PTI stands for Papertrey Ink. This is a collective smack blog and Papertrey Ink review page. Papertrey Ink's continuously poor customer service has lead to a page dedicated to discussion of this stamp company and recommendations for alternative stamp companies. Minimal censorship here- I prefer to leave it up to posters' discretion.
The opinions posted on this blog belong to our visitors and we are not paid for our honest reviews ;)
I'm just saying - seeing people like you talk about Rick as if he was Mother Theresa is pathetic. At first I was annoyed reading those types of comments, but now I genuinely feel sorry for you. You can't see past his penis to realize that there is NO REASON for him to be posting on this board. Let him be a helpful caring person, but let him do it within his own company - not on a SMACK BOARD ABOUT THAT COMPANY.
I realize nothing I say will change the way you (and your fellow Rick Fans) think of, and that doesn't really matter.
I did learn one thing from you though... Now I know that if this economy doesn't improve by the time I graduate and if I ever want to run some kind of scam, all I have to do is pose as an ugly, fat IT guy and find my way to a message board with lonely middle aged women who have very low standards...
Again, ladies, this is not directed to all of you - some of you seem like very smart, professional women who can see right through this crap. This is for the women with blinders who are probably stamping thank you cards to Rick right now...
@17:31 on the last post - I agree with what you said.
I was pretty disappointed with the Customer Service I received and decided not to order for a while just because I don't want to deal with another issue, but whether they alienate customers or not, PTI will keep plugging along.
If I see something I LOVE I might order again, but I'd rather buy from someone on for sale/trade than from PTI - I know the money is inevitably going to PTI, but I'd rather give my money directly to a fellow stamper. Somehow it makes me feel a little better!
18:03, I think one woman said once that she'd go out with Rick if she could. So what. Many others are happy he helped them with CS issues. It's hardly infatuation.
You're way over the top on this. You seem more focused on Rick than any of us. I really can't see why you characterize the other women here so negatively. Chill out already.
Dana said... @17:31 on the last post - I agree with what you said.
I was pretty disappointed with the Customer Service I received and decided not to order for a while just because I don't want to deal with another issue, but whether they alienate customers or not, PTI will keep plugging along.
If I see something I LOVE I might order again, but I'd rather buy from someone on for sale/trade than from PTI - I know the money is inevitably going to PTI, but I'd rather give my money directly to a fellow stamper. Somehow it makes me feel a little better! ---------------------------------- I agree with you both. I just don't care anymore if PTI sinks or swims. One thing I have learned from them, I won't be walked over to get to something I want.
Um, going back to previous posts.. You know, where there was a link to NH post? That post was made in 2011 right? Because I was looking or a new post sigh.. Just making sure I'm on the same page as everyone else. Sorry.
Someone new on the forum writes about issues with cart dumping. Before the thread was locked, Nichole directed the OP to a previous thread regarding the subject, and then Rick posted this (bolding his): http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=35844
Maybe the "big changes" are that it will work the way it's supposed to for everyone?
It's the ridiculous lack of organization that bothers me. It's so hard to find anything! I will never go back to find anything from past releases. If I don't buy it the month that it's current, I never will.
I cannot stand the new website. Loved the old one.
I definitely didn't love the old site, but at least it was familiar. I knew how to navigate it, even though it was a pain (no direct links to individual dies?!).
My feeling is that a good site should work really well for the person who has never visited before, whether they're looking for something specific or just want to browse. The current site doesn't do either of those things well even for those of us who know the product lines. A good shopping site should entice people to buy, not get to wondering if they should go in the next room and fire up the DVR to watch the latest episode of Fly Fishing in 1900.
So Rick, I'm sure I'm not the only one dying to know. Is building an efficient, easy to navigate web site like rocket science? It must be! How did all those thousands of other web stores manage it?!
I am so sick of not being able to find anything in that darn store or finding something and finding the item has 3 different pictures with 3 different item numbers. After the post on the board with the tins, I went to look. It is ridiculous.
If you don't get it, then you obviously know nothing about what's going on around here...I am not trying to smack Lisa, if that is what you're fishing for. I am a big fan of her work.
No, I didn't think you were smacking. I'm the one who said, "your point is?"
She makes cards and she blogs. She's not with PTI anymore and other DT members post from other companies too anyway, so I don't know where her PTI (former) connection has anything to do with it.
SHe mentions, and had mentioned before, that she was looking forward to posting cards from other companies (in this post and in the previous post).
Again - SO? Lots of people use stamps from lots of companies and it looks like she does too.
So yeah.... your point is?
It's a cute card but beyond that I find nothing especially "interesting" about it.
p.s. from 10:07 -- I'm not trying to sound antagonistic. The post about Lisa using Kim Hughes' stamps sounded like someone trying to read too much into it.
Maybe I am trying to read too much into something, but damn isn't that what ya'll do over here? I just think it's odd that she has been too ill of injured to make a card for the last 6-8 weeks while with PTI, then within days of leaving PTI, her creativity is back and she is gushing over Kim Hughes and how nice she is, and her stamps are...and Lisa NEVER used anything but PTI.
I am also not trying to sound antagonistic but I also find it interesting. If you go through Lisa's blog for the past 5 years, it is rare that she will use anything that is from a company that she isn't getting paid to design for.
^^^wow finally an answer as to why it was interesting@@. you could have saved us all that time and effort if you would have explained it when it was first asked
What I read is that she is feeling much better with PTI and enjoyed stamping just for fun. She has stamps from lots of other companies and even lists other companies she likes in her sidebar.
Maybe what she blogged about was PTI and in part probably because as a stamp designer she also had more motivation to feature those designs in her blog.
We just read it differently. If she does move to another DT, they will be lucky to have her :) . I just didn't read this post as having any hidden clues.
Many dt's have personal blogs and business blogs. They often only share the personal blogs with their stamping with friends and keep the business ones in the public eye. This is the case with Lisa and several others.
So if the Poppy Paperie site we know from her PTI DT days is her business blog, then I guess I don't understand why she'd post anything there that wasn't for a design team.
So let's speculate because we are good at doing that. Lisa designs stamps. IF she goes to another company as a stamp designer, who do you THINK it might be?
OR, do you THINK that she might just stick with card designing for a while?
My vote is card designing. IF she wants to work in the industry she probably already has prospects.
lol at the people that think there is "a" Rick smacker. I'm not the one who posted earlier and I totally agree with everything the previous rick smacker said.
Some of you are quite embarrassing in your behavior towards him. And stupid and naive and whatever. He's not your friend and he's made a hash of the website. He's part of the overall problem over there and he can't bring himself to say a bad word about them. Ergo, he has no objectivity and is not to be trusted. Him being here is quite creepy and maipulative.
I'm not 18:03 or 12:11. And Rick you need to calm down, nobody is trying to drive you away. Just people commenting on (smacking on.. hey well isn't that the point of why we are here?) what they see. They see some pathetic behaviour of a few women and want to call them out. They see what you do Rick, and call you out. That is all. Nothing to get riled up about.
No one's deterring you from being here by commenting on your presence Rick. If you feel deterred by those comments then that is on you. I'm not a fan girl of yours and couldn't care less whether you post here or not. But how exactly could I deter you from being here even if I wanted to?
Oh come on. Smackers smack each other, smackers smack PTI, I mean, smackers are here to smack, right? Getting all butt hurt over it and imagining you have super seekrit special powers and can know a specific anonymous poster is spending "all their time" smacking on you? Ridiculous. Give it up.
12:45, that's just your opinion. I find it more than a little creepy. Esp. when he is obviously reading along all the time even when not posting, since more than once he has been around to help someone out right after they posted about a particular problem. And to throw a tantrum when someone posted something he didn't like. wtf?
So. I have a PTI customer service issue. Opened a zendesk ticket. Got a response in less than 48 hours. Apology for sending the wrong stuff. Very clear on how to send back the wrong stuff, the max I would be reimbursed for return shipping (not HOW, though. Wonder if they'll mail me postage stamps?) And I wasn't made to feel like I was lying - as some have felt in the past. IMO, GREAT customer service would've said, "You keep the wrong stuff and we'll send you the right stuff" - it was handled in a way that was okay. And yes, granted it was "only okay" and it wasn't "great" - it was better than experiences others have relayed in the past. I do wonder how long it will take the right stuff to get here. That will be the thing that determines if this goes from okay c/s to really bad or goes to something I would rate good/fair.
13:45, please let us know how it pans out for you - i.e., how long it takes to get the replacement item(s).
If receiving the wrong item was their fault, then I agree, great customer service would be them telling you to keep the wrong item(s) and send you the correct one(s). That's what I would expect from every other company I deal with.
13:52, they did close the ticket; however, I can reopen it by replying to it. I will reopen it if I don't have the right stuff within 10 business days. I'm close enough to OH that I think 10 business days is plenty of time for them to receive my return and me to receive the correct items.
13:57, they did not say "once we receive the wrong stuff we'll send the right stuff." I am assuming that is the way it works - but that is based on how I've seen them operate previously. It was the one thing not specifically covered in the reply. The reply said, "We'll send you the right stuff as soon as possible" I am hopeful (really, I am) that they won't make me hound them like ZenDeskDana had to. God-forbid my mail to them gets lost. I didn't send it priority so I didn't get delivery confirmation on it. Part of me thinks I should have sent it return receipt required yet the PollyAnna in me wants to extend the benefit of the doubt.
I agree with 9:16 that it IS interesting Lisa used Kim's stamps and "got the chance to play with them". I think we can all safely assume Lisa is being courted by MANY companies to design with them.
I think some of you (10:07) were being deliberately obtuse with the "what's your point?".
11:13, Poppy Paperie is Lisa's stamping blog. I don't know why you associate it PTI instead of her work. Do you honestly think she is going to make an entirely different blog just because she's moved on from PTI? Wha?????
Pretty plain to me. I didn't want to make assumptions. The person posted an observation - asking what the point was is perfectly logical.
I would not "safely assume" anything.
And the comment about the "business blog" is a direct response to the post right above it! SOMEONE ELSE said that she and others have a business blog (in her case PTI because as SOMEONE ELSE said it was all she blogged about there) and a personal stamping blog as well.
Apparently mine are the ONLY posts you've bothered to read because you took everything out of context - and the contexts were defined by others' posts.
I am so tired of all the meanness in the world. Exhausted, actually. No wonder our kids are in such bad shape--just look at their role models. Yes, they do watch you and they do know who you are.
The fact that Lisa hasn't made specific mention of what she'll be doing in place of PTI makes me think that she didn't leave PTI of her own accord. I think the excuse that she left because of her recent health problems is BS, too. If she's all of a sudden made this miraculous recovery a few days after leaving PTI tells me she got canned. But I guess it doesn't make any difference, other than to add this to the long list of cold hearted and asshole moves that PTI makes every single day!
I can't imagine why in the world they would have canned Lisa, unless she and the owners had personality differences. Weren't her stamps popular and bringing in the money? Wasn't her blog popular enough to bring in the hit count? What other reason would they have for letting her go?
Lisa has been in physical therapy almost daily for weeks. It has now been reduced to weekly. She feels better and has more time. We should be thankful for her.
