Community Chat

[MaryLamb]

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@sfnative wrote:

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@MaryLamb wrote:

Many things bug me about this product and this company, but the two biggest issues I have with it have to do with the marketing of the product.

First, they try to pitch the idea that there is some kind of science involved with the construction of the pillow. They claim there are interlocking pieces of cushioning inside the pillow which create some kind of support system. If you go on YouTube, you can view several videos of people cutting open these pillows. It’s just a pile of chopped up memory foam, folks. There is nothing scientific about that all.

Second, the company boasts how they are “Made In America.” Of course they are. Why would any business person with any common sense pay to have a product which requires chopping up some memory foam and stuffing it into two pieces of rectangular fabric sewn together manufactured overseas? The tariffs and shipping costs heavily outweigh the manufacturing costs. These pillows which retail in big box stores for $40-$50 are constructed of about 25 cents worth of material. If you’ve ever studied business or know anything about manufacturing, you’re smart enough to know that Lindell is no hero for manufacturing the pillow in the USA, he just has common sense. The fact that he is constantly boasting about this is disingenuous. If he really cared about American workers, he wouldn’t have laid off 150 employees last month and another 140 employees in April of 2017 using the excuse of needing space to expand his empire. That’s not supporting American workers, that’s greed.

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@MaryLamb 

I'm neither here nor there about the man.  HOWEVER, unless you really know why he made the business move that he did, it would be rather unwise to make unsubstantiated claims or suppositions.

Men and women start-up and own companies.  They manage the day-to-day operations, until such time as they're at a point where they can bring on a COO.  Some are likable, some not so and some, though great at what they do, are people you'd rather not be around.  That's the way it is.  Simple as pie.

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@sfnative  I have worked as an executive for 3 different businesses over the past 25 years. Two of these businesses used overseas manufacturers, and one used a manufacturer here. My claims are not “unsubstantiated.” My claims are based on decades of education, experience and knowledge of the industry. I can say with 100% certainty that that it would be more costly to produce this product in any other country than the USA. 

[MorningLover]

“MyPillow reconfigures Shakopee plant, idles 120, as founder Mike Lindell builds new venture."

 He “laid-off” 120 employees because he is renovating that production space which is being reconfigured for his new business endeavor.

“I had to lay them off because you can’t have employees in there while doing this big shift,” Lindell said. He paid them all, gave them an extra week’s pay, told them they were welcome to find a new job on their own, work for another company that he had arranged to hire them, or wait for his call in six to eight weeks when the place is up and ready for them to work in.

~StarTribune

[MaryLamb]

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@MorningLover wrote:

“MyPillow reconfigures Shakopee plant, idles 120, as founder Mike Lindell builds new venture."

 He “laid-off” 120 employees because he is renovating that production space which is being reconfigured for his new business endeavor.

“I had to lay them off because you can’t have employees in there while doing this big shift,” Lindell said. He paid them all, gave them an extra week’s pay, told them they were welcome to find a new job on their own, work for another company that he had arranged to hire them, or wait for his call in six to eight weeks when the place is up and ready for them to work in.

~StarTribune

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@MorningLover  Then why did he use the term “lay off” rather than “furlough?” I’m guessing it’s because he knew he would have to actually put those people back on payroll if he used that word. No high profile business person who is furloughing employees would never be quoted as using the phrase “lay off.”

[NicksmomESQ]

  I would rather sleep without a pillow than give that man $1 of my money!!! I don’t care what he sells in the future, there is no way I would ever give him my business,period. When he’s on tv I change the channel.

[Mersha]

I think many would be surprised at some of his speeches at certain "meetings/conventions" he is a part of.

Google them if interested.

I would not purchase anything he is involved with.

[mom2four0418]

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@Mersha wrote:

I think many would be surprised at some of his speeches at certain "meetings/conventions" he is a part of.

Google them if interested.

I would not purchase anything he is involved with.

And then there are those who purchase his stuff for exactly that reason.

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[suzyQ3]

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@Mersha wrote:

I think many would be surprised at some of his speeches at certain "meetings/conventions" he is a part of.

Google them if interested.

I would not purchase anything he is involved with.

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@Mersha, for better or for worse, I do believe that I have lost the capacity to be surprised anymore.

[speedy girl]

Costco had a big display of them not to long ago and the rep for My Pillow said they come to Costco twice a year. So they really are everywhere!! 

[Ladybug724]

Soon they'll be in vending machines. Airports, etc

[ThinkOutsidetheBox]

@MaryLamb...if he is a good guy (and I have no idea but I am curious after reading this thread), then he may have "laid off" those workers so that they could file for and collect unemployment. The unemployment rules are very strict (in my state anyway), and getting furloughed does not make you eligible for unemployment (last time I checked twenty years ago anyway). So, if he is a caring boss and company owner, then perhaps he chose to go the route that would best continue to support his workers as long as possible.

As to whether he IS a good person???? I have no idea. All I know is I bought two of his pillows way back when. They really are just so-so, although still better than any pillows that I can afford from Target, Walmart, Kohl's, etc. All pillows suck for me at 52. Anyway, back to him...he creeps me out and I do not know why. I turn the channel every time I see him now. I do not approve of people flaunting their religious beliefs, or any other beliefs in a business setting. Keep your tattoos covered, your piercings out, your purple hair to to yourself, and don't ask me if I am saved, etc. I do not think any of that belongs in a professional or business setting. That is just me though. Those are all MY preferences, and I also recognize that everyone else also has the right to do all of the above anyway. I still just do not care for him though.