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What Happens Next?
It’s Been a “Whirlwind”
Quick timeout before we go any further.
Just to say thank you. Seriously.
This Whole TV Business
As we recapped in last week’s blog post, the experience of the last two weeks has been front and center. The lead-up to the post was furious as we not only worked to deliver on the story but also prepare for the #softlid launch, which of course was all coming off a max shredability session in Mammoth.
For those who went through the soft lid experience, it was the first time we offered a “kit” style product, where you could choose one product from multiple categories to make up a customized package.
To pull this off we had to build new technologies on our website and make sure they linked up with the tools we use for shipping, inventory and accounting—more on that shortly.
The Copywriting Department
The Soft Lid Drop
The soft lid drop was a smash hit. We moved over 80% of our inventory, the Grey Fox leading the pack with a sellout, and only a few of his compatriots remaining.
We are especially pumped on this because, if you remember several months ago, we asked you to vote on a selection of beanie styles. Well, we got exactly what y’all voted for, and once the Technology Department got the damn kits figured out, sure enough look what happened.
It was a good lesson in listening.
Immediately following the weekend sale we had to turn our attention back to the preparation and submission of materials, where “considerable energy” has been devoted since. All while dealing with…well, I’ll let the tech guy tell ya.
The Strategy Department
From the Technology Corner
There’s a lot to consider when doing something like these kits. The damn Strategy Department thinks we can just whip things together, but they aren’t considering the user experience, the mobile experience, the performance considerations, how it’s going to sync with our shipping tools, accounting software and inventory management.
Not to mention the new email notifications, order statuses, weights, packaging, state and county taxes, processing fees and foreign government import duties.
All this must be considered and tested before launch, and of course we work on it up until the last second of the big release. And I’ll tell you what, the Shipping Department is not gonna be happy about this.
In any case, the #softlids launch experience has prompted us to look carefully at our technology and processes, with a focus on streamlining integrations across every aspect of our digital platform.
The Technology Department
And What Did the Shipping Department Think?
I told that son of a bitch in technology we were gonna have problems. Prior to the launch we updated our ecommerce platform to version 3.0, which broke the API integration with our shipping management module. It took hours of troubleshooting to patch the bug while 70 orders where on hold for several days, this while the damn Copywriting Department is telling me I gotta write out a 30-page application by hand??
And now they’re doing FREE SHIPPING on orders over $30!? Like, what the hell am I workin’ for down here, eh?? But no one cares, Strategy just says they want the damn kits and combo packages out the door, and they think that shit just magically happens. They don’t know what it TAKES! (and between you and me friend, that’s why I keep an iron fist on the hair ties inventory)
But ya know what? It’s fine. Cause in a weird kind of way it does magically happen. You get exactly what you ordered, like nothin ever happened, and we all come out heros.
The Shipping Department
It’s a Team Effort
And that’s how shit gets done around here boys. The whole team working together as one seamless unit, like a perfectly tuned, precision-calibrated machine (except…we haven’t actually told Accounting about the kits yet, and Management is completely in the dark re: conflict resolution with Shipping)
Assuming we can hash things out around the water cooler, you can expect to see some exciting new upgrades to The Longhairs website. Not only will we be dialing in our internal systems, we’ll be making upgrades to the design and user experience, making things easier and more fun for you to enjoy our content and the shopping experience.
With all this activity we haven’t even checked in with the Product Development Department! And wouldn’t you know it? They’re sitting on a power-stacked lineup ready to jack one outta the yard.
So without further analysis from corporate…here’s what happens next.
Up to Bat:
New Hard Lid AVAILABLE NOW
Not to be overshadowed, we couldn’t’ launch this beauty right next to the soft lids. This bird of prey deserved a perch all by herself, now she’s comin in for a landing.
The Red Tail
She’s flyin high with a keen eye for a kill. Same classic wool blend snapback you’ve seen in our complete hard lid series, heather grey with burgundy bill & bound shears.
ON DECK:
If you thought that was exciting. You were not expecting this.
You asked for it, you got it: The Headbands Are Dropping.
In secret we’ve been working on the new headbands, going through samples, materials, patterns, prints and labels, testing, comparing & repeating. And we got ‘em DIALED.
