I have been torn on a particular subject for quite some time now, and I think I finally have an answer for everyone.
About six months ago, I developed a relationship with PV.Body (now turned Ellie!). I was approached by one of the team members about the possibility of becoming an ambassador for their brand. With the title of being an ambassador, I would be given some clothes to try out and would have the opportunity to make some money off of affiliate sales. It seemed like a good gig, especially after getting my first shipment of clothes from PV.Body. I loved the clothes they sent me, and I was happy to promote this new brand to my readers. A few weeks down the road, however, I started to hear some negative thoughts about the company. Orders weren’t being shipped, customers weren’t getting their 20% off, and shipping times were outrageous (think, close to a month). I honestly was not impressed, but not having experienced it myself, decided to give them another chance.
In January, PV.Body became Ellie. I was a fan of the look of their clothes as well as the theme that ran for a month until a new theme with new clothes rolled out the following month. However, like any new company, the same problems arose. I myself had a few issues with getting my orders in January and February and experienced the looooooong shipping times that came with my order. I was really on my last leg and was ready to end my ambassadorship. There was no way in the world I wanted to promote a brand that continually disappointed their customers (and ambassadors!) month after month.
The part I was torn on? I looooved the clothes. Like, loved. Loved so much that I would buy them with my own money. I felt the quality was spot on and they fit well. Their pants, lacking of another word to use, mold to your body. Their tops are long and stylish, and all of the tops I have received have been the softest material in the world.
I was ready to throw in the towel when I received an email last month explaining that Ellie was under new management. They had a new plan. Only sell items they have in stock at the time. Ship out orders immediately. I’d say that would make customers happy, agreed?
Ultimately, I’m a believer in second chances. Call me a dip, but I really feel like this company has gone through some learning experiences in the past six months. I’m sure they have lost some customers along the way which is an absolute shame for them because I know so many people were optimistic about the possibilities the Ellie would bring. I have decided to stick it out with Ellie for the time being, mainly because I love their clothes.
However, as an ambassador, I want you to tell me about your experiences – good and bad. Have you gotten clothes from them recently since the company went under new management? I want to know it all. I would hate to stay with a company that is treating its ambassadors well and not treating other customers with the same service.
Whew. It felt good for some honest to goodness open writing this morning. 
I’ll be back tomorrow (with a late) WIAW post. Better late than never, right?
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
I never ordered any products from Ellie, so I don’t know that I have much to contribute to the conversation. But I remember reading all the negative feedback, which definitely swayed me against ordering from them. Online shopping always makes me a little nervous to be honest, I’m always worried the clothes won’t fit right or they’ll get lost in the mail forever and I’ll have a major headache to deal with. But! When I hear great things about a company, I’m more likely to order from them. Hopefully their new management can fix some of their old problems. I agree people deserve second chances, especially when launching a business. The amount of work behind it is seriously incredible.
i would never call you a dip…
to your face.
So glad you still have faith in them! I’ve had such great experiences with Ellie and I, too, love their clothes!!
I’ve actually never heard of that company before, but I will check them out!
I’m glad they’re improving and you stuck with it! I just didn’t love the clothes enough to have subscribed to it myself. It sounds like they’re making the improvements I thought they should make, so that’s great!
I’ve never tried their clothes because I heard so many negative things about them. And, I still think it’s a little expensive — I could find something cheaper at Target or Marshall’s. Maybe I’ll try it eventually, once they get all of the kinks worked out!
I’m always nervous about ordering online and honestly I’ve never ordered from Ellie because of the negative reviews I kept hearing around the blogosphere! I’m interested in this new management though…
I am also an Ellie ambassador and have heard the same things about some poor experiences with the company in the past, but I do believe they have come around since then and really are on the ball now! I love their clothes too!
I signed up with PV Body in January because I learned about it from your site! My early experiences were really frustrating…but I also stuck with it because I LOVED the concept, clothes, and really felt like they were truly trying their hardest to work out the kinks. In the beginning I was shipped some wrong items, but I sent them back and the problem was fixed (although it took a while). I was about ready to throw in the towel too, but decided to give it one more month. I’m glad I did. This last month’s package came within DAYS of me placing my order (shocking!). And the entire order was correct. Also, every time I e-mailed them with any question, they always responded quickly, thoroughly, and very kindly. That speaks volumes to me about their care for their customers and their passion for their company.
