Styled by Susie - anyone done it?

[Alanis41]

Hi all, I've been following the tribe group on Facebook for a while but just wondering if anyone here has tried it. I can't seem to get to the bottom of what they advise, seasons etc. Is there something similar closer to London. And she keeps advising chunky trainers, is this a thing now?

Have you read the customer service responses from people who have raised issues that have been posted here?? Completely shocking and deeply in professional. That is partly why this thread has been made people have been so disappointed and actually really upset by the responses or lack of to their genuine feedback. These are paying customers who have no other means of expressing their disappointment as they have been shut off at every turn. Myself included. Why should it be the customers responsibility to push for better customer service? This is business 101 dont provide good service, review bad reviews lose business. Some woman have paid over £200 and the customer service responses are truly awful and from someone who claims to empower woman unless they have feedback on the service they have recieved. & dont get me started on the hypocritical postive vibes only but I will write for the DM debacle. As someone who has recieved bad customer service and a product not fit for purpose I could not in good faith recomend SBS in any form.

Yes @Parentinglark I agree with you that the after sales stuff is not good. Some of Susie’s replies are not professional. I agree 100 percent and if someone is not happy with a service, they should be able to say so and they should receive a refund. I don’t think Susie does this part well. It’s frustrating and leads to threads like this.
As for the positive vibes, that’s part of the brand values. There are things she could do better such as allowing more constructive feedback. I don’t know her personally but I don’t see anything that she’s doing that other stylists aren’t doing either. Obviously if you don’t like her brand, don’t follow her socials.

Also, not sure if I am being classed as a minion or not but that's actually laughable. I take my style analysis for what it is - an affordable pointer that's helped me out. It saves me time and money when shopping. I don't agree with my style personality - so I ignore it and buy what I like. I don't follow it like a slave. My colours are spot on as every time I wear something from my palette, I get compliments.

I don't agree with the positive only thing, and I agree that some of you have had terrible customer service: the no feedback thing is ridiculous.

I have to say though - if you think Susie and her stylists all dress themselves so badly, why pay for an analysis?

I think you've got cause to complain about the customer service but the personal attacks on people who use the service and they stylists themselves cheapens your argument.

There's lots I don't like about the group so I have muted it. I dip in every now and then. There's bits I don't like about Susie so I don't follow her on Instagram. I follow one stylist as I quite like her personality. The energy of this whole thread is exhausting!

I think you've got cause to complain about the customer service but the personal attacks on people who use the service and they stylists themselves cheapens your argument.

This summarises my thoughts perfectly

For those who weren’t happy with the SBS service, why don’t you go back and ask for a refund. Give evidence of what you weren’t happy with ( for example, if there are typos in the PDF, then circle them), stick to the facts, be polite and persevere. Send it to the admin person on the website. Ask for your money back. There are rights linked to products bought over the Internet. Customers can and do get their money back.

@FlasknTea I did go back to the admin via email, and got what I felt was a terse response that there is a lot of positive feedback from clients within the Facebook group and on the Facebook page, so they reject any criticism of the service. Their response was very dismissive.

@LegoCardSwapper I don’t think for what is provided, that it’s particularly affordable. I certainly had to think before purchasing, as it was about a days work.

@CurlyHairedWoman if a friend or family member appeared with an awful haircut, I would say something but I would phrase it carefully. I’ve certainly said to my sister that I thought black hair was a little dark for her, and perhaps a warm brown might suit her. Again, I don’t believe I’ve said anything unpleasant about your own hair cut, but yes I have commented on the woman who changed to blonde. You mention decency but the SBS approach isn’t necessarily decent as they’re providing a poor service and creating a vacuum where it’s ignored. I don’t think it’s vain to want to present our best selves (after all, that’s why we purchased an SBS service!), and I don’t think it’s kind to make identical recommendations to hundreds of women, particularly if it doesn’t actually fit the lifestyle, the body shape or areas of concern for the individual. You should be proud of your role of motherhood, and it’s rightly more important than your hairstyle. I don’t place vanity above kindness (and offended by the suggestion) but I certainly do equate decency with kindness, whereas SBS doesn’t practice decency

@MehMehMeow
I understand your frustration and a terse response is totally not the way to go in business. They should have offered a refund or complimentary service. Did you go back and say how disappointed you were by their lack of customer exchange after their terse reply?

I think she should run a survey or something to try and identify some of the issues they might be having behind the scenes?

I can recommend Red Leopard for style services - they are really, really good but expensive. However they do what they say on the tin!

