You could ask the consultant if she can help you exchange your top for one where the stripes actually match.

I admit I've never been to one of those parties, precisely for the reasons you've described. I hate feeling like I'm being pressured or guilted into buying something. This is also why I avoid stores with pushy salespeople and why I prefer to shop alone...

That said, I think you should just consider this particular purchase as a gift or donation to help your friend. Obviously she has done a lot for you and you can just see this as paying her back a little. The top itself looks like it fits well aside from the non-matching stripe issue, although perhaps it was a bit too pricey for what it is. I'd wear it with a cardi or jacket over it to hide the seams where the stripes don't match up.

I learned to say NO to home parties a LONG time ago. No pressure or hurt feelings that way.

The stripes not matching is what bothers me about that top. I would expect perfection for that price!

What a coincidence that this post should pop back up. Thank you all for your wisdom and wonderful suggestions. To update you, I decided to keep the top and actually wore it this past weekend for the first time.

I styled it with my black trench, military cardigan, skinny jeans and ballet flats. I didn't get a good picture but the photo below will give you an idea of how I styled it. Please excuse the windblown hair.

Not bad!! You resolved the issue of the stripes not matching up very nicely!!
Wish I was there at the beach too

You know, I think you did the right thing. I have swallowed my pride and/or honest reaction in many cases and just "took one for the team", as they say in sports. You did a very nice job of styling this top and, by posting this topic on the forum, you have helped all of us vent, articulate, and give serious thought about how we want to respond to the next invitation we receive for one of these home sales events. Some times it will be the right thing to attend; other times we can simply say thanks, I can't make it. But no guilt, please, it should be ours to choose what we want to do.

Late to the party, but I wanted to say that I actually dig the stripes at the seam; they look intentionally opposite-aligned, especially if this is the same on both sides

I love the suggestion to keep it, but to skip the next party in lieu of taking your volunteer to lunch!