GlitterSniffer Cosmetics Exciting New Release!!!

GlitterSniffer Cosmetics President Lela Warren had an exciting new release today. Posted to her personal Facebook page (and quickly deleted) was my name, address, and phone number.

As far as I can determine this all began on August 25, 2011. At that time Lela posted about contacting people to get the "fukkin monkey's (sic)" off her back.

I was contacted a few hours ago and given the following screenshots. The screenshots in their unedited form show my name, address and telephone number, as well as Lela's intention to release where I work and the identities of my living family members. From the screenshots (as near as I can surmise from them as Lela has not bothered to contact me, even to keep me abreast of the refund situation as she promised upon reopening) she would like the blog and page to be taken down or she will continue to release information about me and my family.

This was her status update immediately after deleting the post of my personal information:

I spoke with the Dearborn Heights Police Department regarding the issue and was referred back to my local municipality. Any investigation will need to be started locally and then extended to the DHPD. I have an appointrment with a detective tomorrow to discuss my options.

I have for some time had the services of an attorney as well. Some months ago Lela Warren asked for the names and addresses of myself and the Complaints Admins in order to send Cease and Desist Orders as well as file Defamation Suits. After informing Lela Warren of statutes which cover the blog and the page (as well as her own culpability in the matter for giving me permission to publish in an email from January) I freely offered her my information in order to pursue it. She never responded. I will be contacting my attorney tomorrow to research my civil options.

It should be noted that I asked Lela Warren months ago to comply with my request not to be contacted at any place other than the Complaints email after she used my personally identifying information to email me at my job. After this request was made Lela sent a friend request to my personal Facebook. I had not, up to this point, pursued that issue though I was well within my rights to do so. That is now back on the table, and coupled with this new development, will be pursued as vigorously as possible.

The blog and the page will remain as is. I will continue to publish about GlitterSniffer Cosmetics business practices (as well as those of other companies i.e. The Conservatorie, Coastal Scents, and Pure Luxe) and the now seemingly futile quest for refunds. I apologize, but there will be no posts regarding Lela's bathroom activities unless they directly affect GS as a business.

And make no mistake, this post, while having to do with a personal issue for me, very much pertains to GS as a business entity. Despite the assertion in an email from January that the company is "all for free speech" the company is now actively trying to quash that same freedom they have claimed to support. This blog has always published all aspects of the situation, including the new refund information (published at the request of the company itself). It exists because there is a need for it to exist. Remove the cause, remove the effect. If GS wants the blog and the page to be removed then the proper steps (issuing refunds, paying the charities) need to be taken. That responsibility lies with the company itself, and no amount of personal information or veiled threats will change that.

It is still my fervent hope that one day I can post that all that are due refunds have them, and that the charities have been paid back the thousands of dollars owed them. Until that day I will continue to keep posting about the situation, as well as other matters as they pertain to safety in indie cosmetics, in hopes that it comes to a swift and fair resolution for everyone involved. 

GlitterSniffer Cosmetics and Amazon Payments

I received two emails regarding the Amazon Payments post from July 30, 2011.

The first was from GlitterSniffer Cosmetics President Lela Warren asking for a retraction or correction of the post. She stated that the information contained in the post was false. She also asked that I remind people that should anyone email Amazon and get the GS account shut down refunds would not be able to commence. She is also very disappointed in me.

I emailed her in response and asked for supporting documentation that anything posted was incorrect and committed to correcting or retracting anything that was in error, as has always been my policy. I have received no response.

The other email I received was from a seller who uses Amazon Payments. This seller informed me that they have never had to confirm shipment prior to receiving funds.

A commenter on the Complaints Facebook page, however, had a different experience, and was required to confirm shipment.

The Amazon Payments issue appears to still be up in the air as to what expectations Amazon has in terms of using them as a payment processor. I contacted Amazon Payments with questions about their policies (without mentioning GS, but as an interested potential client), but have yet to hear back from them. Should the post need to be amended I will do so willingly and as quickly as possible, though from the looks of it Amazons terms may be a moot point, as GS is planning on moving to their third payment processor in less than a week.