For me, having read the entire thread, I feel that the Be Kind message entreats women to silence. It is NOT kind to stay silent if a woman with low self confidence posts a pic where she looks ruddy awful. It IS kind to say, you know - I love your legs have you thought about.......?

When the only responses are silence or gushing, it does no no one any favours.

There is certainly nothing kind about about telling people they look amazing when they don't, or

*promoting fast fashion made by slaves
*taking money from a newspaper that promotes hate
*taking money from women who are feeling insecure about their looks for a service that they are not qualified to offer
*denying these women a voice when they dare to question her services
*encouraging her followers to go online forums and defend her malpractices

@Styledbyserpents I agree, but I have had constructive comments removed that have been along those lines. For example, a plus sized woman posts a photo of herself in jeans and a tee shirt where she has “done the tuck”. Her legs look great in the jeans - shapely, and the right style jeans for her. But “the tuck” exposes a hanging belly and camel toe. She’d look much better in a slightly fitted top (so it didn’t drown her and make her look even bigger) that covered the tummy and toe. But that got removed. Why? I wouldn’t let my nearest and dearest go out with a camel toe!

@ohmygiddiest

There is certainly nothing kind about about telling people they look amazing when they don't, or

*promoting fast fashion made by slaves
*taking money from a newspaper that promotes hate
*taking money from women who are feeling insecure about their looks for a service that they are not qualified to offer
*denying these women a voice when they dare to question her services
*encouraging her followers to go online forums and defend her malpractices

• Except that people can say 'i love x but have you tried y'

• It's a high street fashion service. Yes I don't like fast fashion either but are you also directing this at the hundreds of fast fashion stores rather than just at Susie? No, I didn't think so

• I agree with this, I hate the daily mail and left her group after her first article with them

• It's her job to 'take money', that's how business works. It helped me and others who needed a bit of a boost

• I agree there should be a feedback form at least and Susie should have some training on customer service. I think she's grown a bit quickly which is part of the issue. I know she talks about having anxiety and I think if she were better equipped to deal with customers that this would actually help her anxiety around dealing with it

• Has she encouraged them to do this? I didn't think so?

@ohmygiddiest that's not directed at you specifically sorry, it's just you summarised most of this thread, so I decided to summarise how I see it too

[quote MrsSchadenfreude]@Styledbyserpents I agree, but I have had constructive comments removed that have been along those lines. For example, a plus sized woman posts a photo of herself in jeans and a tee shirt where she has “done the tuck”. Her legs look great in the jeans - shapely, and the right style jeans for her. But “the tuck” exposes a hanging belly and camel toe. She’d look much better in a slightly fitted top (so it didn’t drown her and make her look even bigger) that covered the tummy and toe. But that got removed. Why? I wouldn’t let my nearest and dearest go out with a camel toe![/quote]
Oh dear. I didn't realise they were removing constructive comments too. I think this thread has encouraged more members to be constructive, so all of a sudden there's an influx of honesty!

Isn't half the problem also that the colour and shape advice is in some cases incorrect? The extract about a pp's colour was superficial. In which case someone could be happily splurging out on a new wardrobe based on incorrect guidance and only ever receiving positive feedback from the 'sisterhood'. Sometimes the feedback isn't even just positive it's gushing. So it isn't just how Susie deals with people who aren't happy - but I am now thinking that the whole online assessment based on colours just isn't going to work.

@Oopsadaisydoddle
There are Consumer laws that protect purchases made on the Internet. Obviously there are timings involved (the quicker you react the better) but you can definitely get help and one of the things you can get help with is “poor service“. This is why it’s good to get things in writing.

Contact the citizens advice bureau, if you are in the UK. You need facts and proof and you have to accept that SBS would counter argue. For example if you say you didn’t get help hiding your “big bum” (silly example but you get my drift!) then Susie could say that you didn’t ask specifically. Usually businesses settle things amicably if they have any sense. I would go back in writing saying you didn’t appreciate the terse response. It does NOT matter if 99 % people are happy with a service, that is not an answer. Explain facts and give examples of why you’re not happy. Ask what they propose, as your next step is to contact the Citizens Advice bureau. No threats, just state it calmly using evidence and proof. Typos and spelling mistakes are good examples as concrete and objective. Hopefully she will engage in finding a win win situation. I really hope so.

It helped me. I don’t agree with a lot of it and some of the stylists are just not my style. However I ignore those posts. If I don’t like an outfit I ignore it unless I feel I need to say something constructively. I have never had a comment deleted. I would not say I liked something if I didn’t.

I’ve also had a session with the colour house and found it frumpy.

The curly girl hair Now looks amazing. We all have different tastes but I think she looks wonderful.