Guys, these are gonna be sick AF, and they are close. We’re talking available by the end of May, dropping like a mighty fleet of superfortress bombers. So, that’s coming.
In The Hole:
As if we could contain the excitement. Following the bombardment of headbands, we have a brand new shipment of Hair Ties For Guys™ coming in HOT!
HAIR TIES FOR GUYS™ – V2.1
Featuring:
The 2.1s are also coming with product enhancements. With the V2s we had an occasional pack where the sleeve was coming off and in some cases the seam coming apart. Although it cost extra time and money, we went back to sampling to beef up the stitching and reinforce the sleeve adhesive.
Trust us guys, it pains us to not have your favorite collections in stock for you at the moment. But to us it’s worth the extra time so we can bring you not just a top quality product, but the sickest damn hair ties on planet. And we will stand behind them.
The 2.1s are gonna be stronger, beefier and more durable, with the collections you love freshened up and looking crispy. Expect to see these in May.
AND ALWAYS ON THE FIELD
Weekly content. This is week #123. Come technology meltdown, corporate grievance or shipping crisis, we are going to publish on this website every single damn week until the end of time. And we’ll continue putting hair ties and other fine products on your position as long as you keep ordering them, if we have to lash 1,000 packs to our bodies and carry them over mountains. Hoping the whole shipping module works out though.
‘Cause we’re comin in hot and the shit don’t stop!
Thanks for tuning in.
Keep lettin’ it ride.
Leave a comment man! Or gal! What are you liking most? What do you want to see more of? Who should be pissed off at who at corporate??
Comments
Hey!
I was looking at getting some hair ties but noticed ya’ll took down the all black pack and the lightning bolt ones. Any chance they’re coming back? Really want my hands on some.
Yea man. They’ll be back online this week.
Are the v2.1s going to be any bigger than the v2s? I have really thick curly hair and the v2s are to small they rip with just two twists..
Love what y’all are doing tho it’s cool man
Yo Brady! We are working on making them stronger so they shouldn’t rip like that.
We’ve gotten a few requests for bigger ties. We haven’t put these in the specs for the 2.1s but it’s in the plan. Will keep you posted.
Thanks a bunch for the kind words man, we appreciate it!
Just got my Smokin’ Gun Slouchie in yesterday (4/20? Say it with me dudes… CHILL!!)
This bad boy just EXUDES laid back, easygoin’ vibes and I couldn’t be happier with it! It’ll be my secret weapon to busting through the last of the awkward stage (@10 months right now)
Ûber soft, quality you can feel, and it’s gonna get questions, so I’ll be riding for the brand and spreading the word about the Longhairs. Win-win!
Hell yea John, love hearing that man! Thanks for snagging one while they lasted, you’re one of the lucky ones who got that piece cause those babies are GONE! Stoked on your stoke!
I have an undercut top knot, aka a man bun . Scratch that. It’s THE man bun. Hair bands are a necessity at this point (It’s shoulder length when I let it flow). Will “hair ties for guys” become a necessity after I order one pair? Are they that damn good? My hair requires the best, and will reject sub par products like a body rejects a used kidney. Basically what I’m asking you is, are we sure your product is the best for me. Should the kid allow your hair ties to live in the mane that so many desire to touch?
Warden, after trying our hair ties you won’t even need kidneys anymore.
So do you guys not allow negative comments on here? My last post didn’t make it through moderation because I wasn’t happy with the quality of the hair ties.? Really you guys should send me a pack of the V2.1’s considering my ties didn’t last two weeks. I expected better fellas…
Josh,
Your comment was published on April 15 in reply to Ashley F. right here: https://blog.thelonghairs.us/let-it-ride/
My response is published below your comment, copied it again for you here:
***
Yo J! Thanks for writing in man. If you have a chance check out our last post, we are addressing the issue w/ the hair ties in our next product run. We totally agree the ties need to hold up longer! In the meantime hit us up at [email protected], send a picture of your hair ties and we’ll get you taken care of. Appreciate you writing in and the kind words man! Let’s get you dialed w/ your hair ties and we’ll take it from there!
***
Thanks for checking back.
