Use 1 buy 1 Challenge 2010 pt.1

[IDareT'sHair]

Right now I am baggying with a Creamy Mix. May Baggy all day. Will seal with Oil.

Not planning on relaxing until Easter Weekend, so I have a coupla' weeks to go. Last relaxer was Christmas Day.

Hopefully, I will use up some stuff in the next few weeks.

 

[fattyfatfat]

I went to the supercuts by my job and they are closed for good. I came back home to look for another location and call them. I just wanted a flatiron and cut but they said it's better to cut wet hair because cutting dry hair can be uneven. I just can't win!

 

[Americka]

I went to the supercuts by my job and they are closed for good. I came back home to look for another location and call them. I just wanted a flatiron and cut but they said it's better to cut wet hair because cutting dry hair can be uneven. I just can't win!

Say what? Maybe if you were newly relaxed, but not at almost 11 weeks post. That is a recipe for uneven hair. Either find someone who can do it as you want it or wait until you relax and then trim/cut. Keep ya chin up and don't let little moments get ya down!

 

[Day36]

huuuuuugs WNS. Do you want me to see if my stylist in Bklyn can do it for you? She's a bit more expensive, but great at what she does. Or, there is a supercuts on university place and like 12th street in the city. Maybe try there? I am sorry chickie. I wish I could cut/trim, I'd do it for you. let me know what you decide. hugs!

 

[BostonMaria]

I went to the supercuts by my job and they are closed for good. I came back home to look for another location and call them. I just wanted a flatiron and cut but they said it's better to cut wet hair because cutting dry hair can be uneven. I just can't win!

When my hair was relaxed I used to get my hair cut wet. I didn't have a curl pattern at all. I think its better to cut on dry hair because its straight and easier to cut without having the curly roots.

I say trust your instincts and cut with straight hair.

Say what? Maybe if you were newly relaxed, but not at almost 11 weeks post. That is a recipe for uneven hair. Either find someone who can do it as you want it or wait until you relax and then trim/cut. Keep ya chin up and don't let little moments get ya down!

ITA. That's what I was trying to say.

 

[robot.]

ohmygosh, i have been sleeping on the honey hemp condish! it is delicious!

me and a few girlfriends are going to the bottling party on wednesday. i'ma get the big bottle!

 

[robot.]

okay, here is what i sent to sunshine. what do you think? i didn't realize it was so long:

I have a few things I would like to say about your customer service, Sunshine. I'll first start by saying how much I adore you and all your endeavors. I am a member of your ning site, I read your blog posts, and I am faithfully subscribed to you on Youtube. You have a truly beautiful and uplifting spirit. I love your videos because you always have a positive word to say - you kind words have often helped me with my confidence when it comes to my natural hair. That being said, I am so disappointed that this experience of enjoyment has not been extended to your customer service.

I have been a member of a very large, popular hair care site for 2-3 years. It was there that your sunshine received RAVE reviews from a member I looked up to and trusted. Naturally, I was excited to try this new product she was so in love with. Many of us were excited for your line of products. Unfortunately, when I first came to your shop, you were closed. I checked back daily for weeks, just waiting for you to open. And if you can recall from my first messages to you, I was eager to order a lot of products. When they arrived, I came to love them! I used them daily and even gave a jar to a girlfriend of mine - she came to love your sunshine as well. I felt as though I had a line of products/company that I could always come back to and receive wonderful products. I had plans on ordering quite a lot of sunshine in the future - I looked forward to becoming a faithful customer of yours.

However, when it comes the issue of the grains in my sunshine, I cannot hide my disappointment. I had waited weeks to order products from you. I truly came to enjoy them, however, when I found those bits in my sunshine, I came close to tears. I was devastated because I would not even be able to finish what I had waited so long for. And I couldn't even take solace in the apology you offered me... I felt shafted, even. I have been spoiled by excellent customer service and I feel as though I haven't gotten my money's worth, ordering from you. I will be honest - I feel you should've either offered to replace the jar of sunshine or a refund, even both (and yes, some companies have done this). I was very disappointed upon reading your response to me, especially since I couldn't just order more sunshine due to your shop being closed (I know you cannot help this, but I couldn't help to feel disappointed by that too).

