Are We To Blame? Online Vendors

@NaturallyATLPCH
Have you ever purchased from Hattache? They have a great selection. Decent Sale. Fast Shipping. You may wanna check them out. They offer a lot of great lines. ETA: It's in ATL.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiriOLCt7_OAhVBLSYKHbnaDpcQFggcMAA&url=https://www.hattache.com/&usg=AFQjCNGaswuApcLqONXlWmJr7y9VsvOvFQ&sig2=wVUgZI0SvRKA0rT3iBu3MA

Wait, hollup. I clicked on the link. She's in Doraville. While it ain't Atlanta, it's a tad bit closer by five minutes.
I read online somewhere that she was opening in Alpharetta. Hmmm...
 
@Saludable84
I basically consider these "Seasonal" purchases too.

However, QB has been having more Sales than they usually have in the past and I've jumped on those.

I was going to try my ghee, but I'm very bent on using up my SD WGC and APB Cherry and Kukui lotion. Both are light, but with the right sealer, very moisturizing. I'm dying to retry my Oyin, but I'm going to wait until these two are done. I'm much better at rotating leave in and moisturizers as I can't use many if any.
 
@shawnyblazes @CeeLex33 (And Everybody Else)
If you place several orders during a Sale (at different times) do you contact the vendor and ask for Combined Shipping OR...do you just go ahead and pay the shipping for both orders?

I have never asked for combined unless the ordering process wasn't clear on the vendor side.
Cream and Coco had a sale and sent the link but not the code. I ordered. Then she gave the code after. I placed another order with the code. I asked for combined shipping.

I know a lot of companies say it's up to you to order aND during a sale won't offer it. Some companies do it without even asking if they notice it. @IDareT'sHair
 
50 million dollar question LOL! I try to get in get what I want and get out the first time just because I hate having to contact them to ask for combined shipping. I just feel like that's more opportunity for something to go wrong with my order, so I really do try to get in and get out with everything I wanted. There have been maybe 3-4 times that the "sale be calling me" and I go back in, BUT I do check out the policy so I know going in if they will combine or not.
 
50 million dollar question LOL! I try to get in get what I want and get out the first time just because I hate having to contact them to ask for combined shipping. I just feel like that's more opportunity for something to go wrong with my order, so I really do try to get in and get out with everything I wanted. There have been maybe 3-4 times that the "sale be calling me" and I go back in, BUT I do check out the policy so I know going in if they will combine or not.
@CeeLex33
Good Point about the potential of the order getting messed up.:yep:

*Cackles at "sale be calling me" and I go back in*:lol:
 
@shawnyblazes @CeeLex33 (And Everybody Else)
If you place several orders during a Sale (at different times) do you contact the vendor and ask for Combined Shipping OR...do you just go ahead and pay the shipping for both orders?

I will ask. I asked Jakeala and she had no issue.

I remember asking a vendor before and was told no and the reason I got was very understandable. Had to do with fraud and a past experience. It doesn't hurt to ask, but I won't get upset you don't. I just better not see two orders in one shipment.
 
@shawnyblazes @CeeLex33 (And Everybody Else)
If you place several orders during a Sale (at different times) do you contact the vendor and ask for Combined Shipping OR...do you just go ahead and pay the shipping for both orders?

I rarely place several orders with one vendor during a single sale promotion. I tend take my time looking over the entire inventory before making my selections and checking out. However, when I do, I never ask the vendor to combine the shipping and refund the excess...even if all of the items from different orders are placed into one package. IMO, it's unfair to expect a vendor to accommodate one's impulse purchases. While I am a firm advocate of a consumer's rights, I cannot support any endeavor that places undue hardships upon vendors. Honestly, if I were a vendor, such requests would drive me insane.

IMO, each party has rights and responsibilities. Merchants have the right to sell their products without being harried by a plethora of requests, questions and other forms of nagging from consumers in the midst of filling orders, especially during a sale promotion. They are responsible for the safe and consistent preparation, packaging and transport of their wares as depicted on their websites; they also have a duty to resolve all issues with minimal delay and outlay from consumers (e.g., no consumer should be required to submit fingerprints and two forms of identification in order to have a jar of spilled conditioner replaced...then have to wait 80 days for their replacement item to arrive). Conversely, consumers have the right to receive items as described by a given vendor that are free from dirt, hair and other hazardous materials and with a stable shelf life and in a timely fashion. OTOH, consumers are responsible for storing their items properly, in addition to exercising self-restraint by not having unreasonable expectations (e.g., don't hover over a vendor looking for tracking info only days after placing an order; not crying foul when spores arise after they've stored a handcrafted product in a muggy bathroom; realizing that combined shipping is a privilege, not a right so own one's impulsivity - either place one big order or bare the cost of the impulse purchases, which averages about $6.95 per order).

