Customer Service: The Best Buy Experience

We purchased a new computer and monitor from BestBuy when we moved into our new warehouse a few months ago. We also purchased the BestBuy Black Tie Service Plan. The salesperson was confused about whether or not we needed to have antivirus software installed by BestBuy GeekSquad as a contingency of the plan. She asked a co-worker to verify the requirements of the plan for her and then advised us we needed to have BestBuy approved antivirus software installed by GeekSquad.

We had already purchased Antivirus+AntiSpyware software within the previous year and wanted to install the software we had already paid for onto the new computer. The sales rep advised we could bring back the computer and OUR software for the install, but that it HAD to be installed by GeekSquad or it would invalidate our Black Tie Service Agreement.

A few days later we dropped off the computer tower as well as OUR copy of the Antivirus software to GeekSquad for installation. GeekSquad seemed very confused that we were asking them to install the software for us even with the work order filled out by the original sales rep. The following day we received a call that the software we supplied was not compatible with Windows 7 on our new PC and that we needed new software. After some discussion, we were advised they would install a new version of the compatible software and that the computer would be ready for pick up the following day.

Upon arrival, GeekSquad could not locate our computer. After a slight wait, they located it on a workstation rather than boxed up and ready for pickup. We were given a new copy of Antivirus software with the computer and sent on our way.

Upon attempting to setup the computer we received an error message that our new antivirus software had expired and to purchase a full version, visit the software website. Looking at the original software and the software we were given by GeekSquad at pickup showed that both discs were identical...compatible for Vista or XP...not Windows 7.

We paid $29.99 for a software install. Free trial software was installed on our system which then expired within 30 days. It would have been less time-consuming and cheaper to spend the $29.99 on the new software and install it ourselves.

Out of frustration, we took our disappointment to Twitter:
Coral at BestBuy (@Coral_BestBuy) contacted us to determine the problem and offered to find a solution. Ultimately, within minutes of relaying our story, Coral offered to send us new, compatible antivirus software and reversed the $29.99 software installation fee that we were charged in store. We received the antivirus software within a week of resolution and couldn't be more pleased with the timely assistance by BestBuy! Kudos for customer service that went above and beyond!

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Holiday Schedule

Our offices will be closed Friday, April 2nd - Monday, April 5th in observance of the Easter Holiday. For your convenience, orders can be placed online 24/7/365 or faxed to 330-467-2166. All phone calls will be returned when we reopen on Tuesday. Urgent correspondence should be made to email as we can better serve your requests in this manner.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Spotlight: gardein™

As you may know already, I am vegetarian and a runner. Because I run so frequently and live a pretty frenetic lifestyle, I sometimes find it difficult to supplement with enough high-quality vegetable protein to prevent myself from muscle fatigue or worse, losing muscle mass.

I first discovered and experienced gardein™ at Chrissie Hynde's Akron restaurant, The VegiTerranean. Soon after, local markets began to carry gardein™ brand vegetable protein. I admit, I am normally not a "meat substitute" fan. The texture of meat protein was never something I was a big fan of, so I never saw the need to swap out vegetarian "meats" for the real deal, until gardein™.

What is gardein™? From their website: "gardein™ is a wholesome range of tasty plant-based foods with a meaty texture. it’s made from soy, wheat and pea proteins, vegetables and ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut®). gardein™ is easy to digest and free of cholesterol, trans and saturated fats. the majority of gardein™ foods are a good source of fiber and low fat too. gardein™ is also animal and dairy free."

I have personally tried all of the following gardein™ products:

• Classic Style Buffalo Wings (frozen)
  
• Home Style Beefless Tips (frozen)
• Seven Grain Crispy Tenders (frozen)
• Lightly Seasoned Chik'n Scallopini (frozen)
• BBQ Pulled Shreds (fresh)
  
• BBQ Skewers (fresh)
• Seasoned Bites (fresh)

While I enjoy the fresh gardein™ products, there is something to be said for the new frozen varieties. The Buffalo Wings are super spicy, so be forewarned. The Crispy Tenders are the closest thing I have had to a Chicken Nugget in over 15 years. I admit, it creeps me out a little bit every time I eat one because the texture is just what I remember.

Not only are gardein™ products Vegan (no eggs, no dairy, no honey), they are low in fat and high in protein! Perfect for active vegetarians and vegans and it tastes good too! If you are local, Gardein products are available at Mustard Seed Market and Whole Foods stores. Or, visit The VegiTerranean for their all-vegan menu including gardein™ products!

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Warehouse Update

We moved into our new warehouse space in early January and have spent the last few months acclimating ourselves to having more space! New door locks became a necessity since they kept freezing (We maintained below zero temperatures in Ohio through January and February). The floor were painted by the landlord prior to our move since they were pretty badly scraped up. They chose a lovely shade of dirt brown... It took some time to get all the shelving units up and to decide how to organize them. The project began to move much more quickly once we took into consideration how products move, what to group together for easier fulfillment, etc. and put it into a makeshift graph. Several more rows of shelves have been added since this photo.The office space/video studio/photo studio didn't look like much before we dressed it up, but my niece discovered that the support poles make for a nice distraction while grownups are talking (Adults can be so boring!).But, now that the space is nearing completion, it really feels like everything is coming together. It has been a long journey and we are far from completion...but will continue tweaking things here and there as we find what works best for us.Next step in the process is to locate a large area rug that fits the entire office area and to rebuild the test kitchen to better fit our production needs. This includes a full build-out including new counter tops and cabinetry and will be completed in stages so as not to interrupt our current production schedule.

