Recent Changes.

Contributor: Fred Petrenko Fred Petrenko
Dear Edenites,

First, let me apologize for not addressing the community sooner. My lack of communication was not intended to create more anxiety but to not draw more attention to the situation. I appreciate the concern and confusion that our recent staff changes have caused some of our members. We have worked hard to develop a relationship that goes beyond the traditional customer/retailer relationship. We consider you to be family.

Unfortunately, some of our EF staff family left very suddenly. I and our entire community appreciate the contributions that these individuals have made throughout their time with EF. Let me assure you that the decision to let these individuals go was not one I took lightly. I do regret that it has caused some of you anxiety. Whenever a family member moves on there is a period of adjustment.

We have worked hard to develop a company and community that promotes products and free discussion of sexual wellness. To continue to provide this to our EF community, some tough decisions needed to be made. The amount of changes we have rolled out recently has been stressful for everyone. I and our entire team would appreciate if you would hang in there with us through these changes. To be successful and continue to offer the products and services we are known for, there needs to be a mutual commitment.

I am sorry that I cannot address concerns regarding specific staff members and why they are no longer with us. Although we are a family, EF must operate under the laws and regulations of the country we operate in. I do not want to make any statements that would be negative or detrimental to the future employment of any of the past or current staff members. I hope that you will be understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality and trust that all decisions were in the best interest EF continuing to provide you the high quality products and forum services you have come to expect from us.

Some of the posts have suggested that the staffing changes and some supply shortages are due to a dire financial situation. This is wholly untrue. EdenFantasys is financially stable. The changes were made in an effort to better position EF in the market place. I ask for your patience, understanding and continued loyalty.

Thank you all, Fred
05/18/2013
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Contributor: LuckyLady LuckyLady
Thanks for reaching out to us!
05/18/2013
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
Thank you for the note, I think this will be a good opportunity for all of us to practice our patience
05/18/2013
Contributor: Wicked Wahine Wicked Wahine
Quote:
Originally posted by Fred Petrenko
Dear Edenites,

First, let me apologize for not addressing the community sooner. My lack of communication was not intended to create more anxiety but to not draw more attention to the situation. I appreciate the concern and confusion that our ... more
Thanks for clearing some of that up! It's nice to have the owner address us like this, (when we know you don't have to)! I'm especially glad you flat out addressed the rumors of financial problems, I know this was a particularly worrisome rumor to many, myself included!
05/18/2013
Contributor: wicked48 wicked48
Thanks for the update. It is greatly appreciated!
05/18/2013
Contributor: eri86 eri86
Glad to get an update direct from you. Thanks.
05/19/2013
Contributor: js250 js250
Thank you very much for the update! It has been particularly worrisome to me that we had not heard from you when the site was in chaos...I appreciate the contact!!!
05/19/2013
Contributor: snowminx snowminx
"The changes were made in an effort to better position EF in the market place." I really can't understand how letting go of ALL the contactable admins, at the same time, helps with this. Replacement is one thing but getting rid of all of them before a plan is completely laid out?

I'm sorry but I feel like I'm the only one here that thinks this wasn't helpful but just danced around the situation.
05/19/2013
Contributor: GONE! GONE!
I still feel like I'm in the dark.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by GONE!
I still feel like I'm in the dark.
That's what I was thinking. But we aren't going to get anymore answers this way. The only way to know is by contacting the people let go directly.
05/19/2013
Contributor: KrissyNovacaine KrissyNovacaine
Quote:
Originally posted by snowminx
"The changes were made in an effort to better position EF in the market place." I really can't understand how letting go of ALL the contactable admins, at the same time, helps with this. Replacement is one thing but getting rid of all ... more
Restructuring is sometimes inevitable when attempting to make your business more stable or profitable. I totally get it as a small business owner.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Will the shortages be dealt with..?
05/19/2013
Contributor: PassionCpl PassionCpl
Quote:
Originally posted by snowminx
"The changes were made in an effort to better position EF in the market place." I really can't understand how letting go of ALL the contactable admins, at the same time, helps with this. Replacement is one thing but getting rid of all ... more
"I'm sorry but I feel like I'm the only one here that thinks this wasn't helpful but just danced around the situation. "

Don't worry, you're not.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Hummingbird Hummingbird
" I do not want to make any statements that would be negative or detrimental to the future employment of any of the past or current staff members."

