Il Consultants in Wave 2--Need a "Merrill" Favor!!

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants' experiences and frustrations regarding the Merrill store at a recent conference, particularly focusing on product availability and customer service issues.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expressed disappointment over missing out on a desired item from the Merrill store, noting a lack of information during orientation.
  • Several users mentioned that items introduced at the conference might not be available online until after Wave 3, leading to frustration over product availability.
  • One participant shared their experience of items disappearing quickly from the Merrill store, suggesting it should be a priority stop for attendees.
  • Another participant echoed this sentiment, highlighting the poor planning and stock issues, with many items gone by the time they arrived.
  • Some participants reported long wait times at checkout and expressed irritation over the lack of staff assistance during busy periods.
  • One participant recounted a negative experience with the Will Call system, where they were charged for items they did not want.
  • Several users noted that the acceptance of conference cash was problematic, with some stating that Merrill would not accept it this year, leading to further dissatisfaction.
  • One participant remarked on the overall disappointment with the Merrill experience compared to other aspects of the conference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the dissatisfaction with the Merrill store's management and product availability, with many sharing similar frustrations. However, there is no clear consensus on whether the issues stem from poor planning or other factors.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences from attendees at a conference, focusing on the challenges faced at the Merrill store, including product availability, customer service, and payment issues.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who attended the conference or are considering attending future events may find these shared experiences relevant to their expectations of the Merrill store.

C
citymouse
Gold Member
Messages
10
Hi--

I just came back from Wave 1 (which was awesome, btw!!), but I missed out on something in the Merrill store that I really really want. Unfortunately "hit the Merrill store ASAP" was not part of First Timer's Orientation :(

Also, I specifically asked and was told by a Merrill employee that this item was available online--SOOOO not the case, I can't find it anywhere.

Please email me privately if you're willing to make a beeline to Merrill for me; I can pay you through Paypal for the item + s/h (or arrange for delivery, I'm in Chicagoland).

Thanks in advance!!
Amanda
[email protected]
 
Sometimes the items that are introduced by Merrill at conference will be on the website, but not until after Wave 3 is over. And sometimes it takes another week or so to update it, too.
 
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Ann, that is a good point. I learned a lot as a "first timer", so I guess I'll add patience to the list! LOL

Things went soo quickly, I just figured if the item wasn't online it was cash and carry for the conference only. I just want it in my mitts soon! ha ha

-a
 
For sure, get to Merrill ASAP. Things were disappearing before 10 am on the first day.
 
JAE said:
For sure, get to Merrill ASAP. Things were disappearing before 10 am on the first day.
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This is SOOOOO True! If you don't want to stare at empty tables where product used to be - make Merrill your first stop.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
This is SOOOOO True! If you don't want to stare at empty tables where product used to be - make Merrill your first stop.
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Huh? Did they NOT learn from last year?!!? Silly people...
 
No they didn't, it was WORSE than every before. Nothing left after about 10 a.m. the first day BEFORE most consultants even arrived!

Then the 1-2 items that were left that you could get meant a 45 minute wait to check-out. It really ticked me off to see a lady standing at the end of the line "supervising" while I was waiting. She couldn't even bag orders for her workers. Then someone asked her about a product and she couldn't answer because she had to watch her people check people out. She didn't do a thing! I was so irritated watching her. I have her name to contact Merill on that one.

They had poor planning on products and help!
 
janetupnorth said:
No they didn't, it was WORSE than every before. Nothing left after about 10 a.m. the first day BEFORE most consultants even arrived!Then the 1-2 items that were left that you could get meant a 45 minute wait to check-out. It really ticked me off to see a lady standing at the end of the line "supervising" while I was waiting. She couldn't even bag orders for her workers. Then someone asked her about a product and she couldn't answer because she had to watch her people check people out. She didn't do a thing! I was so irritated watching her. I have her name to contact Merill on that one.They had poor planning on products and help!
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The Merrill Booth was the only disappointment at Conference - and I can't wait til we get our email with the conference survey to let them know how bad it was!Oh - but for those of you who are XXsmall's or XXXXlarge - there will be plenty of apparel for you!:rolleyes:
 
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Yes, I agree, the rest was great.
 
Ugh. Merrill continues to disappoint, huh? Can't wait. Maybe I'll have to buy right away at the Director's Store then.
 
I am planning on going there first thing Monday before our cheffer lunch!!! What is the hot item?? Or can't you tell??
 
ugh!!! Buying logo merchandise should be a pleasurable experience! Maybe by Wave 3 they will have figured everything out (well, I can at least think positively...)
 
