Shower

photokitty · September 2014

I got invited to a Pampered Chef bridal shower and don't think I can go because of the driving distance and other plans.

So my question is...how do these work? Anyone ever gone to one? It says on the card I can pick something out for the bride and for myself. Does the bride have a wish list at the party? Do I just randomly select something? If I can't go how do I get her a gift?

I'm hoping someone can tell me how this works bc I'm from the school of thought that while wedding gifts are not to be expected, a shower gift is expected. I want to get her a gift, I don't really care if it's Pampered Chef, I just don't know what the dealie-o is...help a kitty out! Thanks!!

msuprincess04 · September 2014

Can you ask the organizer of the shower if the bride has a wishlist? I'm pretty sure that's how this works (I have a friend who's a rep for a similiar company). I'd probalby just start there. If she has one, see if you can pre-order her a gift, and if not, see if you can just order someting (assuming the bride can return it).

photokitty · September 2014

I don't want to contact the organizer until I'm ready to rsvp...in case I can go. And the bride knows I am all up and up on etiquette, so I don't want to seem judgey.

(for lurkers, BC I don't judge to the face unless theres a chance I help you save face...so just bc no one says they have an issue/side eyes, doesn't mean that no one has an issue/side eyes)

RebeccaFlower · September 2014

From what I've gathered, the you buy the bride something from PC and then she also gets the 'credits' and special deals, so she gets even more stuff. You can do the same thing with a registry though and it doesn't turn into an awkward 'bride knows exactly what I did/didn't spend' thing.

MrsMack10612 · September 2014

As a former Pampered Chef consulant:

Yes, the bride creates a wish list. Like a traditional registry she will be encouraged to select items in a variety of price ranges. I never cared for doing these types of parties as I felt the were pushier than the usual party. (one of the reasons I'm not a consultant anymore is I didn't have the sales instinct to push people to buy or have shows)

Additionally, the host benefits are given to the bride rather than the actual host.

The big difference between this and traditional shower/registry is that it is for a specific brand and guests/gift givers are put more on the spot as the bride is there.

lyndausvi · September 2014

sounds horrible.

photokitty · September 2014

@mrsMack10612 is there a registry page somewhere? Based on the invite I can't figure out anything. Did people ever show up with gifts off the B&M registry?

I might just go to the dinner and bring a non-PC gift with me since I don't think I can attend the PC shower.

MrsMack10612 · September 2014

I think you can find it online. It's been a long time and they were just started to increase web presence with that sort of thing, consultant webpages and the like. If you go to pamperedchef.com, you should be able to look there.

No, generally no gifts were brought, people just bought things off the PC registry.

If you cannot attend the PC event and are uncomfortable with the idea of the PC shower - I wouldn't have a problem at all with going to the dinner and bringing something off the other registry.

photokitty · September 2014

Thanks all!

I did some editing in case the bride is on here...I told her about the forums months ago and don't low if she uses them.

I'm going to go through and give you all your "answer" - yea! badges! I need all the stinkin' badges!!

AprilH81 · September 2014

Answer. Now give me my "answer" vote so I can work towards another badge.

Liatris2010 · September 2014

photokitty said:

I don't want to contact the organizer until I'm ready to rsvp...in case I can go. And the bride knows I am all up and up on etiquette, so I don't want to seem judgey.

(for lurkers, BC I don't judge to the face unless theres a chance I help you save face...so just bc no one says they have an issue/side eyes, doesn't mean that no one has an issue/side eyes)

______
Stuck in the box
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I would contact the organizer now and find out. If she asks about the RSVP, be honest and say you aren't sure yet because the travel involved may conflict with a previous engagement.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

I went to one of these when I was in my teens with my mom and grandma for a 2nd cousin of mine. I found it strange even then and I remember my mom and grandma talking to each other about if they should buy a gift AND something at the shower for her. I think they did both. My mom hated it, she always thinks the home parties are over priced crap (HA and I love them) Plus it really really is put on display to the bride how much you sept. They can see it in the book. Anyway sorry that wasnt your question...The one I was at the Bride had a wish list that was passed out to everyone then the host of the party showcased those items.

mrscomposer · September 2014

My mom is a Pampered Chef consultant and has done Pampered Bride shows - usually online. If the consultant has a personal Pampered Chef website, you'll be able to enter your bride's name on it and from there, find her wishlist - if there's something you want to get her, and won't be able to make it to the actual shower, you'll be able to order it online.

