BPC and SC merger... Thoughts?

Of all the online classes I've taken SC's have been the worst. Only worth the money if they include a stamp set or kit. Since my poor customer service experience with them I definitely will not be buying a BPC in the future. I will add that I have not taken a BPC class in a long time because I felt that they were priced to high.

I actually just started my first class with SC - Workspace with Marcy Penner.  I thought for $15 it was worth a shot.  I'd agree that sometimes the BPC classes are expensive, but there is usually a coupon code or discount.  Plus you get points for every dollar you spend which add up to $ off classes.  I LOVE the classes I've taken at BPC so far (Finding Photo Freedom, Inspired Scrapbooking, Stashbusters Anonymous - twice) and really think you get your money's worth at BPC.

I hope that the merger means good things for both.  I did like the discount kits we got from Studio Calico for BPC's NSD challenges so hopefully that will be the kind of thing that the future holds.

Isn't Studio Calico under the American Crafts umbrella too?

No they are their own company. Here is what they said about it in their blog post about the merger.
"
Studio Calico is an independently owned and operated business located in Bowling Green, KY. Studio Calico currently distributes monthly kits around the world direct to consumer. We also design and license a wholesale product line to American Crafts. This partnership is strictly a license agreement and is only for our wholesale product. Everything else you see on our website is designed, produced and sourced by employees at Studio Calico headquarters in Bowling Green, KY.
"

If they mean "merge" as in BPC prices have decreased and SC class content increases, then yay. Otherwise I'm not interested because I am not going to pay over inflated prices for some SC PDF's under the BPC name. Now if SC had actual videos and customer interaction like BPC does, then I might consider buying some. <--that's what I'm hoping for!

It sounds like a great merger to me. Studio Calico classes are very hit and miss, but the price is right. Big Picture Classes provides quality classes but they are usually out of my price range. Education at Studio Calico will improve and I look forward to that. Big Picture Classes now gets to feature classes with kits/products instead of just a supply list. They appear to be working independently as businesses but together in their ventures so it seems like a benefit for all of us.

I have taken a few classes from BPC. They are on the expensive side. However I think most of them were very good. I don't think the value was there in the SC classes that I have taken. I also do not care for SC business practices. And I would hate to think that everything in the scrapbook world is going to end up being controlled by AC and SC.

My gut reaction was "Uggh!" I love online classes and have spent a lot of money at BPC. They are on the more expensive side, but most of them are worth it. The teachers put thought into their content/videos and are active on the message boards. I have also bought classes at SC and there are only a handful of classes that I thought were worth the money I paid. In my opinion SC classes are high on hype & eye candy, but low on content. Hope they don't influence BPC's way of producing classes.

It was, uh, autocorrect. 

 Hahaha! Auto-correct is always a source of amusement!

I really think this is a good thing. I've had issues with SC in years past but I caved about a year ago and subscribed to PL and eventually the Scrapbook kit. I really do think their SC has finally improved ( like a LOT) and I have loved the past several kits I've bought. I haven't had a single problem in over a year.

BPC is a wonderful company that is really dedicated to helping people scrap their memories, learn new things and enjoy their hobby. And Stacey Julian, she is amazing and hopefully she will be very active in this partnership. I think with BPC's quality of classes and SC's savy, edgy style, nothing but positive things can come out of this!

I don't see it changing anything anytime soon ... except maybe SC would move their classes to BPC to host them all together? 

I am so dreading that is where Ali is heading. I just adore her take on scrapbooking and I love her products. I would hate to see her partner with SC and have her reputation ruined in any way (big or small) because of something crappy SC did. And they always end up doing something crappy, don't they? Don't do it, Ali!!