How Selfish!!!!

[sarahp]

Just need to let off steam!!!!

After reading the article in this months PN about OPI releasing a polish for breast cancer awareness, I decided to give them a call and order the display unit & polishes to retail to my clients. Now bearing in mind that I am a regular customer of OPI and want to do my bit for charity......I was told that I couldn't just order this unit ( at a cost of £30 +vat) I still have to place a minimum order for £75!!!!!!:irked:

Well I was gobsmacked. Surely on this occasion, as this is meant to be raising money for charity (and not their profits), they could take seperate orders for this unit!!!


sorry about the rant, just had to share my anger!!!!

 

[kittenclaws]

i agree with you its very selfish, :evil: ,

 

[Tilly Ann]

You are totally right my lovely!! With you on this one!!!!


Tilly xx

 

[Rose143]

How horrible!!! Some companies are so greedy!!!! :evil:

 

[Kitten]

I agree hun, it's not exactly very charitable is it? They should be ashamed of themselves. xxx

 

[vicky]

I guess their thinking "charity begins at home" There should laws that stop this kinda thing !!

 

[The Geek]

Hold the Nokia guys!

What ever happened to the benefit of the doubt? There could be many reasons for this: Computer system limitations, Policy limitations and even cost limitations. It may cost them to provide an order less than £75 in man power.
True this is for a charity, however I am sure no one is planning on buying the enamels and giving them away - no business can technically afford to do that.

Hopefully someone in the know can give us a heads up.

 

[Noodle]

I have to agree ... it's a bit mean isn't it?

 

[naturalnails]

Whilst I agree with Sam about giving the benefit of the doubt etc. How can some companies have no minimum order and make a good going business and others don't.

I have moved from 2 companies in the past and avoided another because of the horrendous minimum orders - as a sole business trader I cannot afford to tie up loads of cash flow on minimum orders.

 

[sarahp]

Exactly! I'm just a small home based salon....I struggle at the best of times to put together an order for £75, and as my local Sally's stocks OPI if I'm running low on a couple of products or just need the odd bottle of polish, I nip down there, but I know the won't stock such a 'specialist' item.

Whilst I agree with Sam about giving the benefit of the doubt etc. How can some companies have no minimum order and make a good going business and others don't.

I have moved from 2 companies in the past and avoided another because of the horrendous minimum orders - as a sole business trader I cannot afford to tie up loads of cash flow on minimum orders.

 

[Kitten]

Hold the Nokia guys!

What ever happened to the benefit of the doubt? There could be many reasons for this: Computer system limitations, Policy limitations and even cost limitations. It may cost them to provide an order less than £75 in man power.
True this is for a charity, however I am sure no one is planning on buying the enamels and giving them away - no business can technically afford to do that.

Hopefully someone in the know can give us a heads up.

I understand about the various limitations that could apply in this scenario, but I'm an all or nothing type of person, if you're going to do something (whether it be for charity, or whatever) do it properly. Yeah, maybe it will cost them extra to send out a few lower value orders, but in the grand scheme of things it's probably not going to bankrupt them. They must already have a procedure for sending out small orders (e.g. replacment items for faulty or damaged goods) which presumably costs them in transport? I think sometimes companies use these types of things as a PR exercise when in actual fact they are really only interested in boosting their own profits - and hoping we're too stupid to notice! (Blimey I got on my high horse a bit there didn't I? :o ) Just my humble opinion! xxx

 

[The Geek]

I am not saying that people do not have a right to complain - however I do promise it isn't always so cut and dried (whilst other times I am sure it is).

All I was asking was to cut them some slack to give them a chance to explain before flaming them. Isn't that what constructive posting is about?

I would hope that people would give me/us the benefit of the doubt and at least the chance to respond.

Just my 3.8 cents (After exchanging from Sterling)

 

[Lily]

Hello

I have to agree in a way with Sam, business have minimum orders for a reason and i know its for charity but the companies still have procedures they have to follow.....they have to make money too!!!!!!

Its a tough call really esp with it being for charity, but like Sam says you will be selling the enamels on too!!!!!!

Amanda

 

[bimbogeri]

I think the problem is that it's just another example of single and mobile techs falling foul of the prohibitive nature of minimum orders. I've had the same problem with companies such as Fake Bake (£250 minimum!) and Jica Beauty, and I also phoned OPI to try and get a trial kit once. Sure, they said, it's £28... but you have to meet the £75 minimum order.

When you are working on your own then these are big amounts to meet, and seem a little.. shall we say, OTT, because other companies like Ellisons, Nail Order etc manage to keep their minimum order to £25. It's also a HUGE pain in the ass when places like Lena White and Jica are the SOLE distributors of some brands, so it's not even like you can try and get it from somewhere else. Effectively it puts some brands out of the reach of small companies, and when you're trying to do something nice for charity, it's even more grating.

I appreciate that companies have minimum orders for reason, but you kinda think, "hey, surely you've got that stock in the warehouse, it's not like it's a special order" and if you're intending to pay postage (I know some companies also have a minimum order to help cover contracts with couriers), you can't see why. It does tend to make you feel like you're a second class citizen, just because you don't have a big salon with megabucks spending power.

 

[Lisab]

Dear Sarah
Having read your frustrations regarding your wish to order the special lacquer we, at Lena White Limited, have developed in support of Breast Cancer Campaign ... and the minimum order barrier you have met; you have certainly given us something to think about!

We only want to give the best to our customers and therefore new minimum orders were set at the beginning of this year to cover extra costs and increases incurred from OPI, courier companies and packaging companies. Having heard not only your thoughts, but those of some of your followers, we have opened up the minimum order value to £50.00 plus VAT and waivered the minimum order value on any orders received for the Breast Cancer campaign display. We will have to stipulate a minimum order value on any individual shade re-orders, but I am sure we have other items that can tempt you.

We thank you for your comments and feedback as your opinions are important to us. We hope you enjoy the Pink Positively shade and thank you for helping us support this wonderful charity. Remember, you immediately donate £6.00 at the time of purchase to the charity and Lena White Limited match your donation to ensure that £12.00 is donated with every display purchase.

Kind regards
Lisa Bennett
Director of Operations
for Lena White Limited

 

[Urban Geek]

Power to the Geek site! Well done OPI for reviewing their policy re any orders from the Breast Cancer Campaign display - great customer relations!

 

[vicky]

Could'nt agree more..! Well done OPI

Its nice to know that Companies do listen.

 

[sarahp]

OMG!!!! I'm stunned.

Many Thanks OPI...will be ordering my display right away!

 

[Kitten]

Well done OPI! Good for you, let's hope lots of other companies follow suit when doing charity promo's! x

 

[Mrs Geek]

I emailed Lisa regarding this situation as it was getting heated and I agreed with GMG that OPI should be able to respond! Lisa and I go way back - we have been weened on nails so-to-speak so thank you Lisa for joining the site and giving way positive and constructive comments for your customers!! Yipppppeee!! :hug: