warning about suit designer

[buttafli]

Originally Posted by jawter

A little advice from a non-competitor.

....Last bit of advice. Remain profesional at all times, this includes not arguing in public with your customers. If I were to be looking for someone to make a suit for me I would not even consider you at this point based on your ability to handle disapointed customers.....

I agree Jawter. It's unfortunate that some of these ladies have had such a bad experience. The good thing is the general public or those frequenting this sight now know. I guess the lesson here is do your homework wherever possible.

[beefalo2000]

I found this thread as I searched for a new suit maker. I can honestly say that she is not recommending herself as a reputable seller. I am definitely looking elsewhere. Not because of the bad transactions these woman had, in every business there are unhappy customers, but because of the way she is responding to it. As an attorney i find it very laughable about her threatening to sue and turn it over to the FBI. She seems to keep throwing out the term "FBI" as a way to scare people... I can't see a body building forum being a high priority for them to look into...

[risstang]

I think we should start displaying some of the email correspondence.. thank you all for joining onto the thread... it's much needed... not to slander, not to be immature.... BUT to care enough for fellow competitors so that they are not too taken advantage of and put under unneeded emotional strife...

Rachel,

Are you interested in reimbursing me $150 for the cheap suit i had to go out and purchase from a local competitor the day before my show because my suit 'somehow' wasn't here yet? not even an email to say 'hey it's on it's way'!!....Out $600 on suits worth $150 and out $150 on a backup suit i shouldn't have even had to buy. And just so you are aware, most of us on here are also educated individuals, with yes, knowledge of how the 'system' works. A forum will not be a credible source. You should continue with your research... and also begin monitoring what you are writing as well.


Carlene - check your PMs.












February 7, 2008 (me trying to get ahold of her initially)

Yeah, that's fine...if I dont' answer right away...leave a message and I'll call you right back.

Thanks,
Rachel


March 11, 2008 (Finally reaching her- still waiting for swatches of material)

Hi Carissa! Sorry for the delay in response.....between the move and all these March orders to get out....I'm losing my mind....lol


Anyways, I can't believe you haven't received the swatches.......if you could,, this would really help me out so I do not have to go searching through tones of emails....refresh me on the colors you wanted as well as the address and I will get MORE out to you by tomorrow hopefully got weekend delivery!

Thanks Bunches,
Rachel

March 28,2008 (still waiting for the swatches that were 'shipped')


No, I use UPS for shipping the suits. It would cost too much to send the swatches that way...learned along time ago about sending SUITS through the Postal Service.....lol

I have 2 to send out over the weekend.....so aain, I will send you more....I will try it priority shipping this time...2-3 days....so hopefully by Wednesday.

Thanks,
Rachel

March 30, 2008 (hmmm... still no swatches... 4 1/2 weeks before my show)

OK......I think this will be the last year I send swatches.....I have to purchase these from my supplier and then I send them out to people and they never get there.....I've spent close to $50 in the past month, just on swatches.......

Anyways.....from some reason I think I may have been putting Beaver.........not sure why it just didn't come back to me though.......
As soon as you get the 3rd set of swatches, I'll have the suit done within 7-10 days.....

-Rachel

April 5, 2008 (excuses about the swatches..... here is where she gets a little mad)

I AM on schedule as far as suits......no one I've EVER made suits for had their suits 4 weeks out! You drop so much those last 3 weeks....it's ridiculous to go by your body at that point.

Anyways.....that is fine with the swatches.....not sure why they aren't "showing up"? I have had 1 bad batch, that happened to be like 10 clients at a time, and everyone in that batch I sent, never received the swatches....but when I resent them, they did...except for you....

So, with that being said.....I CAN have your suits to you with ample time to practice in......

Would you like to use all crystal stones....or would you like me to incorporate some colored ones as well....I will attach some of my recent designs.

-Rachel

April 23, 2008 (ok so i'm supposed to have my suits in ample time...hmmm when will i be able to get refitted....huh. funny how that works.... keeps making promises tho and not responding to my emails at this point... last one i rec'd prior to my 5/3/08 show.... but hey, at least she said she was sorry... who cares that the suit got there the day before the show, had an extremely tight nick line, heavily glued on fake plastic stones, and oh, the plastic clips broke around the neck.... plastic yep... )

I am trying my best to get them to you by the weekend....having problems pop up everywhere (non-napping 11 month old....miscarriage...****ty helpers, excuse my language..)

Anyways...at the absolute latest....I will ship them overnight on Monday....if not before!

