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Post by acd on Jun 7, 2016 21:39:44 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. Good to know. As much as I love this kit, I suppose it could get old after a while. AND...I won't have supplies to scrap my husband, son and dog. My first Hip Kit just shipped. Maybe that will make up for the lack of boy supplies in FJ. Then I can keep them both.
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Post by acd on Jun 7, 2016 21:42:31 GMT
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. Fantastic idea!!!
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Post by anniefb on Jun 7, 2016 21:55:35 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? Unfortunately, easier said than done in New Zealand - no local LSS, online shops have pretty limited stock by US standards (and stuff takes a while to arrive, if it gets here at all), and I might end up spending just as much or more buying from several places in the US online and paying shipping. I quite like a mix of a few exclusives and other retail lines. I guess for me buying a kit would mostly be about the convenience, a way to get new releases without hunting all over for them and a fun treat each month.
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 7, 2016 22:12:08 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? Unfortunately, easier said than done in New Zealand - no local LSS, online shops have pretty limited stock by US standards (and stuff takes a while to arrive, if it gets here at all), and I might end up spending just as much or more buying from several places in the US online and paying shipping. I quite like a mix of a few exclusives and other retail lines. I guess for me buying a kit would mostly be about the convenience, a way to get new releases without hunting all over for them and a fun treat each month. That's interesting. Someone in the UK in one of the many groups I'm a part of on FB (I think, anyway, not 100% sure on that) had stated that with the cost of her usual kit, shipping and her frequent custom's charges, she was able to buy most of the pieces from her kit, several mists and a few other items locally for less than she was spending on her kit club. I think it was something around 70 euro.
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Post by anniefb on Jun 7, 2016 23:10:35 GMT
Unfortunately, easier said than done in New Zealand - no local LSS, online shops have pretty limited stock by US standards (and stuff takes a while to arrive, if it gets here at all), and I might end up spending just as much or more buying from several places in the US online and paying shipping. I quite like a mix of a few exclusives and other retail lines. I guess for me buying a kit would mostly be about the convenience, a way to get new releases without hunting all over for them and a fun treat each month. That's interesting. Someone in the UK in one of the many groups I'm a part of on FB (I think, anyway, not 100% sure on that) had stated that with the cost of her usual kit, shipping and her frequent custom's charges, she was able to buy most of the pieces from her kit, several mists and a few other items locally for less than she was spending on her kit club. I think it was something around 70 euro. Guess it depends what you're looking for. I don't get customs charges on craft stuff coming in so that makes a difference as well - the parcel value limit is quite low in the UK and I know those costs can mount up.
Just out of interest I priced buying the equivalent amount of product in each of the last 2 Hip kits in NZ - yes it works out to NZ$5-10 cheaper buying here, but I can't actually get most of the non-exclusive stuff - no-one is stocking the Jillibean Soup papers, I can get Illustrated Faith papers but not any embellishments, some Simple Stories paper but again nothing that co-ordinates. And I've spent time trying to track it all down and placing orders from 3 different places to do so, so there goes any saving (because most places only offer free shipping for orders over about $60-$70).
I guess for me (being time poor) the convenience of a kit is quite valuable
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 7, 2016 23:23:37 GMT
Just click the thumb again. Wow. This is more embarrassing than LIKING my own posts. No more coffee for me. Many thanks, scrapaddict702. Today I could not find a cartridge in my scrap room. I had the handbook and overlay. I looked forever and just started cleaning (it needed it). Three hours later, I found it in the cartridge container that it belongs in. Have no idea how it got there. It happens. Drink all the coffee you want.
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Post by thracian on Jun 7, 2016 23:36:01 GMT
I'm a kit subscriber who prefers exclusive items. If I can get something separately, I'd rather pick and choose what products to get with my money rather than get items I don't want or may already have. I join a kit club when I want products I can't get somewhere else. If Felicity Jane (for example) started incorporating other company's products into the kits instead of using her exclusive designs, I would not like that at all.
I realize I am probably in the minority, but that's my POV.
