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  • Topic: Lindt Chocolate RSVP Closes

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    • December 28, 2013 7:45 AM PST
    • Lindt Chocolate RSVP Closes

      It is with deep regret that we have made the decision to close Lindt Chocolate RSVP effective December 30, 2013. Unfortunately, due to a lack of business activity and a high cost of doing business, we were unable to sustain the program.

       

      We value all of the Independent Chocolate Advisors who have sold our products over the years, and know that this news will come as a disappointment to many. Therefore, we ask that you respect the emotions of your fellow Advisors, and afford them the time and opportunity to receive and digest the information contained in this letter without having to learn this news second-hand, such as through third-party websites and social media platforms.

       

      We realize that you will have many questions and we will make every effort to ensure that those questions are answered. Information explaining the shut down procedures is outlined below; however, you will also be receiving a letter in the mail over the coming weeks.

       

      We have had a lot of fun working together, laughing together and sharing the love of chocolate together. We hope you will take a piece of Lindt Chocolate RSVP with you as you move forward and continue your journey.

       

      Sincerely,


      Christine Bullen
      Vice President Direct to Consumer
      Lindt & Sprungli USA (Inc.)

       

      Re: Termination of Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P.

       

      Dear Chocolate Advisor,

       

      I wanted to inform you that Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P. ("Lindt RSVP") is beginning the difficult process of closing its business. As of Monday, December 30, 2013, Lindt RSVP will be closing its doors, and unfortunately, that means that your New Independent Sales Consultant Agreement ("Consultant Agreement") will be deemed terminated at that time as well. December 30, 2013, is sometimes referred to in this letter as the "Termination Date".

       

      All of us at Lindt RSVP wish to thank you for your time, dedication, and diligence in selling Lindt RSVP products through our home sales channel. We value all of the Independent Chocolate Advisors ("Advisors") who have sold our products over the years, and know that this news will come as a shock and disappointment to many. Therefore, we ask that you respect the emotions of your fellow Advisors, and afford them the time and opportunity to receive and digest the information contained in this letter without having to learn this news second-hand, such as through third-party websites and social media platforms.

       

      This letter explains the shut-down procedures that will follow over the ensuing weeks. Please review it carefully as it contains a number of instructions relating to product returns and confidentiality considerations. As always, please contact us with questions at RSVPCustomerServiceUS@lindt.com or (866) 276-6173.

       

      Thank you in advance for your cooperation and consideration. Capitalized terms in this letter that are not defined herein have the same meanings as defined in the Lindt RSVP's Policies and Procedures (the "Policies and Procedures")

       

      Final Date For Home Sale Parties and Product Orders

       

      As an accommodation to our Advisors as we approach the holiday season, we will continue to process and fulfill orders submitted for Lindt RSVP products through Monday, December 30, 2013. Should you wish to schedule Home Sale Parties, or other sales events between now and the end of this year, please know that the last date on which Lindt RSVP will process orders for any of its products will be Monday, December 30, 2013. All orders must be submitted through your Virtual Office, and must be received by, and posted to Lindt RSVP's databases, prior to midnight PST (Pacific Standard Time). Order forms submitted to us, or received by us, after that date/time will not be honored. Please plan your final sales accordingly.

       

      The terms and conditions set forth on your order forms with respect to order cancellations and returns will still apply to all orders submitted between now through Monday, December 30, 2013. Therefore, house party attendees who may need to make a product return on an order placed on December 30, 2013, will still have 30 days from the date of shipment in order to do so. We ask that you continue to work with your customers on any final returns, and that you communicate any issues to us at your earliest convenience. Final commissions (if any) will be issued via direct deposit through the Automated Clearing House to the account information listed in your Consultant Agreement.

       

      Repurchase of Business Starter Kits/Refund of Annual Fees/Repurchase of Commercially Resalable Products

      While we hope you will use the next several weeks to your advantage by selling any remaining Lindt RSVP products you may have on hand, we are extending a repurchase option of certain un-used "commercially resalable" products, including Business Starter Kits, and sales aids, as well as refunding certain of your start-up costs.

       

      Section 8 of Lindt RSVP's Policies and Procedures discusses the repurchase of certain designated items in the event an Advisor elects to resign from Lindt RSVP. Although our current situation is different, where we are having to close our doors, as opposed to having Advisors resign, we are willing to extend a similar right of return to you as is described in Section 8 of the Policies and Procedures. Specifically, we will repurchase from you, at a rate of ninety percent (90%), all un-used re-saleable Business Starter Kit products and sales aids purchased by you within the last six (6) months. For Advisors who may have joined us only recently, Business Starter Kits purchased within the last thirty (30) days can be returned for a one hundred percent (100%) refund. Your applicable state sales tax rate (if any) will be multiplied by the actual cost of your Business Starter Kit, and will be included in your overall reimbursement amount. Shipping costs will not be refunded. In all instances, Business Starter Kits must be unused in order to be eligible for a refund.

