HydroFlask has changed it's policy for the worse

[DaeHyFoog]

I was listening to the podcast today, and I was shocked at this news. I stopped what I was doing and decided to write an email. As I was doing so, I tried to figure how many flasks have been purchased because I was listening to the podcast a few years back and decided Hydroflasks would make a good gift for Mother's Day for my mom and MIL. What started off as 2 flasks became at least 18 due to additional gifts and recommendations to friends and family. That's 18+ flasks because one person listens to the DisUnplugged. They can do what they want with their business, but this does seem strange.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Kevin, when I heard you read the letter from the company on the podcast this is what I heard:

Hello,
I will not be thanking you for your interest in doing business with Hydro Flask, since we obviously could care less about your business and make decisions that best limit our profits. As our company continues to grow (which we don't want to grow much more), and our brand evolves (but really rather remain stagnant), we face tough decisions on how to best present our brand in the marketplace in a way that reaches only a small fraction of the market for arbitrary reasons.

In order to cause consumers to question our brand, we have limited our distribution channels to the random markets that we somehow rationalize to closely align with the Hydro Flask brand. As a result, we are no longer distributing our products through some channels. Dreams Unlimited Travel falls among those channels through which we don't want to make money from.

I have a hard time explaining this decision in a way for you not take it personal against your company or as a reflection of us not appreciating your business. Simply, it is a brand decision based on a few members of upper management that one day in a board meeting filled their Hydro Flasks with hard liquor and made poor decisions while inebriated. I wish I could say we appreciate your interest and support... but we could really give a rats @$$.

Peace Out,
Matt Jones
Hydro Flask®

 

[disneysteve]

We never got to customization.

I was told that I can't buy them.

They just will not sell them to us.

I can understand them stopping direct sales and shifting to a network of distributors, but if that's the case, he should have referred you to the new distributor where you could place your order. The fact that he didn't do that is what is really odd.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Kevin, when I heard you read the letter from the company on the podcast this is what I heard:

OK, that's what you heard. But what did the letter actually say?

 

[DisneyKevin]

OK, that's what you heard. But what did the letter actually say?

The letter is in the first post of this thread.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

OK, that's what you heard. But what did the letter actually say?

It's in the first post

 

[CPT Tripss]

Oh. So much time passed I thought maybe there was a newer letter. Seems like a Shakespeare play title.

Or maybe, more appropriate

 

[CampbellzSoup]

...Who Cares? They gave their reasons, you explained you didn't want to do business with them in response.

What's the solution/outcome from posting the email/phone/fax number to this person...what result or response do you want if you said that you too do not want to do business with them as well?

 

[kaytieeldr]

In order to convey our brand clearly, we have limited our distribution channels to the key markets that most closely align with the Hydro Flask brand. As a result, we are no longer distributing our products through some channels.

If Hydroflask had decided their key markets were travel agencies and instead sent this letter to sporting goods retailers, those retailers wouldn't react by urging their customer base to bombard the company with their 'bad decision'. They'd find other sources for the product.

 

[DisneyKevin]

...Who Cares?

Don't be confused.

I do. And apparently...so do others.

 

[DisneyKevin]

If Hydroflask had decided their key markets were travel agencies and instead sent this letter to sporting goods retailers, those retailers wouldn't react by urging their customer base to bombard the company with their 'bad decision'. They'd find other sources for the product.

We are not a retailer.

 

[Jafar30]

Right or wrong this isn't the first time one company has stopped doing business with others. I'm sure Dreams will survive this. #firstworldproblems

 

[jcb]

I'm really kind of floored by all the "get over it" type of comments directed at Kevin and Dreams.

Folks seem to forget that Hydroflask benefited from Kevin's recommendation and then turned around, when it gained popularity, and told Dreams it wasn't wanted.

 

[aykna]

I'm really kind of floored by all the "get over it" type of comments directed at Kevin and Dreams.

Folks seem to forget that Hydroflask benefited from Kevin's recommendation and then turned around, when it gained popularity, and told Dreams it wasn't wanted.

The reason for the "get over it" comments is because Hydro Flask has said they didn't want to do business, Kevin and the crew have said that even if Hydro Flask changed their minds, they would never do business with them again. There is literally no point to harassing them.

 

[dvcblt93]

We are not a retailer.

You run a business, you strive to make a profit. Regardless if you are using the water bottle for sales or as a "gift with purchase" or as a reward is really a moot point. You were using the bottles to promote your business. The company, for one reason or another, has decided to not supply you anymore, life goes on, let it go.....

 

[jcb]

The reason for the "get over it" comments is because Hydro Flask has said they didn't want to do business, Kevin and the crew have said that even if Hydro Flask changed their minds, they would never do business with them again. There is literally no point to harassing them.

Could you define what constitutes "harassment" because I've not seen it.

Or do you believe Kevin should have just said nothing?

 

[aykna]

Could you define what constitutes "harassment" because I've not seen it.

Or do you believe Kevin should have just said nothing?

It's a business. Kevin could have said nothing or that the Hydro Flask isn't providing them with product anymore. My point is that neither side wants to do business with each other. Telling others to go "tell them what you think" is pointless. For example, some of the things written on the Facebook page aren't constructive and looks bad. If people for some reason wanted Hydro Flask to see the error of their ways, some of the comments would actually have the opposite affect.

 

[jcb]

It's a business. Kevin could have said nothing or that the Hydro Flask isn't providing them with product anymore. My point is that neither side wants to do business with each other. Telling others to go "tell them what you think" is pointless. For example, some of the things written on the Facebook page aren't constructive and looks bad. If people for some reason wanted Hydro Flask to see the error of their ways, some of the comments would actually have the opposite affect.

So we seem to have established that it isn't Kevin that is actually doing the "harassing," he is just the instigator by telling people "Let him know what you think."

And I'm pretty convinced that the words "Facebook" and "constructive" don't belong in the same sentence.

 

[aykna]

So we seem to have established that it isn't Kevin that is actually doing the "harassing," he is just the instigator by telling people "Let him know what you think."

And I'm pretty convinced that the words "Facebook" and "constructive" don't belong in the same sentence.

So you're saying he has no responsibility as the instigator? Also generally Facebook and constructive don't belong in the same sentence, I agree. However, that doesn't take away from the fact the what people are writing on the page is not constructive and doesn't have a point. It was only an example because I can see the posts, I can't see everyone's personal emails and listen to their calls.

 

[jcb]

So you're saying he has no responsibility as the instigator? Also generally Facebook and constructive don't belong in the same sentence, I agree. However, that doesn't take away from the fact the what people are writing on the page is not constructive and doesn't have a point. It was only an example because I can see the posts, I can't see everyone's personal emails and listen to their calls.

No more than I would say you are responsible for all comments made by others who might share your views.