What good reason does PTI have for doing anything EVER?! I saw her at SAF and it appeared to me that she wasn't part of "the cool kids" club with Dawn, Nichole and Mish. I noticed a lot of eye rolling and snickering, especially by Dawn and Mish, every time Lisa said anything. That whole group strikes me as a bunch of "mean girls.". Whatever the reason that PTI had if in fact they let her go, you can bet its a bunch of trumped up crap just to be mean and intolerant. I wish Lisa nothing but the best, and can't wait to see where she lands! If she's smart, she pulled all of her current art and is taking it somewhere where she's appreciated!!
Maybe they didn't like her because she's Mormon? I have my issues with that church, but that's no call to be unkind...ever. Some of my favorite PTI sets are Lisa's. I hope she does well.
16:19, by your response it is clear you don't know what obtuse means.
What I meant by: "I think some of you (10:07) were being deliberately obtuse with the "what's your point?"." Is that you knew darn well what her point was and you were playing dumb to stir up shit. That's what being deliberately obtuse means.
And I know you weren't 11:13, thus my starting a new paragraph with "11:13". Geesh, you crack me up.
Lisa never said that she left because of her health. Read her post again. People seem to be reading into the health thing on their own.
"I will continue to post various projects and keep you updated as to whatever is going on. I've got some great stamp sets from other companies that desperately need love too!With this change, I'm going to take it easy for a little while to spend time with my family and heal my body from the crazy past few months. :) It's been hard on them and this change brings a natural opening to do that."
Someone else noticed this too. Sounds to me that she was including that in her post because people had been emailing her about it. She had mentioned having health issues back in April too. At least she is posting something and I'm glad she is getting better. If PTI did let her go or even quit because of having health problems, shame on them! I've read her blog sine before she was was with them and I can't recall he going as long as she did without posting.
'Mean girls' are the way they are because they are insecure and not very bright. They need to be in 'packs' of their own kind to give each other confidence and making fun of other people makes them feel better about themselves. On their own, they are spineless.
"popular" translates to power, even if that power is a figment of their imagination. Somewhere along the line, someone or many someone's fed their ego, and they believed it. Plus, there's power in numbers, which is also the basis for bullying. Anyway you cut it, those "mean girls" at PTI are pretty smug about their "power" in the industry. What I also know is that you can be a popular girl one minute, and a nobody the next. So those smug PTI girls ought to consider that if Nichole could fire one DT member for any reason (no matter what the reason), they too could suffer the same fate. I'd be sleeping with one eye open if I were them.
Meanwhile, other stamping businesses go quietly about minding their business, keep great products coming, treat their employees customers well, and don't give a damn who's "in" and who's "out" at the "cool kids" table. They just care about quality products and service, keeping some folks employed in their business, and enjoy the sense of community the hobby can bring.
OK, did I miss something? Everyone keeps talking as if Lisa got fired... so far, I haven't seen anything that would lead me to believe that. I am so confused!
I was at SAF last year and didn't notice any eye-rolling by Dawn or Mish about Lisa (17:05). For the vast majority of the event, each designer was at her own Make-and-Take station. I just don't get all this obsession about who's one of the cool girls or in-crowd.
19:02 PTI wouldlove nothing more than to go quietly about there business. This blog is what is in position to pounce and holler out on every little issue. Maybe they would fade in the background if you stopped bringing attention to them.
speculation: in the absence of fact, it is natural to wonder. No harm in asking questions, unless one then takes the proposed possible answers for fact. Until we DO get truthful answers, the speculation will continue. Get used to it.
Oh come ON, people - do the math!! In light of Nichole's less than glowing "fond farewell" as well as Lisa's lack of gush, it's pretty obvious to me that she didn't leave PTI of her own accord. And she pretty much SAYS this was not her choice - "With this change, I'm going to take it easy for a little while to spend time with my family and heal my body from the crazy past few months. :) It's been hard on them and this change brings a natural opening to do that" I don't have to read between the lines to see that this was not a friendly departure. But it doesn't matter to me, either way. Lisa is a talented artist and designer, and just like the other previously dismissed designers (yes, I'm speculating - deal with it!), she will come out on top!!
Wow, 22:40, you're not reading between the lines, you're making up a whole new book! I don't think Lisa said anything in her blog post that makes it "obvious" that leaving was not her choice.
From Lisa's blog: "With this change, I'm going to take it easy for a little while to spend time with my family and heal my body from the crazy past few months. :) It's been hard on them and this change brings a natural opening to do that." I think you're choosing to interpret the "it's been hard on them" to be referring to PTI, where I would interpret it as referring to her injury and rehabilitation.
Smack all you like, but please don't call the rest of us idiots because we don't happen to agree with your wild guesses.
20:40, this is exactly how stories get started and accepted as fact. People surmise and then somehow twist things and attribute motives until they have made a case for a made-up story.IMO, that is wrong to do to people whether they know it is happening or not. It is worse than gossip, because it is made up gossip construed to put the worst light on something you know so little about.
I agree that saying "it's been hard" appears to refer to her health issues.
And I think because she refers to leaving PTI as "this change" that some people are assuming her passive tone means it was PTI's idea not hers. It is completely neutral and I don't think you can read anything into it.
Frankly, no matter the reason for her leaving, phrasing it this way is very diplomatic and if anything it suggest to me that it's really no one's business and she doesn't want to offer any more explanation. It was smart and I think people should just drop it.
Too much of the speculation stretches beyond an appreciation for a person's talent or work. Those that are discussing Lisa's personal situation ad nauseum are nothing but nosy busybodies.
Commenting, sometimes vehemently :), about PTI's business practices is what I thought this was all about. Not picking apart people's personal lives. And don't give me - oh, she's on a DT so she set herself up for this by being a public person. That doesn't hold water. What SHE chooses to put out there related to her business activities is fair game - but as for all the rest, private is private. It's no one else's business why she left PTI.
I think they cost $5 to the demos. And have a suggested cost of $10, at least that is what the cost was a couple years ago when I was friends with a demo.
The SU catalog will still come out once a year. It's smaller, but the seasonal catalogs will be larger than they used to be. The cost to the customer for the new catalog is only $5, and to me, it's not really all that much smaller than it used to be. Disclaimer: I used to be a demonstrator, but haven't been for a couple of years. This is just information that I read on SCS. I have a copy of the new catalog, and it's got a lot more things in it that are tempting to me than the last few catalogs.
Chris - so if the catalog costs the customer $5, does it cost the demonstrators $2.50? I ask because "my" demonstrator is really really shady. I'm having a SU party next month and I know I'll get a catalog for free, but the people I invite always want to take the catalog home with them (they're used to this from other parties with catalogs - you usually get to take it home and decide on your stuff) Well, my demo doesn't let people take it home even to borrow, they have to buy it, so I wanted to see if she would let me buy a bunch at cost from her to let people take home if they wanted. But, when I asked her she told me the catalogs cost the same that they used to (for her)... probably time for a new demo, eh? :/
The catalog will be online June 1st. The link to the catalog was leaked here a couple weeks ago. Go back to May 9th. (I can't be bothered, hah.) Good luck with your party next month! (yeah I think I'm talking to more than one person here.)
I don't think Chris is correct. The cost to the public is usually $5 to $10 depending on the demo. Because the cost to them is $5 and some demos charge their cost and others double it as SU suggests. I don't think the cost went down in the last 2 years and I know for a fact the demo cost was $5 then.
Quoting Jan Tinklenberg, who has been a demo forever:
"Demonstrators will be able to receive their first copy in their first demo order they place on May 7th and after. They will also be able to see the catalog online on May 7th, but they are not supposed to post it on any other websites including this one. Otherwise, customers will be able to view the online catalog on June 1st.
However, if you have a demo, you can ask her to send one to you directly. We now have the capability to preorder individual catalogs for our customers and have them sent from SU! to you. Customer catalogs ordered in this manner will be mailed on May 14th. You would pay $5 to have one mailed to you, as that is what it costs your demo to send it."
So you can get it mailed directly from SU for just $5. They always charged $10 for that in the past. I just checked my copy of the catalog to see what retail price is printed on the back this time. The answer: it's not printed on there any more.
And quoting from another demo on SCS (username joypup): "I am trying to understand -- I am a hobby demo for SU -- I see that a box of 8 Catalogs sells for $15 plus shipping, but a single can be mailed to a customer in bulk for $5 --"
The price to demos when I was a demo was $32 plus shipping for a box of 8 catalogs. This person said that the current demo price is $15 plus shipping for 8.
I'm 10:52 - thanks. I knew the cost went down. So maybe I can ask her if I can pay the $15+ shipping for 8 catalogs. Not trying to keep her from making money here, but she is just so shady when it comes to that stuff. I've seen her give people her old stuff when they wanted to order new stuff... like a certain punch or marker - if she didnt want it she would take their money like they were placing an order and then give them her old one. I know it's pretty shady, but I like having parties for the fun of it (not necessarily cos I like the stampin up stuff) and I'd feel bad finding a new demo - there are not many in this area, and the others are part of her "line"
Wow, that is low of that SU demo to palm off her old punches, etc to people. I'd try to find a new demo, but it IS awkward if the others are part of her downline.
While you can certainly ask your demo if she'll sell you catalogs at her cost, it's well within her rights and SU's guidelines to refuse. Why in the world would you have a party just to have a party, if you don't particularly like the products? There are plenty of party-plan companies out there to choose from. Please tell me you're not one of those hostesses who tells her friends, "Just come to the party. You don't have to buy anything." Demonstrators make so little that it's really an insult and a waste of their time to do a party when the guests have been "prepped" like that. Not saying that's what you do, but I've been the victim of it multiple times with two different direct sales companies. It's part of what soured me on the concept.
PS, and not to complicate things for you, but when you have a party and introduce your friends to this demo, you are sort of recommending her to your friends . . . they will think they can trust her . . . so your reputation with your friends is a bit on the line too, unless you warn them, but that's awkward too . . .
Forgot to say, good luck finding any demonstrator who will sell you a bunch of catalogs at cost. Their training (rightly, IMHO) says that if someone wants to get demonstrator benefits, that someone should be actively recruited.
The reason I wanted the catalogs, was not to keep - I wanted to offer to pay for the catalogs so she could let the people at my party take them home to look over, and if she did't get them back, then she wasn't out any money. I don't want to just buy the catalogs at her cost to get a good deal on them - what am I going to do with 8 catalogs? I just want her to be more accommodating to the people at my party.
Chris, no, I don't particularly like SU's stuff anymore, but a lot of my friends and family LOVE it and don't like hosting the parties. I always do a show when the new catalog comes out and at Christmas time and my shows are always over $1000.00. So, I don't know exactly how much the demo makes on my party, but it's a decent amount of money. So, I can assure you, it is not a waste of time for her - she is the one who always asks me when I'm going to have my party when it gets close to that time of year.
I get your point about my using her as a demo tells my friends that I trust her - I never thought of it that way.
I didn't want to mention too much about it before, but I have known this person for about 20 years and while she is very nice, she is very very cheap when it comes to being a demo, but because I have known her for so long I feel very uncomfortable going with someone else.
Funny, Chris, you're someone on here who I've seen telling people not to make assumptions about people from PTI etc. but you are making an awful lot of them about me.
