What is going on at Ms T's Bakery

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Tempus Fugit

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Dec 22, 2009
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Mos Eisley, Tatooine, Outer Rim
Here is where things are. Apologies for the sparse communication. I had not been able to make contact with Ms T for a few days, so I could not get new info about what was going on. Everything in previous updates was what I was told, but often not what actually wound up happening. Since I could not get in touch with her, I had absolutely nothing to be able to tell anyone and was expecting that orders would be in production any second based on what I knew. I certainly did not want to come here and tell people more things that weren't coming true. I did not know what was going on myself and the length of time kept increasing. Again, I'm sorry for the lack of communication during the last few days. I felt as though anything I said would have been a lie, or just would have served to anger people even more. I hoped everyone would remain calm for just a little longer until I had something, anything, to tell.

Well, I was finally able to contact her today. It turns out that problems were mounting with Ms T getting her operation underway. If it could go wrong it did, and in the middle of it all, Christmas happened. In a nutshell, Ms T has been jerked around and set back by the companies that provide phone, electricity, sewer, heat, and internet. There have been issues with the Post Office... I know what we call all that where I come from, but I can't use the term here. And all of this is slowed by a thick blanket of snow (which is actually one of her favorite parts). Due to these issues, she is still not in her permanant building for creating. She is set up in a temporary place though, and IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON ORDERS. There WILL BE shipments out on 12/28. Order status updates will go out as an order status changes. She will be working on them in the chronological order in which they were received and will be cranking them out as fast as she can. No one will be allowed to skip the line, so please do not ask. It is unnecessary to email, call or text at this point asking for a status update, because you can much more quickly log in to your account for the most current status (exactly what I see), or you will receive the update emails. If you received an order confirmation when you placed the order, that means it was successfully placed, you entered the correct email address for updates, and it is in line for processing. As you can imagine, I have quite a few emails, calls, texts to respond to, so I'm sorry if I am slow to respond. It has been difficult to even type this up today because of the barage of phone calls and emails I am getting. Ms T will again start updating the image on the front page of our site with what has shipped. I have no idea how many she will be able to ship per day.

We understand everyone's frustration, especially the wait and lack of info. Lots of you out there have a demonstrated full understanding and empathy of her moving situation, and as we all know, things tend to go wrong. I'm pretty amazed at how many of these problems have come up. Ms T does appreciate that understanding and the very nice things so many have said. These kinds of words mean a great deal to her. I find some of the negativity, threats, and fight picking a little discouraging, although at the same time I understand that we are the reason for (but not the cause of) it. It serves no practical purpose other than to anger or incite other people. If anyone feels as though it is proper to cause problems or display "troll" behavior, we disagree and it may just become necessary to remove that person and their negativity from our forum. We hate having to do this, but if civility cannot prevail on its own, we'll help it along.

While T says she had a good Christmas with her family, I know it was riddled with problem after problem regarding the business, including unhappy customers, and her new place. If she had known that all of these things would come up, she probably would not have reopened when she did. I think she was feeling the pressure of all the demands. We have considered closing the website again for a bit, but it does not seem necessary at this point. It may become necessary if there are any surges in order volume during the next few days.

We are sorry for all of the problems, and we do understand the frustration. The good news is that we are not going out of business, as some have speculated. If Ms T had stayed in her old surroundings for much longer, well... it would have been hard for her to maintain sanity there. It is very difficult to get ahead in a place you have outgrown while constantly being covered up with work to do. During that time, she heard every person that said "you need to expand," and finally found a way to do it. Since nothing is instaneous and clearly nothing is easy, problems come up that we all have to deal with. Complaints, threats, and negativity don't seem like logical ways to be supportive of this notion of expanding, but I guess that's the nature of the internet these days, unfortunately.

Orders are in progress, and will ship as of 12/28. Your patience will be most appreciated while Ms T works as hard as she can to create your orders. Like I've said before, new changes are coming but we have to get through all of this first. If we can let her do her thing and maybe even give her some postive encouragement, the good stuff will come sooner.

Brandon
Ms T's Bakery
 

ChinMullet

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Jan 14, 2012
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Outer Space
I placed an order on December 17th, got confirmation on the 17th, and my card was billed on the 17th.

10 days later, my order is "awaiting fulfillment", and all I get is these excuses...which stink highly of similar times that my money has been stolen by initially well intentioned people running small businesses on the internet, who have no business being in business.

Excuses about utility companies don't matter to customers. It's not our problem. I could respect a mea culpa admitting that T is in over her head and bit off more than she can chew, and made a mistake in opening up orders again when she did. Just stop blaming other people. When you run a business, you own responsibility for your vendors/suppliers/partners/employees/etc.

