UPA/Sally's issue and possible problem solver!!!

[Cinda2503]

I understand that individual Sally's stores get to pick which merchandise to carry. Doesn't that mean then that there is an overhead person/group that decides the pool of products that can possibly be carried? You can't go to a random Sally's store and ask them to order in any product for you, it has to come from the Sally's stock warehouse. Who decides what merchandise is bought and put in the warehouses? wouldn't that be the person to target?

Lys

Individual stores do not pick the poducts on the shelves. The merchandising department would be responsible for the products that actually go on the shelves. And not all sally's stores sell the same products. When I worked there I rember Razac products being sold in NY and NJ high ethnic stores only. For some reason I believe the Miss Keys, Salerm and possibly Lacio Lacio or other domincian/spanish products being sold in California, New Mexico area because of the high mexican/hispanci population.

So even if you were to write letters and merchandising decided to stock the product it could be confined to a particular georaphic area only and never been available in all the stores.

Your best bet for lodging complaints is customer service though.

 

[AfroKink]

Individual stores do not pick the poducts on the shelves. The merchandising department would be responsible for the products that actually go on the shelves. And not all sally's stores sell the same products. When I worked there I rember Razac products being sold in NY and NJ high ethnic stores only. For some reason I believe the Miss Keys, Salerm and possibly Lacio Lacio or other domincian/spanish products being sold in California, New Mexico area because of the high mexican/hispanci population.

So even if you were to write letters and merchandising decided to stock the product it could be confined to a particular georaphic area only and never been available in all the stores.

Right, so you write to merchandising, getting them the stock it. Then you can get the Sally's closest to you to stock it (if you want to the product) Or you can get it transfered from another location. I had to get my Salley's to order in Curlformers because they didn't previously carry them. Now I don't know if they're going to continue to order them. I guess that depends on how they sell.

Lys

 

[PeggyFair]

What thread?

ETA: Uh oh... I think they did disappear, both of them...

I wonder why the thread disappeared? Why did lhcf pull it?

 

[JLove74]

I wonder why the thread disappeared? Why did lhcf pull it?

maybe because the in the original post, that included the letter asking for solicitations. perhaps, just guessing.

 

[HoneyDew]

didn't they decide against it AFTER she had spent hard earned money on a trip to China to work out all the manufacturing kinks? Thats messed up in my book...I just sent my e-mail from 1 of my email accounts and I will send one from work on Monday, as well as call. I hope this helps her!

I think it is all part of the game. Business is all about the bottom line. Maybe they just decided it was not for them. That's why there are board members and others that collectively make these decisions based on their own needs and business plans. Deals get made and broken all the time. It is not messed up at all when you are dealing with big decisions like this, it is all part of it. That is why we have contracts in the first place. If no contract is there to lay it all out, then there IS NO DEAL anyway.

This is unfortunate for Michelle, but I think these are chances people take when they want to be successful.

 

[Ponytaildiva]

I think it is all part of the game. Business is all about the bottom line. Maybe they just decided it was not for them. That's why there are board members and others that collectively make these decisions based on their own needs and business plans. Deals get made and broken all the time. It is not messed up at all when you are dealing with big decisions like this, it is all part of it. That is why we have contracts in the first place. If no contract is there to lay it all out, then there IS NO DEAL anyway.

This is unfortunate for Michelle, but I think these are chances people take when they want to be successful.

You are correct HoneyDew, it is all part of the game and a chance that I was willing to take without a contract. But this a a game that I really do not want to loose. I have put way too much into the UPA Clip and and to have someone just come and take it because they have the deep pockets and I don't is so hard to swallow. But I have no intentions of quitting without a major fight. That is why I came to the forum and contacted everyone that I know. I know that this was a bold move, but the response has been wonderful and I appreciate it so much.

