Remember the post I wrote about pv.Body? Well, I figured it’s time to update you. Shortly after I wrote the post, I attempted to contact them again to rectify my issues. First I called them during normal business hours and got a voicemail. Instead of leaving a message, I emailed them again. I got a nice reply from one of their representatives and I was promised that I would receive a credit for the 20% off that I was owed and that my free shirt would be sent out asap! Well guess what? Both of those things happened! Woot!
I also received my second pv.Body shipment.
Both items are great!
Unfortunately, I have a bit of unsettling news to share about pv.Body. I have read posts from other bloggers who are pv.Body ambassadors, that in February they will no longer be partnering with different active wear brands. Instead they have developed their own line of fitness clothing called Ellie and that is what the pv.Body subscribers will be receiving in the mail! Click here to read one of the posts that I am referring to.
I am annoyed by this and here is why. 1) I thought the whole premise behind pv.Body was to bring you designer active wear for less money? 2) What happened to them partnering with Lululemon? 3) This Ellie line couldn’t possibly have been developed over night, so why are we just now finding out about it? 4) Why aren’t “regular” pv.body subscribers being notified about the change? I wouldn’t have known about this switch if I wasn’t an avid blog reader.
In some ways I am curious to see how all of this plays out. Who knows, maybe the Ellie line will be fantastic. But I’m not sure I am willing to continue being a subscriber just for curiosity’s sake.
What do you think about the pv.Body change? If you are a subscriber, will you continue to be?
I agree with the update customer service. My issues were finally taken care of after months of forms letters and run around. My pieces were also exchanged and I like those I was sent better, although they still don’t fit my needs. Not sure what to think of the new line B/C I’m a function athlete over fashion and their pieces don’t do it for me regardless of what’s on the label. I DO like the ideas of picking your own pieces though. We’ll see what happens in a few months. I’m no renewing my subscription though, still too pricey anyway. My 2 cents. ( ;
Couldn’t agree more!
I’ve heard a lot about the changes going in at PB.body lately and I agree with you completely. They didn’t create a clothing line overnight and the whole premise behind the company seems pretty shady to me. I was planning on signing up and giving them a try, but I’m going to pass, at least for now.
Yep, something seems a little fishy!
Ohh, that’s crazy. We kept seeing it places, but neither one of us was ready to make a commitment to it. Sounds like we reeeeally won’t be now! Thanks for posting this!
It’s my public service announcement for the week! lol
Glad to hear the customer service has gotten better! I was SO tempted to sign up when it first came out, because it seemed like every blogger I followed was doing it, but had a feeling it was just a *little* too good to be true, and was glad of my decision not to join after reading a few poor experiences, and then the whole switch! I hope the new line is great, but it was definitely a poor marketing tactic to do a bait and switch… I agree with Sylvia in your comments – there is no way this was launched without the intention of introducing their own line!
You made a great choice!
Lots of great questions you put in your post. I hope I can answer a few of the ones you posted about:
2) I know firsthand and just have to put it out there that they NEVER partnered with Lululemon. That was a blatant
misrepresentation on their part to snag ambassadors and new customers. They’ve used the Lululemon giveaways to bank on Lulu’s popularity, but there never has been and never will be, any partnership between the two companies. Lululemon only works with companies they’ve vetted for. PV Body isn’t one of them. Nor is Nox, American Apparel, Electric Yoga, or any other brands they send out.
3) Yes, Ellie has been in the works since PV Body started. It was the plan all along to phase out the designer brands. The truth of the matter is that they don’t have any working relationships with any of the brands they sent out. They just tell people they do – it’s all a marketing ploy. They simply call buy from various manufacturers and order wholesale. They realized that they couldn’t make any money on subscriptions after buying wholesale, so Ellie was conceived to make some money.
4) Regular subscribers aren’t being notified because all they care about is giving great service to bloggers so that the bloggers/ambassadors/affiliates can then write about it. Which, of course, leads to sign ups (subscribers). They don’t care about regular paying subscribers.
That’s too bad. The concept seems like a great idea if done correctly.
I felt anxious too when they said they’re going to switch to Ellie. I never had problems with their service (even before they contacted me to become ambassador) so I gave them a try for their new brand. I picked my two pieces and so far, I liked it. The materials they use are great. Here’s my recent review about Ellie. –> http://athletewithinja.wordpress.com/category/pv-body-subscription/
I skipped this month though ‘coz I’ve had enough black workout clothes already. I feel really sad for other people having bad experience with them. But I think they’re trying to fix the kinks and customer service is getting better. I hope!
I’m glad you have had a good experience with them. Unfortunately, I have just run out of patience with them.