muggins
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by muggins on Sept 18, 2018 15:04:37 GMT
Every year in the U.K., thousands of individuals, churches, and businesses hold Coffee mornings in September to raise money for MacMillan - a charity providing nurses who support cancer patients.
I’m holding one next week at my house and have invited a lot of people.
I’m co-hosting with 2 neighbors - one of whom has just started selling the thermomix (v. Expensive kitchen gadget). She offered to make fresh lemonade for those who don’t drink tea or coffee. Now she called and has decided to bring her thermomix because ‘it only takes 4 seconds to make it’ so we won’t waste any’
This would seem like a sensible idea, but I think it’s an excuse to demo the product and get some custom. I think this is a really crass idea at a charity event.
So, how do I address this with her? She didn’t ask if she could bring it, just told me she would. She will be offended if I tell her I think she’s trying to get customers (although I know she is). I just don’t want the people attending the coffee morning to feel like they’ve been duped into a mlm event.
Update
I texted her back yesterday to tell her I had plenty of sparkling, flavoured water if the lemonade should run out.
I met with her today at my house to discuss some details. She didn’t mention the thermomix at all. I also pointed out how much counter space would be taken up by tea, coffee, and extra cups, etc.
Thanks Peas!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 0:44:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 15:08:40 GMT
You and me both. Can you tell her you really have no room for it with everything else you have to have set out?
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lesley
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Post by lesley on Sept 18, 2018 15:11:41 GMT
Suggest it might get damaged? Or just say you don’t want people to get the wrong idea and think she’s trying to sell it, because that “would obviously be really crass at a charity event”. You can point out that you don’t think it of course... 😄
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Post by julieinsweden on Sept 18, 2018 15:20:31 GMT
My mum also does MacMillian coffee mornings. I would just tell her. Better that she gets her nose bent out of shape now than having all your guests POed because she is selling.
But you will have to be prepared for her to promise not to sell. And you needing to keep an eye on the situation during the event.
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Post by mom on Sept 18, 2018 15:23:01 GMT
Suggest it might get damaged? Or just say you don’t want people to get the wrong idea and think she’s trying to sell it, because that “would obviously be really crass at a charity event”. You can point out that you don’t think it of course... 😄 I would totally do this. I probably would not even mention my stance of it but leave it at you don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. |
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Post by AN on Sept 18, 2018 15:26:35 GMT
You need to be direct with people like this. Don't sugar coat it too much. I like what was suggested above, and I recommend just calling her back and telling her "Jane, I think it will appear you're trying to promote Thermomix if you have it at the coffee morning. Please do not bring it."
SILENCE. Don't overtalk it. Silence is your weapon here.
There's lots of other things you could throw out -- I'm assuming it's kind of loud if it's squeezing lemons, you don't want her to be in the kitchen fixing lemonade instead of socializing, I googled and it looks large, you won't have counter space with the other goodies for the event. But seriously, just tell her No, and then shut up. She will hem and haw and try to convince you, and just keeping saying "No, I don't want you to bring it" and then being quiet.
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freebird
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Post by freebird on Sept 18, 2018 15:28:31 GMT
What if she was a customer (not a seller) and had bought one on her own and wanted to bring it to the party to use? would you be ok then?
I don't have any issue with her bringing it. I'd just say to make sure she doesn't use it as a sales opportunity or people will be expecting those profits to go to the charity.