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Post by grammadee on Jun 8, 2016 2:08:30 GMT
I'm a kit subscriber who prefers exclusive items. If I can get something separately, I'd rather pick and choose what products to get with my money rather than get items I don't want or may already have. I join a kit club when I want products I can't get somewhere else. If Felicity Jane (for example) started incorporating other company's products into the kits instead of using her exclusive designs, I would not like that at all. I realize I am probably in the minority, but that's my POV. Currently I sub to only one kit, and it is from a LSS. I (usually) like her taste and she includes fun items I would prob never think of buying. Because it's my only kit I kind of think of it as something to play with as opposed to something I need. ITA that I would usually rather get the name brand stuff myself. Then if I want the whole collection, then that is what I will get. On the other hand, I may want 5 (or more) of one particular sheet. However I am incredibly lucky to have a LSS where I can pick and choose. In in the past , kits were kind of where I started, and I liked that each kit had completely different items than any others that month. So exclusive items are still what I would want in a new sub.
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Post by impearia on Jun 8, 2016 2:29:55 GMT
I do like exclusives in my kits, but in general I prefer a mix of exclusives with regular items from a variety of manufacturers. I do love Freckled Fawn kits, but they do not contain paper, of course. As we have seen throughout this thread, it seems a number of people don't want fully exclusive kits because: 1) They tend to become repetitive in style, colour palette or types of items 2) The tendency to use cheap filler "exclusives" ie vellum die cuts 3) Less professional looking items ie mostly flat stickers, cut aparts etc To answer the question why do I want a kit that is 100% exclusive ... sometimes I want a fun sampling of things, and a well curated kit saves me time. Like anniefb said ... time poor. I could scout around for all the items in a kit, but 1) I am in Australia and finding all the bits can be a challenge 2) shipping can be outrageous if I need to order from various shops. I like the idea of kits, it is like getting a little prezzie in the mail every month. And I enjoy trying to work within the constraints of a kit (for a time). I am fine with a mix of exclusives and regular items, but I need things like puffy stickers, Thickers, chipboard etc.
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 8, 2016 2:41:18 GMT
I do like exclusives in my kits, but in general I prefer a mix of exclusives with regular items from a variety of manufacturers. I do love Freckled Fawn kits, but they do not contain paper, of course. As we have seen throughout this thread, it seems a number of people don't want fully exclusive kits because: 1) They tend to become repetitive in style, colour palette or types of items 2) The tendency to use cheap filler "exclusives" ie vellum die cuts 3) Less professional looking items ie mostly flat stickers, cut aparts etc To answer the question why do I want a kit that is 100% exclusive ... sometimes I want a fun sampling of things, and a well curated kit saves me time. Like anniefb said ... time poor. I could scout around for all the items in a kit, but 1) I am in Australia and finding all the bits can be a challenge 2) shipping can be outrageous if I need to order from various shops. I like the idea of kits, it is like getting a little prezzie in the mail every month. And I enjoy trying to work within the constraints of a kit (for a time). I am fine with a mix of exclusives and regular items, but I need things like puffy stickers, Thickers, chipboard etc. I get the drift that a lot of people think that exclusives aren't the same quality or in cases of die cuts, you are getting like a quarter of what you'd get from a company (and that's saying something considering PP used to have ephemera with over 70 pieces and their outdoors line has just FORTY, that's almost half as many as usual and while it might seem like a lot, hearts and little filler bits add up to a lot of that, I'm certain). It's hard to do exclusives and not feel like you're getting less for your money because of the higher production costs unless you cut corners and go with flat paper only items.
