NO
Quality Products + Involved Owner = Return Customer
I’ve placed three orders so far with 3CayG, and each has been a smooth and gratifying experience. The biggest draw for me was seeing how involved the owner is in the manufacturing process of their products. I haven’t found too many businesses that sell traditional health products from the African continent and are also transparent about who is making those product and in what conditions they are made. For that reason, I don’t mind the premium on 3CayG’s items. I could run down to the flea market to get some shea butter, but the person who’s selling it won’t be able to show me pictures of them actually sitting side-by-side with the people who made it. That said, I always encourage companies to be more transparent about how they pay and protect their workers. I like what I’ve seen on social media, but official documentation like an annual public sustainability and ethicality assessment would also be nice. I’ve gotten a steady supply of ABS, shea, and cocoa butter from here, and everything has arrived fresh and securely-packaged. They probably have my favorite black soap I’ve seen so far. The color is so rich, and it is pliable straight out of the box, not “ashy” and crumbly. My only real complaint is that the Saran Wrap they use is so thin it seems to almost mold into the black soap. However, it’s pretty easy to peel off. Until I find a Black-owned & operated supplier straight from the continent who ships to the U.S. and ensures their products are fair trade and their workers are treated well, 3CayG is the best compromise of quality and ethics that I have found.