Amy Chalmers recently wrote about the wonderful people she has met through the crazy world of blogging.
And I agree.....
I have made some great friends and met some interesting people.....
BUT THEN THERE WAS
THIS GUY!!!!!
Before I get into my ranting and raving, let me give you a little of my background on doing promotions for fabric companies........
A MILLION YEARS AGO.....
(15-20)
(maybe, can't remember.....)
I did an international ad for Sanderson Fabrics.
It was really exciting for me.
It was shown in all the shelter (home) magazines, from Architectural Digest to Better Homes and Gardens.....
It was shown in all the shelter (home) magazines, from Architectural Digest to Better Homes and Gardens.....
Here's the ad.....
Next week, (or the week after), I will go into more detail about this room.
But to give you an idea of the amount of fabric Sanderson gave to me for the ad, check out this picture.....
photo from Design Times Magazine by Eric Roth photography
The walls were upholstered, the draperies made, the furniture covered and the trim all from Sanderson. I obviously loved the tea dipped look of the cabbage rose linen.
I KNOW!!!!!
Me and Cabbage Roses!!!!!
Hickory Chair, the furniture company, supplied all the furniture, as it was an ad for them also.....
Both those companies were a delight to work with, and I still have fond memories of the whole process.
Soooooooo......
That's where my mindset is set.....
In my mind......
Like that there above.....
Last week I received this email.....
I've blocked the name of the company, 'cuz I don't want them to get any publicity from me, even if it's negative.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello,
I’m contacting you on behalf of I’m blocking the name. We discovered your blog recently and really like what you are doing. Because of this we have an interesting proposal for you:
We would like to give you some free fabric.
It may sound like a strange proposal but hear us out. We want you to use our fabric and create something cool. We will send you the fabric of your choice (within reason) and the amount you need (again, within reason.) We really don’t want any money, instead just mention we gave you the fabric.
For example, you use our fabric to make a cool pillow. You then write about that pillow and post lots of pictures. At some point in the post simply mention that the fabric was courtesy of I’m blocking the name and link to our site.
That’s it.
Simply head over to I’m blocking the name , pick out the fabric you want to use and respond to this email with a link to that fabric. Also, make sure to mention what you plan to make with it. We will take it from there.
Hope to hear from you soon!
So, I clicked over to the fabric site, and spent quite a bit of time trying to find some fabric that I could use to make pillows for Maison Decor Boston.
Amy let me know
(in her subtle way.....)
That she wanted to stick to a somewhat neutral palette.
SOOOOOOOO.......
She and I finally found a blue and cream linen stripe that wasn't too bad that I could make a couple of pillows out of for her new store.
SOOOOOOOOOO.....
I emailed the company back letting them know the fabric I had chosen by responding directly to the email they had sent to me.
This is what I received.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Betsy,
I have the stripe for you, just measured it and there are just over 5.25 yards left.
Today is the last of the Free shipping, so you might as well grab it.
Please let me know asap
Michelle
Designer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whereupon I responded.......
This is supposed to be for a blog post, where your company supplies the material for no charge in exchange for me featuring the fabric with a link to your site.
I'm confused about the shipping charge.
Are we not on the same page?
Betsy Speert
betsyspeert.blogspot.com
betsyspeert.blogspot.com
Whereupon......
She responded.......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm so sorry Betsy, we sell the best fabrics for hugely discounted prices. We are not able to send fabrics of your choosing to you at no charge.
Regards
MichelleDesigner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By this point I was getting
VERY CONFUSED!!!!!!
So I emailed her a copy of the original letter.
Then, being a big fan of mysteries!!!!! I called the company to see what was going on.
I spoke to an absolutely lovely women who was as confused as I was.
She asked me to send a screen shot of the email, which I did.
With this note attached.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paula, here it is right side up.
Oy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
(I sent it wrong side up on my first try.....)