It should also be noted that Lela Warren visited the Complaints Facebook page and posted a comment that left no doubt as to her intentions.

A couple of things in regard to this comment: The post about Amazon Payments, as written, serves as an examination of GS' business practices, showing that despite the commitment to taking things slow and doing them correctly the company jumped back in without having a complete understanding of what they agreed to or how to implement it. At no point was it intimated that I had contacted Amazon about shutting down the account, nor did I incite anyone to to do any such thing. This is one of the aspects of this situation that puzzles me, the thought that anyone has the power over others to compel them to do anything. If that were the case I'd have used my incredible Svengali-like mind powers to make Lela give people refunds months ago.  Brass tacks, people will do what they want to do; it's a matter of free will and I don't think that's something that Lela quite understands.

The other piece of this is the fact that Lela was able to comment at all. Lela Warren was banned from the Complaints Page for repeated violations of the posting guidelines. As a matter of fact, during the discussions about the refund process she asked for her posting rights to be restored. I declined and considered the matter settled. So how was she able to comment despite the ban on her account? Simple. She has two accounts.

I have posted previously regarding Lela Warren's Facebook account. She opened her current Lela GlitterSniffer Warren account after having her original Facebook account deactivated by Facebook for advertising. Not only did the original account violate Facebook terms for advertising, but the second account violates the terms in its very existence. Once Facebook shuts down your account you do not simply open another. The terms of use are very clear on this. Also very clear is the policy on having more than one account.

You will not create more than one personal profile.

The plain fact of the matter is this: When the owner of a company commits to doing things the right way they must follow through on that commitment at every turn, up to and including the use of a social networking site. It stands to reason that people would still have questions about intent when even the simplest of rules are not being followed.

It's a very simple process. If you don't want people to question what it is you are doing make every effort to do it correctly, or when there is an issue be upfront, honest, take ownership, and fix it. The existence of the dual Facebook accounts is just an example of the behavior that got GS where it is today. Another is the release of customer information, including names and addresses, posted to the company Facebook page for a period of 12 hours. Though the photo was removed there was absolutely no acknowledgement of the issue by the company, nor was at least one of the affected customers contacted to make them aware of the issue. Things do not simply go away or not happen because they are ignored. There is a basic truth to all of this. If you do not wish for these things to be posted about don't engage in any behaviors that would warrant the posts.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if all I had to post about was people receiving refunds nothing would make me happier. But I made a commitment when I started this blog and it was to post things as factually as possible. Issues cannot be overlooked simply because there is a refund carrot being dangled at the end of a stick. To do so would be unethical and negate the very purpose of the blog, which was to examine these business decisions so that people could make safe, informed decisions. To expect that it would change course because Lela wants it to is ludicrous.

And so I will continue to post about all aspects of GS business. The outcome of that business does not rest on me but on the decisions and actions of the company. Accepting that and fixing the issues instead of deflecting culpability onto others is the first, and most needed, step for the company to remain viable. It's a step the company will have to take itself.

GlitterSniffer Cosmetics: Readying Packages and Releasing Customer Information

I apologize that I have been out of pocket. I have much to post and am going to condense it all into one post to streamline, outlining the happenings of the past week or so. I appreciate your understanding.

GlitterSniffer Cosmetics is working double time in order to gear up to open and begin sales.

Posted yesterday was a link to the new website as well as a Shop tab added to the Facebook Page.

On 7/22/11 GlitterSniffer Cosmetics posted a variety of pictures showing packages ready to be shipped out for those that requested store credit in lieu of a refund. There are no discernible ingredients labels in any of the photos. This is not to say they aren't being included elsewhere in the package to meet regulations, however. Once the packages begin going out will we know for certain.