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OMG Yes - Merrill was a horrific experience!!!!
They had this Will Call thing -- be careful with that. And check your bag - I had put 3 things in my bag and left it at will call. When I picked it up and they charged me (they had the bag stapled shut) and I ran off to my next workshop ---- it wasn't until I was AT the airport that I realized thay had ADDED things to my bag and charged me for things I never wanted!!!! I am SO peeved!
 
Geesh!

All I can say is EMAIL HO and MERRILL about the things that you all experienced.

Now I am feeling VERY guilty asking my cluster mate to get me something that I found out they had there...hope she didn't get the runaround!

Don't forget to keep track of what you spent there at Merrill...and that they may not charge your card for MONTHS....
 
Carolyn - are you sure you got YOUR bag? Oh, I'd be peeved too!
 
pamperedlinda said:
Carolyn - are you sure you got YOUR bag? Oh, I'd be peeved too!
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Yep - my name was on the bag and everything else that wa sin the bag was correct. I am SO ticked.
 
All I have to say is Wow! I was so looking forward to visiting Merrill again this year. This will be a big bummer if this is the way they are going to be.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #18
Sorry to start a Merrill bashing thread :(Here's my other dilemma--the item I really really wanted is not even listed in the new catalog, which I grabbed and looked over at home. I know there are other new products in the catalog not online, but "mine" is not even in the catalog! ugh. I'm off to post on the Wave 3 board.Yes, have to agree, rest of NC was great--even sat by and chatted with janetupnorth on the bus to the HO tour (hello!)
 
citymouse said:
Ann, that is a good point. I learned a lot as a "first timer", so I guess I'll add patience to the list! LOL

Things went soo quickly, I just figured if the item wasn't online it was cash and carry for the conference only. I just want it in my mitts soon! ha ha

-a
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first timers orientation was great! It helped...
 
Okay I am day 1 just left Merrill & it''s horrible.Here is my biggest pet peeve of all. I earned level 1 conference cash & Merrill will not take your conference cash. I had planned all along to pay for everything w/ conference cash.
 
pamperedalf said:
Okay I am day 1 just left Merrill & it''s horrible.

Here is my biggest pet peeve of all. I earned level 1 conference cash & Merrill will not take your conference cash. I had planned all along to pay for everything w/ conference cash.
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Isn't the conference cash a card like last year? Maybe they had too many problems from them not running those cards quickly last year and they decided not to take them this year.
 
chefann said:
Isn't the conference cash a card like last year? Maybe they had too many problems from them not running those cards quickly last year and they decided not to take them this year.
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Yep - there is a note that comes with your card that says Merrill won't be accepting them because of the delay in processing.
 
FYI ... Merrill won't be accepting cash on the last day unless they change their policy from what it was with Wave 1 INSANE
Have you EVER heard of a company that won't accept cash?
 
I think that's actually illegal. Cash is legal tender. Not accepting it may be a violation of federal law.
 
DebbieJ said:
Ugh. Merrill continues to disappoint, huh? Can't wait. Maybe I'll have to buy right away at the Director's Store then.
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The Director's store was a little bit better than the Consultants store. The Consultants store was wiped out by the time we got back from the 7am HO tour. When the director store opened (around noon) a few of us were able to get our Director to get us a few shirts and other items the consultants store had already sold out of.

I have to say, that I was blown away that with as many people that were at conference, that Merrill wouldn't do a better job of keeping items stocked. If they would have had more product, they would have sold more, some people want to buy in person rather than online so they know what size they need. Ugh. rant over, sorry!!
 
chefann said:
Isn't the conference cash a card like last year? Maybe they had too many problems from them not running those cards quickly last year and they decided not to take them this year.
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That was the problem, HO told me they had to eat $4-5K last year. I don't believe Merrill did (they would get there $$ some how.

However I had no idea to we picked up our card, HO should have contacted us. I just don't like being surprised like that.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
Yep - there is a note that comes with your card that says Merrill won't be accepting them because of the delay in processing.
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That stinks! I too was planning to use my conference cash for everything at conference. Are they accepting other Debit Cards?

So, I guess I can assume that Merrill is still our "sole logo vendor"? Man, they lucked out with that contract!

I'm trying to stay positive, but I am absolutely NOT looking forward to that booth experience.
 
Merrill was the WORST part of conference.
Who do we contact at HO to tell them how we feel? I really wish we had more vendor options!
 
jrny2001 said:
Merrill was the WORST part of conference.
Who do we contact at HO to tell them how we feel? I really wish we had more vendor options!
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We will get an online survey to fill out about conference - be sure and let them know how you feel about Merrill!
 
especially with their HQ in the Chicago area they should be able to restock and keep up with the supply and demand. i can understand Leadership where its in a different city but chicago come on!!
 
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