pantsonfire
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Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 25, 2024 18:41:48 GMT
m.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkuPXrqbTwScrapdiva 29 on YouTube who has her own line of dies since 2021 came on to let supporters know that her died have been taken over by AliExpress and Temu. They are using the same photos, descriptions, etc. I have never bought from those 2 platforms but have seen dies I own by several other creators for sale for dirt cheap. What are everyone's thoughts on this? Are you mindful when you order on those 2 platforms? Do you not care?
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Post by kmage on Apr 25, 2024 19:20:35 GMT
I bought some very basic shape dies on AliExpress. Stars and hearts. I did see what appeared to be the latest Lawn Fawn release on there as well and did not feel comfortable purchasing that, so I didn't. There's been a lot of discussion on this topic in the last few years (someone more techie than me can probably find the threads) but I don't know...it seems wrong to rip off others designs. I personally won't buy them becuase I would never want that done to me...karma/golden rule and all that.
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Post by Shakti on Apr 25, 2024 19:20:55 GMT
The only thing I've ordered from either is my MISTI knock-off, which I purchased with absolute malice aforethought.
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Post by Linda on Apr 25, 2024 19:38:43 GMT
I haven't purchased from either - although I DO shop on Amazon which I suspect sources from some of the same places. I won't knowingly buy a knock-off though - the scrapbook stuff I've bought on Amazon is either the brand name (or at least being sold and packaged as) or it's something generic like nested circles.
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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: 4,761
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 25, 2024 21:03:14 GMT
The only thing I've ordered from either is my MISTI knock-off, which I purchased with absolute malice aforethought. Oh 100%. I would do that too |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Post by pinklady on Apr 25, 2024 21:13:07 GMT
I purchase metal dies from AE a lot. In my experience, they are same quality although the size may vary.
I will say, if dies were reasonably priced, I would not shop there. There is no reason for the high price point of dies from the stamp companies. If Gina Marie Designs can sell a cover plate or nesting dies for $10, so can all the other companies.
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Post by Shakti on Apr 25, 2024 21:48:27 GMT
Given that most of the dies are probably manufactured in China as it is (SSS being the only exception of which I am aware), the US designer bears the cost of design, design teams to provide inspiration, and the initial equipment set up cost to manufacture; the Chinese then manufacture more for domestic (to them) retailers who can undercut the designer by not needing to foot the bill for those start up expenses.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 25, 2024 22:04:01 GMT
Ugh, it's especially galling when they lift the photos and descriptions as well. Sadly it happens all the time on many different platforms to many different kinds of creators. I've even seen custom made Doctor Who costumes (made by an artist for a commission) being listed for cheap on various platforms using the artist's listing photos and descriptions. I don't even know if they're knocking the garments off or if it's just 100% a scam and you get nothing.
I'd prefer to buy fewer things and support the businesses that design, demo, and market these products. I know sometimes the prices are painful, although everyone is trying to make a living and if they could sell cheaper I'm sure they would, knowing they'd sell more... I don't think I would fault anyone buying basic shapes straight from the Chinese source, but I don't shop on those platforms for more reasons than just choosing who profits from my spending.
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Apr 25, 2024 22:16:01 GMT
Given that most of the dies are probably manufactured in China as it is (SSS being the only exception of which I am aware), the US designer bears the cost of design, design teams to provide inspiration, and the initial equipment set up cost to manufacture; the Chinese then manufacture more for domestic (to them) retailers who can undercut the designer by not needing to foot the bill for those start up expenses. I get this, I really do. However, I just received a die set from AE that cost $3.80. The US company is selling the set for $35. That's a 89% difference! That difference is astounding for the same quality product so that's why people buy from AE & Temu. If US companies had reasonable prices, I'd buy from them. Additionally, you cannot find The Stamp Market dies on AE or Temu. Why is that? What are they doing different from all the other companies? |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 25, 2024 22:28:54 GMT
I don’t shop from either AliExpress or Temu, but I do buy from Amazon. In the past, the knock offs there showed up after the name brand version had been discontinued (presumably due to sales dropping due to the AliExpress and Temu sales of their designs). Now they are showing up on Amazon much sooner.