I feel as though you should be fully aware of how your customers feel towards every aspect of your business - the products, shipping, customer service, packaging, etc. Whether they are pleased or unsatisfied, it is valuable feedback to you as a businesswoman. I would love to continue to support Peace Love and Sunshine products; I would love for nothing more than to support a natural, honest, black-owned natural business, but unfortunately, if I am subjected to subpar customer service, I cannot. And this is a sentiment shared by many people, especially those who take their shopping seriously.

I understand that refunding or replacing an item may not be practical for you, however, customer service sometimes requires you to go father than what may be practical. An item may be amazing, in all aspects, but if the customer service isn't amazing as well, then a lot of people may reconsider coming back. When it comes to small businesses, providing excellent customer service is key to a successful business because so many of your customers come through word of mouth. And if customers feel cheated or disappointed, you can guarantee that will get around through word of mouth as well.

Sunshine, I have spoken so highly of you to many of my friends already and referred your site to some of my natural sisters. I would hate to share that your customer service doesn't match up to the gracious, generous spirit you display in your videos and blogs. I hope that this message reaches you in good spirits and that you realize that I would love for Sunshine-everything to blow up, just like I know it can and will. I hope that you seriously consider the things I have said and that this situation will be graciously, respectfully handled, so I can continue to spread the GOOD word of Peace Love and Sunshine Products.


God Bless.

Melyssa

i'll keep you all updated as to her reply, naturally.

 

[robot.]

i should've proofread.

 

[Ltown]

I did a prepoo with lustersilk mango, give that to dd, dc with ors and ao with steamer. So I've used up my ORS! I'll be participating in Shay co washing, since I've been natural my hair looks better after a clean wash.

 

[redecouvert]

I miss you ladies!
I've been MIA with classes kicking my butt..
plus..ahem...
*blushes*
I am failing this challenge miserably...

 

[La Colocha]

okay, here is what i sent to sunshine. what do you think? i didn't realize it was so long:



i'll keep you all updated as to her reply, naturally.

Robo you did really well. And you are better than me because im not supporting her anymore. I can't.

 

[robot.]

Robo you did really well. And you are better than me because im not supporting her anymore. I can't.

and i know you really liked her products too. had she offered to replace yours?

 

[robot.]

she just replied. i'm glad she realized that she made and mistake and has offered to fix it.

colocha, if you want, she'd like for you to send her another email so she can provide the service you deserved from the jump.

Dear Melyssa,

Firstly, thanks for the heartfelt e-mail. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to let me know how you feel and for giving me an honest opinion of your experiences with Peace Love and Sunshine.

When I read your e-mail I thought to myself, “If I had gone through what she did with a company/business I would not patronize them again .” And I would not bother to do what you did by letting the company really know how they made me feel. With that said, I respect what it took for you to be so honest.

Everything you said was right. And not that there is ANY explanation which can make up for it, please accept my most humble apology.

I cannot lie, the interest in Peace Love and Sunshine COMPLETELY took me by surprise. I was not expecting people to react the way they did to the products. Before I knew what hit me I had a new baby, a hungry growing customer base and only my two hands to make everything work out. I was doing a pretty good job and then my supplier completely threw me off by not sending even half of what I ordered. The man called me on the phone and assured me it was in the mail. He even gave me tracking numbers for what he claimed was “then entire order plus some”. So after he made me believe it was on its way, I still got very little of what I paid for and what he sent was the batch in which I made the jars you received.

I wasn’t aware that there were sharp particles in the butter (although I was aware of little particles of debris.) I did my best to get out all the particles before whipping the butter. In the end I guess I was not successful in that.

The situation really knocked me off of my game. Up until then I felt like I was handling everything well and I felt I was providing a great product with great service. But once I had the horrible experience with the Shea Butter dealer, I started to let doubt and fear enter my mind. I started to feel as though I could not be a successful business woman and I kind of mentally let go.

I got to the point where I felt too overwhelmed by the business and by not having anyone else to depend on for the running of or success of the business, I felt like maybe I had taken on more than I could chew.

I allowed myself to wallow in self pity doubt and fear FOR WEEKS. It wasn’t until just recently that I pulled myself out and made a decision to persevere and be the BEST business woman I can be despite my circumstances.

Please accept my apology for allowing my insecurities and novice status as a business owner cause me to give such subpar service. I am especially sorry for causing such grief that you ended up crying over it. I want to make this right for you and I want you to continue to support me in all of my endeavors. I now fully understand that I must give the same level of support and compassion to my customers.

