to think that if you are going to set up a business, you can't use having kids as an excuse for poor quality......

[itsgoodtobehome]

So, a couple of times I have signed up to, or purchased something from an online business. Both times I have been slightly disappointed. One was someone that was offering a detox/diet type thing. I paid £50 for a 10 day detox guide. In return I received a poorly planned out excel spreadsheet for 7 days, with the instruction to repeat the first 3 days to finish the 10 days .

When I challenged her about this, she just replied that she was working on the presentation, but it was so hard to get the time with 2 young children .

The second example was where I had ordered something from an online website. 2 weeks later, with nothing received, I contacted the seller to be told that her kids had been ill, so she was behind with orders.

So am IBU to think that if you set up your own business with paying customers, you need not to use your kids as excuses. Either you run a business, or you don't. For the record, I have children, and I generally tend to not use them as excuses not to deliver at work. I think there are far too many 'mumtrepreneurs' out there who think they can run a business, but use their kids as an excuse when they can't deliver......

If your children are ill who looks after them whilst you work? Just out of curiousity.

The first example is rubbish, she should have set things up before selling.
The second isn't at all far fetched. If you have someone else to take care of ill kids so you can work, brilliant. If you don't, what's the plan? Her only downfall imo is not keeping in touch

For the first one, she should have made sure her offering was complete before putting it on sale.

The second one - she should have contacted you as soon as she knew there would be a delay and offered the option of a refund if you couldn't wait.

Buying online, you should be able to get your money back (definitely in the first case!)
2nd case she should put delivery timeframes, giving herself extra time in case it's needed

Yanbu!! Careful where you buy and check reviews

Really unprofessional to give that as an excuse, even if it's true. Doesn't give a very good impression of the business.

I understand what you mean. I want mums to be successful but feel that small businesses should also deliver to a high standard. There are a few more hipster businesses we've been to. For example a vegan cafe. The service is mega slow every time, they have irratic opening hours and often run out of food. This is one example of a fe that spring to mind. I feel that because they are a small business focused on a lifestyle thing they don't care and want a lot of slack.
It sounds like the buisness you've been dealing with are similar.

I would be interested to know how the £50 detox plan was marketed and what it was you where expecting in return for your money, because I would be asking for my money back.

I bought something from Amazon marketplace which never arrived. Contacted the seller who advised check with postman etc, give it a few days etc. Still didn't arrive so he said he would resend and this also did not arrive. He did not have tracking info for either delivery and after two weeks admitted that nothing had been sent as there was a death in the family so he hadn't been into warehouse and the item was no longer available.
No idea why he didn't just admit there was a problem in the first place, especially as he was quickly replying to emails (as in, he was not so devastated to be unable to reply) but it seemed a very unprofessional way to run a business.

aaahfuck yes I totally agree with you. I would like to think these businesses can be successful, but I do think there is a certain leaning these days towards businesses that are ....'organic, 'home-grown' 'mumsy', 'natural' blah blah blah, which basically means - customer fits in with us. Which is fine....apart from the fact that the customer is paying!!

thecabbageassasin I really do want to ask for my money back, but I'm a bit embarrassed and she has loads of fawning followers telling her how amazing it is, and how wonderful she is doing this with 2 small children....whereas I think it was a bit crap, and shouldn't be running a business that she can't handle

If it was supposed to be a 10 day plan and you only got 7 days, I think you would be within your rights to ask for a 30% refund, i.e. £15 off.

Ask for your money back, write an honest review. Do not let a few arse lickers stop you. You probably aren't the first.

Both sellers messed up and were unprofessional. First did a poor job then blamed her personal life. She should do as she advertises and expect bad feedback if not. Not whine about how busy she is. You pay for a service, you get it.

Second was bad at engaging and communicating. She should have advised of you of a delay and offered to cancel the order. She may even be lying and just not processed it yet.

These 'businesses' wont survive without good engagement and solid service.

YANBU. I know someone like this and have ordered bits from her in the past mainly to support her but they took months to arrive and were bad quality, obviously rushed etc. She blames things on her DC being ill/a handful, but the truth is she is out of her depth and can’t manage her time. I’ve noticed business owners who regularly close books and impose clear waiting times become successful because they know the limits as to how much they can take on.