scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,114
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 3, 2019 1:02:19 GMT
This is not about the lawsuits. That is covered in the other threads. I am curious as to which of these companies are ones you like, or if you are not familiar with all of them.
MSP is suing Stampin’ Up! (SU) and sued Tim Holtz.
I buy occasionally from SU. I have their stamping platform (very handy for multi-step stamping), some of their more recent stamps, and a ton of older ones. I bought a couple of their embossing folders not long ago, too.
I have the Tim Holtz stamping platform, both the regular and travel size.
Sizzix is suing Stephanie Barnard/The Stamps of Life; Prima Marketing; Hero Arts; Avery Elle; and Heartfelt Creations.
I have some Hero Arts stamps, and a LOT of Heartfelt Creations stamps and dies.
I bought my Hero Arts stamps at one of the big box stores, but I found Heartfelt Creations at a convention years ago. I mostly buy online now, but I always stop at their booth at convention and add to my stash, too. The employees we met at convention are some of the nicest people. I’ve taken a couple of classes from them. They are my favorite company.
I haven’t bought anything from Prima since the LSS where I worked closed. I don’t have any Avery Elle or Stephanie Barnard. Until this lawsuit, they weren’t on my radar. Now I’ll at least go have a look.
Do you shop from any of these companies? If so, which are your favorites? And please mention any that I may have missed.
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Post by hmp on Aug 3, 2019 1:22:26 GMT
I admit I’ve bought every company’s stamping platform that I could get my hands on just because MSP is suing them. I now have a drawer full. Way more than I need or use but I find her lawsuit so infuriating I just can’t help myself.
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Post by BSideCrafter on Aug 3, 2019 1:29:37 GMT
It depends on the lawsuit. I find myself supporting the companies being sued.
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Post by mom on Aug 3, 2019 1:37:19 GMT
The only company I am *actively* boycotting because of lawsuits is Misti.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Aug 3, 2019 2:33:24 GMT
I remember when the MISTI came out and I thought it was way out of my price range. Once the owner started bullying people here and the Peas gave the TH platform good reviews I bought one. The fact that it was about half the price of the MISTI helped. I don’t usually buy from Stamping Up only because their stamps just aren’t my style.
I love Hero Arts and have a lot of their products including some stamp and die sets (Take that, Sizzix). I don’t have much Prima or Avery Elle. I’m not all that familiar with Heartfelt Creations or Stephanie Barnard but I’ll be checking them out as soon as I’m off freeze.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 3, 2019 12:56:04 GMT
Normally I’m quite oblivious to that stuff and I buy whatever I want. BUT the woman with the misti was so nasty to a person with a homemade stamp platform that I refuse to buy anything from her. I bought the mini TH platform when I saw it on purpose because of her. Not to mention I’ve used her platform at the scrap store and it’s less well made than the tonic/TH one.
My opinion, not legal opinion, because clearly I know nothing about patent law, is that her patent is weirdly granted. She patented technology that was already out there.
I guess I’d make a sucky patent attorney because I don’t feel it’s fair that people slap a line or two extra on something similar to an already existing product and patent it. Imho Tim’s platform has more differences from hers than hers did from the letterpress thing. And her new ruler is basically same as one out there for quilting but with more lines on it. Not sure why that’s a ‘new’ thing. But legal stuff is best left to the attorneys and I ignore most of it anyway.
Honestly, It’s her bitchyness that makes me boycott her & not buy her stuff. I remember bitchyness way longer than I remember legal bull crap.
So all of that to say, yes I buy what I want unless the person or company has done something so egregious that it sticks in my memory.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,328
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Aug 3, 2019 14:51:43 GMT
Honestly I'm generally so clueless about who is being sued by whom on any given day that I don't give it a single thought before I purchase something.