My apologies,
Rachel

[sixzebra]

Originally Posted by sensationalsuit

As far as the amount of glue on the stones on the foil suits.....I let EVERY SINGLE CUSTOMER that wants to use foil fabric aware of the following: It does NOT hold up very long...the fabric itself will eventually crackle (the smooth liquid foil-like part, not make holes or anything), it loses its sheen over a period of time, handling & wear. And because it is so smooth, as well as the back of the stones, if more glue isn't applied to secure it better, then the stones will easily pop off. .

I have to comment on this. I had a foil one-piece made for me several years ago. Beautiful crystal work; I've since even added more swarovski crystals with glue I bought from Michaels. Not one crystal has ever fallen off and the suit looks friggin' great to this day. Of course I can't speak for all but this was an obviously well-made foil suit.

[sixzebra]

Originally Posted by risstang

I think we should start ......
My apologies,
Rachel

wow...

[pa mma]

Originally Posted by sensationalsuit

Heaven forbid me miss one letter out of the word......grow up people!!

should say- heaven forbid I miss one letter out of a word


i thought you were done several posts ago, but you continue to feed more lies....possibly feeling "guilty" and still trying to convince yourself you did nothing wrong?

do you use the bedazzler?????


judge Judy- lmfao.....wow that is def a good source of legal advice...maybe you should spend a little less time watching Judge Judy and work on the suits so that they are ready in time


we believe you that the FBI is working diligently but unfortunately they are working with the Better Business Bureau to take YOU down for being fraudulent

there is a difference between these two words...since you don't know the difference i got this from the dictionary

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
slan?der Audio Help /ˈsl?ndər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[slan-der] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
?noun 1. defamation; calumny: rumors full of slander.
2. a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report: a slander against his good name.
3. Law. defamation by oral utterance rather than by writing, pictures, etc.
?verb (used with object) 4. to utter slander against; defame.
?verb (used without object) 5. to utter or circulate slander.


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
truth Audio Help /truθ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[trooth] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation,
?noun, plural truths Audio Help /tru?z, truθs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[troothz, trooths] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation. 1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
6. an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.
7. honesty; integrity; truthfulness.
8. (often initial capital letter) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience: the basic truths of life.
9. agreement with a standard or original.
10. accuracy, as of position or adjustment.
11. Archaic. fidelity or constancy.

after reading this, i hope you came to the conclusion that it can't be slander if it is the truth!

and you wonder why she keeps moving...

[Mommysbody]

Hi all.
I think this will be my last post on this issue. Here is a SMALL glimpse of mine and Rachel'e e-mail correspondence. I think it will speak VOLUMES about the situation and what really happened and how she really handled it. If anyone out there spots anything that resembles an apology.....let me know....

It starts with my last attempt to reach her - after she was not responding to me, and I was leaving for my show (in Africa) in 2 days....

Carlene Steenekamp <carlene@.com> wrote:
Rachel,
This is my last attempt to reach you and get UPS confirmation that my
bronze suit is in transit today (not just a label creation). I asked
for this last week. I am leaving for my competition in Africa on
Friday. Today is Wednesday. As I have stated many times before, I must
have the suit for this competition. I want to be very clear with you.
I am through messing with this. You and I had a business contract that
you would make 2 suits, decorated with Swarovski crystals, and
have them to me in May- before I left for my overseas show. I have all
of our correspondence supporting your commitment to me. I more than
filled my end if our contract. I paid half when I placed the order and
the last half before you even made the 1st suit. I also have all the
emails you sent me telling me they were BOTH on the way an that you
had sent both. I also have the follow up correspondence (from you)
that proved that your earlier emails were flat our lies. Rachel, I
have been completely gracious and willing to accept substandard,
incomplete work by asking you to send the last suit unfinished (as you
stated one boob and the back were not yet embellished) and I was
willing to accept that with no hard feelings- just to make sure I had
the suit in time, to avoid the anxiety and stress that I had when you
jerked me around over the delivery of the 1st half of my order (the
green suit).
I again, am trying to be understanding and MORE than fair in giving
you this final warning. My next correspondence with you will come from
my attorney Tyler, when I file suit against you for breech of contract
and fraud under the consumer protection act.
Please dont take this lightly, because has far greater implications
than my just trying to recoup 1/2 of what I paid you. It will also be
for all of my show fees, registrations and my airfare (which is $3,090
by itself). Please also be aware that any settlement or judgement
award amount will automatically be tripled under the laws of the
Consumer Protection Act. So, in effect, any judgement against you in
this matter will automatically be for about $15,000. Not to mention it
will probably (most definitely) cause the IRS to look into your
business practices and income reporting.