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Post by AN on Sept 18, 2018 15:28:56 GMT
OMG, look at this dumb thing. It's loud as hell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkdgSf3gn8And four seconds my ass. It took this video chick 4+ minutes, and that's with everything pre-measured out, taking up the entire counter. If she does bring it even after you tell her not to, I'd have a folding table and extension cord ready for her out in the back yard to run it. LOL |
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blue tulip
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Post by blue tulip on Sept 18, 2018 15:37:17 GMT
OMG, look at this dumb thing. It's loud as hell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkdgSf3gn8And four seconds my ass. It took this video chick 4+ minutes, and that's with everything pre-measured out, taking up the entire counter. If she does bring it even after you tell her not to, I'd have a folding table and extension cord ready for her out in the back yard to run it. LOL oh HELL no would I have that thing anywhere near my event. |
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
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Post by muggins on Sept 18, 2018 15:38:29 GMT
OMG, look at this dumb thing. It's loud as hell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkdgSf3gn8And four seconds my ass. It took this video chick 4+ minutes, and that's with everything pre-measured out, taking up the entire counter. If she does bring it even after you tell her not to, I'd have a folding table and extension cord ready for her out in the back yard to run it. LOL Aww hell no. I hadn’t even seen a thermomix before. My first reaction was that it would be too loud but I wasn’t sure. There’ll be no room for that, and who wants to listen to that blasting every couple of minutes. I’ll tell her not to bring it. I’d rather not serve lemonade at all than have that thing there. |
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by muggins on Sept 18, 2018 15:41:28 GMT
What if she was a customer (not a seller) and had bought one on her own and wanted to bring it to the party to use? would you be ok then? I don't have any issue with her bringing it. I'd just say to make sure she doesn't use it as a sales opportunity or people will be expecting those profits to go to the charity. At first I would have said ok, since she wouldn’t be selling. I have a kitchen aid and an Instant pot and I’d happily tell people how much I like them. However I’m not trying to book demos and make a profit. Now I’ve seen the video AN linked, we just won’t have the space to have it on the counter. And it’s pretty noisy. So customer or seller, the answer is no. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Sept 18, 2018 15:42:53 GMT
OMG, look at this dumb thing. It's loud as hell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkdgSf3gn8And four seconds my ass. It took this video chick 4+ minutes, and that's with everything pre-measured out, taking up the entire counter. If she does bring it even after you tell her not to, I'd have a folding table and extension cord ready for her out in the back yard to run it. LOL Okay that's freaking hilarious. It would not be hard to say hell no to that during your event. |
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JustTricia
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Location: Indianapolis
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Post by JustTricia on Sept 18, 2018 15:43:00 GMT
I agree with the above. “I’m afraid it will look like you’re trying to sell the product. I’m sure you wouldn’t want that.”
Lather, rinse, repeat.
I do think there’s a difference between a customer bringing something they love purely because they love it, and talk about why they love it
vs
Someone who profits from the product, even if they swear they won’t try to sell any.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 18, 2018 16:31:28 GMT
NO is a simple sentence.............
OK, No thanks is ok to!
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by muggins on Sept 18, 2018 16:59:12 GMT
So I texted her and said i wouldn’t have room on the counter and it would make too much noise. I asked her to bring pre-made lemonade.
Her reply -
‘Ok, if we run out they can have water I guess.’
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MorningPerson
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Post by MorningPerson on Sept 18, 2018 17:08:34 GMT
Her reply - ‘Ok, if we run out they can have water I guess.’ Now I'm really curious if she will show up with lemonade at all (or maybe a piddly amount?) I guess it will be a tell on what her original reason was. SaveSave |
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Post by Lexica on Sept 18, 2018 17:14:02 GMT
I hadn’t heard of that product and looked it up. They sell for $1500! I would absolutely tell her no. And since when is lemonade ever going to waste? She can take home what doesn’t get consumed. If I were bringing fresh lemonade to an event, I would bring a few containers ready to serve and then bring the concentrated lemon juice and sugar to make up subsequent batches. That way, if you don’t need more lemonade, you have the squeezed lemons to use in cookies (Dead Aunt cookies from this site are yummy!) or lemon chicken or just freeze it to use later. There is no need to drag that loud machine in. And you know darned well she will start talking about it and then swear someone asked. Just say no!
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muggins
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Posts: 2,861
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Post by muggins on Sept 18, 2018 17:15:48 GMT
Her reply - ‘Ok, if we run out they can have water I guess.’ Now I'm really curious if she will show up with lemonade at all (or maybe a piddly amount?) I guess it will be a tell on what her original reason was. SaveSaveYes, and she’s trying to make me feel guilty that people will only have water to drink!! Like I don’t have any other drinks at my house! |
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SweetieBsMom
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Sept 18, 2018 17:24:56 GMT
OMG, look at this dumb thing. It's loud as hell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkdgSf3gn8And four seconds my ass. It took this video chick 4+ minutes, and that's with everything pre-measured out, taking up the entire counter. If she does bring it even after you tell her not to, I'd have a folding table and extension cord ready for her out in the back yard to run it. LOL I'm confused...is this $1500 machine just for lemonade? I mean, I love lemonade and all but I don't like it THAT much! Why would anyone buy this?
And, no, she wouldn't be bringing that to my event.
