The Week of April 1st in Review

Posted on April 6, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

Wedding industry crooks took cover this week, put on notice as the battle for the Gold heated up. Onlookers watched as Samantha Goldberg pummeled Marni Gold, assuring her it’s nothing personal and that other Wedding Scam Artists can expect more of the same. Since announcing her new show Samantha Goldberg told eWedNewz of plans to expose the antics and false claims made by wedding industry professionals who have allegedly taken money and not given the expected results and value to victims.

Another meeting in New York to discuss the  progress of fighting online pirates raised concerns among media members who felt the war is far from won.

New data release by IBISWorld says wedding spending will increase in the next five years in selected categories; all except the men’s formal wear rental business. As the business shrinks a greater percentage of rental units are taken by the Men’s Wearhouse tuxedo division– while the rest of the tuxedo business wastes time and resources fighting one another.

 

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Data, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Hall of Shame, Men's formal wear, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Press Release, The Groom, The Internet, The Week in Review, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding planners Tagged: , , , , , ,

New Head of IBMA Accepts ABPIA Offer to Work Together

Posted on April 4, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned that Hedy Lapkin, the new head of IBMA, has reached out to Steve Lang to work together on the issue of Chinese counterfeiting. In less than 48 hours the wedding industry, specifically gown makers and retailers, were updated with some disturbing newZ about the difficult road that lies ahead to fight off the piracy plaguing the business.

 

Slowly but surely,  Steve Lang continues to rally support in the wedding industry.

 

Lang broke away from the IBMA to start the ABPIA last year and has now pulled a power-play by paying his membership dues to the abandoned organization. In a written e-mail Lang gave his personal invitation to Lapkin and told eWedNewz;

“I was contacted by Hedy Lapkin today. She wants to work with us on counterfeiting effort. She will group with me after I return from Asia. She apologized that I did not receive original email from IBMA. [She] said it was oversight, but no matter, we are now  members of IBMA. I take this as a positive sign and I will help them in any way possible to fight pirates,” according to Lang.

Wedding dress retailers picked up on frustration and personal opinions given on my Facebook wall shared after reporting China efforts to disrupt and destroy American business.  Stunned retailers say they look forward to greater unity and coöperation among wedding industry professionals to set aside personal differences and work together against the common enemy.

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Breaking Newz, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses Tagged: , , , , ,

IBMA gets new President | Hedy S. Lapkin Executive Director, IBMA

Posted on April 2, 2013 Written by 1 Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

The IBMA has risen again and lives but eWedNewz once again asks: for how long?

 

The ABPIA was formed by a former member of the IBMA group called Steve Lang. Over a year ago, Lang left the group and formed his own organization, ABPIA, to wage war against Chinese pirates.

 

The IBMA is trying to re-launch their organization naming Hedy S. Lapkin as Executive Director. Hedy and her husband, Ed, owned a big bridal shop in Richmond, VA, reportedly one of the best stores in the country.  Ultimately, the store went bankrupt in the late 80′s or early 90′s.   Hedy took a job with David’s Bridal and successfully transferred from David’s to Priscilla of Boston, selling Priscilla to bridal shops.

Hedy touched base with former members of the Bridal Manufacturing group saying:

Dear Former Bridal IBMA Member,

A new and exciting time is presenting itself to all the members past and present of the manufacturing and related industries for the Bridal Industry.

I am Hedy Lapkin, newly appointed Executive Director of IBMA. As your executive director I have challenged myself, with your support and the support of the existing Board to create meaningful ways to utilize your funds that the organization is holding in reserve.

We can and will be a strong voice with your support for the Wholesale Bridal Industry and be responsible for the funds you helped to create. We will provide benefits for our members and at the same time gain recognition as The Trade Association. It is our desire to listen to your needs, create a call to action, and deliver on the most pressing and beneficial needs and wants to benefit our members.

Many of you as former members paid annual dues while other members were involved and participated in the Las Vegas Market.

The Industry is confronted with a wide variety of challenges, and presently the IBMA is in the best position to represent many of the needs of Manufactures of the Bridal Industry.

eWedNewz has learned that Lang congratulated Hedy in her new role and wanted to continue his membership with IBMA. An e-mail to Hedy reads as follows:

Dear Hedy,

Congratulations on your new position.