Rachel, I am 100% fair and reasonable in all of my business practices.
I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt and I will compensate in
any way I can to make any dealing go smoothly once it starts to
faulter. Once those efforts are done in vain, and I am just blatently
screwed over, I quit being nice and move quickly back into business
mode and will do whatever has to be done to recoup ALL of my losses. I
am very diligent in keeping up with all of my correspondence to prove
my position.
I am also very thoughtful in ensuring I have given every opportunity
to rectify a situation before it gets turned over for a court to
mediate. This is my final attempt at that with you. I have made very
clear that I would have taken the suit with one boob and back side not
decorated, and I offered to finish it myself (if given adequate time
to do so). You still have not sent it and that was a week ago. I am
now making sure you understand my next step, should you fail to UPS
overnight it (today) and I get confirmation from UPS that it's status
is "in transit" by the end of today-May 27,2008.
You are 100% in control of how this situation ends. I really hope it
can end somewhat positively.

Carlene Steenekamp

This is her response to me:

From: Rachel Ellis [mailto:sensationalsuits@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 9:50 AM
To: Carlene Steenekamp
Subject: Re: Last attempt

Just so you know....it clearly states on the website that once I ship it I am no longer responsible. Hell you've got at least 900 stones on your green one piece....which I am totally offended at the comment you made about it. You chose the colors....not me.....

So technically that only left 300 stones left for the other one piece.....I WAS TRYING TO BE NICE AND GO ALL OUT FOR YOU! this is the **** that happens to nice people......so I"M DONE!

When you're suit arrives, it will have exactly 300 stones on it, not matter how much is completed! I WILL NOT tolerate threats. Therefore, you will get only what you paid for!!

I responded:
Carlene Steenekamp <carlene@.com> wrote:
That is all I have ever asked for. I have never asked you for more. We had a business agreement. I have only EVER asked that you honor that. I never asked for a single thing more and have been willing to accept less ? just to get this over with. You were going to ?go all out? on your own accord and it was only to make up for the fact that you repeatedly lied to me. ?Oh it?s on the way? five different times?.meanwhile, it had never left your hands. You being nice and getting **** on???? PU-LEASE. That?s the bull **** part. You have ****ty, ****ty business acumen, and have been completely unprofessional, untruthful and down right shady. (But I was happy to hear that despite all of your personal drama?.you were still able to get in your Cinco de Mayo celebration in?.)

I was not making threats ? I could have done what I had every right to do and just gone ahead and turned everything over to my lawyer since you didn?t respond to me last week. BUT, I did not. I was being courteous and giving you another shot to get back to me ? to avoid making this messier than it has been. It was a courtesy ? not a threat. I would have had every right to do so. But I am the one being nice. You have lied and lied to me and I have ALL of the e-mails to prove it. So, believe what you want ? live in your little fantasy world ? that?s your call?.but I will bet that IF I receive the bronze suit (yes, I said If ? because it will be quite convenient ? based on your little foreshadowed comment below ? for you to state you sent it and it just somehow magically get lost and will never make it to my house) so I am saying now that it must be sent UPS ? even if it be at my own expense ? it cannot be sent via regular postal service with no tracking ability. But as I was saying ? if and when I receive it?.I am betting that it will not be as completed as you told it me it already was (only lacking 1 boob and the backside) in your last series of lies?er ? I mean e-mails.

You can?t possibly act like I am out of line feeling this way when all you have done is lie to me. I only received my last suit the day before I left and I will only receive this one the day before I leave (IF IT GETS OVERNIGHTED TODAY). I told you from early on that I could cope and try to rearrange my schedule or make other arrangements IF YOU WOULD JUST BE HONESWT WITH ME, but you continued to bull **** me. That is where you lost me. BE HONEST and most people will understand. I was very willing to ? but you weren?t.

Regards,

Carlene

And here is her response - I especially like where she warns me to quit e-mailing her.......and she is the one cursing me and calling me heinous names.....yet I was "harassing" her?!?!?!

Rachel Ellis writes:
SERIOUSLY...are you still blabbing......I can't wait for you to get the suit.....b/c there is NO WAY IN HELL you'll ever make it match up!! I purposely didn't even put my tag in it, b/c once you try to matc it up, it's going to look so jacked up, I will not even want to claim it!

I have not lied!

So what if I took it upon myself to add additional stones to the copper suits for the inconvenience! I ought to intercept the shipment and peel everything single extra one I added off just for you being such a god damn bitch!