I’ve always been a longhair at heart, but never had the cojones to let my hair grow out. My baby mane has been growing for 6 months now, and it’s awkward AF! Just picked up one of your hard lids…gonna use it as a cocoon to let the mane incubate in the meantime. I’m not too far away in Orange County, I should probably come chill with you dudes once the mane grows out, haha. Keep up the good shit guys! \m/
You made me laugh Jeff. Twice.
Come on down amigo.
Can you guys make stickers
Yes
Back in the day I would have been all over the new slouch beanies. However, I’d like to see some thin beanies, ones we could still use in the heat, considering where I’m at it is regularly over 100 degrees F! Love my hat! Looking forward to having hair long enough for your sic hair ties.
Alright man! Hard to argue for thick beanies in 100 F. Thanks for writing in muchacho.
Sick, man! Can’t wait to see the new headbands.
YESSS Stronger hair ties!!!!! The sleeve on mine started coming off. I am happy with the quick response and update.
I love and adore you guys!!!
Love,
A mom of two long hair boyz (now 12 and 15)
Dang 12 and 15! Give em a good game for us!
Thanks Mica!
Sounds like a hellofa week, but I got my lids and ties fast and seamless. Thanks for making it easy on the customer!
Pow pow!
…lashing 1,000 packs to your bodies and carrying them over mountains, now that sounds like an interesting marketing commercial that would be worth watching.
Keepin’ it fresh and sexy…
P.S. Drop me some more business cards. I am down to my last three!
You got it Equus! Coming down the pipe
FYI, I think folks in shipping forgot to send me the business cards. Nothing has arrived. 🙁
I gave out a lot while I was in Morocco and in Iceland. I loved educating folks about our Longhair tribe. They were intrigued and full of questions.
Winter 2017, I will be in Hungary and Austria and summer 2018 in Munich and Prague. If the universe falls into alignment, I hope to join the Longhairs November 11, 2018 for the Longhairs Global Cut Extravaganza.
Livin’ the dream!
Dude! That’s crushing news your cards haven’t arrived. We’ll figure it out and get them to you.
I was wondering if the sleeve and seam issue on my V2s was limited to just me, but it sounds like some others had problems too. Glad to hear you’re aware of it and taking steps to solve it in future runs. Even with this minor issue these ties are still a great product I’m glad to support.
Awesome to hear El Monty!
Ya i bought the newer hair ties .and the middle piece came off on 3…. i went back to the older ones because of that.just excepted it and moved on…. glad there getting looked at
a usually, that’s the black ( haired) man who must do the worst part of the job: the computers and the shipping !!!
remember, El Rubio that slavery was abolished in year 1863 by Abraham Lincoln !!!
in french language, ” mort de rire” ( laughing to death)
Hahaha!!
Hell ya guys!!!!!!!! Keep it rocking! This stuff looks sick can’t wait!
Yo! What up guys 1st of all you guy kick ass! I’ve been growing my hair 1 year.
Just able to pull it back lo ball. I wanted to try the hair ties also sport the black hat you guy have. It say out of stock. I’m out here in Hawaii from San Clemente Ca. I’m the manager Journeys shoes. We sell all the rad vans adidas converse etc.. I want to connect with you 2. Possibly trade shoes for hats and some hair ties! I can ship you the shoes you want . Much love
DJ
808-763-6763
Yo DJ drop that shit! Yeah man we’re getting a re-order in on the Black Hawk. Hit us on the direct line [email protected]
Thanks for writing in man!
The V2.1s upgrade sounds great – I hope you guys deliver! 😉
Peace
WOW!!! Been outta touch for just a short time and damn!! Soft lids, hairbands, Red Tail, and now V2.1’s . I’m still trying to wear out my old V1’s before breaking into the V2’s. The V1’s holding up great, only one missing, didn’t wear it out just lost it, yep, camo, couldn’t find it. You know it’s all about strategy and shipping when it all goes down the corporate heads will try and take all the credit, but its the blue collar bottom that gets the job done! Meanwhile I see a couple soft lids with my name on them.
Dennis good to hear from ya man and saw that you picked up two soft lids. Super pumped and thanks for the support!
Loving all the new products! I can’t wait for the 2.1s and restock of the grey soft lids. I appreciate and will always support a brand that listens to its client base. Keep rockin’ fellas!
As my mom would say, You guys are a stitch!