What is troubling is that in at least one of these photos customer information, including name and address, is clearly visible for anyone to see. When conversing via email with Lela regarding FTC regulations on customer privacy during the exchange of refund information (for which I directed her to the FTC themselves) she stated in no uncertain terms she would be calling them to ensure she was meeting their guidelines. Though I don't claim to be an expert regarding FTC regulations it is doubtful that posting customers name and address on the internet meets those guidelines. (Picture has been edited to remove personally identifying information though I have the original intact).

Inadvertent though this may be it still constitutes an major issue for GS, namely that the focus on following all guidelines is not what it needs to be at this point.

Also this week on the GS Fan Page (which is *still* moderating comments) a post went up regarding Scentsy, with a link to purchase to help fund GS reopening. Lela stated she would not be receiving the funds but that supplies would be being purchased for GS, presumably with the profits the Scentsy seller is making from the purchases. Currently there is only one person who publicly announced a purchase, an (as of July 18, 2011) "associate" of GS who has been assisting in getting the company up and running.

It is not clear how being an "associate" of GlitterSniffer Cosmetics works, if it is a paid postion or not, but she was welcomed to the team, though currently there are only two employees publicly listed for GS besides Lela Warren, Brandy Cameron and Katherine Huhl-Herndon.

A new Private GS group was created ostensibly for the fans to post without being "harassed via messages". While there were instances in the past of others contacting fans via PM on Facebook in an effort to educate them on the past issues it should be noted that I have never done so myself. I was, however, contacted on July 18, 2011 on my own private Facebook profile via PM by a GS associate regarding matters related to GS, despite the email address for all things GlitterSniffer Cosmetics related being publicly available on the Complaints Facebook Page. I have yet to respond to the message but encourage the person to contact me via email to discuss the matter. I will again reiterate publicly that any owner, employees, affiliates, associates, or family members of GlitterSniffer Cosmetics or Lela Warren should contact me via that email address only.

 

 It has been my policy in the past not to post any information I received from the previous GS Private Group. The group as it was was run by fans for fans and although Lela was an Admin and a member it felt very invasive to me to post from that group. As it now stands the new Private Group was created by Lela herself and she is the sole Admin (even encouraging people to add her personal profile to be added to the group and despite her assertion she would not be running it). Therefore I have changed my stance on posting anything as it pertains to the Private Group as this is yet another extension of the GlitterSniffer Cosmetics business. Posting of information from the new GS Private Group is in line  with GS' new policy of openness with any information regarding their business practices.

And what of those business practices that brought GS to this point? As posted previously Lela has had issues separating business from personal, and actually lost her original Facebook account due to advertising (the second and third Facebook accounts are TOS violations). She admitted that keeping up with so many different forms of communication caused issues and repeatedly asked people not to contact her regarding GS on her personal profile (after telling them to add her to do so). Why then is Lela encouraging people to add or message her through her personal Facebook?

 

It also seems premature to be entertaining the idea of offering store credit/discounts as prizes, offering possible discounts to those inquiring about ordering, or sponsoring contests, especially when that cuts into the profit margin that is to be going to refunds, no matter how miniscule that cut may be.

As a quick update to the Refund information posted on July 11, 2011, I have not been contacted regarding the refund amount due nor with any information regarding the charities (TWLOHA, GLAAD, ASPCA) that Lela said she would be contacting to discuss the $3000.00 owed to them. Lela updated here stating she had contacted two of them, but there was no information given as to which they were or what the outcome was. She states that as soon as the third charity responds she will release that information. The note also states she provided FDA with her labels and ingredient information. She also states that FDA has been informed of the intent not to wear gloves while placing sifters in pots (or other tasks where this may "cause more harm than good"). GS is back to manufacturing again but has not, as yet, posted videos of this process as stated they would in this note. The refund form was posted to the GS Fan Page and a deadline of August 15, 2011 was enacted. When questioned Lela stated it will be GS policy not to accept returns or exchanges and she did not want new customers to be confused by the current refund process. It was also announced that refunds would be for $2.00 per jar, far less than the original amount offered. I have also been informed that 15% of the profits (minus shipping costs) will go towards refunds. 

