CAbi party: Go with eyes open and wallet locked? - YouLookFab Forum

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CAbi party: Go with eyes open and wallet locked?

unfrumped

Veteran

I've been invited to a CAbi party --that line of clothing sold as at Tupperware parties!
I know the hostess and probably will know some attendees, so I could "get into" going for a fun ladies' afternoon. I could use more outings!

But, I do not like sales pressure or feeling as if I've been a bad guest if I enjoy the party but don't buy anything. OTOH it could work the other way, I like supporting friends in their endeavors and not sounding like, oh, I'm too good to come to your home sale party, when, sometimes, more guests help the party/sale atmosphere even if some attendees don't buy.

I also do have the potential for lemming-frenzy or succumbing to peer pressure in the moment; this works okay for B&M stores, because I can try things on at leisure back home, come to my senses and return, but I worry that I won't feel I can return a CAbi item I've taken home.

Any experience or advice? Go, have fun and be strong? Or stay away?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Tania

Veteran

I haven't had any experience with CAbi, but I have attended other home parties without feeling obliged to buy anything. Go, have fun, and be strong!

BethT

Had to laugh at your "potential for lemming-frenzy".

Go, have fun and be strong. I don't know anything about CAbi, but I usually enjoy hanging out with my friends at home parties. Sometimes I buy, sometimes I don't. I think most people understand that there are so many of these, we'd all be broke if we bought at all of them.

Author Linda

Veteran

Bring a nice hostess gift. A bottle of wine or box of cannoli or, well, whatever suits the occasion, will let your friend know you value her and add zip to the event. Then you won't feel as obliged to buy something. At least... that works for me.

unfrumped

Veteran

Author Linda, that is such a great reminder, I am smacking forehead--treat the hostess like a hostess and friend as usual.

carter

Veteran

I have several Cabi items, a few of which I bought at a party 10 or so years ago. I still wear them and love them. More recently, I've been buying at the Cabi outlet nearby.

I think you should go. Wouldn't it be nice if you found a new brand that fits and appeals to you? To keep the purchases under control, why don't you look through the current collection online so you can do some pre-screening of which items would work well for your wardrobe and which would be orphans?

http://www.cabionline.com/collection/clothes/

Anonymous

I have attended many parties such as this (everything from pampered chef to jewelry to clothing). It really depends on the hostess. She sets the tone. If she is happy to have you there and there is no pressure, it can be really fun. I usually do buy under these circumstances because I am having so much fun. If, on the other hand, the hostess exerts pressure to buy so she can get a free gift, it can be a miserable experience. I rarely buy under those circumstances.

unfrumped

Veteran

carter, brilliant--homework helps.
Like this potential item. I have trouble with standard moto styles because they're too short and boxy. This is kind of an elongated pseudo-moto.

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Sara L.

Veteran

I've never been to a Cabi party but I love that jacket you found. It looks so sleek and modern.

Staysfit

Veteran

My neighbor had them in the past. Now she runs a local high end consignment store instead. It was a fun way to get together with the other women who live on my street. i didn't feel pressured to purchase anything, but that may be my personality. Some of the clothing was nice and could mix well with what I already had. I agree with what was already said, and I would bring a small hostess gift.

abc

Veteran

Hostess gift is good advice

To help with lemming ness (and God knows I suffer) check the archives here. I wish I could remember who wrote it down - someone listed their questions to ask themselves before buying. Seems kinda like duh but I don't usually think about things. If it's pretty and I like it it gets bought. This was along the lines of assessing how something will work in your existing wardrobe. Important as you mentioned re returns.

abc

Veteran

Here is an old thread with questions to ask before buying, could be helpful to ward off the lemmings:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....tivesgoals

Marlene

Veteran

I have several Cabi items that I have bought in the past 3 years and I find I wear them all regularly. I was just at a pre-view event on Tuesday night and purchased 2 items.

Honestly, the first couple showings I attended, I was prone to the lemming-frenzy. I did tend to buy what everyone else was going nutso over and ended up with some orphans.

However, now I tend to keep to my list and just get what I need. My strategy is to have a list of what I need in the upcoming season and then look at the collection online to see if there is anything that may work.

This fall, I was wanting a LONG boyfriend-ish blazer and low and behold they had a nice one in ponte knit this season. It has amazing sleeve detail and I like that the collar is a hybrid mandarin type that I like better than a traditional blazer collar. I also was hoping to get a new blouse in some sort of neutral pattern. They had that as well...tunic length, long sleeves and really nice fabric. I'm very happy...filled some wardrobe holes. I was actually considering that same jacket shown above. Its really nice...the fit is excellent and the fabric is cozy. But I have enough moto style jackets so I held off.

I really like the fit of Cabi clothes..especially the pants. The jackets are really great quality. Their ponte is excellent and wears like iron. My stylist is of the mindset that we should only buy what goes with whatever we already have. She remembers what you bought in the past and can recommend stuff from the new lines that will work with your current closet. I generally buy one or two items per season from her. Everything tends to work together.

unfrumped

Veteran

Interesting, Marlene! I think that is one of their marketing points, the versatility.

And oh, what do you wear to a maybe-trying on party? I don 't even know how that works. Probably bottoms + top + maybe cami.
I might have debue'd a summer dress to an afternoon event, but that would not be as good for clothes-trying.

K. Period.

Veteran

I've gone to maybe 5 CAbi parties (most with a repeat hostess), and I've only brought home one item. The quality on the items was great, but I just didn't find anything that I had to have. I've escaped any guilt over not buying by bringing a nice hostess gift and treating it like they are inviting me to a social party, rather than a sales party. So I definitely support everyone else's recommendations to that effect! If a hostess is unhappy that you didn't buy anything, that is more a reflection of her motive in inviting you, than a reflection on you.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think it will be fun. I've been to a few of the parties and enjoyed them. I did end up getting some pieces each time, and I will admit they all turned out to have short lives in my wardrobe or became orphans. So I'm not a very good shopper in that atmosphere. But you've gotten great advice here for making it a fun outing and possibly coming away with some good finds. I stopped going to the parties because of my experience; I don't like paying full price and buying with no returns (not literally; you can return things, but realistically I wouldn't do so).

Cheryl L

Hi Unfrumped,
I don't know if you have atended your party yet but thought I would relate my experience. My next door neighbor and dear friend is a cabi stylist. I have found that most women become stylists because they love clothes and enjoy helping women feel gold about themselves. The experience can be like shopping with a Nordies SA although the stylist will have limited sizes. Returns are accepted only up to 30 days after the hostess receives the order. . They will also exchange for a different item in that same time frame.
I have lots of cabi and the pieces work from season to season.

Dress in comfy clothes that are easy to remove and wear minimal jewelry so you don't snag the sweaters.

Cabi even has a beautiful Burgandy sweater wrap this season

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks, Cheryl L-/ good to know. I looked through some of the collection. I plan to go and have fun!