I would like to replace your order and refund your costs for your order. I just finally secured Shea Butter from a reputable source (after returning 200lbs to its sender because it wasn’t up to par). Please let me know what items need to be replaced.

You mentioned you know someone else who had this experience please ask that person to contact me so I may offer them reparations as well.

It is my intention to grow Peace Love and Sunshine into a highly successful brand, and I want you to still be a customer from now until then.

Thanks so much for this e-mail and I hope you do allow me to make this right. Also thanks for being a real supporter of my efforts.

Sincerely
Sunshine

 

[chebaby]

hello ladies.
i just got back from aveda. they are going to do my hair over again on wednesday for free. im happy about that but im really upset at the same time because i feel like this is doing too much to my hair. also i was told several times tolda by different people that my hair looks like i did it in my kitchen or that it doesnt look worth the money. and i do not feel like they were being jealouse or rude because i agree. others have said its cute but i dont think so. but i will treat my hair again before i go.
i also went to cvs today and picked up la bella lots of curls gel. i have it on a section of hair in the back over some kckt just to see how it does. i will report back when its dry. if i love it then i will only use kccc on special days until i run out.

also at cvs the girl checking me out asked was i natural, i said yes and she asked how long it took me to grow my haiir out. i told her next month will make a year and she went on to tell me that she just cut all her hair off because she had locks for 4 years but she wanted to look like the girls with relaxers so she got one. within a few months her hair broke off so she went natural. she asked what i used when i first cut my hair and i said shea butter.
im not good with being put on the spot so i wasnt thinking fast enough but had i been i would have told her to use TW products since they now have the whole line. instead i just told her about shea butter and natural oils and told her to make her own conditioner with oils, shea butter and coconut milk and honey.
i told her i hope her hair grows long and beautiful and then left.

 

[La Colocha]

and i know you really liked her products too. had she offered to replace yours?

Yes she did but i didn't want it. I don't know what you found in yours but mine was glass. I use the same things on my daughter too. I cannot risk it. Anyway it would have came from the same batch of shea butter because she was still open.

 

[Americka]

she just replied. i'm glad she realized that she made and mistake and has offered to fix it.

colocha, if you want, she'd like for you to send her another email so she can provide the service you deserved from the jump.

Awesome job, RC! Sunshine really poured out her heart in that email.

 

[La Colocha]

she just replied. i'm glad she realized that she made and mistake and has offered to fix it.

colocha, if you want, she'd like for you to send her another email so she can provide the service you deserved from the jump.

No hun. I know its not her fault and i did tell her that, she could not have known what her supplier gave her. I will wait and see when she gets everything together and i may revist. But as of now i just don't feel comfortable.

 

[chebaby]

No hun. I know its not her fault and i did tell her that, she could not have known what her supplier gave her. I will wait and see when she gets everything together and i may revist. But as of now i just don't feel comfortable.

i can understand this. its not her fault like you said but with using it on children its not safe. i mean its not safe for anyone but really not kids.
i still dont know if i will use the "bad batch" jar i have. i usually give things to my mother but i know i wont be doing that with this jar lol. if i dont use it i will just throw it out because there is no way i would feel right about giving it away.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

If we've ALL Learned one thing, it is how to be Smart Consumers.

 

[robot.]

If we've ALL Learned one thing, it is how to be Smart Consumers.

agreed. i can be a pushover sometimes, but i've learned that i shouldn't be shy when it comes to demanding exactly what i want (in a polite way), especially where my money is concerned.

these small businesses should be bending over to make ME happy, not me keeping quiet because i don't want to be a bother. i am a blogger, consumer, an individual with a voice and various platforms to use it (youtube, lhcf, my blog, etc) and i'll be damned if i don't use it.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

agreed. i can be a pushover sometimes, but i've learned that i shouldn't be shy when it comes to demanding exactly what i want (in a polite way), especially where my money is concerned.

Me Too Robot!

That's why I am glad Che's took care of her situation w/Aveda.

 

[chebaby]

If we've ALL Learned one thing, it is how to be Smart Consumers.

so ture
one thing i can say is that after i finish everything i have now, and that wont take long because im really using things up, i will only be using things i buy locally. so i will have to say good bye to kbb. naw im lying lol. there is no way im giving up kbb but besides that in all honestly i will be buying everything else locally.
i can get miss jessies(when it comes to target)
qhemet
oyin(which im slowly fazing out anyway)
aveda
carols daughter
kinky curly



ETA: let me just say that the la bella is almost dry and it is not crunchy at all. the definition is crazy. its like it plumped my curls and made them bigger. im going to do more sections now lol.