Everything seems to be made in China these days. China doesn’t care what copycat sellers do to the US companies. Unfortunately, that is the risk that US designers take, by having their products made in China. Companies in the US are kind of between a rock and a hard place, because knock offs are showing up sooner on places like Amazon, and if you aren’t familiar with every company, you can buy a knock off from Amazon without even knowing it. Or customers may know it but buy from Amazon because they just can’t justify spending 3 to 4 times the cost to buy the U.S. company’s official version instead of the more affordable one on Amazon.
The problem, though, is that it is simply too expensive to produce the same products in the U.S., and U.S. designers/sellers can’t compete with Chinese sellers.
Maybe more U.S. companies need to do what Heartfelt Creations is doing. They are selling their designs now as digital papers, stamps, and cutting files. I personally love their digital versions. And I also love that they sell for a more affordable cost than their stamps, dies, and paper pads used to be.
I would buy digital papers, stamps, and electronic cutting files from other companies, too, if they offered them.
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 25, 2024 22:41:38 GMT
m.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkuPXrqbTwScrapdiva 29 on YouTube who has her own line of dies since 2021 came on to let supporters know that her died have been taken over by AliExpress and Temu. They are using the same photos, descriptions, etc. I have never bought from those 2 platforms but have seen dies I own by several other creators for sale for dirt cheap. What are everyone's thoughts on this? Are you mindful when you order on those 2 platforms? Do you not care? Same thing has happened to Queen & Co., including the photos. Oh, and I won’t respond to Facebook ads, because they have so many scams claiming to sell name brand products for close out prices, and they use the official company photos of the real products, too. Total rip offs, only they don’t even send the copycat products. I fell for a Loungefly store closeout scam on Facebook in 2022. They charged my card, and gave me a tracking number that stopped working once the “shipment” arrived in the U.S., and I never got the products. Thankfully, I realized it was a scam within minutes of ordering and did screen captures, contacted the company, etc., so my credit card refunded my money. |
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Post by mom on Apr 25, 2024 22:42:54 GMT
I have bought from Ali Express before --- generic shapes and then some puffy heart stickers that sleepingbooty found and that I loved. While I do feel bad for US companies that are being ripped off, I also think stamp/die companies need to do some in-depth research and figure out why Americans are willing to send money a company in China that takes forever to get their stamps delivered. I know I refuse to pay $30+ for a die set that I will only use once. So I only shop sales, Facebook resell or clearance. I've been a small business owner who was designing their own product. Sure it sucks to have someone rip your design off. Sure I'd get mad. But as a consumer, I cant say I blame others for purchasing what was less expensive and same quality. |
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 25, 2024 22:54:13 GMT
I bought a wave die (set of three) that was $13. It was selling for $75 on the original site. It wasn't 100% the same, but very similar. I loved the die set, but couldn't pull the trigger on $75. I also bought a similar stamp set to AE that had been out of stock for months. I do buy from her in all other cases. So I am not 100% guilt free, but there are reasons some people head there to find crafting materials.
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Post by Embri on Apr 25, 2024 23:27:41 GMT
I purchase metal dies from AE a lot. In my experience, they are same quality although the size may vary. I will say, if dies were reasonably priced, I would not shop there. There is no reason for the high price point of dies from the stamp companies. If Gina Marie Designs can sell a cover plate or nesting dies for $10, so can all the other companies. This is my stance as well. I have no vested interest in the US economy and I buy what I find fairly priced. 100$+ for a set of dies (factoring shipping/customs/tax/exchange rate) is not sustainable, so I get all my stuff from AliEx/China or second hand. I don't specifically go looking for knockoffs but there's a lot of them and I buy whatever appeals and fills a niche in my collection. I've found the quality to be identical to store-bought, but the quality control is far worse - manufacturing errors are not rare, and I know most people aren't willing to deal with the whole document-report-refund treadmill.