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Post by impearia on Jun 8, 2016 3:08:38 GMT
I do like exclusives in my kits, but in general I prefer a mix of exclusives with regular items from a variety of manufacturers. I do love Freckled Fawn kits, but they do not contain paper, of course. As we have seen throughout this thread, it seems a number of people don't want fully exclusive kits because: 1) They tend to become repetitive in style, colour palette or types of items 2) The tendency to use cheap filler "exclusives" ie vellum die cuts 3) Less professional looking items ie mostly flat stickers, cut aparts etc To answer the question why do I want a kit that is 100% exclusive ... sometimes I want a fun sampling of things, and a well curated kit saves me time. Like anniefb said ... time poor. I could scout around for all the items in a kit, but 1) I am in Australia and finding all the bits can be a challenge 2) shipping can be outrageous if I need to order from various shops. I like the idea of kits, it is like getting a little prezzie in the mail every month. And I enjoy trying to work within the constraints of a kit (for a time). I am fine with a mix of exclusives and regular items, but I need things like puffy stickers, Thickers, chipboard etc. I get the drift that a lot of people think that exclusives aren't the same quality or in cases of die cuts, you are getting like a quarter of what you'd get from a company (and that's saying something considering PP used to have ephemera with over 70 pieces and their outdoors line has just FORTY, that's almost half as many as usual and while it might seem like a lot, hearts and little filler bits add up to a lot of that, I'm certain). It's hard to do exclusives and not feel like you're getting less for your money because of the higher production costs unless you cut corners and go with flat paper only items. I am not trying to pick on Scraptastic here at all, this is just the quickest example i could come up with ... Sweet Jane die CutsOkay those are cute enough, but are they worth $4.50? Really? You can get a huge pack of die cuts from say Crate paper, easy to find at a discount even when new...so you could probably get them for $3.99. And they would probably have acetate pieces, or gold foil or glitter or something extra. And don't even get me started on cut apart sticker sheets or small cut apart cardstock sheets. I admit to fussy cutting paper at times, but if I am getting it in a kit I want it already cut, please.
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Kath
Full Member
Posts: 446
Jun 26, 2014 12:15:31 GMT
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Post by Kath on Jun 8, 2016 3:58:13 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.
Agree. Vellum diecuts are a challenge. I did manage to use most of them, but it hasn't been easy. I've had to work my way through the thought process of how to use them exactly, which makes the scrapbooking process less enjoyable, although I usually do like the end result.
Another thing I didn't mention is the last two months, my kits were being shipped out around 1-1/2 to 2 weeks past the latest date they were supposed to be shipped out. They were literally either getting to my house or shipping out around the time the next month's was being charged. There was little to no communication as to why this was happening except to blame AC (there was one email to that effect).
Honestly, I don't care. I just want my stuff when it's supposed to be shipped. I don't want hear about AC or worse, hear nothing at all. Also, the switching around of websites and bad web designers. How many bad web designers can there be over and over again in a row? It was just annoying.
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Kath
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Posts: 446
Jun 26, 2014 12:15:31 GMT
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Post by Kath on Jun 8, 2016 4:13:36 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? Exclusives are fine as long as they look like something I would walk into a scrapbook store and buy for a similar comparable price. I like the Hip Kit designer's work, the colors and styles appeal to me, and I like the ephemera packs and puffy stickers and letters, and things they are putting out (i.e. not flat stickers, which I have a really hard time with) as well as the paper designs.
I work full time, do school in the evening after I get off work, have 3 teens who live at home (who are also active in sports, school, etc), and I can be obsessive about scrapbooking. I have a fluid scrapbooking budget and I want the latest and greatest and newest on the market. I don't have time to shop for it and despise shopping anyway. Don't have time to look for bargains, but I do want my money's worth and I know what things cost. I just want somebody to pick up good stuff, package it up and ship it to me on a monthly basis and on time, and if there isn't a lot on the market and exclusives are designed, as long as they look like the current market and are keeping up with the current trends and look like something I would buy, I'm good with that.
Oh, yes, and I love to be surprised by what comes in the box, but it needs to be a happy surprise, not flat stickers.
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Post by meganliane on Jun 8, 2016 4:21:26 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? Unfortunately, easier said than done in New Zealand - no local LSS, online shops have pretty limited stock by US standards (and stuff takes a while to arrive, if it gets here at all), and I might end up spending just as much or more buying from several places in the US online and paying shipping. I quite like a mix of a few exclusives and other retail lines. I guess for me buying a kit would mostly be about the convenience, a way to get new releases without hunting all over for them and a fun treat each month. I agree and I live in the US. It is hard to find one store that has all the items you want. Having a kit helps with the "hunting".