I don't want to do a charge back, but soon will.
 

ezmarc

Full Member
Feb 7, 2012
53
42
Fremont, Ohio
The product is the reason I order from Ms T period. I'll gladly wait for quality product and that is what I get from her. I'd rather have a great product and poor communication than vice versa.

I ordered a few samples from several other suppliers recently because I'm getting low on stock and got them really fast. The problem was that they were all intolerable after vaping T's. It's kinda like the difference between McDonalds and a good steakhouse to me. I'll stay a customer as long as she keeps baking!
 

nicosnack

Moved On
ECF Veteran
Dec 7, 2008
304
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Pittsburgh, PA USA
A suggested communications release:


Dr. Cherished Friends and Customers of Ms. T’s Bakery,

We are so very, very sorry for the continuing delays and lack of communication. We understand it has been frustrating and distressing for you. Please, rest assured, Ms. T is not going out of business! We have had some very unpredictable and unanticipated delays setting up our new shop, and for this we are very sorry, but we will make it right by you, and will work hard to regain the trust of our valued customers. To this end, all orders currently in queue will get an additional XX% off, yes, even if you also used a coupon code! I wouldn’t be surprised if there was also some extra candy in there too! We anticipate first orders going out on the 28th, in the order in which they were received. Check here or at the Ms. T’s Bakery website for order number updates to know where you are in line. Again, we are so very sorry for these delays, and appreciate your patience and understanding. Ms. T’s customers are the best! Ms. T will continue to bake each bottle just for you, providing you with that superior Ms. T’s Bakery vape we all love so much. Here is to tasty vaping on into the New Year! Thank you for your business and support. We love each of you, and look forward to serving for many years to come!
 
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jdrewry

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ECF Veteran
Nov 16, 2011
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3,907
New Jersey
Sounds like Ms T ran through the gauntlet of the worst problems that can kill small businesses. Glad to see that she's hanging in there, and not letting things bringing her to close down.

I'm gonna wait until she gets completely settled before ordering, seeing as things are still extremely hectic for her. Heck, I'll be ready for a complete restocking of my inventory by then.

Make sure she keeps that Orange Cream Dessert on the list! :p
 

adamgdup24

Senior Member
Verified Member
Sep 19, 2012
71
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fayetteville Tennessee
I feel for you Mrs t and understand there are unforeseen problems. I just think that if you guys had more communication with the paying customers most would be understanding. I placed an order on the 20th expecting a 4-6 day process. With the holidays I think I'm on day 6 or something. I'm happy with your service and juice and just wish that you guys will get settled in and get barrels of juice flowing. After all the customer is always right and if you guys have a bunch of customers sending angry emails then maybe you guys should read them and take something away from all this. Smooches Mrs t and thanks for the great juices
 

trixare4kids

Full Member
Verified Member
Jul 21, 2012
37
53
SF Bay Area, California
I'm really glad for the update, I feel relieved so thank you. As to me personally, though I still wish I'd tied up less of my juice budget on this order I'm waiting for, I'm still honestly happy to wait a bit longer for my order. I really empathize that there were problems with the move and the new space.. plus a billion orders the second she opened. Sounds like a "what can go wrong will go wrong" situation. On the plus side, during the downtime I discovered a new vendor I'm in love with!

Please. I say the following gently & once again and in the spirit of trying to offer something constructive.

I honestly believe that a regular update (minus the scolding) would have forestalled about 99.99% of all this negativity. Nothing detailed, just a quick 2 sentences would suffice. With all due respect, Brandon, the tone of this post doesn't convey any regard for your customers' valid concerns. It's perfectly natural & reasonable for people to be worried (or even angry in some cases) when their ship-by date goes by without a word from a business. ANY business.

Wrong: "Anyone who was upset/worried/angry are nasty trolls for having the nerve to post where other people might see!" [That's what your message convey to me.]

Right: "We're so sorry, we goofed! Pardon our dust while we settle in.. We learned from our mistake & will strive to communicate better with our customer in the future, whatever the situation."

We want to be supportive and all skittle & rainbows for Ms. T's as a business -- because she makes an awesome product -- but we also want to be treated like valued customers who deserve timely updates/communication when things go a tiny bit awry.

.....Eagerly looking forward to my Ms. T's Vapemail! :vapor:

Hang in there, Ms T' -- THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

Happy New Year to EVERYONE!
 
