Jeffrey said:
Friday, April 20, 2007 #

These blogs started out great, but because they are moderated and are not posted immediately, it has sort of died out. We're all adults here and we should be able to say what we want and everybody should be able to take it. We certainly hear stuff that is not too polite when we are out showing the business.

Another thing that is sort of irritating is that I haven't seen much change on the corporate side. I just registered a new customer and he placed his first order , a little over $40, and got slapped with a $8.75 shipping charge. What a welcome. Amway Australia has a flat $6.95 shipping charge whether the order is $50 or $500. It's time--like today--to institute that policy here in the US. Even with fuel prices going through the roof, it still needs to be done. Other companies build the cost of shipping right into their products. Compare Office Depot prices online with the stores. Online is more expensive, but they offer free shipping over $50. At a flat $6.95, it would encourage, rather than discourage, larger orders and we would be competitive with other websites.

I'm sure there are many things in the works, but if things like lower shipping charges don't start changing immediately at the company, people will see that it's pointless to blog, and it will go away to NLA land.

Kia said:
Friday, April 20, 2007 #

Thanks Jeffrey. The Opportunity Zone started just over two months ago, so I wouldn't expect all of the concerns expressed here to be resolved that quickly. In reality, shipping charges have been a concern since Quixtar launched and it's something we've worked hard to control. That said, based on the weight of some of our products, there is no easy solution. Eating the shipping charges means less margin to work with. It's from that margin that we return a profit (in the form of bonuses) to IBOs and to Quixtar's owners.

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That said, no stone is being left unturned as we look to improve our business and create an optimal IBO and customer experience.

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I'm sorry that comments moderation has negatively impacted the Zone, in your opinion.  You're right that people can't use the Zone to have real-time chats on the topics, but unfortunately some comments were made that led to the necessity of us having to do that. I'm happy to say that, aside from porn and other spam hitting my comments section, I've only had to hold back on one or two, while posting nearly 250 comments.

Jeffrey said:
Friday, April 20, 2007 #

Kia, I know that a company cannot make a major decision like changing shipping charges in one day. However, this has been a beef with many IBOs and customers for quite some time. It's like the line Q management uses for the tool fiasco, "We've been looking for a solution for 30 years." No they haven't. A pacifier, maybe, but not a solution.

I'm not saying that Quixtar should give a lot of their profits away by giving everyone free shipping on everything. I'm just saying that there are many options the company needs to look at, like:

1. Free shipping on an IBO's or customer's first order.

2. Going back to the 5% shipping charge on the total retail price, then lowering the $750 free shipping threshhold to something realistic, like $100 or $150.

3. One free shipping order per month.

4. A flat shipping charge on all orders, no matter how big or small (like Fuller Brush: $5.95).

5. Give us the option on how it should be shipped if the order is not heavy enough to go by truck; either UPS or US mail.

I get tired of placing an order and waiting for the delivery truck driver, then having it arrive 2 days later because it was shipped through the post office without my knowledge. Also, let people know that an order has to be a certain weight before it is shipped by truck. There has been orders that I thought were heavy enough to go by truck, but they weren't. I still don't have my order I placed last Sunday because it went through the mail. I won't get it until Saturday and I promised a customer I would deliver his portion of the order on Thursday. Now I look like either a liar or I'm with a rinky-dink company.

Kia, these are the things that make people mad enough to quit ordering. I love the business, but sometimes it is frustrating trying to get Q management to see our point. That's why some of the positions need to be filled by people who have built the business first.

It reminds me of the scene in "Mrs. Doubtfire" where Miranda asks Mrs. Doubtfire what she should wear to the restaurant for her birthday celebration. Mrs. Doubtfire suggests a dress but Miranda has already made up her mind what she wants to wear. Mrs Doubtfire says, "You ask for my opinion, then don't take it. I won't be held responsible for your virtue." It's like Q management is asking for suggestions, but have already decided against it, saying, "We know what's best for you."

The shipping charges are way too high and it's killing us. End of story.

Brad said:
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 #

Hey Jeffrey,

I'll have to add on my complaint about the shipping UPS or USPS without our knowledge.  I had the exact same problem!  The package was shipped differently when it was lighter and that pushed my customers receipt of products back 2-3 days from the day promised.  That combined with a shipping error in logistics and damaged goods when shipped priority, all affected my customer receiving good products on time.

I have never experienced this before the last few months.  I'm just glad that, for many months prior, I have had those customers affected by it and can repair the damage with past experience.  I depend on word of mouth advertising from my customers to extend my network of business contacts.  Kia, I know this isn't your area, but perhaps you can pass it on?