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Original poster

Me&Em - Crowd funding

42 replies

EggsEleven · 27/02/2017 18:54

Have received an email from Me & Em stating that they've set up a crowd funding page in order to expand. Is this a sign that they're struggling or am I just out of touch and this is the way online retailers do things now a days? I normally associate it with start-up companies.

I'm not sure what the point of this thread is, just that I was a bit surprised

OP posts:

Floisme · 27/02/2017 19:03

I've had that email too. I always thought 'crowd funding' meant 'Give me money (please)' so not too impressed.

If they really want my money, I suggest they go back to doing those fabulous ruched jersey skirts of yore.

BikeRunSki · 27/02/2017 19:06

I got it too. I have only ever crowd funded 2 things, and both of them took my money, but I got nothing - not the promised book or DVD. So I'm not doing any more.

imjessie · 27/02/2017 19:06

Crowd funding is begging as far as I'm concerned . What a disgusting way to run a business !!! 🙄🙄

Niminy · 27/02/2017 19:11

I assumed they're not doing so well and need to re-capitalise, but rather than getting themselves in hock to venture capitalists (who will then own part of the business) they are turning to their customer base. I wondered what the 'new digital opportunities' mentioned in the email were.

I'd be sorry to see them go under as I think their clothing is extremely good quality. Very expensive though! i (meanly) only ever buy in the sale, but the things I have are staples of my work wardrobe.

IWillGoToTheBall · 27/02/2017 19:12

Blimey - are they in difficulties? I'd think twice before placing an order knowing this.

Original poster

EggsEleven · 27/02/2017 19:35

Agree that their ruched jersey dresses were fab for work - v flattering and thick material. They should def bring those back in more colours.

OP posts:

Floisme · 27/02/2017 20:04

I'd be sorry if they went too, if only for those ruched skirts which, five years on, still haven't bobbled and still make me feel like Marilyn Monroe. But they've lost me lately with the death-by-navy-and-white palette and all the 'intelligent dressing' nonsense.

specialsubject · 27/02/2017 20:04

Sort of a share offer in a company that may succeed or go bust. More likely the latter, the world is not exactly short of frock sellers.

Whatthefoxgoingon · 27/02/2017 20:42

That is not good news for them. Looks like they might be on the way out. Shame.

BrillianaHarvey · 27/02/2017 20:49

I'm not sure it's a sign of financial difficulties, more an attempt to fund expansion without being in hock to big lenders.
I wouldn't mind investing in them as I think designer clothes have become so expensive that there's a lot of potential at the top end of the mass market. However, they are very non-transparent about potential returns (unless there's some small print I've missed.)

Needastrongone · 27/02/2017 21:06

Gosh, I got their catalogue (which looks expensively put together...) via post today. I have never ordered anything from them before, so assume I am their target audience. Only I am not, looking at their stuff. No colour whatsoever and bloody pricey. But have no specific experience, no would stand corrected.

caroldecker · 27/02/2017 21:32

Well last year they sold £4.1m of clothes and lost £0.5m. They have lost £2.2m so far.

Original poster

EggsEleven · 27/02/2017 21:44

Need it is pricey. I did raise my eyebrows when they described themselves in the email as 'affordable'.

Brilliana I have no clue from the info that they sent what the return on investment would be either.

OP posts:

Original poster

EggsEleven · 27/02/2017 21:48

The quality has always been great on anything I've got - not a single bobble on the ruched dresses despite them being years old and washed loads. I don't mind paying more for their stuff due to the quality though I think their prices are increasing but I definitely wouldn't categorise them as 'affordable fashion' like they claim

OP posts:

Dulcimena · 27/02/2017 22:44

Yes, I would assume that they're on their way out too...

lurkingfromhome · 28/02/2017 08:42

The quality is fantastic and I like the clothes a lot but yes, very pricey. In my head they're priced at the upper end of the high street (Cos, Whistles) but then I get the catalogue in and find myself going HOW MUCH???

Not very reassured by the crowdfunding thing. A distinct lack of information about possible gains and also, while crowdfunding is on the increase, there is something about this that makes me go mmmm ... is this a last resort to get investment as no one will put money into a sinking ship? Not sure.

Needastrongone · 28/02/2017 08:50

Thanks Eggs, I too am happy to pay more if the quality is good and it lasts ages. I can't imagine me wafting round the daily dog walk in some of their stuff

But I'm also not up for criticising a brand 'en mass' either. There's good and bad stuff in all brands. We have all found a fab quality T Shirt from Primark that lasts forever in our time and something from Whistles that was crap.

Thing is, just the suspicion that things are not well is often enough isn't it? What a shame.

Original poster

EggsEleven · 28/02/2017 08:55

I don't think it was a good move on their part sending such a vague begging email to customers. Sends out the wrong message and creates speculation, rightly or wrongly, that the Company isn't doing well. This mightn't be the case at all but they've now portrayed it that way.

OP posts:

notnowfrank · 28/02/2017 09:13

When I saw the M and the '&' sign and the word 'crowd funding' in the thread title, my first thought was... 'Oh no! It's finally arrived, the Per Una Apocalypse Meltdown.'

And I was mildly surprised, but not completely.

burnishedsilver · 28/02/2017 09:46

I wouldn't necessarily see it as a sign that they are in difficulty. Maybe they want to expand and thought they'd try something new - nothing wrong with that. If someone is going to own part if the business it may as well be loyal customers who like the brand.

TheLittlePaperbagPrincess · 28/02/2017 09:49

Reve En Verte sent something similar last week and I thought the same thing. Although TBF, DH crowd funded some gluten free beer people he buys from a couple of years back, and they seem to be going from strength to strength. IIRC, they did the crowdfunding for some specific equipment, they were already profitable, it would just have taken ages buying piece by piece, saving up or borrowing at commercial rates to buy the equipment.

Pottedplants · 28/02/2017 10:48

I presume their mail to everyone on their mailing list. I have only bought twice and never kept anything I bought from them and received the email.

For me, they are far too expensive and

Pottedplants · 28/02/2017 10:56

Sorry posted too soon....,

And their clothes are too 'dressy' for the rest of my wardrobe. But I love their clothes without wanting to own them. They are twice the price of Cos which is where I buy the majority of my clothes from (though I get tired of the same style of clothes from there too).

I find with Me&Em other stores tend to copy the style that Me&Em had long beforehand. E.g. Their beautiful side stripe trousers. Now Next even have them but very doubtful they match the quality. I hope somewhere copies their fab layering shirt soon as Me&Em is far beyond my budget unfortunately.

Floisme · 28/02/2017 10:58

Had another look at their catalogue. Leaving aside their prices, there are quite a few things I like but about the only thing I'd wear on a regular basis was the denim swing jacket. A lot of it is just too smart for either work or leisure (for me). Maybe 10 years ago it might have been different but workplace dress codes have really loosened up.

They look as if they're pitching to
high income women with a very defined look: smart but not corporate. Maybe I'm out of touch but that seems like quite a small, niche market.

Floisme · 28/02/2017 11:02

Took me so long to write that post that potted beat me to it! I completely agree about loving the clothes without wanting (or needing) to own them.

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