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Post by anniefb on Oct 12, 2016 17:49:00 GMT
Interesting mom. I would have thought the value of the stamp would be about $16 - like the other 4x6 stamps. There's the digital items as well - maybe a $5 value? It looks like they're the same as last year, although of course if doesn't actually say 'not included'. For the alumni price all you're getting is one bonus lesson plus access to this year's message board, so perhaps the price point is just a 'nominal' kind of figure that most people would just accept for that? I went back and realised I did buy this class last year! I did find some of the lessons and tips helpful so maybe I better go back and review the content
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,427
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Oct 12, 2016 17:51:49 GMT
So Ali has opened admissions for her DD class. The cost is $29.00 if you've never taken it before, and you receive a stamp. That sounds reasonable. For Alumni that have taken it before, it cost $5.99 and no stamp. Hmm. So that means she is valuing her 4x6 stamp at 23.01. Really? Its a 4x6 stamp that is a repeat of what she gave last year. Am I missing something? The class material is exactly the same, with one additional video (walk through of her 2015 album). In other words, the $5.99 is for that video. She was actually going to charge alumni 50%, but I said that it was too much for the one video and she reconsidered. Based on offerings in her shop, I would think the stamp is valued at $15.99 like many other 4x6 stamp sets. So if the new content of one video is $5.99, that means the existing content of videos with several years albums is valued at $7.02. Seems a bit imbalanced.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,427
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Oct 12, 2016 17:54:16 GMT
anniefb I forgot about the digitals! So that would decrease the value of the videos even further. I guess I should be careful because I don't want to make the case for a price hike for the class!
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Post by lasteve1 on Oct 12, 2016 19:22:40 GMT
The class material is exactly the same, with one additional video (walk through of her 2015 album). In other words, the $5.99 is for that video. She was actually going to charge alumni 50%, but I said that it was too much for the one video and she reconsidered. I think $5.99 is still too high for one video, especially when I can go to her blog and look at the entire album for free. I loved the original class and thought the value certainly was there, but I don't see the value as an alumni. Especially when I can participate in Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas (or any of her other classes) for FREE as an alum, and she includes new/added content each year. I do plan to go back through the DD class from last year again, but I don't think I'll sign up for one video. I don't think she should charge an alumni price at all. I want to participate again, but I agree, I'm not going to pay anything to see a video of an album I can view for free. I would like to participate in the message boards, but in reality the facebook group will probably be more active and I am still in that. I spend so much money on Ali's products, it seems like she should give lifetime access... it would make it more valuable.
I also don't see how this model is sustainable. Okay, yes, right now there are two boats you can be in... you took it last year or you didn't. But what does she do next year for alumni pricing? There will be people who took it both years, people who took it only 2015, and people who took only 2016. It seems unfair to charge the same alumni price to someone who took it once as someone who took it twice because the person who only took it once is getting 2 extra videos for that price.
Also, is the class itself more expensive than last year's for newbies? Because everyone this year gets one more video than I got when I bought the class. If so, is it going to continue going up every year as she adds one video per year?
I get the idea of charging an alumni price if there was actually new class content (i.e. an entirely new lesson) beyond a flip through video of last year's album, but for what she is adding it seems like that should be included in the "lifetime access" that comes with all of her classes.
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Post by merry on Oct 12, 2016 20:18:55 GMT
I'm with you all - I barely went to the message board last year - when I was looking there were very few things posted there and I used FB way more for inspiration. You've got to give me something more unique than a walk through the 2015 album video for me to pay anything. In my mind, the timing of this is bad - I'm buying a few other brand items and feeling like it's all adding up to be a lot of money. Enough that I don't even want to waste 5.99. It doesn't take much for me to jump at AE's marketing, but this one's a no.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 23:39:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2016 20:56:09 GMT
I never took the class last year - was it worthwhile? I figured that following along on her blog would be good enough for me. I hardly use Ali's message boards for the story stamps etc so I didn't think it was worth it for that...
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Oct 12, 2016 21:01:54 GMT
Is this a DD course? Wouldn't her group see more action? It's always busy and you get information and links to other people's processes on there. Free and usually good quality resources that way.
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Post by mom on Oct 12, 2016 21:06:40 GMT
Is this a DD course? Wouldn't her group see more action? It's always busy and you get information and links to other people's processes on there. Free and usually good quality resources that way. I would use the word course very loosely. There were 4 lessons . A place to ask Ali specific questions (most had two people comment on the answer) as well as a general discussion section (where most posts had a few answers, but some had no answers). There is a place you can upload your pages as well.
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Post by mom on Oct 12, 2016 21:09:27 GMT
I never took the class last year - was it worthwhile? I figured that following along on her blog would be good enough for me. I hardly use Ali's message boards for the story stamps etc so I didn't think it was worth it for that... Honestly? No, I don't think it was really worthwhile. The course gives a bit more information about why DD, etc - if you have made a mini album (defiantly if you've done DD before), then her blog would be enough. Really the only really nice thing was the walk through videos she does of past albums. But you can get that information from photos on her blog of past albums.
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Post by breakfastattiffanys on Oct 12, 2016 21:43:22 GMT
Well, yes, if AE needed a company to manufacture/supply her goods, then it's clear why SC fitted the bill at that time. But IMHO, what Ali does best is the concept stuff, the design and the inspiration. Her style is quite distinctive though and though I quite understand why so many wish to create a DD album that looks just like hers, I think the actual products are not her strongest point. I appreciate how difficult it is to make money from ideas and instruction, however and can see why the income from the product line is needed to support the concepts. I'm just hoping the golden goose isn't a victim of her own success. Christmas journals have been around a long time, well before she trademarked "December Daily". Just watching the flurry of interest and activity here and on FB as soon as DD is mentioned (in the Summer!) reveals the level of interest in what has become a very product-driven project. Personally, I find all of that a huge turn-off and feel immediately doubly determined not to get swept up in the whole shebang! Yes exactly! I totally agree with you on all of this. Ali's concept for years has been focused on photos, journaling, capturing the memories as they happen, less on product. But she can't make a living on an idea, especially when the content is readily available for free. So I don't fault her for that. I also think there's definitely a market to sell kits to make it stress free and doable for anyone who wants to go that route. Unfortunately, at least for me, the value just isn't there to jump on board. I'm going rogue!
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Post by anniefb on Oct 12, 2016 22:15:55 GMT
I never took the class last year - was it worthwhile? I figured that following along on her blog would be good enough for me. I hardly use Ali's message boards for the story stamps etc so I didn't think it was worth it for that... The most useful thing to me was the lesson focused on story telling themes and types of photos - just gave me a few more ideas for my album.
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Post by icequeen on Oct 12, 2016 22:18:57 GMT
I never took the class last year - was it worthwhile? I figured that following along on her blog would be good enough for me. I hardly use Ali's message boards for the story stamps etc so I didn't think it was worth it for that... Honestly? No, I don't think it was really worthwhile. The course gives a bit more information about why DD, etc - if you have made a mini album (defiantly if you've done DD before), then her blog would be enough. Really the only really nice thing was the walk through videos she does of past albums. But you can get that information from photos on her blog of past albums. I thought it was just me who felt that way. @northrigg, if you've taken her 31 Things class or even sub to her story kits and stamps, you could use those prompts or ideas to tell Christmas or December themed stories. Personally, I found those to be more valuable and inspiring.
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 7,948
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Oct 12, 2016 22:22:09 GMT
Am I the only one who hates videos? I mean, I hate them. I'd rather see photos with words than a video, always. I've watched a couple of youtube videos to see how to make some really neat scrapbook albums from chipboard, but other than that? I avoid them. I definitely wouldn't pay $5.99 for a video, but I'm sure some people would. I like the stamp set, but not enough to warrant buying the class.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,427
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Oct 13, 2016 0:05:05 GMT
For me, I thought the class was worth it, factoring in the value of the stamp. It got me inspired to work on my album and excited for the project. But, Ali inspires me. I'm not generally a fan of videos either - I'd rather read something and see pictures, but I liked Ali's videos and seeing her albums and hearing her insight.
That said, as I mentioned above I don't plan to sign up as an alumnus. I'll just access last year's again.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 23:39:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2016 0:20:13 GMT
That's why I prefer Shimelle's JYC - cuz you can do it again and again FOR FREE.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,032
Jun 26, 2014 19:29:07 GMT
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Post by scrappyesq on Oct 13, 2016 2:08:09 GMT
My dd arrived I'm missing a mini kit I'm missing a pack of the red alphas I'm missing the large messy circle die cuts from Ali's main kit which I'm so disappointed by because they are what pushed me over the edge for getting Ali's kit. My cards from the Paislee press mini are all inky transfer from the dark cards on the back of some and also on the cards that were beside a dark card. There is no way I'm using some of these cards I'm so happy with my stamps and at least none of them are wrong I'm so sorry. I haven't checked this thread in a few days. This is AWFUL. Can't they do anything right???
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,032
Jun 26, 2014 19:29:07 GMT
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Post by scrappyesq on Oct 13, 2016 2:11:18 GMT
Wtf Ali's digitals just went live and $20 for the mini kits? I wouldn't even pay $12.99 last year! She's just about turned her beloved December daily into a total greedy money grab for this customer. Eta: I misread, hers is $20 and the minis are $14.99. Still too much imo. Yes. DD has become a money grab. There is no longer the love for it - they are nickeling & dime-ing it to no end. When she started bringing in others to design it drove the price up (as I am sure she is giving them a cut). In the process she has alienated her clients. It used to be so much fun but I think the money grab vibe will make this my last year for DD.
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Post by gigi333 on Oct 13, 2016 4:08:10 GMT
My dd arrived I'm missing a mini kit I'm missing a pack of the red alphas I'm missing the large messy circle die cuts from Ali's main kit which I'm so disappointed by because they are what pushed me over the edge for getting Ali's kit. My cards from the Paislee press mini are all inky transfer from the dark cards on the back of some and also on the cards that were beside a dark card. There is no way I'm using some of these cards I'm so happy with my stamps and at least none of them are wrong I'm so sorry. I haven't checked this thread in a few days. This is AWFUL. Can't they do anything right??? Tuesday they shipped me the missing items, and yesterday they finally agreed to send me replacement cards they asked me for photos of the cards and it took them 5 days to reply to the message where I added the photos. Which was probably what irratated me most about the whole thing
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Post by mom on Oct 13, 2016 4:30:02 GMT
I saw on FB someone saying they got a shipping notice for a stamp set like last week - then today, they got a 'oops we oversold' email for the package that was supposed to have shipped already. She is furious. Cant say I blame her. She said she placed her order early in the month (like on the 6th I think?). Way before they sold out.
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Post by gigi333 on Oct 13, 2016 4:40:58 GMT
It's so incredibly annoying when they do that
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Post by sleepingbooty on Oct 13, 2016 7:47:18 GMT
What a fiasco!
AE charging alumni for this year's class is a major mistake. She'd want to pour some honey over them because they are her core DD buyers. Keep 'em sweet with the DD competition rising all around. If I had been her, I would have offered it up for free to give them one more incentive not to go wandering about next year due to the emotional deflation gate this year's DD has put quite a few through.
She could still pay the alumni who bought the 2016 class back and offer it for free to those who haven't just to pour some good vibes over all the issues so far with logistics, product quality and overall disappointment. Of course, I don't know what the exact arrangement with Inked is regarding selling videos she made and likely produced, etc.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 23:39:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2016 13:24:11 GMT
Thanks for all the feedback on the course.
There really ought to be a system where they fulfill the orders in the order they receive them. It makes no sense that people who pre-order on the first day of the products being launched get an oversold notice.
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Post by lasteve1 on Oct 13, 2016 18:45:22 GMT
I never took the class last year - was it worthwhile? I figured that following along on her blog would be good enough for me. I hardly use Ali's message boards for the story stamps etc so I didn't think it was worth it for that... I know I'm a little late to responding, but here are my thoughts. I thought the class was worthwhile, but definitely not earth-shattering. The most valuable portion were the flip through videos of all her previous albums, which you can see images of on her blog if you take the time to go back through all old posts. She added to the value by speaking during the video to give you some additional tips.
The remainder of the lessons I thought were a little sparse and nothing totally amazing, but I definitely was more inspired & excited for DD than I ever have been in the past. That being said, the class was pretty intensive, and I think it actually caused me to burn out on DD faster than usual... usually I can make it until the 20s before I start wishing the project is over. I think last year I made it until about 10 before I felt like I had had enough Christmas.
I would say, if you like the stamp set it comes with, and find a lot of value in videos and having information all in one place, then take it. But most of the information is probably available if you just dig through her blog or if you've been scrapbooking for a long time is stuff you would already know (like techniques), so don't expect to learn anything completely mind-blowing.
Also, I think some of the content was geared towards using last year's kit and her story ideas for last year, so it might be a little outdated. I haven't looked at it since last year though so I can't quite remember.
I'm planning on using the old class again this year.
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pancakes
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,993
Feb 4, 2015 6:49:53 GMT
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Post by pancakes on Oct 14, 2016 1:48:24 GMT
On a positive note, I got my replacement kit (my cards were messed up). The new kit was perfect, which was great. The AE customer service team definitely made up for the disappointment in the first mini kit's card quality.
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Deleted
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Jun 1, 2024 23:39:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2016 14:26:36 GMT
Am I the only one who hates videos? I mean, I hate them. I'd rather see photos with words than a video, always. I've watched a couple of youtube videos to see how to make some really neat scrapbook albums from chipboard, but other than that? I avoid them. I definitely wouldn't pay $5.99 for a video, but I'm sure some people would. I like the stamp set, but not enough to warrant buying the class. Me too! I refuse to watch a video. I don't need the explanation as to why you put a sticker where you did, just show me the completed layout. No 30 minutes video necessary.
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Post by andreasmom on Oct 16, 2016 18:54:48 GMT
I am disappointed in this year's kits. They are so thin. I went back through my stash and have so much paper/cards left from 2013, 2014 and 2015. Why did they decrease the amount of 6x8 paper? these year's cards are not double sided. There are only two transparencies. It is just so sparse....
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Post by icequeen on Oct 16, 2016 19:35:51 GMT
I guess the thinning DD kits was inevitable given the path both SC kits and AE's Story Kits have taken during 2016. It is disappointing when you figure, pulling from your stash to do monthly pages is one thing. But, if you're selling a kit as a kit for a project (like the DD main kits), there should be enough product to properly fill the 30 page protectors that comes with the album. I'm a little on edge after watching some of the story kit videos where Ali is pulling products from her older kits to complete layouts. I really feel that for those, it should be JUST what comes in the kit. If you have to look elsewhere, maybe you should've put more in in the first place. Sorry for the off topic rant. Just needed to vent and no one in this house understands. Or cares. LOL
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 23:39:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2016 22:18:23 GMT
icequeen, I posted about the same thing re the story kits a couple of months ago. I was looking at Ali's layouts for the kit before "me" and noticed that Ali used product that was not in the kit. It was the first time I consciously noticed, and I wondered if it was a new thing (it wasn't). At first it urked me too because I do believe that Ali's layouts should just use the kit but I realised it wasn't such a biggie and demo's to us how to incorporate other products. Ali's layouts are so clean and simple, using very little, that usually I either have the product or can find a substitute. This weekend as I was working on some layouts, I reflected again on how little product I use vs what I buy. Honestly, because I don't need any new product for years, I've cut back on my subs. Now, after dropping Ali's story and stamp kit, I only have CD. But try as I might to eliminate all there is just so much fun in getting happy mail. I really should do a layout about that. I looked again at Ali's kit(s) - its hard to gauge just how much they sold this year - judging from the comments/pictures on facebook it sure looks like a lot. But if numbers are down, then I am sure next year we will see more paper - especially as it's so cheap.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Oct 16, 2016 23:00:36 GMT
I really feel that for those, it should be JUST what comes in the kit. If you have to look elsewhere, maybe you should've put more in in the first place. +1 dah'ling, +1. That is not the price tag for extra fluff to pull from your stash. That is what you pay for a few full layouts. But as long as she can normalise the reduced kit content with her customer base, ain't nothing gonna change. Inked is in it to milk it dry like the Sahara desert on a hot hot hot summer day.
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Post by icequeen on Oct 17, 2016 0:41:17 GMT
sleepingbooty, you're absolutely right. Too bad her rep will be in the crapper alongside (ST)inked. Customers are forgiving but only for so long. And subscribers are only in it until their commitment runs out.
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