Sunday Riley has been posting positive reviews on websites for the last two years but there will be no FTC consequences. Surprised? So am I. News broke last year that Sunday Riley was asking employees to post fake positive reviews on websites like Sephora. In two years, not only did Sunday Riley’s employees falsify reviews at the request of management ut also the namesake founder was posting them as well.
Things were pretty technical with these reviews as employees of the brand not only created fake accounts to write these reviews but also, used a virtual private network to do so which would conceal their real IP address. To make things seem legit employees were instructed to leave reviews on other products such as makeup and other items. Employees were also instructed to dislike negative reviews on any Sunday Riley products as when enough dislikes are left Sephora removes the negative review. After the brand was exposed they issued a statement on Instagram but made no apology for their wrong doing instead blaming the fact they are a small brand that’s trying to make it.
Eventually the FTC ended up entangled in the Sunday Riley web and found them guilty of two violations for making false reviews and failing to disclose that those reviews were written by employees. But happy days for Sunday Riley as they face absolutely no consequences for their heinous behavior as the FTC simply banned from making any false reviews in the future. And if they do leave any reviews on their own products or others they need to disclose they are employees of the brand.
How do you feel about the FTC’s ruling against Sunday Riley?
I find it unjust and I think it sends the wrong messages to other brands, bloggers, and even influencers as it basically says you can pretty much get away with tricking consumers and lying to them without fear or serious consequences.
I don’t think the scandal has hurt Sunday Riley’s sales oddly enough as I still see that people get pretty excited about their latest launches.
Do share your thoughts on the topic!
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