Along with the new space, came new obstacles...like discovering the previous tenants had cut the phone lines (physically) which required a complete install by the phone company (and an unforeseen $200 install fee). Or, the unexpected dry-rotted cast iron pipe in our utility room that dumped wastewater into our space on several occasions...Moving into a larger but unfamiliar space has been exciting (and trying) but most of all, it has been a labor of love. We will certainly be happy when everything is put together and finished, but wanted to share where we are up to this point!

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Recipe: Pot O Gold Lip Gloss

You Will Need:

2 oz Natural Lip Balm Base
0.5 ml Flavor Fragrance Oil (We combined Cafe Latte, Mint Chill & Buttercream Flavor Fragrances to make an Irish Coffee!)
1 cc Radiant Gold Mica

• Place Lip Balm Base into double boiler and set your burner to medium.
• Items will melt in less than 1 hour, if you have a thermometer, check temperature, it should be around 65-70c / 140-160f.
• Use Mica for this oil based product. Add your color and mix thoroughly. Pour a small amount in a clear container and wait for it to set for 20-30 minutes. You will notice the colors tend to lighten as the product goes opaque.
• Only add Flavor Fragrance Oils deemed suitable for Lip Products. Strength will vary on the type of scent.
• Pour into your choice of containers.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Recipe: Fruit Salad (Ambrosia)

My mom made this fruit salad on special occasions and it wasn't until later that I overheard someone calling it "Ambrosia" salad. It's quick and easy to make, perfect for picnics or buffets. Sweet, but not too sweet!

You Will Need:

2 - 14 oz cans Organic Pineapple Chunks (Native Forest)
2 - 10.75 oz cans Organic Mandarin Orange Segments (Native Forest)
1 - 14 oz jar Natural Maraschino Cherries
1 1/3 cups Natural Marshmallows (Elyon)
1 cup Organic Flaked Coconut (Let's Do Organics)
2/3 cup Organic Lowfat Sour Cream (Organic Valley)
2/3 cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional)

Drain all fruit, reserving liquid from pineapple and oranges (If you are using the brands listed above, the juice will have no added sugar and works great in smoothies!).

Combine all drained fruit in a large mixing bowl. Add marshmallows and coconut and fold gently before adding the sour cream. Add optional chopped nuts and fold all ingredients together.

Salad can be served immediately or chilled prior to serving. Best consumed within a few days of making.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Resources for Info on Cosmetics & Regulation

For Resourceful Info on Cosmetics and Regulation without all the "hype" visit these sites:

• COSMETICSINFO.ORG
• Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov/
• Food and Drug Administration:http://www.fda.gov/
• FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: http://www.fda.gov/cder/index.html
• FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html
• FDA Office of Cosmetics and Colors: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-toc.html
• The U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/fdcact/fdctoc.htm
• The U.S. Fair Packaging and Labeling Act: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/fplact.htm
• Search the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm
• FDA Regulation of Over-The-Counter Drugs: http://www.fda.gov/cder/offices/otc/default.htm
• Phthalates Information Center: http://www.phthalates.org/
• The International Fragrance Association: http://www.ifraorg.org/
• Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments: http://www.frame.org.uk/index.htm
• Cosmetic Ingredient Review: http://www.cir-safety.org/
• American Academy of Dermatology: http://www.aad.org/
• American Contact Dermatitis Society: http://www.contactderm.org/
• Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA): http://www.cctfa.ca/
• Colipa (the European Trade Association): http://www.colipa.com/
• The Personal Care Products Council (U.S.): http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/
• Look Good, Feel Better Program for Cancer Patients: http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/
• The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (U.K.): http://www.ctpa.org.uk/
• Consumer Healthcare Products Association: http://www.chpa-info.org/
• The Fragrance Foundation: http://www.fragrance.org/
• The Soap and Detergent Association: http://www.sdahq.org/

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

We Don't Need No Stinking FACTS! Or Do We?

I used to be an alarmist, banging my drum as loudly as I could, drowning out those around me while spreading propaganda and declaring my statements true. I was a real environmental crusader, fighting "environmental crimes" like flouride in drinking water and gas-guzzling SUV's, not to mention meat eaters and anyone who didn't buy Organic (gasp).

In my activist life, I could declare all sorts of statistics and facts but I couldn't prove them. Proving my position didn't matter, I was fighting against environmental evil-doers! The problem with this method, I soon learned...is that no one wants to be drowned out, no one wants to be on the receiving end of a one-sided conversation and people need proven facts to make educated decisions. Being the loudest person in the room doesn't make you right, it just makes you loud and annoying. My mom always says, "the loudest person in the room is just trying to garner attention". It's one thing to get somebodies attention, it's quite another to demand their focus and then shove your propaganda down their throats.

