Tweet/Facebook Updates - Bachelorette 8 - Discussion

Amberish wrote:

ams6363 wrote:Don't know anything really about this..but here is some info on the wells. Also I do drink bottled water, but try to limit.

3) What’s unique about PW is they prepay for the well projects and assign each water bottle and well project with a QR code and a water batch number that corresponds with that well project. As the bottles are sold, a percentage of the sale is used to pay down each well project. If you would like to help fund a well project, purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project.

What percentage of the sale? 1%, 5%, 1/2% ... do you know?

No I don't. Is there even enough financial data on their profits? Personally, I had never even heard of this company until the Bachelorette, and it doesn't sound like they carry the water in all the major markets, especially having to compete with the likes of Coca Cola and the generic store brand stuff.

Amberish wrote:
Here is another video about the plastic problem. A bit more balanced from an oceanographer's point of view and IMO worth the watch ...

I believe Charles Moore is also in the Tapped trailer. He states something like "if you eliminate the scourge of bottled water, you would eliminate one of the biggest problems facing our environment."

That plastic garbage is some scary stuff. There is one in the Pacific, I believe, that is the size of Texas.

Interesting Video. All of this information is interesting no matter how you feel on the issue.

http://quarterwaters.com/social-entrepreneur-cody-barker-founder-of-people-water

ams6363 wrote:Don't know anything really about this..but here is some info on the wells. Also I do drink bottled water, but try to limit.

3) What’s unique about PW is they prepay for the well projects and assign each water bottle and well project with a QR code and a water batch number that corresponds with that well project. As the bottles are sold, a percentage of the sale is used to pay down each well project. If you would like to help fund a well project, purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project.

Exactly -- what percentage? That is what needs to be ON THE LABEL to avoid misleading.

ams6363 wrote:Don't know anything really about this..but here is some info on the wells. Also I do drink bottled water, but try to limit.

3) What’s unique about PW is they prepay for the well projects and assign each water bottle and well project with a QR code and a water batch number that corresponds with that well project. As the bottles are sold, a percentage of the sale is used to pay down each well project. If you would like to help fund a well project, purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project.

Is there a minimum/maximum amount of bottles that will be assigned to a particular well. If there is, and they have several well projects in the works when they are assigning bottles to particular wells, if they don't meet their quota for the well, do they have to fund it? Is it possible that well sites keep growing as they are making the assignments, so that few to none actually meet the quota to fund a designated well?

Bet2Win wrote:

ams6363 wrote:Don't know anything really about this..but here is some info on the wells. Also I do drink bottled water, but try to limit.

3) What’s unique about PW is they prepay for the well projects and assign each water bottle and well project with a QR code and a water batch number that corresponds with that well project. As the bottles are sold, a percentage of the sale is used to pay down each well project. If you would like to help fund a well project, purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project.

Economics is not my strong suit. With that in mind, is there a minimum/maximum amount of bottles that will be assigned to a particular well. If there is, and they have several well projects in the works when they are assigning bottles to particular wells, if they don't meet their quota for the well, do they have to fund it? Is it possible that well sites keep growing as they are making the assignments, so that few to none actually meet the quota to fund a designated well?

I don't presume any fraud, at all. It seems like the classic Early Ethos problem -- people think you are a charity because a CAUSE is touted as the reason to buy, AND the material fact of the [unknown] % going to charity is suppressed entirely.

Without clear disclosure of the %, the "hook" to buy is viewed by consumer protection enforcers as a deception. This happened with 9/11 too -- i.e,. buy our shoes, we'll give money to firefighter families who lost loved ones, but they didn't publicize that only 10% was donated of $500k. You tug on heart strings for a worthy cause, and pocket most the revenue.

I don't know how it works out, especially if it is true the wells are pre-paid for.

My thoughts based on watching the video above, is I believe they have good intentions with wanting to help people get access to clean water, you can tell Jef's partner Cody is very passionate about the cause. There was also mention about Jef having access to a bottling facility (?) and his dad gave them $20,000 start up. Based on the interview I think he is aware there are environmental concerns as well, and is willing to explore other areas when it comes to development in that process.

Whether the business is sustainable is anyone
s guess. I don't forsee them capturing a huge market share, and there are much larger companies to compete with. I am impressed though given the lack of business experience where they have come so far. Overall too much is unknown to really say one way or another about People Water IMO. I will say though their overall marketing strategy seems to have promise.

Also maybe that question, in terms of % profits that go to building wells will be answered/asked during his chat,although I suspect it will be primary questions pertaining to the Bachelorette.

jlccaz wrote:

Bet2Win wrote:

ams6363 wrote:Don't know anything really about this..but here is some info on the wells. Also I do drink bottled water, but try to limit.

3) What’s unique about PW is they prepay for the well projects and assign each water bottle and well project with a QR code and a water batch number that corresponds with that well project. As the bottles are sold, a percentage of the sale is used to pay down each well project. If you would like to help fund a well project, purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project.

Economics is not my strong suit. With that in mind, is there a minimum/maximum amount of bottles that will be assigned to a particular well. If there is, and they have several well projects in the works when they are assigning bottles to particular wells, if they don't meet their quota for the well, do they have to fund it? Is it possible that well sites keep growing as they are making the assignments, so that few to none actually meet the quota to fund a designated well?

I don't presume any fraud, at all. It seems like the classic Early Ethos problem -- people think you are a charity because a CAUSE is touted as the reason to buy, AND the material fact of the [unknown] % going to charity is suppressed entirely.

Without clear disclosure of the %, the "hook" to buy is viewed by consumer protection enforcers as a deception. This happened with 9/11 too -- i.e,. buy our shoes, we'll give money to firefighter families who lost loved ones, but they didn't publicize that only 10% was donated of $500k. You tug on heart strings for a worthy cause, and pocket most the revenue.

I get what you are saying but it's rather presumptuous to suggest that PW is doing deceptive advertising. The fact that PW is providing a 'trace' _ "purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project." _ for how the percentage of the sale is allocated, they are 100% opening themselves to full disclosure. Their accounting team will definitely make sure that the information relating to that claim will be readily available and accessible to the auditors who will review the numbers for veracity (I know I would ask the accounting department/section to prepare the requisite schedule/reports for auditing purposes). As someone who had dealt with accounting-related issues with independent auditors, I can tell you that this sort of claim invites close scrutiny from visiting auditors and if the claim is not fully substantiated and accounted for, the firm _ in this case PW_ can face serious fines and, worst _ incarceration. Anyway, I don't think this is the forum to discuss this subject. I appreciate the information shared relating to the subject as it is very instructive but, I think, it is rather myopic to assume the worst without knowing the other relevant and pertinent facts, in this case, the role of 'accounting-auditing' in this issue.

cherryyou wrote:I get what you are saying but it's rather presumptuous to suggest that PW is doing deceptive advertising. The fact that PW is providing a 'trace' _ "purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project." _ for how the percentage of the sale is allocated, they are 100% opening themselves to full disclosure. Their accounting team will definitely make sure that the information relating to that claim will be readily available and accessible to the auditors who will review the numbers for veracity (I know I would ask the accounting department/section to prepare the requisite schedule/reports for auditing purposes). As someone who had dealt with accounting-related issues with independent auditors, I can tell you that this sort of claim invites close scrutiny from visiting auditors and if the claim is not fully substantiated and accounted for, the firm _ in this case PW_ can face serious fines and, worst _ incarceration. Anyway, I don't think this is the forum to discuss this subject. I appreciate the information shared relating to the subject as it is very instructive but, I think, it is rather myopic to assume the worst without knowing the other relevant and pertinent facts, in this case, the role of 'accounting-auditing' in this issue.

PW is 100% opening themselves to full disclosure? Really? Where did you read that, their website?

So this little, privately owned company will open their books for whom? Me, if I ask them to? Hmm, I'd be willing to wager BIG money that's never gonna happen, because PW doesn't have to, unless and until sued by my home State of California, and we will sue, because we do that. In California, we're sue happy ... we love them consumer advocacy lawsuits and especially them whopper settlements.

People Water accoding to their website pay/donate to Generousity Water and Blue Planet Network (both NPOs) to build their wells. People Water is not in the business of building wells. They gave $8000 to Generousity Water to dig two wells in Ghana. Evidently those wells have been dug and Jef and Cody (who has a 9th grade education) are going over to see them. (I assume that is for a publicity photo shoot)

While each bottle of water seems to be designated to a well, there is no indication how much money from the sale of each bottle is designated to the well.

They use ENSO materials on their bottles when they can, use recycled materials in their bottles otherwise, and encourage recycling = eco-friendly

Good for them or good for Cody to be so excited about the project. It is hard to tell how much they actually donate in relationship to company sales.