THEN I WENT OUT AND HAD FUN WITH MY BIDNESS PARTNER KRIS, LOOKING FOR STUFF FOR AMY'S STORE!!!!!
We found some great things.
When I came home, I had received this email from the fabric company
(whose name I won't divulge......)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Very strange. None of us have seen that email, ever
Who is it signed by?
Michelle
Designer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Up to this point.....
Everything had been professional, courteous, but just confusing.
THEN I GOT THIS EMAIL!!!!!!
OY OY OY OY OY!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Betsy:
I own and run I’m blocking the name.
The letter you got was sent by a company we have on Retainer to come up with ideas to give our company more exposure (even though our exposure and ranking are already VERY high).
This was an idea only, one which I had not yet approved and, by some misunderstanding, they thought I had approved it and sent out the invitation to swap fabric for honorable mentions in people's blogs.
I did not intend to approve it, and rather, just intended at most to approach a small group of people who's blogs we would be interested in associating with.
Sadly, your blog is not on this list. I find your blog quite negative in its general tone, and though your readership may find your "attitude" amusing, I find it casts a negative pall over all your articles, even those where praise is given.
Sorry for the confusion, but you may now consider this matter closed in terms of bartering fabric for a mention in your blog.
Should you wish to purchase the fabric you like, you can do that directly on the website, or call us for assistance.
Thank you,
John Fuller, Managing Partner
I’m blocking the name
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whereupon.....
I responded.....
Dear John,
I have been nothing but pleasant in my correspondence with your company.
As a designer of more than 30 years with 2 design books under my belt, many magazine covers and an international following, I do not want or need free fabric.
I was willing to do this post as a fun project that would have given a small company exposure.
I am very disappointed in your disparaging comments about my blog.
They were neither necessary, gracious or professional
All you had to write was that there had been a misunderstanding and that you were sorry for any confusion that an agent under your employ may have caused.
Someone representing your company contacted ME.
I responded in good faith.
Then you insulted me.
Again, not professional.
Elizabeth Speert
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am very grown up!!!!!
Then this guy still had to have the last word!!!!
What is his problem?????
IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY BLOG, LEAVE ME ALONE AND GO READ SOMETHING ELSE!!!!!!
He wrote.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for you reply.
You yourself advertise " a lot of attitude" right on the front of your blog.
I find this " attitude" one which I don't wish our products or company associated with.
I am entitled to my opinion, and to make these sorts of decisions for my company
If you have " attitude", and tell it as you see it, dont get insulted when someone looks at your blog and does the same.
Certainly to get insulted when someone does exactly the same as you do is ridiculous in the extreme.
John Fuller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stick a fork in me.....
I'm done.
But I really had to write about it because his behavior was so bizarre.
Thanks for letting me rant and rave, you guys.
You're the best.
And then I received this comment from one of my readers.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Katherine Wolak has left a new comment on your post "Redoing the Front of My Cape Home":
What an adorable post, made me smile, youre such a happy and positive person! :D
hugs,
What an adorable post, made me smile, youre such a happy and positive person! :D
hugs,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I tell ya, my readers ROCK!!!!!
Latah, Gatah
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99 comments:
John Fuller is an idiot.
I wish you would tell us the name of the company, so that I could NEVER buy material from there!
Jan
I'm a fairly new follower of yours Betsy but...the part where he stated "the general tone of your blog is negative"...WTH? That comment is so ridiculous it's laughable. Not knowing which company this is, I hope it's not one I purchase fabric from!
Never mind.. just a quick google search of their names and found the fabric company... they have ripped off a lot of people!
What a jerk and VERY UNprofessional! Hey, let me take up a whole bunch of your time and then treat you like a freeloader! The nerve of some people.
What a buffoonish classless man. I really want to call him a swear word, but you already know what he is. You are a dignified design rock star Ms. Speert.
That is just so bizarre and rude of that man. He could have easily bowed out gracefully without insulting you and your blog. I think your blog is great, it's real and it's full of beautiful fabrics.