I view online purchasing as a partnership - consumers shouldn't have to jump through fantastical hoops in order to spend their money, and vendors shouldn't have to jump through fantastical hoops in order to sell their wares and build their businesses. Everyone has a role to play and fairness is a huge part of the equation.
 
@Saludable84
Most people don't have a problem with it.

However, some do.

It was well known vendor, so I won't say. The issue was that the shipping was combined, then the person later claimed they never got the package. So the money had to be refunded. That case was lost by the seller. Sure enough, I got two separate packages.

Etsy is good for this situation as private listings can be made.

Idk. I don't have an issue. I respect either response.
 
@shawnyblazes @CeeLex33 (And Everybody Else)
If you place several orders during a Sale (at different times) do you contact the vendor and ask for Combined Shipping OR...do you just go ahead and pay the shipping for both orders?

I have paid both but never thought about combined shipping. APB will usually refund the shipping, and Sarenzo will give you a store credit for the difference. I don't usually ask though.
 
I rarely place several orders with one vendor during a single sale promotion. I tend take my time looking over the entire inventory before making my selections and checking out. However, when I do, I never ask the vendor to combine the shipping and refund the excess...even if all of the items from different orders are placed into one package. IMO, it's unfair to expect a vendor to accommodate one's impulse purchases. While I am a firm advocate of a consumer's rights, I cannot support any endeavor that places undue hardships upon vendors. Honestly, if I were a vendor, such requests would drive me insane.

IMO, each party has rights and responsibilities. Merchants have the right to sell their products without being harried by a plethora of requests, questions and other forms of nagging from consumers in the midst of filling orders, especially during a sale promotion. They are responsible for the safe and consistent preparation, packaging and transport of their wares as depicted on their websites; they also have a duty to resolve all issues with minimal delay and outlay from consumers (e.g., no consumer should be required to submit fingerprints and two forms of identification in order to have a jar of spilled conditioner replaced...then have to wait 80 days for their replacement item to arrive). Conversely, consumers have the right to receive items as described by a given vendor that are free from dirt, hair and other hazardous materials and with a stable shelf life and in a timely fashion. OTOH, consumers are responsible for storing their items properly, in addition to exercising self-restraint by not having unreasonable expectations (e.g., don't hover over a vendor looking for tracking info only days after placing an order; not crying foul when spores arise after they've stored a handcrafted product in a muggy bathroom; realizing that combined shipping is a privilege, not a right so own one's impulsivity - either place one big order or bare the cost of the impulse purchases, which averages about $6.95 per order).

I view online purchasing as a partnership - consumers shouldn't have to jump through fantastical hoops in order to spend their money, and vendors shouldn't have to jump through fantastical hoops in order to sell their wares and build their businesses. Everyone has a role to play and fairness is a huge part of the equation.

Yes to all of this Philosopher @PJaye :clap:
 
How do y'all feel about reformulations? Nothing specifically but, how do you feel about being notified, finding out, explanation, purchasing and even discontinuance?

I personally feel if you reformulate, you should make a statement at least on the listings. Explain why it was reformulated and possibly list the former ingredients. If you do a completely different ingredient listing, I don't consider that reformulating and then I will ask. If an item is discontinued because the product does not want to be compromised, I respect that.
 
How do y'all feel about reformulations? Nothing specifically but, how do you feel about being notified, finding out, explanation, purchasing and even discontinuance?

I personally feel if you reformulate, you should make a statement at least on the listings. Explain why it was reformulated and possibly list the former ingredients. If you do a completely different ingredient listing, I don't consider that reformulating and then I will ask. If an item is discontinued because the product does not want to be compromised, I respect that.

I think my problem with reformulations is the lack of forewarning, the lack of announcement, and the randomness of it all I sometimes see. I know it can't always be helped (sometimes it's a legal thing or an issue with availability of ingredients), but when I find out that a staple or HG product is just no longer available, understandably it's problematic for the customer. I just wish they could say, "Starting so-and-so date, we will be reducing our production of so-and-so product and completely phasing it out by so-and-so date." This would allow serious fans to prep -- to buy a few bottles or jars to last while they find a replacement.

I guess people will say: That's why you have several backups of your staple/HG and your backup other PRODUCT that'll do.

I guess.
 
I think my problem with reformulations is the lack of forewarning, the lack of announcement, and the randomness of it all I sometimes see. I know it can't always be helped (sometimes it's a legal thing or an issue with availability of ingredients), but when I find out that a staple or HG product is just no longer available, understandably it's problematic for the customer. I just wish they could say, "Starting so-and-so date, we will be reducing our production of so-and-so product and completely phasing it out by so-and-so date." This would allow serious fans to prep -- to buy a few bottles or jars to last while they find a replacement.