While it is still my sincere hope that everyone affected by GlitterSniffer Cosmetics past business practices gets the refunds due to them the lingering issues do seem pervasive, especially the release of customer information, the amount being offered for refund (when customers provided proof of what they actually paid), and the dependance upon personally befriending Lela Warren for business purposes. This is in addition to the quality control concerns posted last week. One would hope that prior to proceeding these issues would have been recognized and a plan in place to prevent the same issues from recurring but sadly, it seems they have not.

7/3/11 ETA: Removed a piece of PII. I regret the oversight.

GlitterSniffer Cosmetics: Back in Business?

There have been new developments in the past few hours with GlitterSniffer Cosmetics proprietor Lela Warren.

Though the GlitterSniffer Cosmetics and GlitterSniffer Bath Artfires are still empty it seems that proprietor Lela Warren is back to distributing her wares.

It appears however, that though sales via Artfire have stopped, distribution has not. From Lela Warren's personal Facebook Page, now reopened to comments:

A thank you for support for sales made yesterday, a plea for more oils to possibly produce more product, and, once again, in probable violation of Facebook TOS (on a profile that apparently violates Facebook TOS by simply existing), sales for soap.

One could take this as a matter of the company attempting to move forward with only personal care items and not cosmetics. Except there is this.

Listia is an online marketplace where people can list things for free and buy things with credits earned for signing up and 'selling' their own listings. Apart from shipping, it appears that no money will be changing hands for this transaction. There is no word yet on how the shipping will be paid as last reported GS and Lela Warren had no payment processor.

When the listing was found there were people who voiced their concerns. I am including the screeenshots of these comments, though you will not be able to see most of them. They have been hidden from view, and those that posted have been blocked from bidding. There are some comments that are now hidden that were able to be screenshotted prior to their being hidden.

The practice of hiding comments that don't agree with the listing is akin to the deletions that ran rampant on the GS Fan Page. And Lela Warren's response to the FDA question?

I will be following up as new information develops. I still have my interview with FDA to coordinate, as well as a followup with TWLOHA on July 9, 2011 to see if the six month timeline for remittance of the charity funds has been met, and a spot check on July 29, 2011 to see if anyone has begun receiving refunds yet. That date is the day after the Paypal funds are supposed to be released.

Thank you to everyone who provided screenshots and information, and a huge debt of thanks to KimmieKarma for the Listia link.

7:29 PM CST ETA:

Listia has removed the listing.

 

6/20/11 ETA: Correct spelling of Lela Warren's last name in first paragraph. 

The GlitterSniffer Cosmetics Private Facebook Group and Further FDA Followup

It was announced today that the GlitterSniffer Cosmetics Private Facebook Group will be shutting down permanently as of the end of this week.

The group was originally created as a place for like minded fans to gather that was "GS friendly". The free samples that began arriving in March where an incentive given to fans by GS for joining the group. There have been many Admins over time, some of whom stepped down in late February and shared their stories. Yesterday, after reading Issanna's story, the final three of these Admins stepped down. A link to the blog was posted for all GS private group members to review, GS proprietor Lela Warren was removed as an Admin, and another group was created for the fans to have a place to discuss their love of all things makeup.

In the last few weeks there has been lots of activity surrounding GS: the removal of the GS Fan page by Lela, loss of Google Checkout as a payment option, mass refunds by Google Checkout for unreceived or incorrect orders, the FDA home visits, and now the closure of the private group. Lela has maintained a steady silence through it all, ignoring GS questions on her personal Facebook and refusing to respond to emails and phone calls. Today several people were deleted from her personal Facebook and her wall was closed to comments.

