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Tuesday, 7 August 2012

more!!!

More space.

Great to hear from our preggo ladies.. keeping you #1, in my thoughts. Hope all will be good for you on the health front. Keep us updated, I'm sure even though this is a smack board we can still have a sense of community.

Buyers with defective sunrise impression plate do take note of pti's statement regarding them.  Some details are listed on previous blog space comments!

202 comments:

  1. rick, appreciate your post towards the end of the last thread. your statement that an issue will never be resolved by posting on the forum is actually the heart of the problem.

    the only way PTI acknowledges a defective product is if customers go public. individual complaints to zendesk are resolved in PTI's favor.

    but i appreciate your efforts

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  2. I posted on the thread but will repost here. From what I read how the IP plate is used can affect its quality. Then why are the sandwich instructions not included or posted somewhere easy to find? When you buy a cake mix you dont go to Duncan Hines website and search for how to make it!

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  3. ok, read the whole last thread again... which post is from Rick? I'm not seeing anywhere where he identified himself....

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  4. ^^LOL - you're right. Fun analogy!

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  5. 10:34, he didn't. There was just someone who posted and sounded like they knew something about the inner workings of PTI. They weren't snarky and they tried to be helpful.

    That's why it was assumed it was Rick.

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  6. Thinking of the preggo ladies, yes!

    You didn't get a lot of love in the last space - but you aren't forgotten!!

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  7. I don't think I (or preggo #1) felt slighted at all, but thanks ^^^.

    I'll try to keep you guys posted but also be sensitive to the fact that not everyone is going to want to be bombarded with baby talk 24/7. Heck *I* don't even want to talk about it 24/7...LOL.

    A quick update, so far no cravings, no puking and nothing really out of the ordinary. Only 5 weeks in so things haven't really started happening for me yet.

    As for the sneak peeks, what do you guys think?

    I like #1 & #5 but I don't do copics or any coloring so those are out for me.

    I like #2. Curious to see what else will come in this set.

    I like the word dies but feel I could easily do this with my cricut machine making any words I need.

    I like #5 (I don't have many tag images) but unless the rest of the set is hugely impressive, won't buy it just for the circle image.

    The Herringbone IP makes me laugh hysterically, in light of all the IP drama in process.

    #7, I'm really starting to favor the stylized sentiments with the variety of fonts and text angles.

    #8...I'd like to see some unique sentiments in this Thanks Always set. Thanks, for the roll in the hay. Thanks, for knocking me up. Thanks, for not passing me over for a promotion just because I'm having a freaking baby you sexist neanderthal pigs (for Preggo #1.)

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  8. Yes. I do see the need for the sentiments you mention in point #8.

    They are lacking in my stamping arsenal too.

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

    :)

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  9. 10:19 I completely agree! I bought the by the numbers impression plate and the hexagon die plate and had to search everywhere to find out that I ended up needing the metal shim. They way they don't show info is so annoying. You have to search for anything and everything

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  10. I'd buy that set in a heartbeat ;-)

    seriously though, #5 and #8 are for sure on my list, the others would need to see it. I love autumn abundance but I suck so ba at coloring it that I have given up using it. Maybe if it is bigger I can handle it? :)

    Not sure when I'm going to order next anyway. Might be a couple of months, but I always look forward to release time because it gives me some fun blogs to look at daily.

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  11. '^^^In the 'good old days' when there was still trust and comeraderie, a lot of forum users would solve other people's problems for them. In some instances people WERE doing things wrong. One question on the forum fixed it. PTI's loyal fan base were the best CS they've ever had.

    Things turned bad for PTI when a girl from Australia was given a really short shoulder from PTI. People watched in disbelief as PTI CS alienated both her and a huge portion of their loyal fan base over about $10. Trust disappeared.

    With trust gone, when people started bringing up CS issues on the forum the attitude became more of a "don't let PTI pull one over on you" than a "yeah, that does look like a problem, why don't you talk to CS".

