Opinions on knock off scrap tools!

Well...in terms of the Jennifer McGuire thing, Heidi Swapp did not invent the MINC or the idea of it at all. I love Heidi, I think she is innovative and everything, but I am sure someone posted that this tool already existed made by another company and Heidi's company did their own version. It is really more of a marketing thing than a true invention. So, since it isn't a new idea, or a new tool at all I feel it is totally fine.

ETA: I found at least one earlier model...the Foil Master...which has been around since at least 2012 if not earlier.

I think the Misti and Stampamajig are similar concepts but different tools. It's more like comparing the Quikkutz handle to the Big Shot.

My problem with the other thread, and I said it on there, is that I thought the Misti creator asked politely and professionally for the link to be taken down and I don't feel she was treated in kind.

I think finding DIY ways to make your own tools is brilliant, and that's exactly why I like following innovative and creative people who share information like that on their blog. I think that anyone who is going to buy the tool will buy it, and those that can't/won't spend that money will DIY it instead.

She gives the impression that she does think she is the only one to come up with this idea and anything similar. She is becoming her own worst advertising.

The foiling process with toner isn't anything new, it's been around for a long time. By showing you can use the foils with a laminator just saves people who already have one big bulky tool that probably rarely gets used from buying another big bulky tool that will rarely get used.

I think that's different from intentionally buying someone's tool to take it apart to figure it out and running to China to bootleg it and repackage/ resell it for profit (which unfortunately happens all the time in the crafting industry). If a person truly comes up with something new and innovative, it's in their best interests to talk to a patent attorney and jump through the hoops to protect their intellectual property before ever putting it out there in front of the world. 

The person rigging up a one-off tool for their own personal use isn't going to financially ruin anyone because they were never going to be a paying customer buying that product anyway. Look at all of the people who check out the unique things on Etsy for inspiration and will never buy because they are creative and can make it themselves. Unless the person is setting up their own shop and directly infringing on someone's work and reselling it or profiting from it in some way, there's not much anyone can do. It's the risk you take by putting your stuff out there.

But again the information was already out there, HS didn't invent or even improve upon anything.  All she is doing is marketing something that at least one other company (and probably others) have already done.  So if she "looses" sales is that really an issue? Maybe the people at Foil Master are now loosing sales because Heidi Swapp has a better marketing team.

Not to mention that if you already OWN a laminator that is taking up space in your life and it will do the job, why spend the money and dedicate more space for a Minc? Just saying. People will still buy the foils to try, and I'd be willing to bet that there is a much better profit margin on the consumables anyway.

I have a heavy duty commercial laminator that I bought years ago when I worked at an office supply place. The thing is big, bulky and was expensive (although I did get a crazy good deal on it back in the day). I've used the heck out of that thing over the years and it owes me nothing. I keep it around because it comes in handy from time to time. If I can also use it for something else too, so much the better. I'm pretty sure if I bought a Minc today I wouldn't be able to say the same about it in another 20 years!

I believe the opposite happened.  I think, if anything, JMG videos inspired people to want to foil even more.  Scrapbookers may or may not buy her machine but I am sure their interest in her embellishments and foils escalated, I know mind did.  That's where she'll make the most money since they are consumable, can be personalized based on color and she can roll out new products for as long as the trend lasts.  


I was one of those people who didn't know much about foiling before the videos.  I had zero interest in buying another machine for $120-150. Now that I know a simple $20 laminator from Amazon will do the exact same thing (except 12x12), I am all over it. I bought some of her foil and a pack of die cuts to test it out and LOVE it. I was not even a potential customer before the video and now she has a new one.  I am sure I am not the only one.  

I'm not sure it is overpriced to make one the same quality that she makes. I used to make clear, acrylic albums (back when they were popular) and sold them on ebay. Unless you have the specialty tools needed to finish the edges, and the correct blades, it is a crapshoot. There was a lot of scrap involved in making those. She also put the laser edge/screen printing grid on these. I think more than just a few bucks went in to making them.

Ok, I have not read all the responses, but I am just throwing in my 2 cents.

From my understanding the person in question did not tell people how to make it, nor was he making anything for his financial benefit. I am sure everyone of us is guilty of DIY'ing something that we wanted, but did not want (or could not) pay full price for. That whole fiasco was handled inappropriately by the inventor.

However, I will add that she is a new overwhelmed business owner, and probably has many mistakes to make before she gets it right.