I sent you in my application several weeks ago when this mailer came out.  As a previous contributors to the funds sitting in IBMA coffers I want my firm to be a member.

Please email me back a confirmation that we are now members and we will be copied on all meeting dates, happenings  and mailings. Mon Cheri was not sent the email about free membership for those that rejoin by May 1. Another manufacturer sent it to me.   Thanks for including me in future emails and, as requested already, please confirm we are now members again.

I stand ready to help you any way I can if you tackle counterfeiting. The more the merrier.

Sincerely,

Steve  Lang

 

According to ongoing polls so-far:

27%  feel there is a poor to impossible chance of beating online piracy.

71% feel there is a fair to excellent chance of beating online piracy.

 

91% of replies so-far say they would support a wedding industry organization if it offered good benefits, value, isn’t too expensive to join and was properly run.

6% say they would not join an industry organization.

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, retail, Uncategorized, wedding industry Tagged: , ,

Dessy Quits Prez Post at IBMA

Posted on March 29, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

Alan Dessy resigned his position as president of the IBMA yesterday after mounting pressure to respond to a growing number of questions involving the organization. In a short email to selected members of the board he said the following:

To all,

I am resigning as President of the IBMA effective immediately .

The board will need to find another location for the April meeting, as the event can no longer be hosted at the NYAC.

It’s been a pleasure working with you all,

Best wishes & good luck,

Alan Dessy

 

A replacement for Dessy has not yet been named. Correspondence from eWedNewz was forwarded to VP, Paula Varsalona. We await a reply.

 

 

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, General News, wedding industry Tagged: , , ,

Lang Reaches out to the IBMA Board; Dessy still Ducking

Posted on March 19, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

An update over the weekend of an ongoing eWedNewz story details how Steve Lang plans to put a crimp in the flow of cheap, pirated off-shore goods flooding the American market and crippling US wedding dress manufacturers. eWedNewz continues our investigation into this groundbreaking story and how one man tries to unite an industry after years of neglect.

 

Scott Perham

Steve Lang told eWedNewz he’s getting good reaction and help from the Whales of the wedding dress business to help protect brides and grooms from unfavorable experiences.

 

The latest move by Lang sidesteps attempts by relatively unknown members of the IBMA that unsuccessfully tried to muddy the waters by making suggestions that, according to Lang, will not work. Lengthy discussions with Lang reveal how getting to the root of the problem is the only means of curing the troubles.

After several private attempts to rally the IBMA and other splintered groups, Lang sent out an open letter to the board of the organization including its president, inviting everyone to join in the fight, further detailing how he plans to approach the problem:

 

Dear Board,

Please allow me to give you a more complete update.

WE WANT TO GET CUSTOMS TO STOP THEM AT THE BORDER!!!

1. I have renewed my contact with customs and my previous relationship with the head of the enforcement department has pointed me in the direction of the new head in that area. I have not set the appointment date is yet, but I plan to have a meeting with him next week. I have been involved with these entities before and was able to get help. I’m hoping to see a repeat in this case.

What we are focusing on here is something called trade dress infringement-that is the legal term for copyright violations when it comes to clothing that do not have registrations such as embroideries or beading held by the owner. What is basically happening is these entities are riding on our coattails and using our images and then making copies.

Customs will not care about trade dress infringement unless it is a copyright issue where embroideries or beadngs  have been issued legitimate copyright protection in theUnited Statestrademark and copyright office.  The way this works is that you cannot copyright the functional nature of the garment-you can only copyright beading and embroidery as art. It is this copyright protection that one must seek and then  register withUnited States customs.

I understand the conversations about supplying samples of these dresses, but in my experience, and I have prosecuted several suits involving the same issue in this industry, the key point withUnited Statescustoms will be neither protection of legitimate copyright infringements, or more importantly, violation of federal law. What they will be most interested in, is the illegal actions to avoid duties. This they cannot ignore.

WE WILL CUT THEM OFF FROM TRANSPORT.