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Post by tamiq on Sept 18, 2018 17:28:20 GMT
So I texted her and said i wouldn’t have room on the counter and it would make too much noise. I asked her to bring pre-made lemonade. Her reply - ‘Ok, if we run out they can have water I guess.’ This is a Coffee morning, right? I wouldn't even expect to have lemonade if I were going. |
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
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Post by muggins on Sept 18, 2018 17:37:57 GMT
So I texted her and said i wouldn’t have room on the counter and it would make too much noise. I asked her to bring pre-made lemonade. Her reply - ‘Ok, if we run out they can have water I guess.’ This is a Coffee morning, right? I wouldn't even expect to have lemonade if I were going. Yes, it’s a coffee morning. But as someone who dislikes tea and coffee I’m always glad when there’s an alternative served. TBH though, English people don’t really drink lemonade and fresh lemons can be expensive, so I was surprised when she first suggested it. |
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craftykitten
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Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Sept 18, 2018 17:40:52 GMT
OMG, look at this dumb thing. It's loud as hell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkdgSf3gn8And four seconds my ass. It took this video chick 4+ minutes, and that's with everything pre-measured out, taking up the entire counter. If she does bring it even after you tell her not to, I'd have a folding table and extension cord ready for her out in the back yard to run it. LOL I'm confused...is this $1500 machine just for lemonade? I mean, I love lemonade and all but I don't like it THAT much! Why would anyone buy this?
And, no, she wouldn't be bringing that to my event.
I was at an event with someone and they had one on the next table. It made a really nice mulled wine. But I could buy a LOT of mulled wine and lemonade for that price! |
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 18, 2018 17:47:31 GMT
OMG, look at this dumb thing. It's loud as hell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjkdgSf3gn8And four seconds my ass. It took this video chick 4+ minutes, and that's with everything pre-measured out, taking up the entire counter. If she does bring it even after you tell her not to, I'd have a folding table and extension cord ready for her out in the back yard to run it. LOL I'm confused...is this $1500 machine just for lemonade? I mean, I love lemonade and all but I don't like it THAT much! Why would anyone buy this?
And, no, she wouldn't be bringing that to my event.
If it could make Chic-fil-A lemonade, I'd sit through a demonstration. Otherwise, nope. She's totally guilting you. I don't like hot beverages and would appreciate lemonade, but I am at a fundraiser and for me, iced tea or water would be fine. I can't imagine you have to stay too long. I might also bring a Yeti full of cold water. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 18, 2018 17:50:03 GMT
I hadn’t heard of that product and looked it up. They sell for $1500! I would absolutely tell her no. And since when is lemonade ever going to waste? She can take home what doesn’t get consumed. If I were bringing fresh lemonade to an event, I would bring a few containers ready to serve and then bring the concentrated lemon juice and sugar to make up subsequent batches. That way, if you don’t need more lemonade, you have the squeezed lemons to use in cookies (Dead Aunt cookies from this site are yummy!) or lemon chicken or just freeze it to use later. There is no need to drag that loud machine in. And you know darned well she will start talking about it and then swear someone asked. Just say no! Even if she just brings the made up lemonade there’s still the chance she will use the opportunity to talk up her machine. All it would take was one person to say something like, “Wow this is great lemonade!” and she would be off to the races telling everyone how she made it with her fabulous new machine. Oye. |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 0:44:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 17:50:22 GMT
Ask her to make the lemonade at home and just bring that vs. the whole machine as you don't want to have to deal with the space or noise issues.
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Post by yodutchess on Sept 18, 2018 17:54:36 GMT
I watched the video since I never heard of a Thermomix. I picture her at your door with the lemonade in the chopperpitcher of that gadget. Have one of your own pitchers handy so you can pour the goofy lemonade into it and put it aside if need be. I would make her donate big bucks if she even said the word Thermomix or started her pitch. And thank you for your charity work.
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Post by pierkiss on Sept 18, 2018 17:55:26 GMT
She’s absolutely trying to demo it in front of people. Tell her to make it ahead as All your outlets are in use in your kitchen.
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iluvpink
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Post by iluvpink on Sept 18, 2018 17:58:29 GMT
It sounds like she just wants to sell her product. For things like that, I would think punch more than lemonade. So that makes me think she's trying to sell more than anything. And that's rude.
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anniebygaslight
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Sept 18, 2018 18:04:53 GMT
I have a thermomix and love it. However, it is noisy and you couldn't hold a conversation comfortably when it is full flight.
Also, McMillan Coffee Mornings are decidedly not the right venue for doing a sales pitch. Crass as hell.
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Sept 18, 2018 18:06:25 GMT
Why did the demonstrator in the video throw the entire lemon in? Wouldn't it be bitter? And it looks cloudy when she's done. I've only ever made lemonade with the juice, not the whole lemon. What a monstrosity. Thanks AN for linking the video. |
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