African Diasporans creating, decorating, and artistically altering by hand
Deceptive Business Practices
I don't know why I'm so surprised and disheartened but I know I like to think that people should be genuine and honest. I had an enlightening experience with Artgems.com today. I have ordered from them a number of times, the last time being last week. I have always been satisfied with the quality of the crystal beads that I order.
For the past few months, Artgems has been running a "closeout"sale. The sale up until recently was "40% off the regular price." Those prices were great. I was satisfied and happy. Recently the sale has been increased to "50% off the regular price." Last week when I ordered, I ordered what I need and giving way to time shortages, I failed to pay attention to the prices. It wasn''t until last night when I was cataloging my new beads that I came to the conclusion that I had been deceived. Some of the beads that I bought were the same beads that I bought a few months ago at a lower price under the 40% off sale.
My problem with Artgems is the deception. I definitely should have paid more attention the price. However, when you say that your price is 50% off the "regular price." I think the regular price is static and stays the same. So if I was satisfied at 40% off, I would only have greater satisfaction with 50% off.
Today, I called Artgems. The "manager" that I talked to said (loosely), "We are just like everybody else and we had to raise our prices to make a profit." I told her that I thought it was highly deceptive to use the same ad but say you're giving 50% off a regular price that you know you have jacked up. I told her that I felt it necessary to blog this information.
Not ten minutes after I got a call from the president of the company, Mr. Moon Shaikh. He initially told me there has been no change in the price. I told him that there had been, based on the fact that I had both invoices in front of me. His response was "It's a free country! You can shop where you are comfortable."
Mr. Shaikh is right. This is a free country. I chose to exhibit my free speech in writing this because I think disclosure is everything. I wouldn't fault anyone who continued to shop at ,but based on the response I received I WILL choose to shop elsewhere.
Disheartened and Deceived
For the past few months, Artgems has been running a "closeout"sale. The sale up until recently was "40% off the regular price." Those prices were great. I was satisfied and happy. Recently the sale has been increased to "50% off the regular price." Last week when I ordered, I ordered what I need and giving way to time shortages, I failed to pay attention to the prices. It wasn''t until last night when I was cataloging my new beads that I came to the conclusion that I had been deceived. Some of the beads that I bought were the same beads that I bought a few months ago at a lower price under the 40% off sale.
My problem with Artgems is the deception. I definitely should have paid more attention the price. However, when you say that your price is 50% off the "regular price." I think the regular price is static and stays the same. So if I was satisfied at 40% off, I would only have greater satisfaction with 50% off.
Today, I called Artgems. The "manager" that I talked to said (loosely), "We are just like everybody else and we had to raise our prices to make a profit." I told her that I thought it was highly deceptive to use the same ad but say you're giving 50% off a regular price that you know you have jacked up. I told her that I felt it necessary to blog this information.
Not ten minutes after I got a call from the president of the company, Mr. Moon Shaikh. He initially told me there has been no change in the price. I told him that there had been, based on the fact that I had both invoices in front of me. His response was "It's a free country! You can shop where you are comfortable."
Mr. Shaikh is right. This is a free country. I chose to exhibit my free speech in writing this because I think disclosure is everything. I wouldn't fault anyone who continued to shop at ,but based on the response I received I WILL choose to shop elsewhere.
Disheartened and Deceived
Add a Comment
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Comment by cheryl on April 20, 2009 at 7:21am - Thanks to courageous people like you, some of us will either not shop there are will pay very close attention to what they're doing.
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