This really Bothered me

[RichE]

As many of you know I go around to a lot of the LFS and promote the club and and check out the stores.

Well I stopped into one of these LFS yesterday and I noticed that the (Free bottles of start smart complete) that I was asked to give to the LFS, were on a table right by the frt door with a price tag for $5.00(yes the MCA20 code was on the back I checked)

When I dropped these off( a month or so ago) I spoke with the owner and explained that these were to be given away as free samples since they were donated to our club and allow there clients to try it out.

Am I wrong for being ticked that this person is trying to sell something that was given to them, so there customers could try it for FREE?

Oh yeah it was not greenwood's LOL

[dewey68]

I think you have every right to be ticked.  That's just not right.

[gannmann101]

That's wrong.  Should. Tell every what store this is.  You really should have picked up every bottle and told them. This club no longer cares to do business with their greedy ass store.  Just my thnoughts.

[Marty]

Okay, I'm going to play devils advocate here. 

You dropped off samples of a product that the store may or may not carry, with a discount code so the customer can order directly from the manufacturer thereby cutting said store out of the profit equation and you expected things to go well? 

Next time you want to give something away, I'd suggest bringing it to an auction, not to a place that sells stuff (especially stuff that might cut into their own profit margin).

[scifisarah]

I'd ask for them back, but that is just me. I tend to get irate in situations like that. I guess it's my mother's hot-headed redhead genes. 

[Marty]

I knew there was something else.  How would it look for the club if a manufacturers rep walked in and saw those bottles on a shelf for sale when they were meant to be given away to members?

Don't get me wrong, Rich I appreciate your intent.  Unfortunately, you can't always trust other people to do what you ask when you give them something. 

If you want to find out what this store owners character is like, just politely point out that these were meant to be free samples and see what he says.  That way you know if it was intentional or perhaps an honest mistake by an employee, for instance.

[Helloitsme]

I would never shop there again, ever!

[jamarini]

Rich, I think you have every right to be upset about this.  However, Marty makes some excellent points.  Even though you made the effort to establish your expectations with the owner as to how you intended the samples to be offered (as free samples), that's not how it turned out.  I think Marty's suggestion that you speak with the owner again stating your disappointment that the free samples are being offered for sale is worth purusing so you know what to expect in the future.  Yes, there was a discount code on the label but that doesn't preclude the shop owner from contacting the supplier to determine if there's enough margin for both to be happy as well as future customers.  To be fair, LFS owners have to compete with online or other large-volume operations and how many of us can say we have never looked at a product we saw in a shop only to buy it later online?  So, speaking with the owner again about the situation seems like the best way to potentially resolve the situation or at least to satisfy yourself regarding the owner's ethics.

[RichE]

I agree with what Marty brought up, I'm just looking at it from mca's behalf. What if some one buys it likes it call the company and tells them they bought it at said store and wants to use the discount that was given to mca. I'm a firm believer in do what you want with stuff that you are given but don't cut the hand that feeds you:)

[four_by_ken]

What store is this?

[four_by_ken]

I knew there was something else.  How would it look for the club if a manufacturers rep walked in and saw those bottles on a shelf for sale when they were meant to be given away to members?

This is a very good point.  What the discount code specific to the MCA somehow?

[RichE]

What store is this?

i want hear from Marty before I name the store.

[Marty]

Talk to the owner as I suggested before you throw someone under the bus.