Sweet Squared as good as they used to be?

[Kate's tootises]

Before people get defensive about this thread i would ask you to be objective and reasonable as i know some users are very passionate about Sweet Squared. However this is a forum for discussions, although i maybe a newbie to the forums i have read the threads for quite a while and im sure you'll agreed just because i havent posted here doesnt make my view point any less valid.

Ok so I'm cnd trained as after much research decided they could offer me the best training and the hype around them was fab...
Initially everything was fab with products and i loved all cnd products and had no problems getting what I needed and wanted....
However of late I'm having problems gettings things I need and want...
I am a new small business and can't afford large quantities and buy small...
However for months I have been trying to get the 20 solar oil pinkies and can't get them... I don't have enough customers to warrant buying the 40 pack they I know were available from last week..
And also can't get the starter luxury pedicure and manicure sets anymore...
I love these products but am getting very frustrated with constantly being told things are out of stock or discontinued....

Any other cottage business think they are being left out in the cold?

 

[Glamour Puss7]

Hi,
I love CND too! But yes I agree that we could still get the smaller Man/Ped spa sets they were ideal for me rather than the bigger sizes, (no waste).
Yes it always seems hard to get the x20 packs of Solar Oils, I also only stock these. Think they are very popular!
I still think they are very good & I wouldn't swap them for the world, I think it's just one of those things as they import from USA to the UK, & it's difficult sometimes!
I know this is frustrating when we need the products, I just make sure my stock doesn't get too low so I always have it in.
Hope this helps 😊

 

[curvygirl]

I think the problems lies higher up the ladder. If CND are not sending stock over from the states then it's not really S2's fault. I've had to pay 4 times the cost of the creative masque brushes for my spa manis and pedis because I had to get them from the US.. Also searched high and low for a CND apron.

Like I've said in another thread, I think the UK is treated a bit like the poor relation in CND's eyes. They want us to be CND tech's but don't give us the resources to do it?

 

[rachg]

I agree although i went into sweetsquared in leeds the other week and they had the pinkies in, i asked if they always had them in stock and they said yes. I'm confused as to why they have them in stock in the shop but not online? :irked:

 

[NourishedNails]

I was on S2 a few mins ago, they have the 20 pack of pinkies if that helps, I think it would probably be best to ring them and voice your concerns.

xx

 

[Dream Nails]

Do you live near one of the academy's / distribution places?

I used to always purchase from S2 and I still will ONLY if the academy doesn't have the stock in I need. Notice I didn't say stock I want this way I can't get carried away.

I don't have a problem at all with S2 I think they are fab but as I'm on the complete course at the moment its easier getting items from the academy. I know after I've finished the course I can call up, the stock will be put to one side (I've seen the ladies on the phone walking round the shop advising what is in stock or not) and I will come and pick it up.
I do live just over an hour drive away but feel it will be worth it just to keep in touch with the educators and the support they offer.

If the above is not an option hang in there. As said it not S2 fault it takes time to get stuff from the US they must get just as frustrated if not more

Vicki x

 

[Kate's tootises]

Thanks for the honest feedback, good to see others are having similar issues.

I don't live near an academy, but to be honest everyone who's registered with S2 should receive the same level of service as they do offer themselves as the nationwide and sole distributors of the products.

It does seem like the UK is the poor relative, if this isn't the case then why are people having to get products directly from the US?

I'll email them tomorrow with my concerns (although have already mentioned some of the other issues and been told they are on order)

 

[tenorcutie]

why dont you order from the fingertips centre in edinburgh if you are in perth? they may have pinkies

 

[waffle4]

I use ellisons now instead of S2 as they seem to have much less out of stock and their customer service (in my experience) is much better than S2
Hth x

 

[Kate's tootises]

I use ellisons now instead of S2 as they seem to have much less out of stock and their customer service (in my experience) is much better than S2
Hth x

Thanks, i'll look into that.

 

['chelle]

Are S2 as good as they used to be? I actually think they are better than they used to be. I completely take your point about items being out of stock and that can be really frustrating but I think that, like others have said, is down to shipping problems rather than a problem with the company strategy. I certainly dont think they do it because the smaller sizes aren't worth selling!!

They're a new company, and they are evolving and will continue to evolve, and I think their business ethos is right on the money, I only wish I had the same business savvy as Sam and Samantha and my own business would be a roaring success!! (note to the Sams: S2 should offer a course in business skills for the nail tech, I'd certainly book a place!!)