No..........stick a FORK in HIM.!!!!
Ha ha. You get the last word, Betsy.
Betsy--I was so happy to find a blog that seemed to be posted by a REAL person with a REAL attitude. I'm tired of the "I just put a new vase on my mantel" blogs and love your "I just put a new vase on my mantle and it sucks" attitude. That's not negative--it's REAL and refreshing! Besides totally enjoying your designs, I enjoy READING your words, and with some other blogs, I skip the BLAH BLAH BLAH paragraphs to get to the pictures. You're funny! I love you for that!
Well, stick a fork in me TOO! What a VERY unprofessional jerk! Obviously this guy doesn't have a clue how entertaining and enjoyable your blog is to us gals. Maybe you should give out the name of his stupid company so we know not to do any business with them! He should be apologizing to you for wasting your time - not making personal judgements about your blog.
There are no words!!!
Would I be considered sexist if I said only a man would send an email like that? I love reading and laughing at your blog. Its down to earth, witty and honest.
Hi Betsy,
What a jerk! He doesn't know who he's talking too..you are one of the kindest, funniest and warm hearted gals I know. I love your blog, I agree with Al and all the other comments. This guy is rude and unprofessional.
Sounds like he's a little man....LOL
Hugs, Elizabeth
Took only a quick search to find Mr. Fuller. His company's attempt to attract business just backfired on him. More people know and respect you than he could ever dream to have as customers. Now, please try to be kind to me when I post to Oy Vey Tuesday someday. Ha!
Hi Betsey, The man is an ass not an @$$.
You used to have a link to a Florida property where you did a lovely backyard and sideyard reno...I can;t find the link. Is it still there and I'm not seeing it?
Cue that old song, "Bad Company." ;)
Wow Betsey, I really love the way you handle the whole situation with that John fuller s**t person, your blog is never negative, I love you witty personality ;)
God I just hope I never purchase from that horrible person....
Smiles~
Mari
Craziness. Hope I do not buy from that company either.
Even if it had been a mistake, Fuller should have sent the fabric. Now we are all searching the web to see who he "represents", because few of us will do business with his company. He should have thought of that!
Wow. I think you are gracious and witty. I have gone back through many of your archives and have not seen that you have attitude toward others. Your blog entertains me enormously!
So sorry this happened.
I enjoy reading your blog because of your wit and personality! You tell it like it is and quite frankly I get tired of reading fluffy blogs where everything is puppy dogs and rainbows!!!! In my opinion the guy was very unprofessional and looks like an ass...I sure hope this isn't a company I buy fabric from. *sigh*
~Des
That guy is a pompous #ss. I can't wait to hear all about the Sanderson advert~now that is gonna be great!!! Wake up and smell the coffee John.
You are a professional, Betsy! Perhaps you should send him a bill for your time!
I love you! John, not so much.
LOL What a ridiculous mess!
You have such an interesting life!
Tell us who he is and we'll ALL boycott him!
I like your sense of humor!
i am going to start leaving every john fuller a msg on facebook that i am not buying fabric from him! you need to tell us!
What an a$$hole. And what a confusing mess. You don't need that. I love your quirky blogs...they are like something I'd write, only funnier. Paula
Amazingly unprofessional! Miscommunications between the company and its so-called promoter, Mr. Fuller should have politely apologized for the confusion, explained that their promotions company acted outside of its boundaries, and stopped right there! To say that they don't want to have anything to do with your blog because of your tell-it-as-it-is attitude is out of line. Your readers know what they are getting when they read your posts. There are plenty of other home decorating bloggers showing off the good life in the their sugar-coated worlds. Your perspective is fun and unique.
Well, that just sucks sweet potatoes. I love your blog. I visit it every day. And I especially enjoy your tude:-)
John Fuller and his company can GO #$%^&&. OY, probably some young start up company that has a generation of employees that don't know how to treat customers or anyone for that matter. Again I say in true Betsy spirit... #$%%^&&. We love you, you go girl!