    Actually it's a bit bigger than this. But I think that's a decent look at the bones of the forum problems.

    Anyone else have a perspective?

    7 August 2012 11:31'


    Completely agree! The response to the international CS/shipping refund fiasco really turned the tide, and shutting down the 'ask the PT subforum' made it all the worse.

    General sentiment toward PTI (minus some diehard unicorns) has not recovered since, and the appearance of cover up for product/CS problems (delay in getting winning sets out, problems with ink, IPs) only made things worse.

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  12. Anyone notice at zendesk, under restock thread, that PTI is investigating bad batches of ink? First confirmation by PTI that there are problems. At least with some batches.

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  13. I know there have often been comments that PTI doesn't seem to run their business the way that might seem logical.

    But, about those impression plates, if you had a product that was persnickety like that, why wouldn't you want to help the customer get it right? If the customer likes it and gets it to work, that is a good thing.

    Instructions with the product. Proactive support on every web presence that you have, blog, happy forum, web site, customer support forum.

    It appears that the impression plates are so touchy that it is hard to tell if there is an actual issue, or just someone who needs help to understand the many tweaks that might be needed for successful results.

    Or, if it is so hard to get them to work right, maybe the whole product needs to be rethought?

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  14. 11:54 - thank you! Didn't know.

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  15. Cindy Coutts makes me want to gouge out my eyes. Make her STFU already. PTI stole my idea. Wahwahwah. So she discovered the stock images site, BFD. Buy the image and have your own f'ing stamp made then. Just shut up. She just posts in her signature that she's a SU! Demo and on DTs? How does that work? I thought SU all but owned SCS? Won't she get in trouble?

    Not a unicorn but cannot stand that worman

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  16. Nah, don't have to be a unicorn to think that woman is batshit crazy. The PTI stole my idea thing was laughable. I mean really, a scripture set? That's original how?

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  17. 12:01, I actually think PTI should change the mats they sell with them. It's my guess they could find something that allowed for a greater margin of 'error'.

    I use only the very thinnest PTI pad and an old mouse pad. The mouse pad has a LOT of 'squish' in it,so when I run it through the machine it's very forgiving.

    I run my sandwich through 3 times and get a great impression.

    I think it's those incredibly hard unsquishable mats they are selling that help to push the impression through the IP and crack machine plates.

    (And I lay the thinnest mat over the lowest machine platform, put the IP on that, the mouse pad over etc. so the IP has a bit of a lower cushion and the etching on that side isn't grinding on my lower platform.)

    I think if they kept experimenting they might come up with something more user friendly that would work in pretty much every machine.

    And yes, the sandwich should be included with every IP!

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  18. Spellbinders puts every sandwich on the folder with their dies - or they have with all the dies I've bought - you'd think PTI would do that as it is more money lining the Heskamp pockets since they would be the ones to print the IP and/or die folders.

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  19. Hey Rick,

    I've read through everything posted here in the last few days. I understand how you want to keep CS issues off the forum. Don't agree with you, but....

    So let's say I'm a newbie with a problem. I've purchased from PTI so I'm familiar with at least the home page. So I go there to begin my customer service oddessy. Hmmm, where do I go? Let's try the logical place "Customer Service". No, nothing there that helps me report my problem.

    I'll go look on the forum (if I'm even registered). Nope, nothing there. Well, unless you count the link bured in the "Deleted Topics and Threads" thread. As if I would think to look there. Can't ask a question - I'll get banned, but as a newbie, I don't know that.

    Let's go back to the home page. Oh, wait, there buried on the bottom of the front page is a Contact Us button. Finally, a link to zendesk.

    Not easy or intuitive to find, is it? I know that may be the PTI way (make it so difficult to get resolution people will just give up and go away). But if you want to do something to begin repairing your tarnished image, please consider putting the link in places people might actually look when you redesign the website.

    Just sayin', as they say!

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  20. ^^^roflol, it's so real it's funny.

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  21. I agree..