Nope, I wasn't making assumptions about you at all. I was asking questions based on what you had said (don't care for the product, etc.) and admittedly colored by my personal experiences as a demo as well as lots of stories I've heard from other demos and former demos. If you have $1000 parties, completely disregard anything I've asked. Most demos would give their right arm for a $1000 party.
Chris - yeah, I'm not trying to be snarky - I did read over my other posts and realized they weren't clear, but I didn't want to give too much info because I wouldn't want to hurt my demo's feelings if she somehow found her way to this board (she does look at Nichole's blog, so who knows) ... Like I said, she is a nice person who I have known for a long time, but a terribly "cheap" demo - uses elmers glue sticks instead of snail adhesive, will give you the evil eye if you punch from the middle of the paper etc. Thats why I thought if I offered to give her enough to cover some extra catalogs she might let my friends borrow them - they don't want to keep them, just can't always decide what to get that night of the party, ya know?
Oh, and I've thought about being a demo - with my two big parties, it almost covers the quota I'd have to meet - and every time I mention it she kind of talks me out of it. I assumed its because she makes more money off my parties than she would if I was a low level demo myself.
Anyway - thanks for the input about catalog cost etc. still not sure if I'll bring it up to her or not.
Maybe one of your family members who likes SU things would like to sign up as a demo, and then you could use HER as your demo. You know, support your family member in her new business, it would hurt her feelings if you didn't, etc. Might be an out for you.
SU lowered the price of the catalogs for the new books coming out in June to try to get them in the hands of more people.
I don't understand though, if you think your demo is shady and cheap then why do you continue to work with her? There are tons of demos out there who would love to have your business.
I always give a free catalog to a hostess and have a few available for sale at a workhop. I'm not in a position where I can distribute them freely. I've never had a hostess request to purchase a box for a party.
Having hosted a ton of workshops I don't see how this would really help. It's ideal to fill the seats and let the demonstrator do their thing. I've found if people have seen the catalog they may be turned off and not even want to come to the party. Sometimes you have to see the stuff in action.
I think this hostess intends to have the catalogs at the party and then let the attendees take them home to look at for a day or two before they place their order. It sounds like most of her attendees are already familiar with SU in general.
Even with the bulk pricing I wanted to say that I will be selling copies for $5 if a customer wants though as that's what I've been charging to have them mailed.
I think there is a $99 demo sign up going on now and you can customize your kit (order $125 worth of product, pay $99). That's what I'd be doing. Your demo makes 20% off your orders.
If you don't want to make money off your friends and family, just consider your 20% commission to cover the tax and shipping. Everybody wins.
And remember that 20% does not take into account that for the make and takes she uses her own supplies and so actually probably makes about 9-13% at each party. WAY poor pay, imo.
For any home sales business, it is preferred that orders be placed AT the actual party. Letting someone leave with a catalog and a promise to "be in touch" is like letting $$ walk out the door. (most of the time) I understand that weeding through 200 pages of products and having time to create projects takes time, but the demo may be sensitive to wanting the orders confirmed at the show. Plus, it makes it easier for her to calculate hostess rewards, etc. instead of constantly trying to chase people down.
I love Lisa's work and will miss her contributions to PTI. I have found her a bit 'flighty' when seeing her (on videos), so maybe that's why some people were eyerolling at SAF?
On the other hand, I do think there's probably some 'mean girls' at PTI. Anyone remember a post someone (maybe Dawn?) did about a weekend spent with Nichole and Mish just hanging out and stamping/eating/etc? They did this game they called 'senior photos' or something like that, making ridiculous poses and taking pictures of eachother and then laughing at them? It struck me as totally uncouth - like I imagined they may have gone through old yearbooks and made fun of people's photos. Total speculation, but this is a smack blog.
trust me - my demo does not spend 10%+ of a $1000 party in the make and takes lol. Like I said, she uses 10 cent glue sticks for adhesive - if we even use it. she generally does single layer cards and forget using embellishments. She is cheap, cheap, cheap. Like I said, I've known her for 20+ years, so that's why she's still my demo, if she was a stranger and did a party like that, I wouldn't use her again.
I totally understand about letting a sale walk out the door - but she is SO disorganized that we never get finished the projects in time for people to look through their catalogs before they need to get home. The people who want to take a catalog and go home to look it over but aren't "allowed to" do not end up placing an order.
Honestly, if I saw the catalog for the first time that night, I wouldn't place an order either - it's too much to look at.
Seriously - this is not your typical "party" situation. I appreciate everyone's comments defending her practices as a demonstrator, but I guarantee you would be appalled at the disorganization and frugality if you attended one of her parties.
The only reason I still use her is because it has become a "tradition" that I do these parties and I'm sure she looks forward to the income.
19:44 - lately maybe 20% of the comments being made have anything to do with business ethics, LOL! That post was no weirder than hundreds of others here.
Oh, boy, 20:02. I feel for you because I know it's hard when dealing with someone you've known a long time BUT. . . .
I think she's taking advantage of you. Obviously you know she's a terrible demo. Selling used items as new? I'm pretty sure SU wouldn't be pleased to hear about that.
I strongly agree with the person who said you are basically endorsing this person as a demo and really doing a disservice to friends and family you bring to the parties.
It sounds like you would be just as well off doing a book party - get one catalog, or two (even if you have to purchase them from her), pass the book(s) around over a week or so and get your orders together. (And if you aren't comfortable using other demos in your area, then just choose one online to order from. She hasn't earned your business.)
If she's as cheap as you say, you probably aren't getting much hands on time with the products anyway. I just don't see where she provides you with any service at all. Having a good demo would be an entirely different experience.
someone is selling a whole bunch of pti products (or several people, i didn't look at the individual names) and they have marked the prices way up. an impression plate for $20 plus shipping?? the new frame #4 stamp set plus die for $10 plus shipping?
??? where did that come from?? lisa j. does not seem flighty at all to me!! she seems to have her head screwed on just fine and seems to be quite a classy and professional woman.
22:40 from May 21, I agree about reading between the lines with Lisa and NH's farewell comments. I agree that this was less than a friendly departure. Reminds me of how I felt when Lauren left. It doesn't matter and I know we will see Lisa rise above whatever happened. Wishing her the best.
I think the ladies who want SU info would be able to get their questions answered on Splitcoast.
About the yearbook photos, that was at the Orlando CHA, I think, and it was just Mish being her funny self. We can all laugh at staged senior photos, maybe our own, doesn't mean they're being "mean girls."
I really think if you read Nichole's goodbye to Lisa ad Jen E side by side you'll see why we are reading more into it. Nichole doesn't mention herself at all in Lisa's ( I will miss you or I appreciate your contributions or somethjng) Can't really speculate much on Lisa's-she usually vague-ish about personal stuff on her blog
6:18, you bring up a good point. I remember JE's farewell post and it was really gushy. Lisa's farewell was vastly different. I wonder if NH simply has favorites on her team and if you aren't a fave you get the bare minimum attention from her. IF that is the case it would be a weird behavior from a business owner.
This is why I like to hang out with guys. There is no making things up, reading between the lines, attributing motives where there are none, analyzing every facial expression, and surmising things until you have made up a story that is more real to you than reality and treat people according to your made up story. We really need to get a grip with this sort of thing, ladies. We do so much damage to society and relationships with this behavior.
I upgraded my Firefox to 12 and now my cart stays put. Wow, so much drama (and work required on MY end) to get a damn shopping cart to keep all the crap I put in it.
Thanks, other smacker, for helping get to the bottom of it when PTI (Rick) won't (or can't.)
I never heard back from Impress about my dry ink pads. Sent 2 emails. Called once. Not going to bother with it any longer. But I am going to save myself any future hassles by not ordering anything else from them either. Will they notice or care? I presume no and no.
But there are many other fish in the ink pad sea. I'll just stick with the ink pads available at Joann's.
I don't understand why Impress is not responding. I have dealt with them for years and never had a problem. In fact, they always have gone above and beyond.
In the PTI forum question about why some dies cost so much more, Amanda is literally right on the money. The pricing is in direct relation to how many they can get on a sheet - the bigger the die, the more sheets they have to make for the quantity they need.
Disclaimer: I have no inside information as to PTI's manufacturer or costs -- these are generalizations based on a passing knowledge of manufacturing. These are NOT hard cold facts for PTI, just an educated guess.
They probably have to pay a graphic setup fee. Then there is certainly a minimum sheet run (but maybe as low as 2), with the charge by sheet, with discounts for a higher quantity of sheets.
I would suspect that a typical die, probably costs around $3.75 to manufacture.
So as an example, and because it's one of the first dies listed and I'm not hunting around the site ;) -- the largest in the beautiful blooms 1 set is 2-1/4. If you just use the sq. in. area for sheet and shape, you'd get just under 150 for two sheets. Possibly less because it's round (more wasted space). They probably cost around $3 ea. to make but less depending on quantity. The two smaller dies in that set would cost less because there are more per sheet.
If the smallest is around $1.50 to make, and the middle one is $2, plus the $3 for the largest one, that's $6.50 to manufacture. I'd round up to $7 or $7.50 because my calculations could be off, but I'm also basing this on a minimum order. The set and the retail cost is $14. Around 50% markup - not a bad profit, especially if they do large quantities and it costs less to make them.
Ha- here goes Nichole again letting the customers do the work for her, asking about what they want for Christmas products.
It seems to me that they have a thread for stamp set suggestions somewhere. And after 5 years in the business, when they were considered a leader in innovation and ideas, haven't they learned enough to wow the customer?
And really - they are going to wade through all of these comments and make some kind of cohesive list? And it's only info from the people who post in the forum - are they the common denominator among stampers?
TO me this kind of "surveying" just doesn't ring true - it always looks like lip service (from anyone, not just PTI). Maybe if they sent a survey with boxes to check in their newsletter, I'd think they could somehow use the info. Otherwise I guess Nichole might read through them and come up with an impression and maybe one great idea that she can call her own later.
Or is this just a ploy so they can come back and say - we are doing this because this is what customers asked for! ???
I have something to add to the person who wrote about the dies. Those setup fees would probably be a one-time-only charge! Anything after that and the profit margin would be fantastic. Big dies must have a huge profit margin.
Why not ask customers what they want??? Again, this is picking at something that is a common business practice. I was on an SU Customer advisory group for a year and they listened to us.
Clear and Simple Stamps just lost a sale. I get an error that says "this is not a valid category" when I try to buy House Notes II and there is no way to contact the store (that I can find) through the website.
Damn, lol. Thanks. When I hovered over "Contact us" a drop down menu appeared but there didn't actually seem to be a way to contact them. It wasn't until I clicked on the "contact us" instead that an email option appeared.
It is ridiculous and petty to smack Nichole for the Christmas stamping thread. She asked about more than stamp set ideas, she asked about stamping habits, projects or tags, etc. Makes total sense to listen to what customers want.
FYI: SU demos make 20% instant income, and can earn more depending on volume rebates and downline overrides.
I am a hobby demo, and in the end it really just works out to free shipping and no taxes. However, if you like their card stock, matching embellishments and punches, I would encourage anyone to join up. Even if you know you only want to put in a $100 order, the starter kit gives you $25 more in product and it ships for free. You have no obligations after that.