Carry on as you have Betsy...we love your attitude!! What a pompous ass!!!! I will do a google search so I don't buy from them. You rock!!!!
Oh! I love it...I hope he visits your blog today and reads all of your comments. I, by the way, love love your blog and always come away with a smile on my face. That Sanderson room looks great and I can't wait to here more about it.
~Clara
Good Grief, the guy is an @$$! I absolutely adore your blog and look forward to reading every new post, or going back over older post! I have been a fan of yours forever!!! I have pictures of your rooms ripped out of magazines in files...Do not change, we love you just as you are!!!! donna :)
Unbelievable and unprofessional!
Betsy,
I have followed your career for years . . . you are (have been, and always will be) a class act . . . you handled yourself professionally in this situation and you should feel so good about that . . . the idiot at the other end is . . . an idiot . . . I promise . . .
Don't mess with our girl Betsy. Sorry that you had this negative experience because I love your attitude. It sounds to me like this guy had a scam going and when you tried to avail yourself of the offer, he had to get uppity to keep from being exposed. Frankly, I'm surprised there is really a fabric company involved. I pictured a guy in his mother's basement, sitting on a box of books while sending out offers on his computer. The only fabric in sight would be in his short sleeved striped shirt and his plaid pants. Even if it happended the way he claims, aren't contracts negotiated and signed before marketing companies actually start work? Wouldn't everyone on both sides of the transaction be aware of who was doing what?
The last email from this guy revealed his true identity . . . petty . . .
wow. no apology for the misunderstanding, or the lack of professionalism. Just insults. Betsy, who is this?
Douche with personal problems, probably jealous because you have a successful blog and he's worried about going out of business. Living Well IS the Best Revenge.
The guy is obviously trying to make up for his "shortcoming". Bet he drives a BIG truck, and wears a BIG belt buckle, and treats everybody like crap because it makes him feel like a BIG man. Pity he doesn't know he just shows what a royal jackass he is.
I tired to find his company...not as lucky as your other readers that did. Sure would like a hint as to the name.
Well Betsy...you either have class or you don't and we know who does and who doesn't.....what an idiot! Love you Betsy! lin
I know we're of the same generation so you may well remember a song in which he sings "People are strange....". Just saying. Some things never change. People can be mean-spirited and arrogant,too, but I don't think that was in the song :D
Janet
P.S. BTW, I love cabbage roses, too. Don't think hubs shares that love, though.
This is the screwiest thing I ever heard!
I will be waiting for your post about that Sanderson ad -- it is just my cup of tea. I have always loved your work.
I too hope I don't buy from this turkey. He has a serious problem.
The Sanderson layout is lovely! I could live there in a second! From my observations, the tone of your blog is not negative at all, although there is definitely attitude, albeit in fun! You never are critical of others, even the ones asking for free design help. (And I've seen some pictures that you certainly could have ripped apart!) You humor is often self-deprecating, which adds to the entertainment of the blog. Your work? I just wish you could come do my house! Loved your response to John, btw!
Well I kept searching and found something in Ontario. Hope that is it.
Their loss!!! You are a phenomenal designer with a sparkling personality. I enjoy reading your blog daily. You are quirky and witty, and they obviously can't handle it. He has zero tact or professionalism. Feel free to share the company's name so we can avoid them.
Wow, it took me about fifteen minutes to get to the end of the comments.
Hey, Mr. Fuller, I do everything that Betsy does, I hang on to her every word and so do ALL her followers so you just missed out on a chance to do a great promotion.
Kidding apart, Betsy, I don't need to tell you not to change, I have a feeling you're the kind of person who will stay true to herself no matter what. Good stuff!
