As a customer don't ever feel like you have to continue to patronize businesses that display poor business ethics. You set the standard for how you want to be treated as a customer.

Whether you're a customer or business owner being involved with a business that doesn't follow these simple "rules" can set you up to waste money in the long run.

1. Consistency. A company that is constantly changing the formula for products, may show that the owner doesn't know what he or she is doing. Even though, products may be homemade/handmade making a thick batch of lotion one month and a runny batch of lotion the next, is inconsistent. 
2. Pricing. Make sure you're not paying too much for products. Just because a product is homemade/handmade, doesn't mean you have to pay outrageous prices for it. Remember, if you continue to pay outlandish prices, companies will continue to charge outlandish prices. Don't let business owners rip you off.
3. Customer service. On a weekday during business hours, a "receipt of payment" notice should be sent within 24 hrs. Orders on instock items need to be shipped within 48 hrs. I don't understand why the processing time on some homemade items is over 2 weeks long. If a company is using the proper preservatives, they should be able to make a product in large batches and ship them out as needed.
4. Packaging. Bad packaging is a huge pet peeve of mine. Products that are going to be exposed to moisture NEED to have waterproof labels. The name of the product needs to be clearly written on each label along with the ingredients. 

As a customer you are paying for the above services each time you purchase a product. You're paying that person for their packaging, shipping and handling and for quality ingredients. All of these factors are factored in when a business owner sets the pricing for an item. Make sure you're getting your money worth.

So, there has been much ado about Afroveda raising their prices... Click Here and here and here for some opinions on the situation.

Now, for those of you who have never heard of Afroveda, it is a WAHM owned business that makes natural haircare products, website here.

What has everyone in such a huff? The fact that they raised their prices not a few cents or even dollars but, 100% increases! Yes. Products that were in the tens of dollars are now $30 plus.The reason the company stated they had to increase the prices was because of the increase in the cost of the raw materials they were using.

My thoughts?

Dang!!! 100% increase? And no warning? I don't care about the "why" she did it, I just can't believe she did it. I don't care to question her business, it's just that as a business owner you should have all your ducks in a row BEFORE you put your product on the market. Now, I know we all make mistakes (I did as a WAHM) but, after you start gaining a loyal customer base, that has been buying your products for years, that is not the time to raise your prices 100%. Seriously?

I have never bought Afroveda products and never will because this type of business move is just bad business in my opinion. I understand a company can do what they want but, a customer (or future customer) can too.

That was a bold move to raise their prices 100% on some products when they have such a huge customer base. Whoever advised that plan needs to be fired. The motives behind raising the prices seems shady and at this moment the best move seems to be to just close their doors all together. If they couldn't afford the materials they were using when they charged $12 then they definitely won't be able to afford them now with so many people pledging never to buy her products again.