As a self-professed science nerd, science fascinates me and it was the focal point of my education, even into college. I learned the importance of Scientific Method 20 years ago from Mrs. Larrisson, my 7th grade science teacher.

The steps of the scientific method are to:

• Ask a Question
• Glean Background Research from Reliable (Proven) Sources
• Construct a Hypothesis
• Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
• Analyze Your Data and Draw an Educated Conclusion
• Communicate Your Results

In those days, skipping a step meant a reduction in grade. These days, skipping a step is called bad science. Unfortunately, bad science is being used a lot these days in the propaganda game.

Many of you are aware of the "Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act" which failed on the Senate floor March 1, 2010. After several hours of testimony from both sides, it became apparent that those in favor of this legislation had skipped a few crucial steps. While they had addressed an important question, they did not glean background research from reliable sources. While the proponents did construct a hypothesis; mainly that "personal care products contribute to cancer in women and children", they seemed to leave out the most important part...the actual proof. Not only did they arrive unprepared to offer any proof to back up their statements, the group resorted to scare tactics and a campaign based on fear rather than actual fact.

It seems to me, if this fight is so important to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CFSC) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) they should have at least done some testing of their own to prove their point. Stacy Malkin, co-founder of the CFSC, states on her blog as a postscript: "...if anyone knows where I can apply for FDA funding to do the agency’s job for it, let me know!"

Maybe Stacy could talk to Ken Cook, President and Co-Founder of EWG who provides the Skin Deep Database to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. As the head of a "Not For Profit" organization, Ken Cook pulled down a six-figure salary from the over $5,000,000 net assets that EWG showed on their Income Statement for the Fiscal Year ending 12/2008. With all that "not for profit" money floating around, it would seem they could at least hire an actual scientist to get tangible facts, rather than rely on information from "50 toxicity and regulatory databases" which remain unnamed, to perform some of the same testing they claim we need to make personal care products "safer".

Testifying before the Colorado Judiciary committee on March 1st was Susan Roll, a founding member of the CFSC and Vice Chair of the Women's Lobby of Colorado (a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver) who stated for the record: "I'll tell you I'm not a scientist. I'm actually a social worker so I'm reading what your reading and also trying to make some 'um' educated guesses about it, 'um' when we have chemicals that cause tumors in rats I think that it is okay to say we don't want those chemicals in consumer products. Do we have that they are causing mammomary tumors in humans. No we just don't have that yet. We are not that far with the science....I wish I could say more. I wish I knew more of the science. I wish we had more science...I would just say that I think we have enough of the science that we need to make some steps towards safety. I wish I could say that there was an abundance of science linking this...we have some science...there is a little bit of science...we don't have an abundance of science. I wish we had it." When pressed for a list of what ingredients were actually added to a cosmetic versus what is naturally occuring she answered, "I don't know. We can't wait for the science..if we wait for the "good" science we are going to be sick."

Sometimes, all the facts in the world aren't enough to convince those who make the "rules" that the road they are traveling is a slippery slope. However, as manufacturers/formulators/distributors/crafters of personal care products, we need to be prepared with facts to support our opinions regardless of what those opinions may be. The squeaky wheel (proponents of hyperregulation) may be the one to get the grease, but a well-oiled and maintained machine will always outperform when push comes to shove. How well are you maintaining YOUR fact-finding machine?

For more information on this recent regulatory defeat, visit these related articles:

• http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/the-slippery-slope-of-bad-science-.html
• http://www.indiebusinessblog.com/2010/03/01/bad-science-and-bad-public-policy-combine-to-defeat-colorado-safe-personal-care-products-act/
• http://www.coloradonewsagency.com/2010/03/01/lawmakers-say-science-doesnt-support-ban-on-notions-potions/
• http://sagescript.blogspot.com/2010/03/saving-our-natural-skin-care-products.html
• http://www.elissaklaver.com/2010/02/25/when-safety-in-personal-care-isnt-safety-at-all/
• http://roberttisserand.com/2010/02/tunnel-vision/
• http://soap-queen.blogspot.com/2010/02/you-can-die-from-salt-too.html
• http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2010/02/from-the-president-colorado-safe-personal-care-products-act/
• http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/regulatory/region/northamerica/84985577.html
• http://sarvasoap.com/blog/?p=706

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Recipe: Easy Lip Balm

You Will Need:

4 oz Natural Lip Balm Base
1 ml Flavor Fragrance Oil
1 cc Mica

• Place Lip Balm Base into double boiler and set your burner to medium.
• Items will melt in less than 1 hour, if you have a thermometer, check temperature, it should be around 65-70c / 140-160f.
• Use Micas or Pigments for these oil based products. Add your colors and mix thoroughly. Pour a small amount in a clear container and wait for it to set for 20-30 minutes. You will notice the colors tend to lighten as the product goes opaque.
• Only add Flavor Fragrance Oils deemed suitable for Lip Products. Strength will vary on the type of scent.
• Pour into your choice of containers.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com