And just for your info......I celebrated CINCO DE MAYO by having my helpers over AT MY HOUSE and having a stoning PARTY witht he 4 suits I had left for that week!!! Not that it's any of your DAMN business!! I have suited MANY, MANY clients (300 in the last 2 years) and do not need the BS from you! I have people begging me to do their suits....so YOU live in YOUR little fantasy world.....while I keep living it up like a real woman not a ****ing robotic barbie!

DO NOT EMAIL ME AGAIN!! YOU'RE SUIT WILL BE THERE BY FRIDAY! IF YOU EMAIL BACK, AFTER ME ASKING TWICE NOT TOO, IT WILL BE CONSIDERED HARRASSMENT!

TODAY IS NOT THE DAY SWEETIE!

Carlene Steenekamp <carlene@belessex.com> wrote:
And just for fun and giggles, answer me this: I am supposed to have that suit tomorrow - yet even today you keep referencing how you were "gonna go all out" on decorating it (our of your extra goodness and niceness and all)...... if you were planning on having it to me on time tomorrow and it isn't done today- please help me understand at what point this "going all out" was supposed to take place?? Far be it from me to want to just **** all over someone's niceness- so apparently, I have just really missed something along the way!!!
(especially since I placed my order and made my first payment on March 7 and told you I had to have them mid May at the latest).

Carlene Steenekamp

Rachel's Response:

Did you not learn in English class sweetie that "gonna go all out" with the word WERE or WAS before it means I WAS GOING TO IN THE PAST! Nothing was refered to going all out on it today or adding more to it??!!?! So WTF are you even reading? I don't even think you know at this point.


There's you FUN & GIGGLES Sweetie...I have kids to attend to and a appt in 30 minutes to follow up on (Insert issue here)!!!!!!! FUN & GIGGLES ALL THE WAY!!!

Freaking Idiotic ways of "bitches" these days.....just freaking do whatcha gotta do, leave me alone and if you DON'T get them Friday....then email or call me...no just email.... I want documentation of everything.

CIAO,
Rachel


Then she threw in an additional response - just for good measure:

Next time you want to get a suit try hitting up teaz fashions....or some cheap place....I have high quality work...I KNOW this b/c I am now subcontracting work out for the #1 posing suit company in the industry.....$775 and the 2 suits you got......compare to other and you'll then see the light child~

You know what happened to thought right, he thought he farted but **** HIS PANTS!
Rachel

***End Note: I received the suit Friday - with only 40 stones on one boob....and no, none had been "peeled" off- as she threatened to do with all the "extra" stones she put on it..... That is all that was ever on it. Even though she admits in this series of e-mails, she owed me at least 300. BUT - to be fair, she did include a baggie with 27 stones in it......?????



[QUOTE=risstang;198903021]I think we should start displaying some of the email correspondence.. thank you all for joining onto the thread... it's much needed... not to slander, not to be immature.... BUT to care enough for fellow competitors so that they are not too taken advantage of and put under unneeded emotional strife...

[daltrey]

Originally Posted by sensationalsuit

I was advised by my lawyer and Paypal, on certain instances that have occured with the few angry clients during this period, that it be reported to the FBI, being that the FBI is who takes care of the majority of illegal issues regarding the internet. It's a report!! A report that can be noted, so if at any time in the future it occurs again, I can be protected! Nothing wrong with me protecting my name or reputation! One website, these few clients out of all the ones I've built with since 2002, isn't going to bring me down!!

I've had clients who USED to go with some of the BIGGEST DESIGNERS out there, clients that went from spending THOUSANDS of dollars on suits to just less than 1 THOUSAND!! If everyone said one good thing for every 3 bad things.....that alone would make the world a better place!

Like I've said, it's one thing to share your experience, I'm NOT arguing that! I'm arguing the extra personal stuff you want to throw in there! That's UNCALLED FOR!

Oh please don't inform the FBI. This could get serious fast. bwahahaha **** THE FBI, you honestly think they give a damn about some freaking dresses or your name being slandered on a chatroom.

Bottom line is these ladies put in alot of hard work, effort and money to prepare for a show and you could at least have the decency to return a phone call. No offense but I'm sure them or anyone else could care less about your love life or financial situation and from a business standpoint you at least have the obligation to take responsibility for your actions. Honestly, you should consider yourself lucky you aren't being sued for what little you seem to have left. I'm sure Judge Judy would listen to your side of the argument right before she made you refund these ladies money.

