mom and me vs kangaroo korner AFP

[Momof3Labs]

I was trying to decide which pouch to buy when Tanya posted her story about what Jen "did" to her. There was no proof, it was just she said-she said. I thought that it was so unprofessional to write that post - it sounded like sour grapes, and should have been kept in private. It bugs me to see one WAHM bashing another WAHM in public, especially in that way (and I do find that to be an "odd business strategy"). I felt that it was a reflection of Jen's professionalism to *not* respond to such a post (if she even saw it, I'm sure that she did). Because of that, I decided not to order a pouch from Tanya. Instead, I ordered a pouch from Jen, and have ordered several other things from her since then.

So, while you saw that post as casting a negative light on Jen, I felt that it cast a negative light on Tanya. Just another way that there are two sides to every story...

[Calmegja]

Just goes to reinforce that there are two sides to every story. WHile some may come down on the side of Jen in it, some may come down on Tanya's side. But that's an extrapolation anyways. This isn't that Hatfields and McCoys battling on. Some things we know did happen. Even Zen said she saw the KK pouch in an Ebay ad for MMC (which I consider an odd business practice).

While you saw the post as a negative for Tanya, and a plus that Jen didn't respond, I see it more as silence was acceptance of it from MMC, so I saw it as a negative for MMC.

It's all about your life experiences, I guess, and what your experiences have been... in terms of how something like that shapes your outlook, and what you gravitate towards.

[JenBackus]

Normally I do not post on any message boards but it seems you are begging for my response.

First here is a direct quote from Tanya taken from a note she must have sent to hundreds of people because my site was slammed from the visitors. Apparently the recipient who forwarded it to me thought I should know.


"Oh, and on her Ebay auctions on her "about me" page, she's modeling the
sling she purchased from me!"


If you want to see the entire note, feel free to email her or I.


The "About Me" page is separate from any auction ad. The picture was there months before I ever started Mom and Me or made and sold a pouch. The thought never occured to me to remove it when doing ads for pouches. I, never at any time, used a picture of her pouch in any listing. If I had, she could have had the listing pulled at any time due to ebay's rules. There were never any listings pulled due to this type of violation. If you would like to check this for yourself, feel free to email ebay for user ID [email protected] which it was then. I have recently changed it to my biz name.

I called Tanya on June 27th of this year to try to remedy the situation between us. I also clarified to her that I never used a pic of her pouch in any ad and apologized to her for having it on the About Me page at all. I explained it was there long before any ebay ads for Mom and Me. I thought maybe she was confused or just so mad that the truth was exaggerated. She agreed that I never used them in the listings. So I asked her to please stop saying this as it was untrue. If you need further proof, feel free to email her to get it. Obviously she was not confused when she wrote the above letter. As soon as I received this, I removed it immediately.

As far as the reference to her on my site. I said our MM fleece pouch as similar to the KK design and then went on to say how ours were different. I did this to give her credit for the original design, which I thought was appropriate at the time. I did not want to hide the fact that our sling was based on her design and also did not want customers to think it was all my idea. I thought our pouch was different enough from hers to stand alone. We trimmed in yarns rather than binding and added rails. I went on to further say that I believed she was the foremost authority on any sling and linked her site telling customers to go there if they could not find what they needed on my site. Again, it was not until I recieved a copy of this note that I realized there was any problem. I removed this part from my site immediately as well. I explained this to her on the phone as well. At this time, we no longer make the MM pouch.

It was never my intention to hurt Tanya in any way. Her pouch changed my life. I simply wanted to help others. I am very sorry and continue to feel badly about the situation with Tanya and myself but after speaking with her, I realize that this will never be remedied, unless we discontinue making a pouch that snaps. I have considered it several times but feel that the damage is already done. If you feel I have wronged Tanya, please DO NOT buy from me.

I never posted to this board or any other where this subject has come up because I do not feel it is the proper forum. And I guess I felt I deserved the backlash. Anyone who really wanted to know the truth asked me directly. I am posting this now because a lot of customers have found us from this forum and if the subject continues to come up, they deserve to hear my side and have a record of it.

Jen Backus
Mom and Me Creations

[zen_bliss]

i was about to post to clarify some things i said that had been misinterpreted but i see now that jen has posted.

now that we have had one statement from each business owner so each person can make up her own mind, i hope this topic will be considered done, and we can stick to user product reviews.

what's the saying: there are three sides to every story, his side, her side, and what really happened, and there's nobody who can tell that one :)

[Calmegja]

Absolutely, Zen. ;-)

[gravymommy3]

Sheva,

If it is in your budget, you might want to get the hemp pouch from Mom and me. I had one and sold it (stupid, stupid, stupid!!!) and got a Zolo and a Sutemi. I am probably going to sell both and re-buy a hemp pouch (even though Hayden is almost two, I really enjoy being able to carry her and not have my arms fall off!!!)

I had a KKFP for about 2 days and it was just plain hot for me (doing the hot flash thing about 4 years too early!) and Hayden did not like it (don't know why but the princess has a mind all her own!) I sent it back and got the M&M hp, which I loved. I am not sure why I got a bug up a certain body part and decided to sell it, but I miss it and am going to get the new style one hopefully soon.

Point being, one of each is a good thing to have.

As far as customer service, everyone's idea of what constitutes "good" customer service varies, but I was much happier with Jen's CS. Tanya seemed a little miffed when I reported that Hayden did not like the pouch.

Good luck.

[shevam]

I did not mean to start any trouble! I had no idea there were any issues between KK and Mom and Me. I was just interested in the differences b/c I already like one, but the other has some other colors and may be an additional one I'd like to buy. Thank you for all of your responses. Actually I not sure I really got an answer though, to the original question. What are the structural differences, is one more comfortable, lighter, less bulky? Again I already have a KKAFP that I love, just wanted some additional information.

Thanks again for your responses.

Sheva

[zen_bliss]

hi sheva!

sorry we got so far afield. at the end of my dissertation ;) i wrote a little blurb about each re: bulk, comfort, structure. if there's anything i missed, or anything specific you want to know, ask away!

i thought some comparison pics would help to show the structural differences -- here they are. KKAFP in glacier ice on bottom, M&MC hemp in avocado w/both rails, then on top the KKACP.

i will also post a pic of them folded up. the KKAFP has the most loft and is bulkiest in the bag. unless you unsnap the KKACP, it's close to as bulky as the hemp because of the fold in the fleece snap area (you can see the 'twist' in the fabric in the pic).

[zen_bliss]

i can only upload 1 per message... sorry for the add'l post!

[shevam]

Great thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for. I don't know how I missed it the first time around. Also, thank you so much for the picture comparision! I definitely think I will be adding a M&MC hemp in the future! Maybe a gift to myself for the holidays! My baby will definitely be big enough for the hip carry by then and I can tell already that the KKAFP will probably cut into his chubby legs. I love how cozy and snuggly it is though, and his little tushie is so cute sticking out! I am very glad to have another option that is smaller in the diaper bag, on the shoulder, a lighter weight (so not as hot), softer on the ends.

Do you have any color suggestions? I was thinking red maybe? My KKAFP is black which is nice b/c it matches everything, I guess I would want something that matches a lot of things, (which the red may not). Also, do you find the M&MC hemp to be snuggly too? And is it not as hot for summer? (I think you answered this but I just wanted to confirm.)

Thank you so much for your very thorough post and pics! It's not often that you get every question answered and get a side by side pics of all the products for comparison!

Sheva

edited for typos