Brio Fragrance

Brio ordered custom votive candles from us that they had sold to Urban Outfitters. We matched the colors wanted, produced prototypes that were approved by everyone, made the products and they picked them up at our facility. They asked for 30 days to pay, and we trusted them, as they had been referred to us by a friend who worked for a fragrance company. Well, that was in July '09, and we never have received a dime. We had an attorney write a letter to them, which they ignored, demanding the $2000 payment. Thought about small claims court, but it requires an attorney to handle it as we are a corporation. Turned them over to a collection agency, but they just don't answer the phone.

Our friend had just met them, and thought they were nice people, and so connected us. Oh, yeah, they're all zen and "namaste". They're also crooks. They ended up not paying our friend's company, either. We've also done business with a company that produces custom packaging for us, and found out that Brio owes them big time.

I'm writing a letter to Urban Outfitters, suggesting that they not consider using them in the future, and referring them to Pissed Consumer if they'd like to know more. If you know the end user of any products you have sold to Brio, I'd suggest that you do the same.

My name is Jessica Galbreth, a popular fantasy/fairy artist who does a fair amount of licensing to manufacturers with my art. In 2005, I was contacted by Janet Hare of Brio Fragrance, stating that the large retail chain Hot Topic was interested in my art for a perfume line. Brio, being the manufacturer of perfumes, wanted to license my art to produce a perfume for Hot Topic. We signed a contract at this point, stating that Brio would give me reports on sales and pay me royalties on all perfume sales.

As time went by, and no reports or royalties came as scheduled, I began to call and e-mail Janet for an explanation. After all, I saw my perfume, Violet Moon, on the shelves at Hot Topic. I received no response.

After years went by with no response, I then began seeing this same perfume for sale on ebay and through other on-line shops. I began to get quite angry, understandably. Still no response to my voicemails, e-mails, etc.

My husband had an idea to call Brio and pretend to be a store considering buying my Violet Moon perfume. Thinking he was an interested customer, magically, Janet Hare instantly called him back, and e-mailed him back, stating that my perfume sold very well for them. Once he had her on the phone, he confronted her with who he really was.

She then promissed to send us a check catching up on all past royalties owed, though she would never admit how much she owed us. That was in May, 2009. To this day, this company has NEVER paid me a single penny, or sent me a report.

I could legally pursue this, but it would costs me many more dollars than I'd ever get back, so I'm posting here in hopes that no other artists will fall victim to this.

Brio fragrances won't pay their bills! The wont pay their artists they supposedly "licensing" the art from.

I don't know anyone who is getting paid! They are HUGE thieving crooks! Everyone I've talked to told me they havent been paid in a year - but the people who are purchasing the products don't know!

I just told one of our wholesalers that Brio hasnt paid us in ages and ages and we cant get her on the phone - she wont answer our emails or phone calls anymore! We need to all gang together and put them out of business!!!

On March 30th Janet Hare of Brio Fragrance ordered an assortment of tassels from our company using a Purchase Order.

(Invoice and Purchase order to be posted here on update)

After we shipped the products we tried to run her credit card it declined. This sometimes happens so we didn't get to worried. Here is a list of all of the times we tried to collect the outstanding bills and three times she lied to us.

*5/29 LIE #1 promised to pay the week of 6/1

*6/11 no check left message on voice mail

*6/16 LIE #2 Promised to pay week of 6/22

*7/2 no check contacted and she promised to cut a check that day. LIE#3

7/8 Left a voice mail on her phone

7/10 Left a message with her employee Anna

7/14 voice mail

7/27 voice mail

7/28 Finally contacted Janet again who said she was having problems with her bank but the problem was fixed so we tried her credit card again. DECLINED LIE#4

7/30 voice mail

8/7 tried the card again - DECLINED

8/10 spoke with Anna again who gave us a song and dance about Janet's mom dying. Yeah I'm going to believe that! LIE #5

If your a customer, a employee, or a vendor of Janet Hare or Brio Fragrance watch your wallet!