|
|
Post by impearia on Jun 7, 2016 8:27:44 GMT
Since I left Studio Calico...and never looked back, I have been shopping around for a new monthly kit. I check out lots of sites to see if they have something appealing this month. Lately, I have noticed a large amount of kit clubs doing mostly exclusive kits. I am not talking about Felicity Jane which was always like that, but Hip Kit, Scraptastic etc seem to be moving towards more or mostly exclusives. Now, I am okay with some exclusives, but generally i don't like a kit that is ALL exclusives. I found Cocoa Daisy was a nice mix of exclusive and regular manufacturer items.
So, what is going on? Is this due to AC being difficult lately or is this a permanent thing. i was considering going back to Scraptastic, but ... no Thickers, mostly exclusive papers and sticker sheets? No thanks. I would have loved to get Cake by the Ocean...the other kit they offered that month, nope, not so much. And then this month almost everything seems exclusive to them...flat stickers, lots of flat stickers.
One more question for kit club people...do you like fully exclusive kits? Kits with no exclusives? A mix...how much?
|
|
kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,383 
|
Post by kitbop on Jun 7, 2016 11:22:59 GMT
Great question! I've noticed this too... and it's helped me NOT resubscribe (I unsubbed to be frugal a while back  ) I love some exclusives - don't get me wrong - but I also love a lot of the manufacturers out there. Love a COMBINATION of these in a kit! But...those "thickers" that Hip Kit did the past 2 months? NEED them (wish I could get my hands on them, would buy lots). It's a lot of pressure on these designers to produce that much exclusive product on a monthly basis, no? I think it shows too in that some of the exclusive pieces are less appealing (not all...not trying to slam them...I couldn't design a barn) Kirsten |
|
|
|
Post by meganliane on Jun 7, 2016 11:58:37 GMT
One of the Hip Kit DT members mentioned in a FB group that the AC warehouse move was an issue as to why they are having to do exclusives. I have liked Hip Kit a lot and hope they go back to how it was before- a few exclusives but mostly other brands (particularly Crate Paper and other AC.)
|
|
|
|
Post by senoritascrapper on Jun 7, 2016 12:07:04 GMT
The folks at Scraptastic said that all of the exclusives are due to lack of product from AC. The papers and stickers they've designed are really bright and vibrant--which I like.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 5, 2024 11:15:56 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 12:23:08 GMT
I love some exclusives - don't get me wrong - but I also love a lot of the manufacturers out there. Love a COMBINATION of these in a kit! Same here. I started noticing this w/SC first, a long time ago. It seemed like yet another effort to increase April's margins - using free designs submitted by folks who entered contests and the like. But then I started seeing it more and more in Scraptastic. It's funny, when people do kit shares on YT, before they even tell me, I know which papers are Scraptastic "exclusives" because I usually don't like them as well. Bring back the mix, clubs. SOME exclusive, but some more professionally-designed and/or more generally available papers. |
|
|
|
Post by alissa103 on Jun 7, 2016 12:59:48 GMT
I noticed this too. I don't get a traditional kit club at the moment (I get the page kit clubs from a Scrapbook Generation), but I do prefer a mix. Part of it is bc if I'm spending a good chunk of cash on a kit every month, I want to get some of the papers and goodies I have my eye on from manufacturers. Otherwise I just have to place yet another order/shipping and it blows my budget too often.
I do like some exclusives. They make a kit fun. But the problem is after too long, they kinda start to repeat themselves. Like Studio Calico doing those "washi" strips in every single kit. Or the same set of chipboard stars, just in different color schemes. It gets a little boring.
|
|
Kath
Full Member
Posts: 446
Jun 26, 2014 12:15:31 GMT
|
Post by Kath on Jun 7, 2016 13:09:43 GMT
I recently dropped my Scraptastic kit club membership when they went to 2 out of 4 of the kits being composed of "exclusives" last month, which consisted of mainly flat items, papers and stickers, etc, in designs I was not loving. It looks cheap plus they were showing whole packages of embellishments in their pictures and what would arrive would be a few embellishments with no packaging or the tops were cut off to fit in the bag. I have no tolerance for my packaging being cut up or nonexistant when I thought I was getting a whole intact package of something. I'm sure it was in the description somewhere and I only looked at the picture and missed it, but really disappointing.