2. I will be in touch with the head of legal of FedEx-that appointment is set for noon on March 20. The head of legal at  UPS will be getting back to me the coming week as well. Once I have FedEx and UPS in hand I will then move on to the other common carriers.

I’ve made it very clear to my representative at FedEx and to my person UPS that they are basically violating federal law by aiding and abetting counterfeiters, violators of intellectual property, and most importantly, entities breaking United States customs rules and regulations. This obviously struck a nerve as the head of legal has made the appointment with me for Tuesday as opposed to some underling. This gentleman called back within an hour of my phone call to my representative. I take this is a very good sign that they too are concerned.

I’ve indicated to UPS that I will only speak to someone at a similar level in their organization.UPS, FedEx and all of these companies have internal oversight committees and procedures as they are all concerned about counterfeiting, illegal drugs, etc. that could negatively affect their company. They cannot possibly afford to hide their head in the sand with these issues.

WE WILL CUT OFF THEIR SOURCE OF FUNDS

3. We are in the process of reaching out to PayPal, Amex,  Visa, MasterCard, etc. regarding the same issues. Again, all of these entities have legal oversight facilities to make sure that they do not aid and abet criminals.

WE WILL EDUCATE THE CONSUMER

4. I’ve been in contact with all the major publications. Today the Knot committed a very significant program using the power of their reach for education of the consumer. I’m quite confident I will receive the same support from all media. In addition, the Knot has committed $5000 for the effort.

I am receiving checks from retailers, manufacturers, and even my sales reps. I am quite pleased about all phone calls and e-mails I have received from manufacturers pledging support. I will continue the effort to engender support across the industry. Many of the publications  broadcast my letter announcing the need for the industry to pull together and I get calls and e-mails nonstop.

WE MUST COME TOGETHER

5. There is a meeting at 11 AM on Monday, March 26 on the eighth floor inChicago. All interested manufacturers have been invited to attend. Counsel for the effort, Mr.CraigHilliard of Stark and Stark , will attend this meeting. He is flying in at his own cost as a show of good faith. This legal firm is one of the largest inCentral New Jerseyand has been very beneficial to my company. It was very nice of them to pick up the costs from his own pocket for this event.We all be forming an LLC that in turn will be represented by the law firm. All funds coming in the been made out to this firm and not Mon Cheri.  Mr. Hilliard will represent this new entity, and hopefully this will quell some of the concerns that the funds may be utilized outside of this effort. As I indicated, not one check has been written to my company; all has been made out to the law firm.

WHAT I PLAN TO DO PERSONALLY

6. In terms of my time and attention to this effort,  I have reorganized my own workflow at my company. I am delegated away many of my prime responsibilities to others so that I have adequate time to concentrate on this effort. In addition to my own financial contribution to the fund, I am dedicating a full-time employee here to work with me on this project. This is a senior manager with a significant package that will work full-time against these counterfeiters. In addition, I will utilize skills of our PR firm as needed and I will pay for that.It is apparent that the board is determining which way to proceed on this issue. I will be in the country for four more weeks until I depart forAsia. I will be inAsiafor a month.

I will continue this effort while I am away on multiple fronts. My office will continue to take instructions from me, I will continue to stay in contact with the parties I have spoken to or will speak to in the coming weeks, and I will keep the board informed.

In addition, I am trying to visit a total of 27 factories while I am inAsia. I will keep my eyes open, I will attempt to visit subcontractors, and I will report on what I see.Given time is tight, approach must be as follows-to get things moving as quickly as possible and to not be held back by delays, debates, or any other activity that prevents me from using next four weeks as productively as possible.

I welcome any input from anyone. If the board decides it is in their best interest to help offset some of the costs involved and to associate themselves with this effort, that would be wonderful. I have seen a tremendous outpouring of support from the industry and it is nice to see people coming together in an effort to get something accomplished.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO US ALL

This offshore situation has grown exponentially. There are over 250 of these sites operating today. It was a handful a year ago compared to what we have now. This is the greatest danger that has hit the industry since the advent of the box stores. Prices have risen in the lower prices shown on these websites looks like even a better value to the consumer. Many factories overseas have been forced to tap into the subcontractor element as their own factories cannot attract enough labor. The high cost of labor has also led good factories to seek out subcontractors. Not only has this affected quality and delivery, but it has helped spawn the problem we have.

