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Post by scrapbookwriter on Dec 30, 2018 3:51:39 GMT
Facebook post tonight at 8:30 p.m.:
"Using this random snowy mountain picture I took today to catch up on a few random business things with you.
"1) Yes, we are turning the page in the story of our business in many ways — and one of those things that is coming to an end is the official Project Life creative team. Sharing inspiration doesn’t go away. How we DO that sharing is simply shifting.
"2) Yes, the physical product lives on but yes, it is harder to find in as many brick & mortar places than in past years, unfortunately. This is not our choice. It’s up to what consumers purchase and what stores choose to carry. So so so many products can be found at shopbeckyhiggins.com.
"3) Yes, there are changes at BH. Yes, it is a transitional season for us. No, it’s not bad — or sad. As they say, “If you don’t evolve, you die.” And we want to live. We want this business to thrive. We want to serve you. We want to continue helping you in your own efforts to cultivate a good life and record it.
"Because of the changes we are making ... because we are keeping an open heart and an open mind ... because we are being intentional about adjusting our sails when the wind blows, especially when it blows in ways that we aren’t expecting ... we WILL thrive. We are grateful to be here. We are grateful that you are a part of our story. And we are grateful to be moving onward and upward in a beautiful way. 💛 "
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:10:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2018 4:23:40 GMT
"2) Yes, the physical product lives on but yes, it is harder to find in as many brick & mortar places than in past years, unfortunately. This is not our choice. It’s up to what consumers purchase and what stores choose to carry. So so so many products can be found at shopbeckyhiggins.com."
Too bad if you live outside the US and have to pay their RIDICULOUS shipping rates. $99 flat rate shipping to Australia...
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Post by mom on Dec 30, 2018 4:27:15 GMT
If someone is needing to tell me things are ok, that usually means they aren't.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Dec 30, 2018 4:34:37 GMT
"Because of the changes we are making ... because we are keeping an open heart and an open mind ... because we are being intentional about adjusting our sails when the wind blows, especially when it blows in ways that we aren’t expecting ... Not expecting your business to be in the toilet following a year or more of wrapping paper, the Becky dress, and overpriced notebooks? This is unexpected? Really Becky?
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Post by Embri on Dec 30, 2018 5:06:48 GMT
I want to hear more about this wrapping paper-dress-notebook story. Anywhere I can read up on it?
In general though, businesses that fail to adapt die. That is how retail goes, and hanging your star on brick and mortar alone isn't a winning combination for nearly every type of venture. Some exceptions would be where there is strictly local demand, it's something that needs to be tested by / fitted to the customer before purchase, or shipping the product makes up the bulk of the cost. Craft products don't fall into that category, and there's no reason in 2018 that you shouldn't be trying to offer competitive shipping rates worldwide.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,602
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Dec 30, 2018 5:07:26 GMT
$99 flat rate shipping to Australia...
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Dec 30, 2018 5:13:25 GMT
$99 flat rate shipping to Australia... I’m assuming that’s $99 AUS? I wanted to buy some things from Cocoa Vanilla, and the $65 US shipping from Aus to US stopped me. And rates are only going up! I don’t understand why it’s soooo expensive to ship.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Dec 30, 2018 5:15:24 GMT
I want to hear more about this wrapping paper-dress-notebook story. Any where I can read up on it?In general though, businesses that fail to adapt die. That is how retail goes, and hanging your star on brick and mortar alone isn't a winning combination for nearly every type of venture. Some exceptions would be where there is strictly local demand, it's something that needs to be tested by / fitted to the customer before purchase, or shipping the product makes up the bulk of the cost. Craft products don't fall into that category, and there's no reason in 2018 that you shouldn't be trying to offer competitive shipping rates worldwide. Embri here’s some light reading for you: 2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/81220/all-becky-higgins-beggyAnd (this one also has some snippy comments from Tracie Claiborne): 2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/47431/home-becky-higgins-launches-today?page=1
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Dec 30, 2018 5:17:49 GMT
I’m assuming that’s $99 AUS? I wanted to buy some things from Cocoa Vanilla, and the $65 US shipping from Aus to US stopped me. And rates are only going up! I don’t understand why it’s soooo expensive to ship. Nope, USD. I think it's a flat rate international rate just about everywhere outside of the US, pretty sure even Canada is $99.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Dec 30, 2018 5:21:08 GMT
I’m assuming that’s $99 AUS? I wanted to buy some things from Cocoa Vanilla, and the $65 US shipping from Aus to US stopped me. And rates are only going up! I don’t understand why it’s soooo expensive to ship. Nope, USD. I think it's a flat rate international rate just about everywhere outside of the US, pretty sure even Canada is $99. Yikes!!