       

      Though we are not required to refund Annual Fees in the present instance where we are closing down our business, we are nonetheless willing to refund Annual Fees at a rate of one hundred percent (100%) if paid within the last thirty (30) days. All other Annual Fees paid within the last twelve (12) months, will be reimbursed on a prorated basis at a rate of $8.25/month. For example, if you made your $99.00 Annual Fee payment in October, 2013, we would reimburse you $82.50, as you only worked your business for two months before we had to shut down.

       

      Section 53 of the Policies and Procedures provides for a thirty (30) day return period of certain chocolate products. The purpose of this section is to accommodate returns made under our standard return policy where requests are made within thirty (30) days of product shipment. It does not obligate us to repurchase products from you that you are unable to sell during our winding down process.

       

      If you choose to return your qualifying commercially resalable products, please understand that any reimbursement amount you are eligible to receive may be subject to certain "set-offs". For example, "set-offs" appropriate for deduction and recapture from your reimbursement amount include any compensation, bonuses, or overrides you may have received on the items you now seek to return for repurchase. Other set-offs may include amounts equal to payments that an Advisor currently owes to Lindt RSVP, or commissions received on products that your downline recruits choose to return for repurchase. Even if you elect not to return any eligible products, you may still be responsible for repayment to Lindt RSVP of commissions and bonuses earned through downline recruits who now elect to return such products.

       

      All products eligible for return/repurchase, must comply with our Product Return Procedure.

       

      Product Return Procedure

       

      1. Check to make sure that all items are in original, un-opened, and un-used commercially resalable condition, and that they were purchased on or after October 1, 2013. Please do not attempt to return open/used products, or products that have been identified as seasonal, discontinued, or special promotion products not subject to repurchase, as such items will not be returned to you, nor will you be reimbursed for them. Per Sections 54 and 57 of the Policies and Procedures, the following items are also ineligible for refund:
      *Host free Product awards;
      *Kit add-on samples;
      *Business supplies;
      *Damaged in shipment items;
      *Missing in shipment items;
      *Replacement or exchange items; and
      *Host "no charge" items

       

      2. Please package all items securely in an appropriate shipping container, and ship it, postage prepaid, to the address listed below via UPS or FedEx. COD packages will not be accepted. If you are shipping a large quantity of items, you may wish to insure your package, but that is entirely at your discretion.

      3. Please be sure to include an itemized list of the Lindt RSVP products that you are returning in your package, accompanied by your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and Advisor ID number.

       

      4. To be eligible for repurchase, all packages must be post-dated no later than December 31, 2013. Packages that are post-dated after December 31, 2013 will not be processed for repurchase/reimbursement and will not be returned to you.

       

      Lindt & Sprungli (USA) Inc
      Attn: D2C/RSVP
      One Fine Chocolate Place
      Stratham, NH 03885

      Please allow 3 to 4 weeks from the date of receipt by Lindt RSVP to process all repurchase/reimbursement requests. Reimbursement payments will be issued via direct deposit through the Automated Clearing House to the account information listed in your Consultant Agreement.

       

      Confidentiality

       

      The Lindt RSVP Policies, and the Consultant Agreement note that Lindt RSVP has exclusive rights to all of the Advisors' customer lists, the names and address lists of Advisors, all Lindt RSVP trademarks, service marks, designs, logos, domains, Lindt RSVP printed, Web-based, audio and video marketing materials, training manuals, training tapes and/or CD Roms, newsletters, agreements, business forms, trade secrets, pricing information, knowledge as to sources, and customer purchasing histories, manuals and guides, agreements or business forms, chocolate know how, manufacturing procedures, and all other intellectual property of Lindt RSVP, its parent and affiliated companies.

      All such information is considered "Confidential Information", and your obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information survives the termination of Lindt RSVP, and the Consultant Agreement. In other words, you are still required to keep the Confidential Information confidential even after the Termination Date.

       

      Cease Use/Return of Proprietary Materials

       

      Beginning as of December 31, 2013, as required by the Agreement and the Lindt RSVP Policies, you must immediately cease all use in every format (i.e. print, web-based) of Lindt RSVP's trademarks, service marks, designs, logos, domains, personalized websites, and all other intellectual and proprietary and/or Confidential Information. This means that after the Termination Date, all Lindt RSVP personal websites will be deactivated, and you must immediately cease holding yourself out as an Advisor in all public and private forums (both offline and online). If you have references on your Facebook page, or any other social media platforms, identifying yourself as an Advisor, you must remove all such language identifying yourself as an Advisor. You must also cease using the materials provided in your Marketing Toolbox, or as otherwise provided to you by Lindt RSVP.

       

      Thank you again for your efforts in advancing our home sales channel, and for working with us as we wind down Lindt RSVP.

      Very Tru

      ly Yours,

      __________________
      Christine Bullen
      Vice President Direct to Consumer
      Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc.

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