[risstang]

Carlene,

Thanks for stepping up to the plate and exposing Rachel... it was needed. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that.. you look fabulous... She is obviously jealous that you look a million times better than she... i think some peeps just go into 'business' for all the wrong reasons... but, again, thanks for reliving it all...

[KatNap]

[QUOTE=Mommysbody;199069091]Hi all.
I think this will be my last post on this issue. Here is a SMALL glimpse of mine and Rachel'e e-mail correspondence. I think it will speak VOLUMES about the situation and what really happened and how she really handled it. If anyone out there spots anything that resembles an apology.....let me know....


I am so sorry for all your troubles MB- From reading the emails - that you recd from SD - they are inappropriate and unprofessional-

[judokamatt]

you ladys seriously pay upwards of $300 for a two piece bikini suit to wear on stage? are you guys serious?

if so then i am in the wrong buisness cuz i have seen a seamstress work on stuff and sew it together and it couldnt take more then an hour for them to make the basic fabric then maybe another 2-6 hours for decoration depending on complexity i dont see wtf this womens problem is and i feel super sorry for you guys

i always thought those where just like store bought bikinis or something of the like

[wshafranski]

Ha! Yes, we do pay quite a bit, so that's why we also expect great customer service. The suits are custom made for our bodies and they are very well-made. If your seamstress friend wants to get into the biz, let us know!

[jewelofnile]

I completely feel all of these gals pain through this. These suits do cost a lot of money and even if you opt to buy a less expensive suit you should still receive great service. This 'seller' is completely out of line and shouldn't feel the need to defend herself through a forum like this. She should put herself out of business before she embarrasses herself more.

The last suit I purchased took 4 weeks to get to me and I was freaking out when the suit designer insisted she had sent it. Granted, I received my suit 2 weeks before the competition but I had ordered it without any stones because I couldn't afford it at the time. Instead of having 6 weeks to finish the suit myself I had 2. Had it not fit properly I would've been SOL. Luckily the suit I got fit perfectly and she did a great job, but I wouldn't go to her again as when I looked at the postage date, it was only shipped 2 days before I received it. Lies don't become people.

For my next contest I'm doing an NPC so will also need a 1-piece. A gal here at bodybuilding.com posted on the forum that she had a suit for sale that appeared to be my exact fit. I went on ebay, bid for it and won. I paid within the hour of winning on June 24. The item still had not arrived a week after the 4th of July so I opened a dispute through PayPal. The seller then contacted me saying it was shipped and to 'calm down' as parcel post can take longer, especially with the holiday. She even asked me to check at the post office. So I did as well as checking with the parcel post part of the post office the following week. The post office said I should have received it the week before at the very latest. I informed the seller and then she contacted me letting me know that it was somehow shipped to the wrong address and she would have the person priority ship it to me. That was July 17. It's now the 31st and I have still yet to see this suit...even with address confirmation. So, I'm most likely out the price I paid for the suit and now have to stress over money and finding another suit for my contest.

The point isn't even really someone not getting work done, it's about misleading us about the situation in the first place. We work our tails off for this lifestyle. Yes, we probably overreact a bit because we are deprived of certain things. I would hope this Rachel has her tails between her legs and is running fast.

So, an FYI to anyone that makes suits or sells used ones: don't screw over the people that are purchasing from you!

[sixzebra]

yeah some of those one-piece suits can get up into the $1000's of dollars.

[buttafli]

I think I was fortunate with my seamstress. I actually found her through craigslist. She designed my fitness routine costume. She works pretty fast and she is definitely a communicator. She finished my costume in 4 days. If any of you would like to check with her, I would be more than happy to pass her info on to you.

[tkokayde]

Glad to see this is taking a positive light, even if Rachel did come on and do some mud slinging. I thought it was interesting that when I visited her site two days ago, the order form says it is not working, there's a lot of mispelled words, and if you click on the link to the website of the competitor featured on the homepage, the website doesn't exist (yes, I realize she is a real competitor, but you would think they would update the link on a business webpage that is using her as a reference customer). Also, if you look at the pics in Rachel's BodySpace and google the name of the woman in the picture, nothing comes up. Just wondering...

I cannot imagine the added stress that you girls have been through! One place I highly recommend is www.divaexchangefitness.com. It's a site where girls can sell their suits, new or used. I've bought 3 suits and 1 routine outfit on there, and I've also sold 1 suit. I haven't had a problem yet, probably because you're working with girls that are in the same situation as you. There's also a great site called proconsignonline.com, but it tends to be pricier and to my knowledge you can't haggle on the price, you just hit the link and buy. On Diva Exchange, you contact the seller directly. Good luck with the new suits. Man, the guys have it so easy on us!