Sally loves the UPA Clip and thinks it will do very well. But they do not want to be the guinea pig. When they gave me an appointment to meet with them, I flew to Denton Texas from California and when they told me their concerns I do not think they believed that I would or could rise to the occasion. I guess I am not mad at them, but I wish they had not given me false intentions. They were going to put 6 UPA Clips in ALL of their 2200 stores.

Thanks again for so much support.

 

[sunshinelady]

Another idea:

Why not try to get them to QVC or HSN? They love women entrepreneurs.

 

[sunshinelady]

Michelle,

Did you sign a non-compete with Sally's or the Chinese manufacturer?

 

[sunshinelady]

And, why is the UPA lady stuck on Sally's? She could go with any other other large retailers, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, CVS, etc.

 

[Ponytaildiva]

And, why is the UPA lady stuck on Sally's? She could go with any other other large retailers, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, CVS, etc.

I am the UPA lady...(that's okay, I've been called worse)
I am not stuck on Sallys, matter of fact, I am working on an interview with Rite Aid, but that all takes so much time. It is very difficult to get into these large retailer. They almost always require major pre-exposure in the market. And everyone tells me to stay away from Walmart until I have lots of money to deal with because they are good at messing with your money/invoices.

The problem is, I gave everthing about the UPA Clip to China, including working with a chemist to develop some incredible synthetic hair like none other on the market. I paid for that but they did the work and have the formula. I do have a contract with China and I know they will stay true to it as long as I give them business which was going to be the Sally Beauty Supply purchase order. Now that that is gone, I have to fund this myself and have those UPA Clips made or they will take it all to someone who will pay them to manufactuer them.

 

[cicilypayne]

I'm gonna call first thing Monday Great Great idea. Lets organize at least twenty calls a day from all across the country for a few weeks

 

[leleepop]

Please start a thread about the space helmet,soft bonnet dryer!!!! SEROIUSLYTTFN

 

[maymajesty]

Well, I sent in my email, and I will call later next week.

I think the QVC and HSN is a really good idea!!! You should definitely give them a call.

 

[MAMATO]

I realize that stores, companies, etc. lie, but continuing it makes it no better.
I could see if they carried the product at one point and then decided to take it off the shelf and people write wanting them to bring it back. But this one never made it there.

My husband and I saw a nose cleaner for babies over the internet. We live in Canada, the site was in US and we couldn't have it shipped to us. International shipping was not available. We went so many times to Walmart and ask for it... we even printed out the item from the online catalogue and show them what we were talking about... we said them it was quite a revolutionary item and they couldn't miss the boat. My husband is a quite a good saleman, when he wants to. After a couple of visits, the item was all thereand it is still ... and the price is way cheaper than the one we saw online... YES THAT WORKS...

Gosh, we should have bought some stocks for that damned business who doesn't even know we exist

 

[cicilypayne]

My husband and I saw a nose cleaner for babies over the internet. We live in Canada, the site was in US and we couldn't have it shipped to us. International shipping was not available. We went so many times to Walmart and ask for it... we even printed out the item from the online catalogue and show them what we were talking about... we said them it was quite a revolutionary item and they couldn't miss the boat. My husband is a quite a good saleman, when he wants to. After a couple of visits, the item was all thereand it is still ... and the price is way cheaper than the one we saw online... YES THAT WORKS...

Gosh, we should have bought some stocks for that damned business who doesn't even know we exist

You and your hubby just made them overnight Rich. Godbless you. In that case tell hubby you and he got the gift for product selection. Select another success story and push it again in any area of retail or commercialism and tell your girls here lets all get rich together.

 

[JamericanGurl]

I not trying to be nasty, so read into my comments as you wish but...........

Going to Alberto Culver with no real defined plan of manufacturing, existing customers, financials and was not good. If money had to be invested on a trip to China just to secure Sally then you were not ready I'm sure I don't have all the details but that's just how I see it.

They chose not to do business with you because you basically walked in the door with a little known product with a lot of potential. In other words they will prolly be rolling out and exact replica of your product and mass producing it. I'd say about 85% of every product in Sally is made by their parent company Alberto-Culver and this will just be an added addition.