It is a business. If Suzy focussed on environmentally/woke organisations none of us could afford to follow her. Rather than abusing a small business that also supports local businesses perhaps campaign to Primark or M&S about their policies. But no it’s easier to moan about a business on munsnet.

@stopfundinghate

This is my reply to your comments, am not trying to fall out with you. I don't ever want to fall out with someone with such a great username!

Constructive comments have been removed though. I am absolutely directing this at all retailers that employ slaves and force them to work in terrible conditions to make their clothes. They are fellow human beings and this needs to stop.

I don't think she and her stylists are competent enough to be taking money for the services though. They have no qualifications and so often get the colours and body shapes wrong. It upsets me to see these women buying more and more clothes than don't suit them and being given false confidence.

It’s a slow workday ...

@ohmygiddiest

You have quite a fight on your hands with your list! Susie is not alone in doing the things you mention.

She clearly states that she is “high street”. If this doesn’t fit your values then you should steer clear. Also, good for you for opposing slavery. Modern slavery is real and does exist - not necessarily with the big fashion houses but it’s definitely a cause worth opposing.

The DM is a tabloid and pays very well for articles. Again, she is not the only business doing this. I hate the DM, never read it. It’s info-tainment and financially doing well compared to some of the more serious Press. People who write for it sell their souls a little in my opinion but it pays well so I guess that’s the motivation. Plus her PR manager is an ex DM journalist I believe.

She is not “taking money” from women - they choose to sign up! You’re really insulting the intelligence of anyone who has signed up for the service. Cheers!

Not qualified? She has a stylist diploma. What you’re saying here is libellous.

Denying women a voice when they criticise? Yes, she doesn’t deal with this side of the business well. Totally agree.

Encourage followers to defend her “malpractices”. I’m defending her and I don’t know her and was certainly not encouraged by anyone so ... not sure where your evidence comes from here?

Malpractice?! Woah strong word there. I personally and professionally would never defend a real “malpractice”. I think some clients had a positive experience and want to give their view- it’s not defending malpractice, it’s just opinion.

[quote FlasknTea]@Oopsadaisydoddle
There are Consumer laws that protect purchases made on the Internet. Obviously there are timings involved (the quicker you react the better) but you can definitely get help and one of the things you can get help with is “poor service“. This is why it’s good to get things in writing.

Contact the citizens advice bureau, if you are in the UK. You need facts and proof and you have to accept that SBS would counter argue. For example if you say you didn’t get help hiding your “big bum” (silly example but you get my drift!) then Susie could say that you didn’t ask specifically. Usually businesses settle things amicably if they have any sense. I would go back in writing saying you didn’t appreciate the terse response. It does NOT matter if 99 % people are happy with a service, that is not an answer. Explain facts and give examples of why you’re not happy. Ask what they propose, as your next step is to contact the Citizens Advice bureau. No threats, just state it calmly using evidence and proof. Typos and spelling mistakes are good examples as concrete and objective. Hopefully she will engage in finding a win win situation. I really hope so.[/quote]

This is really good advice. If people took this approach when not getting a satisfactory response from SBS then it might make Susie take some responsibility and actions when people are not satisfied with the service they have received. Shame it would have to go down a more formal route but she's not leaving people with much other choice really.

Thanks @TofinoSurf :-)
I agree. If she has several emails like this then yes she might change how she deals with customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction in this case. Also, she should delegate! She’s an anxious and defensive person when it comes to criticism, she should delegate to someone who knows how to deal with it.

I think my issue with her and the other stylists mainly boils down to the fact that it’s easy to see how often they get colouring and body shapes wrong because their clients then post pics on the FB group. I guess other stylists may also get it wrong but because their clients don’t postafter pics nobody would ever know. I find it frustrating when they’ve so obviously got it wrong but nobody can tell the client (in a nice way - using the ‘positivity sandwich’ technique e.g. “those jeans look great on your legs, not sure about the colour of the top - have you tried a cooler toned green. The lipstick looks perfect though“) as anything perceived as criticism gets deleted. From what I can work out it gets deleted if it even slightly contradicts the stylist’s analysis, whereas if the client has get it wrong the criticism is allowed to stay as long as it’s done with kindness.

The advice re complaining is very helpful, but there seems to be an underlying tone that because the women on this thread who have had dismissive and terse responses haven't pushed for a refund they shouldn't now be complaining on an online forum. This is not the case at all, a lot of people dislike confrontation and the dismissive comments coming from a person rather than a company makes it even harder to push back. The responses from SBS are unprofessional and terrible customer service regardless of how the client then chooses to pursue it.