 

[La Colocha]

I have protective styled all winter, in april im going to trim my hair and see if i can get all the colochas in a pony without struggling. I will be natural 2 years in july. I should be wl by now right?

 

[fattyfatfat]

thanks ladies for all of your support. I decided to relax my hair and not continue with my stretch. after yesterdays tangles and knots, I knew I couldnt do it any longer. I went to an AA salon and ended up walking out. I sat there for a while and for that short time, I wasnt greeted and no one asked me what services I would be getting. I went to a Domincan salon where I was seen within a short time. The stylist suggested a cut, but I dont trust that place. In the end, she wanted to blow dry my hair out but I told her NOOOOOO! I cant stand the rough brushing of my hair and all of the unnecessary heat on my hair. I asked for a french braid and its cute! I look like im 19 years old, but I guess thats how I'll catch those young boys! The french braid will keep me out of my hair for a week which saves me a lot of time and gives me more time here on LHCF. I didnt really do a length check because I still need a cut. I'll just say Im a healthy shoulder length. I finished a njoi creations nourishing pomade last night!

Say what? Maybe if you were newly relaxed, but not at almost 11 weeks post. That is a recipe for uneven hair. Either find someone who can do it as you want it or wait until you relax and then trim/cut. Keep ya chin up and don't let little moments get ya down!

huuuuuugs WNS. Do you want me to see if my stylist in Bklyn can do it for you? She's a bit more expensive, but great at what she does. Or, there is a supercuts on university place and like 12th street in the city. Maybe try there? I am sorry chickie. I wish I could cut/trim, I'd do it for you. let me know what you decide. hugs!

When my hair was relaxed I used to get my hair cut wet. I didn't have a curl pattern at all. I think its better to cut on dry hair because its straight and easier to cut without having the curly roots.

I say trust your instincts and cut with straight hair.



ITA. That's what I was trying to say.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

but I guess thats how I'll catch those young boys!

 

[Americka]

thanks ladies for all of your support. I decided to relax my hair and not continue with my stretch. after yesterdays tangles and knots, I knew I couldnt do it any longer. I went to an AA salon and ended up walking out. I sat there for a while and for that short time, I wasnt greeted and no one asked me what services I would be getting. I went to a Domincan salon where I was seen within a short time. The stylist suggested a cut, but I dont trust that place. In the end, she wanted to blow dry my hair out but I told her NOOOOOO! I cant stand the rough brushing of my hair and all of the unnecessary heat on my hair. I asked for a french braid and its cute! I look like im 19 years old, but I guess thats how I'll catch those young boys! The french braid will keep me out of my hair for a week which saves me a lot of time and gives me more time here on LHCF. I didnt really do a length check because I still need a cut. I'll just say Im a healthy shoulder length.

Yes, stretching is important because it lengthens the amount of time between relaxers, but as T said, we have to know when to end a stretch. I have never stretched 11 weeks in my life until this past week. I will shoot for 12 weeks again, but if I can't make it past 12, it is okay. The important thing is the health of our hair, not the length of our stretch. Now, where are them pics?!.

 

[fattyfatfat]

true dat, true dat! maybe next time Ill end at 9-10wks. I'll ask my SO to take a pic of my hair so I can post it!

Yes, stretching is important because it lengthens the amount of time between relaxers, but as T said, we have to know when to end a stretch. I have never stretched 11 weeks in my life until this past week. I will shoot for 12 weeks again, but if I can't make it past 12, it is okay. The important thing is the health of our hair, not the length of our stretch. Now, where are them pics?!.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I will be natural 2 years in july. I should be wl by now right?

Noooo. You should be exactly where you are right now.

We'll all arrive at our destination at The "Appointed Time."

 

[IDareT'sHair]

The important thing is the health of our hair, not the length of our stretch.

Word!

 

[Vonnieluvs08]

so that wasn't a trim, that was a scalping. she cut sooo much! i just dc'ed my hair, though AND had a steaming, but my hair feels like straw. whatever shampoo she used stripped me dry.

i'm about to head to Oyin though, so i'll come back to tell you ladies all about it later.

oh! and i used up a dc today (my birthday!)

Happy Belated Birthday!! Hope you had a good day