    New website has a link to Zendesk on the front page.. should make a difference...

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  22. Who's Cindy Coutts and where did she claim PTI stole her idea?

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  23. "... and the appearance of cover up for product/CS problems (delay in getting winning sets out, problems with ink, IPs) only made things worse."

    .....trying to cover up a missing pallet of orders.

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  24. I also agree that one of the only ways to get issues resolved is to ask on the forum. My experience with zendesk (excluding Rick's input) was mind boggling. Why would I ever go back there? I won't.

    Sorry anonymous helpful poster, I disagree with you about no issue ever getting resolved on the forum.

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  25. Great points 14:58.

    If you want to go the zendesk route for customer service, make the link highly visible on the website and forum. Especially if you want it to be a source of help and information.

    Clear policies, clear instructions. Make them easy to find.

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  26. Please stop bringing up Cindy Coutts, lol. It's taking all that I have not to answer her on SCS!

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  27. In the old days CS isses that came up on the forum really didn't seem to be a problem.

    Even if Zendesk gets off the ground, WHY do the problems still have to have the appearance of having been swept under a rug?

    Maybe that's not the intention, but with the way things are and people feeling suspicious of PTI's motives, it's hard not to see it that way. (And getting issues of the forum is still why Zendesk was created in the first place.)

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  28. Zendesk was created because emails were impossible to track and were getting very difficult to manage, and the ticket system made perfect sense. The decision to move to Zendesk forum was made during the difficult time when the forum was getting out of hand, and it was getting bad for the folks that did not have an issue and just wanted to have a community to share ideas.

    It doesn't always have to be that way. Eventually the decision will be reviewed with the customers to see if it makes sense, or if the forum should be used.

    But the ticket system will stay in place.

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  29. ^^^But in the meanwhile there is this weird dichotomy where people are trying to chat naturally, but are left feeling nervous about how far they can go talking about something before they get a warning.

    It isn't conducive to that community feeling either.

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  30. Something else you need to change Rick; if you go on Nichole's blog, her side bar has two places for customers to seek answers. Her FAQ page has been "Under construction" for several years. Also, below that it says "ASK NOW" for people to ask on the forum if they didn't get their answer from the empty FAQ page. And that "ASK NOW" goes to a non-working page on the forum.

    Your welcome.

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  31. They purposely make zen desk hard to find so that PTI hopes you will give up on your problem!!! End of story

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  32. 15:43 said: "The decision to move to Zendesk forum was made during the difficult time when the forum was getting out of hand, and it was getting bad for the folks that did not have an issue and just wanted to have a community to share ideas."

    ******************


    The above explanation does not make any sense. Forum users have a simple choice:

    1. click on and read about a thread that concerns CS issues;
    2. click on a nondescript thread, discover that it relates CS issues, and read no further; or
    3. click on a nondescript thread, discover it relates to CS issues, and continue reading.

    The only "folks" it was "getting bad for" was Papertrey Ink (Julie, Nichole and company. Let's be real, Rick.

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  33. 15:43 = revisionist history

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  34. 15:43, the forum 'getting out of hand' was directly related to the issues mentioned in 11:53, when people lost confidence in PTI.

    Sending people off to a forum where they feel like they're going to be on their own, dealing with a bunch of people they don't entirely trust, hearing about how it's really their fault if they have a problem isn't a very enticing alternative.

    A lot of people feel like it's two wrongs that don't make a right.

    (And the official position of PTI is still that they did nothing wrong. They've continued to play the game high handedly. Rick, you're simply working behind the scenes to fix something that on the official level isn't broken.)

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  35. Not 15:43 but I do remember that when things got really bad on the forum, there were members that were asking pti to get rid of the trouble makers so that they could have their happy home.

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  36. thanks for all of the suggestions and insight. let the conjecture continue...

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  37. This little pow wow feels so familiar and yet nothing has changed. Julie is still in customer service.

    Rick, I applaud you for trying . Good luck.

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  38. Where did Dave go anyways?

