|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 17, 2017 23:53:04 GMT
I ordered 11 packages of these from ACOT and received them in the mail today. Out of those 11 packages, the only ones that arrived even close to what I was expecting were the black stars, black hearts, blueberry stars and blueberry hearts. The other 7 are a complete and utter disappointment. The white ones are nice, but they are smudged by all of the other colors which makes them completely unusable. The orange, red, and yellows are all incredibly pale...they look NOTHING like the color tones that Bella Blvd uses in their retail lines. They are flat and are completely unappealing. The 'ice mix' (teals) are mostly baby blue...the only ones that pass off as teal are a really dark teal unlike anything in their color system. I've emailed them (Bella Blvd) about it hoping that it was a bad batch, but right now, I feel like they've completely misrepresented what they were offering because the samples they've shown on their website are nothing like what I received in the mail today. I'll let you all know what they say, if anything. ETA: Inspecting them again and most of the color at the edges on the red stars is coming off, so there are tons of white bits showing. *****UPDATE***** So, they (Bella Blvd) didn't reply to my email right away. I actually had to make a comment on a post about them announcing a full week of Puffy Sticker features they were going to be doing on their blog (the post I commented on was on IG). This was 2 1/2 weeks after I emailed them. I half expected them to block me since I was expressing disappointment in their products when they were trying to advertise them at that point. Instead, they finally reached out to me and asked me if I had attempted to return the items to the store I bought them from and if I hadn't yet sent them back, if I could return the ones I was really upset with directly to them and they'd send me a surprise in the mail that I 'would be sure to love'. They set up a pick up (I didn't even have to print a label, the UPS pick up guy did that) and I sent back the packages that I thought were very poor in color as well as the white ones that had color from other sets rubbed off on them and kept the 6 that I felt were usable (even if the blue meant to be teal sets don't match their lines, I'll be able to use them with other company's offerings). I received a box in the mail today and uh...do they spy on me? There are a few things I'm not really over the moon about because I don't know how to use them (the mini pom pom paper clips) and some duplicates to things I already have (the big felt bows) but the tiny felt bows are DARLING and well, the rest of the box? It included 7 packages of their illustrated faith enamel hearts, 6 packages of the enamel doodads (the ones with arrows, photo corners, stars and a few hearts) and 5 packages of enamel dots. Enamels are pretty much my favorite embellishment that has EVER come around in the scrappy world and even if they had send me JUST those (or even just SOME of those) I would have been over the moon. They might have taken a while to reply and had to get a nudge from me on social media in order to do so, but their making it up to me has basically made my week!! I'm still sad that the puffies I was so excited about were a dud, but I don't own most of these enamels (I have a few of the illustrated faith sets, but not many) and they are a product with a nearly identical use as the puffies, so I'm happy that I have great products to use in their place.  |
|
|
|
Post by crystalb on Feb 18, 2017 0:41:52 GMT
Oh no! These were on my radar! I love enamel, stars and hearts oh my! I am so sorry they came out so badly! Please keep us posted!
|
|
|
|
Post by gigi333 on Feb 18, 2017 1:15:45 GMT
This sucks
Can you show us a pic please
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 18, 2017 1:44:04 GMT
This sucks Can you show us a pic please I tried, but it's really hard to photograph. The photos don't show the color difference well enough...I pulled ephemera to compare it with and it appears that I was wrong about the red...it is an honest representation, it just didn't seem like it paired with everything else. Honestly, though...these pictures will just look like I'm nit picky...but IRL, it's REALLY bad.   |
|
kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,408 
|
Post by kitbop on Feb 18, 2017 3:05:27 GMT
I had some puffy stickers through studio calico years ago that likewise were pale and uninteresting with white "edges" like yours.
Didn't use them much...
until I realized I could colour them with my copics. If you have alcohol markers, you can brighten these up/change the tone...
the ink may pool a bit on them, but if you get the strokes right they look OK. And if you mess up on the colouring, an alcohol wipe, or rubbing alcohol, will take you back to square one!
(and I can totally see how that orange is pale/drab compared to the tag colour!)