Web operators approach these subcontractors offer them more money than they get for producing for major factories. It is an enticement that they cannot avoid taking a look at. It is the profit incentive. This new business model will continue to grow if not stopped.

I will keep you apprised as significant developments arise.

Sincerely,

Steve Lang

Lang informs eWedNewz he’s receiving coöperation and monetary assistance by some of the wedding industry’s biggest entities, including the Knot. In our latest discussions he told eWnZ;

“The whales of the industry see the importance of what we’re trying to accomplish and they’re responding.”

On the negative side, eWedNewz has obtained emails showing the disgust by some board members that say the president, Alan Dessy, remains silent, unwilling to respond to the overtures. Lang’s moves are even sparking some very politically correct members of the wedding dress business– Peter Grimes of Vows magazine– to offer some assistance to Lang’s campaign without a full-fledged mutiny against the IBMA board. Grimes also fell silent after a brief exchange over a week ago but is quietly offering up his help and actually doing something.

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, eWedNewz, General News, Ongoing Story Investigation, wedding industry Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Lang Unveils Plan to Fight off Dress Poachers while IBMA President Hides Out

Posted on March 14, 2012 Written by 1 Comment

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned that Steve Lang of Mon Cheri has outlined a plan to fight off wedding websites that mislead the American public with low-ball pricing and then fail to deliver promised goods. In an email to captains of the wedding dress business Lang clearly spells out how he plans to cut off the supply chain– at the border.

 

A proposal by Steve Lang includes clipping the wings of internet pirates at the border.

“I have contacted my IP attorney, Craig Hilliard, a senior partner at Stark and Stark in Princeton, New Jersey.  Craig has successfully protected Mon Cheri in numerous cases we have instituted to protect our intellectual property and has won every case.  You might be aware of some of these legal interventions,  including successful actions against David’s Bridal on two occasions.  David’s as well as others are under court order to avoid entanglements with Mon Cheri.We will cut off their ability to ship on all carriers including parcel post, Fedex, UPS, DHL  and we will cut off their funding via Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, etc.,

These resources are currently  aiding  and abetting  known counterfeiters and entities violating US Customs and Intellectual Property Laws.  We will wage a PR campaign to educate consumers.  My PR firm stands ready to help us all. We will give everyone the correct wording to put on their web sites to warn the consumers.  I have a key executive in my office well entrenched fighting these sites daily  I will dedicate full-time to this mission to work with us,” according to the email.

In an eWedNewz exclusive Lang said he’s worked on other projects in the past where congressional help was the only way an issue could be resolved.

In Lang’s email to wedding dress heavyweights he revealed how he is realigning his duties as the head of Mon Cheri to give this project his full attention.

On the opposite end of the spectrum the president of the IBMA, Alan Dessy, is said to be hiding– even from his own board members.

In growing numbers retailers reading the coverage on eWedNewz say they plan to support Lang’s effort after years of losing sales to online pirates and do nothing organizational promises.

Our investigation into this story continues.

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, General News, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , , ,

So Far, No Money, No Honey from IBMA

Posted on March 11, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

A week ago wedding dress manufacturers waged war against Chinese sources taking American designs and selling them direct to consumers.  Steve Lang takes steps to mobilize manufacturers and fund a campaign to ask for political help to stop the flood of cheaply made, inferior products that are copied and pirated.

 

So far the IBMA has not officially supported Steve Lang’s attempt to change the future of American wedding dress manufacturers.

 

Lang’s move is upstaging a reported “clandestine campaign” by the IBMA that remains unverified by any top-level official. eWedNewz discovered a war chest of a quarter-million dollars illegally held by the organization floats around instead of being deployed to help fund the effort of protecting the industry.

