The Beekman 1802 Mercantile {UN}Intentional Misleading Information

Photo from Xfinity.

All I wanted was to support my 2 favorite farmers; their community, their vision, their mission, their llama, their Farmer John, the goats..and every living thing on the farm.  Have you seen them? 


Let me ask you, how do you feel when people lie to you?  Do you feel betrayed?  Do you feel..Judas' kiss, deception, dishonesty, double-crossing, double-dealing, duplicity, falseness, let-down, perfidy, sellout, treachery, treason, trickery, unfaithfulness, and perhaps the most prominent, sadness?

Did they do it intentionally?  Did they do it UNintentionally?  We many never know.

Sometimes people don't know they're lying.  Sometimes they don't know they're hurting anyone in the process.  That's understandable.  Once it's been made known, the decision to make amends and change is up to them.  

Here's a brief recap; in 2010, Planet Green aired the first episode of Season One of The Fabulous Beekman Boys.  Self-declared "Fabulous", the show was new, fresh, and whiney.  I became an insta-fan, spreading the word to every one I knew.  They had to watch the show.  I Tivo'd it, saving all the episodes to watch repeatedly.  I never tired of it.  I supported Josh and Brent's mission, their vision, and what they were trying to achieve; gain awareness and share the importance of farming, sustainable living, shopping Small businesses, and buying products "Made in the USA".  

Fast-forward to the present day.. to January 22, 2013.  I've had a few days to pray about this..

While browsing Twitter, and checking individual profiles, I noticed a retweet from The Beekman Boys 1802, so I replied;

 

Everything was great.. I was just stating facts, that I had the Original tote, made in China.. then when they replied with "you need to upgrade to American-made", I agreed.  I like to buy American-made when I find something I like.  However, I shop and buy all kinds of items, from all over the world.  I have never stated that I ONLY buy American-made.

When the Beekman 1802 Boys reply with "everything with the exception mugs. Most everything is made within 20 miles of the farm", I was very content with the answer.  I liked their honesty, and in all fairness, I really wanted to know.  I asked my question, they answered my question.  I thought we were done.  I was surprised when I received another tweet.

The next tweet I received was from Beekman 1802 Boys, followed by one from DrBrent_:

I obliged by answering the question referencing my sunglasses.  However, for all intents and purposes, it doesn't apply here.  It has no relevance.  I am questioning their company and about the origin of their products.  They're asking me about my sunglasses.  I'm not tricking anyone to buy my stuff by lying.  In case you didn't know what it's called when someone spits out falsities and untruths, it's called lying.  In the same manner, a lie by omission is still a lie. 

High-horse?  "You vote with your pocket book"?  Why are they getting so defensive?  Remember I was just asking a question.  It wasn't even a hard question, like one of those tough ones to answer.  At least, I didn't think it was.  Maybe it was difficult to answer publicly when their website states:

In case you are unable to see the picture clearly, it states "..All Beekman 1802 goods are hand-crafted near Sharon Springs, NY, using only natural ingredients & quality materials..".  All?  All.  .. .. All?

Again I thought we were done with this nonsense.. NOPE!

The respectable Dr_Brent takes it up a notch, to a place that wasn't fit for Twitter.  I'm just glad that I didn't lash out, and I kept my composure.  I understand that when someone calls you out, you get defensive.  You get personal.  My questions had to do with business, his comment went personal.  Would you feel bullied by his pursuit?  His insistence and involvement in the defamation of my name, "BeckyCharms" and all that I stand for is a bit unnerving.  I don't mind you calling me out on anything, asking me questions, or whatever else.  

I still laugh because it's his and Josh's website that declares 'ALL' Beekman 1802 products are made near Sharon Springs, NY.  OKay.   

Now now, DrBrent_, I like that you took the time to quote me.  Let the words ring true.  I respect your perspective.  After all, I like to look at things from many perspectives.  I even look at this entire scenario from your side.  But, it's not okay to trick your shoppers.  Tell them the truth.  They'll admire you more for it.  I know I would.  But there's no need to use your grandmomma's vocabulary and try to hurt my feelings; to attack. 

Here's what you accuse me of.. false advertising {#falseadvertising}:

"False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. "Truth" refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.