Wow, Betsy...that guys a real piece of work! You've got a ton of fans who love your sense of humor...and you are a phenomenal designer! )
Holy sh**! It's companies like that, that none of us want to deal with! I continue to read your blog for decorating advice/help/ideas, etc. But I have always stuck with your blog because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your sense of humor! I "get it" and I think those that don't outta just find someone else's blog to read. Or go read the local newspaper. They're written for a 4th grade reading level these days..if ya know what I'm sayin' :-)
Betsy, I'd read your blog even if I didn't like your decorating style, which I do by the way. Why? Because I love your ATTITUDE! John Fuller, I know which company you own and will never buy fabric from you.
Did a little search and found "Full-of-himself" and won't be purchasing anything from his company ever. Love your blog and your FUN attitude and will continue to support you and all your decorating delights. You rock!
I don't post on blogs much at all, but if social media is for something, it's for teaching good manners and calling people out on bad behavior. You are right, he did not have to go on in email, just let you know there had been some confusion. And, for the $200.00 or so of fabric they would have to dole out, what a poor business decision to not live up to the mistake of a company they hired. They've lost more goodwill from soooooo many of your followers which that money will never make up for. Silly, silly man John Fuller. Oh, and there is nothing negative about you. Obviously this man has a stick where the sun don't shine and wouldn't know comedy from negativity if it hit him in the face. Absurd.
OMG! What a he or she jerk! I love your blog and obviously he or she has no sense of humor. I always think you do things in the best of spirit and fun.
They are the losers missing out on your great talent!
Wow, every post from that company SCREAMS scam, especially when John Fuller gets involved. He "owns and runs" the company? What kind of CEO talks like that? And this leapt out at me "I did not intend to approve it, and rather, just intended at most to approach a small group of people WHO'S blogs we would be interested in associating with." Really, "who's"??? Pet peeve of mine when someone who "runs" a company can't tell the diff between "who's" and "whose".
Scam or not, this company is unprofessional from the top down, and I wouldn't so business with them EVER. They don't know much about the blog world, if they're willing to act like asses and think the world won't learn about it.
I think you have the best attitude and sense of humor in your writing, and I enjoy every single post!
...mercy...i am with katherine...everything about this blog is adorable...including the author...would not give the above people another thought...anyone who does not know the difference between "who's and whose" and spells don't "dont" and represents someone who's (spelled correctly) so rude does not deserve to be represented by someone of your professional caliber...of course i am writing this as an ex english teacher who gave up all capitalization and punctuation when i started using the computer so i may not carry much weight in this area...but i do know wonderful design when i see it...and i know true humor when i hear it...and both would be found here...blessings laney
Wowzer! I think my blood pressure just went up. Imagine being married to this puddleglum?
The guy has no class at all. If he worked for me he would be history.
What a jack-ass.
Well Betsy, as a 'old' car salesman once told me.
There is a A*^ for every seat!!!
This guy doesn't realize he is dealing w/ an icon in the design community.... How rude of him and unprofessional...keep up the funny blogs w/ good design information...Teresa
Betsy, I love your blog! I won't be buying any fabric from his company.
Betsy, That guy is a turkey, he should be so lucky as have the Betsy Speert name associated with his product. I would love your blog with or without the attitude, because your work speaks for itself, it is THE BEST. Do you want a bunch of us to go to his house on Halloween and TP his yard? heh heh heh
Oh Betsy, I love your blog, your eye is amazing, you have a great sense of humor and you are REAL and AUTHENTIC! Which is in super short supply nowadays. that guy has no class and absolutely no sense of humor!
We live in a weird world these days. It seems rules of "right" are many times ignored. It only makes people like John Fuller and his company look like idiots! Betsy, you did everything with a professional, gracious, and positive stroke of "right"! You handled "I am blocking the name" beautifully. You make us all proud. Don't you sometimes feel as though you are in "The Twighlight Zone" when people behave so bizarre? keep up the good work!
