Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Ten Digit Creations: Update


A little over a year ago, if you would have asked me what one of my favorite vendors was, I would answer Ten Digit Creations without a doubt. Amber's customer service, extensive scent list full of dreamy earthy and woodsy scents, prices and quality all lined up to make it a stand out vendor. Then one day she got a letter from Lush, demanding that she change the names of the Lush dupes. She settled on renaming those dupes certain crimes in honor of her officer husband. Normally, I could care less what racy or suggestive names vendors call their wax. As long as it isn't hurting anyone or demeaning, I can overlook it. But this time it hit home in a few ways. Some of the names were personally upsetting to myself, having lived through those very traumas as a child. Crimes happen to people every day and really are the ugliest part of man and do not have a place on wax tarts. And secondly, many customers were requesting the names to be changed but were pretty much told to get over it, it was going to happen anyway. It was at that point that I turned away, sadly, and left the group. 

I missed her wax, sure. And I found out the names were changed in the end. But I never ended up going back. 

Last week I got a note in the mail with an apology from Amber. Not a blanket statement that felt impersonal and mandatory, but a heartfelt out pouring. If there is one act I value above all others, it is forgiveness. I know I have said (sadly, more often than I wish with my runaway tongue) things and done things that I have no right to be forgiven for, but others have found it in their hearts to bestow that kindness upon me. Especially, Adam. Second (and sometimes third and fourth) chances are precious gifts. Some of my most treasured gifts. And I value giving them in return. 

Therefore, I am announcing my return to Ten Digit Creations. I have not made that initial purchase yet, but if you see one pop up, now you know why. Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope you can understand where I am coming from if you were one who boycotted and if not, thank you for at least giving me the benefit of the doubt. 

14 comments:

  1. Sister you are so kind. Love you!

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  2. This is beautiful; what a lovely post. That is really amazing of her to send such a heartfelt apology. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing.

    I wasn't around for the whole situation with TDC, but I can understand how you would feel. I had never turned away from a vendor for reasons like this before, but just recently I had to cross one off my to try list because they made a sampler theme that I don't care for and some of the proceeds are going to a cause I don't support. I politely expressed some concerns along with some other customers and we were basically dismissed saying "It's all in good fun." I don't really need controversy in wax; it's supposed to be a fun and relaxing hobby.

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    1. Thank you for reading. Forgiveness is very important to me.

      I am sorry you are not being heard by that vendor. Controversy is definitely not the place for small business. Have fun, be creative, but always professional.

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  3. Glad you're able to go back to them. They certainly do have a lot of your types of scents!

    ~Deb

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    1. I know. It was torture. I loved TDC so very much. Happy to feel free to embrace TDC once again. All my Julie smells. Come to mama.

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  4. That is so weird, I just grabbed a few TDC odds and ends to melt up this morning, because last night I suddenly thought about them for the first time in forever and wondered what they were up to. And now I know! I had no idea any of that was going on. That was pretty awesome of them to get back to you, though - it's so hard to admit you've done wrong, and I don't know why people don't do it more often, because it's great to hear and it feels like such a relief as well to try to make good.

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    1. TDC has amazing wax.

      It is so freeing to admit fault. Hard, but freeing. I have to do it with Adam on the regular LOL! He keeps me humble. <3

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  5. I've only ordered once and liked it a lot but after reading about this incident, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. It was extremely personal for me as well and I couldn't believe how insensitive they were to the whole situation. I'm very happy to hear they reached out to you with a sincere apology! That really means a lot! I will consider ordering from them again one day. I love the scent list and product options. My husband really really liked the scent "bye Felicia". He rarely comments about scents but that one was a favorite. He likes incense-type scents.

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    1. A sincere apology goes a very long way. I don't believe I ever tried "bye Felicia" but I adore incense type scents too. I will write that one down. It has been so long that i bet there are all kinds of new things over at TDC.

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  6. I sit here humbled as I eat my bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. To Julie, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

    To anyone else reading this (past\present\future customers), my deepest apology extends to you as well. Although the chosen names never became official (they were changed within an hour of the newsletter release), I should have never treated the names so lightly nor acted so unprofessionally regarding the whole situation. I was arrogant. I was rude. I was childish. There are no excuses for my behavior that day. It wasn't until the dust had settled that I realized the grave errors I had made that day. That day changed me. While I couldn't take any of it back, I vowed to never be that person again. I'm human. I'm sure I'll still goof along the way, but that day will always serve as a reminder of how not to act.

    I probably should have made a public apology, but the massive damage had already been done. I didn't want the apology to seem like a tactic to get customers back. I did reach out to a few after a few months, but their silence led me to believe that it was best to leave it alone.

    I don't expect nor ask that anyone reading this come rushing back to purchase from me. I simply ask that you allow me to apologize.

    Sincerely,
    Amber @ Ten Digit Creations

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    1. Thank you, Amber. We are, indeed, all human. I know your customers mean a lot to you and I am thankful you took the time to talk to me about this.

      <3

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  7. Very thoughtful responses from both parties.
    Meanwhile...little ol Facebookless, waxgroupless, oblivious me: "Everyone's so amazing and gets along so well..."

    P.S. Guide me to those TDC Julie smells someday;)

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    1. Yes. I am not in any of the general wax Facebook groups but I am in some of the vendor ones. I do thankfully miss most of the drama and that is just fine by me.

      She has so many!! I need to sit down and scope out the current scent list as it does change with ones going out and new ones coming in all the time. Or at least it used to.

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