Betterware Barsts
Discussion
A little background.
My dear old Mother in Law lives about 500 yards from us and is 93.
She wants to be independent and so remains at home with daily visits from various help and of course, my wife.
Now, she is getting a bit senile and is unfailingly polite. Betterware (local rep) keeps leaving catalogs with her and she inevitably buys some hideous piece of useless tat much like the Elvis Dambusters Clock Plate of Tutankamen and then gives it to my wife as she is trying to "help".
My wife then feels obliged to accept whatever piece of crap has been purchased and rather than just dump in in the bin at the end of the drive, brings it home.
So, they obviously see her as an easy mark and are taking advantage of a daft old woman.
I've told her not to buy anything else and also put a very polite notice near her front door explaining "No catalogs please"
Of course, I know where they live. They put their name and address on the brochure.
I would prefer to collect all this s
t, take it back to their house, get the money back, explain why this has to stop and finish off by bumming their dog with frozen sausages.
Mrs HD, knowing my slightly confrontational nature would prefer that I didn't.
Anyone dealt with anything similar or have a sensible plan of action?
My dear old Mother in Law lives about 500 yards from us and is 93.
She wants to be independent and so remains at home with daily visits from various help and of course, my wife.
Now, she is getting a bit senile and is unfailingly polite. Betterware (local rep) keeps leaving catalogs with her and she inevitably buys some hideous piece of useless tat much like the Elvis Dambusters Clock Plate of Tutankamen and then gives it to my wife as she is trying to "help".
My wife then feels obliged to accept whatever piece of crap has been purchased and rather than just dump in in the bin at the end of the drive, brings it home.
So, they obviously see her as an easy mark and are taking advantage of a daft old woman.
I've told her not to buy anything else and also put a very polite notice near her front door explaining "No catalogs please"
Of course, I know where they live. They put their name and address on the brochure.
I would prefer to collect all this s
t, take it back to their house, get the money back, explain why this has to stop and finish off by bumming their dog with frozen sausages.Mrs HD, knowing my slightly confrontational nature would prefer that I didn't.
Anyone dealt with anything similar or have a sensible plan of action?
There's nothing to stop you having a word with them, but keep it reasonable and explain why they shouldn't go there again.
Keep the law on your side and don't say anything that you wouldn't say in front of the police. If that doesn't work, then maybe something in writing, with a witness.
It's not the Pistonheads way, I know, but it should work.
Tim
Keep the law on your side and don't say anything that you wouldn't say in front of the police. If that doesn't work, then maybe something in writing, with a witness.
It's not the Pistonheads way, I know, but it should work.
Tim
Either have a word with the rep as has been stated, or start binning those catalogs asap before the MiL gets the chance to read them. I had similar coming through my door a while ago, and it got binned with the rest of the junk mail. I got a few notes asking for it back then I never received one again, so it might be worth going down that route if you don't want to face them. (It will of course mean intercepting any catalogs or notes before the MiL sees them, and may result in the rep knocking on the door, but if the MiL hasn't got the catalog to give back, there's nothing she can do)
HD Adam said:
So, they obviously see her as an easy mark and are taking advantage of a daft old woman.
Is there any possibility that she likes the Betterware person, looks forward to their visits and the buying of the tat is just part of an arrangement which suits everyone ... except you?HD Adam said:
I've told her not to buy anything else and also put a very polite notice near her front door explaining "No catalogs please"
Have you ask yourself if this is definately the correct thing to do? ... or could it be that it's just what you think is right?Please take these questions the way they're intended.
I'm going through a difficult time with very elderly parents right now and I've recently come to accept that what I see as correct and logical isn't necessarily the right thing.
Kiltie said:
HD Adam said:
So, they obviously see her as an easy mark and are taking advantage of a daft old woman.
Is there any possibility that she likes the Betterware person, looks forward to their visits and the buying of the tat is just part of an arrangement which suits everyone ... except you?HD Adam said:
I've told her not to buy anything else and also put a very polite notice near her front door explaining "No catalogs please"
Have you ask yourself if this is definately the correct thing to do? ... or could it be that it's just what you think is right?Please take these questions the way they're intended.
I'm going through a difficult time with very elderly parents right now and I've recently come to accept that what I see as correct and logical isn't necessarily the right thing.
If the Betterware bloke wants to pop round for a cuppa and not take her money, then I'd be happy with that.
But they don't. It's an easy sale for them because, as I said, she feels obliged as it's their "job" and they've made an effort to go round.
It would be somewhat easier if they just opened her purse and nicked a tenner every week as I wouldn't have to store various Winged Chavtat Horses but this is not something she needs to be spending her pension money on.