As for the boycott. Sally don't give a Merry X-Mas! There's tons of potential customers that ain't paid $5 to be up on dis piece that will buy their $19.99 version, once it's created.

Now for future if anyone has a product that they want to get mass placement for, but you have limited capital. You need to send press kits out to TV and Radio personalities, book booths at conventions, and etc. Develop a sales force to canvass upscale salons across the country. Do trade shows!! Trust and believe that word of mouth can get you placement with the big dogs!

So, Sally didn't bite....Like someone else said maybe QVC or HSN will (excellent idea).

My intent is not to be negative, I'm jus saying!

ETA
A letter writing campaign will only encourage them to create their own version of the UPA Clip FASTER!

 

[WomanlyCharm]

Michelle, since you need funding, instead of soliciting people here on the board, I've come up with another, more feasible option:
The Lending Club. It's a website where people needing to secure loans are matched up with those willing to lend the money. And I have to say, it works quite well.

Here's how it works...a lender logs on to see who wants money and what for. Each loan is then funded by several lenders who get an average 12% annual return over a three year period. The borrowers get a fixed rate, based on their credit score - usually a better rate than the bank and much better than a credit card.

It's being used by a number of people who struggled to start their own business. Give it a try.

www.lendingclub.com

Good luck.

 

[cicilypayne]

Oh Michelle I did'nt think about this..

ETA
A letter writing campaign will only encourage them to create their own version of the UPA Clip FASTER!

I would not want this to happen to you

 

[HoneyDew]

I not trying to be nasty, so read into my comments as you wish but...........

Going to Alberto Culver with no real defined plan of manufacturing, existing customers, financials and was not good. If money had to be invested on a trip to China just to secure Sally then you were not ready I'm sure I don't have all the details but that's just how I see it.

They chose not to do business with you because you basically walked in the door with a little known product with a lot of potential. In other words they will prolly be rolling out and exact replica of your product and mass producing it. I'd say about 85% of every product in Sally is made by their parent company Alberto-Culver and this will just be an added addition.

As for the boycott. Sally don't give a Merry X-Mas! There's tons of potential customers that ain't paid $5 to be up on dis piece that will buy their $19.99 version, once it's created.

Now for future if anyone has a product that they want to get mass placement for, but you have limited capital. You need to send press kits out to TV and Radio personalities, book booths at conventions, and etc. Develop a sales force to canvass upscale salons across the country. Do trade shows!! Trust and believe that word of mouth can get you placement with the big dogs!

So, Sally didn't bite....Like someone else said maybe QVC or HSN will (excellent idea).

My intent is not to be negative, I'm jus saying!

ETA
A letter writing campaign will only encourage them to create their own version of the UPA Clip FASTER!

I agree. Especially on the bolded.

We are talking about big business here.

It is not a democracy.

 

[HAIRapy]

Well, I sent in my email, and I will call later next week.

I think the QVC and HSN is a really good idea!!! You should definitely give them a call.

I agree!! The QVC and HSN is a WONDERFUL idea!!

 

[HAIRapy]

My husband and I saw a nose cleaner for babies over the internet. We live in Canada, the site was in US and we couldn't have it shipped to us. International shipping was not available. We went so many times to Walmart and ask for it... we even printed out the item from the online catalogue and show them what we were talking about... we said them it was quite a revolutionary item and they couldn't miss the boat. My husband is a quite a good saleman, when he wants to. After a couple of visits, the item was all thereand it is still ... and the price is way cheaper than the one we saw online... YES THAT WORKS...

