PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,012
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Jul 5, 2023 5:17:09 GMT
As mentioned in this thread & again in more recent threads linking to new releases, there is inconsistency among manufacturers' pricing of various supplies. For example (USA company, unless otherwise noted; listed alphabetically from lowest to highest price in each category; all prices either pre-order or most recent release at ACOT): Patterned paper (per 12x12 sheet) - American Crafts brands = $1.09 - Echo Park/Carta Bella = $1.09 - Fancy Pants = $1.09 - Pinkfresh = $1.09 - Simple Stories = $1.09 - Photoplay = $1.10 - Doodlebug/Bella Blvd = $1.19 - P13 (Poland) = $1.19 - Prima = $1.19 - Reminisce = $1.19 - Stamperia (Italy) = $1.29 - Graphic 45 = $1.30 - Mintay (Poland) = $1.40 - 49 & Market = $1.50 - Cocoa Vanilla (Australia) = $1.59 - Wild Whisper (Canada) = $1.89 Collection kit (includes 12 individual 12x12 double-sided papers + a 12x12 sticker sheet, unless otherwise noted)- Wild Whisper (Canada) = $10.99 (6 papers; no stickers) OR $19.99 (12 papers; no stickers) - 49 & Market = $11.99 (8 papers; no stickers) - P13 (Poland) = $12.99 (12 papers + 2 identical detail/fussy cut sheets) - Pinkfresh = $12.99 (12 papers; no stickers) - Reminisce = $12.99 (12 papers/no stickers OR 8 papers + sticker sheet) - Stamperia (Italy) = $12.99 (10 papers; no stickers) - Echo Park/Carta Bella = $15.99 - Photoplay = $15.99 - Mintay (Poland) = $16.49 (12 papers + a detail/fussy cut sheet) - Fancy Pants = $16.99 - Simple Stories = $16.99 - American Crafts brands = $17.99 (pad with 24 papers; no stickers) - Graphic 45 = $22.49 (16 papers + sticker sheet) - Prima = $22.99 (12 papers + 2 detail/fussy cut sheets) - Cocoa Vanilla (Australia) = $25.99 (16 papers + 6x12 sticker sheet) - Doodlebug/Bella Blvd = $34.99 (24 papers + sticker sheet) Diecuts/ephemera (per pack; contents vary)- Echo Park/Carta Bella = $4.99 - Photoplay = $4.99 - Simple Stories = $5.49 - American Crafts brands = $5.99 - Fancy Pants = $5.99 - Pinkfresh = $5.99 - Prima = $5.99 - Stamperia (Italy) = $5.99 - Wild Whisper (Canada) = $6.49 - Cocoa Vanilla (Australia) = $6.99 - Graphic 45 = $6.99 - P13 (Poland) = $6.99 - 49 & Market = $7.99 - Doodlebug/Bella Blvd = $8.99-9.99 - Mintay (Poland) = $9.79 - Reminisce (not offered) What are your thoughts on these price comparisons? Do the differences in prices impact - positively or negatively - your perception of companies &/or influence whether you support their brand(s)? TIA. |
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jul 5, 2023 8:59:02 GMT
For me finances and budget, play a huge part of all of my expenditures.....scrapbooking and anything else I buy.
In regards to scrapbooking products.
Price difference between manufacturers, has no bearing on my purchase, as many factors to into play (quality, the size of the company, the location of the manufacturing plant, the companies overhead, the amount of staff, shipping costs, etc...), so I would expect to see a variety of pricing based on all the various factors.
I make any and all purchases (scrapbooking or anything else), based on what I love, cuteness, if it's my style, if it's colors I like, etc...
Example: If one company has a paper I love and costs a little more, I buy it, because I am purchasing based on cuteness, not price.
I buy based on cuteness, because for me that means the product will eventually get used.
If I "settle" and buy based on lesser priced or because it's cheap, but I don't love it.....chances are that product won't get used and will eventually end up in my donate pile.
As a consumer, I always try to maximize my savings.....use a coupon or coupon code, wait for free shipping deals, wait for something to be on sale, use a gift card, make use of reward programs (at cherry on top...it only takes a few seconds to scroll down to look for cherries, then click and acquire points, which means money off my order), etc...
