to change tradition too much with my family they balk big time). But now that you've called maybe you've jogged their memory and they will try it now. Give them another month and then call again!

That's what I'm going to do...told them I'd call them next month. Encouraged them to take out their kits & look at them this next week.


These weren't "special occassion" type things they bought...at least they weren't meant to. The meal kits they bought are supposed to help make daily life easier, streamline grocery shopping, and help them save $$ in the long run.


I think as I continue to sell these, I'll start inviting people to a mini-class to pick up their orders...so I can walk them through using these kits and get them using them right away.

That sounds good!

Maybe they are people who are afraid to try new things? I have no idea what they bought, but lets say it was meatloaf mix. They've been making meatloaf with thier family recipe for years and the day they decided to make meatloaf they wanted something familiar... who knows!


Haven't you been in the grocery store and bought brownie mix or muffin mix or something because it sounded good whileyou werein the store but onceya got home there were things to do and you just kind of forget about it and then one day, you go through the cupboard and it's like "wow! brownie mix! let's make some"!

Hi Kasi,

Are the people that have purchased from you complete
strangers, or acquaintences? Perhaps you might consider
having an in-home tasting, and invite some people over for an
opportunity to sample different prepared foods that you sell.

If that isn't something you're comfortable with, do you know
anyone who is a teacher? Ask to be invited to present a tasting
in the teacher's lounge one afternoon. You can just set up,
leave some info there, and let people know you'll be available
to answer questions or take orders at the end of the day when
you come to collect your materials.

As a previous SpEd teacher, l can attest to the fact that teachers
LOVE this sort of thing. And most of us are looking for easy,
healthy dinner options.

Best of luck to you in your new business- your determination
will lead you to success- you just need to find your target client
base!

--Kitt

As long as they buy I wouldn't care how long it sat there.smileys/smiley36.gif

Wierd about the books, but now that you mention it DT has cut back their book line as well. Strange, I love books!


I'm also one of those who buy them and never make them. I'll finally give it as a gift or wait for the special occassion that never comes up. I think I'm lazy. smileys/smiley36.gif


Debbie