[risstang]

pa mma- you're the best!

[QUOTE=pa mma;199051491]should say- heaven forbid I miss one letter out of a word


i thought you were done several posts ago, but you continue to feed more lies....possibly feeling "guilty" and still trying to convince yourself you did nothing wrong?

do you use the bedazzler?????


judge Judy- lmfao.....wow that is def a good source of legal advice...maybe you should spend a little less time watching Judge Judy and work on the suits so that they are ready in time

[jewelofnile]

Originally Posted by risstang

do you use the bedazzler?????


judge Judy- lmfao.....wow that is def a good source of legal advice...maybe you should spend a little less time watching Judge Judy and work on the suits so that they are ready in time

Exactly!!!

[SeizeTheWeight]

Wow.. just wow..
I've just spent over an hour reading this whole thread (truly epic btw, hehe). I applaud you ladies for being so courteous about this whole situation. It seems Rachel would do well to learn a few things from you all.
The fact that SHE's the one who has mentioned legal action in all of this is hysterical. The person who said that this woman needs to be put out of business is spot on. A professional businessperson should never let their private life affect their business, and if they ever did, they should be beyond apoligetic and going out of their way to cater to the every whim of their wronged client(s).
This woman seems to be a horrible businessperson and a horrible person. If I were any of you I would already be persuing legal action, and I still think those of you with a case should go for it and get reimbursed for all the money lost, trouble and stress caused.
I just felt the need to let you all know I think you're all incredible people for handling this situation so well. There's nothing worse than being repeatedly lied to (except then having the person lie further and call you all liars - unreal, what motive would you have to lie? lol).
Anyway, any of you who believe in karma can sleep well. Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
Take care ladies, mucho respect

[CCampbell83]

I heard the same thing about this designer as well... Although I personally have not done business with this company, some of the girls at my gym went through her and went through the exact same scenario. When they each expressed their concern about when the suits would arrive, and lack of communication, (politely, from what I was told), one received a rude and agressive email, the other was yelled at by voicemail message by the suit designer. The girls were appalled at the lack of professionalism. One of them even received the wrong suits, but it was way too late to reorder or do anything about it. But like I said, this wasn't my personal experience, just sharing my thoughts...

[Janelle]

Wow! This is crazy! I actually experienced all of this-- every story from the great contact in the begining to rarely responding. Rachel had mad many promises that she didnt keep, Most important one: she shipped 10 days after the date promissed resulting in NOT only my suits but the 3 others girls competing who ordered through Rachel to receive shipmenat AFTER leaving town for our competition!
Rachel Ellis/sensational designs said she sent the swatches 3 times which we NEVER received them--EVER!!, Made 1 of my girlfriends suits the WRONG FABRIC, WRONG COLOR, WRONG COLOR STONES, WRONG STONE DESIGNS. My 2 piece was way to small (which she blamed on me NOT sticking to my diet).. My 1 piece was not the shade of color I asked for (which is not that big of a deal at all- however this adds to the troublesome experince) and was cut how I specifically said NOT to cut it!
My two other girlfriends that ordered from her for teh same show ended up with their suits too small i.e height, wrong color and of course the obvious TOO LATE FOR US TO WEAR AT THE SHOW!!!
We expressed not only through text message but emails that we were concerned the suits may not fit correctly- as none of us had used her in the past. That we needed the suits that she said were shipped and even went to the lengths of sending what looks like a tracking #. However when you call UPS it was only an "Intent to ship" meaning she generated it on line and didnt turn the package in yet. When asked about the status the personal issues came up, we were understanding, yet held her to the "Ill check the shipping status when I get out of the hospital" statement. To which she blew a fuse cussing me out saying that one she ships she is NOT RESPONSIBLE and would not call UPS (As UPS had told me to have the sender call) Because there was no shipping info or receipt of drop off. She called me close to every name in the book.
When we received the REAL UPS confirmation we had already left town..... Luckily we were able to borrow suits, one of my girlfriends bought 2 off the rack at Jagwear and I begged a designer to embelished a suit that I had previously made, and one girlfrind dropped out of the show due to the stress...
We did everything possible to stress the date which I have an email where Rachel; says "I promise to ship no later then April 22nd" which we didnt receive them until April 30th after leaving- we comunicated our dissatisfaction fron the begining of April on. We asked for refunds and she laughed regardless of the erros made on her part. The 4 of us had to call pay pal and our credit card companies to do a "CHARGE BACK" which takes the money back out of Rachel Ellis' account.. We returned the suits which she declined!!!! I have ALL emails and text messages from the begining up to now of her threatening the FBI, her Unlce lawyer and Attorney Father. I explained that I would have NO problem setteling this in court. I asked that she have the FBI, her Uncle Lawyer and Attorney Father contact me and she has yet to do anything of the sort. We told her we would Re - return the suits to her once she gave us payment for the re-ship due to the ignorence on her end in declining the package clearly labeled and in the same box she shipped to us in!!!

