christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,122 
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Apr 4, 2023 13:23:49 GMT
Boredom...when the collections become too similar that I can barely tell them apart is usually when I move on.
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 4, 2023 14:00:57 GMT
I don't know that I ever have had a favorite. Most of my paper came from sales. It would look like my favorites are SEI and Echo Park. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I liked My Mind's Eye paper when it was cuter. Remember those people die cuts that came in themed packs? The people were harder for me to use, but I really loved the other items. They aren't producing anything now.
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Post by Shakti on Apr 4, 2023 15:18:45 GMT
And by today, the spare magnets and grid paper that fit the Stamparatus were also gone. I imagine the grid mat, too.
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Post by hop2 on Apr 4, 2023 16:25:04 GMT
When their stuff is so same same same that I think I already have it.
When I find I don’t use the stuff I already own ( studio calico ) so why should I keep buying it. I just can’t seem to use their cards. Ugh. I have 2 shoe box drawers if it too. I do use their stamps all the time though.
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ScrappingMe
Full Member
Posts: 206
Feb 3, 2023 2:05:16 GMT
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Post by ScrappingMe on Apr 4, 2023 21:55:36 GMT
I used to love Doodlebug and similar cute themed lines, but I find it harder to use with older kid photos. I find myself not buying it unless I know I have some little kid photos that would be perfect for it. I used to be a Doodlebug freak and stalked their blog for the new stuff. I barely pay attention to their releases now. Or at least I don’t go out of my way to find them.
I used to love Bo Bunny years ago. They are now all floral, butterfly and dainty looking prints. It’s not my style. I miss their older stuff.
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 5, 2023 20:43:04 GMT
I was a loyal Stampin Up buyer but when I found clear stamps I moved on. Their designs just didn't advance like the other companies I found. I still have tons of their cardstock that I love and 15yr old ink pads that still ink as if they are brand new. Papertrey Ink was the best and I dropped a TON of money there. They were innovative and their designs were top notch. But their horrible inexcusable business practices turned me off big time. A couple years ago, I spent my final stash of points and I won't ever shop there again. I could have written this. I had to really hunt down Stampin Up products (I didn't know anyone who sold them and everyone I ordered from seemed to get out of the business so quickly I'd have to find a new internet stranger to buy from), but I stopped buying from them when it seemed like everyone else developed more innovative stamps and they seemed stuck, design-wise. I wish I could claim I dropped PTI for business practice reasons, but it was actually that when they changed over and stopped having monthly releases and a stable of innovative designers, there was a lot less to buy and a lot less inspo to buy it. I do still order cardstock from them, sorry to say. The other place that used to get a lot of business from me that I dropped was Impress. They had local bricks-and-mortar stores that I loved, but I had also ordered a ton online. What I found was that when, during Covid, they closed their last local store, their website didn't inspire me in the same way, and the online orders took forever to get to me even though their warehouse is a 20 minute drive from my house. |
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Post by aj2hall on Apr 5, 2023 22:59:29 GMT
Simple Stories is one of my all time favorite companies,. Lately, I've been disappointed in their releases. I think they have a new designer. I'm just not a fan of the mustard yellow, orange & pink with teal collections, that reminds me of the 70's with lots of florals. I feel like some of the AC designers already have that covered. I prefer brighter, less muted colors. Simple Stories summer collections are usually my favorites, but I will probably only get a few pieces of just 2-3 collections.
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,743
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Apr 6, 2023 2:04:11 GMT
I was a loyal Stampin Up buyer but when I found clear stamps I moved on. Their designs just didn't advance like the other companies I found. I still have tons of their cardstock that I love and 15yr old ink pads that still ink as if they are brand new. Papertrey Ink was the best and I dropped a TON of money there. They were innovative and their designs were top notch. But their horrible inexcusable business practices turned me off big time. A couple years ago, I spent my final stash of points and I won't ever shop there again. I could have written this. I had to really hunt down Stampin Up products (I didn't know anyone who sold them and everyone I ordered from seemed to get out of the business so quickly I'd have to find a new internet stranger to buy from), but I stopped buying from them when it seemed like everyone else developed more innovative stamps and they seemed stuck, design-wise. I wish I could claim I dropped PTI for business practice reasons, but it was actually that when they changed over and stopped having monthly releases and a stable of innovative designers, there was a lot less to buy and a lot less inspo to buy it. I do still order cardstock from them, sorry to say. The other place that used to get a lot of business from me that I dropped was Impress. They had local bricks-and-mortar stores that I loved, but I had also ordered a ton online. What I found was that when, during Covid, they closed their last local store, their website didn't inspire me in the same way, and the online orders took forever to get to me even though their warehouse is a 20 minute drive from my house. oh bummer!! I didn’t realize Impress had closed everything.  I use to live minutes away from the Tukwila one and that is where I found my first CK magazine and learned about scrapbooking! I remember looking through the magazine right in the store and and knowing I found my “thing.” |
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,218
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Post by Peamac on Apr 10, 2023 1:37:41 GMT
There's a lot of Echo Park and Carta Bella that I like, but I'm not going to order from them any more.