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Deleted
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May 5, 2024 18:43:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2016 10:04:41 GMT
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 am struggling with this very issue. I want to subscribe to a kit club. I do want the exclusives. I have tried to go to my stores and kit up my own things every month. It is just an "ugh" experience every time I shop because I always buy the same old thing and my same old style. I think exclusives would help me get out of a rut. I am all for knowing our style but ruts are not a style. What bothers me about the kit clubs is the quality of the exclusives. I am a frugal crafter. I do think kits are a very frugal option. It does bother me about what some of the high end kit clubs do send. For example dyed doilies. Doilies are not expensive and dyeing them is also frugal. Baker's twine is another one. Then the kit clubs advertise these things as exclusives. Acrylic Letters to me are an exclusive but not baker's twine. Gossamer Blue offers printables. I love printables. Are printables enough of an exclusive for most scrapbookers? You can get beautiful printables from other stores and other online digital scrapbooking companies. Silhouette's store has printables that are the same companies selling the physical die cuts at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or your LSS. One more about printables you have to take the cost factor of printing into consideration when buying your kit. I am seeing a lot of kit clubs providing more printables. I know printables are popular. I am also seeing less paper in kit clubs and more printables. A lot of us make our own embellishments. When I look at a kit club I do look at the quality of embellishments. I love the acrylic letters. I can make my own chipboard embellishments. I want a kit club that has exclusives. I want the exclusives to be nice quality. It's ok if I get things that might not be my taste. I can alter the items or trade. I don't mind paying extra for nice quality. I rather pay extra than peek in my box every month thinking I spent $35 on something I could have made for fifty cents. acd- Don't feel bad about liking your own posts. We like your posts too. On another forum I was trying to edit my posts and kept clicking report it. I reported myself over a dozen times on that forum.
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Post by scrappinheather on Jun 8, 2016 12:34:11 GMT
There are no local scrapbook stores near me even though I live in the us except for big box stores. I scrapbook exclusively with kits as I find that works best for me and occasionally grab stuff out of my stash. I like a mix of manufacturers that go together in kits. When I try to buy the stuff outside of a kit club I have to shop at several stores and usually what I really want is sold out anyway. Plus I like the challenge of using the stuff
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Post by senoritascrapper on Jun 8, 2016 14:38:35 GMT
I get the drift that a lot of people think that exclusives aren't the same quality or in cases of die cuts, you are getting like a quarter of what you'd get from a company (and that's saying something considering PP used to have ephemera with over 70 pieces and their outdoors line has just FORTY, that's almost half as many as usual and while it might seem like a lot, hearts and little filler bits add up to a lot of that, I'm certain). It's hard to do exclusives and not feel like you're getting less for your money because of the higher production costs unless you cut corners and go with flat paper only items. I am not trying to pick on Scraptastic here at all, this is just the quickest example i could come up with ... Sweet Jane die CutsOkay those are cute enough, but are they worth $4.50? Really? You can get a huge pack of die cuts from say Crate paper, easy to find at a discount even when new...so you could probably get them for $3.99. And they would probably have acetate pieces, or gold foil or glitter or something extra. And don't even get me started on cut apart sticker sheets or small cut apart cardstock sheets. I admit to fussy cutting paper at times, but if I am getting it in a kit I want it already cut, please. I found it odd when Scraptastic switched to vellum and foam exclusives. When I first subscribed a couple of years ago, we got several wood pieces or large acrylic pieces. Now, when wood or acrylic are included, they are very small pieces. The stickers and die cuts seem to be part of their new business model--the colors are nice but I agree that the price point seems high.
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Post by impearia on Jun 8, 2016 14:43:41 GMT
I am not trying to pick on Scraptastic here at all, this is just the quickest example i could come up with ... Sweet Jane die CutsOkay those are cute enough, but are they worth $4.50? Really? You can get a huge pack of die cuts from say Crate paper, easy to find at a discount even when new...so you could probably get them for $3.99. And they would probably have acetate pieces, or gold foil or glitter or something extra. And don't even get me started on cut apart sticker sheets or small cut apart cardstock sheets. I admit to fussy cutting paper at times, but if I am getting it in a kit I want it already cut, please. I found it odd when Scraptastic switched to vellum and foam exclusives. When I first subscribed a couple of years ago, we got several wood pieces or large acrylic pieces. Now, when wood or acrylic are included, they are very small pieces. The stickers seem to be part of their new business model--the colors are nice but I agree that the price point seems high. I remember that too, and I liked those wood veneers. I have a bunch hoarded actually...Acrylic words/shapes I am fine with too. I like texture in my SB supplies though. senoritascrapper do you still sub at Scraptastic? If so how are you feeling about them these days?
