I understand completely!
To answer some of your questions:
Yes, the closer the booking the better chance of having the show. My party plan rewards hostesses for bookings scheduled off their show. I tell the potentials that they must hold their show
within 4 weeks for it to count. This does sometimes get them to not have their show but that just tells me that they were only doing it as a favor and not really serious about it. These shows always flop! I NEVER play cames where a show is a prize. These shows flop as well, even bigger than the ones booked as a favor. I play fun games, and offer decent door prizes and try to get a lot of guest interaction and rely on the wonderful quality of my products to encourage bookings that will work.
I allow one week before I close my shows. In most cases, this is because the hostess would like her guests to have 2 pay periods in which to have money from. I am ok with this. But, I don't let them railroad me. I let them know my deadline date and that I
must close her show in x-amount of days in order for her to receive her hostess benefits. It's not true but it encourages her to get her guests to turn in their orders. I also let guests know that if they are not ordering the night of the show that they can call me/email me directly. And. I am always willing to pick up their order form and payment at their home or place of work.
As far as losing catalogs (or what i consider losing one) to non-ordering customers I charge a dollar for each catty. I have to pay for these though mine don't cost me as much as some other reps catties, I don't feel it is a good investment for them to go home with people who are not seriously considering placing an order.
I don't feel bad handing out little white lies when it really is in the best interest of the customer and more important my business. I work hard at what I do and don't want to throw my time, money, business supplies down the toilet. I have never had a hostess complain, they may not like it but they really do understand. If they need more time, I'll give it to them but with the understanding that if I don't hear from them by the date
they give me, I will have to close the party and will let them know what they earned.
Good luck and hang in there! I've also found that a good stiff drink after some of these parties helps, too!