|
|
|
|
Post by Night Owl on Feb 18, 2017 3:11:20 GMT
I can see they are duller than their regular color line. I noticed they seem to really be focusing on their Illustrated Faith stuff, hopefully it won't be to the detriment of their regular lines.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 18, 2017 3:14:09 GMT
I had some puffy stickers through studio calico years ago that likewise were pale and uninteresting with white "edges" like yours. Didn't use them much... until I realized I could colour them with my copics. If you have alcohol markers, you can brighten these up/change the tone... the ink may pool a bit on them, but if you get the strokes right they look OK. And if you mess up on the colouring, an alcohol wipe, or rubbing alcohol, will take you back to square one! (and I can totally see how that orange is pale/drab compared to the tag colour!) I have colored some with my copics, but they will still have streaks because it doesn't apply perfectly. If it was a multi color set and I wanted to change 1 color in the set (like the pink ones from the Elle's Studio ones that I can't get enough of from last month's release) fine, but it's the entire package. Having to put the effort in when they aren't inexpensive is my biggest bother, you know? |
|
Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
|
Post by Loydene on Feb 18, 2017 3:24:58 GMT
This sort of issue is why I don't really care much for on-line shopping for scrap crap! There have been too many times when I'd see something on line, rush to the LSS (when we had one!) and just hate what I saw IRL! Little Yellow Bicycle -- I thought I would have to have every thing they made ... then I touched a new paper line and it was all ... plastic -- the papers were all coated with something that made them ICK!
|
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Feb 18, 2017 3:24:58 GMT
That's really disappointing scrapaddict702. Hope they'll sort it for you. |
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 18, 2017 3:38:59 GMT
This sort of issue is why I don't really care much for on-line shopping for scrap crap! There have been too many times when I'd see something on line, rush to the LSS (when we had one!) and just hate what I saw IRL! Little Yellow Bicycle -- I thought I would have to have every thing they made ... then I touched a new paper line and it was all ... plastic -- the papers were all coated with something that made them ICK! Their DT has been using them...makes me wonder if the proofs they received were better than the final batch ended up as unless it was corrected in editing (in which case, it's definitely deceitful). The ones from the DT projects looked like they should have and that's what made me excited for them. Because the color set they use is consistent, if they use a yellow star with a yellow paper and it looks the same, I should be able to expect that when I order them and get them in my hands. I *was* initially only concerned about the texture, but I didn't even inspect that because I was so upset by the color. :\ |
|
|
|
Post by gigi333 on Feb 18, 2017 7:18:35 GMT
This sucks Can you show us a pic please I tried, but it's really hard to photograph. The photos don't show the color difference well enough...I pulled ephemera to compare it with and it appears that I was wrong about the red...it is an honest representation, it just didn't seem like it paired with everything else. Honestly, though...these pictures will just look like I'm nit picky...but IRL, it's REALLY bad. Thanks im so disappointed I really was looking forward to this line especially the crosses which I thought would be great for christenings, communions and confirmations |
|
|
|
Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Feb 18, 2017 13:05:27 GMT
I can see what you mean by your photos.
I really hope the company makes this right.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Feb 18, 2017 13:42:09 GMT
Oh no! Thanks for letting us know. I don't think you are being too picky. They sounds awful.
I hope they have a good response for you!
|
|
Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
|
Post by Loydene on Feb 18, 2017 14:50:44 GMT
I do not intend to diminish your opinion or feelings in any respect -- and this is not an insignificant purchase based on the quantity that you bought -- and I hope that you receive some "satisfaction" from the store or manufacturer and also hope that you report the "end" of this story as well.
With that said - have you compared the products against the "in real life and light" current PAPER lines? I can see that neither the letters (that I also looked at) nor the puffy stickers are branded as "collection" specific - but I can also see that they "go with" the collections that are currently being distributed and marketed. So, have you compared the puffy stickers directly with the colors in the current collection? Sometimes our monitors are "off" and don't report the colors correctly. And the manufacturers sometimes change the "color ways" to beef up their selections. I can see the possibility that current colors might be different than earlier colors -- and you said you "pulled" the comparison paper product from what I would assume was your stash (that might be a misinterpretation on my part)
|
|
|
|
Post by sleepingbooty on Feb 18, 2017 15:06:03 GMT
ETA: Inspecting them again and most of the color at the edges on the red stars is coming off, so there are tons of white bits showing. Ugh, scrappy pet peeve of mine. I hate when I get a product in my hand and realise they're already showing signs of early onset old age. My brain immediately wanders off to "How will these look after a few years on a page?" territory and then I'm too bummed to use said product.  I hope you'll be able to get some better ones or reimbursed! |
|
|
|
Post by twillerbee on Feb 18, 2017 20:59:56 GMT
Oh no. I have a lot of those coming my way. |
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Feb 19, 2017 1:32:13 GMT
I do not intend to diminish your opinion or feelings in any respect -- and this is not an insignificant purchase based on the quantity that you bought -- and I hope that you receive some "satisfaction" from the store or manufacturer and also hope that you report the "end" of this story as well. With that said - have you compared the products against the "in real life and light" current PAPER lines? I can see that neither the letters (that I also looked at) nor the puffy stickers are branded as "collection" specific - but I can also see that they "go with" the collections that are currently being distributed and marketed. So, have you compared the puffy stickers directly with the colors in the current collection? Sometimes our monitors are "off" and don't report the colors correctly. And the manufacturers sometimes change the "color ways" to beef up their selections. I can see the possibility that current colors might be different than earlier colors -- and you said you "pulled" the comparison paper product from what I would assume was your stash (that might be a misinterpretation on my part) If you don't know that Bella Blvd designs their lines using the same colors throughout (with the idea that if you grab a piece of paper in 10 years that is brand new now, it will still match things that are brand new then) then it makes sense to use this as a 'what if' argument. But when something is designed with a color in mind for Bella Blvd, it is actually their intention for it to coordinate with all of their products...they don't need to be intended to be used with a specific line because they should go with everything already. Hopefully that makes sense. I'm still battling a head cold, so my explaining of things sounds perfectly fine in my head, but doesn't always make sense when I say it, lol. |
|
Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
|
Post by Loydene on Feb 19, 2017 14:22:12 GMT
I find it interesting that Bella Blvd, as stated above, doesn't use "shades" or "hues" but only the "same colors throughout". How does that fit within the design philosophies of contrast and depth?
