pv.Body: A follow-up

It finally arrived.

The long-awaited package from pv.Body. It was a sassy pink envelope full of so much angst and frustration.

And an unattractive workout ensemble. It's mostly the top I don't like but the pants don't thrill me either. The top is an Alaskan blue printed Nux number and the bottoms are cropped pants from American Apparel. I tried to find what the retail value was but neither style was available online. Of course, none of that matters. It is going back to pv.Body, and it would have even if it was the cutest outfit on the planet. Even if it had been lululemon.

I detailed my frustrations with the new subscription service in a previous post - ranting about a faulty coupon code and poor customer service. After having things nearly resolved, I'm not sure I feel much better about the situation. I still feel like they are a company that, for lack of a better phrase, doesn't have its shit together.

My case:

The day I posted my blog, I shared the link on pv.Body's website. Within 24 hours, they "liked" it but never followed up. I made a sassy comment that I found it amusing they liked such bad publicity and received no further response.

The day after I posted the blog, I made a follow-up phone call. Miracle of all miracles, someone answered the phone and I told him I wanted a refund. There was nothing he could do to help, I said, because I didn't want to do business with a company that wouldn't respond to complaints. He gave me instructions on how to return the outfit - go to my account, click a few buttons to print a shipping label and indicate that I wanted to return the outfit for a refund.

The day after I talked to a rep, two days after the blog and three days after a phone call, I received a message from a pv.Body rep who was returning my voicemail.

Nearly a week after my emails were sent, I received two generic emails saying that they got backlogged during the holidays. If my coupon was bad and I needed a credit, I should email x person. If I wanted to do something else, there were different instructions.

But I don't want to do anything else. I want to return it and I want a refund. The label has been printed and the envelope dropped in a FedEx box. Now time will tell whether I get what I'm hoping for.

(pv) Body conscious

Warning: Rage induced rant ahead ...

You can't swing a resistance band around the blog world, Twitter and Facebook without getting smacked in the face by pv.Body.

Seemingly the latest incarnation in the subscription fad, pv.Body is a company that hand selects workout ensembles for women based on a questionnaire. The company promises that the outfits they put together are from quality activewear companies, even throwing around the name lululemon, as a result of relationships its built with the manufacturers.

Many of the outfits I've seen from blog reviews - and there are too many to list - have not been lululemon but American Apparel, Nux and Colosseum. I've not worn those brands and can't be sure of their quality but the pieces didn't seem to be anything special. Not the way lululemon pieces are.

Nonetheless, I couldn't help but feel jealous that I didn't have the opportunity to review the service, and I waffled for a good two weeks about whether to join. I tweeted about it, in a shameless, vain effort, to get a free box and took the style survey a number of times. I even put the subscription in the cart before canceling it, deciding that even the discounted rate of $39.95 would be better spent on a race fee.

I should note that during my shameless tweets that I did get responses from the company.

But when I received a coupon code via email for 40 percent off just before Christmas, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and try it out.

Just one problem: The coupon didn't give me 40 percent off. It gave me 20 percent off - not what I wanted. I had hit order too soon, though, and despite hitting the back button, it went through.

I immediately emailed the company, asking them to cancel the order and refund my card before the outfit was shipped. I explained that the coupon did not come off correctly, and the coupon was the sole reason I was trying it. I got an automated email saying that they were busy but would get to my case. A few hours later, another email came saying that my case had been resolved.

For them.

My card is still charged, an outfit has been shipped and I have had no response from the company now that I'm unhappy and unwilling to try the service. I will admit that the holidays could be causing a delay but I've seen tweets from their account and no response to complaints via twitter nor a followup email. I've since emailed a third time and have received an automatic response that my request will be reviewed. I also called as that's what was instructed on its Facebook page in response to other complaint. No answer. Message left.

As for the outfit? I have yet to receive it - according to FedEx, it's still in California - so I can't attest to its quality. But what I can tell you is buyer beware. Sure, a whole lot of bloggers got to try outfits, made exchanges effortlessly and fell in love ... because it was free and the company was trying to spread the word. Now that the word is out, they either can't handle it or don't want to.

And I'm not cool with that.

Editor's note/disclaimer: I feel like I should mention that while I do like to participate in product reviews and giveaways and I do feel somewhat obligated to do them right, I do my best to be honest and fair. When I feel like I haven't (read: MOTOACTV), I try to revisit the topic and update you.