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Post by Embri on Dec 30, 2018 7:07:14 GMT
Thanks! Now all I need is my popcorn bucket... and maybe some chocolates. Much obliged. It's just plain insulting when businesses offer 100$ shipping for even the smallest/lightest of products, like why even bother? If you don't want to deal with international clients, fine, just don't offer any shipping at all. I hate having to put stuff in my shopping basket and input a bunch of fake-but-reasonably-close shipping information just so I can see how much money I'll be charged for S&H.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 2:10:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2018 9:50:18 GMT
I’m assuming that’s $99 AUS? I wanted to buy some things from Cocoa Vanilla, and the $65 US shipping from Aus to US stopped me. And rates are only going up! I don’t understand why it’s soooo expensive to ship. Nope, $99 US flat rate shipping. Which is AU$140 at today's rate. I'm not surprised to hear that shipping from Australia to the US is really expensive. We only really have one option here and I have so so so much disdain for them, bordering on hatred. They continually increase their shipping costs as they claim to be getting more efficient and improving their "service levels". But it now takes at least a week for something to get to me in Western Australia sent from the east coast, and at almost double the cost of what it was 12 months ago. Well, that's if it makes it to me at all... I'm with you on the increasing costs. You would think that with the rise in online shopping, shipping and postal companies would be thriving and able to offer better rates or become more efficient. I really think that rising costs for shipping are going to strangle the online shopping industry unless something changes.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 30, 2018 11:10:20 GMT
Gotta hand it to Becky: she's provided us with some good laughs over the year. *reminisces about Tracie's Becky-defending antics* *sighs* *is filled with ALL the nostalgic feels*
I love our little pod.
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Post by mikklynn on Dec 30, 2018 12:32:49 GMT
"Because of the changes we are making ... because we are keeping an open heart and an open mind ... because we are being intentional about adjusting our sails when the wind blows, especially when it blows in ways that we aren’t expecting ... Not expecting your business to be in the toilet following a year or more of wrapping paper, the Becky dress, and overpriced notebooks? This is unexpected? Really Becky? Oh gosh, I hadn't thought of the Becky dress in ages. Thanks for the laugh!
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,974
Jun 26, 2014 13:42:47 GMT
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Dec 30, 2018 14:44:46 GMT
"2) Yes, the physical product lives on but yes, it is harder to find in as many brick & mortar places than in past years, unfortunately. This is not our choice. It’s up to what consumers purchase and what stores choose to carry. So so so many products can be found at shopbeckyhiggins.com." Too bad if you live outside the US and have to pay their RIDICULOUS shipping rates. $99 flat rate shipping to Australia... Yikes! Can you use the app? I have had good luck with printing the cards using the app and then cutting them out. At $.99 to $2.99 per app kit, it’s pretty cost effective. I often scroll through the app when I have down time. I save cards I like as a single 4x6 layout. These are in my photos when I’m ready to print. I figure if PL ever drops the app, I’ll still have the designs I like.
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Post by crafty on Dec 30, 2018 16:19:39 GMT
$99!!!! Yikes!
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,399
Sept 5, 2015 18:24:10 GMT
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Post by cbscrapper on Dec 30, 2018 16:31:51 GMT
Gotta hand it to Becky: she's provided us with some good laughs over the year. *reminisces about Tracie's Becky-defending antics* *sighs* *is filled with ALL the nostalgic feels*
I love our little pod. Yeah, I got sucked down that rabbit hole last night after I posted the link, re-reading TC’s meltdown and all the glorious pea smack down responses to her.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 30, 2018 17:25:49 GMT
Gotta hand it to Becky: she's provided us with some good laughs over the year. *reminisces about Tracie's Becky-defending antics* *sighs* *is filled with ALL the nostalgic feels*
I love our little pod. Yeah, I got sucked down that rabbit hole last night after I posted the link, re-reading TC’s meltdown and all the glorious pea smack down responses to her. It was glorious. And then there was the NSBR thread about the "celebrity scrapbooker" asking for donations for their medical expenses. And all the General Peas immediately guessing who it was about... 🖤🔥🖤
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Post by marg on Dec 30, 2018 17:36:35 GMT
All of this scrapbook drama endlessly entertains my son. He can’t believe grown women get involved in these scandals, lol. He fills me in on YouTube drama and I fill him in on this stuff. He’s still horrified by cancergate and birdgate, which I told him about a few months ago.
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,955
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Dec 30, 2018 18:18:40 GMT
All of this scrapbook drama endlessly entertains my son. He can’t believe grown women get involved in these scandals, lol. He fills me in on YouTube drama and I fill him in on this stuff. He’s still horrified by cancergate and birdgate, which I told him about a few months ago. Yeah, when I tell people there is drama in scrapbooking, they look at me like I have two heads. I find it entertaining, myself.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,504
Nov 14, 2016 23:47:03 GMT
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Post by pinklady on Dec 30, 2018 20:18:58 GMT
All of this scrapbook drama endlessly entertains my son. He can’t believe grown women get involved in these scandals, lol. He fills me in on YouTube drama and I fill him in on this stuff. He’s still horrified by cancergate and birdgate, which I told him about a few months ago. Yeah, when I tell people there is drama in scrapbooking, they look at me like I have two heads. I find it entertaining, myself. We need a Dateline "Where are They Now" for all the drama & Scrap-gates.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,602
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Dec 30, 2018 21:49:46 GMT
Yeah, when I tell people there is drama in scrapbooking, they look at me like I have two heads. I find it entertaining, myself. We need a Dateline "Where are They Now" for all the drama & Scrap-gates. I read that in Lester Holt’s voice.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
Jun 26, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
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Post by scrappington on Dec 30, 2018 23:21:42 GMT
"2) Yes, the physical product lives on but yes, it is harder to find in as many brick & mortar places than in past years, unfortunately. This is not our choice. It’s up to what consumers purchase and what stores choose to carry. So so so many products can be found at shopbeckyhiggins.com." Too bad if you live outside the US and have to pay their RIDICULOUS shipping rates. $99 flat rate shipping to Australia... $99 for shipping. Wow.