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Post by mimi3566 on Jun 8, 2016 14:53:13 GMT
Have you looked at Swirlydoos? www.swirlydoos.com/They don't have exclusives and have several add-ons that compliment the monthly main kit and use name brand mfgs like Prima, Blue Fern, Authentique, etc...
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jun 8, 2016 14:53:36 GMT
I struggle to find new supplies and I have TWO LSS! They never buy a whole line, just a few papers or just the odd add in embellishment. About the only line I can get everything is Doodlebug. As cute as those lines are, they aren't my style. It's times like this that the death of Archivers really hits home.
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Post by senoritascrapper on Jun 8, 2016 15:18:52 GMT
impearia As of a few days ago, I am no longer subscribing. I had a few reasons but it all comes down to the reality that Scraptastic is not the same kit club it was in 2013 in terms of supplies and inspiration. I still like everything I receive--it just seems to be less than it used to be. Since I typically don't buy the add-ons, I miss out on some of the super cute stuff because they are always in the add on. For the longest time, I didn't mind because it's an add-on after all--props to those who can get it every month. Recently, however, the main kit seems so "flat" and sparse. I recall receiving their winter-themed kit this year. I thought I was missing items because it seemed incomplete and just didn't compare to the winter kit of 2014. I wasn't missing anything but it led me to take a break for 2 months. Then they put out a baby themed kit came out and I rejoined. Lots of cute paper, foiled labels but to my surprise no cute wood embellishments. Maybe they include less stuff now because the price has remained the same but everything including pretty paper has gone up. Who knows their rationale?!? I don't since they fail to communicate the changes to their customers. That's a different issue altogether which probably merits its own thread. I'm waiting to see if things on their website improve before subscribing again. I want/need to see what other members are creating. The FB board is not very active and I think a member gallery (which they used to have) is part of the kit club experience.
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Post by acd on Jun 8, 2016 15:35:35 GMT
Today I could not find a cartridge in my scrap room. I had the handbook and overlay. I looked forever and just started cleaning (it needed it). Three hours later, I found it in the cartridge container that it belongs in. Have no idea how it got there. It happens. Drink all the coffee you want.You made my day.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 5, 2024 18:43:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2016 15:37:10 GMT
I don't since they fail to communicate the changes to their customers. That's a different issue altogether which probably merits its own thread. Agreed - it merits its own thread. The person/people at Scraptastic don't seem very friendly. I've ordered a few times and it's all been really sparse on the comms side. When I ordred a few times from Ellesstudio, they included a little note. When I contacted Citrus Twist once, she was super quick and explanatory in getting back to me. When I reached out to Scraptastic, she/they were unaccommodating and no niceties. It's the little niceties that stand out in our corporate cookie-cutter big-box world.
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 8, 2016 17:01:30 GMT
I get the drift that a lot of people think that exclusives aren't the same quality or in cases of die cuts, you are getting like a quarter of what you'd get from a company (and that's saying something considering PP used to have ephemera with over 70 pieces and their outdoors line has just FORTY, that's almost half as many as usual and while it might seem like a lot, hearts and little filler bits add up to a lot of that, I'm certain). It's hard to do exclusives and not feel like you're getting less for your money because of the higher production costs unless you cut corners and go with flat paper only items. I am not trying to pick on Scraptastic here at all, this is just the quickest example i could come up with ... Sweet Jane die CutsOkay those are cute enough, but are they worth $4.50? Really? You can get a huge pack of die cuts from say Crate paper, easy to find at a discount even when new...so you could probably get them for $3.99. And they would probably have acetate pieces, or gold foil or glitter or something extra. And don't even get me started on cut apart sticker sheets or small cut apart cardstock sheets. I admit to fussy cutting paper at times, but if I am getting it in a kit I want it already cut, please. Tuesday Morning has many of these for 99 cents. I usually snag two packs and keep them in 5 x 7 photo containers with a label. They are not worth $4.50.
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nicolep
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,080
Jan 26, 2016 16:10:43 GMT
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Post by nicolep on Jun 8, 2016 17:52:30 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! Totally agree! They are really pretty but with a lil' man it'd make it a real challenge, lol.