Take a look at the Hyperion group (the ones before S2). They didnt seem to have any real direction or focus. They were into nails, they were into tanning, they were into skincare, in short they were into anything for a profit and it showed. You could buy all manner of tat from the Hyperion catalogue thats just not necessary for a nail service, it was all very remeniscent of your local wholesalers such as Sallys who are prepared to sell you anything that falls under the nails & beauty umbrella and dont really care too much if that product is good for you or your business.

Now have a look at S2. The first thing they did (or seemed to from my viewpoint) was sweep through with a new broom and get rid of all the tat that was on sale previously. They became a nail specialist, and nowadays you can pretty much rely on S2, if they are selling a product, you know its a bloody good product because they've made that their business and wont compromise their integrity.

They are extremely customer focussed, and really seem committed to helping the small nail tech and helping their business to grow. When I call into the shop at Leeds the lady in there always says hello and knows my name (though I'm ashamed to say I dont know hers!!) If I ask her for advice, she's able to give it because she's knowledgeable about the trade, not just a bog standard shop attendant, and its genuine advice, not just advice designed to loosen my purse strings (in fact plenty of times her advice has saved me money).

In short over the past few years S2 have evolved in terms of product lines, Specialisation (if thats a real word!), customer focus, training, marketing. You can see them getting better, and if there's a few hurdles along the way well I suppose thats only to be expected for a new company, but I dont think when you look at the big picture that its fair to say that a few stock problems is a valid reason to open up the debate about whether they are as good as they used to be. I work damn hard to build my business up, I'm a good nail tech even if I do say so myself, and if one of my clients wanted to buy a nail polish one day that I didnt have in stock I'd really find it quite demoralising if that customer started telling people that my salons not as good as it used to be based on that one negative point.

Please dont mis-understand me, I'm not in S2's "little club", I certainly dont suck up to people because they're the "in-crowd", anyone who knows me and reads my posts on here will know that I'm the most impartial person you can ever wish to meet. I am ALWAYS sceptical about the claims of a manufacturer/distributor in relation to a product, and not one company has ever got my unconditional loyalty and not one company ever will, but I honestly admire the business ethos of S2 and I think they deserve every bit of success that comes their way.

p.s to the OP this is in no way a dig at what you've said, just my own opinion :Love:

 

[tenorcutie]

Are S2 as good as they used to be? I actually think they are better than they used to be. I completely take your point about items being out of stock and that can be really frustrating but I think that, like others have said, is down to shipping problems rather than a problem with the company strategy. I certainly dont think they do it because the smaller sizes aren't worth selling!!

They're a new company, and they are evolving and will continue to evolve, and I think their business ethos is right on the money, I only wish I had the same business savvy as Sam and Samantha and my own business would be a roaring success!! (note to the Sams: S2 should offer a course in business skills for the nail tech, I'd certainly book a place!!)

Take a look at the Hyperion group (the ones before S2). They didnt seem to have any real direction or focus. They were into nails, they were into tanning, they were into skincare, in short they were into anything for a profit and it showed. You could buy all manner of tat from the Hyperion catalogue thats just not necessary for a nail service, it was all very remeniscent of your local wholesalers such as Sallys who are prepared to sell you anything that falls under the nails & beauty umbrella and dont really care too much if that product is good for you or your business.

Now have a look at S2. The first thing they did (or seemed to from my viewpoint) was sweep through with a new broom and get rid of all the tat that was on sale previously. They became a nail specialist, and nowadays you can pretty much rely on S2, if they are selling a product, you know its a bloody good product because they've made that their business and wont compromise their integrity.

They are extremely customer focussed, and really seem committed to helping the small nail tech and helping their business to grow. When I call into the shop at Leeds the lady in there always says hello and knows my name (though I'm ashamed to say I dont know hers!!) If I ask her for advice, she's able to give it because she's knowledgeable about the trade, not just a bog standard shop attendant, and its genuine advice, not just advice designed to loosen my purse strings (in fact plenty of times her advice has saved me money).

In short over the past few years S2 have evolved in terms of product lines, Specialisation (if thats a real word!), customer focus, training, marketing. You can see them getting better, and if there's a few hurdles along the way well I suppose thats only to be expected for a new company, but I dont think when you look at the big picture that its fair to say that a few stock problems is a valid reason to open up the debate about whether they are as good as they used to be. I work damn hard to build my business up, I'm a good nail tech even if I do say so myself, and if one of my clients wanted to buy a nail polish one day that I didnt have in stock I'd really find it quite demoralising if that customer started telling people that my salons not as good as it used to be based on that one negative point.