She doesn't lack for company in any way. I think (know) she's being taken for a ride and I don't like it.
Sorry, why is it their fault? They drop their leaflet thing and she buys from them. They are not forcing her to are they? Are they stealing from her? Not as far as I can tell.
So, they are doing nothing wrong except in your view, somehow conning your mother.
Does your mother hate these products? It might just be she thinks she is doing something nice in getting them for your wife because she can't get out easily etc
So, they are doing nothing wrong except in your view, somehow conning your mother.
Does your mother hate these products? It might just be she thinks she is doing something nice in getting them for your wife because she can't get out easily etc
Jasandjules said:
Sorry, why is it their fault? They drop their leaflet thing and she buys from them. They are not forcing her to are they? Are they stealing from her? Not as far as I can tell.
So, they are doing nothing wrong except in your view, somehow conning your mother.
Does your mother hate these products? It might just be she thinks she is doing something nice in getting them for your wife because she can't get out easily etc
I think continually referring to OP's mother in your post, rather than mother in law, belies a skimming of the original post. Probably best reread.So, they are doing nothing wrong except in your view, somehow conning your mother.
Does your mother hate these products? It might just be she thinks she is doing something nice in getting them for your wife because she can't get out easily etc
Jasandjules said:
Sorry, why is it their fault? They drop their leaflet thing and she buys from them. They are not forcing her to are they? Are they stealing from her? Not as far as I can tell.
So, they are doing nothing wrong except in your view, somehow conning your mother.
Does your mother hate these products? It might just be she thinks she is doing something nice in getting them for your wife because she can't get out easily etc
The MIL is 93, and sounds like developing senility or other infirmities. Possibly not in the best mental state to make entirely rational spending decisions. If the OP feels that Tupperware are taking advantage of that, then they can politely ask them to stop.So, they are doing nothing wrong except in your view, somehow conning your mother.
Does your mother hate these products? It might just be she thinks she is doing something nice in getting them for your wife because she can't get out easily etc
They will, if they are reasonable.
HD Adam said:
Kiltie said:
HD Adam said:
So, they obviously see her as an easy mark and are taking advantage of a daft old woman.
Is there any possibility that she likes the Betterware person, looks forward to their visits and the buying of the tat is just part of an arrangement which suits everyone ... except you?HD Adam said:
I've told her not to buy anything else and also put a very polite notice near her front door explaining "No catalogs please"
Have you ask yourself if this is definately the correct thing to do? ... or could it be that it's just what you think is right?Please take these questions the way they're intended.
I'm going through a difficult time with very elderly parents right now and I've recently come to accept that what I see as correct and logical isn't necessarily the right thing.
If the Betterware bloke wants to pop round for a cuppa and not take her money, then I'd be happy with that.
But they don't. It's an easy sale for them because, as I said, she feels obliged as it's their "job" and they've made an effort to go round.
It would be somewhat easier if they just opened her purse and nicked a tenner every week as I wouldn't have to store various Winged Chavtat Horses but this is not something she needs to be spending her pension money on.
She doesn't lack for company in any way. I think (know) she's being taken for a ride and I don't like it.
One further question, is money tight for her? I mean, is she having to make ecomonies elsewhere to fund her tat habit?
paul.deitch said:
Call head office, explain the situation and tell them if they don't stop you are going to post on FB and tell the national press. I believe that you will have no further problems.
I wouldn't stop there. I'd tell them you might ring the European Court of Human Rights and S.H.I.E.L.D. as well.HD Adam said:
No, I'm right.
If the Betterware bloke wants to pop round for a cuppa and not take her money, then I'd be happy with that.
But they don't. It's an easy sale for them because, as I said, she feels obliged as it's their "job" and they've made an effort to go round.
Oh are they being invited in and then she's placing an order there and then? Obviously the usual mode of operation for Betterware is they leave a catalogue and then you fill in the form and leave it outside, or it's collected later.If the Betterware bloke wants to pop round for a cuppa and not take her money, then I'd be happy with that.
But they don't. It's an easy sale for them because, as I said, she feels obliged as it's their "job" and they've made an effort to go round.
I'd probably drop a note through their door explaining the problem, and say you think she is placing orders out of politeness than necessity, and could they review their working practices.
eldar said:
The MIL is 93, and sounds like developing senility or other infirmities. Possibly not in the best mental state to make entirely rational spending decisions.
If that is the case then surely the best course of action would be to take her to live with them or some other relative or somewhere else she can be looked after?Not blame someone who leaves a catalogue outside the door!?!
Don't get me wrong, I should imagine if you put a note in the bag saying please don't call here again, they will stop delivering to you, it is as simple as that.
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