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I belong to a card making club where we meet monthly and take turns providing 4-5 card kits to be assembled during our get together. people also take turns providing food and drinks. It is a really nice evening out! The Lady that always has club at her house is a Stampin Up Demo. I have another Demo that I have been with long before I joined this group. I order from my Demo and rarely order from the Hostess of our club. My Month to provide the card Kits is November. I plan to make 5 Christmas themed cards. I plan not to use any Stampin Up products in my Card kits. My thoughts are that using Stampin up Items that I didn't order from her might hurt her feelings. What do you all think?
__________________ Bev
Organized People are just too lazy to hunt for things!!!
It seems like you already have a relationship going with them and a pattern of purchasing (outside of the group). While that would indicate it should be ok, I think you would be better off asking the demonstrator involved. It would be a good conversation to have with her for this and for future events. It’s a little trickier when it’s the demo putting the projects together (their supplies and time are invested) but it sounds like you have a different type of arrangement going.
I think most folks buy from various businesses as no one business has it all so hopefully people would be understanding. I'd use whatever I wanted for my months projects. Unless it's understood it will all be product from X company. No reason to hide what you have. I bet lots of folks change demos from time to time as tastes change, styles change, some look for a good deal, etc. Lots of reasons. Does she know you already have your own demo? If she knows, it won't be a surprise that you have product you didn't get from her.
Sounds fun! How long have you been in the group? Is this your first time making the kits?
Has the group to date only been using SU product? If so....then maybe you should stick to that with a sprinkling of others....
But I would not be concerned about using SU product you did not buy from her....after all, if the group likes the product-they may well buy it from her and what's to complain about there?
Are the rest of the group her customers? If not...then I definitely would not worry about it.
You could ask the person who invited you into the group?
I would ask the demo who organized the group. I would also probably put in a small order through her once in a while, which is probably why she started the group, looking for customers. I would explain to your regular demo that once in a while, you would be giving a small order to the other demo, because you attend a group in her home.
IMHO, I don't think it's necessary to explain anything to anyone. If one of the demos should ask, which I think would be in poor taste anyway, then I would tell her the truth. You're not doing anything wrong, and you have the right to spend your money any way you want. I don't know if you're paying to be part of the stamping group, or if you are required to make a purchase. That still wouldn't be a problem as far as purchasing from another demo as well. Again, my opinion.
I am only familiar with what my SU demo does. She forms “clubs” or groups and hosts them at her house as a way to have customers, make sales, and achieve her business goals. There is a minimum required purchase amount each month but hostess benefits are rotated through the group. She provides all materials and creates the projects the group will do. Club members are encouraged to bring guests. Guests will pay for the projects done that night unless they choose to place an order.
It seems like you have a different arrangement with this demo. She hosts but you all take turns providing projects and there is no required order when you meet.
If you’ve been meeting for awhile has the question of ordering from her come up?
Some demos are very laid back and just “cross their fingers” hoping to gain new customers and grow a business. Others are really just demos for the discount because they like the products and enjoy the hobby and the socializing.
I was a demo for a few years. I know if I was hosting people at my house I was hoping to get orders. I couldn’t afford to buy all the products each quarter to make my minimum.
Since you like this group and enjoy going I would find out what this demos expectations/hopes are for hosting each time.
Either ask her directly or ask the person who invited you to the group. If this demo is hoping to build a business, or at least just enough to pay for her own supplies at a discount, I think it would be nice if you ordered a little from her now and then.
As for your projects, design and bring whatever you really like. And use that as an “opening” for the conversation.
Just my two cents as a former demo
When I was a demo, I'd host at my house most of the time with an occasional person wanting to be and host at their home. When I did this, most ladies did not want to commit to a club so I would charge $Xx for supplies or free with a minimum order, say $30.00. It varied depending on the projects but most just chose to pay the class fee but then order at various times when the sales came up.
I would still clarify with someone/the group what the expectations are.
I am in two groups like this too. Both groups require all projects use at least 80% Stampin Up products. It would not seem right to bring projects to a Stampin Up group that did not use Stampin Up products.
would this bother you? Stampin up related
