Beauty

[CalMom]

This is my observation.

I've only purchased Wen from QVC but I was surprised to learn that Gunthy Renker has a "very limited" product line. Basically, SAM, Pom, Lavender and now SOB. My friend sent me a link and asked if this is where she should get her Wen? I checked out the link and was very surprised to learn that there were no CC formulas that would be good for her. Her hair is dry and she has dandruff or perhaps a scalp issue. (Yes, I told her, as did her daughter, to see a dermatologist but she seems to put it off or has an excuse.)

When I was online I spoke to an agent who asked me a few questions and told me that I needed Lavender. (I have never tried lavender and would probably buy some seasonals before lavender.) I left the GR site. A couple hours later, the Wen GR ad kept popping up so I went back and the conversation box popped up again. This time, I was advised to get SAM.

SAM does not work for my hair as it left my hair very dry. I tried SAM another time after using Wen for more than a year and the same results happened. I don't think the universal formulas are necessarily universal because I don't get the same results as I do with specific formulas.

The fact that the formulations are different for GR Wen, all Wen sold outside of the US (QVC Japan, etc) and at Sephora than that of the Wen sold at the Chaz Dean Studio or website and QVC. I am aware that many of you know this, however, I am going to assume that some people do not know this.

[bebe777]

DogLvr, thanks for sharing your observations especially for those new to Wen. Buying through Guthy Renker has worked for some Wenners, but I've read a number of posts with people having problems with GR. I think your post helps illustrate a few of these issues. And then there's the issue of it taking some people months and months to finally get GR to terminate their Wen A-D shipments. This is just me but, personally, I'd never give GR my credit card information (or any information, for that matter).

-- bebe

[Trix]

When Guthy Renker partners with someone like Chaz to distribute their products to mass market they own the brand as much as the person whose name is on it. Were it not for the money and influence of Guthy Renker Chaz would probably still be selling WEN only at his salon.

[depglass]

I think QVC made Chaz Dean, not Guthy Rencker. I absolutely refuse to order anything from an infomercial. Uncertain security, slow delivery and difficulty getting refunds. If a new product is any good at all it will be picked up by one of the shopping channels.

[CalMom]

On 5/13/2014 depglass said:

I think QVC made Chaz Dean, not Guthy Rencker. I absolutely refuse to order anything from an infomercial. Uncertain security, slow delivery and difficulty getting refunds. If a new product is any good at all it will be picked up by one of the shopping channels.

I purchased two items on separate occasions from QVC before I ordered Wen two years ago. During that month is when I ordered It Cosmetics and Philosophy and once Josie Moran.

GR has a completely different approach. If I had ordered Wen from GR, I would not be a Wen user. I have been more than happy with my purchases from QVC. I do compare pricing and often have been made aware of a new product (not necessarily Wen) and have purchased the item elsewhere... specifically the emjoi....at that warehouse store.

[FLsunlover]

I know GR sells the Fig formula because I have 2 bottles of it right now. I remember seeing TT as well. I don't know why they don't offer it in their initial kits they sell. I started out with getting my Wen from GR and never had any issues with them. I just found it easier to get what I want either directly from Chazdean.com or QVC. I don't notice any difference in the formulas.

[glitzandglam]

GR seems to have more inventory that they make available to you after you're a customer (I don't know if it's one time or multiple orders). I'm not sure why they do it that way, other than maybe what they offer the first time is cheaper since their entire distribution system is predicated on multiple reorders?

I know the formulations are different due to international shipping issues, but I don't think they're so different as to cause them to make recommendations outside of Chaz's recommendations. Probably it depends on how familiar the CS person actually is with the product. I think most of those mass CS folks are working with multiple infomercial products and probably have a script. ("If the customer uses the word x, you say y," etc.)

[Kjelle]

Several people active here on the boards, including myself, started out with WEN through Guthy Renker. If it weren't for Guthy Renker, I wouldn't be using WEN now, bc I am not a QVC watcher and never would have heard of WEN. Chaz did those formulas, as well. Guthy Renker has intro kits, but once you order, you can order ALL the formulas including 613. You can personalize your kit evry time. They vary from year to year as to whether they will carry seasonals. Various people have had issues with stopping the program (I didn't) and some don't like being in a 'club' set up. Also, the formulas are different for international shipping as we've discussed in threads before. The formulas were not low quality in their effect, or I wouldn't have stuck with WEN. I can't see any overall reason to bad mouth the program though, because it brings a lot of people to WEN. Once I got an inventory, I found wanted seasonals and to only "fill in the blanks" instead of having so much on auto-delivery, so I switched to the Q. Also for TSVs, etc.

[ChynnaBlue]

On 5/13/2014 FLsunlover said:

I know GR sells the Fig formula because I have 2 bottles of it right now. I remember seeing TT as well. I don't know why they don't offer it in their initial kits they sell. I started out with getting my Wen from GR and never had any issues with them. I just found it easier to get what I want either directly from Chazdean.com or QVC. I don't notice any difference in the formulas.

Sephora also sells the GR versions and the Sephora store I was in last week at Sweet Almond Mint, Fig, Lavender, and Cucumber Aloe. You can also find the SAM, Fig, and CA on the Sephora website.

As others have said, their complete line isn't available until after you become locked in to the AD system they have. They also have 613, though it appears to be in a completely different bottle. Sephora does not carry 613.

[Kjelle]

On 5/13/2014 ChynnaBlue said:

On 5/13/2014 FLsunlover said:

I know GR sells the Fig formula because I have 2 bottles of it right now. I remember seeing TT as well. I don't know why they don't offer it in their initial kits they sell. I started out with getting my Wen from GR and never had any issues with them. I just found it easier to get what I want either directly from Chazdean.com or QVC. I don't notice any difference in the formulas.

Sephora also sells the GR versions and the Sephora store I was in last week at Sweet Almond Mint, Fig, Lavender, and Cucumber Aloe. You can also find the SAM, Fig, and CA on the Sephora website.

As others have said, their complete line isn't available until after you become locked in to the AD system they have. They also have 613, though it appears to be in a completely different bottle. Sephora does not carry 613.

I don't think that's quite accurate, Chynna. You can order as a non-member. I think you only need to call and ask for a catalog. The catalog lists member and non-member prices. Or you can just ask prices. I get the catalogs since I used to be a member. They also offer deals from time to time, that they will send you notice of periodically. The non-member prices are slightly more than if you are in the club. In the middle between Club and the Q.