I’m glad there’s someone who has had a great experience with the new line. Thanks Michelle!
If you like the clothes, but the company has been wildly inconsistent in their business practices why don’t you just spend your own money on them instead of shilling for them? It sounds more like you just like them because they’re free and are trying to justify promoting a bad experience to your readers. Not cool.
I have to say I agree with this.
Do some googling. Read other reviews by bloggers you may not even know. Look at the pics of clothing with uneven or ripped stitching, wrong sizes sent, wrong styles sent.
I have searched this company multiple times because I was curious what was going to pan out and as a regular reader I was shocked when you posted a second positive update as an ambassador.
Now with this post I think you should consider what you’re promoting. It seeks the bloggers who get the free stuff make up a large percentage of those with good experiences.
Do you want to keep promoting a company that has done such bad business?? Why is it important to you to stick witthusly company? If you were going to make money off of this or get free clothing, after reading and experiencing the inconsistencies, would you still want to e an ambassador?
And how do you know it’s REALLY under new mgmt? It may just e a plot to suck everyone back in.
I thought a few capris were cute but did not order simply bc of the bad business going on!
I would not want my name or brand associated with them. I mean, imagine if all the people you led to that company had issues with their orders and/or refunds? How do you think they would view your authenticity after that?
Ugh typos & autocorrect!
*stick with this company
*if you WEREN’T going to make money off of
*just be
I don’t know if I would call this a “positive” update. It was honest - I’m torn because the management has sucked, but all the clothes I have gotten have been good quality. You’re right - I don’t “know” if it’s really under new management. I’m hoping that’s the case. Just like I said in my post “for the time being” I’m giving them a second chance. Will it last? We’ll have to see. If I continue to hear negative things after the new model has been rolled out, then I won’t feel any loyalty.
I believe I did say that I would spend my own money on the clothes, Kate. I’m not promoting a bad experience - I am being honest about the fact that I love the clothes so I’m torn on the situation.
I love Ellie!
I also don’t agree with the Kate above me. I think you clearly put forth your honest opinion on the state of Ellie and explained why you are supporting the company now.
I don’t think you’d ever exploit your readers like that.
Hugs and thanks for the Ellie update!
Christine
Thanks Christine! I would never set out to exploit anyone. I’m glad you can see that!
I’ve never ordered from Ellie, but I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you having your own opinion on this! I felt like too many bloggers jumped on the “I hate Ellie” bandwagon all at the same time. I would definitely give them another chance! Plus, if you end up not liking them this time around, then you at least gave it a shot!
I haven’t ordered anything, but their clothes are SO cute! Glad they’re turning things around..I would love to order something!
I’ve heard so many mixed reviews, I just don’t know what to think. Their clothes definitely look cute, but after watching Sarah Fits review in March, it just seems like they have a horrible business model and have no clue what they are doing! Such a shame too because the concept really is a great one! Also, as someone who works in PR, their branding is a bit of a train wreck in my opinion.
I appreciate your honesty though!
I’m with you on the second chance thing — have largely felt the same about my experience with them previously but I’m totally up for second chances so I’m hopeful that this is just a bunch of growing pains as a new company who probably grew too fast and struggled. So with new management, HOPEFULLY comes great new things from them as an organization. Fingers are hopefully crossed on this one. (I”m an Ambassador too)
I’m glad another ambassador feels the same way as I do. I definitely want to see how their new management works out. If it’s not so good, I’m out!
I’m ALL about second chances too. I have the same feelings as you do. I am absolutely in love with Ellie’s clothing line (at least their pants, their tops don’t work well for girls with larger chests…). I actually just called them yesterday to cancel my membership because a new set of clothes each month was just getting to be too much. It was easy and the staff was very helpful!
Good! I’m glad you had a good experience. The tops I guess fit me well because I’m not so well endowed.