This is a smack blog. If the nature of the blog WASN'T to be gossipy, then no one would post as Anon. Why would anyone care to critique PTI business practices under their own names?
IMO, SU is about 40% overpriced to begin with so 20% profits means SU is still making big, big bucks off the demos who have to purchase mountains of SU products in order to sell SU products. Really, SU basically has you working darned hard for free for them.
Selling something that cost you $7 for $14 is NOT a 50% markup. 50% markup would mean selling a $7 item for $10.50.
It's a 100% markup, and that is standard for most brick and mortar businesses.
Most internet retailers sell at lower margins than brick and mortar businesses, so PTI is definitely killing it. Lord knows they're not reinvesting all this profit in employees.
My opinion is that Julie, Jane and Nichole are just sucking every last penny out of the place and will run it into the ground at some point.
Well I guess I will give my opinion on the thread from Nichole wanting ideas for Christmas. I think some of you need to remember this IS a smack blog, and if someone wants to smack they are allowed. Ridiculous and petty for smacking that thread? I don't agree, but that is my opinion. It wasn't that long ago that everyone was smacking the last thread that Nichole had wanting ideas. Why doesn't PTI concentrate on that atrocity they call a web site? Instead it is FULL steam ahead, like everything is fine. Just my two cents!
17:43, I want to put in a $200 SU order from the new catalog. Are you saying I should sign up to be a demo and they will ship my stuff for free AND let me put those items toward my demo kit? Heck yeah.
Can new demos place orders from the new catty yet?
You can now choose whatever you like for your starter kit; in the US, that means $125 worth of product for $99, and free shipping. You need to wait until June 1st to choose items from the new catty.
You won't be able to order $200 worth of stuff on your starter kit order, however. If you choose to do a second order, I believe that your first demo order over $150 qualifies for an additional 10% in instant income - 30% total discount. You will pay tax and shipping on that order, though. If you wait until July first to place your first order (after you order your starter kit) you will also be able to pre-order from the mini that starts on August 1.
^^^ WOW! Consider me flabbergasted. I thought Cath E only ever mentioned PTI or things that reminded her of PTI. Maybe there is hope for those cult-followers.
you who are posting about SU, remember as a demo, whether you do it for money or not, you have to sign a clause that you will not use other company products in any public forum. You can't recommend other products in any public forum. Say you want to hold a workshop or just a gathering of your friends, you can't talk up or use any other products. This is why so many of us left SU a couple of years ago.
7:33, How do they enforce that. A company can say anything they want but it won't hold up under law. SU can say that you can only wear the color pink to the grocery store but no legal entity would support that. Have they enforced it? And if so, how?
On the other hand, I see many, many fewer SU blogs out there all the time.
7:33 It is not that you can't USE other products, it is that you cannot PROMOTE other products. i.e. you can't link to another site saying "Go buy this here"
Also, it isn't a big deal to me, as I am a hobby demo. I just want the discount. However, if you have a blog and are on design teams, I could see that it would impact you.
So SU has detectives reading all blogs and then turning it over to attorneys if they dare say the word, "Hero Arts" on their blog. How many people has this happened to and what has been their punishment??
I used to hear about it happening to people -- SU kicking them out because they actively promoted other companies on their blogs.
At first the new IDA sounded like you couldn't mention anyone else. Then they made a clarification that you just can't provide links to other places. They also strongly suggested that if you were trying to sell and promote SU, was it really in your own best interest to provide information about competitors.
I don't know about CTMH but with Amuse you just can't promote other "home party based papercrafting companies." Much more fair.
There are sadly quite a few SU demos who get really excited about turning in other demos and sellers on ebay when they see a 'violation'. I saw it all the time when I was a demo and part of the forums. It was crazy how twisted their panties got over some of that stuff. If you just want to be a hobby demo and just buy from yourself for the discount, then you won't need to advertise for SU on your blog---so really, nobody else will know you're a demo. So I'd say keep using your other products as you want to. It's just those demos that find a blog that shows the person is a demo and is using other products who will turn you in. If they don't know, then no problem!
Someone on the forum has complained about shipping time. Oh dear. Here's the post:
I have noticed that if my order includes card stock it comes via UPS and if it doesn't, it comes USPS. As I've said on another thread, I've placed 4 orders in the last 2 weeks Or so and I haven't received any of them and I'm getting really inpatient waiting on them. I didn't pay shipping on any of them. PTI really has some work to do with regards to getting these orders out to their customers in my opinion. I appreciate the free shipping on $70.00 or more, however the shipping time is getting to be a joke. I also wish I could pay a little extra so I could get it delivered in a timely manner of that's what is needed. I don't see any difference if I pay or not my package is usually always late, I've even thought that it's been lost a few times. I place several orders in the last few weeks with other stamp companies (SU, paper smooches, Gina k etc) and get them within a few days of placing my orders I just don't understand why PTI can't do the same. PTI is my absolute favorite store, the DT is amazing in fact everything is amazing that PTI offers except the shipping. Come on PTI!!! (I know you have it in you to step up on the delivery end)
Italics mine to note the beginning and end of the quote.
6:59, Cath has many non-PTI stamps featured all the time.
24 May 2012 08:54 ^^^ I was just gonna say this. 6:59, clearly you don't read Cath's Moxie Fab blog. There is almost nothing about PTI on it. She always focuses on fresh "Fab" new trends. I think you are stuck about 5 years ago.
Wow, 48 hours later? I thought 72 was good (timing from order to delivery last week). I ordered afternoon of the 15th - so pre-release - and received it on the 18th. I was pleased with that time frame since once before I ordered on the 14th and it took two weeks. There are *some* improvements there but I wonder how much of that has to do with fewer people ordering or people ordering less? Or are there really improvements in the warehouse?
6:59 here. Thanks for pointing out that Cath features other products. I admit, I wrote her off a while ago with the perception that she was too much in bed w/ NH. I used to really enjoy her blog so I will give it a fresh start.
10:43 You are so right. One time (at band camp, ha!) some ladies I worked with had and auction to help a fire victims family. A demo made a beautiful basket of things decorated with Stampin Up and sold tickets as a raffle. Well someone called SU and reported hee and her up line contacted her and told her she couldnt do that and she took the basket off auction. (this was about 15 years ago)
I haven't purchased stamps from Beeswax, but they used to have the best price on EZ Mount foam sheets. (I don't think they don't sell it any more.) I've bought from them several times in the past and always had a good experience.
those beeswax stamps aren't my crafting style but I can appreciate how beautifully intricate they are!! someone put a lot of time into those pieces of art.
Can someone tell me if Papertrey dies have the pin holes for easy removal? I have some of the older PTI dies and they did not have them. If anyone has the double ended banner dies, I'm specifically shopping for that with laser pin holes as WPlus9 is out of stock. Thanks.
Love Beeswax. I don't use much of the Stampscape-style stamps, where you piece together a scene. But they have plenty of good ones to use on their own. I've never had any trouble with them.
Just want to give a shout out to Julie in customer service for replying to a question within 30 minutes!!! I am so impressed and grateful as I have now been able to get on and place an order for my hubby to collect on his trip to the states next week. Will miss him of course but now even more reason to welcome him home.
So I ordered my flip flop stamps from scrapping nutty or whatever that store was that someone posted here before PTI's last release and I received them 2 or 3 days later.
I used them for a couple of cards and I'm already bored with them.
So glad I didn't pay $24 for them from PTI.
How angry would PTI be if I put them on the FSOT board??? Hahahaha!
I had the Farm stamp set in my cart and two dies (the barn and another one that big that I can't remember the name of). I went all the way through the process and got to confirming the order -- and I thought about that stamp set plus the $6.95 for shipping, and just couldn't do it. I just couldn't pay $30 for that one set.
And I looked at the dimensions for the cool sunny/hilly background - it's pretty darn small. I think the closeups of the cards gives a false impression. Not that anyone is being deceitful! They do give you the dimensions and they do show the card full size. It's just that in my mind it was so much more impressive than that. Then I actually measure out those dimensions and see it's so small. I think I can develop my own stamped background similar to that.
Maybe I'll still buy that set one day - if they ever come up with enough ideas that I want to buy enough to qualify for free shipping. Prospects for that are looking dismal.
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I'm not bitter or angry and I do stamp.
I'm just saying - seeing people like you talk about Rick as if he was Mother Theresa is pathetic. At first I was annoyed reading those types of comments, but now I genuinely feel sorry for you. You can't see past his penis to realize that there is NO REASON for him to be posting on this board. Let him be a helpful caring person, but let him do it within his own company - not on a SMACK BOARD ABOUT THAT COMPANY.
I realize nothing I say will change the way you (and your fellow Rick Fans) think of, and that doesn't really matter.
I did learn one thing from you though... Now I know that if this economy doesn't improve by the time I graduate and if I ever want to run some kind of scam, all I have to do is pose as an ugly, fat IT guy and find my way to a message board with lonely middle aged women who have very low standards...
Again, ladies, this is not directed to all of you - some of you seem like very smart, professional women who can see right through this crap. This is for the women with blinders who are probably stamping thank you cards to Rick right now...
Since I have never seen his penis, I don't know how your comment makes any sense.
Happy Eighth Grade Graduation! Enjoy grade 9. It was my favorite in the olden days.
@17:31 on the last post - I agree with what you said.
I was pretty disappointed with the Customer Service I received and decided not to order for a while just because I don't want to deal with another issue, but whether they alienate customers or not, PTI will keep plugging along.
If I see something I LOVE I might order again, but I'd rather buy from someone on for sale/trade than from PTI - I know the money is inevitably going to PTI, but I'd rather give my money directly to a fellow stamper. Somehow it makes me feel a little better!
When did smack start to equal hate?
18:03, I think one woman said once that she'd go out with Rick if she could. So what. Many others are happy he helped them with CS issues. It's hardly infatuation.
You're way over the top on this. You seem more focused on Rick than any of us. I really can't see why you characterize the other women here so negatively. Chill out already.
LOL, someone is jealous.
I agree with 18:29.
Dana said...
@17:31 on the last post - I agree with what you said.
I was pretty disappointed with the Customer Service I received and decided not to order for a while just because I don't want to deal with another issue, but whether they alienate customers or not, PTI will keep plugging along.
If I see something I LOVE I might order again, but I'd rather buy from someone on for sale/trade than from PTI - I know the money is inevitably going to PTI, but I'd rather give my money directly to a fellow stamper. Somehow it makes me feel a little better!
----------------------------------
I agree with you both. I just don't care anymore if PTI sinks or swims. One thing I have learned from them, I won't be walked over to get to something I want.
anyone else think the angry rick smacker is julie? lol
number 12...................YES!!!
Um, going back to previous posts.. You know, where there was a link to NH post? That post was made in 2011 right? Because I was looking or a new post sigh.. Just making sure I'm on the same page as everyone else. Sorry.
Someone new on the forum writes about issues with cart dumping. Before the thread was locked, Nichole directed the OP to a previous thread regarding the subject, and then Rick posted this (bolding his): http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=35844
I'm wondering what the big changes are.
Maybe the "big changes" are that it will work the way it's supposed to for everyone?
It's the ridiculous lack of organization that bothers me. It's so hard to find anything! I will never go back to find anything from past releases. If I don't buy it the month that it's current, I never will.