Sources near the story say,” It’s rumored that the IBMA has a $250K nest egg in the bank.  This total has remained the same for the past three or four years.  Doesn’t anyone think that it’s strange that the account isn’t earning interest?  What kind of bank account is the IBMA using?  Is it a checking account?  Is it a savings account?  Which bank?  How does anyone know if the money actually exists?  If the IBMA did or does have a quarter of a million dollars in cash and hasn’t invested it, can someone/someone explain this brilliant financial strategy?  Maybe the IBMA should have considered US Savings Bonds. It would be fascinating to know the reason that the IBMA refused to fund Steve’s counterfeit gown initiative.

The questions continue to come faster than answers, as the IBMA drags its feet and refuses to co-operate with Lang. On several occasions eWedNewz read emails from Lang to Larry Warshaw of the group asking for the IBMA top join forces. The plea remains ignored. Meanwhile dissatisfied ex-members respond favorable to Lang’s move.

“Hello Steve,

You will have my 100% support.  Please tell me what you need. I had contacted the IBMA board and David Lesser, then President of IBMA many times. Needless to said, NO RESPONSE.  I asked Peter Grimes of VOWS Magazine a few times to talk to the IBMA.  Again NO RESPONSE. The IBMA is more interested in using their organization to negotiate advertising rates with magazines than fighting for what is good for the industry.

This is giving our industry a very bad name, making us look like a bunch of pirates to our brides. Consumers think our bridal shops are  pirates charging $1500 for a gown when they can buy the same dress on the internet– from the same manufacturer– for $300,” according to Nick Yeh.

Other manufacturing supporters coming forward say they want to help in the campaign in whatever way they can help. The movement is also assisted by bridal publications recognizing the first real movement towards a solution.

“It’s the first truly positive move that has been made to solve the problem.  Is there anything that I can do to help you follow-up on it?I can do two things right away:

1)  I can forward your email to every manufacturer that I do work with and those that I’m pursuing as well with the simple question “Have you seen this.”

2)  I can mention this email in every conversation that all Bridal Guide sales staff has with manufacturers and retailers. While retailers may not support the concept financially, it’s important for them to know that you’re leading the initiative,” responded Bridal Guide Magazine.

eWedNewz will continue to cover this story. We’re interested in anything you wish to add.

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, eWedNewz, Ongoing Story Investigation, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , ,

Retailers Come Forth to say the IBMA Dropped the Ball while Hiding the Loot

Posted on March 7, 2012 Written by 1 Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation into the IBMA exposing wasted years of  doing nothing to fend off the growing aggression from China is getting reactions from around the wedding industry. Coverage of the story unveils a substantial amount of money, said held illegally in the organization’s coffers, was never deployed before the Chinese committed further damage to the market.

 

Patrick Kelly supports a move to get our government to put the clamps on China.

 

According to Nick Yeh of Impressions Bridal, too much time has passed and nothing was ever done to fight the culprits.

“They just sat and talked and wasted time when they could have been raising awareness to this issue,” he told eWedNewz this week.

Yeh, a manufacturer, says he supports a new campaigned announced by Steve Lang. Yeh added he supports any effort in the industry to help retailers, including any actions by the IBMA. Retailers reading the story are coming forward to support statements they agree with and express their feelings on what they don’t. Retailer, Patrick Kelly, responded to the story saying;

“I agree with Nick, the IBMA should get with our government and attempt to put the clamps on China. Will it be effective? That remains to be seen. It seems a conflict of interest to me. Why should the chairman stir up trouble with China? China is manufacturing the member’s product. If you want to be a leader at the IBMA’s level, start manufacturing your product here in the US. Then China loses it’s power over us. Then China loses the designers to copy from. Jim Hjelm does it, why can’t the IBMA? Also, I feel strongly that wholesalers should never be in the retail business, again a tragic conflict of interest. An issue I do not agree with Nick on.”

On Facebook,  Retailer, Bailey Judith Rieglhaupt of The Bridal Secret said she supports Lang’s efforts and feels he’s always been a strong supporter of the wedding dress industry. Bailey watches the story and how IBMA responds to eWedNewz questioning about how they handle their finances and the $250,000 dollars in their possession.

Bailey asked eWedNewz of the status; we were glad to say Peter Grimes, treasurer of the IBMA, responded. But when eWedNewz asked where the money is and what the plans to deploy the money included he fell silent.

Repeated attempts to reach Alan Dessy, president of the organization, remain ignored.