Insane. Them. Not you. Your "attitude" is why I read your blog. Are you kidding me? I'll never shop at "left the name out" company, whoever they are! Just.plain.rude. You, on the other hand - you keep doing what you're doing cuz you rock, and we don't need their ole stinky stripe fabric anyway. So there!
good article on really fried my goat.. thanks for positing love to read it.. and also the images are beautiful.
I tell my husband all the time (he LOVES when I go on about my design blog habit) how I read this blog PRINCIPALLY because of the author's fabulous and vivid personality. But, you know, much of the world does not read design blogs at all; might not know they exist, unless that's the person's particular hobby (or profession). Obviously, it is mine. If someone's not interested, his life could be untouched by the whole genre forever. And yet this man, bigwig CEO who has a whole company to run, cannot miss an opportunity (a) to alienate someone who could only be a good professional connection and (b) to deposit his unsolicited (and obviously tasteless, to say nothing of classless) opinion where it is not needed. He has nothing better to do? Any company with ANY professional competence would have replied, "I am heartily sorry for the confusion. Apparently I have suffered a miscommunication with my marketing firm. While we have not taken this marketing effort "live" and are still discussing the direction we would like to take, we are gratified by your response and will immediately provide the fabric you selected. We look forward to seeing what you create, which will be a great help to us in discussing how to go forward with this promotional effort!"
If he's really the CEO, that company is headed straight into the toilet.
WOW................
I was going to say "that's all I can say" but it's never all I can say. Anyone who has been in business knows that you do not survive if you have poor customer relations. I use to tell my sales people (back in the day) that if you give poor service to one person it will affect others view of you ten fold because that person will tell ten friends, who will tell ten friends...... In this economy this guys acting uppity. Wrong decision. They won't be in business for long. Pitty his employees. If you heard it you can imagine what they go through.
" Sadly, your blog is not on this list," made me gasp out loud! And then his comments became ever more rude. Unbelievable! I hope to see more of the Sanderson room - it's beautiful and timeless! A long-time fan, Barbara in Mn
You go girl!
I love you and your funny world!
If you do a google search, on the third page there is the name mentioned in this blog with a fabric company in a rip off report. Wonder
"If you do a google search, on the third page there is the name mentioned in this blog with a fabric company in a rip off report."
Thanks, found it. Honestly, this is beginning to sound like a scam of some sort. The stuff "John Fuller" writes in the rip off report just does not ring true. I'd say Betsy is better off not having any dealings with these people.
Betsy, I don't know you from Adam, but I look forward to your posts every single day for my dose of laughter and anyone who finds it offensive must have zero sense of humor and be totally up-tight. They don't realize how much they NEED you in their life!
Keep on being you and DON'T CHANGE A THING ABOUT YOUR BLOG!!
Well Betsy, you can't buy class ,dignity,or taste, so this guy gets three strikes and heeees out! Your the total package Style, grace,sophication, humor, kind spiritual and intuitive lets not forget generous to a fault.The only reason I would think of to visite his establishment would be to light a match LOL my bad. I just think this guy doesn't get it .The sarcasum and dry sense of humor thing. any one under 30 doesn't get this kind of humor. To bad you don't give us the companys name we could put the hurt on them. Put them right out og business. a quick kill kinder than letting them continue to struggle and treat people badly. Blessings to you keep up the good work . I ready you every day. I am a design professional as well and find insperation and motitvation with each and ever word and pic. LOVE LOVE LOVE to all .
Mr. John Fuller did all of us a favor; we are now saved from doing business with his company! Who wants to be associated with a humorless, arrogant, terribly rude, shortsighted, man-child with a huge chip on his shoulder?
Keep being you, Betts!
Fuller is an idiot! Betsy, we are lucky you have a blog. I know what a decorating genius you are!! And I feel lucky just to follow your blog! Thank you for the inspiring decor and wit!
Betsy, The "fork" went into the wrong person!!
Betsy, your incredible sense of design AND your attitude have re-awakened the playful side of my spirit. Thank you!
