Like ponies at the starting gate, the “Seller Soiree” at Ted Baker London last Wednesday had the eager-beaver Partners Card 2011 sellers just raring to go. In addition to honoring the sponsors, sellers and friends of the Partners Card program benefiting The Family Place, the party was also the first opportunity for sellers to pick up their cards for the October 28-November 86* shop-a-thon.
There was good reason for the break-through-the-gate-attitude. Partners Card 2011 Co-Chairs Kelley McDonald Schadt, Nancy Scripps and Andrea Weber have a real
challenge facing them after last year’s $1 million break-through achievement. The goal this year is to sell $1.1 million worth of merchandise thanks to the Partners Cards discount. That means 18,334 cards must be sold. The 250 sellers have until mid-October to sell cards at $60 per card. At that point the participating stores will be able to also sell cards.
Partners Card veteran seller JB Hayes admitted that the goal was challenging but very doable with the card’s 20% discount power. According to JB, “The economy is hurting. People are being more careful about the way they spend their money. So they want to plan for their Christmas shopping, their wedding shopping, with that 20% discount.
Among the crowd was Hope Cottage’s Leslie Clay, who was just days away from the 3rd Annual Friends of deVille Golf Tournament at Coyote Ridge Golf Club. . . Partners Card buyer Tyler Kerbyson was checking the racks for clothes. It’s amazing how much he looks like Michael Manos of yesteryear.
If you haven’t had anyone approach you about buying a Partners Card, not to worry. You can go online, but you won’t get the same sweet smile that one of the sellers would give you with your card.
* According to The Family Place’s Paige Flink, the November 6 end date on the Partners Card website is wrong. November 8 is right.
UPDATE: Just heard from Kelly Fordham that Paige must have been a little overwhelmed by the crowd. The website’s date is right. It’s over on November 6.