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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 Aug 3, 2019 15:52:42 GMT
If a company has something I've been eyeing, and I'm worried it wouldn't survive the lawsuit, it might light a fire under me to get it now.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,114
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 3, 2019 16:27:32 GMT
Honestly I'm generally so clueless about who is being sued by whom on any given day that I don't give it a single thought before I purchase something. This is going to sound strange considering how strongly I feel about the companies who are suing others, but I don’t think people should be pressured one way or another. You should be able to buy what you want from whatever company you want. Many crafters probably haven’t even heard about these two lawsuits. Those who spend more time on message boards tend to be the ones who are aware of the lawsuits, the ugliness of MSP, etc. Those who are on only now and then can easily miss topics that are discussed. Whether you are aware of the lawsuits, or concerned about them (or not), you have the right to spend your money the way you want. You won’t get any criticism from me. I does make me more inclined to want to buy from the companies being targeted, though.
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Post by riley on Aug 3, 2019 17:09:38 GMT
I admit I’ve bought every company’s stamping platform that I could get my hands on just because MSP is suing them. I now have a drawer full. Way more than I need or use but I find her lawsuit so infuriating I just can’t help myself. I did the exact same thing. I also gave away my mini Misti and a still working cracked Misti. The nastiness of the owner will prevent me from buying another one unless I get it from a craft sale or eBay. I’m so loaded up because I do use positioners for doing batches of multiple layers. I even bought several of those peg positioners which are trash and don’t line up well. I actually have come to prefer using my one remaining Misti over my TH platforms, although I tried hard to love my TH best. Hate to admit it but true. I hope something innovative comes out overseas that will be better than both the Misti and the TH. I think the lawsuit killed innovation on a tool that was evolving. I do support Hero Arts because of the type of company they are. Although I do like my Big Shot I will try a different manual die cutter when this ones wears out. All to say that the behavior of companies matters to me.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,371
Jun 28, 2014 21:14:36 GMT
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Post by kitbop on Aug 3, 2019 17:10:20 GMT
I'm actually angry at the Misti and Sizzix - not at the companies being sued! I never would have considered buying from MSP even before this lawsuit thing...she really started off wrong with her CS so I boycotted right away. And Sizzix...well, I don't buy a lot of dies...but I wouldn't actively boycott them...yet.
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Post by katiekaty on Aug 3, 2019 18:24:40 GMT
I really don't pay attention to the whole lawsuit stuff and don't care about the outcomes. If something appeals to me I buy it. I don't think about who is on what side or whatever. What matters to me is if it works for me or not. As far as product goes, unless it is an exact copy, that's a problem to me. But if it's similar technique but has additional or different options, I can be ok with that.
Example: Misti platform is limited to the max size of the device. TH platform design lets you go past the size of the device. I actually have both because of this.
Another example is in the case of the dies/stamps Sizzix case: The dies and stamps are all different. I buy from both because they are all offering different dies and stamp combos, so I buy what I like, not because of brand. They cut abut the same and stamp pretty much the same. The set that cut crappy, I remember the brand don't buy from them again. It really has little to do with the brands.
So, that my opinion. Lawsuits, etc. don't sway me into buying or not. I jus buy what I like, want or need.
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Post by anniefb on Aug 3, 2019 19:03:00 GMT
I bought quite a bit from SU at one stage but haven't for years. I do like SU's dimensionals though so may need to buy some more when mine run out.
I have a couple of TH sets and the TH stamp positioner - regular size. Haven't bought any Stephanie Barnard, Stamps of Life or Heartfelt Creations stamps but I have a few Hero Arts and Avery Elle sets. The law suits have probably made me go and check out a few companies I hadn't heard of previously but I wouldn't buy from them unless I really liked the products.
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,954
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Aug 3, 2019 19:49:53 GMT
I bought quite a bit from SU at one stage but haven't for years. I do like SU's dimensionals though so may need to buy some more when mine run out. Why do you prefer SU over any other brand you can buy local? Well maybe you don't have as much local as in the states, but I am just wondering if I am missing something?