~Tracy
I've been a fan of yours for years....I'm sitting here shaking my head and am speechless.That NEVER happens! Kudos to you for being so completely professional to someone who didnt deserve the time of day.
I've been a fan of yours for years....I'm sitting here shaking my head and am speechless.That NEVER happens! Kudos to you for being so completely professional to someone who didnt deserve the time of day.
Betsey-
Bizarro world. This John Fuller asserts that he has retained a company to help his company become more well known and then goes on to state:
"(even though our exposure and ranking are already VERY high)"
I suppose if you count the RipOffTeport and the BBB- then yes, their exposure is "VERY high" alright.
Perhaps John Fuller has animosity towards your blog because the blog he forces his poor hapless designer Michelle to write is a pale and flaccid impersonation of yours.
But anyhoo- he sounds pretty creepy- you dodged a bullet.
IDoNotLuvJohnFuller'sFabrix
What a sad little man. With any luck he'll get the help he needs.
Betsy,
Ditto what everyone else said. Love your blog and your 'attitude'. I also look forward to hearing about the Sanderson room.
Brenda
Betsy....they obviously do not know you...your reputation in the design world...your impeccable taste...I have always been a fan of yours for many years...so I know the companies that have associated themselves with you...companies that are pioneers of great taste, such as Sanderson....I think you handled all the communication with "that" company with professionalism and grace!!
what an A**hole is all i can say. you were right in what you wrote and professional...he's a moron. "Oy".
"Sadly, John Fuller is an @$$." A lot of distributers don't have exclusives on all their fabrics, so you might find that fabric somewhere else. This fellow sounds like he was trained in public relations by Donald Trump. He is dead to all of us.
Betsy, when I came across your blog I knew I'd hit the big time...not another "would be" decorator like most of us but a real pro. I realized that I had admired your work for many years in magazine layouts. Can't wait for you to tell us about the Sanderson room. I see the elegance but I want to hear your story. You will never need the likes of Mr. Fuller. He's the loser.
I pity the folks who work for Fuller....what a royal pain he sounds!
Your blog is fab..I love your attitude...I normally read blogs about books or vintage stuff..your blog is the only interior design blog that I follow because it is so entertaining and fun. Keep on doing what you're doing..you're the best in my book!
Betsy, I have been away from blogging for quite some time due to computer and camera issues and a host of other things I won't go into in fear that I will put you to sleep. That being said, I am quite sure some people accuse me of being saccharine behind my back, but if you ask my friends and some of the advertisers that used to try and entice me to go commercial (which I politiely declined), I am one of the "nice guy" bloggers. To that end, I have to say that I love and adore your blog and specifically your sense of humor, and so does my husband.
I have to borrow his IPAD or work computer when I can, but when I saw this, I told him to leave the IPAD here so I could respond to your post. And I hate to type on this thing worse than anything because it's just difficult. Still, I could not remain silent when I read this. I cannot fathom someone saying that to you. It hurts me that someone would be so cruel to you who brings nothing but fun and joy to so many bloggers. I bought magazines for decades that feature your work, and while I'm not sure how I found your blog (probably searching for chintz), I stayed up all night and ready EVERY single post and found the site for your other bungalow and nearly drove my husband crazy saying, "Can you believe this??? Is she not the most talented person on earth!!! This girl can do it ALL. Inside and Out." He agreed, and he's a crusty old trial lawyer. ;-)
You are a delight, Betsy Speert, and funny and have more talent in your little finger than is legal. AND you inspired me to do what I have been wanting to do since I did the unthinkable. Undo what I paid a stager to do to our Victorian retreat. LOL! Oh, I have plans. Big plans. All inspired by YOU!
You will probably think I'm some nutty stalker, but I actually bought a piece of fabric for you. And it's TRULY high end fabric, Cowtan and Tout, and not some wannabe. Only the best. Of course, it's small, but I thought you could make a pillow out of it or cover a chair seat. My ever patient husband said, "Who is that for?" And I said, "Betsy Speert... as a thank you present for being such an inspiration." And you know what? He didn't question it!