 

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, eWedNewz, Ongoing Story Investigation, retail, wedding industry Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ex-Members ask IBMA Where’s the Loot?

Posted on March 6, 2012 Written by 2 Comments

By Paul Pannone

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation reveals some explosive details of a story we’ve watched since 2010. The IBMA has undergone several leadership changes over the past few years and is trying to re-establish themselves in the wedding dress business. But a sum of money amassed along the way has become a topic of contention for some of the more business-minded members and has even prompted some to exit the organization in fear.

eWedNewz has repeatedly requested to talk to a high-ranking board member of the IBMA. Instead we’re contacted by a low-level shine box boy.

 

eWedNewz learned of the sum of over $250,000 dollars being held by the organization in 2010 and attempted to contact David Lesser of the organization. Ignored calls and emails to Lesser and ongoing attempts to talk to a high-ranking official of the group leave unanswered questions about the money.

The issue came to light again this week when Steve Lang, a supporter of the wedding business, announced he would head a move to stem the growing disruption caused by Chinese pirates lifting images from legitimate websites and using them to unfairly compete against American manufacturers.

“I felt very uncomfortable with the way the money was just sitting there. I don’t know if the right papers were filed or not but, as a business man, I know there is certain protocol that must be followed– to not have the IRS come asking a lot of questions,” according to Lang.

Land told eWedNewz he left the organization for many reasons but the issue of the money sitting in limbo was at the top. Lang and other critics of the IBMA say they’re tired of waiting and talking about what to do.

Since Lang’s announcement low-level members reaching to this newZ source said there is a clandestine effort in place “for months” that Lang was supposedly invited to support. Lang told eWedNewz he was never invited and felt he may have actually been excluded.

“I have never been invited to an IBMA meeting nor has anyone on that board requested I join,” said Lang.

The issue of the money and questioning the whereabouts by Lang is believed the reason for exclusion. Lang warned longtime friends in the business to be careful, including Peter Grimes, Treasurer.

“I’ve told everyone to be very careful on how the organization’s finances are managed, not just Peter,” said Lang.

In an eWedNewz interview, Nick Yeh told eWedNewz he agrees with Lang.

“The whole thing is a bunch of BS; we look like a bunch of idiots to the world. It looks like we are a bunch of thieves selling dresses wholesale for $500-1000 dollars, when China is selling them for less at retail. They’re laughing at us because they’re eating our lunch everyday, shipping inferior goods to our consumers and hurting our retailers; that’s who we should be fighting, not each other,” said Yeh.

Onlookers replying to the coverage including major publications say Yeh is absolutely correct and are quietly watching the progress of this story. Some said;

“These are advertisers and with times being as tough as they are, we cannot afford to alienate anyone and lose revenue.”

A low-level member of the IBMA called our coverage “irritating”, resorting to personal attacks and name-calling. The frustration mounted, as hard questions posed could not be answered. eWedNewz repeatedly told the low-level member not to telephone but to answer our questions  in email and in front of wedding industry members, including the Wedding Water Cooler.

When we demanded to have Alan Dessy, president of the organization, contact us about the $250,00 dollars, the low-level member of IBMA fell silent.

 

eWedNewz continues to cover this story and would appreciate your thoughts.

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Breaking Newz, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, eWedNewz, General News, Ongoing Story Investigation, wedding industry Tagged: , , , ,

A History of Ineptness Allows China to Poach American Consumers

Posted on March 5, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

 

By Paul Pannone

The informal use of the word poach describes what China does to the American marketplace; it cheats in a game while our American manufacturers plays by the rules. But in an ongoing eWedNewz story we’ve discovered how China leverages the pettiness of some American manufacturers that fight each other, instead of fighting the real enemy.

In  less than 24 hours since we broke the newZ of one American bridal company organizing a defense against the online sale of cheap, knock off goods, it becomes quite clear that all China needs to do is sit back and watch, as American competitors quarrel among themselves. eWedNewz is uncovering how internal fighting allows China to deceive the American consumer– the ultimate loser caught in the crossfire.

 

 Nick Yeh of Impressions Bridal pledged his support to anything positive that can help the wedding dress business and denounced the ineptness at the IBMA and it’s members.