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,114
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 3, 2019 23:01:06 GMT
I bought quite a bit from SU at one stage but haven't for years. I do like SU's dimensionals though so may need to buy some more when mine run out. Why do you prefer SU over any other brand you can buy local? Well maybe you don't have as much local as in the states, but I am just wondering if I am missing something? Back when I lived 7 minutes from the LSS, and 20 minutes from a stamp store, sometimes I just liked and wanted some of the stamps that SU and CTMH offered. You can access their catalogs online if you want to see what they have. Recently, some cards on Pinterest caught my eye. They used SU products, so I looked up the catalog online, checked their site to find a rep, and placed an order for the first time in years. My current favorite company is Heartfelt Creations because I love their stamps for making 3D flowers. I buy from them online 4 to 6 times a year. The mail carrier delivers their products to me. I got my SU products by mail, too. I’ve never even met the SU rep. For that matter, I can get just about any company’s products by ordering online. Before I moved to Texas, I almost never ordered online. The SU and CTMH reps were my friends. Now there is no LSS or stamp store within a reasonable distance of me, so it’s my only decent option now, other than the 3 conventions that come every year to the DFW area. Those are worth making the drive to shop.
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Post by don on Aug 4, 2019 0:13:49 GMT
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Post by anniefb on Aug 4, 2019 0:20:42 GMT
I bought quite a bit from SU at one stage but haven't for years. I do like SU's dimensionals though so may need to buy some more when mine run out. Why do you prefer SU over any other brand you can buy local? Well maybe you don't have as much local as in the states, but I am just wondering if I am missing something? I like the height of the SU dimensionals and they're nice and sticky. Not much on offer scrapping and card making here in Auckland. One big box store locally which is ok for basic staples but I don't buy a lot there. There are foam dots etc available locally in the big box store and stationery places but I don't think the quality is that great. The 'LSS' are actually 40-50 mins away from me and I have limited time at the weekends to get everything done and would prefer not to be driving all over the city. I mostly still purchase from them online.
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Post by refugeepea on Aug 4, 2019 0:36:12 GMT
I guess I should be more ethically minded, but scrapping and playing with paper is what I do to escape real life. I think it's the only area where I see something I like, know I'll use it, or it just makes me happy looking at it, I'll buy the item.
It makes me mad what Sizzix is doing, but I can't say I'll stop buying. I use my cricut and SCAL program most of the time anyway.
Like the thread about not buying products that were about the circus. Other things were mentioned too. I understand, but I can find other uses for themed lines.
I'm more likely not to buy based on negative reviews (misti stamping platform).
If a person truly irritates me, I might stop too.
I'm mostly a paper person and buy from the bigger companies, so it's usually not an issue.
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Post by refugeepea on Aug 4, 2019 0:47:29 GMT
Thank you for not removing the photo!
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Post by hop2 on Aug 4, 2019 1:49:50 GMT
She has nastily went after people before for home made ones - which is my reason for boycotting her. There was one pretty over the top witch hunt.
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flatfish
Full Member
Posts: 158
May 26, 2019 3:17:27 GMT
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Post by flatfish on Aug 4, 2019 2:41:04 GMT
I’ve made a point to try and use the products from the companies fighting the lawsuit. When I post a photo of my cards I feel in a small way I’m showing my support. When I teach a class I talk about supporting those companies too. Yes, I also refuse to buy anything from Sizzix but I was never a big fan anyways. I do need to replace my big shot so I’m researching what would be a good replacement. Good thing I kept my old cuttlebug!
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Post by artisticscrapper on Aug 4, 2019 3:20:28 GMT
flatfish there was another thread, maybe on the stamping board, that discussed this lawsuit. There were a few people who asked what to buy instead of the Big Shot and several people recommended the Spellbinders Platinum.
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Post by riley on Aug 4, 2019 3:31:33 GMT
I remember that Don. I had never seen anything quite like it. I already had two Mistis at that point but began to hear ripplings about strange behavior. I bought several Tim Holtz positioners after that but will not buy another Misti because of the threats, etc.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,114
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 4, 2019 5:14:47 GMT
I remember that Don. I had never seen anything quite like it. I already had two Mistis at that point but began to hear ripplings about strange behavior. I bought several Tim Holtz positioners after that but will not buy another Misti because of the threats, etc. Don, I read that thread, and I was appalled at her ugly behavior to you and to others. I’m glad you did not give in to her attempted bullying. I wanted a stamp platform but saw no point in buying from MSP. Her platforms were expensive, customers reported theirs had cracked and that her customer service was poor, and I read her threats on the stamping board. I saw the MISTI everywhere at convention, but I refused to buy it. I bought the Tim Holtz platform as soon as I could get my hands on it. I loved the fact that it had two open sides, which would allow stamping on 12x12 papers, and it had a far lower price tag than the MISTI. I never had the MISTI to compare it to, but it has worked fabulous for me.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 23, 2024 13:29:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2019 9:43:49 GMT
Honestly,I'm more inclined to avoid the suing company rather than the sued. But then I come from a far less litigious country (and am very content with that) so I probably view this whole patent / IP infringement issue very differently.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 23, 2024 13:29:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2019 16:11:14 GMT
I don’t generally care who is suing whom. However, I purchased three Tim Holtz Platforms because I hate MSP. She’s a bully on the playground and I would give up stamping before I ever purchased a single thing from her. I hope Stampin’ Up! Uses their multi-millions to stomp her into sub atomic particulate matter.
