Thread: Does anyone know what happened to Audrena??

Iv been corresponding with Audrena from Audrena's International Bazaar for a couple months.

I ordered two veils at first, one of which came right away and I loved and the second she said she would send in a couple weeks when the shipment came in. That was several months ago and I havent seen it. Iv since ordered 8 more veils for my students and I, 3 of which came a week after she said they would (not in time for our performance) and Im still waiting for 5 more.

She is usually very good about calling, but Iv been calling her and leaving messages for over two weeks and not heard a thing. Does anyone know what happened to her?

She's a really lovely lady but Im beginning to get VERY frustrated, if anyone has the scoop on the situation that would be helpful. Thanks!

You might want to read through these threads:

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/vendor-buy...drena-com.html

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/vendor-buy...l-no-item.html

Hmm, looks bad. Thank you

I have been trying to get in touch, too. No response. I sent a letter, too. However, don't know what happened with that, either and it should'ave had a receipt.

I have been waiting for a costume for 18 months. It is VERY frustrating. She seems a lovely person to me, too, but......I can't afford to have money tied up without merchandise, either. I'm praying all will be worked out. And that Audrena is OK. I do know she has had some health issues but nothing really serious so far as she said.

She finally got back to me. Turns our she couldnt hear my phone number in the message. But she should have my information in file as Iv been an ongoing customer through all this. Many of my veils are still not in but she has been very accommodating and kind throughout this whole fiasco, and has been giving me discounts and free items. So I cant say anything bad about her personally. I just think that perhaps running the whole business herself, mostly by pen and paper, is just too much for her. She's a tad disorganized and unreliable. Which is unfortunate because she really is so sweet. Just maybe not the best business woman. Anyway, Im glad she's alright and the issue is getting somewhat resolved. I wish you the best of luck with your costume.

I sent a registered letter and still haven't heard anything about the dress I ordered 18 months ago and paid for. I'm really worrying now. This was a BIG investment for me--half a months' pay. What bothers me the most is that she won't respond to me--not e-mail, won't answer the phone, and now isn't responding to my letter either.

I really wish I had known things were bad before this happened. I don't know what to do. I've NEVER had this happen before!

I paid 9 months ago for a costume in FULL Promised to be to me within 3 months Well I spoke to her a couple weeks ago for the last time and she says she will try and have it after ramadan :( Sooooo uncool..Thats a year..In which I had to call every couple of weeks..I paid in Oct 2009!!!I was really upset and called amex..I thought you could only open a dispute before six months WELL special circumstances when your item is due to you in 3 to 6 months So I opened a dispute..She also owes me a costume from over a year ago which had a $150 deposit..Never again ...

I have never ordered from her but I hear (from bhuz and from friends) that it's really bad, I've met her at Rakkash and she seems very nice but I will never order from her, if she's there I will purchase right there.

Sorry this has happened to you all, I wish you the best of luck.

She was set up at ACN in Dallas this weekend .

I wouldn't even purchase from her even if it the costume is right there. There is no way I can support a person who runs a business this poorly and owes so many dancers costumes and/or other items.

KDizzle I agree completely. Why would any support her with the way she is treating other dancers...

Originally Posted by azahara

She was set up at ACN in Dallas this weekend .

Yeah I saw her there too, but her selection was poor and all older styles....none of the newer styles that have come out in the last year. I wonder if even Pharaonix doesn't want to deal with her anymore?

I purchased from her in the past at ACN, but I don't think I will ever purchase from her in the future....she has handled her business too poorly. :-(

I've been told by a friend that used to sell for Audrena that when you send a deposit to her, she uses that money to live on. Then, when someone asks for their money back, she has problems doing that, because she has already used it.

I finally received two of the 5 veils I was waiting for (that I ordered months ago). Im still waiting for the least three. She says its issues with the supplier. She's really sweet and tries hard but I just dont think Ill ever order from her again, Its been incredibly frustrating and Iv heard far too many horror stories. Too bad.

Originally Posted by RahelDance

I finally received two of the 5 veils I was waiting for (that I ordered months ago). Im still waiting for the least three. She says its issues with the supplier. She's really sweet and tries hard but I just dont think Ill ever order from her again, Its been incredibly frustrating and Iv heard far too many horror stories. Too bad.

What are these veils made of? Do they have to raise the silkworms first? Sheesh!

hahah, yeah pretty much, and grow berries for the dye

Isn't this the 3rd or 4th thread about these problems? I hope Audrena magically gets better and everyone gets their stuff!

Well, it is good to know that Audrena is well enough to vend at ACN in Dallas - however, over a month ago I called - no response, then faxed, mailed and e-mailed a letter to her politely but firmly requesting the refund of my deposit on a Pharonics costume I ordered well over a year ago which she kept promising month after month "would be in the end of the month". Absolutely no response to any of these communications, which to me is very unprofessional business behavior on her part.