A couple months ago I ordered some things in their sale, but several weeks later I found out it had been sent to someone several states away. The person who received it mailed me a very nice letter explaining what happened to my order. It had been sent back to Echo Park, but I wasn't notified about when I'd get it, even after contacting customer service. By that time, I'd already ordered one of their warehouse boxes. They ended up keeping my first order until the warehouse box was ready to go. I finally received my orders a week or two after that. It took over a month to get that first order.
I watched a few youtube videos of other people that got a warehouse box at the same time I did. We all got the same stuff- same birthday collections, same map paper collections, same Mary Poppins collections. A lot of stuff I didn't really need for my stash- though I realize it's a mystery box. I finally decided not to order from them again, no matter how good a sale they have.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 10, 2023 2:45:40 GMT
And by today, the spare magnets and grid paper that fit the Stamparatus were also gone. I imagine the grid mat, too. I have bought both button and bar magnets at Amazon and Michaels. The magnets from both Tim Holtz and SU can (and often do) eventually break, which is why I’ve had to buy replacements. Grid paper can be photocopied or you can buy grid paper from an office supply store, possibly Michaels art section, and you can probably buy it for less than SU sold it. While I like supporting companies that sell products I love, when they discontinue something I need, or charge an unreasonable high price, I go elsewhere or figure out an alternative without any guilt. However, I have to admit that I prefer repositionable tape to the magnets. The magnets don’t always keep the paper/card stock in perfect position when I’m stamping. |
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Post by Shakti on Apr 10, 2023 9:22:51 GMT
I don’t have the patience to cut grid paper to fit the Stamparatus platform. I did but the deluxe foam mat with the grid, but it does feel and work a little differently. I suppose if I can’t stand it anymore, I can use it to photocopy my own grid paper.
A lawsuit is hardly “for no reason.”
I would love to find some button magnets; I’ll check Michael’s and Joann.
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Post by ferblover on Apr 10, 2023 13:09:09 GMT
Well, a lot has to do with my changing tastes. If a company is just rehashing and recycling their designs every two years, I start to get a bit bored. So, I look at other companies. However, sometimes - like with color lines (inks) - if they keep changing them out it gets very expensive to keep up and that is a big put off (SU I'm looking at you). That happened big time this year, so SU is no longer going to see much of my spending power going forward. I love their paper and ink coordination, but I really cannot be expected to change it out every year. By the way, they are pulling their stamp platform, the Stamparatus, from their catalog and will not be restocking it, even though they do not go to court against MSP until December this year. So if you want a platform other than the pink one, now is the time until supply runs out. Owner/company transparency, conduct, and reputation. In example, I personally will never buy an MSP product simply because of the way the owner has treated crafters and has pursued being a monopoly out of sheer greed. Can't do it, won't do it. Other than that, I a shop around for what interests me, as being "brand loyal" isn't really a given these days. THis is exactly why I walked away from SU. Plus, not only were they changing colors, they were changing the pads and containers themselves. Beautiful colors that you could only get for a limited time. I decided not to play that game anymore. |
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Post by Shakti on Apr 10, 2023 14:56:02 GMT
I don't understand buying what interests you and not being brand loyal, but also walking away from a brand because they change colors. I don't buy into SU's Garanimals system -- I mix their patterned papers with other brands of solid colored card stocks. I mostly use other brands of ink with their products too. We don't buy all our clothing from one brand -- we mix things all the time because we know how to figure out what looks good with what. And sometimes our favorite colors of clothing go out of fashion and are hard (or impossible) to find. Why would you try to "keep up" with a company's ink colors? I'm asking this completely honestly because I really don't get it.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 10, 2023 16:42:10 GMT
In response to certain points that have been brought up, although in two different posts…..
I get really frustrated with color changes when I realize that despite my vast card stock and ink collection, I don’t have anything that matches patterned papers in new collections. Even if it looks just a little bit “off” to me, it really bothers me. Example, I cannot pair pinks that are true pink with pinks that are more salmon pink, because it’s like nails on a chalkboard to me. I totally understand getting frustrated with a company over new collections that have colors just enough different than past ones that crafters feel the need to have to buy it all, just so the colors match well. It drives me crazy. I have a huge stash, and it’s ridiculous for me to buy new card stock, new ink, etc., just so I can buy a few new pieces of new patterned paper.
The only redeeming aspect is that it has gotten me to stop buying new papers, and I am sticking to shopping my paper and card stock stash. I can’t always tell the true colors when viewing paper online, and I have no LSS near enough to shop at.
It seems that many of us have our line-in-the-sand issue, though not necessarily the same one (sometimes many), that helps us decide to walk away from a company.