Amberish wrote:

cherryyou wrote:I get what you are saying but it's rather presumptuous to suggest that PW is doing deceptive advertising. The fact that PW is providing a 'trace' _ "purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project." _ for how the percentage of the sale is allocated, they are 100% opening themselves to full disclosure. Their accounting team will definitely make sure that the information relating to that claim will be readily available and accessible to the auditors who will review the numbers for veracity (I know I would ask the accounting department/section to prepare the requisite schedule/reports for auditing purposes). As someone who had dealt with accounting-related issues with independent auditors, I can tell you that this sort of claim invites close scrutiny from visiting auditors and if the claim is not fully substantiated and accounted for, the firm _ in this case PW_ can face serious fines and, worst _ incarceration. Anyway, I don't think this is the forum to discuss this subject. I appreciate the information shared relating to the subject as it is very instructive but, I think, it is rather myopic to assume the worst without knowing the other relevant and pertinent facts, in this case, the role of 'accounting-auditing' in this issue.

PW is 100% opening themselves to full disclosure? Really? Where did you read that, their website?

So this little, privately owned company will open their books for whom? Me, if I ask them to? Hmm, I'd be willing to wager BIG money that's never gonna happen, because PW doesn't have to, unless and until sued by my home State of California, and we will sue, because we do that. In California, we're sue happy ... we love them consumer advocacy lawsuits and especially them whopper settlements.

No, I didn't read that in their website. I guess, as a former controller-accountant for a couple of multi-million dollar companies, I know a little bit about the issue I am talking about. I understand my background is nothing compared to some people's here but I speak from real experience [not just academia]. I guess by 'full disclosure' you meant doing it publicly? First of all, PW is a privately-owned company and as long as, accounting-wise, their practice is in compliance with the law, they have nothing to worry about. BTW, I lived in LA county for 2 decades so I am aware of the state's litigation-prone culture.

cherryyou wrote:

Amberish wrote:

cherryyou wrote:I get what you are saying but it's rather presumptuous to suggest that PW is doing deceptive advertising. The fact that PW is providing a 'trace' _ "purchase a bottle of People Water, scan the QR code, and follow your water project." _ for how the percentage of the sale is allocated, they are 100% opening themselves to full disclosure. Their accounting team will definitely make sure that the information relating to that claim will be readily available and accessible to the auditors who will review the numbers for veracity (I know I would ask the accounting department/section to prepare the requisite schedule/reports for auditing purposes). As someone who had dealt with accounting-related issues with independent auditors, I can tell you that this sort of claim invites close scrutiny from visiting auditors and if the claim is not fully substantiated and accounted for, the firm _ in this case PW_ can face serious fines and, worst _ incarceration. Anyway, I don't think this is the forum to discuss this subject. I appreciate the information shared relating to the subject as it is very instructive but, I think, it is rather myopic to assume the worst without knowing the other relevant and pertinent facts, in this case, the role of 'accounting-auditing' in this issue.

PW is 100% opening themselves to full disclosure? Really? Where did you read that, their website?

So this little, privately owned company will open their books for whom? Me, if I ask them to? Hmm, I'd be willing to wager BIG money that's never gonna happen, because PW doesn't have to, unless and until sued by my home State of California, and we will sue, because we do that. In California, we're sue happy ... we love them consumer advocacy lawsuits and especially them whopper settlements.

No, I didn't read that in their website. I guess, as a former controller-accountant for a couple of multi-million dollar companies, I know a little bit about the issue I am talking about. I understand my background is nothing compared to some people's here but I speak from real experience [not just academia]. I guess by 'full disclosure' you meant doing it publicly? First of all, PW is a privately-owned company and as long as, accounting-wise, their practice is in compliance with the law, they have nothing to worry about. BTW, I lived in LA county for 2 decades so I am aware of the state's litigation-prone culture.

Morning cherryyou and Amberish. I always thought that NJ was the most litigious State in the Nation. I learned something today, it has been said that NJ has the most lawyer's per capita than any other State. Ah well, lawyers make the money and the rest of us lose! :cutesmile!:

I work in accounting as well, but from the other side, I work for accountants and we have public and private companies on our books. If People Water engages an accounting firm to do their financial statements then any good accountant/firm will ensure that their accounting practices are sound.

They provide fresh water through sponsoring the build of wells in third world countries. So far one well that they sponsored has come thru, hence the Nicaragua video. Plastic is a petroleum based product and does not degrade well, I agree that reusable water bottles is the way to go, but many of them come from China, so how eco-friendly are they? I have yet to find a reusable water bottle (BPA free plastic or metal) that is made in the United States. I don't buy Chinese made products, I buy American when I can, especially American made from smaller companies whose profits stay in the States.

We'll see in the future whether PW continues their largesse. It appears from a tweet the other night that some of PW's people will be heading to Ghana to join in a well build in that country. Providing fresh potable drinking water for those who are unfortunate enough not to have access to it should be applauded.