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Mar 15, 2017 20:00:58 GMT
Update in OP.
|
|
cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,427
|
Post by cbscrapper on Mar 15, 2017 22:46:33 GMT
That's awesome! It's so nice to see a company go above and beyond to make a customer satisfied. |
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Mar 15, 2017 23:04:50 GMT
That's awesome! It's so nice to see a company go above and beyond to make a customer satisfied. Definitely! At first, all I saw under the filler paper were the bows and a single pack of enamels and I thought, 'oh great, they sent me a ton of old stuff that no one wants anymore' and then I moved the paper and picked up the package of enamels, saw more packages and started to move things around to see more because I was getting excited at that point and the enamels just kept going and going and going. I'm highly impressed!! I'm still not buying anymore of their puffy stickers, but I'm gladly buy other products of theirs.  One of the sets of enamel hearts is orange...not a color I think I'd ever expect to see in a heart shape for some reason...I can't wait to use them with my fun Bella Blvd and Doodlebug Halloween products. |
|
|
|
Post by artisticscrapper on Mar 15, 2017 23:44:02 GMT
Wow. I love when a company has great service but they really went all out for you. thanks for the update.
|
|
|
|
Post by houston249 on Mar 16, 2017 0:04:09 GMT
Thanks for the pdate. ACOT is one class act.
My last order from them came in a box that looked like the UPS guy had run over it. It was so bad I took pictures before I opened the box. I opened it up and not one thing was damaged! Everything was in pristine condition. Not a single dent or ding in my 12x12 papers. I also had enamel dots, stickers, flair and a bunch of other stuff that I can't remember right now. Not one thing was damaged! I was really impressed with the way they packed my order.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapaddict702 on Mar 16, 2017 0:18:11 GMT
Thanks for the pdate. ACOT is one class act. My last order from them came in a box that looked like the UPS guy had run over it. It was so bad I took pictures before I opened the box. I opened it up and not one thing was damaged! Everything was in pristine condition. Not a single dent or ding in my 12x12 papers. I also had enamel dots, stickers, flair and a bunch of other stuff that I can't remember right now. Not one thing was damaged! I was really impressed with the way they packed my order. ACOT is great, but Bella Blvd replaced the low quality items, ACOT didn't. Because I was disappointed with pretty much everything and the only items in my order were these puffies, I contacted the manufacturer (not ACOT's fault that Bella Blvd made and sold items that weren't the usual high quality products that they produce) instead of going to ACOT for a return. If you're not the only one that thought that...I might need to update my update, haha. |
|
|
|
Post by carolynhasacat on Mar 16, 2017 0:20:04 GMT
Great update, but did ACOT or did Bella Blvd make it right for you? I wasn't sure completely from your post. It sounds like Bella asked you to return the puffys back to them directly?
In either case, yay for customer service and happy surprises!
Edit: LOL, we were posting at the same time. Glad Bella made it right for you!
|
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Mar 16, 2017 5:11:45 GMT
Glad Bella B made it right for you scrapaddict702 and enjoy your fun goodies! |
|
|
|
Post by houston249 on Mar 16, 2017 14:19:18 GMT
[quote source="/post/1574310/thread" I contacted the manufacturer (not ACOT's fault that Bella Blvd made and sold items that weren't the usual high quality products that they produce) instead of going to ACOT for a return. If you're not the only one that thought that...I might need to update my update, haha. Thanks for letting me know it was Bella Blvd. |
|
|
|
Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Mar 16, 2017 14:25:17 GMT
I'm glad to read the update, and that the company tried to make things right by sending you other stuff.
|
|
One of the sets of enamel hearts is orange...not a color I think I'd ever expect to see in a heart shape for some reason...I can't wait to use them with my fun Bella Blvd and Doodlebug Halloween products.
