Not so thrilled with Thirty-One

UPDATE (7/12/12): You know, I really hated writing this post.  But I honestly felt like it was the right thing to do. It generated a lot of discussion both here on my blog, and on Facebook.  And, I have told several of my commenters that we do own other Thirty-One products (such as the lunch tote, a skirt purse, and a few other things) that have been fine.  I honestly think we just got in on a “bad  batch” of the shoulder bags. 

In any case, my situation did not fall on deaf ears this time.  A dear lady named Stacy (that I’ve been conversing with on Facebook for a few months now) read my story.  She’s a Thirty-One consultant and she called Customer Service and explained my situation – even shared the link to this blog post – and they are sending me a brand new bag!

I think it just goes to show that sometimes you need to speak up.  My confidence in Thirty-One has been restored – and it’s all because of Stacy and her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.  So, thank you, Stacy and Thirty-One!  Now, I’ll be able to carry my bag to Disney after all. 

And a brief word of advice to those of you in the party plan business (I know - I’ve been there, done that) --- go out of your way to make your customers happy!  I know sometimes it seems like more work for you – but it’s SO worth it!  Your willingness to make the extra effort, might make a world of difference to you customer.

 

 

I try really, really hard not to be a disgruntled customer.  Really, I do.  But, I also try to bring my readers (many of which have become friends) honest reviews.  So, when I find something that I’m really disappointed in – even if it’s not something that I’ve been asked to review, I feel like I need to share.  Because, if the shoe were on the other foot and you knew something about a certain company, I’d want you to tell me.  So, here goes . . .

Last summer, a friend of mine announced that her daughter was signing up to sell Thirty-One and invited me to her “online party”.  Ashley and I had fun looking through the virtual catalog and we ended up selecting the Organizing Shoulder Bags for each of us.  We thought they would be great to carry at Disney because they’d be hands-free, yet our stuff could be convenient.  We decided to spend the extra money to have our names embroidered on them.  Because we had to have them shipped to us also, we ended up paying almost $60 each for them. 

We received the bags a few weeks later.  Ashley’s ripped on her way up the stairs to her bedroom.  As in the entire strap tore away from the purse.  We got in touch with our consultant who took care of it for us and Thirty-One replaced the bag, no questions asked.  But, the fact that the strap tore away that quickly and easily left me with a bad taste in my mouth. 

I never used my bag, but rather packed it away for our Disney trip in January/February.  Here’s a picture of it that I took today – you can see why I bought it, right?  I mean, it’s pretty cute with that black jacquard material and my name on there is turquoise. 

I used the bag at Disney for a week.  A week.  That’s it.  I didn’t stuff it full.  I mean, the whole point of ordering the shoulder bag was so that I could carry the  few things that I’d want to have with me (wallet, camera, phone, chapstick, and hand sanitizer).  In fact, my stuff didn’t even fill the purse (it’s actually much bigger than I expected it to be). 

Here’s what the inside looked at by week’s end:

Honestly, these pictures don’t even do it justice.  There’s a tear along the inside zipper pocket from the left-hand side of the purse, at least a 1/3 of the way across.  I was so disappointed!

When we got home from our  trip, I called Thirty-One, only to be told that it was “past 6 months” since I had purchase it and they couldn’t send me a replacement purse.  They COULD, however, give me a gift certificate for half the value.  ($22)

So, basically, I’m left with a purse that I can’t really use.  I know the rip is on the inside and the outside looks fine.  But, I know it’s there.  And every time I reach into the purse, I would brush against it.  The lining is made from a very thin, slippery material.  It’s NOT lining quality in the least bit.  And the zipper they used – a leather-ish one.  (For the record, my mom has this same lining in a demi-style purse, but her inner zipper pocket is the cloth zipper style.)  In other words, it’s just going to continue to rip further.

I cannot believe that this particular purse (which is still available in their catalog for $42) passed any type of quality control test.  Cause shouldn’t they pack those suckers to the limit and use them for weeks and months on end to test them?  Mine was used for a week!

I’ve been in the home-party business.  I understand that companies need to have policies in place.  However, I’ve seen companies make exceptions for “time lapse before use” (think: birthdays, Christmas, etc.)

So anyway, that’s my Thirty-One story.  If you’re reading this, don’t invite me to your Thirty-One party.  I’ve learned my lesson.  From now on, I’ll buy custom-made purses from my friend or splurge on Dooney & Bourke (I should post about my D&B bag – now, THAT is a purse that will hold up FOREVER – no doubt!)