 

Steve Lang, of Mon Cheri, announced the formation of a collaborative dress manufacturer effort to wage war against Chinese forces that sell inferior imitation dresses online. Lang provided information about the campaign to this newZ source, wanting to take a leadership role on an issue that has reportedly been hanging in limbo for years. According to Lang he is frustrated by the inept qualities of the IBMA; an organization that is suspected by a growing number of sources in the wedding business.

According to Lang, his frustration led him to break away from the organization and strike out on his own to fend off some of the growing problems facing the wedding dress business, including internet selling of inferior products.

“I just got tired of listening to these people talk and talk and never really do anything,” Lang told eWedNewz.

Lang and a growing number of industry sources suspect the IBMA’s motives in how they manage the organization, questioning how they have the best interest of the industry in mind. Lang and others say the organization’s misguided efforts, using the group’s influence to negotiate better advertising rates and other self-serving interests they’re pursuing, leave much to be desired.

“Steve is right about that; they should be looking at more important issues like the one he (Steve) is talking about,” according to Nick Yeh, owner of Impression Bridals.

Yeh, Lang and other sources in the wedding dress business are becoming vocal about their frustrations, saying they’re tired of funding an organization that fails to act in the better interest of the wedding dress industry.

“You know this is not an easy task. What Steve is proposing will take years and a lot of funding and I would support him in what he’s trying to do. At least I know he would make an honest effort to really try and fight the knock off websites and not just talk about it, the way the people at IBMA have done for years now,” says Yeh.

According to multiple sources the IBMA has held on to about $250,000 dollars in their coffers for several years unable to decide how to spend the money. Since late 2011 the president of the IBMA, Alan Dessy, has refused to answer questions about the money or even return a single phone call. Dessy, known for his arrogant behavior, came under fire by constituents and other sources that say he is very difficult and at times impossible to deal with.

“They don’t talk to you because they are hiding. What are they going to say? What a great job they’re doing? Of course not. They talk and talk and never get anything done. What really needs to happen is getting together with government agencies and congress. It’s very simple to show shipments coming into the United States as “gifts” from China. OK, how many Americans have relatives over there? How is it that these shipments are able to get to their intended destination over here in the United States?” asks Nick Yeh.

According to Yeh the board members of the IBMA should be asking these questions, not trying to beat up wedding magazines for better pricing.

“I’m a business man; I run my business like a war. I am here to take out my enemy– not help him with better advertising rates that will make him stronger to fight me. Business is not like a war; business is war. Those people are like chumps, the way the act and run their own businesses. What do they know about helping me run mine? I chose to open my own stores in my market, so did many of the board members. I know fully what I want to do and that’s to help the people who buy my product,” said Yeh.

Mr. Yeah makes no apologies for how he chooses to run his business but did say a strong manufacturer is in a better place to service his accounts.

“I’m strong and have the will to succeed. I don’t need an organization to get me better rates; I can do that myself. I spend a lot of money every year and see the positive results. Whether I make mistakes or not it’s by my own decisions. But these people are really something else,” says Yeh.

Yeh told eWedNewz he feels there is an agenda within the group that includes some of the industry’s publications that are board members.

“I reached out to Vows and expressed my dissatisfaction over the IBMA. I spoke to others in the industry. Nobody wants to take a stand because they are afraid to speak up. But if someone doesn’t wake up and do something we won’t have an industry anymore– then what?” said Yeh.

Steve Lang and others in the industry acknowledged the lack of assertiveness at Vows.

A member of the IBMA– not Dessy– came forward to say Lang was several months late with his proposed campaign. Larry Warshaw of IBMA said the organization has a “sting operation going on and loose lips sink ships”. Warshaw also acknowledged the IBMA did not want to talk with eWedNewz.

According to Steve Lang, “I never saw letters from him and the guys we use in common as sales people said nothing. I even copied them on my response to him. I invited him to walk in my shoes and his feet are too small. He sees my education program as self promoting. I invest  more in a year then he has invested in a lifetime in this industry.”

 eWedNewz continues our investigation into this story and invites your views.

 

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