I guess people will say: That's why you have several backups of your staple/HG and your backup other PRODUCT that'll do.

I guess.

Example:
I was watching videos about how to care for hair similar to mine. Several, several folks kept mentioning the same products: the Komaza puddings. I go the website. Most all the reviews are raves. Here are some:
Shavonia Wynn
I LITERALLY cannot live without this pudding! I have very low porosity 4a/b hair and my hair hates gel! This product works great for defining my curls and works perfectly for a wash-n-go! Please do not every change the recipe... I am addicted! =o)

Nya Newsome
I absolutely love this product. It's great for all of my styles. From wash and go's to twistouts to smoothing hair into updo's. To control the hairline, just wet hair and apply a scarf around it. In just a few minutes the hair is smooth and perfectly laid. It has a pleasant fragrance and can be used over stronger hold gels for softness. This is holy grail for my hair. Please don't change the formulation of this product. It works!!

Ettienne Hand
My absolute favorite styling pudding for drier/damp colder climates!!!! My hair clumps really well when I apply it over the Califia leave in conditioner and my curls are very moisturized. I use it as a wash and go and I can get about 7 days of good looking hair before I have to wash again. Plus the smell is wonderful!!

Monique Hewitt
I received this in the 8oz size this passed weekend and I used it on Sunday along with the Califia leave in conditioner for a wash and go. And I must say this first I have tried ever product under the sun and spent countless amounts of money trying to find products to get a defined, shiny wash and go and I had been unsuccessful up until this point. This pudding is the best I've tried since I've been on my natural hair journey. My curls were defined, soft, bouncy and shiny! And my shrinkage was less than normal. I came back to the site to stock up on this product and had to leave a review. Naturals I urge you to try this it is worth every penny!

So, I'm so excited, because the needs they say these puddings satisfy are the needs I have! Then I read a review that says:

Maria Lorena Madrid
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I had some leftover Califia pudding from its previous generation. After receiving this 2nd edition I realize it has more chemicals at the end of the listing than the original. The original was much more emollient and felt richer to the touch. This one is more "watery" and less dense. I used both this and the coconut pudding and liked both depending on the season. But now you've added water to the CP, which will create frizz in the summertime) and it doesn't have nearly the same moisturizing effect as before. I'm crushed these new formulas are not as good as the previous ones. I just pray you don't alter the Califia Moisturizing Creme in the future...

I really wonder why they changed the formulation when they got the type of feedback they got with the previous formula? Maybe they have good reason.

ETA: If it's about making more money by cutting costs with cheaper ingredients, can they allow customers to request special (original) formulations and pay more? Maybe there's no cost-effective way to do that.
 
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How do y'all feel about reformulations? Nothing specifically but, how do you feel about being notified, finding out, explanation, purchasing and even discontinuance?
@Saludable84
I think you should make customers aware. Many do if a particular ingredient is no longer available or that it will increase the overall price of the product.

I think they should fully disclose what is being changed in case a person has an allergy to a particular ingredient etc..

I think they should also have a "Sale" on the former Stock that is being discontinued.:giggle: Also a re-labeling or re-branding Sale (which many seem to do)
 
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@shawnyblazes @CeeLex33 (And Everybody Else)
If you place several orders during a Sale (at different times) do you contact the vendor and ask for Combined Shipping OR...do you just go ahead and pay the shipping for both orders?
@IDareT'sHair
For sure, I ask for combined shipping and so far NG has obliged me this when I ordered twice in a 24 hour period. The previous order hadn't shipped yet, thankfully.
 
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many companies don't disclose all of their ingredients (kinky-curly is one of them). Secondly, while they don't use parabens, they use "cousins" of them that pose the same risks, but must people can't tell the difference and as long as they don't see paraben they are happy. For example, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is very similar to parabens and the jury is still out on its safety, but they're the main preservative in Shea Moisture products. Some will use BHT or Methylisothiazolinone, which is a cytotoxin and studies have shown in can negatively affect the nervous system (among others), but it's all over the place. People see the "one" at the end and think it's a silicone or just don't notice.

These are ways that a product can be "paraben-free" and still not that great or "natural". Industry gets away with giving us these potentially harmful products because a) consumers don't know the difference and b) complain about products that behave the way truly "natural" products do. If you're interested, check out "greenwashing". It's a real thing.
Ok, so after I read this comment I grabbed my SM deep treatment masque to check the ingredients. I just use it last night so it was to hand.

They've changed their ingredients. It no long has the Japanese honeysuckle and they have also put the again oil at the bottom of the list. I didn't even notice. I haven't noticed a difference in my hair though.
 
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