That left me in a dilemma, with only a few options: I could simply publish her comments; I could ignore or disregard her comments; or I could create a posting to address her comments.
Of these options, “ignoring” didn’t strike me as the most favored response. And I choose to not "publish" her comment as an attachment to that posting, because, while I do respect that everyone has their choices, opinions and options, for this particular situation, that didn’t feel appropriate.
Therefore, I’m choosing to create a posting to respond to Pia’s concerns.
The comment is quoted below, with absolutely no editing; although my sense of humor causes me to be amused at the “Freudian slip” when referring to Trollbeads as “Trolldeads":
NO!! that is NOT true!! Pandora is not trying to force retailers to drop Trollbeads. They have just made an initiave that "forces" retailers to make a choice aboyt what kind of customer they wants to be; Gold, Silver or White. If you are a gold-member (the best) it means among other things, that you are REQUIRED TO HAVE a certain percent of pandoras selection, I think it is 75 or 80%. But IT DOESN'T mean that your are not allowed to sell Trolldeads! I know, because I work in a "Gold"-retailer and we still sell Trollbeads :) So I really hope that you'll correct the missunderstanding.
At this point, I insert a big heavy “sigh.” It is not at all that simple, Pia. Don't I wish it was all just a "big misunderstanding."
As happy as it would make me to have actually had that posting be a nice work of fiction or speculation, Pia, I regret that this is truly not a simple matter of opinion or interpretation. There is a heavy battle occurring right now between the two companies … and there are some seriously “bad things” being forced upon Pandora retailers who will not drop their Trollbeads accounts. The situation is fact.
Unfortunately, this was shared as factual knowledge and not speculation. While I will never share the exact sources, the knowledge is out there for anyone who cares to research a bit. The knowledge is verifiable, consistent, and is conveyed through sources that include attorneys, sales representatives, “repping companies,” and, yes, retailers. The intention of my posting was not because I wanted to either feed or create any conspiracy theory. It is shared as fact. I am hoping that by speaking out loud about the situation, customers who didn’t know about it will find a way to express their own concerns to Pandora. As customers, we each can have a love for products created by either or both companies; and in fact, we consider the overall product selections to be dramatically different from each other. Pandora’s offerings and Trollbeads’ offerings are as different as the minds of the creative geniuses who actually design the products at each company.
Differences are what define us as unique. Choices and options create a balance in the world. If either Trollbeads or Pandora had a monopoly on the industry, it’s the customers would suffer the most. Our choices would be neither as colorful nor as intriguing. If a company has no competition, there is no impetus or motivation to move further along any creative path.
If the retailer/store where you work has not been exposed to the dark underbelly of this latest dirty secret in the industry, well, I am positively thrilled for you, your store’s “gold-account status,” and your faith. Perhaps you will be rewarded and not be exposed, because I cannot state for fact that this is happening to every dual product retailer. Your store is fortunate to be among the very few that I know of as having not received that directive.
There are retailers who would give their “eye teeth” to uncover the strategy of avoiding the “make-a-choice” situation. And these retailers include “gold-level” Pandora retailers who have had documented outstandingly high Pandora sales. That has not protected their accounts; and some of these same retailers have been forced to “make a choice.” And then, due to their refusal, they have truly “lost their Pandora accounts.” Pandora does not show consideration about past or current sales volume; and does not care if the retailer is “gold, silver, white” – or red, green, pink, black, or copper.
I have personally been a customer of Trollbeads’ and Pandora’s products in the past, and this situation really ticks me off.
My original post was not speculation. It is highly unfortunate, but it is fact.
