JoJo Maman Bébé boss in social media storm over secondhand sellers rant
Founder Laura Tenison's Facebook gaffe left fans of her products unimpressed...
A Facebook post from JoJo Maman Bébé founder Laura Tenison has sparked a lot of debate and caused some serious ranting among fans of the brand.
In a post seemingly meant as a private message, Laura wrote to the moderators of Facebook group JoJo Maman Bébé New and Preloved Buy & Sell to chastise them for using the brand’s photographs and imagery without permission, and for their secondhand prices.
But instead of sending the message directly, it ended up going to the whole group. Namely, loads of mums who love her brand’s products. Oops.
Here’s what her message said:
“Yet again members of your group are exploiting our Intellectual Property.
"It is against the law to reproduce images which you have not paid for and are taken off our website or catalogues.
“If this is not taken serious we will have to ask Facebook to close down the group - which would be a shame because we like the hand-me-down culture - when the prices are fair.
"Why anyone would pay near to full price or full price sometimes plus postage for something second hand is crazy. We don’t charge postage so you could get a new one for less!
“The models have given consent for use by JoJo and approved publications and reproduction of our IP is not acceptable. Moderator please block individuals who steal images!”
So just to be 100% clear, Laura made it crystal that she wasn’t best pleased with how this particular group was selling on previously-owned items...
But she also wasn't saying she’s against JoJo Maman Bébé hand-me-downs in general or mums taking their own photos of the for-sale products (it would be rather silly if she was)!
Regardless, some of the mums in the group were naturally left feeling irked by the message - especially since they're such huge fans of her company - and felt that Laura was speaking down to them.
One mum in the group said in response, according to the Coventry Telegraph: “Being spoken to like children leaves a bad taste.”
While another added: “Great way of losing lots of loyal followers and customers.”
After deleting the original post, Laura then went on to address the criticism in a new post, writing:
"You are wrong if you think I am condescending towards this group. I LOVE IT.
“I do apologise about my comment on the selling prices on your group. Of course it is up to you to pay what you like but I often see prices which are higher than our sale prices, plus you pay postage!
"I do think this is a bit daft, but it’s up to you and I accept none of my business.”
And she later explained her 1st post to the MailOnline: “Late night posting is never a good idea.”
We’d all have to agree with that, right? ?
Images: Getty, Facebook
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