I have had the same issues. I paid the entire amount ($750) for a dress and that was in January, 2009. Still no costume, Audrena won't answer the phone when I call, won't e-mail, wouldn't accept a return-receipt letter, no response at all--BUT I still get ads by e-mail!!!!!!!!!!!

This is flat out dishonest. If there are health issues affecting this lady, I am truly sorry. She DOES seem nice. But these are serious legal issues. Does she have family? Does anyone know anything about her? There is a point at which a person needs someone to take care of them and it seems as if she has reached that point. Better that than court, I'd say.

I'm very upset about my money, yes; but I have also cared for someone in this situation, and I'm concerned for her, too. She has apparently not always been like this. But the bottom line is, don't order anything custom. ..cr.:

Sent a deposit July 2009, $350, she keeps promising to make it right with me. Still nothing.

Seriously, someone needs to put this woman out of business!

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Seriously, someone needs to put this woman out of business!

I agree with you completely! What this woman is doing is being shameful! It is illegal!!!! Shame on her!

Well, here's a shock: in the last e-mail I received 2 days ago from Audrena's website advertising her bellydance wares, she is now an Avon sales rep! As if she isn't already having enough difficulty fulfilling paid orders for her belly dance items, now she's taking on selling Avon???????,f::,f::

Oh, and we are now up to 17 months on my custom order with no results and no response from the phone calls, letters and e-mails (no bounce back) I sent her in the past three months requesting that she refund my deposit! I have written USPS confirmation that my letter was delivered on June 30 but who knows if she personally read it. I also faxed and e-mailed the letter on June 28. ,m:: And, of course, I keep receiving at least 2 advertising e-mails a week from her Audrena's Int'l. Bazzar website. This is intolerable!

So, I have kicked up my complaint "a notch" and will keep you posted on results.

Originally Posted by KDizzle

I wouldn't even purchase from her even if it the costume is right there. There is no way I can support a person who runs a business this poorly and owes so many dancers costumes and/or other items.

I agree. Plus she's now added Avon, yet another level of confusion and stress. No way would I spend my hard earned money with someone so inept.

This is unbelievable. Iv never heard so many complaints about a supposed professional. Id like to see what happens as a result of your complaint Nisima.

In the meanwhile Im still waiting for three of the nine veils I ordered last April.

Thanks god i read this post, i was planing buy some costume from her. But girls i think that all you have to do is get together and report that situation. I dont know how things work in the USA but here we have a customers protection department and you can fill claims and they take charge of it. And if you pay to her with paypal ( doesnt matter that was with balance money , not credit card) open a claim via paypal with the resolution center and they will give you your money, cause you are covered by their customer protection.1

Originally Posted by isisangelrd

Thanks god i read this post, i was planing buy some costume from her. But girls i think that all you have to do is get together and report that situation. I dont know how things work in the USA but here we have a customers protection department and you can fill claims and they take charge of it. And if you pay to her with paypal ( doesnt matter that was with balance money , not credit card) open a claim via paypal with the resolution center and they will give you your money, cause you are covered by their customer protection.1

If I read correctly the above payments were made beyond Paypal's cutoff. For those involving credit cards I hope they are successful obtaining refunds. The BBB should be informed. It's sad that Audrena's business skills have floundered.

[QUOTE=RahelDance;748362]This is unbelievable. Iv never heard so many complaints about a supposed professional. Id like to see what happens as a result of your complaint Nisima.


Absolutely, I will post results, which I expect within a month from BBB who will handle my complaint and she can deal with them. Once that is over, I will block all her advertising e-mails because I am not interested in anything else she has to "sell", Avon or belly dance wear.

Even if I don't get a refund, it is appropriate that the BBB has a written history of complaints about any vendor who takes people's money and then for over a year has one excuse after another why they can't deliver goods and then ignores all requests for refunds. I probably should have recovered my deposit which I paid by instant money transfer via PayPal but at 17 months it is most likely too late and anyway, this is about more than just the money. .p::

When someone takes your money, and does not provide goods or services as agreed on, it's called fraud.

For the sake of other dancers out there who might unknowingly wind up in the same situation, I'd urge the dancers here who have been defrauded to contact the local authorities. In Canada, RCMP has a fraud division to handle these sorts of issues specifically - I'm sure that US Law Enforcement has the same.

It doesn't matter if she seems sweet, or kind, or down on her luck... she's clearly swindling people. And that's illegal.

Good luck ladies, and thanks for the honest heads up. I will never purchase anything from this woman.

I wonder if we could manage to terminate her agreement with Amira at Pharaonix. Maybe if enough people wrote to Amira or if we had some sort of petition, Amira would stop doing business with her. There's got to be other ways to alert other dancers too.