Anyways ladies There are many other designers that will treat you better. some equally priced and some on the higher end... But always remember you get what you pay for! If you have not gotten suits or do not like her service call your credit card company and ask for a "Charge back" explain the situation and the money will usually be back in your account within 7-10 days...

I do have emails and text messages that I will try to come back and post for those who request to see them... there are truely so many it would take hours to copy and paste them and I am not joking!!!

You can also look me up on "myspace" as I do not frequent this site/blog as often... I will be more then happy to answer any questions - forward any emails and texts that were between Rachel Ellis/Sensational designs and I or giv eyou advice on whoelse to use or where else to go for great suits with good customer service..

Good luck in your suit search and up coming competition(s)
Janelle Haney (.com)

[wshafranski]

It is absolutely amazing how we've endured the same experience with Rachel - the lies, the incorrect suits, the name-calling. If the excuses she's given about babies in the hospital, house fires, domestic violence, etc. are untrue...then that's just plain evil!

Good luck to all you ladies in yor future competitions. It looks like we've all risen above Rachel in the end!

[sixzebra]

wow this whole rachel deal from start to finish is almost unbelieveable. It's a shame she took advantage of so many AND has the nerve to come on here to try and defend herself.

I'd like to hear what her uncle-daddy attorney has to say about all of this.

[_J-BONE_]

Has anyone taken her to court yet? It would seem that with the paper trail most of you ladies have and the pics of the suits, that a court would easily award judgement to the customer. I'm sure full blown court is far too expensive/time consuming but maybe small claims would be an option. Until somebody finally holds her legally liable, I have a feeling this whole nightmare will just unfold over and over for different people.


Best of luck to you all.

[jewelofnile]

It seems she should be taken to court!
I just got screwed by a gal selling a used suit to me for an upcoming comp and I'll never make that mistake again. It's sad how this stuff can happen to good people. I'm leary of doing any business over the internet now.
For a contest I did in April I had two custom suits made for me that took forever to get here. The lady that did my suits kept saying they were sent on a specific day. Sure enough, when they got here (3 1/2 weeks after she said she sent them) they were post-marked that week. I was blessed that I ordered them early enough that I didn't have to deal with not having my suits by comp time, but the stress was enough in itself.
I've been dealing with Lidia Conti now (on recommendations from friends and others on bb.com) and have nothing but the BEST to say about her. I'd recommend ordering your suits from her next time. Thanks Lidia!

[Nicole Weeks]

I've been reading this thread for a little over a month but have kept quiet in order to take care of my own claim and discuss with Wendy, who posted here a little while ago, about her problem.

I'm sorry I ever referred anyone to Rachel Ellis, Sensational Designs. I was duped into believing she ran a reputable business. I was sold when she told me that she sends the suits out ahead of time to be tried on before stoning. I thought it was such a novel idea. But as you all know, that never happens.

When Wendy started having problems, then I saw this thread, and the other complaints online if you google her name and Sensational Designs, I knew I had to get my money back. I paid for a 2 piece suit in full back in March. I contacted my credit card company as to the best way to do this. So on July 9th I asked for my money back from her. She refused and started up her banter so I just let it go. I wanted to keep it totally professional. On August 9th I contacted my credit card company and they gave me a refund of the full amount, minus the amount that was already in my Paypal account that went towards the purchase.

My goal is to put her out of business. As a pro competitor I rely on my suits and the whole process to be perfect. When I wear a suit it gives the designer a reputation. Rachel does not deserve to see a suit a pro competitor. End of story.

I was unable to get a refund from Paypal because it is outside of their 45 day window. We all buy suits MONTHS in advance, so we are not protected. However, her Paypal business account has been closed and Paypal knows she has been using other email addresses (her mom's). So if any of you need a refund, go to your bank (if by checking) or to your credit company. CALL THEM, explain that this was a purchase for a future date and that you are now aware of bad business transactions and want to cancel your transaction. Usually you need to formally email Rachel (and CC yourself so you have proof you sent it) and ask for a refund. Keep it simple. She will whine and give excuses, do not respond. Just save the emails in their own folder. Then after the 30 days call your bank/credit card and tell them you asked for refund, the seller refused.

