Kate Aspen

We are no longer carrying Kate Aspen favors. Though their favors are beautiful, we have decided not to do business with the company any longer.

Here is why:

On January 31, 2012, I received an email from The Aspen Brands, informing me that as a Kate Aspen wholesale customer, I would be given a FREE Aspen Shop for 1 year. They would waive all set-up fees, and the $240 pre-pay for 12 months.  So I went on their site and filled out the form to sign up. At the bottom of the form, I was asked for my credit card info. I filled it in so that the form would submit, but I in no way intended to pay for the service I was promised for free. I used the exclusive coupon code they'd sent me.

On Feb.2, I saw not just a $240 charge on my account, but also an additional $240 authorization. So I called them and spoke with a rep named Michael. Michael assured me it was just an authorization and no money would officially be charged. I'd just have to wait for it to expire. So $480 of my business money was held up for 5 business days while the hold hung there. Maybe to Kate Aspen that isn't much money, but for a Mother of 2 children that runs a business from her home, that's a pretty penny.

On February 7th I emailed them AND called them again, as the hold had finally come off, but there was still a charge on my account that had cleared for $240. Michael told me accounting had tried to give me a refund but it had declined. I knew refunds don't decline, so I questioned him and then was told the "Director" of the Aspen Shops would call me to discuss. No call ever came.

So I called back on Feb.13th, only to be told by Michael that I was charged corectly. I said, "no, I was supposed to get it FREE." He then told me accounting said I didn't use a coupon code. What?!?! So I got angry. And he said a supervisor would call me. I asked if it would be that day and he said yes. I called back and spoke with Judy an hour later (after speaking with my bank,) and told her I was going to put this in as fraud if I didn't get a call-back immediately. No call ever came. I emailed and made it very clear that I would be disputing the charge. But no reponse. And no refund.

I called my bank back on Feb.14, and they canceled my credit card and refunded me the fraudulent amount.  Now I have been inconvenienced by needing to get a new card and change it with all ofmy vendors. I've had to delay customer orders because my money was all tied up by The Aspen Shops. I lost interest. I lost sleep.

So, since this has been an "ordeal," I have decided to discontinue any support for The Aspen Brands.  

I'm sorry, because you may have wanted one of their products. I just can't continue deal with a company like that.