I cannot stand the new website. Loved the old one.
I definitely didn't love the old site, but at least it was familiar. I knew how to navigate it, even though it was a pain (no direct links to individual dies?!).
My feeling is that a good site should work really well for the person who has never visited before, whether they're looking for something specific or just want to browse. The current site doesn't do either of those things well even for those of us who know the product lines. A good shopping site should entice people to buy, not get to wondering if they should go in the next room and fire up the DVR to watch the latest episode of Fly Fishing in 1900.
So Rick, I'm sure I'm not the only one dying to know. Is building an efficient, easy to navigate web site like rocket science? It must be! How did all those thousands of other web stores manage it?!
I use Safari on my Macbook Pro and my cart has stayed updated for the last 2 weeks.
Why is PTI's website such a joke? Big changes my ass!
Lather, rinse, repeat!
Whoa! So today Lisa posts a card on her blog using Kim Hughes stamps...
and your point is?
You don't find that interesting?
I am so sick of not being able to find anything in that darn store or finding something and finding the item has 3 different pictures with 3 different item numbers. After the post on the board with the tins, I went to look. It is ridiculous.
That is interesting about Lisa. Thank you for mentioning it anon 9:16. :-)
Why is that interesting about Lisa? I don't get too^^^
If you don't get it, then you obviously know nothing about what's going on around here...I am not trying to smack Lisa, if that is what you're fishing for. I am a big fan of her work.
No, I didn't think you were smacking. I'm the one who said, "your point is?"
She makes cards and she blogs. She's not with PTI anymore and other DT members post from other companies too anyway, so I don't know where her PTI (former) connection has anything to do with it.
SHe mentions, and had mentioned before, that she was looking forward to posting cards from other companies (in this post and in the previous post).
Again - SO? Lots of people use stamps from lots of companies and it looks like she does too.
So yeah.... your point is?
It's a cute card but beyond that I find nothing especially "interesting" about it.
p.s. from 10:07 -- I'm not trying to sound antagonistic. The post about Lisa using Kim Hughes' stamps sounded like someone trying to read too much into it.
Maybe I am trying to read too much into something, but damn isn't that what ya'll do over here? I just think it's odd that she has been too ill of injured to make a card for the last 6-8 weeks while with PTI, then within days of leaving PTI, her creativity is back and she is gushing over Kim Hughes and how nice she is, and her stamps are...and Lisa NEVER used anything but PTI.
I am also not trying to sound antagonistic but I also find it interesting. If you go through Lisa's blog for the past 5 years, it is rare that she will use anything that is from a company that she isn't getting paid to design for.
That isn't smacking. We are just interested.
^^^wow finally an answer as to why it was interesting@@. you could have saved us all that time and effort if you would have explained it when it was first asked
What I read is that she is feeling much better with PTI and enjoyed stamping just for fun. She has stamps from lots of other companies and even lists other companies she likes in her sidebar.
Maybe what she blogged about was PTI and in part probably because as a stamp designer she also had more motivation to feature those designs in her blog.
We just read it differently. If she does move to another DT, they will be lucky to have her :) . I just didn't read this post as having any hidden clues.
10:41 - good point but also I kind of figured that's what she was getting at. I just didn't want to assume anything from the "Whoa!" post.
LOL! That comment directed to 10:41 is directed to the first 10:41 from the second 10:41!
I'm not used to being on here when others are!
CRAP! AND Lisa is feeling much better with PT *NOT* PTI!
Taking a break........
Many dt's have personal blogs and business blogs. They often only share the personal blogs with their stamping with friends and keep the business ones in the public eye. This is the case with Lisa and several others.
So if the Poppy Paperie site we know from her PTI DT days is her business blog, then I guess I don't understand why she'd post anything there that wasn't for a design team.
Is it just me, or did SCS used to be more interesting? I am finding it very boring now. Do people just spend more time on blogs?
So let's speculate because we are good at doing that. Lisa designs stamps. IF she goes to another company as a stamp designer, who do you THINK it might be?
OR, do you THINK that she might just stick with card designing for a while?
My vote is card designing. IF she wants to work in the industry she probably already has prospects.
Isn't today's MIM almost identical to the one last week?
lol at the people that think there is "a" Rick smacker. I'm not the one who posted earlier and I totally agree with everything the previous rick smacker said.
Some of you are quite embarrassing in your behavior towards him. And stupid and naive and whatever. He's not your friend and he's made a hash of the website. He's part of the overall problem over there and he can't bring himself to say a bad word about them. Ergo, he has no objectivity and is not to be trusted. Him being here is quite creepy and maipulative.
no creepier than you focusing all of your thoughts and efforts on deterring me from being here...
I'm not 18:03 or 12:11. And Rick you need to calm down, nobody is trying to drive you away. Just people commenting on (smacking on.. hey well isn't that the point of why we are here?) what they see. They see some pathetic behaviour of a few women and want to call them out. They see what you do Rick, and call you out. That is all. Nothing to get riled up about.
I see nothing to "call Rick out" about. Some of you are so dysfunctional that you are not happy unless picking a fight. Get some help.
I also think it's creepy that people are focusing on Rick esp. when he hadn't even been posting here for awhile.
No one's deterring you from being here by commenting on your presence Rick. If you feel deterred by those comments then that is on you. I'm not a fan girl of yours and couldn't care less whether you post here or not. But how exactly could I deter you from being here even if I wanted to?
Oh come on. Smackers smack each other, smackers smack PTI, I mean, smackers are here to smack, right? Getting all butt hurt over it and imagining you have super seekrit special powers and can know a specific anonymous poster is spending "all their time" smacking on you? Ridiculous. Give it up.
12:45, that's just your opinion. I find it more than a little creepy. Esp. when he is obviously reading along all the time even when not posting, since more than once he has been around to help someone out right after they posted about a particular problem. And to throw a tantrum when someone posted something he didn't like. wtf?
Just to clarify, he did not help me because of this board. I e-mailed him directly.
So. I have a PTI customer service issue. Opened a zendesk ticket. Got a response in less than 48 hours. Apology for sending the wrong stuff. Very clear on how to send back the wrong stuff, the max I would be reimbursed for return shipping (not HOW, though. Wonder if they'll mail me postage stamps?) And I wasn't made to feel like I was lying - as some have felt in the past. IMO, GREAT customer service would've said, "You keep the wrong stuff and we'll send you the right stuff" - it was handled in a way that was okay. And yes, granted it was "only okay" and it wasn't "great" - it was better than experiences others have relayed in the past. I do wonder how long it will take the right stuff to get here. That will be the thing that determines if this goes from okay c/s to really bad or goes to something I would rate good/fair.
Smackers' thoughts?
13:45 - did they close your ticket prior to you recieving your new stuff?
Smack Desk.......Do you have to wait on them to receive the wrong stuff before they send the right stuff?
13:45, please let us know how it pans out for you - i.e., how long it takes to get the replacement item(s).
If receiving the wrong item was their fault, then I agree, great customer service would be them telling you to keep the wrong item(s) and send you the correct one(s). That's what I would expect from every other company I deal with.
lisa will be designing for other companies.
13:52, they did close the ticket; however, I can reopen it by replying to it. I will reopen it if I don't have the right stuff within 10 business days. I'm close enough to OH that I think 10 business days is plenty of time for them to receive my return and me to receive the correct items.
13:57, they did not say "once we receive the wrong stuff we'll send the right stuff." I am assuming that is the way it works - but that is based on how I've seen them operate previously. It was the one thing not specifically covered in the reply. The reply said, "We'll send you the right stuff as soon as possible" I am hopeful (really, I am) that they won't make me hound them like ZenDeskDana had to. God-forbid my mail to them gets lost. I didn't send it priority so I didn't get delivery confirmation on it. Part of me thinks I should have sent it return receipt required yet the PollyAnna in me wants to extend the benefit of the doubt.
I probably deserve a smack to the head. ;)
I agree with 9:16 that it IS interesting Lisa used Kim's stamps and "got the chance to play with them". I think we can all safely assume Lisa is being courted by MANY companies to design with them.
I think some of you (10:07) were being deliberately obtuse with the "what's your point?".
11:13, Poppy Paperie is Lisa's stamping blog. I don't know why you associate it PTI instead of her work. Do you honestly think she is going to make an entirely different blog just because she's moved on from PTI? Wha?????
Boy 14:38, you're really sticking your neck out with that prediction :p
"What's your point" is obtuse?!?!?!?!
Pretty plain to me. I didn't want to make assumptions. The person posted an observation - asking what the point was is perfectly logical.
I would not "safely assume" anything.
And the comment about the "business blog" is a direct response to the post right above it! SOMEONE ELSE said that she and others have a business blog (in her case PTI because as SOMEONE ELSE said it was all she blogged about there) and a personal stamping blog as well.
Apparently mine are the ONLY posts you've bothered to read because you took everything out of context - and the contexts were defined by others' posts.
Pay attention.
I am so tired of all the meanness in the world. Exhausted, actually. No wonder our kids are in such bad shape--just look at their role models. Yes, they do watch you and they do know who you are.
The fact that Lisa hasn't made specific mention of what she'll be doing in place of PTI makes me think that she didn't leave PTI of her own accord. I think the excuse that she left because of her recent health problems is BS, too. If she's all of a sudden made this miraculous recovery a few days after leaving PTI tells me she got canned. But I guess it doesn't make any difference, other than to add this to the long list of cold hearted and asshole moves that PTI makes every single day!
I can't imagine why in the world they would have canned Lisa, unless she and the owners had personality differences. Weren't her stamps popular and bringing in the money? Wasn't her blog popular enough to bring in the hit count? What other reason would they have for letting her go?
Lisa has been in physical therapy almost daily for weeks. It has now been reduced to weekly. She feels better and has more time. We should be thankful for her.
Why all the conspiracy theories all the time?
@16:31 Then what the hell are you doing on a smack blog?
What good reason does PTI have for doing anything EVER?! I saw her at SAF and it appeared to me that she wasn't part of "the cool kids" club with Dawn, Nichole and Mish. I noticed a lot of eye rolling and snickering, especially by Dawn and Mish, every time Lisa said anything. That whole group strikes me as a bunch of "mean girls.". Whatever the reason that PTI had if in fact they let her go, you can bet its a bunch of trumped up crap just to be mean and intolerant. I wish Lisa nothing but the best, and can't wait to see where she lands! If she's smart, she pulled all of her current art and is taking it somewhere where she's appreciated!!
17:05, I agree and sadly there are a couple groups of "mean girls" in the stamping industry.
Maybe they didn't like her because she's Mormon? I have my issues with that church, but that's no call to be unkind...ever. Some of my favorite PTI sets are Lisa's. I hope she does well.
I am 15:11
16:19, by your response it is clear you don't know what obtuse means.
What I meant by: "I think some of you (10:07) were being deliberately obtuse with the "what's your point?"." Is that you knew darn well what her point was and you were playing dumb to stir up shit. That's what being deliberately obtuse means.
And I know you weren't 11:13, thus my starting a new paragraph with "11:13". Geesh, you crack me up.
Lisa never said that she left because of her health. Read her post again. People seem to be reading into the health thing on their own.