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Post by Citygirl on Dec 30, 2018 23:29:09 GMT
Ha! Those older threads are entertaining.
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sneakylatina
Full Member
Posts: 107
Dec 28, 2018 5:16:09 GMT
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Post by sneakylatina on Dec 31, 2018 0:32:57 GMT
We need a Dateline "Where are They Now" for all the drama & Scrap-gates. I read that in Lester Holt’s voice. Kristina. Contes.
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Post by lasteve1 on Dec 31, 2018 1:44:58 GMT
Ugh, Becky. Stores would still be carrying her physical products if she had:
(1) listened to customers when they asked OVER AND OVER AND OVER to create square corners; (2) made a clearer directory of all of her physical products and where to find them. I hate that there isn't a comprehensive list anywhere and there is no real description as to what the difference is between a value kit and a mini kit and whatever else she has; and (3) [and this one is most important] if she had stopped trying to "diversify" and just focused on her project life products. If she posted primarily about PROJECT LIFE on her social media and blog and ran promotions and giveaways and had a design team that actually created inspiring spreads instead of looking for people who just slipped the cards into pockets [there is nothing wrong with that, but you don't need "inspiration" to get how it would look] and frequently posted tips and ideas about USING HER PROJECT LIFE PRODUCTS instead of trying to market a fugly dress, sharing her favorite "bathroom air freshener" and trying to preach the Book of Mormon.
UGH.
As a die hard project life fan... I have created project life albums since 2013 and don't see myself stopping anytime, it's really frustrating that she ran such an awesome concept and business into the ground. I don't really use her products anymore, except for the page protectors & albums, but I still love the concept. She could've still been the top of things if she had worked on PROJECT LIFE instead of all her other random crap.
Also, that international shipping is ridiculous. But it does make me curious that it's flat rate. I wonder if maybe 10+ Aussies could get together and place a large order, then split the shipping + whatever minimal shipping it would cost to ship w/in Australia from whoever actually placed the order?
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,611
Jul 11, 2018 15:20:45 GMT
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Post by julie5 on Dec 31, 2018 1:54:32 GMT
Ugh, Becky. Stores would still be carrying her physical products if she had: (1) listened to customers when they asked OVER AND OVER AND OVER to create square corners; (2) made a clearer directory of all of her physical products and where to find them. I hate that there isn't a comprehensive list anywhere and there is no real description as to what the difference is between a value kit and a mini kit and whatever else she has; and (3) [and this one is most important] if she had stopped trying to "diversify" and just focused on her project life products. If she posted primarily about PROJECT LIFE on her social media and blog and ran promotions and giveaways and had a design team that actually created inspiring spreads instead of looking for people who just slipped the cards into pockets [there is nothing wrong with that, but you don't need "inspiration" to get how it would look] and frequently posted tips and ideas about USING HER PROJECT LIFE PRODUCTS instead of trying to market a fugly dress, sharing her favorite "bathroom air freshener" and trying to preach the Book of Mormon. UGH. As a die hard project life fan... I have created project life albums since 2013 and don't see myself stopping anytime, it's really frustrating that she ran such an awesome concept and business into the ground. I don't really use her products anymore, except for the page protectors & albums, but I still love the concept. She could've still been the top of things if she had worked on PROJECT LIFE instead of all her other random crap. Also, that international shipping is ridiculous. But it does make me curious that it's flat rate. I wonder if maybe 10+ Aussies could get together and place a large order, then split the shipping + whatever minimal shipping it would cost to ship w/in Australia from whoever actually placed the order? Every word of this.
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Post by rune2484 on Dec 31, 2018 2:12:04 GMT
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Post by 950nancy on Dec 31, 2018 2:41:15 GMT
We need a Dateline "Where are They Now" for all the drama & Scrap-gates. I read that in Lester Holt’s voice. I read it in the voice of the guy who spoofs Dateline (Keith Morrison) on SNL.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,608
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Dec 31, 2018 3:57:01 GMT
lasteve1 I completely agree with you. Project life was everywhere... Studio Calico kits, Stampin' Up!, all box stores, etc. because it was a great concept and Becky was enthusiastic about her products. Within a couple of years she stopped using her own products and started promoting other, non-scrappy products. I think she counted on the PL brand carrying itself but that is not the case. Now her PL products are being sold at huge discounts at stores like TM, no longer in Michael's or Joann's, and finding her physical products is difficult. I won't be surprised if Project Life is out of business in the next 24 months. I want Becky to succeed because I don't want another scrapbooking company to go under but I don't see Project Life sticking around for much longer.
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