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  39. Rick gets things done, sometimes to the benefit/advantage of the customer. But don't be fooled. It's just by product of Papertrey's damage control.

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  40. Rick, just admit you got a chuckle out of littlemeesy's post. Paperweight Ink. Hee, hee.

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  41. I disagree. I don't think that the ladies have any idea how helpful Rick is.

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  42. 16:43 yes, and I remember being rather astonished at those people.

    I don't entirely understand their motivation, but I guess there will always be those that don't feel concern about an issue because of principle. Things only become important when they invade and encroach on them through their own experience.

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  43. People aren't debating Rick's helpfulness. It's the motive that's sketchy.

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  44. I would want my employer to succeed as well. Keep them paychecks coming!!

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  45. Rick, just admit you got a chuckle out of littlemeesy's post. Paperweight Ink. Hee, hee.
    ****
    I'm still personally of the opinion that deleting littlemeesy's post was a crime against humanity ...

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  46. thanks for all of the suggestions and insight. let the conjecture continue...

    ------

    Here is some conjecture.

    If PTI hadn't appeared to be so impenetrably 'faultless', this blog would not exist.

    The shipment that disappeared,
    The IP's that were defective,
    3 (yes 3) ink releases that have defects,
    release after release where people waited up past midnight (or got up at 5am on their side of the world) for products that were sold out before they could buy them,
    stamps missing from sets...

    (Add to the list as you see fit)

    If Papertrey had been PROACTIVE about dealing with the problems, apologized sincerely, responded warmly to customer concerns ...

    I suggest that this blog might not exist.

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  47. The first problem that I was personally witness to was the posting of julie's email to Karen about international postage. I was dumbfounded that a company owner would speak to a customer like that. I was so sure that Nichole would be equally as flabbergasted and fall all over herself apologizing to said customer. Instead, Nichole didn't see anything wrong with the treatment. The customer service issues just went downhill from there.

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  48. 17:18 - Karen was the Australian girl mentioned in 11:53 right?

    Yes. I think everyone was waiting for Nichole to come along and make things right. But the impenetrable faultlessness was firmly in place and they've been dishing out more of the same ever since.

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  49. I've been a customer since 2008. Despite liking the appearance the IPs give, I've never purchased one. Why? Because I've never seen clear instructions on how to use them. And now with all the problems, that's the last thing I'd buy.

    You'd think with all the videos PTI does, it would be pretty easy to do an instructional video of how to use the IPs in various machines. This would go a long way towards helping customers learn how to correctly use their products. They probably have a good variety of machines among the design team. This video should be posted on the main IP page, not buried in a blog post.

    Lastly, unless PTI comes out with their own machine, calibrated perfectly for their products, there's no way they can blame issues on "user error."

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  50. ^^^13:35 here, I still think they could get the IP's to work in every machine if they review their mats.

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  51. 17:28 If I remember correctly, Karen posted that Nichole did contact her and it was all worked out to her satisfaction.

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  52. I remember that as well. It doesn't change the fact that Julie wrote that email and Nichole acted like there was nothing wrong with it. Nichole eventually did the right thing but only when backed into a corner.

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  53. 18:30, She may have. None of us ever saw that exchange. None of us ever saw anything where PTI officially apologized for the way that she had been treated. But we saw them ignore her. We saw them make comments in defense of how they were handling the situation.

    We didn't see one personal private email exchange.

    We just watched the whole fiasco unfold, that portion of the forum disappear and we were meant to just get on with life.

    We all knew that if Karen hadn't made such a fuss about it, she would never have received her refund, if she hadn't persevered she would never have been contacted by Nichole, there would never have been any admission of guilt.

    Everyone watching the drama wanted PTI to pull through and do the right thing.

    They apparently only did the right thing when their backs were against the wall and they'd run out of other options and then did it so quietly that there was nothing to publicly applaud.

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  54. ^^^and I just thought I should say, no, I'm not Karen. (In case anyone is wondering?)