So from you adoring fans, please know that we love you, your sense of humor, and your talent. I have gotten another friend hooked on your blog, too. And I'm going right over there and signing up to be a follower, and I'm going to put you on my sidebar, too. So you gained another follower, and when I'm back in the blogging saddle, I hope to visit you daily instead of in the dead of the night, once in a blue moon. Oh, and those of us who are Floridians are delighted that you have a blog nest AND a Florida nest, too.
Have a blessed Yom Kippur...
XO,
Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)
P.S. Please excuse any typos as this IPAD gives me FITS!
TELL US THE NAME! TELL US THE NAME! 'Cause I would never buy fabric from them!
I guess ya' gotta' be a little schmart to 'get' your witty 'attitude'... too bad for him.
Ang
SoLongFarm.blogspot.com
I'm speechless. Rude and unprofessional in the extreme. I found your reply to be diplomatic and to the point ... high five to you, Betsy. You're a class act.
Betsy, I managed to get on as a follower, but this dreaded machine will not let me add anything to my blog list. Will have to do that later.
I'm sorry I was so wordy in my post, but I am outraged that someone did that to you. You just keep doing what you do how you do it. If I had one tenth your talent for design or words, I would be a happy camper1
XO,
Sheila
Wow! Really, really outrageous and so very bizarre! Good thing you are so unflappable and professional- you've taken the high road, Betsy; good for you!
Having been in the business world for over 30 years, and worked directly for Admirals and Captains of the U.S. Navy, I can assure you Mr. Fuller was completely out of line.
A true leader of business would have been contrite for his company's lack of business ethics and your choice of fabric would've been in the mail in double quantity with a letter apologizing profusely for his company's error.
I started reading your blog because of the attitude so please don't change a thing! Material companies are a dime a dozen, but there is only one Betsy Speert.
Oh my!!! I am sorry this had to happen to you. Your blog is perfect and the very FIRST thing I look at if I have been away from the computer for a few days. Please don't take any of this to heart!!
J
Dear Betsey,
That man, John whatever, is an asshole. :) I never swear, that was fun!
I am obsessed with design and I worked in the industry in various forms all my working life (going nuts as a stay at home mom now) Generally I found interior designers to be a pretentious bunch who take themselves faaaar to seriously, like that creepy weird fabric guy. Not only am I head over heels for your designs, I adore your playful way. Your "attitude" rocks!
~Cece
Just read this post. It really takes all kinds!! I LOVE YOUR RANTS. I also LOVE your energy. Keep it up.
Hi Betsy, LOVE your blog. That man from the fabric comapny is a complete fool. I think he just said those nasty things about you hoping to make YOU feel like a fool.
Well, he clearly runs a company that thinks lying to customers is a good was to drum up business. He must be pretty desperate. He will be out of business soon and YOU will have the last laugh as you always do!
Keep up the good work and the good rants!
Smiles from My Slice of Provence,
Charlotte Des Fleurs
Hi Betsy!
Please don't you ever change..not that I think there's a chance of that, thank goodness!:-)
I know the company!! Recognized the name of the 'designer' as well.I bought quite a bit of Le Lec from them a few years ago, at $75 a yard, and some of that fabric had dirty marks running all along the selvage that was NOT mentioned in the offering.Luckily I could work around the defect, but I know that I will NEVER buy anything from them again.I don't know how they stay in business; certainly not from repeat customers, I think.
They were incredibly rude to you and patronizing to boot. Shame on them!
Betsy:
I love your blog, your style AND your attitude. Also love your sense of humour. Most posts you make me laugh out loud and that's a good thing. Just discovered your blog not too long ago and am starting at the beginning and reading forward. Your and your blog have also inspired me to do add a little more coziness to our home. Thanks for all the wonderful posts and I'm looking forward to many more.
Louise
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