She's not quite right in stating that "The US isn't allowed to sell on those platforms", because I know there are definitely designers who partner with AliExpress shops to sell their designs factory-direct. KSCraft is a commonly known one, if I remember right. US designers need to get their acts together because as much as they (fairly) complain about design theft, the overseas producers don't need them. There is no shortage of free or so-cheap-they-might-as-well-be-free vector art designs available and even if every single craft brand disappeared tomorrow, production would carry on without a hitch.
Took a look at "Scrap Diva Designs" and it looks like every other craft company's stuff, but bit ironic to use this image to market your product, no? 
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azcrafty
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Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Apr 25, 2024 23:57:00 GMT
I used to buy more dies on Aliexpress but because the sizing being so off sometimes I stopped.
On another note. When I heard of Scrapdiva the first time 5-6 years ago she was making Aliexpress haul videos on her YouTube channel. Than she was part of a DT that was selling their designs on Ali. Alinacarfts I think.
Now she started to design her own stuff the last 2 years or so.
I know its upsetting,but you used to do it yourself so what do you expect 🤷♀️.
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breetheflea
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 26, 2024 0:09:55 GMT
I don’t buy a lot of dies because of the cost… if I really need a shape I buy it for $1.00 and cut it with my Silhouette (and like it that I can resize things), or make it myself. Not always, but most of the time.
I have never used Ali Express or Temu… I went on AE once after reading about it on here but it didn’t feel right to buy from there.
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Post by Embri on Apr 26, 2024 6:05:26 GMT
If you've bought craft stuff off Amazon, there's a very, very high chance you've gotten products from AliEx/Temu. In many categories the bulk of the listings are for dropshipped or direct sales. Same goes for eBay and Etsy too.
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camcas
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Post by camcas on Apr 26, 2024 10:57:43 GMT
I have purchased from Ali express and TEMU
Living in Australia means that not only is the cost of purchasing from a US site prohibitive but the shipping for a single item is often more expensive than the cost of the item.
For Example if a die is $16 USD the shipping may be $30 USD
Factor in the exchange rate with AUD being worth about 64 UScents and the die become unaffordable
Same die from Ali express can be as little as $3 AUD with free shipping.
I do realise it’s a ripoff of the original designer and bad karma and all that but…..
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Post by Shakti on Apr 26, 2024 11:19:56 GMT
I also wonder, if SSS makes their dies in the US, why doesn't anyone else? Or maybe that's TSM's trick? Yes, it is...I just dug into my Christmas box and my TSM die set from the Pinkfresh holiday event very clearly says "Made in the USA."
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 26, 2024 12:51:41 GMT
I purchase metal dies from AE a lot. In my experience, they are same quality although the size may vary. I will say, if dies were reasonably priced, I would not shop there. There is no reason for the high price point of dies from the stamp companies. If Gina Marie Designs can sell a cover plate or nesting dies for $10, so can all the other companies…
She's not quite right in stating that "The US isn't allowed to sell on those platforms", because I know there are definitely designers who partner with AliExpress shops to sell their designs factory-direct. KSCraft is a commonly known one, if I remember right.
