Did Pampered Chef Charge Me Twice for My Order at Conference?

[janetupnorth]

While we're talking about Merrill...did anyone buy one of the Ribbon purses at conference? I bought one and am on my second bag. Because of the shoddy construction the lining is ripping from the bag. I don't overstuff it they just didn't manufacture them well. My girlfriend took the lining off and re-enforced it then sewed it back together for me. I like the purse, but my goodness! It is ridiculous how much it cost for the quality of product. Anyone else have any issues with this bag?

There was another thread where a lot of people were complaining about it and stated that it was unavailable due to mfg. problems right now...

 

[reba515]

I got my letter today too.

 

[chefsteph07]

OMG, what are we all going to do about this???

 

[dianevill]

I got a letter, too. Here's what I wrote to Jean and Merrill. Not as eloquent as Kelly, but you get the idea:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my frustration with Merrill Corporation. Back at national conference, I purchased some items and paid with my Conference Cash earned through The Pampered Chef. Earlier this week I received a letter stating my credit card was declined and to resubmit payment. WHAT? You’re finally charging my card almost 4 months later? While I admit that I should have kept better track of what I spent during conference, at the end of September, I checked my balance and saw that I still had some money left and figured since I hadn’t used the card since conference, I was safe to use the remaining balance.

While of course I should pay for the products I received and have sent a check, I would think a company such as Merrill would process their charges a little more efficiently. There is a sour taste in my mouth, and I doubt if I’ll order from Merrill again. On Merrill’s home page, it reads: “Impression: an effect, feeling or image retained as consequence of experience”. True; so true.

Sincerely,
Diane Villanueva

 

[janetupnorth]

Diane - not the same as Kelly, but I liked your quote of Impression.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Diane~

You worded yours very well! Perhaps had I taken a bit more time to calm down, mine wouldn't have been so rude. That really is not me...I am just upset and frustrated.

 

[Tara1021]

I would be too! We definately need more choices....

 

[dianevill]

Diane~

You worded yours very well! Perhaps had I taken a bit more time to calm down, mine wouldn't have been so rude. That really is not me...I am just upset and frustrated.

I thought yours was perfect. I had a feeling I'd be getting something from Merrill...a phone call, letter, etc. There was a thread a while back that involved the same subject, so I wasn't completely surprised like you were. My charge was only for a small amount, so I thought maybe I was ok and it went through, but apparently not (and you can't see "statements" so I had no clue if the charge went through). I only roughly kept track of expenses, not down to the penny.

I have a friend who's a corporate lawyer and asked her about it, and she said ultimately, I got the goods so I'd have to pay. It's just really poor business practice, and we SHOULD complain. There's absolutely no reason for such a delay....

Thanks for starting this thread. Hopefully other Cheffers that have gotten a phone call/letter will complain as well.

 

[raebates]

Kelly, your response wasn't rude at all.

 

[etteluap70PC]

It would be really nice too ....
1. If PC told us when handing out the conf cash (or in the paperwork) that you could NOT get a printout of transactions. (too keep track of purchases)

2. Include a register with the gift cards (like for checks) to keep track of our purchases.

3. Merrill NEEDS to be able to process these purchases immediately! There is NO excuse for how purchases were handled at NC!

 

[chefsteph07]

Has anyone gotten a response back from HO? Has anyone CALLED to complain?

 

[finley1991]

It would be really nice too ....
1. If PC told us when handing out the conf cash (or in the paperwork) that you could NOT get a printout of transactions. (too keep track of purchases)

Couldn't you just use your sales receipts?

 

[etteluap70PC]

Yes

I was just making a suggestion.

I guess I am just dumb and wanted a little extra help for keeping track of things

 

[finley1991]

Yes

I was just making a suggestion.

I guess I am just dumb and wanted a little extra help for keeping track of things

I didn't mean to imply (and I don't think I did) that you are dumb at all. I apologize if I offended you. I was just making a suggestion as well.

 

[KellyTheChef]

Has anyone gotten a response back from HO? Has anyone CALLED to complain?

I got a response back the other day when I emailed...but it said that they were looking into it and would be getting back to me. I have not heard from them again as of today.

I will let you all know when I have a response.

 

[dianevill]

I got an e-mail response from Jane Miller at HO on 11/15. Here is part of the note:

"It is Merrill’s policy to follow up with a letter after several attempts if no response has been received within 90 days. It is Merrill’s policy to hold credit card charges until all items from an order have shipped. Since you had a special order that didn’t ship until August, that was the first time Merrill became aware of the credit card situation."

I responded back that my purse was a cash and carry item, not a special order. She replied saying I was right and that she'd check into it. I haven't heard back.

Funny thing - I sent a check the same day I received the letter, November 5th; it still hasn' been cashed. Wonder if it'll take 3 months????

 

[chefsteph07]

Merrill is ridiculous. I would call them and tell them if they don't cash it by the end of the week coming up that you are going to stop the payment because you don't want a check just floating out there.
See if they cash it then!!!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I'm all for getting Nancy back. At least for stickers, ribbons, awards, postcards, etc...sorry- Merrill is over priced, slow to ship and their shipping fees are ridiculous. They are located in St. Cloud, MN- just an hour and 15 minutes north of where I live, and no matter where you live, they still charge the same fees.

Yes, I am a princess, and I expect to have a reduction in my shipping since I live so close. LOL- I'm teasing...

I do agree with you guys that we need more than one company. Since most of the clothing they have are knits, their prices are a little high- They've eliminated the middle man so to speak because they don't have to pay a retail store to sell the stuff, so why is it so high?

There is so much I'd love to order from there, as I feel it would help get the word out about my business, but I just can't afford them. Nor can I afford to wait for their shipping schedules. I ordered a name badge and it took 3 weeks to get to me!

I suppose I should go back and look through all my credit card statements to see if they charged me at time of purchase... UGH!