"I will continue to post various projects and keep you updated as to whatever is going on. I've got some great stamp sets from other companies that desperately need love too!With this change, I'm going to take it easy for a little while to spend time with my family and heal my body from the crazy past few months. :) It's been hard on them and this change brings a natural opening to do that."
Someone else noticed this too. Sounds to me that she was including that in her post because people had been emailing her about it. She had mentioned having health issues back in April too. At least she is posting something and I'm glad she is getting better. If PTI did let her go or even quit because of having health problems, shame on them! I've read her blog sine before she was was with them and I can't recall he going as long as she did without posting.
A smack blog does not imply we have to make up stories about people.
17:05, I agree and sadly there are a couple groups of "mean girls" in the stamping industry.
21 May 2012 17:09
^^^ Boy lordy there sure are!
'Mean girls' are the way they are because they are insecure and not very bright. They need to be in 'packs' of their own kind to give each other confidence and making fun of other people makes them feel better about themselves.
On their own, they are spineless.
^^^you are right. It just sucks that some of them are so damned popular and I just scratch my head about that!
"popular" translates to power, even if that power is a figment of their imagination. Somewhere along the line, someone or many someone's fed their ego, and they believed it. Plus, there's power in numbers, which is also the basis for bullying. Anyway you cut it, those "mean girls" at PTI are pretty smug about their "power" in the industry. What I also know is that you can be a popular girl one minute, and a nobody the next. So those smug PTI girls ought to consider that if Nichole could fire one DT member for any reason (no matter what the reason), they too could suffer the same fate. I'd be sleeping with one eye open if I were them.
Meanwhile, other stamping businesses go quietly about minding their business, keep great products coming, treat their employees customers well, and don't give a damn who's "in" and who's "out" at the "cool kids" table. They just care about quality products and service, keeping some folks employed in their business, and enjoy the sense of community the hobby can bring.
If you ask me, PTI has really missed the boat.
"employees AND customers" ;)
OK, did I miss something? Everyone keeps talking as if Lisa got fired... so far, I haven't seen anything that would lead me to believe that. I am so confused!
It's all speculation. I think the smack blog is becoming the land of make believe.
Or make-up-whatever-you-want-to believe.
I'm continually amazed at the wild speculation on this blog.
I was at SAF last year and didn't notice any eye-rolling by Dawn or Mish about Lisa (17:05). For the vast majority of the event, each designer was at her own Make-and-Take station. I just don't get all this obsession about who's one of the cool girls or in-crowd.
19:02 PTI wouldlove nothing more than to go quietly about there business. This blog is what is in position to pounce and holler out on every little issue. Maybe they would fade in the background if you stopped bringing attention to them.
We don't want them to FADE. We want them to FIX.
speculation: in the absence of fact, it is natural to wonder. No harm in asking questions, unless one then takes the proposed possible answers for fact. Until we DO get truthful answers, the speculation will continue. Get used to it.
Wow, things got kinda nasty again ... breathe, people. I think some people are just a little too emotionally invested.
Oh come ON, people - do the math!! In light of Nichole's less than glowing "fond farewell" as well as Lisa's lack of gush, it's pretty obvious to me that she didn't leave PTI of her own accord. And she pretty much SAYS this was not her choice - "With this change, I'm going to take it easy for a little while to spend time with my family and heal my body from the crazy past few months. :) It's been hard on them and this change brings a natural opening to do that" I don't have to read between the lines to see that this was not a friendly departure. But it doesn't matter to me, either way. Lisa is a talented artist and designer, and just like the other previously dismissed designers (yes, I'm speculating - deal with it!), she will come out on top!!
Its actually nobodys busineess what happen. Just purchase their products or not
Wow, 22:40, you're not reading between the lines, you're making up a whole new book! I don't think Lisa said anything in her blog post that makes it "obvious" that leaving was not her choice.
From Lisa's blog: "With this change, I'm going to take it easy for a little while to spend time with my family and heal my body from the crazy past few months. :) It's been hard on them and this change brings a natural opening to do that." I think you're choosing to interpret the "it's been hard on them" to be referring to PTI, where I would interpret it as referring to her injury and rehabilitation.
Smack all you like, but please don't call the rest of us idiots because we don't happen to agree with your wild guesses.
20:40, this is exactly how stories get started and accepted as fact. People surmise and then somehow twist things and attribute motives until they have made a case for a made-up story.IMO, that is wrong to do to people whether they know it is happening or not. It is worse than gossip, because it is made up gossip construed to put the worst light on something you know so little about.
I agree that saying "it's been hard" appears to refer to her health issues.
And I think because she refers to leaving PTI as "this change" that some people are assuming her passive tone means it was PTI's idea not hers. It is completely neutral and I don't think you can read anything into it.
Frankly, no matter the reason for her leaving, phrasing it this way is very diplomatic and if anything it suggest to me that it's really no one's business and she doesn't want to offer any more explanation. It was smart and I think people should just drop it.
Too much of the speculation stretches beyond an appreciation for a person's talent or work. Those that are discussing Lisa's personal situation ad nauseum are nothing but nosy busybodies.
Commenting, sometimes vehemently :), about PTI's business practices is what I thought this was all about. Not picking apart people's personal lives. And don't give me - oh, she's on a DT so she set herself up for this by being a public person. That doesn't hold water. What SHE chooses to put out there related to her business activities is fair game - but as for all the rest, private is private. It's no one else's business why she left PTI.
does anyone know how much the new Stampin Up catalogs cost the demonstrators?
I think they cost $5 to the demos. And have a suggested cost of $10, at least that is what the cost was a couple years ago when I was friends with a demo.
The new SU catalogs are a bit smaller this year. I think I heard they cost the demos $4 now.
I also heard they are only coming out every other year from now on. Sales down?
Can SU catalogs be seen online yet?
Yes, they can. Someone posted the link here a few days ago. Sorry, I don't have it, or I would post it again for you.
The SU catalog will still come out once a year. It's smaller, but the seasonal catalogs will be larger than they used to be. The cost to the customer for the new catalog is only $5, and to me, it's not really all that much smaller than it used to be. Disclaimer: I used to be a demonstrator, but haven't been for a couple of years. This is just information that I read on SCS. I have a copy of the new catalog, and it's got a lot more things in it that are tempting to me than the last few catalogs.
Chris - so if the catalog costs the customer $5, does it cost the demonstrators $2.50? I ask because "my" demonstrator is really really shady. I'm having a SU party next month and I know I'll get a catalog for free, but the people I invite always want to take the catalog home with them (they're used to this from other parties with catalogs - you usually get to take it home and decide on your stuff) Well, my demo doesn't let people take it home even to borrow, they have to buy it, so I wanted to see if she would let me buy a bunch at cost from her to let people take home if they wanted. But, when I asked her she told me the catalogs cost the same that they used to (for her)... probably time for a new demo, eh? :/
I went to the SU site and the new catalog is NOT online.
Sorry, 10:52, I don't know the answer to your question about demo cost of the catalogs.
The catalog will be online June 1st. The link to the catalog was leaked here a couple weeks ago. Go back to May 9th. (I can't be bothered, hah.) Good luck with your party next month!
(yeah I think I'm talking to more than one person here.)
I don't think Chris is correct. The cost to the public is usually $5 to $10 depending on the demo. Because the cost to them is $5 and some demos charge their cost and others double it as SU suggests. I don't think the cost went down in the last 2 years and I know for a fact the demo cost was $5 then.
the cost DID go down, for this coming catalog.
Quoting Jan Tinklenberg, who has been a demo forever:
"Demonstrators will be able to receive their first copy in their first demo order they place on May 7th and after. They will also be able to see the catalog online on May 7th, but they are not supposed to post it on any other websites including this one. Otherwise, customers will be able to view the online catalog on June 1st.
However, if you have a demo, you can ask her to send one to you directly. We now have the capability to preorder individual catalogs for our customers and have them sent from SU! to you. Customer catalogs ordered in this manner will be mailed on May 14th. You would pay $5 to have one mailed to you, as that is what it costs your demo to send it."
So you can get it mailed directly from SU for just $5. They always charged $10 for that in the past. I just checked my copy of the catalog to see what retail price is printed on the back this time. The answer: it's not printed on there any more.
And quoting from another demo on SCS (username joypup): "I am trying to understand -- I am a hobby demo for SU --
I see that a box of 8 Catalogs sells for $15 plus shipping, but a single can be mailed to a customer in bulk for $5 --"
The price to demos when I was a demo was $32 plus shipping for a box of 8 catalogs. This person said that the current demo price is $15 plus shipping for 8.
I'm 10:52 - thanks. I knew the cost went down. So maybe I can ask her if I can pay the $15+ shipping for 8 catalogs. Not trying to keep her from making money here, but she is just so shady when it comes to that stuff. I've seen her give people her old stuff when they wanted to order new stuff... like a certain punch or marker - if she didnt want it she would take their money like they were placing an order and then give them her old one. I know it's pretty shady, but I like having parties for the fun of it (not necessarily cos I like the stampin up stuff) and I'd feel bad finding a new demo - there are not many in this area, and the others are part of her "line"
So you want the catalogs to have a party and then you would go ahead and order through your demo? I'm missing something here.
Wow, that is low of that SU demo to palm off her old punches, etc to people. I'd try to find a new demo, but it IS awkward if the others are part of her downline.
While you can certainly ask your demo if she'll sell you catalogs at her cost, it's well within her rights and SU's guidelines to refuse. Why in the world would you have a party just to have a party, if you don't particularly like the products? There are plenty of party-plan companies out there to choose from. Please tell me you're not one of those hostesses who tells her friends, "Just come to the party. You don't have to buy anything." Demonstrators make so little that it's really an insult and a waste of their time to do a party when the guests have been "prepped" like that. Not saying that's what you do, but I've been the victim of it multiple times with two different direct sales companies. It's part of what soured me on the concept.
PS, and not to complicate things for you, but when you have a party and introduce your friends to this demo, you are sort of recommending her to your friends . . . they will think they can trust her . . . so your reputation with your friends is a bit on the line too, unless you warn them, but that's awkward too . . .
Forgot to say, good luck finding any demonstrator who will sell you a bunch of catalogs at cost. Their training (rightly, IMHO) says that if someone wants to get demonstrator benefits, that someone should be actively recruited.
The reason I wanted the catalogs, was not to keep - I wanted to offer to pay for the catalogs so she could let the people at my party take them home to look over, and if she did't get them back, then she wasn't out any money. I don't want to just buy the catalogs at her cost to get a good deal on them - what am I going to do with 8 catalogs? I just want her to be more accommodating to the people at my party.
Chris, no, I don't particularly like SU's stuff anymore, but a lot of my friends and family LOVE it and don't like hosting the parties. I always do a show when the new catalog comes out and at Christmas time and my shows are always over $1000.00. So, I don't know exactly how much the demo makes on my party, but it's a decent amount of money. So, I can assure you, it is not a waste of time for her - she is the one who always asks me when I'm going to have my party when it gets close to that time of year.
I get your point about my using her as a demo tells my friends that I trust her - I never thought of it that way.
I didn't want to mention too much about it before, but I have known this person for about 20 years and while she is very nice, she is very very cheap when it comes to being a demo, but because I have known her for so long I feel very uncomfortable going with someone else.