Gosh, we should have bought some stocks for that damned business who doesn't even know we exist

Good story!! I bet you're not the only one who has one like this. I hae one too, but let me say this first before I forget (I have CRS-can't remember ish) Anyway, if the demand is there, they WILL supply what you want to buy. Now, my story is alittle silly, but it's true:

Close to where I work, there was a food stand (hotdogs, etc) that had Turkey Hill Orange flavored tea. I LOVE the stuff, but I didn't always want to go to the stand to get it. There's a store (junk food and news papers type of store) in the bulding that I work in. Well, I went in there, they also sell Turkey Hill tea, but not the orange one. I told them that I love the stuff, I even showed it to them because they didn't know it existed because they said they'd never heard of it. I came back to the store, they lady said she asked her supplier about it and he didn't carry it. Sure enough, like a month later, the fridge was stocked with it!! I don't have to go far to get my orange tea now and the stuff flies off of their shelves!!

This is a prime example of demand and supply, these stores don't want to miss out on that money.

 

[MAMATO]

My husband and I saw a nose cleaner for babies over the internet. We live in Canada, the site was in US and we couldn't have it shipped to us. International shipping was not available. We went so many times to Walmart and ask for it... we even printed out the item from the online catalogue and show them what we were talking about... we said them it was quite a revolutionary item and they couldn't miss the boat. My husband is a quite a good saleman, when he wants to. After a couple of visits, the item was all thereand it is still ... and the price is way cheaper than the one we saw online... YES THAT WORKS...

Gosh, we should have bought some stocks for that damned business who doesn't even know we exist

Ha..ha..haI'll keep u posted...if we can all have the long hair and a big pocket full of money with it, why not???

 

[HAIRapy]

I not trying to be nasty, so read into my comments as you wish but...........

Going to Alberto Culver with no real defined plan of manufacturing, existing customers, financials and was not good. If money had to be invested on a trip to China just to secure Sally then you were not ready I'm sure I don't have all the details but that's just how I see it.

They chose not to do business with you because you basically walked in the door with a little known product with a lot of potential. In other words they will prolly be rolling out and exact replica of your product and mass producing it. I'd say about 85% of every product in Sally is made by their parent company Alberto-Culver and this will just be an added addition.

As for the boycott. Sally don't give a Merry X-Mas! There's tons of potential customers that ain't paid $5 to be up on dis piece that will buy their $19.99 version, once it's created.

Now for future if anyone has a product that they want to get mass placement for, but you have limited capital. You need to send press kits out to TV and Radio personalities, book booths at conventions, and etc. Develop a sales force to canvass upscale salons across the country. Do trade shows!! Trust and believe that word of mouth can get you placement with the big dogs!

So, Sally didn't bite....Like someone else said maybe QVC or HSN will (excellent idea).

My intent is not to be negative, I'm jus saying!

ETA
A letter writing campaign will only encourage them to create their own version of the UPA Clip FASTER!

I never even thought about that... If Michelle had a meeting with them though, isn't that copyright infringement? I'm not sure, but I bet she has a copyright on her product.

 

[Ponytaildiva]

I never even thought about that... If Michelle had a meeting with them though, isn't that copyright infringement? I'm not sure, but I bet she has a copyright on her product.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Before I sent Sally's my product for review my attorney had them sign a legal document. They signed it and and gave me an appointment to meet with them. I have all of my letters and email to and from them (and there are several). So, if they even try to reproduce it I my attorney will be all over them.

A few years ago Revlon tried to copy and my attorney was able to have them pull it off the market. They offered me $40,000 for the patent. I was of course insulted by that offer.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Before I sent Sally's my product for review my attorney had them sign a legal document. They signed it and and gave me an appointment to meet with them. I have all of my letters and email to and from them (and there are several). So, if they even try to reproduce it I my attorney will be all over them.

A few years ago Revlon tried to copy and my attorney was able to have them pull it off the market. They offered me $40,000 for the patent. I was of course insulted by that offer.

Good for you, Michelle..that baby is yours! I love my UPA clips..I'm wearing wigs Monday through Friday but once the weather warms I'll be sporting my lovely clips again. Let no one steal your invention. I like the QVC/HSN idea and what about SHOPNBC?