Please dont mis-understand me, I'm not in S2's "little club", I certainly dont suck up to people because they're the "in-crowd", anyone who knows me and reads my posts on here will know that I'm the most impartial person you can ever wish to meet. I am ALWAYS sceptical about the claims of a manufacturer/distributor in relation to a product, and not one company has ever got my unconditional loyalty and not one company ever will, but I honestly admire the business ethos of S2 and I think they deserve every bit of success that comes their way.

p.s to the OP this is in no way a dig at what you've said, just my own opinion :Love:

well said, i agree entirely!

 

[Kate's tootises]

I do agree that the customer service overall is very good. Maybe we are spoilt these days as i shop on line a lot and if something isn't available i go to another supplier.

I have trained with CND and believe in the products so i dont want to go elsewhere, i just want to be able to buy what i need for my business.

I really do appreciate all view points and think its good to get a discussion going to help everyone's business improve.

 

[Emily Case]

I think S2 are good and have always been able to rely on them to provide a fantastic servcice - I've never had a problem in the past.

I was a little bit disappointed on Friday 7th Sept when I was sent the wrong product... Fair enough, it was an easy mistake as the packaging was very similar to the product I actually ordered (wrong flavour of Scentsations was sent to me).

It was 4:58pm when I tried to ring and must have just missed them. No biggie... I'll send an email.

It's now Sunday 16th September, 9 days later, and I haven't had a response at all.

It doesn't matter any more, I got fed up and used the product as a sample. I just wish somebody had been polite enough to respond to my email.

 

[Karren]

i agree to a certain point here in that we need to feedback to CND USA as well as S2 ... take for instance the master series brushes that cost a lot of money for those who remember and you then purchase brush heads as and when you want or need replacing ... i also remember the brushes changing and brush heads no longer being available ... 4 beautiful expensive brush handles ... no longer able to get the brush heads for them ... a brush amnesty would have been a nice thought

solar butters ... smaller sizes ... same or more expensive price ... also a much less luxurious product than it used to be ... this used to be a fantastic product and a top retail product

packaging seems to be getting smaller, prices seem to increase and i / we / customers seem to be getting less and less for our money

i could go on ... and have fed this back and continue to feedback to the states and S2 as well as my biggest bug bear at the moment which is having to match other branded polishes to our Shellacs to retail (not ideal) ... there is a need for matching Shellac colours in polish both in name and colour and im really hoping they hear our pleas as i know im not alone

oooo for the first time .... very first time with all my feedback, i got a reply, albeit maybe a standard feedback email but pleased nevertheless someone is now responding to feedback via the CND website so it is going somewhere !

remember how we feel when we get great feedback / comments from a client ? huge smile on my face for sure ! its also very important to have other feedback to otherwise how will we know to change or if something has changed if no one spoke up ? its a bit like making mistakes ... its all learning x

keep feeding back ... the frustrations and the praises ... both equally important

kx

I think the problems lies higher up the ladder. If CND are not sending stock over from the states then it's not really S2's fault. I've had to pay 4 times the cost of the creative masque brushes for my spa manis and pedis because I had to get them from the US.. Also searched high and low for a CND apron.

Like I've said in another thread, I think the UK is treated a bit like the poor relation in CND's eyes. They want us to be CND tech's but don't give us the resources to do it?

 

[justnailart]

I think S2 are good and have always been able to rely on them to provide a fantastic servcice - I've never had a problem in the past.

I was a little bit disappointed on Friday 7th Sept when I was sent the wrong product... Fair enough, it was an easy mistake as the packaging was very similar to the product I actually ordered (wrong flavour of Scentsations was sent to me).

It was 4:58pm when I tried to ring and must have just missed them. No biggie... I'll send an email.

It's now Sunday 16th September, 9 days later, and I haven't had a response at all.

It doesn't matter any more, I got fed up and used the product as a sample. I just wish somebody had been polite enough to respond to my email.

I have only just started using S2 and absolutely love their products, their staff, training, their whole ethos etc; but one thing I have found is that on occasions, my emails are not answered and I have phoned up instead. Not sure if it's a computer glitch or something but I suppose these things happen to most people at some point. Now I just ring them if there's anything I need. Can't fault their customer service. xx