My Twinn Announcement..

[Robinrs]

http://www.mytwinn.com/

Personally they should have gone bust just because of that one horrible example they had for the African American male....

 

[janette]

So they are blaming this on 9/11 ??? Can't see that as anything but a play for sympathy. Sadly I don't think they'll have any buyers, why would anyone want a company that has the kind of service record they do and an operation that is obviously in trouble.

Hopefully another company like American Girl or Lee Middleton will be able to do some of the same type of things they did. Both of these companies have quality products and a great reputation.

 

[dzneprincess]

Robin, I am not in on the MyTwinn goings on, but what happened with this example? Was it just really really bad, or was it deeper than that?

 

[Towncrier]

I guess that cheap overseas labor couldn't bail them out. I guess that sooner or later, we will all have to come to the realization that you get what you pay for. I imagine that the Mytwinn dolls were expensive, but obviously not expensive enough to keep the company in business. And it's not just Mytwinn.

Did you ever wonder why Dell computers are so inexpensive? Just try to get through to customer service sometime and you'll find the answer. Until recently, Dell cut costs by relocating customer service to India. The labor rates there are much lower, so consequently, they can cut the price of their computer. Problem is that so many customers could not communicate effectively with customer service reps from India. Apparently Dell have moved their customer support center back to the United States.

Remember the corner grocery store? I do. Sure, the milk was a bit more expensive. And so was the bread. And the eggs. In fact, everything cost a bit more, but the grocer knew your name and people didn't mind paying for the convenience. Then came the malls, the superstores, and the warehouse stores. Now you can save a few pennies by shopping for milk and bread at Sam's Club, but as a result, the corner grocery store is gone.

I'm no economist, but I can see more and more problems each day stemming from our collective cheapness. And I'm as guilty as they next person, maybe even moreso.

So another company bites the dust.

 

[stormi65]

I think that is a crock and it is just an excuse for poor customer service and mis management.

 

[stormi65]

BBB Reliability Report
Oprime Aquí Para Español


My Twinn Doll Company
700 W. 48th Av # R
Denver, CO 80216


General Information

Original Business Start Date: January 1993
Local Business Start Date: August 1995
Principal : Mr. Kenn Theiss Owner
Phone Number: (303) 781-8811
Type-of-Business Classification: MAIL ORDER PRODUCTS
Website Address: www.mytwinn.com

The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.


Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to a pattern of complaints. The company has
a pattern of complaints regarding delivery issues. Consumers allege that orders are not being delivered in a timely manner and have waited several months for delivery. The company's website currently states that all orders will be delivered in January 2004.

As of 12/19/03, the company's website indicates that they have suspended operations but will fulfill all paid orders. Also, consumer's report company management has told them that they are currently looking for a buyer and hope to fulfill orders from their January catalogue. The BBB has received information that the company has ceased operations, and we will continue to process complaints, although we cannot guarantee that the company will respond.

When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed against the company may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the company handled them.

Closed Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 36 Months: 182
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 12 months: 53


Complaints Concerned
Advertising Issues: 11
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 11

Sales Issues: 6
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 6

Delivery Issues: 87
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 82; Delayed Resolution: 1; Company made good
faith effort to Resolve: 4

Repair or Service Issues: 5
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 5

Guarantee or Warranty Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1

Product Quality Issues: 12
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 12

Refund or Exchange Issues: 22
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 22

Customer Service Issues: 13
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 13

Credit or Billing Issues: 25
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 24; Company made good faith effort to
Resolve: 1



Additional Information

Additional Doing-Business-As Names: The Lifelike Company
Additional Addresses: P. O. Box 5700, Denver, CO 80217
3231 S Platte River Dr(former), Englewood, CO 80110


Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:
Mr Lane Anderson Executive V.p./Cust. Svc.

Report as of 12/20/2003
Copyright 2003 - Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau

As

 

[my3kids]

I have a return of a clothing item in UPS transit to them right now.


The doll for my daughter's Christmas gift arrived with a broken arm. We were going to return it in January for repair......

I'm honestly not surprised though. This was the most horrible company I've ever worked with. The frustration created was unbelievable.

In the past, these dolls sold for about $150, I think. This year we received a catalogue with new lower prices of $99 for the dressed doll. I hope all the orders do arrive for all the children. How terrible to be one of the charged people and never get the shipment and have no one to call about it. I waited on the phone over 2 hours on hold last time I called them, and then the rep. hung up on me......there were problems brewing, but I can't understand how 9/11 would have caused it?? That sounds as if it might be an excuse for some very poor management decisions.

 

[my3kids]

From today's "Denver Post:"


Article Published: Sunday, December 21, 2003
Doll company closing doors, finishing orders
By Amanda Martin
9News


The troubled My Twinn Doll Co. has shut its operations after running out of money, according to chief executive Kenn Thiess.

The closing comes amid a wave of customer complaints about late deliveries and quality problems with the dolls, which are customized to look like the children they're bought for.

"We feel terrible about where we are - it's a very sad circumstance for us because we know the impact of those dolls on the lives of little children," said Thiess, from the company's headquarters in Greenwood Village.

Thiess said the company had hoped to broaden its customer base this year by cutting the average doll's price to $79 from $140. But he said the company never recovered from losses incurred after the terrorist attacks and anthrax scare of 2001. He said those events affected customers' willingness to browse and order from a mail-order catalog My Twinn sent out the first week of September 2001.


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"The consequence of that was we ended the year with heavy debt obligations and far fewer orders than we had projected we would have," Thiess said.

My Twinn Doll moved from California to Colorado in 1995. Assembly and detail work was done at a plant in Littleton until this year, when all manufacturing, assembly and shipping moved to China.

Thiess said shipping problems from China have delayed the arrival of holiday purchases this year.

He said some shipments are taking 45 days. Many customers who ordered their dolls months ago told 9News they've waited even longer than that and are concerned they won't receive their orders in time for Christmas.

Thiess says customers who have been charged for their orders will receive their merchandise.

"All holiday orders are in the mail. We're confident most of them will be at homes at Christmas, some may arrive Christmas Day and a few may be delivered in the week following."

Customer Wanda Sheriff, who lives in Indian Hills, said she hadn't had a problem with the company, until recently. This year's Christmas order was missing some clothing and accessories and contained items she did not order.

"It's too bad. They took a really good idea and screwed it up," Sheriff said.

VIDEO
9NEWS' Amanda Martin reports







Thiess says My Twinn is headed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but the company has not yet filed. Thiess is hoping to work out another option. He says other companies have expressed interest in buying My Twinn