Cybele

I totally understand your points of view with your group and how tight you are and you should be! And I did just sign up to voice my opinion and stand up for what I believe in. Is that wrong? Wouldn't you have done the same thing if it were your business? I think the answer would be yes. I too have been scammed but I try to check out everything possible before letting someone have it. That's all. We have all been scammed before. Just wanted have my say ...

why does it matter how I found this thread? The fact is I did and like I said before a few times, I did just want to voice my opinion. I am running a business and how would you feel if someone you had a run in with, if that's what you call this, bashed your candle business?? Personally insulted what you did? You'd want to stand up for yourself and what you believe in, your company that you've worked hard to develop. And I do care what people think of what we do. We are for the people right? We are nothing without our readers. And I don't want someone mad at our site or me representing it. Yes, you can't please everyone but I feel this was a really unfair exchange. I didn't insult her business (well maybe by assuming she is small and does not make a lot of money. sorry about that. I am not in your finances so I don't know). And everyone's opinion is different when I use the term "not much money." I was just trying to find a common ground so she could see why I could not pay for shipping on the items. I might come across one of you and your business in the future and would not want this exchange to sour your thoughts on Cybelesays.com. That's all. Not that it matters as you have all formed your opinions on this situation already. In closing, I wish Bizzy Bee Candles continued success and hope that they give Illume a run for their money (someone needs to!). And I wish you could have kept your Hip Hop magazine going. I used to work as a publicist in music and we had a guy that would give CDs to his writers that we gave him for free as writer get all music free (and pot) as payment. It was called The Kronick and based in LA. You probably heard of it. I too come from the DIY thinking so I know the hard work you put into your business. so please don't beat me up for giving my thoughts on the subject. I am just one person and you guys are like ... I don't know how many here.

it is allowed! my misstake. thank goodness for spellcheck before I post an issue, huh?

And no all of our exchanges are not written here as she told you. She posted what she wanted you to see. That is what she wants you to think. I don't claim to give them fame and fortune with a review in our mag! Come on! Just some publicity. And just because you have not heard of something makes it not legit in your eyes?? That makes no sense! The Internet is HUGE as you may not know. I am not trying to change your minds about the situation - just give you my side. I should be aloud that much, geesh. I thought this was a forum. She did not put every exchange on here for you to see, ok? I know you won't believe me but hey, that's life. Like you said in your post, not everyone is going to like you or your site, haha! And that's OK!! Lighten up, it's like you people want to kill me here!

Probably not if you purchased all the items. I guess what I am trying to say is yes, not everybody is going to like the site and I'm fine with that. When I said I have never spoken to anyone like her, I meant that she got so offended when I said I wouldn't pay for shipping. It's just not how businesses run. She didn't have to insult me and Cybelesays.com in her process of emailing me. And she did. I don't believe I insulted the way she does business. That's why in the second email I sent to her, I put "I hope you don't take this the wrong way..." but she did. Anyway, I've said my side of the story and am quite happy that I got to post my side of the situation here. I was not trying scam her. You can see the magazine and our work right online. Common you guys it's a click away! I still find it funny that her words that she typed to me were not even her own!! Have a great night all! And yes, all the items we receive from EVERY company we feature are full size. Packaging is also written about in some reviews since it is part of the presentation of the product. And I only wish I had more room on the pages to feature every product in every feature. Still working on that ...

I don't see how I made myself look bad by posting my side of the story here. But then again opinions are like ______ we all have them!

I always want to learn more about candles. She brought the issue into this forum. Don't you think I should be able to voice my side? She did "Bash" my business. I should post the actual emails (she used words like "neophytes" and "flegling") here so you can see how honest she is in what she told you all here. I'd rethink the whole thing. After all, there are 3 sides to every story. I just wanted to be able to voice my opinion on the subject. Isn't that aloud?

Wow, I can't believe that the Bizzee Bee (can't remember the name of her company) candle company posted our conversation here!! Wow is all I can say. First of all, we are a legit magazine (www.cybelesays.com) and have been publishing since 2001. If she would have clicked on the link that I put int he email, she would have seen the latest September issue and the archives section. We review beauty products and candles and a new issue goes up on the 1st of every month. I have never had a dialog with a person such as her. I work with over 500 different beauty companies - big (Lancome Stila) and small and they all had no problem with us requesting product from them. If they can't afford it at that time, that's fine!! Hopefully someday when they can they will think of us when they are ready to market and publicize their items. So for you all to say that I was "trying to scam" her out of product because I would not pay for shipping is obsurd. I generate money from the site and I chose to PAY MY WRITERS for their hard work. I see she didn't tell you that part of my email, did she? If a company will not even pick up the shipping cost to send us their products, I think that is not right. We are the ones giving them publicity for their line. We have a loyal readership that we have worked hard to build up. I find it so funny that this woman didn't even write the emails she sent to me!! She used words from someone else here on this forum!! I find that so hilarious. Anyway, I'm not mad about it. I find it funny that she can't even come up with her own responses. Btw, I thought she wrote quite elequently but obviously I need to direct that to the person here on this forum who actually wrote it FOR her. So funny!!! So everything that she wrote of her so called "knowledge" of how the beauty industry works is a load of sh*t. She has no idea how much product beauty editors/writers receive on a daily basis. And go and purchase stuff under cover and then write about it? Maybe 3% of the time. But they have time and mag people do not get paid a lot either unless you are high up in the ranks. How does she explain a feature that comes out on products before they've even hit the shelves to be available to consumers?? That's what the majority of beauty magazine are about - what's happening now. Anyway, I'd love to hear feedback from any of you to MY SIDE OF THE STORY. So type away! ~Cybele Cybelesays.com Editor/Founder