    I'm just someone who watched the 'sinking of the Titanic' with a sense of disbelief and still feel kind of sick when I think about it.

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  55. And if I remember correctly, I think Jenn E gave her a refund like out of her own pocket
    I don't even think it was Nichole...

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  56. Yes, Jen gave her $10, in PTI gift card I think, but I could be wrong.

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  57. I might need some help here - I can't remember every detail exactly (and that Ask Papertrey part of the forum doesn't exist for me to go and check the facts). But if I remember correctly the Karen Saga didn't happen in a vaccuum either.

    I think there was a huge fiasco going on about the Anniversary sets at about the same time, continued product shortages (so PTI sold out of something every release night), ink issues, website frustrations (and the new website despite lots of promises never seemed to happen?) ... a host of other things.

    Overall people were encouraging one another to be patient we kept hearing PTI is young, they're a small company, they're still growing, it's only stamping supplies etc, etc. Overall people were really loyal and tried to put a patient face on things.

    I think a lot of people felt that the Karen situation ripped the face off PTI. And a lot of people felt that the reason that the other issues weren't being dealt with wasn't because 3 brave business women were struggling with all their might to keep up with an exponentially growing company...but simply because they didn't care.

    Add to this Nichole's presence on the forum only around release time (not when people were begging for resolution about other issues)and you have a situation where the impression left, was that money was the issue. Not the customer, not business integrity.

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  58. 20:42, excellent summary.

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  59. 20:42 That was a really good summary.
    One only has to look at the forum now and wonder where all those 'faithfuls' have gone. DT's seem to be the ones all over the boards now.
    Shame to see what the owner have done to their own company.

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  60. ^^^ meant to say 'what the owners have done etc'.

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  61. OT... can anyone give a review of the MFT card stock???

    Sorry if this has been asked/answered before, I haven't been by in a while.

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  62. The faithfuls were driven away by the smackers.They were afraid of being smacked so they stopped posting.

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  63. Oh bullshit, 4:52.

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  64. MFT cardstock is rebranded Pop-Tone CS. It's nice heavy weight, just a smidge lighter than PTI CS. The white isn't as smooth as PTI. The colors are great, though sadly lacking in true blues right now. (Not MFT's fault, Pop-Tone doesn't offer them.)

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  65. I was a faithful and I was not driven away by the smackers
    I was driven away by PTIs service and the rabid unicorns

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  66. Exactly, 5:42!

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  67. I won a pack of Bazzil's new cardmaker c/s right after it first came out and all the bloggers were giving it away. I really like it and if I could find a source for it that didn't require shipping, I'd buy it. Nice and smooth. Heavy weight that is just a hair shy of PTI's weight. No flecks in the Peanut Shell color, though (kraft) and that's one of the things I like about PTI's. And the light pink is PINK, not as creamy as Sweet Blush.

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  68. 20:42 here, thanks for the nod 20:57 and 21:43, I'm trying not to make things up as we go along.

    I have a feeling that the new website may have caused a few people who had been willing to give PTI the benefit of the doubt after everything else to ask a few questions, and that's where some of the die hard original faithfuls may have gone? (Something PTI did wrong that was really lacklustre that intruded on their personal experience?) Thoughts?

    Woke up thinking about the Preggo's this morning! Hope you ladies have a good day - eat your veggies :)

    Heading out for a bit, I'll be interested to see where you're all at later.

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  69. Nice try, 4:52.

    We faithfuls BECAME the smackers.

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  70. Um, sorry preggo #2 .. Not all faithfuls.
    I'm still buying from PTI.
    I do agree with 4:52 I stopped posting there but haven't stopped buying and before anyone smacks about it, we're not anon when we post at the PTI forum so it's easier to target people here. Whereas, here, we are anon so you can post/say/swear anything and there's no fear of being singled out. Not trying to start anything, just maybe pointing out the obvious?

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  71. I think PTI should be grateful for this blog. When the new website rolled out I think a lot of people felt disbelief, and they'd run out of excuses for PTI.