Okay, before pregnancy…
To be honest, I’ve never even heard of this company. I will go and check them out!
Thank you for being honest about this, it’s nice to see someone who’s so transparent with their views, not shady!
Thanks Ashli!
Hi Chelsey-
Like you, I have had MANY, MANY problems with Ellie/PV. Body as a company - through it all I have stuck it out because I like the quality of the products they ship out. I was VERY disappointed in the way I was treated initially - I was only given 20% off for one month, although another ambassador listed on their site that the 20% would be throughout the course of your membership. I waited months to receive orders I had already been charged for & sometimes have been sent the same products twice. I recently have been in contact with Hope - a customer service represenative - who continually assures me that orders will be shipped “tomorrow” & I’ll receive items “soon”. Sadly, this has not been the case. I have never received my items on time. Also, what happened to our “profiles” of items that we liked/wanted? In the beginning, I was so excited about receiving items each month that were a surprise to me! Now, we are supposed to log on & “pick out” items each month. Why would I not just online shop for other brands if I wanted to pick out the items each time? I find this to be opposite of the concept they were built on from the beginning.
I have had such negative experiences with the company, but have stuck it out through everything. I can’t say that I’m satisfied with them - other than the products are good quality & stylish.
I appreciate hearing your thoughts on them also! I like giving chances, but I don’t like being lied to as a customer. If items are going to take 2 weeks to ship, then TELL ME. Don’t lie & say, “they’ll ship tomorrow” 6 days in a row. That is the most frustrating part.
Thanks Chelsey!
Thanks Kristen - I’m going to email Hope to take a look at this post/comment.
Ellie isn’t available here in Canada so I haven’t had the chance to try it…but frankly, with all the negative reviews I’ve seen, I’m not sure if I would want to.
I’m not an ambassador for them, but I am a customer/”member” (so I get the discount each month)…I’ve been torn for the EXACT same reasons as to you when it comes to sticking it out with them. Customer service hasn’t been impressive whatsoever, but I just love every clothing item I get from them! I didn’t know they were under new management, but now that I do I think I’ll stick it out for another month and see if things have improved.
Gaaah! Isn’t it the worst? That’s what I’m doing too - I want to see if they turn things around. If not, adios!
I was super excited about pv.body and couldn’t wait to start getting monthly packages…this excitement quickly turned to frustration. I wanted to exchange the first package I got in january because the pants didn’t fit, and I didn’t receive the new outfit until march. In the meantime, communicating with them was quite difficult because they don’t answer their phone and the emails were delayed. The second round of clothes were all black and I just wasn’t digging them. At this point I decided it wasn’t worth the fuss so I emailed the company and asked for a refund and to be taken off of their services and automatic draft. I received an email back saying that they were sorry to see me go, but that they deleted my personal information. Then I received a package in April and was extremely confused because I canceled my service. I sent the stuff back and just received a refund for the January purchase just last week. Then today, I got an email confirming my order for the month of may has been sent….once again so confused because I just want to be removed from ellie completely and had been told I was. It’s been so frustrating to communicate with them via email. They won’t give me a person to talk to on the phone about it. Sorry for the rant….I’m just not impressed at all, and I gave them quite a few chances.
Thanks Kaylee - I’m going to email Hope to take a look at this post/comment.
I have loved every piece I received from them. I started with them when they were PV.Body. I actually prefer Ellie’s quality better that the stuff I got from PV.Body. I too have spent my own money on additional pieces for myself and as gifts for friends. I have not had one problem with them from the start. I feel terrible that others have. I certainly hope that as an Ambassador my treatment would be the same as clients, especially since we are promoting it. I too think the management changes will help get them on the right track. It is a GOOD policy to give second chances.
I unfortunately did not like the clothes that I received. They were definitely “off” brands that I had never heard of (back when it was PV.Body), and they did seem like clothes that were “left over” from the market. Now that it is Ellie, I believe they are making their own clothes? So that should solve that problem.
I feel like one thing that could have happened during PV.Body stage was that they hand-selected the best clothing options for ambassadors because they obviously want to give you the best experience!