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nicolep
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,080
Jan 26, 2016 16:10:43 GMT
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Post by nicolep on Jun 8, 2016 18:02:30 GMT
I am still on the hunt for a fantastic kit club! I keep eyeing Noel Mignon but man...$$$! Looks like you get a ginormous amount of yummies but that is one expensive sub! I just LOVE all the color! Has anyone ever subbed to Noel Mignon?
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 8, 2016 18:05:55 GMT
I am still on the hunt for a fantastic kit club! I keep eyeing Noel Mignon but man...$$$! Looks like you get a ginormous amount of yummies but that is one expensive sub! I just LOVE all the color! Has anyone ever subbed to Noel Mignon? Her kits are packed, but man, if I can't kill a $30 sub, no way can I kill that. It's almost TOO MUCH stuff. I have been intrigued by her (much more affordable) PL style kit, though. For me, personally, I would only buy during a sale since there isn't anything exclusive to make full price worth it to me. I don't always have time with 3 kids to scrapbook (because they always want to be involved and I scrapbook to unwind not to juggle with active duty parenting) but it's not hard to juggle parenting with surfing the web and shopping, lol.
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Post by ellewood on Jun 8, 2016 18:27:05 GMT
I am not trying to pick on Scraptastic here at all, this is just the quickest example i could come up with ... Sweet Jane die CutsOkay those are cute enough, but are they worth $4.50? Really? You can get a huge pack of die cuts from say Crate paper, easy to find at a discount even when new...so you could probably get them for $3.99. And they would probably have acetate pieces, or gold foil or glitter or something extra. And don't even get me started on cut apart sticker sheets or small cut apart cardstock sheets. I admit to fussy cutting paper at times, but if I am getting it in a kit I want it already cut, please. I found it odd when Scraptastic switched to vellum and foam exclusives. When I first subscribed a couple of years ago, we got several wood pieces or large acrylic pieces. Now, when wood or acrylic are included, they are very small pieces. The stickers and die cuts seem to be part of their new business model--the colors are nice but I agree that the price point seems high. I've been meaning to ask on the boards about this about scraptastic. I think their kits are super high quality and before I subscribed, the owner answered all my questions and was super awesome! But I noticed that 1. The kits ship out super late in the month, and 2. I just got a random charge for $2 for shipping. It may have been in an email but she sends so many I don't always read them. Anyone know anything about this?
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Jun 8, 2016 18:32:57 GMT
I found it odd when Scraptastic switched to vellum and foam exclusives. When I first subscribed a couple of years ago, we got several wood pieces or large acrylic pieces. Now, when wood or acrylic are included, they are very small pieces. The stickers and die cuts seem to be part of their new business model--the colors are nice but I agree that the price point seems high. I've been meaning to ask on the boards about this about scraptastic. I think their kits are super high quality and before I subscribed, the owner answered all my questions and was super awesome! But I noticed that 1. The kits ship out super late in the month, and 2. I just got a random charge for $2 for shipping. It may have been in an email but she sends so many I don't always read them. Anyone know anything about this? Her shipping apparently isn't flat rate. I ordered $72.50 from her sale and had a $20 shipping charge. She claims to refund extra, but she also admits to charging a packing fee, too. So what the rates actually are is anyone's guess. The deal I'm getting is enough to offset the shipping charge, but I expected to get at least a $2 refund. The fact that I got a shipping notice with no refund tells me that my concerns in the past about 'just go ahead and place' an order, 'I'll refund you overages' without a clear cut as to what the refund would be were warranted. It's probably a medium box coming my way which is half of what I paid in shipping.
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Post by anniefb on Jun 8, 2016 18:36:33 GMT
I am still on the hunt for a fantastic kit club! I keep eyeing Noel Mignon but man...$$$! Looks like you get a ginormous amount of yummies but that is one expensive sub! I just LOVE all the color! Has anyone ever subbed to Noel Mignon? Her kits are packed, but man, if I can't kill a $30 sub, no way can I kill that. It's almost TOO MUCH stuff. I have been intrigued by her (much more affordable) PL style kit, though. Yeah, no way I could use that amount of stuff up in a short time. However, I guess you could get a kit to try - the current ones are still available. I watched the unboxing video and it looks like roughly double the amount you'd get in other kits, so I can see that the price is about right. It's the sort of thing you could buy once in a while if you want to really stock up on supplies!! SaveSave
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