False Claims, Fake Clients and The Facts

                                                 Call, Schedule and Cancel



BEWARE-There are people out there posting, trolling and calling with an axe to grind. I've heard stories over the years about friends who have opened up different kinds of businesses whether it'd be a Hair Salon, Nail Salon, Cosmetic booth or other. When a new business pops up right across the street or down the street from a like business, prepare yourself for a possible SABOTAGE.

A friend of mine, who will remain nameless, opened a new hair salon a block and a half from another salon. She didn't think anything of it... not even a thought about the fact that the other salon might try something nasty. The fear of losing clients to this new establishment less than 2 blocks away resulted in a series of unethical acts I like to call "Call, Schedule and Cancel."

In the beginning it's always hard to build up your business and your cliental, regardless of the type of business you're in. I know this very well because I've dealt with the same issues at my new dental practice. Building a business from the ground up takes time, patience and money. But never did I think I would have to factor in sabotage, fake scheduled calls and cancellations.

Two weeks ago my friend brought it to my attention that before she had placed ads in the local papers or put up flyers she started receiving calls. Of course these "clients" could have been a passerbyes looking to try a new salon. But the shocking reality is that her books were filled within hours of opening and the next morning not a single soul passed through her doors. Strange? I think so. She tried calling some of the people back to reschedule their appointments and faced fax lines, non working numbers and hang ups.

It was like a light bulb went off in her head.

Could it be possible that the other salon is calling and scheduling fake appointments just to sabotage her new business?! Definitely Possible!

Good thing she called me! I love to investigate and wanted to find out for myself if this happens at other businesses (for all I know people could even be sabotaging me and my business at this very moment). I've come to find out that sabotage is incredible common. In addition to scheduling fake appointments, some try to create a negative reputation for competitors both by word of mouth and online! It's there way to discredit the business, make the average consumer a believer in false claims and drive their competitors possible consumer/client elsewhere. BRILLIANT!  It sickens me to know that people are and can be that evil. They feel the need to put down and/or ruin someone else's establishment. But I guess that's just another part of life I need to learn to factor in.

Don't always believe what you read online, do some research on your own! The REAL truth is out there, you just need to know where to look.



              A Few Examples Of My Business Being Sabotaged

FALSE CLAIM

"Every ingredient listed on Arbonne’s skin lotion has been tested on animals by the people who supply their raw materials." Beauty/Brains *That's a FALSE Claim amongst others on their site!

FACT

 Arbonne is on PETA's list of companies who DO NOT test on Animals PETA's Site  Did you Know-Beauty and Brains gets paid by advertisers to promote their products? Arbonne doesn't PAY for advertising (So, why would they promote a product they can't and don't benefit from?!)

Redirecting The Consumer

Kristen F- "Well ladies, I don't know much about Arbonne mineral makeup, but I do know about Mary Kay makeup. I'm a consulant and I would love to share my products with you. I have a website where you can look at my products and let me know what you would like to try. I'll send you some samples and we'll go from there!!
www.marykay.com/kfrench2006
Source(s):
www.marykay.com/kfrench2006"

FACT

Blatant disregard to the fact that the forum is Designed for Arbonne Product Testimonials!! Her way of trying to trick the consumer into purchasing a product that is "familiar" everyone has heard of Mary Kay (a.k.a. Trolling)

Tricking, Trolling and Redirecting The Consumer

1. China Rican 3 years ago  "Def Avon, Affordable and they offer more then just makeup http://christinarosa.avonrepresentative.… That is were I go all the time to get what I need." 

2. Darla Dixon June 29, 2005 12:09 PM |
Oh Joel, I'm sorry I forgot...if your wife likes Arbonne, then give http://www.paulaschoice.com/ a try. Similar products @ 1/2 the price
3. ARBONNE - NOT "SAFE," NOT "PURE," NOT "BENEFICIAL" Blog


FACT

China- She posts her own website as the "place" were she gets her products! You're not just a consumer, you're a seller hiding behind your computer and a screen name. 

Darla(aka Paula)- Her products are no where near in comparison to Arbonne's Products. Where is your ingredient list? (Your product is cheaper because its full of "Fillers") 


(Couldn't have said this better myself)

Andrew G said on March 01, 2012 

"Oops... Danika, you lied! Your bias isn't about greenwashing!! You're selling your own skin care line!
Before you discredit Arbonne consultants [not reps... stop using the wrong word] for their own bias, LIVE UP TO YOUR OWN!! Your company should be BANNING you for linking a blog to your own personal skincare website!! Shame on you. Blatant advertising. Talk about self-interest... At least with Arbonne, we have ETHICS. We don't go around slamming other companies in public forums, dressing it up in pretty language and "feeling sorry for" Arbonne consultants, and then posting a link to our own business. Don't pity us - We don't need it.
That's all this is! Stop asking this woman to go through Arbonne ingredients... you'll just be feeding the lie."

Arbonne doesn't hide behind false claims, the ingredients are clearly listed for every product on the site. Ingredient Policy.pdf  All of the products ingredients can be searched and found here: Www.Arbonne.com

Click on "The Products" on the top left of the screen and you will see this list. 

Click on the PRODUCT LINE (FC5, Detox, ETC) Then The Specific PRODUCT (Shampoo, lotion, etc)Then INGREDIENTS. ARBONNE HAS NOTHING TO HIDE!


Or you can click on the direct links I provided for you below:

RE9 ADVANCED


RE9 ADVANCED FOR MEN


REVELÂGE



ARBONNE COSMETICS



FC5


BEFORE SUN


ARBONNE CLEAR ADVANTAGE


ABC ARBONNE BABY CARE


SHEA BUTTER


ARBONNE INTELLIGENCE


Health & Wellness


ARBONNE ESSENTIALS


ARBONNE AROMASSENTIALS


SEASOURCE DETOX SPA







I'm saddened by the state of free speech and the stalk given to "experts" on blogs and other forums. This gives such a small picture of what Arbonne has to offer. I know I'm biased. My question is - What more to the story AREN'T they telling you? We need to stop bashing companies on public forums such as the ones listed above, it's extremely unethical.


Whenever you grind things down to bare bones as many people try to do on these Blogs (Not scientific journal, not thesis, not scientific research.) you get a heavy slant. You ignore some things and promote others as if that's all there is. When SWITZERLAND and the public demands a change based on scientific research, Arbonne has answered, such as with paraben removal and I have no doubt science will advance, the scientific community will make new discoveries, and changes will be made. 

Arbonne is Swiss, it doesn't pay to join American organizations because, well, Swiss standards are way higher - so why would Arbonne lower itself to those levels? By the same breathe, why would Arbonne sign with Compact for Safe Cosmetics? Is this organization going to be the be-all and end-all? I have yet to hear anyone acknowledge that US standards are poor in comparison.

For those who wonder at quality - I ask you this... when you pay $20 or $40 for skincare at a drug store and you know it's been heavily advertised on TV etc... what is the manufacturing value? You know the advertisers, models and actors  take a cut and how long has it been sitting on the shelf?! The kind of quality Arbonne delivers can only be found at Holt Renfrew for an estimated $3,000 but Arbonne knows most people can't afford that.