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,626 
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Post by kitbop on Jul 5, 2023 13:22:15 GMT
I most definitely make some choices based on price and I too have been judging manufacturers on prices. I do give international manufacturers a LOT of leeway here because I like the variety they add. One important idea in my own head is "like" versus "need". When I see a collection that really speaks to me I "Need" it and turn a blind eye to the price. When I "like" something I am selective and look at price, alternatives and what is in my stash already! Paper: I don't skimp. If the quality is good, and I "need" it, I buy it (I'm looking at you 49th and market!) Doodlebug and Bella blvd are on the precipice here: I have purposely skipped stuff that was cute because it was higher price. Ephemera: I actively avoid Bella Blvd and Doodlebug because of their cost. And this contributes to my avoidance of their pps - if I don't buy matching ephemera I'm less likely to want the pp. Even 49th and market - I take a REALLY careful look at the ephemera before I will buy it - have bought less because of the cost. I rarely buy the collection kits. The cost benefit isn't enough when I end up with pp I don't like. I'd prefer to buy duplicates of pps I love, and skip the ones I don't love. Conclusion: super high quality product that offers something different (49th and market, internationals) = will ignore price. : I think Bella Blvd and Doodlebug are harming themselves (at least in my stash  ) because AC, Simple Stories and Pink Fresh etc. are giving me what I want and "need" for less! |
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Post by hoopsfn on Jul 5, 2023 13:57:14 GMT
Prices definitely have an influence in what I purchase. Price differences are sometimes logical like the quality of 49th & Market papers. But others are sort of puzzling - IE: the much higher prices of enamel dots of some manufacturers. Maybe they're a better quality that isn't apparent but I'll usually skip those and find similar enamel dots fr a different company. But like the above posters, if I find something that I absolutely love, I'll pay the extra $$. Thanks for all that research PaperAngel. |
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,593
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Jul 5, 2023 14:12:29 GMT
The price difference for single sheets of paper from different brands doesn't bug me that much. If I like five or six sheets of paper and the stickers, I'll probably just buy the collection anyway (and the embellishment pack...)
What bugs me is that Doodlebug and Bella Blvd the collection pack is $12 more than ALL the individual sheets and the sticker sheet combined. To my frugal/practical mind this makes absolutely no sense. I don't care how much I like a line I'm not paying $34.99 for 12 sheets of paper and one set of stickers. I will buy the one or two papers I like the most and make my own embellishments.
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Post by scrappyem on Jul 5, 2023 14:46:03 GMT
This was neat to see. Thank you.
It ebbs and flows for me but I definitely have to love it if it's something spendy these days. I'm getting more picky about embellishment packs now that the prices are up. I adore a puffy sticker but lately I felt like the prices are high so I really have to love it before I buy it. I use to budget a monthly "art/craft supplies" amount and I need to get back to it. Then I have a limit on my total spend but I fuss less about a couple of dollars here or there and I want to be able to support the industry. Before, if I didn't spend my total budget amount, I'd simply roll any left over to the next month. This was great when I was saving up to purchase big ticket items like a scan-n-cut. I've completed fallen off the budget wagon and need to get back to it.
I discovered a JoAnn's yesterday 10 minutes from me. I hadn't been to one in years and was pleasantly surprised to find it had some of AC collections including Crate Paper's Gingham which I had skipped when I saw it online. In person, it had some really pretty papers so I grabbed a few. I was silly excited because the embellishments were 25% off and then I was able to use a 20% off total purchase so the papers ended up being $.80 each. I scooped up a Happy Planner punch for 30% off and then the additional 20% off. That's by far the best deal I've gotten on scrapbook supplies in years.
I think a lot about how expensive our hobby is and how much of a barrier to entry it is for people who want to scrap. I know you can do it with less stuff, but it's hard to not want all the pretty things.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,291
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Post by pantsonfire on Jul 5, 2023 14:48:26 GMT
I don't compare prices of products. I buy what I like and when needed.
I do really like ACOT's pre order savings but I don't look between 2 different companies and buy the cheaper one. I buy what I like because I know it will get used.
I am rather picky about quality and versatility so if I pay a little more for that, I am good with that.
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Post by joblackford on Jul 5, 2023 19:04:35 GMT
I mostly buy what I like which is mostly Doodlebug. Their ephemera packs are PACKED, 100+ die cuts, which is both a negative and positive for me. It ends up being good value for me - the die cuts seem to average 6-8 cents each according to my inventory database (which the taxman makes me keep). But if I want another of a specific die cut to reproduce a card I have to pay another $8-10 and get all 100 die cuts again. I wouldn't mind if they split their packs in half and had all the bigger pieces in one and the confetti in another. I would buy 2-3 of the big ones and 1 of the confetti for each paper pad and be a very happy crafter  I think many of the other brands have a lot fewer items per pack which may suit different crafters better but probably ends up costing more per piece. In the end it's more about usability for me, and my needs are pretty specific and maybe not typical. If I can use 80 die cuts to make 40 cards in a weekend I'm going to be happy regardless of the price. But I know many scrappers are not buying a pack of die cuts with the intention of them all ending up on pages within a few weeks, and the total cost is probably more of an issue than a per piece accounting. I grew up in NZ and can still never process how cheap stuff is in the USA. I would expect Australian brands (and Euro brands) to have to charge more to counter the smaller market and higher costs. |
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,593
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Jul 5, 2023 21:11:17 GMT
My localish craft chain (Craft Warehouse if you are in the PNW) is selling 49th and Market for $2.49 per sheet  On the other hand, when it doesn't sell and goes on clearance in a month or two, I'll be scooping it up. |
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Post by dewryce on Jul 6, 2023 4:23:34 GMT
Like everyone else, I buy what I like and what I am most likely to use, and am happy to pay more for quality. But the $35 collection kit that doesn’t add up in value? I do judge them for that and will not be purchasing. Which is a shame because I haven’t bought a collection in years and saw one the other day I was ready to pull the trigger on. Nope, another brand can take my money.
