21/08/2022
As you all aware my small business Hot 2 Trot Designs has after 7 years failed due to a combination of factors.
To put the current business situation into perspective and to give some answers regarding what is being done to resolve it please see below.
• The sudden increase of costs i.e. product, shipping, operational business costs etc the product that was being supplied was costing more to purchase then it was being sold for which resulted in customers out of pocket without the orders fulfilled.
• There is currently 98 orders requiring refunds the average amount is $70. Yes there are some orders which are several $100 dollars and these are a priority as a refund.
• There is $2k worth of stock paid for and ordered waiting at the shipping agent. This stock will arrive in 3 weeks and customers will be given the option of still receiving the product or a refund.
• All customers will be contacted via email....YES there has been a lack of communication this had been wrong on my behalf and I understand customers being frustrated. I simply wanted to have a solution before issuing a statement.
• The Hot 2 Trot page is visible again not to take orders but so I can keep everyone up to date with progress regarding sorting this situation.
• REFUNDS....I have sunk all my personal capital into the business and currently have the only asset I have left for sale...a cracker quiet QH mare if anyone is interested?! I will continue to work through refunds as money becomes available but this could take up to 6 months but everyone will be paid.
• It would be a far easier option to put the business into liquidation due to current finical situation BUT with the current cost of living I know there is mothers, families out there that need that money back.
• To address the current online negative conversation and page regarding Hot 2 Trot failing.....to put it in perspective there was a lot of good done over the course of the business and also 6500 fulfilled orders over the 7 years.
- Hot 2 Trot donated over $1000 in prizes to small clubs all over QLD mainly for junior competitors.
- Fundraised & donated $500 to the fire relief, over $500 for flood relief, $500 for drought relief.
- Most importantly $8000 was raised and donated to Dolly Dream to aid in Su***de Prevention and Cyber Bullying Awareness.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been the target of unwarranted online vilification labelling me a "scammer". This has been extremely upsetting, but has given me a window into the appalling behaviour that ultimately triggered the Dolly Dream campaign. It is ironic that a business that was a major fund-raiser for a campaign against online bullying should end up the target of a personal vendetta.
I hope this gives everyone some answers and will allow me to focus working and repaying the debts which is the only way to fix this situation.
