I Wish!
by habituallychic
10 . 06 . 09
A few people emailed me today about the story in the New York Times that announced that the “FTC will require that writers on the Web clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.” All I can say is that I wish companies were sending me freebies or paying me! Rizzoli sends me and every other blogger advance copies of books to review but that’s about it. I can tell you that Farrow & Ball did not pay me to co-host their party or give me anything free. I use their products and was happy to support them! I always write about products that I have bought myself and love, stores I shop regularly for my clients or have just opened, or things that I wish I could buy. The amount of work that I do for free is actually quite ridiculous. I also think you know by now that I barely post any of the PR pitches that are sent to me because my blog is my baby and I enjoy controlling the content. That being said, if anyone would like to send me some free stuff, I don’t know, maybe a Chanel purse or something from Lanvin, I would completely disclose it and write about whatever you want! Oh, and I wear a size 37 in Louboutins!
Photo by Annie Leibowitz for Vogue
26 Comments
Quite funny!!
Bravo!!!!
You mean Farrow and Ball didn’t come to your house and re-paint your house for you as a favor to you?
When you wrote on Peter Som last week- he didn’t send you the whole fall line?
Your whole trip to Paris wasn’t paid for and they didn’t fly you there on a private jet?
WOW is this really what people think!!!
Heather you are one of the hardest working bloggers that I know! I know how much you work and your passion that you put into your blog.
The question I have is which writers out there on the web were taking freebies? Darn I surely missed that boat.
I’ll send you something… Email mailing address:)
I have to say I just assumed that Farrow and Ball asked you to co-host because your star has been rising and they have noticed your influence!
Hope you get to do more and more… and of course, a Louboutin never ever goes astray!
Well Said
Too funny. Though it is amazing how some bloggers have been able to gather some free merchandise along the way…
I recently received a free sample of cereal in the mail to review, should I disclose? 😉
No blogger I know receives compensation or freebies for writing about what they love, no matter how well respected they are in their industry and to their loyal readers. On another note, I am kind of doubting celebs call their accountants the morning after they’ve received yet another gift bag to make sure the value is disclosed on their taxes. Ouch, did I say that?
Tina, that is too funny. You should totally disclose the free box of cereal AND claim it on your taxes. Make sure you photo-document this so that you have full proof, and will be uphold your case in the court of law;-)
Working for what you love is the best compensation of all.
* STILL SMILING over the humorous way you handled what appears to be a pretty “iffy” situation amongst bloggers right now….
…and here I sit, just happy n’ grateful y’all DO blog!!!
Merci, kiddo!
Linda in AZ *
(Will HERMES do?)
Seriously! I wish people would send freebies, especially since I run a *shopping* blog. Alas.
Wow – thank you for sharing this article. I actually do know a few people that get paid for this – I am not one of them either as I only talk about products that I use and love. I don’t even think the companies know I talk about them. It’s a good message to send out to readers that you do not get any ‘freebies’ for your recommendations. In the growing world of blogging, I can see how companies would try to take advantage of how many people pay attention to bloggers opinions (the amount constantly surprises me).
too funny 🙂 i’m like you where i just can’t post what companies are telling me too, for some kind of promotion or another. but at the same time i’m happy to promote what i feel should be. my blog is also my baby of sorts and i take pride in the layout and content.
though…yes, like you i’d love to have the problem of sifting through piles of free goods for the lure of promoting them. yeah right! hmmm…maybe one day? 🙂
Great post and very well said….!
Yes!!!!!!! FTC? Don’t they have anything else to do? Have a great week………I finally got my google account to work,
Someone should send you a free Furla bag as it was you that introduced me to them and I subsequently bought one… ( a little lovely it is! )
Well said!!!
Take it and run, honey!
Perhaps if any freebies do arrive, Big will come and help carry them to the airport for you in stylish luggage???
One of my most favorite posts!
Gee, I wish they were sending me books to review! And yeah, who is getting all these freebies? I swear if I posted half of the stuff people send me (even though I made a point of saying I don’t take request for posts or advertising) my blog would look like a non-stop advertisement…
So so funny! All these serious criminals stealing billions and the SEC can’t find them. Now they are turning their attention on bloggers!!??!!
EEEEK!!!!!!!
I say go back to the Hedge funds….and the secret investment strategies!
Leave the bloggers alone!
XXOO
Stupid FTC…
In HC We Trust.
Funny! I’ve received one free book but that was after I posted on something I loved. Hmmm? I’m not sure what shoe size I wear in Louboutins.
I like the comment about working for free…. yeah, no kidding, how about all the work we all do for free being interior designers!
Great response on the new blogging regulations!
I’m in love with Lanvin, but my only 2 Lanvin items are perfumes… which I’ll happily send you some decants of if you email me your address 🙂
I enjoy your blog and was a lurker til now. Thanks for the gorgeous eye candy!
Je suis d’accord!
I love your blog so much, you inspired me to make my own (manillejetaime.blogspot.com), you deserve all the freebies you can get, having said that I think that the mayor of Paris should send you a cadeau. It is just ridiculous sometimes, when some people do not understand that for people like us, the best and the most rewarding freebie we get is just the joy and pleasure of doing our work, and the fact that we know that we somehow we inspire people. Blogs like these are free, and so is the publicity that products that we mention get. I do not think a blogger should be obliged to disclose the gifts they get from the companies who make these products. Vive le blogging!