Another GS customer was contacted by the FDA via a phone call on 5/9/11:

It was a fairly short phone call, he told me it was for the pinks and listed the size of the pots, I can't recall what size he said they were.  He asked if I received a letter in the mail, which I did not and he listed my home address to make sure they had it right and made a note that I only knew of the recall because of facebook.

That makes four known contacts of GS customers by the FDA across the country in less than a week. There is no specific timeline for how long an investigation like this lasts, though hopefully there should be a result soon. If a warning letter is sent to GS I plan on filing a Freedom of Information Act request in order to follow up. FDA does not comment on current investigations.

Where does that leave GlitterSniffer Cosmetics? To be perfectly honest I'm not quite sure. After the recall it seemed that GS would have to cease operations, but then a cash infusion from a private investor allowed them to continue. When Paypal closed their multiple accounts in January Google Checkout and Artfire were there to pick up the slack. GS has a history of rising from the ashes, but it is unknown at this time if this situation is recoverable. Lela is certainly not being forthcoming about it. With the lack of a formal closure announcement and the ongoing FDA investigation it seems prudent at this point to take a wait and see approach. There are still stories to tell and the matter of GlitterSniffer Bath has yet to be addressed. Look for a post on that soon.

I will update as more information becomes available.

GlitterSniffer Cosmetics Proprietor Lela Warren and the Case of the Brand New Facebook Account

I've posted a couple of times over the last few days about GlitterSniffer Cosmetics proprietor Lela Warren's seeming disregard for Facebook Terms of Use.

There is no need to use a qualifier any longer. In her own words, from her current personal Facebook account, dated January 10, 2010:

 

Lela's old Facebook account was deactivated for a violation of Facebook terms for selling on a personal page so she simply created a new one, another violation of Facebook terms. 

We know from past history that Lela isn't good with following terms and regulations with regard to the business decisions of GlitterSniffer Cosmetics, but one would think having just lost access to her Facebook account she would look said terms over before plowing ahead with creating a new account.

But let's give Lela the benefit of the doubt. The Facebook terms can be a bit confusing. 

Hard to understand, isn't it?

So, assuming that Lela was unaware of the terms about making a new account, it was still made quite clear that advertising and selling are not supposed to be taking place from a personal Facebook page, reinforced by the fact that Facebook deactivated her account. And yet...

January 29, 2010

April 2, 2010

April 5, 2010

April 7, 2010

April 26, 2010 (According to the official GS recall FAQ Working Girl was not associated with GS)

April 27, 2010

This entire collection was eventually recalled

May 29, 2010

June 1, 2010

June 2-September 20, 2010: There were various sales/ads during this time frame as well, but let's hop in the DeLorean and get back to the future.

September 21, 2010

Well, at least they were labeled.

September 27, 2010

September 29, 2010

September 30, 2010

October 5, 2010

October 11, 2010

October 17, 2010

November 18, 2010

 

November 19, 2010

November 25, 2010

 November 26, 2010-approximately February 7, 2011 GlitterSniffer Cosmetics pauses briefly due to the glittercaust.

February 8, 2010

February 17, 2011

March 6, 2011

March 7, 2011

March 18, 2011 A link to GlitterSniffer Bath and a post asking that the personal profile not be used for GS order info.

 April 10, 2011

April 11, 2011

April 14, 2011

April 17, 2011

April 18, 2011

Nineteen days after having her personal account disabled by Facebook for sales and advertising Lela again began selling and advertising from her personal page, an ongoing practice that continued up until at least April 18, 2011.

Trivial? Maybe. Nitpicky? Perhaps. But it also serves to show that it is demonstrably true that even when negative consequences like losing her other Facebook account occur Lela simply chooses to ignore whatever terms don't meet her personal needs and desires for her company and does what she wants without regard for the consequences of those actions. This does not bode well for the (once again) promised changes, nor for the future of GlitterSniffer Cosmetics, and that is due solely to the choices the company and its proprietor Lela Warren continue to make.