JCbride2015 · September 2014

Personally I'd be uncomfortable with this type of shower and would just bring a gift from the wedding registry. But I'm sure if you can look her up on the PC website and mail something, that would be appreciated. I'd probably do that well before the shower and you can have first pick before everyone else who orders on the spot!

Now can I have an answer badge, too?

photokitty · September 2014

jsangel1018 said:

My mom is a Pampered Chef consultant and has done Pampered Bride shows - usually online. If the consultant has a personal Pampered Chef website, you'll be able to enter your bride's name on it and from there, find her wishlist - if there's something you want to get her, and won't be able to make it to the actual shower, you'll be able to order it online.

Online?? As in I don't even get invited to party to socialize and be fed...just send me a gift??

That has to be the rudest shower I've heard of, including gift card or cash ones! I can't believe anyone would have the balls to send an online bridal shower request for gifts...how rude! That sort of practice makes me not want to purchase from a company

photokitty · September 2014

JCbride2015 said:

Personally I'd be uncomfortable with this type of shower and would just bring a gift from the wedding registry. But I'm sure if you can look her up on the PC website and mail something, that would be appreciated. I'd probably do that well before the shower and you can have first pick before everyone else who orders on the spot!

Now can I have an answer badge, too?

If I gave @AprilH81 a answer check for writing answer, so of course you will get one too JC! Badges for all!! :-D Enjoy xoxo

slothiegal · September 2014

Ugh. This sounds terrible.

Can I have a badge?!

arrippa · September 2014

My friend had a Pampered Chef party. We had to buy something for her off her registry and was strongly urged to buy stuff for ourselves. I bought the cheapest thing I can find for myself, measuring spoons.

Mkincaid2014 · September 2014

@photokitty: I've been invited to those online showers too! They are horrible. It's like, you want me to buy crap for the bride but you can't even take an afternoon to host me while I blow money on her? No thanks.

The last one I was invited to was for my cousin's new wife. Only the groom's aunts, not his cousins, were invited to the real, properly hosted shower. Fine, whatever. From the pictures on facebook, it looked very nice. Several weeks later, I get an invitation to a "Pampered Chef Shower" via facebook. Initially I thought it was just a facebook invitation to another shower, but then I looked closer. It was an online-only shower. I'm not 100% certain, but I think some people not invited to the wedding were also invited to this thing. So essentially I wasn't good enough to invite to something where they'd have to provide some food and drinks, but they have no problem hitting me up for gifts. Ugh. Needless to say, I declined.

JennyColada · September 2014

I've never been to a PC party, but one of my ex's (before he was an ex) went since a friend was hosting it. It's probably good that I didn't go because the PC consultant was super pushy and egging him on to host a party. I told him that I probably would have been really rude and told the consultant that I'm not interested and that I don't appreciate her much-too-forward approach and find it tacky and distasteful.

MrsMack10612 · September 2014

I love PC product. It's why I chose to be a consultant. I don't think it's overpriced for the quality and the warranties (most of the cookware, which is the most expensive has a lifetime warranty) compared to what you'd get in the stores. It's obviously not as nice as Calphalon, but is on par with good Kitchen Aid.

@JennyColada - your example is exactly why I stopped. I hated even feeling a little pushy.

The online shower thing is just tacky. I can totally see having a regular online show, which I have done. Back in the day it was called a "catalog show" and it was for folks who just couldn't schedule a real home party. But to do a shower that way. Ugh. Never.

JennyColada · September 2014

@MrsMack10612, I have seen some of their products (and one of my friends used to be a rep, but really just so that SHE could get the discount, so she was always decked out with PC stuff!) and I agree. The quality is surprisingly good and they have so many interesting gadgets!

perdonami · September 2014

Completely off-topic, but one of my friend's has been pushing me like crazy to attend a Mary Kay party she is hosting for one of her girlfriends who is a consultant. I kept declining to the point that I asked her why she kept pushing. Apparently as a host she gets an initial $50 toward products.

Also discovered that she gets more credit towards purchasing more products as her "guests" purchase more products. When I explained that I would only be going to show her support as a favor I would not be purchasing anything, she stopped asking me to attend.

I don't know how I feel about these types of 'parties' or showers. They come off as extremely rude to friends and family IMO. Not to mention kind of tacky for a shower.

MrsMack10612 · September 2014

Having been a consultant (and my sister used to sell Tupperware) I've been to a lot of different home parties - Tupperware, PC, Partylight, Silpada, etc. - you name it I've probably been to it.

Luckily, very few of them were ever super hard sell. We all just enjoyed the time to socialize.

Shower

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