Wanna come over?

[Elaine]

Hope this doesn’t step on too many toes, but what the heck... have any of you inadvertently ended up at a “home party” where someone is selling something ... where you find yourself trapped, sitting though a 2 hour sales pitch under the guise of a “come on over for a get together” offer?

The scenario goes like this: a dear friend mentions, “Hey, when’s the last time you had a pedicure? ”

Innocent enough question, and I immediately cringe, “Oh god, she’s seen my toes!!! :eek: Eeek, the horror, the shame... I’m morphing into Fungus Foot.” :eek::eek::eek:

Then my friend asks in follow up, “Do you want to come over Thursday night? A group of us are getting together to learn about pedicures, I have a friend who sells some products. Wanna come?”

“Oh good god,” I mumble to myself, “my feet have gotten so bad that my friends are organizing to get me to do something.”:eek:

“Ah, sure, Thursday’s free... what time?”

Well, it was not some impromptu little get together... it was a two hour in-home sales pitch. In this instance, it was to get us to purchase about $900 worth of skin care products. The presenter was a lovely woman, new to selling. I liked her, but I’d heard her sales pitch many many many times before... from insurance agents, car dealers, Amway salesmen, Mary Kay, nutritional supplement sales people... even the religious groups that come door to door handing out pamphlets. It has all gotten old, I have shelves of stuff I do not use... and with respect to health, I don’t believe an advertiser’s claim simply because it says so in their slick brochure.

I didn’t buy anything and neither did anyone else. Not sure about the others but for me it gets down to, “Who the heck has five hours a day to do steps 1, 2, 3, ... on through step 539. I'd have to refinance the house to pay for it all... and, will the horses in the barn give a flying fig if my feet smell like lime mango sea salt as I’m mucking stalls in 95 degree heat?” :rolleyes:

[doberdogsfd]

Why yes Elaine I have, but it was sometime ago. When I realzed what it was, I excused myself and exited right.

I find those tactics annoying and have little tolerance for it. Holy cow! Don't we all have something else we could be doing? Oh like, sleeping, moving dirt in my case, playing with the dogs...anything but listening to someone blither on about nail polish.
Everyone pretty much knows I am not the kind of chick that will go to candle parties and all that stuff. The females in my life are pretty similar and we all just kind of, not do "that stuff", ya know?
It is usually one of Bob's partners' wives that tries the " girlie" deal on me....I end up in the garage with the guys talking about interrogating people and what kind of fun things are being boosted by the pros these days.

I am on your side with this one, step away....I hate the things!
Cheryl

[Elaine]

I’d be in the garage with you and the boys too, listening to your stories while I was trying to figure out how to use the compound miter saw.

And btw, as I have said before, Mt. Dirt is there to stay :o ... it’s a permanent fixture in your landscape... plant a Geranium and a flag at the summit... and some campanulas at the base and get used to it. :)

As an epilogue to the sale pitch party, the sales person called late yesterday afternoon, to chat and tell me she’d “ added me to her email list and she'd be sending me...”

“Oh wait," I said. "I really appreciate your thoughtfulness, but my inbox is pretty full as it is and I’d really prefer that you not send anything. I know how to contact you should the need arise.” :cool:

She was a bit miffed, I was about to hang up... she asked for a moment of my time, and, “What did you think of the product and the presentation?”

:rolleyes:

Now here’s a tip for future reference, if you ask me what I think, I am going tell you.

So, I told her: that her presentation was sexist, presumptuous and essentially insulting to women, that her health claims were unsupported by fact; that there is no ocean in Switzerland where they are manufacturing this stuff; that she is selling .15 worth of ingredients for $60; that the jar is the most expensive part of the product; that some of her claims could get her sued... and that there were much much cheaper products on the market that did a better job.

Not sure she’ll be calling again.

[doberdogsfd]

Holy cow! I think that is one of the funniest things I have heard in a bit!
I bet she was all spooled up after you said that?

I think it is rude of the folks we call friends to kind of "ambush" us with those things. I had one girl at my last locat ask send me an evite for a Hershey's Kiss party..HUH????
Ok, I asked myself,"First off, when was the last time you saw me eat a Hershey's Kiss and when was the last time we actually had a conversation that led you to believe I liked you and would spend time in a small cramped house with more people just like you? " It is like torture.
Putting me any situation like that is always risky.......Bob is always concerned something really bad is going to happen. One would need to ask him what his definition of " Really bad " is.....I have my own thoughts.

Btw...I did weed wack around the base of Mt Dirt last week....mowed the summit area very nicely also. He intends on getting to it this weekend...ok, honey.
I have some pics of the yard and Mt.Dirt...I will attach them later and send. My fear is it will be a feature when we sell the house.
" Why yes, Mr Real Estate Agent, it is a natural slide for the kiddies.....and of course, there is always the fort factor of it ".
I actually was planning on a tri-pod for my long arm. I have full advantage of side, back and front defense of my home if ever invaded by the Yuppy Hordes.

Ok..this is fun!!
Later...Cheryl

[Elaine]

Cheryl, we sure seem to be on the same wave length about these kinds of "parties." :D...

... about the resale value of Mt. Dirt.
My fear is it will be a feature when we sell the house.

hey, I’m no real estate expert, but don’t you get to charge extra for your own personal mountain / private ski slope? :D:D:D And dirt is not free. :p

but what am I doing on the internet? I've got to get to the feed store, it closes at noon. :o

[Kissntell]

These rip off companies sell this show to unspecting sales reps who believe they will make a killing off their friends' backs and their hospitality.

The shame is that some people buy this crap. The greater shame is that some people buy this stuff just to be nice to the host.

I have to say, in my younger years, I bought things I didn't need because I felt sort of the pressure to do so.

That's what is nice with age. You don't care anymore.

[doberdogsfd]

I agree that age bringa certian " Oh well...." kind of quality with it.
I of course have tempered mine with age, because as a younger woman, it was ever a tad more direct!

Yes...resale on this amount of dirt should be good. I never thought of the "Practice Ski Slope" thanks!!!
Bob is getting pssiy with us about the jokes....I find it very amusing!

Later.....Cheryl

[Sheila]

Yep, I got suckered also when I was younger. Thank dawG it hasn't happened in years. Now I'd find any sort of excuse to avoid them!

Hey Cheryl, isn't Mt. Dirt good for running the fur kids up and down? You could use it for a work out at the same time :D

Sheila

[doberdogsfd]

Hey there Miss Shelia!

The kids love the hill!! I will say though, Bob did attack it today and put 30 wheel barrels full into my back yard. All while I cleaned my house....this is progress ladies!!!

Cheryl