UPDATE April 2011: Into Stores's BBB rate has dropped to F, they have a total of 20 complaints and 2 negative reviews on Trust Link.
(The original blog post from June 2010 starts below:)
I just read this email, sent to my Craftdom mailbox. Apparently I have received it on Wednesday, but as it was in my Spam box, I only saw it a few hours ago:
Do you wholesale your crafts? We work with thousands of buyers from boutiques, gift shops, independent retailers and large chains around the country. I think your crafts would be a great fit. We guarantee sales plus you can pick and choose who you want to sell to. If you're interested in selling your products to more stores visit us at http://www.intostores.com/sellers.php
Sincerely,
Kevin SandersonSincerely,
VP Merchandising
866-788-5799 (ext 3)
IntoStores.com
It felt suspicious for a number of reasons, so I googled it. I found a forum thread on startupnation.com with about 7 pages of posts. Apparently many crafters have received the same email, and some of them have even registered with the hope to land some wholesale deals. In order to register you pay a one-time set-up fee of $325 and a monthly maintenance fee of $29. Right now they have an offer - ending today - which secures you a $150 discount on the set-up fee. However, from what I read in the forum, this "offer" does not seem to be anything unique.
Apart from a few posts in favor of IntoStores, there was mainly negative feedback. Many registered users have had few or none views of their products, and what is more, they had real troubles getting their fees refund (the company boasts with its great money-back guarantee).
At some point last year their BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating was A+, but that's what new companies are automatically given upon registry. I checked the current state, and it had dropped to B. There was also one highly negative Trust Link review:
At some point last year their BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating was A+, but that's what new companies are automatically given upon registry. I checked the current state, and it had dropped to B. There was also one highly negative Trust Link review:
My rating for IntoStores.com is not the one Star as shown- My rating is zero Stars because... I became a member of InStores.com 2/2010 after steady email solicitation. I do not mass produce merchandise and my business website clearly offers one of a kind items for sale. The wholesale platform at IntoStore.com does not match my marketing needs. The practices and polices of IntoStores.com is not easily accessible for review on that website. Upon joining I found that still--The lack of information and the No Refunds of fees paid policy is not clear and evident on this website. I cancelled my account 3/2010 and requested a full refund. However, to date I have lost the fees that I paid IntoStores.com. When I clearly expressed my concerns, dissatisfaction and regrets joining, I was not given any consideration for a refund. To date (5/21/2010) I still get emails soliciting my business from Instores.com and I want everyone to know I regret ever responding to Kevin Sanderson's email. Let the buyer BEWARE...
Many crafters compare the emails they receive from IntoStores to the ones sent by a previous scam called "WiseRep". Therefore some express the believe that IntoStores is WiseRep with a new name. By the way, WiseRep's BBB rating is F, as they leave complaints unanswered.
Have a look also at this related blog post by Dawno, a fellow crafter, where she explains her concerns in detail.
UPDATE July 2011:
Info stores continues to send unsolicited emails, and newly they are signed by a Greg Avilla. This is the one that landed in the Spam box of my Craftdom mailbox on June 23rd, 2011:
Subject: We're looking for crafts just like yours... can you wholesale?
Email text:
I think your products are perfect for our stores. We work hand in hand with the largest stores in the country, plus thousands of small to medium sized specialty businesses stretched across the United States. If you want the opportunity to have your products sold through major retailers like Target, QVC, and HSN ... plus the other 6088 craft stores, 57594 gift shops, and over 5230 mail-order catalogs ... check us out at http://www.IntoStores.com/sellers.php
Sincerely,
Greg Avilla
IntoStores.com
Have a look also at this related blog post by Dawno, a fellow crafter, where she explains her concerns in detail.
UPDATE July 2011:
Info stores continues to send unsolicited emails, and newly they are signed by a Greg Avilla. This is the one that landed in the Spam box of my Craftdom mailbox on June 23rd, 2011:
Subject: We're looking for crafts just like yours... can you wholesale?
Email text:
I think your products are perfect for our stores. We work hand in hand with the largest stores in the country, plus thousands of small to medium sized specialty businesses stretched across the United States. If you want the opportunity to have your products sold through major retailers like Target, QVC, and HSN ... plus the other 6088 craft stores, 57594 gift shops, and over 5230 mail-order catalogs ... check us out at http://www.IntoStores.com/sellers.php
Sincerely,
Greg Avilla
IntoStores.com
Just saw that their "offer", which secures you a $150 discount on the set-up fee - and which was supposed to be ending yesterday, is prolonged until June 23rd. Wonder what will happen after that.