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,954
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Aug 4, 2019 19:55:04 GMT
Why do you prefer SU over any other brand you can buy local? Well maybe you don't have as much local as in the states, but I am just wondering if I am missing something? I like the height of the SU dimensionals and they're nice and sticky. Not much on offer scrapping and card making here in Auckland. One big box store locally which is ok for basic staples but I don't buy a lot there. There are foam dots etc available locally in the big box store and stationery places but I don't think the quality is that great. The 'LSS' are actually 40-50 mins away from me and I have limited time at the weekends to get everything done and would prefer not to be driving all over the city. I mostly still purchase from them online. Thanks. I have used them before at my SU demo's parties, but I did not really pay attention to the adhesive. To be honest, I am not particular fond of the projects my demo comes up with, so mostly they get stashed as cardstock color samples. Maybe I'll buy a pack next time I place an order.
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clio
Full Member
Posts: 113
Dec 3, 2017 13:07:05 GMT
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Post by clio on Aug 5, 2019 15:54:53 GMT
Replaced the pink platform with Tim Holtz models, which are more adaptable and useful, when I found them on sale. Don’t normally buy from most of the companies being sued. I’ve always liked Hero designs and their company overall so go there first when I want something. Consciously avoiding Sizzix. The suits are infuriating and destructive to the industry so I’m voting with my wallet and getting better at fussy cutting!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,114
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 5, 2019 20:30:56 GMT
Honestly,I'm more inclined to avoid the suing company rather than the sued. But then I come from a far less litigious country (and am very content with that) so I probably view this whole patent / IP infringement issue very differently. I tend to avoid the suing company, but it depends on the lawsuit. If someone invents something truly original, then someone else came out with a blatant copy, I would side with the actual inventor if he/she tried to sue. That is not how I see either the MSP or Sizzix lawsuits. What MSP did was tweak a letterpress. It was not a truly original invention. I didn’t blame her for suing the company that came out with a blatant copy, especially since the only difference was a change of color. The Tim Holtz platform and the SU platform were at least as different from the MISTI as it was from the original letterpress. So why should she be able to patent her tweaked design, but not Tim or SU? She also acted ugly as all get out to people like Don, who made his own version for his own personal use, not to sell. She has used the courts to stomp out all competition. More on that in a minute. Spellbinders invented the thin dies but lost the patent due to inaccurate info on the application. Tons of companies were then allowed to make thin dies until Sizzix realized that they could make one small tweak and apply for the patent. Like MSP, they are using the courts to try to get rid of their competition. Both are guilty of bullying tactics. Both have benefitted from an inconsistent application of patent law and/or inappropriate use of the court system. At the very least, using the courts to get rid of the competition seems a gross misuse of the court system IMO. Too many people in the US try to use the courts to essentially win the legal lottery. It’s wrong. Sometimes, when a judge decides that a lawsuit is inappropriate, civil penalties may be levied, and those financial penalties can be huge. I hope that both MSP and Sizzix lose in the courts, and that they get hit with significant financial civil penalties, or at least enough to make them far less inclined to sue again.
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Post by papersilly on Aug 5, 2019 22:37:12 GMT
yes i would. i love Tim Holtz products. so long as his products are still available, i don't care what happens behind the scenes with lawsuits. if i boycotted companies just because of pending law suits, i'd have no one to shop from.
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