Funny, Chris, you're someone on here who I've seen telling people not to make assumptions about people from PTI etc. but you are making an awful lot of them about me.
Nope, I wasn't making assumptions about you at all. I was asking questions based on what you had said (don't care for the product, etc.) and admittedly colored by my personal experiences as a demo as well as lots of stories I've heard from other demos and former demos. If you have $1000 parties, completely disregard anything I've asked. Most demos would give their right arm for a $1000 party.
Chris - yeah, I'm not trying to be snarky - I did read over my other posts and realized they weren't clear, but I didn't want to give too much info because I wouldn't want to hurt my demo's feelings if she somehow found her way to this board (she does look at Nichole's blog, so who knows) ... Like I said, she is a nice person who I have known for a long time, but a terribly "cheap" demo - uses elmers glue sticks instead of snail adhesive, will give you the evil eye if you punch from the middle of the paper etc. Thats why I thought if I offered to give her enough to cover some extra catalogs she might let my friends borrow them - they don't want to keep them, just can't always decide what to get that night of the party, ya know?
Oh, and I've thought about being a demo - with my two big parties, it almost covers the quota I'd have to meet - and every time I mention it she kind of talks me out of it. I assumed its because she makes more money off my parties than she would if I was a low level demo myself.
Anyway - thanks for the input about catalog cost etc. still not sure if I'll bring it up to her or not.
Maybe one of your family members who likes SU things would like to sign up as a demo, and then you could use HER as your demo. You know, support your family member in her new business, it would hurt her feelings if you didn't, etc. Might be an out for you.
SU lowered the price of the catalogs for the new books coming out in June to try to get them in the hands of more people.
I don't understand though, if you think your demo is shady and cheap then why do you continue to work with her? There are tons of demos out there who would love to have your business.
I always give a free catalog to a hostess and have a few available for sale at a workhop. I'm not in a position where I can distribute them freely. I've never had a hostess request to purchase a box for a party.
Having hosted a ton of workshops I don't see how this would really help. It's ideal to fill the seats and let the demonstrator do their thing. I've found if people have seen the catalog they may be turned off and not even want to come to the party. Sometimes you have to see the stuff in action.
I think this hostess intends to have the catalogs at the party and then let the attendees take them home to look at for a day or two before they place their order. It sounds like most of her attendees are already familiar with SU in general.
Even with the bulk pricing I wanted to say that I will be selling copies for $5 if a customer wants though as that's what I've been charging to have them mailed.
I think there is a $99 demo sign up going on now and you can customize your kit (order $125 worth of product, pay $99). That's what I'd be doing. Your demo makes 20% off your orders.
If you don't want to make money off your friends and family, just consider your 20% commission to cover the tax and shipping. Everybody wins.
And remember that 20% does not take into account that for the make and takes she uses her own supplies and so actually probably makes about 9-13% at each party. WAY poor pay, imo.
For any home sales business, it is preferred that orders be placed AT the actual party. Letting someone leave with a catalog and a promise to "be in touch" is like letting $$ walk out the door. (most of the time) I understand that weeding through 200 pages of products and having time to create projects takes time, but the demo may be sensitive to wanting the orders confirmed at the show. Plus, it makes it easier for her to calculate hostess rewards, etc. instead of constantly trying to chase people down.
I love Lisa's work and will miss her contributions to PTI. I have found her a bit 'flighty' when seeing her (on videos), so maybe that's why some people were eyerolling at SAF?
On the other hand, I do think there's probably some 'mean girls' at PTI. Anyone remember a post someone (maybe Dawn?) did about a weekend spent with Nichole and Mish just hanging out and stamping/eating/etc? They did this game they called 'senior photos' or something like that, making ridiculous poses and taking pictures of eachother and then laughing at them? It struck me as totally uncouth - like I imagined they may have gone through old yearbooks and made fun of people's photos. Total speculation, but this is a smack blog.
Very strange to bring something that weird up. It has no relevance to the business ethics
I dunno - I think people's personalities trickle over to their business practices.
trust me - my demo does not spend 10%+ of a $1000 party in the make and takes lol. Like I said, she uses 10 cent glue sticks for adhesive - if we even use it. she generally does single layer cards and forget using embellishments. She is cheap, cheap, cheap. Like I said, I've known her for 20+ years, so that's why she's still my demo, if she was a stranger and did a party like that, I wouldn't use her again.
I totally understand about letting a sale walk out the door - but she is SO disorganized that we never get finished the projects in time for people to look through their catalogs before they need to get home. The people who want to take a catalog and go home to look it over but aren't "allowed to" do not end up placing an order.
Honestly, if I saw the catalog for the first time that night, I wouldn't place an order either - it's too much to look at.
Seriously - this is not your typical "party" situation. I appreciate everyone's comments defending her practices as a demonstrator, but I guarantee you would be appalled at the disorganization and frugality if you attended one of her parties.
The only reason I still use her is because it has become a "tradition" that I do these parties and I'm sure she looks forward to the income.
19:44 - lately maybe 20% of the comments being made have anything to do with business ethics, LOL! That post was no weirder than hundreds of others here.
Oh, boy, 20:02. I feel for you because I know it's hard when dealing with someone you've known a long time BUT. . . .
I think she's taking advantage of you. Obviously you know she's a terrible demo. Selling used items as new? I'm pretty sure SU wouldn't be pleased to hear about that.
I strongly agree with the person who said you are basically endorsing this person as a demo and really doing a disservice to friends and family you bring to the parties.
It sounds like you would be just as well off doing a book party - get one catalog, or two (even if you have to purchase them from her), pass the book(s) around over a week or so and get your orders together. (And if you aren't comfortable using other demos in your area, then just choose one online to order from. She hasn't earned your business.)
If she's as cheap as you say, you probably aren't getting much hands on time with the products anyway. I just don't see where she provides you with any service at all. Having a good demo would be an entirely different experience.
someone is selling a whole bunch of pti products (or several people, i didn't look at the individual names) and they have marked the prices way up. an impression plate for $20 plus shipping?? the new frame #4 stamp set plus die for $10 plus shipping?
??? where did that come from??
lisa j. does not seem flighty at all to me!! she seems to have her head screwed on just fine and seems to be quite a classy and professional woman.
22:40 from May 21, I agree about reading between the lines with Lisa and NH's farewell comments. I agree that this was less than a friendly departure. Reminds me of how I felt when Lauren left. It doesn't matter and I know we will see Lisa rise above whatever happened. Wishing her the best.
I think the ladies who want SU info would be able to get their questions answered on Splitcoast.
About the yearbook photos, that was at the Orlando CHA, I think, and it was just Mish being her funny self. We can all laugh at staged senior photos, maybe our own, doesn't mean they're being "mean girls."
What would make someone describe a person as 'flighty'? How does that apply to Lisa?
I really think if you read Nichole's goodbye to Lisa ad Jen E side by side you'll see why we are reading more into it. Nichole doesn't mention herself at all in Lisa's ( I will miss you or I appreciate your contributions or somethjng)
Can't really speculate much on Lisa's-she usually vague-ish about personal stuff on her blog
6:18, you bring up a good point. I remember JE's farewell post and it was really gushy. Lisa's farewell was vastly different. I wonder if NH simply has favorites on her team and if you aren't a fave you get the bare minimum attention from her. IF that is the case it would be a weird behavior from a business owner.
This is why I like to hang out with guys. There is no making things up, reading between the lines, attributing motives where there are none, analyzing every facial expression, and surmising things until you have made up a story that is more real to you than reality and treat people according to your made up story. We really need to get a grip with this sort of thing, ladies. We do so much damage to society and relationships with this behavior.
^^^^^ what she said.
@07:39 This is why I like to hang out with guys.
-----------------
I'm kind of sick and tired of people lumping all women into the same category.
^^^^ what she said!
I upgraded my Firefox to 12 and now my cart stays put. Wow, so much drama (and work required on MY end) to get a damn shopping cart to keep all the crap I put in it.
Thanks, other smacker, for helping get to the bottom of it when PTI (Rick) won't (or can't.)
I never heard back from Impress about my dry ink pads. Sent 2 emails. Called once. Not going to bother with it any longer. But I am going to save myself any future hassles by not ordering anything else from them either. Will they notice or care? I presume no and no.
But there are many other fish in the ink pad sea. I'll just stick with the ink pads available at Joann's.
I don't understand why Impress is not responding. I have dealt with them for years and never had a problem. In fact, they always have gone above and beyond.
7:39 you're not helping things much with your blanket write-off of women.
I saw no blanket write-off of women. Only a pretty truthful reflection of how MANY women handle things.
In the PTI forum question about why some dies cost so much more, Amanda is literally right on the money.
The pricing is in direct relation to how many they can get on a sheet - the bigger the die, the more sheets they have to make for the quantity they need.
Disclaimer: I have no inside information as to PTI's manufacturer or costs -- these are generalizations based on a passing knowledge of manufacturing. These are NOT hard cold facts for PTI, just an educated guess.
They probably have to pay a graphic setup fee. Then there is certainly a minimum sheet run (but maybe as low as 2), with the charge by sheet, with discounts for a higher quantity of sheets.
I would suspect that a typical die, probably costs around $3.75 to manufacture.
So as an example, and because it's one of the first dies listed and I'm not hunting around the site ;) -- the largest in the beautiful blooms 1 set is 2-1/4. If you just use the sq. in. area for sheet and shape, you'd get just under 150 for two sheets. Possibly less because it's round (more wasted space). They probably cost around $3 ea. to make but less depending on quantity. The two smaller dies in that set would cost less because there are more per sheet.
If the smallest is around $1.50 to make, and the middle one is $2, plus the $3 for the largest one, that's $6.50 to manufacture. I'd round up to $7 or $7.50 because my calculations could be off, but I'm also basing this on a minimum order. The set and the retail cost is $14. Around 50% markup - not a bad profit, especially if they do large quantities and it costs less to make them.
(This is why so many companies are making dies!)
Ha- here goes Nichole again letting the customers do the work for her, asking about what they want for Christmas products.
It seems to me that they have a thread for stamp set suggestions somewhere. And after 5 years in the business, when they were considered a leader in innovation and ideas, haven't they learned enough to wow the customer?
And really - they are going to wade through all of these comments and make some kind of cohesive list? And it's only info from the people who post in the forum - are they the common denominator among stampers?
TO me this kind of "surveying" just doesn't ring true - it always looks like lip service (from anyone, not just PTI). Maybe if they sent a survey with boxes to check in their newsletter, I'd think they could somehow use the info. Otherwise I guess Nichole might read through them and come up with an impression and maybe one great idea that she can call her own later.
Or is this just a ploy so they can come back and say - we are doing this because this is what customers asked for! ???
I have something to add to the person who wrote about the dies. Those setup fees would probably be a one-time-only charge! Anything after that and the profit margin would be fantastic. Big dies must have a huge profit margin.
I have been told by a few people 'in the know' that markup on dies is around 50%, too. Dies are definitely here to stay!
Why not ask customers what they want??? Again, this is picking at something that is a common business practice. I was on an SU Customer advisory group for a year and they listened to us.
Clear and Simple Stamps just lost a sale. I get an error that says "this is not a valid category" when I try to buy House Notes II and there is no way to contact the store (that I can find) through the website.