 

[JamericanGurl]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Before I sent Sally's my product for review my attorney had them sign a legal document. They signed it and and gave me an appointment to meet with them. I have all of my letters and email to and from them (and there are several). So, if they even try to reproduce it I my attorney will be all over them.

A few years ago Revlon tried to copy and my attorney was able to have them pull it off the market. They offered me $40,000 for the patent. I was of course insulted by that offer.

Not trying to be funky acting but. I know of 5 other companies that have similar products out on the market. It can be a similar product all day long and your attorney can sue and you can wait for a settlement as they rake in the sales from their OOPA Clip.

My point is and always has been let it go.....Move on to the next! the more attention may cause them them to come out and mass merchandise their OOPA Clip in alll 2200 plus stores and lets not forget their affliation with Walmart.

if you could invest in china you can invest in good marketing. Give away a couple of them suckas to some folx that matter. Stalk their arses and make them give you feedback. Don't be afraid to ask for plugs...You got inventory to move...get to it!

 

[Ponytaildiva]

Good for you, Michelle..that baby is yours! I love my UPA clips..I'm wearing wigs Monday through Friday but once the weather warms I'll be sporting my lovely clips again. Let no one steal your invention. I like the QVC/HSN idea and what about SHOPNBC?

I know the UPA Clip will do well on QVC/HSN but in order to do that I have to have the ability to mass produce and have mega stock on hand to be able to send them out to the customers immediately. One I place this first big order with China and get the inventory, I can approach places like QVC/HSN and the individual beauty supply stores world wide. But I can't do any of that until I have product.

 

[JamericanGurl]

I know the UPA Clip will do well on QVC/HSN but in order to do that I have to have the ability to mass produce and have mega stock on hand to be able to send them out to the customers immediately. One I place this first big order with China and get the inventory, I can approach places like QVC/HSN and the individual beauty supply stores world wide. But I can't do any of that until I have product.

Then you need to be strategically thinking about who's hands you want to get your product in? Harpo Studios gets a barraged of stuff, but that's not to say they won't pick yours as one of Oprah's favorite things. GMA highlights products and small businesses all the time.

How many times have you heard the story of the woman who baked muffins, cookies, or what have you and sold one to her future financiar?

 

[HAIRapy]

Not trying to be funky acting but. I know of 5 other companies that have similar products out on the market. It can be a similar product all day long and your attorney can sue and you can wait for a settlement as they rake in the sales from their OOPA Clip.

My point is and always has been let it go.....Move on to the next! the more attention may cause them them to come out and mass merchandise their OOPA Clip in alll 2200 plus stores and lets not forget their affliation with Walmart.

if you could invest in china you can invest in good marketing. Give away a couple of them suckas to some folx that matter. Stalk their arses and make them give you feedback. Don't be afraid to ask for plugs...You got inventory to move...get to it!

Where do they have that? I've never seen anything on the market like it, and I used to be a ponytail-nista way more than I am now. The best that I've seen are the drawstrings and they're a mess! If they even make a similar product, wouldn't it be obvious that they got the idea from Michelle and they would be liable for that?

 

[Ponytaildiva]

Not trying to be funky acting but. I know of 5 other companies that have similar products out on the market. It can be a similar product all day long and your attorney can sue and you can wait for a settlement as they rake in the sales from their OOPA Clip.

My point is and always has been let it go.....Move on to the next! the more attention may cause them them to come out and mass merchandise their OOPA Clip in alll 2200 plus stores and lets not forget their affliation with Walmart.

if you could invest in china you can invest in good marketing. Give away a couple of them suckas to some folx that matter. Stalk their arses and make them give you feedback. Don't be afraid to ask for plugs...You got inventory to move...get to it!

You are not funky acting at all, I appreciate your input. I am not stuck on Sally, but I do dare them to try and produce the UPA Clip not OOPA Clip.

Thanks again for you suggestions. I promise you that I am taking them all in. There are some smart sisters on the forum and I know that.