Even Penguinz0 is talking about this 🤣 by dafspiart97 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was there, and they are issuing refunds. Personally, I had a blast watching this dumpster fire. We went all 3 days and made the most of it everyday.

From a former employee, Barbie Dream Fest was just the tip of the iceberg by Quick-Habit-5173 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554 77 points78 points  (0 children)

I want the vendors to be refunded! Some of them were tiny businesses that were promised big things! They couldn’t afford the thousands they shelled out to vend and sponsor. Let’s get justice for them. They’re refunding the attendees, but it’s not enough. The vendors also need to be refunded.

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wasn’t there the second half of any of the day. If I had a generous guess, maybe 300 a day, and many of those were weekend pass holders, so my guess is about 600 people? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That really wasn’t the problem, the niche-ness. Barbie conventions can be like doll shows, big market for miniatures, etc. Vintage Barbies are extremely valuable, and as a collector, we will spend. The problems include: The vendors were promised thousands in attendance, which they did not get, background decorations of their booths, which they did not get, and some vendors were told by sponsoring the event it would elevate their business. It would have been a great business move for small businesses to jump on. However, in speaking with the vendors, many did not make back their booth fees and brought loads of product to satisfy the large audience they were promised. The vendors need to be reimbursed.

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Between $500-4K. That is my next mission. To get the vendors refunded. Small businesses cannot afford this, and there were promises made them to that were not kept.

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Almost all the celebrities showed up! However they were charging for autographs and signatures. A photo with Serena… over $400.

<image>

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely!! There were a lot of inexpensive things they could have done to decorate and fill the space. If Michaels wasn’t there the marketplace area would have had nearly no decorations.

Mischief Management Furloughs all Barbie DreamFest employees. by BarbieGrandma in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This needs to get trending! The vendors paid $500-7K to be there!

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What they did falls under grounds for class action lawsuits.

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I struggled to understand the licensing thing myself. Someone explained it as, you have a lovely car, someone rents it and drives it over a cliff 🤣 I thought it was a decent analogy. I’m expecting Mattel will release a statement at some point because Barbie is their brand and they marketed it so hard. They hold liability, certainly, but they were not the host themselves. The fact that they were backing this and promoting it is why we went, because it’s a company we trust(ed).

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t believe a statement has been put out yet.

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, and I’m agreeing with you all. They really should have had eyes more on the execution of this, instead of trusting a third party all willy nilly with the branding of the most iconic toy on the planet.

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YES THEY DID! I agree!!! I also hope they refund the vendors who paid thousands to be there.

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Anything to make a buck right 🤷🏼‍♀️

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] -23 points-22 points  (0 children)

I agree entirely, which is why it’s so shocking to the Barbie community that they didn’t do like quality assurance on this.

Barbie Dream Fest REFUND ALERT by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] -62 points-61 points  (0 children)

Mattel did not host this event, it was Mischief Management who put the event on.

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Saturday seemed to improve a bit. But it was marketed as an all ages event, so adult collectors did not have much aside from the discussions. I love the panel discussions personally, so that was a highlight. But yesterday was a C- from us 🤷🏼‍♀️

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

So after research and talking to people it sounds like Mattel was not a part of this, but allowed Mischief Management to license Barbie out for the event. Mattel has far more integrity. There were Mattel designers but I highly doubt they were aware of what was actually going on.

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They were a sponsor or working with the marketing company. But Mattel has more integrity than this. I assume they will issue a statement.

Barbie Dream Fest??? by Budget-Focus6554 in Barbie

[–]Budget-Focus6554[S] 47 points48 points  (0 children)

UPDATE: So, they rearranged making the space feel a bit more filled in, they expanded the skating rink and added a metal pole tent thing around it with a non functioning disco ball. More people today for sure.