Different issue:
Lawsuits aren’t always just or fair. As to the lawsuits brought by MSP, I looked carefully at her patent application, and I felt that the patent approval was on shaky ground. In the application, MSP referred to a letterpress as being a similar tool. It wasn’t just similar, the MSP version looks like a modified letterpress IMO. Stampers used to use a letterpress for stamping, just as stamp platforms (an improvement over the Letterpress) are being used today. MSP got a patent on what appears to be a modified letterpress. Many (including myself) think that the MSP patent should never have been granted. The competitors who brought out other stamp platforms had modified their designs as much or more than MSP did when creating her version. The ugly truth is that courts don’t always come to the same conclusion. One court will decide one way, while a higher court may decide the opposite when the case is appealed. Not everyone can afford to keep the lawsuits going, and that is part of the issue here. Regardless of what crafters like myself think, however, MSP prevailed, and the SU version has disappeared, as did all the others.
I know the Altenew platform is expensive, but the MSP version started out just as expensive, possibly more. I wish them well, and I will be saving to buy their platform. I hope to see it demonstrated at one of the upcoming conventions this year. I’d go just to see it in action. The fact that it is going to give MSP some competition is definitely appealing to me. For the record, I don’t know her. I read her original replies long ago when there was a thread about her poor customer service, and to Don, who simply made his own home made version and posted a photo (NO instructions, just a photo). She threatened him with a lawsuit if he didn’t remove the picture of his homemade version.
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kiavonne
Full Member
Posts: 112
Mar 10, 2021 3:23:12 GMT
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Post by kiavonne on Apr 10, 2023 20:39:01 GMT
I read her original replies long ago when there was a thread about her poor customer service, and to Don, who simply made his own home made version and posted a photo (NO instructions, just a photo). She threatened him with a lawsuit if he didn’t remove the picture of his homemade version. Good on Don who stuck to his guns. I've been his admirer ever since. Even if he had posted instructions, it would not have been an issue, as he wasn't selling them. DIY has been around since the dawn of humankind, and MSP just has no teeth in that fight, in spite of her thinking she can monopolize that, too. I get really frustrated with color changes when I realize that despite my vast card stock and ink collection, I don’t have anything that matches patterned papers in new collections. Even if it looks just a little bit “off” to me, it really bothers me. Example, I cannot pair pinks that are true pink with pinks that are more salmon pink, because it’s like nails on a chalkboard to me. I totally understand getting frustrated with a company over new collections that have colors just enough different than past ones that crafters feel the need to have to buy it all, just so the colors match well. It drives me crazy. I have a huge stash, and it’s ridiculous for me to buy new card stock, new ink, etc., just so I can buy a few new pieces of new patterned paper. Unfortunately, some of us get caught up in Stampin' Up! when we first get introduced to them and then find it hard to let go of them when they provided the things we craved. I admit to this. In my instance, it was the paper and ink coordination. I built up a stash of their core inks and papers, foolishly thinking they'd be around. I always hated their revolving "in colors" so I tried to stay away from them. Then this year they changed up so much of their core. Nope. Not doing it. Way too expensive. Even for a "full set syndrome" person like me. So, I'll use what I have, and when it is gone, it is gone. I have so many patterned papers from so many different sources, that I should be fine mixing and matching colors for a century, no need to keep adding.
(interesting how the quick quote system is dating back 9 years, haha)
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kiavonne
Full Member
Posts: 112
Mar 10, 2021 3:23:12 GMT
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Post by kiavonne on Apr 10, 2023 20:53:04 GMT
I don't understand buying what interests you and not being brand loyal, but also walking away from a brand because they change colors. I don't buy into SU's Garanimals system -- I mix their patterned papers with other brands of solid colored card stocks. I mostly use other brands of ink with their products too. We don't buy all our clothing from one brand -- we mix things all the time because we know how to figure out what looks good with what. And sometimes our favorite colors of clothing go out of fashion and are hard (or impossible) to find. Why would you try to "keep up" with a company's ink colors? I'm asking this completely honestly because I really don't get it.
I just got sucked up into the hype. I freely admit this. But now, I have more than plenty of what I need, and plenty of what I don't need, and I "woke up from the coma," so to speak.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,750
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 10, 2023 21:32:00 GMT
I can't answer this as I have never been a big fan girl of any particular company.
I don't have favorites. I buy what I like. And that could be one piece of paper from a line, 5 pieces and some embellishments or just a few embellishments.
So nothing makes me loose interest in a once favorite company. Every single one is a hut and miss for me.
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Post by papersilly on Apr 10, 2023 21:48:50 GMT
when they are very exclusive or limited in their distribution. i.e. you have to buy from their consultants or only a few "authorized" dealers.
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I use to live minutes away from the Tukwila one and that is where I found my first CK magazine and learned about scrapbooking! I remember looking through the magazine right in the store and and knowing I found my “thing.” 