Reference courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_advertising"

You would be the doc on this one.  #listentothedoctor

And we, as consumers, customers, friends, family, fans, and supporters have the right to know the truth.  Please doctor, tell us the truth.  We can handle it.. and if we can't, let us judge for ourselves.

..."ALL"..

Well, all but my Original Beekman 1802 Canvas Tote.. all except for the mugs.  This led me to check my t-shirt.  I have one of the Limited Edition "BEEKMAN 1802 Polka Spot T-Shirt"s that my mom bought me for my 30th Birthday.  She also bought me 2 soaps and a handmade card.  The card wasn't in the package, so we wrote to them and they sent it out.  Then for Christmas last year I received their cookbook, the apron {the $83 dollar one}, a calendar, and the book bar.  It was so special.

Well, here's mine..

Whaaaaat?

BUT, the shirt is not made in the USA; not hand-crafted in Sharon Springs, NY, and that would have to be an extremely loose definition of "near" to qualify.

So I looked up Anvil Organic.. and their company looks great.  I would buy shirts from them.  I encourage you to look up their company too.  I encourage you to buy shirts from them.  Their mission sounds commendable and helps many people, including ourselves.  The point is that the shirts are from Anvil Organic, which aren't "hand-crafted near Sharon Springs, NY", nor are they 20 miles from the farm, and that would have to be an extremely loose definition of "near" in order to qualify.. and t-shirts aren't mugs, so it just seems like another secret the Beekman Boys are keeping.  I'm not into secrets, especially from companies, businesses, and brands that promote one thing, yet do another.  Ugh.  Inconsistencies.  Discrepancies.  Untruths.

 

The Issue:  Our family shopped online from the Beekman 1802 Mercantile under the impression that ALL items came from Sharon Springs, NY.  We felt we were supporting the Beekman Boys and felt a part of their mission; to support local farms and their communities.  We felt duped when we discovered 2 of our items didn't even come from the USA.  {They're both nice.. just not what we thought we were getting.}

The Solution.. {You didn't think I'd forget a/the solution, did you?}

Change the wording on the home page of the Mercantile and for the Limited Edition Polka Spot T-shirt.  Stop claiming "ALL".  Omit that part if you must.  An apology is also in order, for the omission of the truth regarding the origin of our canvas tote and Polka Spot t-shirt, and for the personal attacks via Twitter.  Can't we all just get along? 

What you profess, we support.  What you claim, we support.  It's just time to align what you do with what you say.   

Consumers/Fans/Shoppers: If we don't tell companies how important this is to us, they'll never change, nor will they see how they're misleading their fans and supporters..US!.  We think we're supporting local Sharon Springs businesses when we're really buying more stuff that could just as easily have come from Walmart.

{I shop at Walmart.. but I've already explained this..}

I'd even still shop from Beekman 1802 Mercantile, save all my pennies to visit NY, and buy tickets to Harvest Festival.  My mom told me to square things up with the Beekman Boys.  It's been on our dream list for 2 years to save money for a trip to NY, with a visit to see The Beekman Boys.  Heck, I even have their Heirloom Cookbook, and now, so does my mom.       

I welcome your thoughts and comments regarding this dialogue..  Please leave them below. 

Here is the website for The Beekman Boys and The Beekman 1802 Mercantile. 

Since DrBrent_ posted "#falseadvertising", I prayerfully considered a reply.  Here it is:

Looks like the Doc is still out.. let me know when #TheDocIsIn.

{ATTENTION: I am not perfect, I make mistakes, I have lied at some point in my life, and I will sin more in the future.. I am sorry for my sin, I will never be perfect. I'm trying to share the truth, and do good for others.  I'm doing my part to make this world a more honest place to live, a happier planet for all..by posting this, I am merely sharing my experience to teach you the importance of being informed.  There are lessons to be learned.  Ask more questions!  Never be afraid to ask your questions.  Be brave.  Tell the truth.  Remember who you are and what you stand for.}

It's so tough sad when your modern-day heroes are mortalized. 

Now, I feel I'm ready to delete the tweets previously posted.. I'll think about it, and Beekman Boys, I forgive you.

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Faith and Fruition..
BeckyCharms