I was on subscription for two months, and I wanted to return my second subscription as it did not even fit. It took them a while to respond (it was during the transition process to Ellie), but they did respond eventually, give me a refund, and apologize which was very nice.
I think they definitely do have good intentions in mind, but do not have the right business operations in place for how fast they are moving. I wish they would have taken a break between PV.Body and Ellie (if that would have been possible) to help work out the kinks!
Hi Chelsea! Just wanted to add my two cents on this topic (this is a little lengthy!). I joined Ellie after the transition from pv.body knowing full-well that they were using their own clothing line and having heard the back story (saw SarahFit’s videos). I had no problem supporting a start-up company, especially if the clothes were high quality.
I placed my first order March 11 and received an email on March 25 that the March collection wasn’t up to standards and that the shipment would be delayed while they fixed the problem. I wasn’t in a rush to receive my order, so this didn’t bother me. I’d rather get clothes that are made well than have to return poorly made clothing. Two days later, I found out that I was moving (only about 1.5 miles away), so I contacted the company so that they could change my address in the system. I quickly received an email back and was assured that my info had been updated and that since the clothes hadn’t been shipped yet, I’d receive them at my new address shortly. April 1, I received another email saying that the shipping department did not get the memo that my address had changed and had already shipped the package. What ensued was a ridiculous back and forth between Ellie, myself, the local post office, and FedEx. I felt that Ellie should have taken the initiative behind the scenes to fix the issue, and rather they had me calling FedEx and going to the post office to check on things. The one upside was that they were very responsive to the emails that I sent.
Finally, April 15 I was told that they would send a new package that day and that I would receive it shortly. May 2, I still had not gotten my package and sent another email. The next day I got an email saying that they would send it out “today”. I just received the clothes yesterday (May 10), after waiting for two months. (It should be noted that their shipping facility is located 3 miles from my house here in Santa Monica).
However, with that all said, I received my Coral Collection in about a week with no issues. If this was due to a change in management, then good! Hopefully the issues with my March order were leftover from transitions within the company. All of the customer support I received was quick and friendly, which always makes me feel good. I understand new companies having to work out the kinks, which is why I’ve stuck with them. The clothes have been great and are unique styles.
I haven’t ordered an outfit this month and am debating whether or not I will, depending on what the clothes look like. Are they coming out with new clothes every month still?
And… I spelled your name wrong! Sorry!
Personally, I’ve had my share of small problems in the last three months that I’ve been ordering from Ellie. Mostly just that it takes a while to get the product. But to be honest….I love the clothes so much that I am willing to suck it up and wait for my awesome stuff! Take last month….It took awhile for them to ship them but I got them yesterday and after putting them on…WAS IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN! They fit awesome and felt even awesome-er
vicious cycle, right?
I was so excited when Ellie switched to pv.body, I liked pv body but I loooove all the new clothes on Ellie so much more!! The only time I had a problem with Ellie was in March when everyone had the same problem, that the shipment took like a month. In the end my order took even longer because one of the items I had chosen still wasn’t in stock after all was said and done. But I personally have worked at various start ups and I can totally imagine how much craziness they went through when all of a sudden they had thousands of customers and had to deal with moving locations and hiring new employees who needed to be trained etc.
Anyways every single time I’ve had any concerns about Ellie they’ve been right there to answer the phone or emails or, most quickly, on facebook. I asked if I could get some sort of ‘gift’ for waiting so long for my march order and they sent me a sports bra and headband for free. And now I’ve gotten a package every month and I’ve loved every single order!!! The clothing is so so fantastic! Especially all the styles. They’ve made a lot of mistakes but I think people are focusing on the negatives too much.
I’m glad you’re giving them a second chance! I am so excited to see what they’ll put up this summer!! I hope more shorts
I have had the same experience with Ellie. Good clothes, nice people, but they’re still learning their way. I wish them luck but personally am not ready to subscribe to their service (or recommend to readers) until they have their act together a little better.
Adding to the vast majority here, I too waited FOREVER for my first order but love the clothes and I think the reason I am giving them a second chance right now is because they are MADE IN THE USA and this has become increasingly important to me.