I’ve seen KSCraft on Amazon, along with other odd company names that show up on a regular basis for products. Now I am wondering……so what I see on Amazon that look exactly like Jaded Blossom gnome dies and accessories MAY actually be authorized by Jaded Blossom? They are a different brand than KSCraft, but Amazon will reportedly remove unauthorized duplicates of US products if a complaint is made, and those dies have been on Amazon for awhile. It seems unlikely that Jaded Blossom wouldn’t be aware that identical dies to theirs are being sold on Amazon. |
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Apr 26, 2024 13:57:35 GMT
I also wonder, if SSS makes their dies in the US, why doesn't anyone else? Or maybe that's TSM's trick? Yes, it is...I just dug into my Christmas box and my TSM die set from the Pinkfresh holiday event very clearly says "Made in the USA." There's only one US manufacturer and they requires such a large quantity to be ordered that it's not cost effective for most small stamp companies to use them so the only alternative is to use a manufacturer in China. This has been mentioned a few times on the Gina K Facebook page when people question why her dies are not US made. Interesting about the TSM. That very well could be why her prices are so expensive but I'm not sure that's why her dies do not end up on AE. New SSS branded dies are listed on AE the day they are released or very soon after. |
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Post by Linda on Apr 26, 2024 14:53:01 GMT
If you've bought craft stuff off Amazon, there's a very, very high chance you've gotten products from AliEx/Temu. In many categories the bulk of the listings are for dropshipped or direct sales. Same goes for eBay and Etsy too. Is there a way to tell if something is drop-shipped/direct sales? I typically only buy shipped by Amazon (but of course I don't know where they are getting it from) |
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Apr 26, 2024 15:14:55 GMT
Frantic Stampers dies are made in the US. From their website:
Frantic Stamper Precision Dies are our exclusive designs of thin stainless steel dies, designed by Kathy Berger, and proudly made in the USA. Our dies work in nearly all personal die cutting machine including the Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Vagabond, E-Bosser, PressBoss, and Grand Calibur. We recommend the use of a metal shim for intricate designs. Frantic Stamper Precision Dies cut through paper, cardstock, thin chipboard, craft felt, thin craft foam, thin cork, and many other craft materials. Please visit our facebook page for sample cards and inspiration
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Post by Night Owl on Apr 26, 2024 15:32:29 GMT
Is it common that the dies that AE sells are not snipped apart? I ordered some dies once from there and they were all connected so I had to snip them all apart and it was annoying so I haven't ordered from there again.
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Post by mcjunkin on Apr 26, 2024 15:34:32 GMT
Is it common that the dies that AE sells are not snipped apart? I ordered some dies once from there and they were all connected so I had to snip them all apart and it was annoying so I haven't ordered from there again. Yes, common for them. But also Hero Arts kits and others as well nowadays. |
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 26, 2024 15:38:33 GMT
Almost all of my dies are connected. Even the ones that come on the sticky backing paper.
Now that is what I do not like. Because I like to keep the backings in a file folder so I can keep track of name and what not but that sticky stuff gets in the way.
I have also bent a due trying to get it off if that sticky stuff.
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Post by marg on Apr 26, 2024 15:42:01 GMT
I buy organizing stuff and generic washi and stickers on Temu. I used to shop on AliExpress but the shipping is so much faster from Temu to Canada. I've found plastic boxes in several sizes that are perfect for storing die cuts and stickers, generic planners and journals including a habit tracker journal that I like that was $2 or $3 Canadian, and also a whole bunch of gel pens and markers that are great. I just bought a set of pastel pencil crayons that got decent reviews from Lindsay the Frugal Crafter (although I think she's anti-Temu now).
When I shopped on Ali Express I did buy some rip-offs of popular stamps and dies during covid - one of them was a limited edition Tim Holtz die that sold out from SSS so I felt I could live with myself since I'd never be able to purchase it anyway - he wasn't losing out on a sale, basically. But I do sometimes feel icky using those products that I bought. Some of them were lousy - the wrong size dies, or the stamp set was terrible quality. For the most part the dies were indistinguishable from the real ones, though. I also bought a bunch of basic shapes like stitched rectangles, which I don't feel guilty about. I also know how difficult it is to run your own business, so I personally felt I couldn't support the design theft any longer. I do get tempted, though - but I also remind myself that I have way too much stuff as it is and I don't need to be loading up yet another cart with so much stuff.
So, I'm sticking to bins, pens, washi and stuff like that now.
Edited to add: oh, and shaped paper clips. Temu has some of the cutest shapes paper clips I've ever seen - tulips, and cats, and dolphins - anything you can think of. My son loves it when I use a cat-shaped paper clip when I send him papers.