Hip Kit's exclusives are more mixed with market products, a more appealing design, more cohesiveness and not all flat, and I really like what they've come up in the wake of the AC situation. And they send intact packaging, full product.
I discontinued my Studio Calico membership for the same reason years ago when they went to nearly all flat Studio Calico embellishments of stickers and weird wood pieces and strange plastic items and such in their kits.
If I start seeing "exclusive" flat stickers and vellum shapes and funky items in a kit while at the same time, items such as chipboard, puffy stickers, brads, enamel dots, chunky embellishments, etc, from the regular scrapbooking market are disappearing, that's usually a sign for me that things are starting to go downhill and it might be time to jump ship.
|
|
|
|
Post by LisaDV on Jun 7, 2016 13:49:26 GMT
I dropped a CD sub a couple of years ago when I knew we were moving and the kits were piling up. I was looking recently. I don't really like the exclusives, especially papers and stickers. Stamps or wood veneer or pl cards I'm ok with as long as it's just a very small part.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrappinheather on Jun 7, 2016 13:50:58 GMT
I too dropped scraptastic after this month because I'm not in love with their exclusives and their kits are pretty much only exclusives. I think hip kit has done a great job with getting the mix righ but I prefer 1 or 2 exclusive items and for the rest to be what's from a store. I only buy kits beau se I find that's how I will guarantee to actually use product so I want my kits to be fun mix of embellish and paper. I also think scrapbook circle does a good job with a mix of products
|
|
mjmone
Full Member
Posts: 441
Jul 3, 2014 2:58:29 GMT
|
Post by mjmone on Jun 7, 2016 13:56:34 GMT
I sub to Scrapbook Circle and don't see a lot of exclusives, except the acrylic word that I love... link..here is June's kit. For my Gossamer Blue, I like that the cards are exclusive..but the embellies are not. |
|
|
|
Post by mom on Jun 7, 2016 15:18:52 GMT
I recently dropped my Scraptastic kit club membership when they went to 2 out of 4 of the kits being composed of "exclusives" last month, which consisted of mainly flat items, papers and stickers, etc, in designs I was not loving. It looks cheap plus they were showing whole packages of embellishments in their pictures and what would arrive would be a few embellishments with no packaging or the tops were cut off to fit in the bag. I have no tolerance for my packaging being cut up or nonexistant when I thought I was getting a whole intact package of something. I'm sure it was in the description somewhere and I only looked at the picture and missed it, but really disappointing.Hip Kit's exclusives are more mixed with market products, a more appealing design, more cohesiveness and not all flat, and I really like what they've come up in the wake of the AC situation. And they send intact packaging, full product. I discontinued my Studio Calico membership for the same reason years ago when they went to nearly all flat Studio Calico embellishments of stickers and weird wood pieces and strange plastic items and such in their kits. If I start seeing "exclusive" flat stickers and vellum shapes and funky items in a kit while at the same time, items such as chipboard, puffy stickers, brads, enamel dots, chunky embellishments, etc, from the regular scrapbooking market are disappearing, that's usually a sign for me that things are starting to go downhill and it might be time to jump ship. I hated this as well with Scraptastic. And the endless piles of vellum dicuts they would send. Ugh. No one needs that many clouds, triangles, etc. in vellum. |
|
|
|
Post by acd on Jun 7, 2016 15:52:27 GMT
It's too bad AC is making things so difficult.  I think, ideally, I would like a mix. I'd like to get a taste of different manufacturers. That being said, I definitely plan to continue one exclusive kit. (I know you excluded FJ from this group because they have always been exclusive) But I'd like to say how pleased I am with my first FJ kit. The quality is fantastic. I had a chance to scrap last night, and kept thinking how nice it is to use such beautiful paper, alphas with multiples (what a concept), a completely cohesive kit etc... Exclusive or not, there are so many wonderful kit companies available - with great customer service. Why are people still ordering crap from SC? Excluding free trial memberships, of course.  |
|
|
|
Post by acd on Jun 7, 2016 15:56:07 GMT
I sub to Scrapbook Circle and don't see a lot of exclusives, except the acrylic word that I love... link..here is June's kit. For my Gossamer Blue, I like that the cards are exclusive..but the embellies are not. I should NOT have opened the link. What a great kit! |
|
|
|
Post by acd on Jun 7, 2016 15:58:26 GMT
Is it possible to UNLIKE a post? For some reason - possibly three cups of coffee - I liked my own posts! How embarrassing.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 7, 2016 16:10:09 GMT
I actually like exclusives (it's why I'm drawn more to PL style kits than SB ones...that, and in spite of having a crapton of cards, I have far fewer of those than I do 12x12 paper) and GB will be starting with some come July. I am pretty sure a lot of it is as what others said. AC has opted not to reprint a lot of releases that never really fully hit shelves (kit clubs got the bulk of a lot of limited stock, like the PP FF stuff) which has hit SB companies really hard. It really goes to show you how much of the industry falls under their umbrella.