Straight up, this is bad business. As customers we deserve good customer service and timely design and shipping of the expensive suits we buy. There are designers out there who can capitalize on this by GIVING GOOD SERVICE! Your reputation will preceed you. Many of them already know about Rachel and are willing to work with you to get you a suit in a pinch if you are flexible and maybe willing to get a suit that is not as blinged out as you wanted. And there's also Diva Exchange.

We need to get the word out by posting on all the message boards and talking about this backstage at our shows and posting on our websites. I am more than willing to help on any level. Rachel may say that with only a "few" complaints she is still doing good. But I propose that she's not doing so good to the competitors who can't compete after all the training and hard work they've done because they don't have a suit or their suit is jacked up! No one deserves that stress. We pay hundreds of dollars so the suit is taken care of and we don't have to stress! There may be a few dozen here on this board, but how many others don't even know about this forum?

[shelly826]

Ok, I have to reply here but I'll make it short and sweet as to everything I went throught with Rachel has already been stated. I ordered 2 suits from here before the New Year for my first show that was in April. I put my deposit down in December 2007 for an April 2008 show.......recieved both suits 5 days before I walked on stage.................5 days! Need I say more! I'll never deal with her again...and all the email post everyone stated....I could have cut and pasted the same reponses from here as well. She needs to be put out of business!

[Sams_Figure]

i was very upset with rachel myself. it is a very stressful time for a figure girl the last couple weeks before a show and the last thing you need to stress about is not receiving your suits... as they are a super important aspect to getting on stage!! unfortunately we cant buy cheap suits from victoria secrets and get on stage. but i will say... contrary to you girls who keep bashing rachel... that although i received my suits a day before my show.. her suits are completely worth the wait!!! my suits were beautiful!! it looked as though she put a lot of hard work and effort into them. she did warn me when i asked for a foil suit that the stones dont hold up... so i didnt go with foil i went with a slinky design for the one piece and a velvet for the 2 piece.. and not a stone has fallen off... looks like it will fall off... or has glue splattered around the stone. infact i ordered suits the previous year from cj suits and was soooo disappointed with my suits. not only did i receive her suits a day be4 my show (i was supposed to get them 2 weeks be4)... but she mailed them to a wrong address!!!... but her suits all look the same. you can point out a cj suit in the crowd... and the day of my show... 5 stones fell off my suit. that to me is poor quality.

i pestered rachel day in and day out.. i didnt think i was going to get my suits... but i did... she said she had stuff going on in her personal life as you all have been stating... but we have to remember that the world doesnt only revolve around us. i actually felt really bad for bashing her because i got my suits... be4 my show.. they were beautiful.. in my opinion the most beautiful suits at the show.. and i got sooooooooooo many compliments on them. although you may have hd a horrible experience.... didnt get your suits for your show... etc... i think enough is enough with the bashing. just go elsewhere for your suits.. pay an arm and a leg.. and you'll see that with other designers too.. you'll deal with broken promises on when you'll receive your suits.

--if you havent purchased a suit from rachel... dont let this forum steer you away completely. i used her and im a satisfied customer... i know of a couple other girls in my area that use her as well and they, too, were satisfied. you cant beat her prices.. *unless u buy used--which even still are an arm and a leg and not completely tailored to fit your physique* she made my suits completely custome. i gave her an idea of what i wanted and she completed them a million times better than what i had visioned in my mind. she makes amazing suits!! and like i said... i was satisfied and will be using her again in my upcoming season --

[risstang]

...i don't care how amazing the suits are to look at... it's how they hold up that matters... plastic clips and glue-on plastic stones don't cut it... and there's no bashing going on here, just honest criticism/discussion... but thanks... and good luck to you w/ ordering from SS next season... i'm sure you'll have no problems since she obviously likes you....

[sixzebra]

Originally Posted by Sams_Figure

although i received my suits a day before my show..

i pestered rachel day in and day out.. i didnt think i was going to get my suits...

she said she had stuff going on in her personal life as you all have been stating... but we have to remember that the world doesnt only revolve around us.

Some people are easier to please. But I still see "bad customer service" . And the last quote - yes, when you are paying hundreds of dollars for a suit - the world revolves around you and you have every right to expect exceptional customer service. When one purchases an expensive suit, she is paying for a service; not for the affects someone's personal life has on them.

Have people forgotten what good customer service is?? has it been that long since you've had good service that bad service seems the norm?