Other good finds on Temu - small shaped bowls for holding die cuts or embellishments when I'm creating something - hearts, strawberries, mushrooms, etc., magnet sheets and sturdy plastic envelops for stamp and die storage, acrylic makeup organizers for storing sequins and other embellishments, cute little japanese-style tape dispensers and staplers, 12x12 plastic storage envelopes, sequins and charms.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 26, 2024 15:57:08 GMT
Took a look at "Scrap Diva Designs" and it looks like every other craft company's stuff, but bit ironic to use this image to market your product, no?  oh, but it's different when you're small and you rip off the IP of a BIG company! omg... |
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Apr 26, 2024 16:02:21 GMT
the stamp set was terrible quality. The stamps are acrylic not photopolymer so the stamp quality is horrible. I do not recommend buying stamps from AE or Temu. You will most likely be extremely disappointed. |
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Post by Embri on Apr 26, 2024 19:01:08 GMT
Is it common that the dies that AE sells are not snipped apart? I ordered some dies once from there and they were all connected so I had to snip them all apart and it was annoying so I haven't ordered from there again. Yes. I've almost never gotten separated dies from AliEx. Most sets are the 'snap apart' style these days though, so it's a couple seconds with the pliers to get them loose. That said if you have hand issues it could be a deal-breaker. Sometimes dies are the 'flat attached' style and those you need flush clippers and eye protection to divide. They do however work just fine as a block, unlike the snap-aparts which have raised metal bumps between pieces. I have purchased from Ali express and TEMU Living in Australia means that not only is the cost of purchasing from a US site prohibitive but the shipping for a single item is often more expensive than the cost of the item. I wouldn't get upset over buying overseas when US companies make no effort to offer affordable buying options in your country. I certainly don't. Same with stuff that's 'limited release' - if they're going to deploy FOMO strategies to pump sales, then serves them right for someone to come along and make their stuff unlimited.
She's not quite right in stating that "The US isn't allowed to sell on those platforms", because I know there are definitely designers who partner with AliExpress shops to sell their designs factory-direct. KSCraft is a commonly known one, if I remember right. I’ve seen KSCraft on Amazon, along with other odd company names that show up on a regular basis for products. Now I am wondering……so what I see on Amazon that look exactly like Jaded Blossom gnome dies and accessories MAY actually be authorized by Jaded Blossom? They are a different brand than KSCraft, but Amazon will reportedly remove unauthorized duplicates of US products if a complaint is made, and those dies have been on Amazon for awhile. It seems unlikely that Jaded Blossom wouldn’t be aware that identical dies to theirs are being sold on Amazon. I can almost guarantee they are not authorized resellers if you don't recognize the shop name / it isn't tied to a known retail or online store.
It's extremely common for overseas manufacturers to sell on Amazon, and for Amazon to do nothing about it as long as they're making money. If one shop gets knocked down, they'll just relist it under two more new accounts. Amazon doesn't even take down proven dangerous products, like improperly rated fuses. Louis Rossman does an excellent overview of the Amazon problem here:
If you've bought craft stuff off Amazon, there's a very, very high chance you've gotten products from AliEx/Temu. In many categories the bulk of the listings are for dropshipped or direct sales. Same goes for eBay and Etsy too. Is there a way to tell if something is drop-shipped/direct sales? I typically only buy shipped by Amazon (but of course I don't know where they are getting it from) Unfortunately there's no easy, foolproof way to tell. There are some things that make it very likely - reverse image searching and seeing if the pictures come up attached to any AliExpress or Temu shops is the simplest. Shops with a ton of product & free shipping are also suspect. If you can see the seller's other listings, do they seem kind of random and all over the place or are they curated? Dropshippers often have multiple niches and just chase whatever's trending at the moment. Even the country of origin or "ships from" isn't a guarantee because it's common to have a wholesaler or redistribution point outside of China that puts packages into the local mail system, effectively disguising their papertrail.
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oh, but it's different when you're small and you rip off the IP of a BIG company!