I know a lot of people don't love all exclusive stuff and want a mix of exclusive and readily available product (because they don't buy much outside of their kit subs and it gives them a taste of what's new and current without having to seek it out) but I'd rather see them come out with fully exclusive kits for a few months than say that due to a lack of product, kits have to be suspended a few months (which would be really hard for them because most clubs are operated out of the owners' homes...how many of us could simply lose several months of cash flow and sustain ourselves?).
Me, personally, I like exclusives. I tend to bargain shop and hate paying full price for things (that's why the add-ons and extras I get from my kit club are when they do clear out sales...it has to be something I am head over heels for and know will be hard to find down the line to pay full price for it...like the PP FF glitter foam word thickers). To me, it sucks to pay full price in a kit to receive something I don't love when I won't even buy product I love at retail for full price...but I love the overall feel of my kits and feel that for one kit, for $25.95 a month, it's worth it.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 7, 2016 16:14:30 GMT
Is it possible to UNLIKE a post? For some reason - possibly three cups of coffee - I liked my own posts! How embarrassing. Just click the thumb again.  |
|
|
|
Post by acd on Jun 7, 2016 16:59:37 GMT
Is it possible to UNLIKE a post? For some reason - possibly three cups of coffee - I liked my own posts! How embarrassing. Just click the thumb again. Wow. This is more embarrassing than LIKING my own posts.  No more coffee for me. Many thanks, scrapaddict702. |
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 7, 2016 17:09:31 GMT
Just click the thumb again. Wow. This is more embarrassing than LIKING my own posts. No more coffee for me. Many thanks, scrapaddict702. I'm more apt to do that when lacking caffeine...I'd suggest more, not less, lol. |
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Jun 7, 2016 18:01:35 GMT
Is it possible to UNLIKE a post? For some reason - possibly three cups of coffee - I liked my own posts! How embarrassing. LOL - I've done that too SaveSave |
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Jun 7, 2016 18:03:10 GMT
Yep, I've noticed the move to more and more exclusives as well and am not really a fan. I do like a mixture. Just goes to show what control/influence AC has over everything.
|
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Jun 7, 2016 18:04:19 GMT
I sub to Scrapbook Circle and don't see a lot of exclusives, except the acrylic word that I love... link..here is June's kit. For my Gossamer Blue, I like that the cards are exclusive..but the embellies are not. I should NOT have opened the link. What a great kit! I subbed to Scrapbook Circle for a while and really liked the kits - and Lisa is fantastic and gives great CS. Recommend them highly. SaveSave |
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Jun 7, 2016 18:06:01 GMT
But I'd like to say how pleased I am with my first FJ kit. The quality is fantastic. I had a chance to scrap last night, and kept thinking how nice it is to use such beautiful paper, alphas with multiples (what a concept), a completely cohesive kit etc... I think FJ is an exclusive kit done well and I was really happy with the one I bought to try it out, but they do have quite a similar look each month. |
|
|
|
Post by mom on Jun 7, 2016 18:07:17 GMT
I was just noticing Scrapbook Circle today. I think I might try out that kit next.
