Tupperware Lady is hounding me

[mar5195]

Ugh ok so here is the story. I'm fundraising for a dog rescue. The Tupperware lady gave me 2 weeks to fundraise because "September is the biggest month and I want all my sales in by then".

The problem is
1. I was sick all last week with double pink eye. I could barely see let alone function
2. I'm trying to fundraise and make the most money I possibly can. Two weeks is a little on the short side. I was hoping for at least 3!

The main problem is that the catalog for fundraising is just a catalog so I can't refer people to visit online and then tell me their order. I have to go and see people bring them the catalog and get their order. She only gave me 4 catalogs so I gave one to my husband, my Mom and my MIL, plus the one I have.

So I call and tell her I only have $75 in orders (it's just my order) and that I was sick last week and that I like to extend for another week. She didn't seem to want to give me the extra time. And told me to call her on Friday and let her know how much I have in sales.

My goal is to get over $400+ (it'll rescue one dog and pay for it's expenses till adoption) but that is going to take some time. I have a family event coming up on Saturday and I'll be hitting up all my family for that one.

I'm at the point where I just want to tell her "Hey Lady I'm trying to raise money for a good cause lay off this isn't about your sales! It's about the dogs!"

For the record I don't think she makes any money off of this I think it's more of the credit for the sale. But she didn't do much but give me the catalogs. I'm the one out there hustling trying to get orders. I hate asking people for money (even when it's a good cause) so that is why I did a fundraiser. People get something out of it.

How do I tell this Lady no, she's like the typical sales lady robot? She doesn't take no for an answer.

[rileyandfredsmom]

Simply tell her that you will be taking a little longer to get the sales in and you will let her know when you are ready to turn them in. If she gives you any grief, just say "Well, if you would rather I work with someone else, please let me know as I'm sure I can find another Tupperware rep that would be willing to work with me."

You know, I am so over trying to be nice to salespeople that won't take No for an answer. I totally understand it is how they make their money but bugging the snot out of me will not make me move any faster!

[kimbyj]

Simply tell her that you will be taking a little longer to get the sales in and you will let her know when you are ready to turn them in. If she gives you any grief, just say "Well, if you would rather I work with someone else, please let me know as I'm sure I can find another Tupperware rep that would be willing to work with me."

You know, I am so over trying to be nice to salespeople that won't take No for an answer. I totally understand it is how they make their money but bugging the snot out of me will not make me move any faster!

I TOTALLY AGREE! I would tel her the same exact thing. Work with me or I will do it with someone else!

[Weddings by]

I think that's great advice.

[Fenway]

I agree.

It sounds like she is being overly bossy and not overly helpful. I'm not a big fan of any sort of party (Silpada, Arbonne, Avon, etc.) because I don't like the sales tactics and overpriced. In your case, I'd probably buy something because it was a fundraiser. I think she may be annoyed because she probably doesn't make any money off the fundraiser sales.

[Etoile]

it's too bad you're having that problem. I used to be a tupperware sales rep. IIRC, she does make some money off of fundraiser sales, but not as much, and it's a more limited catalog.
We are told by higher-ups to limit the time of a fundraiser because if you don't, it probably won't ever be turned in. The more time you give the more likely that it is people just forget, lose the orders, etc. HOWEVER that's not something that's mandated so there's no reason why she shouldn't be able to give you more time.

Just set your boundaries and if she won't work with you find someone who will.

If this helps, here is the link to the online Fundraiser catalog:

http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/Tupperwaresalesforce/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=ba28f536-67ab-473d-9811-12b80c594654&storeid=1034896&pagenumber=1&circularid=11360&batchid=589865

They can't order online directly, but you can refer them to that to choose their items and then they could order from you over the phone.

HTH!!

[mamax2]

I have to agree w/the PP, it's not just fundraisers, but ALL catalog parties. The longer they are outstanding, the worse they do. It's like the success of the party builds on the momentum of pushing for sales. Also, as someone in DS, I can tell you that some companies* have minimums, quotas, goals, etc. and maybe she's factored your party into that. Also worth noting that it is about to be month end and there might be product changes, discontinued items, different specials, etc. It might not just be as simple as extending it another week.

Overall, I agree that there are plenty of sales reps out there (although not all of them willing to do fundraisers where they are making little to no money...) I think you should just tell her this timing isn't working out for you and you can either close your party on X date (and really mean it) or you'll have to go to plan B and do some other fundraising effort.


For the record I don't think she makes any money off of this I think it's more of the credit for the sale. But she didn't do much but give me the catalogs. I'm the one out there hustling trying to get orders. I hate asking people for money (even when it's a good cause) so that is why I did a fundraiser. People get something out of it.

Perhaps an in-home party would better suit you, that way you won't feel like you're the one 'hustling' and you'd probably bring in more money for less aggravation.


* I am NOT a Tupperware rep, so I have NO idea if this applies to this particular company, but it's what I've heard from reps in other DS companies.