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 6, 2023 6:20:44 GMT
I have purchased many things on sale, but sometimes I just find a line that I need. It is usually after it has been out a while and most places are sold out and I have to pay a higher price (looking at you Simple Stories Vintage Seas). I find so many tools at our local second hand craft store that splurging on paper/epehemera is okay. Today I found 7 sets of dies/stamps (new in package) for the $17. It was a good day.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,451
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 6, 2023 13:44:26 GMT
Due to the enormous size of my stash, and the fact that I no longer live near any LSS, my scrapbook purchases now tend to be extremely rare. The most important factor for me is how much I like it, and if I have specific photos that will use the papers/products, or at least some specific project in mind.
Price is not the issue for me. Even when I lived near the LSS, I focused more on whether I loved the products rather than price.
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 7, 2023 3:03:02 GMT
I have such a big stash, price isn't necessarily a factor. If I really like something, I'm likely to only buy a paper here, an embellishment here.... from different collections.
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,012
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Jul 11, 2023 4:15:57 GMT
What bugs me is that Doodlebug and Bella Blvd the collection pack is $12 more than ALL the individual sheets and the sticker sheet combined. ... I don't care how much I like a line I'm not paying $34.99 for 12 sheets of paper and one set of stickers. ... But the $35 collection kit that doesn’t add up in value? I do judge them for that and will not be purchasing. Which is a shame because I haven’t bought a collection in years and saw one the other day I was ready to pull the trigger on. Nope, another brand can take my money. As Matt at ACOT confirmed in the *NEW* Bella Blvd - Lake Life thread, Bella Blvd Collection Kits include 24 double-sided patterned papers (i.e. 2 each of all the papers in the collection, including Borders & Daily Details) + a sticker sheet for $34.99. Note contents would total $33.55 [= (24 papers * $1.19/sheet) + $4.99 sticker sheet), if purchased separately. My localish craft chain (Craft Warehouse if you are in the PNW) is selling 49th and Market for $2.49 per sheet ... Yikes! That price is more than 1.5 times the MSRP of $1.50/sheet... |
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Post by mrssch on Jul 11, 2023 15:09:55 GMT
price determines how much i buy: doubles of papers, every embellishment. i also tend to pass on items i like but don’t LOVE.
my current favorite lines are simple stories and 49&market. i usually buy ss collection packs and ALL the pieces in the 49 & market collections.
i rarely purchase thickers — i have accumulated about 250 packs over the years and can’t justify paying $5+
i try to pass on die cut packs and instead fussy cut images from pattern papers. the quality has diminished as the price increased from some manufacturers
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,408
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Post by artbabe on Jul 12, 2023 17:51:05 GMT
The only time when price becomes a factor for me is if I'm buying a paper line and I'm trying to decide which matching embellishments to get. I'll look at the die cuts, stickers, chip board, etc. and figure out which one seems to be the best value depending on price and number of pieces you get. I usually prefer die cuts to stickers but sometimes I will get the stickers because they are a couple of bucks cheaper.
But I have no problem buying 49 & Market, even though it is crazy expensive. I love the papers and their die cut packs have a ton of pieces. I can get a huge number of layouts out of one of their die cut packs.
Doodlebug has insanely priced die cut packs but again, there are so many pieces. If I really, really love a Doodlebug line (I loved that beach one) I'll get the die cuts, but usually I settle for a sticker sheet. I can see how a card maker would love Doodlebug packs- you can make a ton of cards with them.
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Post by papersilly on Jul 12, 2023 18:27:23 GMT
i noticed that the companies that offer the lowest price per sheet appear to be the bigger companies. they probably get better manufacturing rates because their orders are far more volumous than the smaller "independent" companies. therefore they can offer their sheets at a lower price. convexly, these larger, more well known companies, seem to charge more for their collections than the smaller companies. is that because they are upcharging for their name value and widespread familiarity among SBers?
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,012
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Jul 13, 2023 3:23:23 GMT
Thanks for your responses. I'm not a theme scrapper & have a simple/clean/linear/minimalist style that uses patterned paper sparingly & few embellishments. I buy cardstock in packs/by the sheet, patterned paper exclusively by the sheet (for the classic pattern, such as stripes or plaids, usually found on the reverse), & rarely embellishments (since they are often heavily-themed). Therefore, my focus & familiarity is the cost of paper by the sheet. Patterned papers from my frequently-used brands are currently priced at $1.09/sheet, so I didn't realize how much the prices (& contents of collection kits & embellishments) varied among brands until compiling the list above!
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