FJ is done well - but yes - most of the kits do look similar which is why I actually like them. HA! I love how feminine they are!
|
|
|
|
Post by alissa103 on Jun 7, 2016 18:19:19 GMT
But I'd like to say how pleased I am with my first FJ kit. The quality is fantastic. I had a chance to scrap last night, and kept thinking how nice it is to use such beautiful paper, alphas with multiples (what a concept), a completely cohesive kit etc... I think FJ is an exclusive kit done well and I was really happy with the one I bought to try it out, but they do have quite a similar look each month. Yup. Plus they use A LOT of pink and feminine touches and it's not super practical when you're scrapping a boy pretty much exclusively. Great kits though! |
|
|
|
Post by refugeepea on Jun 7, 2016 18:21:45 GMT
I have never been able to get into anything that is labeled exclusive in scrapbooking. It's an immediate turn off. To me, this hobby is so basic that when it's "exclusive" or "limited" I have to laugh.  |
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 7, 2016 19:32:55 GMT
I think FJ is an exclusive kit done well and I was really happy with the one I bought to try it out, but they do have quite a similar look each month. Yup. Plus they use A LOT of pink and feminine touches and it's not super practical when you're scrapping a boy pretty much exclusively. Great kits though! My suggestion to them of a Felix James line for us boy moms (or people with just more masculine tastes) fell on deaf ears. I love her style, but the pink is just OTT and is never gonna happen...I would be buying a kit to throw half of it away. Since there is pink EVERYWHERE in her every single one of her kits, I'll never buy them. But clearly she's selling out every month, so apparently I'm in the minority. If not for the pink, I'd sign up in a heartbeat. |
|
|
|
Post by alissa103 on Jun 7, 2016 19:37:14 GMT
Felix James! What an awesome idea. Even if it was just a "specialty" kit you could get once in awhile, I'd totally buy one.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 7, 2016 19:46:57 GMT
I sub to Scrapbook Circle and don't see a lot of exclusives, except the acrylic word that I love... link..here is June's kit. For my Gossamer Blue, I like that the cards are exclusive..but the embellies are not. Next month, GB will be having some exclusives. Stickers, I think? I'm currently not sure I love the new way of GB's kits. The designs are vastly different than what they were before. I used to struggle to use them because of their style and I finally adjusted and LOVE it (sometimes you just have to get used to things) but I'm still working on older kits and am over a year behind in PL...I try not to use my brand spanking new kits but will rifle through them when I get them. I'm so nervous that I'm going to have to rethink my process with them all over again when I get to the newer style of the kits and won't end up happy now that I really enjoy using the kits from last year and late 2014. |
|
|
|
Post by bethquiroz on Jun 7, 2016 21:16:46 GMT
There is a kit club put together by a gal who used to own an LSS in my town. The kit has no exclusive items and contains mostly AC companies. If anyone is interested, I'll link her blog below. You have to scroll past her massive home deco post to get to the last kits she did. raffiasisters.typepad.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 7, 2016 21:36:20 GMT
For those that don't like exclusives, can you share why you buy kits (if you do, that is), then?
I'm sure with sales you'd be able to assemble the kits yourselves in any scrapbook shop for less. Added bonus: you can replace a paper you don't like with one that you do (either by stash diving or buying a different piece...and stash diving would save you money, too). I just don't understand what the benefit is without any type of exclusive at all being that I am a frugal shopper (and really, it's not that I'm frugal because I have to be, it's because I want so much stuff, I'd be spending more than my mortgage every month on supplies if I were paying full price). I feel exclusivity of certain products is the biggest part of a kit club that sets you apart and makes people want to go to your business instead of someone else's.
I know how people talk about how great the owner at Hip Kit is at coordinating things, but if she offered no exclusives, what would be the benefit of subscribing versus just using her reveals as a shopping list and going elsewhere to buy them (and save money in the process)? Without the exclusives, you can literally recreate it on your own, probably for less money and customize elements that you didn't really love in the kit to something more your taste.
I really think that is why SC went the all exclusive route. People were selling their exclusive pieces for so much money in resale groups and everyone was begging for more (and for them to become regular shop items, too). They thought it was a great marketing tactic and for a while, I bet it was.
Some people might very well be happy with just receiving a bit of happy mail every month and are happy to let someone else do the work in putting everything together just to get a surprise to open (or maybe you're on a budget and want a taste of what's out there but you don't trust yourself to be able to just pick and choose a few pieces of your favorite releases), but let's be real here, how much of the market could that actually be? Very few of us are on a limitless budget, so realistically there has to be SOMETHING extra special to get us to part with our hard earned money and I believe THAT is the logic behind exclusivity. If you can get it anyplace, anytime, what's the rush and why buy from XYZ for full price instead of ABC who has a coupon code I can use? Why not just stash dive or shop for the pieces that I like at my favorite shop?
|
|
)