This one line bothers me the most. I understand the need to change and reinvent both in the business world and personally. I've been though many business reorgs myself and have had to move on as a result. The statement above though that I mention indicates to me an internal issue or am I reading too much into this?
05/19/2013
Contributor: Fred Petrenko Fred Petrenko
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
Will the shortages be dealt with..?
We are experimenting with the selection. There is not much genuine new products are coming to the market. We see a lot of very similar or straight knock-offs are offered as "new" lines. This is a challenge for our buying department.
05/19/2013
Contributor: PassionCpl PassionCpl
Quote:
Originally posted by Fred Petrenko
We are experimenting with the selection. There is not much genuine new products are coming to the market. We see a lot of very similar or straight knock-offs are offered as "new" lines. This is a challenge for our buying department.
But with all due respect, there have been a LOT of suggestions made for months in the "Eden should carry" threads, 90% of which are never offered. Doesn't that suggest that there are new (or at least new to EF) products that people want?
05/19/2013
Contributor: ShadowedSeductress ShadowedSeductress
Quote:
Originally posted by Fred Petrenko
We are experimenting with the selection. There is not much genuine new products are coming to the market. We see a lot of very similar or straight knock-offs are offered as "new" lines. This is a challenge for our buying department.
I think most of us understand this, as we've seen the crazy number of copy cats lately. I think Ravenlust and many others have a problem with the shortages of the products we already love. If a product is extra popular then why not get more of it? Take the tie bright color of the Vixen Mustang and Maverick, it usually goes back out of stock the same day it came back in. Sliquid lubes are the same way. If the demand is so high on products then why not just save some time and keep more in inventory? My biggest problem is, so many products go out of stock really fast then take forever to return.

The BDSM gear is the same way, specifically with the crops and leather cuffs. We have a few great quality options for cuffs but almost never have them in stock.

I can get an alert that something's back while at work and by the time I get home from work, what I planned to buy is gone. This is extremely frustrating and I know a lot of people end up taking their business elsewhere. No one wants to wait a month or months to get something they really want.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Fred Petrenko Fred Petrenko
Quote:
Originally posted by PassionCpl
"I'm sorry but I feel like I'm the only one here that thinks this wasn't helpful but just danced around the situation. "

Don't worry, you're not.
To clarify more the staff decision: I put certain goals for the team to achieve. EF has 2 very distinctive groups: customers and community. Unfortunately, the level of interactions between the two is minimal and the main goal for the team in the last 2 years or so was to bridge the two, create symbiotic relationships where community promotes EF, helps its customers with the purchase, and customers support community financially. The goal has not been reached and the team is being replaced. I still believe this can be done. We will try to make it happen.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Bo #34 Bo #34
You should watch this, for the truth about the situation.
05/19/2013
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
WHEW.... I'm fucking speechless....

(Not a common state for me.)
05/19/2013
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Fred Petrenko
We are experimenting with the selection. There is not much genuine new products are coming to the market. We see a lot of very similar or straight knock-offs are offered as "new" lines. This is a challenge for our buying department.
While I understand this, there are things I'd LOVE to buy that have been out of stock for quite a while, and this is frustrating.
05/19/2013
Contributor: PassionCpl PassionCpl
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
WHEW.... I'm fucking speechless....

(Not a common state for me.)
Me too. Firstly, if this is real (and I've no reason to doubt it) then yes we've been misled (and lied to?) but secondly it sounds like Fred's suffering. If that's really the case then I feel sorry for him too.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
Things sound just... chaotic.. sheesh
05/19/2013
Contributor: Gone (LD29) Gone (LD29)
Quote:
Originally posted by snowminx
"The changes were made in an effort to better position EF in the market place." I really can't understand how letting go of ALL the contactable admins, at the same time, helps with this. Replacement is one thing but getting rid of all ... more
You're not the only one seeing the smoke and mirrors.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Fred Petrenko Fred Petrenko
Quote:
Originally posted by Bo #34
You should watch this, for the truth about the situation.
Guys, the recording is fake.
05/19/2013
Contributor: VeganChick (is Gone) VeganChick (is Gone)
Quote:
Originally posted by Fred Petrenko
Guys, the recording is fake.
Who would have made it then? That is an awfully elaborate thing to do.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Dangerous Lilly Dangerous Lilly
Quote:
Originally posted by Fred Petrenko
Guys, the recording is fake.
I quite clearly recognize Carrie Ann's voice there, and the things that others are saying in the audio is in line with what you, Fred, are saying to them.
I do not believe it is a fake.
05/19/2013
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
Wow...just wow.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Llewey Llewey
Even if what he is saying is true (it's most likely not), why would you want to give your money to a company so cut-throat that it fires staff en masse with no valid explanation, reason, warning, or time for them to find another place to work? Truly ruthless and inhumane "marketing," even if all of this is true.
05/19/2013
Contributor: Dildos R Us Dildos R Us
Nor do I, it seems unnecessarily complicated to make a 'fake' audio. But why can't you be straightforward with them. I assume(apologies if this is wrong) that they were let go due to internal conflict OR because they were too highly paid.

Letting go seasoned people and 'bringing in fresh eyes' in retail means that people were getting paid too much for the boss' liking and results in firing all the people who knew what they were doing without training the new people (if any).

I've worked on a skeleton crew before, you will not make more money this way. The lack of people means that every department will suffer and customers will walk away.
05/19/2013