Shopping should not be difficult.
http://www.clearandsimplestampsonline.com/contactus/
Damn, lol. Thanks.
When I hovered over "Contact us" a drop down menu appeared but there didn't actually seem to be a way to contact them. It wasn't until I clicked on the "contact us" instead that an email option appeared.
Thank you.
Do Clear and Simple stamps retire stamps?
It is ridiculous and petty to smack Nichole for the Christmas stamping thread. She asked about more than stamp set ideas, she asked about stamping habits, projects or tags, etc. Makes total sense to listen to what customers want.
I agree that it is smart to ask what customers want.
Unless the customers have to draw the stamps themselves I see nothing to smack.
Dammit! I hate a good catch 22.
In order to explain 7:39's comment to 9:00, I'd have to analyze, read between the lines and surmise.
Well played, 7:39. Well played.
I'd round up to $7 or $7.50 .... The set and the retail cost is $14. Around 50% markup - not a bad profit....
----------------------------
The markup is about 100%. The profit margin is about 50%.
Thank you 13:04 - I was writing that pretty fast and I probably made other flubs :0). You all get the point ;0)
FYI: SU demos make 20% instant income, and can earn more depending on volume rebates and downline overrides.
I am a hobby demo, and in the end it really just works out to free shipping and no taxes. However, if you like their card stock, matching embellishments and punches, I would encourage anyone to join up. Even if you know you only want to put in a $100 order, the starter kit gives you $25 more in product and it ships for free. You have no obligations after that.
This is a smack blog. If the nature of the blog WASN'T to be gossipy, then no one would post as Anon. Why would anyone care to critique PTI business practices under their own names?
IMO, SU is about 40% overpriced to begin with so 20% profits means SU is still making big, big bucks off the demos who have to purchase mountains of SU products in order to sell SU products. Really, SU basically has you working darned hard for free for them.
smart demos don't get sucked into buying everything and actually do make a profit
Selling something that cost you $7 for $14 is NOT a 50% markup. 50% markup would mean selling a $7 item for $10.50.
It's a 100% markup, and that is standard for most brick and mortar businesses.
Most internet retailers sell at lower margins than brick and mortar businesses, so PTI is definitely killing it. Lord knows they're not reinvesting all this profit in employees.
My opinion is that Julie, Jane and Nichole are just sucking every last penny out of the place and will run it into the ground at some point.
Re: SU, or any other home-based "business". They are geared to make more money from demos than from outside customers.
Well I guess I will give my opinion on the thread from Nichole wanting ideas for Christmas. I think some of you need to remember this IS a smack blog, and if someone wants to smack they are allowed. Ridiculous and petty for smacking that thread? I don't agree, but that is my opinion. It wasn't that long ago that everyone was smacking the last thread that Nichole had wanting ideas.
Why doesn't PTI concentrate on that atrocity they call a web site? Instead it is FULL steam ahead, like everything is fine. Just my two cents!
Smacking just to smack
17:43, I want to put in a $200 SU order from the new catalog. Are you saying I should sign up to be a demo and they will ship my stuff for free AND let me put those items toward my demo kit? Heck yeah.
Can new demos place orders from the new catty yet?
You can now choose whatever you like for your starter kit; in the US, that means $125 worth of product for $99, and free shipping. You need to wait until June 1st to choose items from the new catty.
You won't be able to order $200 worth of stuff on your starter kit order, however. If you choose to do a second order, I believe that your first demo order over $150 qualifies for an additional 10% in instant income - 30% total discount. You will pay tax and shipping on that order, though. If you wait until July first to place your first order (after you order your starter kit) you will also be able to pre-order from the mini that starts on August 1.
since she comes up so often here:
http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/05/moxie-fab-stamp-of-approval-gina-k.html
^^^ WOW! Consider me flabbergasted. I thought Cath E only ever mentioned PTI or things that reminded her of PTI. Maybe there is hope for those cult-followers.
you who are posting about SU, remember as a demo, whether you do it for money or not, you have to sign a clause that you will not use other company products in any public forum. You can't recommend other products in any public forum. Say you want to hold a workshop or just a gathering of your friends, you can't talk up or use any other products. This is why so many of us left SU a couple of years ago.
how long is the $99 demo sign up running?
7:33, How do they enforce that. A company can say anything they want but it won't hold up under law. SU can say that you can only wear the color pink to the grocery store but no legal entity would support that. Have they enforced it? And if so, how?
On the other hand, I see many, many fewer SU blogs out there all the time.
7:33 It is not that you can't USE other products, it is that you cannot PROMOTE other products. i.e. you can't link to another site saying "Go buy this here"
Also, it isn't a big deal to me, as I am a hobby demo. I just want the discount. However, if you have a blog and are on design teams, I could see that it would impact you.
The $99 deal is on a go forward basis.
6:59, Cath has many non-PTI stamps featured all the time.
So SU has detectives reading all blogs and then turning it over to attorneys if they dare say the word, "Hero Arts" on their blog. How many people has this happened to and what has been their punishment??
I used to hear about it happening to people -- SU kicking them out because they actively promoted other companies on their blogs.
At first the new IDA sounded like you couldn't mention anyone else. Then they made a clarification that you just can't provide links to other places. They also strongly suggested that if you were trying to sell and promote SU, was it really in your own best interest to provide information about competitors.
I don't know about CTMH but with Amuse you just can't promote other "home party based papercrafting companies." Much more fair.
SU demos rat on each other ALL the time.
There are sadly quite a few SU demos who get really excited about turning in other demos and sellers on ebay when they see a 'violation'. I saw it all the time when I was a demo and part of the forums. It was crazy how twisted their panties got over some of that stuff.
If you just want to be a hobby demo and just buy from yourself for the discount, then you won't need to advertise for SU on your blog---so really, nobody else will know you're a demo. So I'd say keep using your other products as you want to. It's just those demos that find a blog that shows the person is a demo and is using other products who will turn you in. If they don't know, then no problem!
Someone on the forum has complained about shipping time. Oh dear. Here's the post:
I have noticed that if my order includes card stock it comes via UPS and if it doesn't, it comes USPS. As I've said on another thread, I've placed 4 orders in the last 2 weeks Or so and I haven't received any of them and I'm getting really inpatient waiting on them. I didn't pay shipping on any of them. PTI really has some work to do with regards to getting these orders out to their customers in my opinion. I appreciate the free shipping on $70.00 or more, however the shipping time is getting to be a joke. I also wish I could pay a little extra so I could get it delivered in a timely manner of that's what is needed. I don't see any difference if I pay or not my package is usually always late, I've even thought that it's been lost a few times. I place several orders in the last few weeks with other stamp companies (SU, paper smooches, Gina k etc) and get them within a few days of placing my orders I just don't understand why PTI can't do the same. PTI is my absolute favorite store, the DT is amazing in fact everything is amazing that PTI offers except the shipping. Come on PTI!!! (I know you have it in you to step up on the delivery end)
Italics mine to note the beginning and end of the quote.
My last order on the 15th included 5 packages of paper and came USPS and arrived in 48 hours after order.
11:11 You ordered before the release or during the release and got your order 48 hours later? If so, I want your secret to quick shipping from PTI.
Anonymous said...
6:59, Cath has many non-PTI stamps featured all the time.
24 May 2012 08:54
^^^
I was just gonna say this. 6:59, clearly you don't read Cath's Moxie Fab blog. There is almost nothing about PTI on it. She always focuses on fresh "Fab" new trends. I think you are stuck about 5 years ago.
I ordered 3 min. after the release went live. I live on west coast too. It all came 2 day priority by USPS.
Wow, 48 hours later? I thought 72 was good (timing from order to delivery last week). I ordered afternoon of the 15th - so pre-release - and received it on the 18th. I was pleased with that time frame since once before I ordered on the 14th and it took two weeks. There are *some* improvements there but I wonder how much of that has to do with fewer people ordering or people ordering less? Or are there really improvements in the warehouse?
6:59 here. Thanks for pointing out that Cath features other products. I admit, I wrote her off a while ago with the perception that she was too much in bed w/ NH. I used to really enjoy her blog so I will give it a fresh start.
I live on the west coast. I ordered the morning of the 16th and am still waiting for my order.
I'm also west coast. I ordered 30 minutes after the release went live, and I got my order yesterday, UPS.
west coast, also. received my small package today via USPS.
10:43 You are so right. One time (at band camp, ha!) some ladies I worked with had and auction to help a fire victims family. A demo made a beautiful basket of things decorated with Stampin Up and sold tickets as a raffle. Well someone called SU and reported hee and her up line contacted her and told her she couldnt do that and she took the basket off auction. (this was about 15 years ago)
I just came across these stamps tonight and WOW! They are gorgeous!
http://www.beeswaxrubberstamps.com/rubberstamps.htm
I'm curious if anyone here has ordered from them, and if you would recommend them.
I haven't purchased stamps from Beeswax, but they used to have the best price on EZ Mount foam sheets. (I don't think they don't sell it any more.) I've bought from them several times in the past and always had a good experience.
those beeswax stamps aren't my crafting style but I can appreciate how beautifully intricate they are!! someone put a lot of time into those pieces of art.
I used to order from Beeswax all the time. Great CS, quiality product.
Can someone tell me if Papertrey dies have the pin holes for easy removal? I have some of the older PTI dies and they did not have them. If anyone has the double ended banner dies, I'm specifically shopping for that with laser pin holes as WPlus9 is out of stock. Thanks.
No pin holes in the double ended banner dies.
Love Beeswax. I don't use much of the Stampscape-style stamps, where you piece together a scene. But they have plenty of good ones to use on their own. I've never had any trouble with them.
Its a bit of a pain but you could use low tack tape to remove the die cut if it gets stuck.
I call bullshit on this:
Amazing Customer Service!
Just want to give a shout out to Julie in customer service for replying to a question within 30 minutes!!! I am so impressed and grateful as I have now been able to get on and place an order for my hubby to collect on his trip to the states next week. Will miss him of course but now even more reason to welcome him home.
So I ordered my flip flop stamps from scrapping nutty or whatever that store was that someone posted here before PTI's last release and I received them 2 or 3 days later.
I used them for a couple of cards and I'm already bored with them.
So glad I didn't pay $24 for them from PTI.
How angry would PTI be if I put them on the FSOT board??? Hahahaha!
I had the Farm stamp set in my cart and two dies (the barn and another one that big that I can't remember the name of). I went all the way through the process and got to confirming the order -- and I thought about that stamp set plus the $6.95 for shipping, and just couldn't do it. I just couldn't pay $30 for that one set.
And I looked at the dimensions for the cool sunny/hilly background - it's pretty darn small. I think the closeups of the cards gives a false impression. Not that anyone is being deceitful! They do give you the dimensions and they do show the card full size. It's just that in my mind it was so much more impressive than that. Then I actually measure out those dimensions and see it's so small. I think I can develop my own stamped background similar to that.
Maybe I'll still buy that set one day - if they ever come up with enough ideas that I want to buy enough to qualify for free shipping. Prospects for that are looking dismal.
Oh yeah. I got interrupted and forgot to say I took those two big dies out of my cart. So it was just going to be the one stamp set.
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