ReplyDeleteThey just offered me a discount to $75 if I sign up by Friday
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I keep getting these same emails from "Kevin Sanderson" and I almost fell for it :-)
ReplyDeleteI got an email from Kevin too...Thanks for the post. I did respond to him but thank god I read your post.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just crafts. I get the same guy wanting my watercolors in his 'shops.' I just leave those sleeping dogs lie in the junk mail where they belong.
ReplyDeleteI also received that email from Kevin Sanderson as well as Greg Avilla, the Merchandising Director. A red flag always goes up for me when I see these emails...it's too easy! And like the Trust Link review, my items are made to order and can be personalized. I did try WiseRep years ago and had the most difficult time getting my money back. Thank goodness for a firm husband whom hounded them until he succeeded. I'm glad to find this blog & I hope it keeps people away from thieves like Intostores! Good luck to all of us self-makers!
ReplyDeleteCarrie and Jennifer, thank you for your feedback!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this.
ReplyDeleteHuge scam! They prey on crafter/small business person's desperation for increased sales. It's not legit. You really think THIS is why you don't have more sales?? Because you didn't sign up with some website where all these stores are just dying to find your product?? No. FYI, they keep changing their name, it was wise rep first, then into stores, the latest iteration I get the email from is Sell Beyond. HATE these guys.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten my second email in 6 months from these clowns.
ReplyDeleteIt is below. We must be diligent exposing these kind of things. The internet is so wonderful and we must protect ourselves and fellow human from scammers like these.
Thanks for posting this on your site!
"I think your clothing is perfect for our stores. We work hand in hand with the largest stores in the country, plus thousands of small to medium sized specialty businesses stretched across the United States. If you want the opportunity to have your products sold through major retailers like Macys, Nordstrom, Target, QVC, & HSN ... plus the other 42898 women's clothing stores, 19124 men's clothing stores, 7785 independent boutiques, 57594 gift shops, and over 5230 mail-order catalogs ... check us out at http://www.IntoStores.com/sellers.php
Sincerely,
Greg Avilla
IntoStores.com"
I get thesse emails every few weeks, never responded...never will. Below is the latest:
ReplyDelete"Stores are already looking to buy beauty products for the upcoming holiday season. I think your products would be a perfect fit. We work hand in hand with the largest stores in the country, plus thousands of small to medium sized specialty businesses stretched across the United States. If you want the opportunity to have your products sold through major retailers like Macys, Nordstrom, Target, QVC, and HSN ... plus the other 249574 cosmetic and beauty stores, 49030 department stores, 57594 gift shops, and over 5230 mail-order catalogs ... check us out at http://www.IntoStores.com/sellers.php
Sincerely,
Greg Avilla
IntoStores.com"
total scam :-(
I just got one too and I've read other review sites that say STAY AWAY - if something is too good to be true it probably is. I know someone who signed up when it was Wise Rep and nothing ever resulted from it. No views. Luckily he realized it pretty soon into the program and quit though he lost the $150. It's total BS as far as I can tell. Too bad someone can't come along and shut them down.
ReplyDeleteFolks, I have worked for several medium to large retail companies over a very long period of time. NO BUYER ANYWHERE for any retailer is going to buy merchandise for resale from a site like this. When someone sends you an unsolicited e-mail saying that they have retailers wanting to buy items "like yours" and they don't have a clue about what you sell, then it's a SCAM. I am taking the time to write this because I hate people who prey on the uninformed. SAVE YOUR MONEY. PUT THEIR E-MAILS IN THE JUNK FOLDER WHERE THEY BELONG.
ReplyDeleteThank you for adding your comments and warnings!
ReplyDeleteI have been getting emails from these clowns for over a year. I own a clothing company. IntoStores is disgusting.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I want to thank all of you who posted about IntoStores! I just received an email from them and was considering it. I have had similar experiences and learned that it's best to do research before making ANY decisions. I'm glad I found this site and all this information!!! Too many people are out for a fast buck...YOURS! I wish all of you all the very best!
ReplyDeleteKathy T
BMP T-Shirts
You're welcome, Kathy! I'm glad that the information in this post and all comments helped you make a decision.
ReplyDeleteEven today I found a mail from Greg Avilla in the spam mail of my Craftdom mailbox... which is another sigh that they don't seem to check who are they writing to at all.