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schismz

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Aug 2, 2010
428
1,772
Seattle, WA
A suggested communications release:


Dr. Cherished Friends and Customers of Ms. T’s Bakery,

We are so very, very sorry for the continuing delays and lack of communication. We understand it has been frustrating and distressing for you. Please, rest assured, Ms. T is not going out of business! We have had some very unpredictable and unanticipated delays setting up our new shop, and for this we are very sorry, but we will make it right by you, and will work hard to regain the trust of our valued customers. To this end, all orders currently in queue will get an additional XX% off, yes, even if you also used a coupon code! I wouldn’t be surprised if there was also some extra candy in there too! We anticipate first orders going out on the 28th, in the order in which they were received. Check here or at the Ms. T’s Bakery website for order number updates to know where you are in line. Again, we are so very sorry for these delays, and appreciate your patience and understanding. Ms. T’s customers are the best! Ms. T will continue to bake each bottle just for you, providing you with that superior Ms. T’s Bakery vape we all love so much. Here is to tasty vaping on into the New Year! Thank you for your business and support. We love each of you, and look forward to serving for many years to come!
Yeah, basically, this would work...

I really, mostly don't care when my order shows up. If it takes another 3 weeks, oh well, if it never happens, then I'll call my bank and get a chargeback. Life goes on.

The thing ... as someone else said in this thread, somebody should seriously look into picking up a copy of the afore-mentioned, "PR for Dummies" and at least skim it. The scolding and overall tone of being talked to/written at, like unruly children, just doesn't get any play in the real world (unless you're a crabby 4th grade teacher with students from low-income families, who will tolerate this behavior towards their kids).

I'm sure there were 1001 unforeseen problems; there always are. But, as has been pointed out... *I* really don't care... about every single nuance of dealing with infrastructure, electricity, your internet connection, your vendors. I don't say this to be mean, just being realistic. I'm equally sure you don't care about my bills, my problems, or anything except being able to successfully charge my credit card. Such is life. Such is business, which is what you are in, a business.

Take an hour, skim some very basic marketing/PR books on how to talk to your customers, because it truly doesn't take any more time to post something productive/positive, vs. this endless, pointless, meandering with hostile undertones.

This isn't to say that Ms. T is doing anything wrong, she's not. Most people I know who are upper-management/founders of companies would sooner commit suicide than talk with their customers. Customers are ... annoying, whiny pests most of the time. But, the thing is, you cannot ever act that way, and if you're not gonna deal with them, you must find somebody who will. And that somebody needs to act like they care, or ... you're screwed.

PR is all an illusion, it's feel-good BS. But your customers want feel-good BS -- well that, and the stuff they ordered -- not snarky mile-long posts.
 

stomkat

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 28, 2010
124
120
Oregon, Ohio, United States
Hope she gets everything in order soon, for her sake! It has to be hard trying to get settled, take and make orders, get things running. She has got to be stressed beyond imagination!

I had forgotten to get on and order that Sunday, so ordered on the 17th as soon as I remembered. I knew the first batches were going to take a while and wanted to make sure I got my order in as soon as possible.

I got an email yesterday and opened it thinking it was an order update, to find it was an explanation of what was going on. I, for one, didn't expect anyone to take the time to explain what was going on. That takes time away from getting my juice made!!! LOL

I ordered cinnamon danish delight from another maker to hold me over right after placing my order for my banana fosters coffee (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE). I knew there would be an absolute flood of orders coming in after such a wait for the reopening, and knew it would take Ms. T a while to make her way through them.

Glad she is doing well, and dream of the day I get my absolute favorite, my daily vape, my banana fosters coffee made by Ms T! I have never found a flavor that comes close to comparing!
 

chainvapor

Moved On
ECF Veteran
Mar 3, 2010
1,066
481
Kodak TN
Hey Everyone! Happy New Year!!! I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. I have been a Ms T customer for 3 years now. I know that things happen that are not in her control. I also know that running a business is hard work (been there, done that). I understand completely what everyone is saying about communication, but I just want to say..............Hang in there Tammy!!! It will work out.

CV :vapor:

P.S. I would definitely hire someone to help you ASAP!!!!!
 

NeMom

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Dec 5, 2012
93
76
Midwest
Has anyone heard any new news recently? I'm eagerly awaiting my Ms T's order from Dec 17th. Unfortunately I haven't seen any order fulfillment updates in their website ib the last few days. Has anyone receive their recent orders yet?

Wondering the same thing. I placed mine on Dec. 18th and have not seen an order fulfillment update on the website. This is the first experience I have had ordering juices online, usually go to a B&M store. This may be the last time I order online too. Hope the juices does not leave as bad a taste in my mouth as this experience has.
 
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