can we have a candid talk about SC?

The other changes barely affected me. Or I just didn't really care. But asking me to pay $17 more for these kits is crazy. April is arrogant. Same as with the people from 2peas. Her ship will sink one day.

I subscribe to all 4 kits. I only have a commitment with one. I refuse to pay shipping on each of the 4 kits. That is beyond ridiculous.

This is awesome:

AprilFoster says…
emma_jw - It's a difficult thing, because for a huge portion of our customers, the prices went down. We couldn't allow the majority of people to subsidize the minority and thus a change was needed.

I understand what you're saying and for some, you will see an increase. There's no way around that because we were losing money on your order, or making so little it wasn't worth it. I'm sorry.



Who tells a customer that her business wasn't worth it?

Then why is Rob saying it was just overlooked and they are working on it?? This makes me so angry!!!!

But isn't that always the tone with SC?   Wasn't April famous for saying that she could tell who would subscribe to the kits before they even spoke, or something like that?   

What's he saying?

I feel bad for those caught up in the SC drama. I'm glad I never subbed. For those that have aske Citrus Twist, Cocoa Daisy, and Scraptastic are great. I've subbed to all 3 and never had any problems. I'm with Citrus Twist now and am very happy. Customer service is great. Cute kits. Some exclusive product. The owner is happy to take suggestion on their Facebook group about products you'd like to see in the kits.

Maybe SC hasn't technically raised prices, but giving the customer less ingredients in each kit IS increasing the price by decreasing the amount of product included in the kit.

As far as the cost of manufacturing exclusive product, SC is with American Crafts, who can easily absorb and reuse things for their myriad of other lines. For example, wonky wood veneer circles: have AC make the wonky circle die. SC gets certain phrases stamped on their circles. Pebbles (also an AC affiliate) gets different phrases or colors on their wonky circles (still the same die cut circle is used). Amy Tangerines line gets wonky circles with a brush printed image on them. When the same die is used for several brands it makes the manufacturers cost per use of the wonky circle die almost zilch. The cost associated with exclusives, for this example, is in designing and making the shaped die before you've ever stamped out a single die cut. After that die is made, make as many as you can so the cost of the die per cut is negligible. Nearly pure profit if you manufacture enough of them in enough channels of distribution. I don't know what other exclusives SC has since I can easily find similar product by other companies which (to me) negates the concept of exclusivity. Everybody's got it in a different color equals non-exclusive in my world but that's just me.

I see a lot of similarities between SC and 2Ps. Building a big huge honking warehouse seemed to be the beginning of the end for 2Ps. Their carrying costs escalated during a time when scrapbooking was losing a lot of scrappers to other hobbies and interests. Didn't a previous poster say SC has just built a new huge warehouse? Cost per square foot is pricey when you're selling pieces of paper and plastic tchotkes.

Most importantly, SC customers have told them they are willing to pay for better shipping and that isn't happening. Who turns away money and then basically tells certain customers that packing their order wasn't profitable enough for them? Really? And for SC to say there's xx number of customers who this will affect: Big Brother is watching you and studying your analytics. But ordinary communication with their customers doesn't happen. Every edict they've announced is then followed up with lots of clarifications (like their definition of what grandfathering is, etc). Their communication is clear as mud. I just don't get it.

Whatever is going on with SC, I wish them well. I don't sub to them due to their business practices and perceived value (just not worth it) but they seem to be doing just fine without my money. It seems a lot of people love SC no matter what they do, what they cost, or how much shrinkage happens in their kit contents. Time will tell where their customers breaking point is.

I'm a (or was) a newish subber just finishing my 6month commitment with the June kit. Being in Canada the exchange isn't too favorable right now but when I started subbing I loved the style of the scrapbook kits. During that time I've seen the kit shrink with 2 less pieces of pattern paper and gain one piece of specialty paper (which is not always easily used) I wasn't thrilled but left it alone. I would always pick up one or 2 addons just to supplement the kit and usually grab a PL kit even though I didn't subscribe to them just to get free shipping. I'd rather pay or supplies and not shipping. With this new model I'd have to pay for shipping on both but also not be able to get a kit without subbing. No more one time purchases. Add to the exchange, the drama with the reveal and presale and the stress of it all, I decided that my money would be better spent elsewhere. My cancellation went through yesterday and honestly the tone in the conversation with their cs was pretty blunt and final. Very different from the other communications I've had with them in which they always tried to be pleasant and accommodating.

You know, I'm not a fan of SC. Haven't been for years because of the flippant attitude of the CEO. I just can't send money to that type of person. However, deep down inside, I am hoping that they pull themselves out of this mess. I do love the SC community, the fabulous DT and SC's constant pulse on trends. And seriously, our industry is in big trouble. Anyone paying attention should realize that. If SC goes down, then who will it be next? Did anyone predict that Two Peas would fold? I certainly didn't. I was shocked. I knew there was drama, I knew that the CS reps didn't like us when there were issues posted on the message boards. But after 2Peas died, I found out just how much disregard the owners had towards the customers. Sound familiar?

If SC survives after this mess, I really, truly hope the CEO learns a lesson. Be a bit more humble. Interact with your customers in a non-condescending way. Give thanks to your "fans" because without them, you wouldn't be where you are. Show some gratitude towards your customers. Honest, true gratitude. With words. Just nice, humble gratuitous words. Won't cost a dime.

SC thinks they can drop bombs and then smile and wave like a pageant queen. Or use smoke and mirrors to veil the truth. They have done it over and over in the past. And it seems that they are taking this approach once again. In the words of Dr. Phil, "How's that workin for ya?"

I dont know if you are on FB but if you are, join the Nicolejones911 group! It is such a fun scrapbook group with tons of people and daily posts/layouts. A lot of the hipkit ladies share pages on there... the pages they make are so cute Im thinking about joining hipkit! I like the group because anyone from anywhere can post about any products, not just hipkit.

@scrappersoccermom I totally get what you're saying. I don't want them to fail either. I really, really don't. April is a smart business woman and clearly talented or sc would not be what it is today. I hope she can pull from her strengths.

It might be growing and/or shrinking pains? I don't know. But it's time to take a deep breath and figure out how to fix it or there will be nothing left to fix. Kwim? It only takes one or two bad decisions to destroy a business. Scary.

Scraptastic has nice thick cards. Their PL kit is fabulous and we'll worth the money. Waaayyy better than SC. I left SC awhile back and haven't missed them a bit.

I can't find the original offer email....did the March goody bag offer commit you to another 6 months?  I wonder if they would let me switch the sub over...probably not.


I really should have stuck to my guns and canceled when they screwed me in October/November. I pre-ordered Cathy Z.'s 30 days of Thankful kit (that was fabulous) and they "forgot" to send it.  And they kept saying it was in the mail, but I didn't get ship notice.  So they finally said that it would ship with my next order.  So my kit for documenting for November, didn't arrive till the middle of November.  With no apology, nothing.  

Really wishing I hadn't got suckered into that goody bag!  Especially since I haven't used anything from it!

For other subs I really like Paper Camellia and Paper Issues!