    I think the smackers are a great target for some people's frustration. If you don't want to bash PTI, you need to project that frustration and vent it on something else, don't you?

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  72. 05:56, yes, I think quite a few die hard faithfuls have made it over to the 'dark side' :)

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  73. I stopped posting because you can't get back that feeling of community that used to be there. The forum is just fake now.

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  74. I think that the people that stood up on the forum and the smackers were the only reason that any changes have taken place at all. If it weren't for Karen posting that email from Julie, people wouldn't have believed that a customer could have been treated that way.

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  75. How about this, 4:52. Maybe the faithful are not able to bully those that have actual problems into silence anymore.
    -Well, I'm sure you misinterpreted what Nichole/Julie said.
    -PTI is a growing company, I think it's unfair to complain about these problems.
    -PTI is practically perfect in every way. How dare you suggest there is a problem.
    -I think PTI are my BFFs and my identity is so wrapped up in that that I will attack anyone who dares suggest that they are not perfect.

    I wouldn't have made negative comments on the forum for fear of being swarmed by the unicorns. It would have been pointless.

    Until Karen stood up for herself and those blinders were ripped away and the unicorns were pissed right off.

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  76. Meant to add: Some of the unicorns got rightfully pissed at PTI. Some of them instead are pissed at those who exposed the asshattery of Nichole/Julie.

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  77. Rick is not all roses and sunshine! This exchange between him and an customer is priceless, specifically this part:

    Louise,

    The main forum will not be used for customer service or product announcements going forward. Please make sure that you are only concerning yourself with your issues as we have found information is being distorted when other customers involve themselves in the customer service role. If other customers have an issue, they will know to come here and look for information or to open a ticket if they need additional assistance from customer service.

    As for information regarding the Sunrise Impression Plate, please contact us at customer service so that we can give you the information that you need.

    Thanks,

    Customer Service


    https://papertreyink.zendesk.com/entries/21815316-sunrise-impression-plate

    -----------------------

    Nobody at PTI is learning or wants to change and this post proves it. The customers do not distort anything! Rick is an asshole!

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  78. Rick is CS Admin

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  79. I would have to see both sides of that conversation to pass judgment. I am not all "Rick is awesome" or anything like that but I don't find the response to be terrible.

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  80. Silly, Rick. There is no customer service at PTI. That's why the customers have to take it upon themselves to find information, share information, etc.

    And talk about distortion? PTI doesn't see distortion, they create it!

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  81. I find it very odd that sometimes Rick appends his name at the end of customer service responses, other times Julie does it.

    What does it mean when there is no signature? Oh, it must be that other anonymous bitch or asshole that works at PTI.

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  82. ^^ meant to say "appends to," not "at."

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  83. Sorry, I was the one that said I'd have to see both sides of that conversation. I've read it again and it does sound unprofessional, regardless of what was said to him.

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  84. For anyone that has a Cameo, here is a free cut file for a Slider card. No need to buy the die from PTI.
    http://angelafehr.com/wordpress/2012/03/12/windowslider/

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  85. I would think that by now Julie knows that she is going to be quoted here on the smack board and that would be enough incentive to be very careful with her wording.

    The fact that her emails still have that "blame the customer" tone leads me to believe that she really has no clue as to how she comes across.

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  86. 6:42, I don't fully get what you are saying so I'll rephrase what I wrote.

    THIS faithful became a smacker. Not because unicorns chased me away. Not because I am evil and mean and want PTI to fail. I became a smacker because I don't appreciate seeing others treated poorly BY A BUSINESS.

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  87. I think Rick was basically saying they don't need anyone fighting the cause for other customers. And I understand this. He's busy trying to put out current fires and doesn't need to focus on hypothetical ones.

    I don't really see anything wrong with this. Someone please enlighten me....I'm clearly missing something.

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  88. I think what 6:42 was saying is -

    (here's what she wrote)
    I'm still buying from PTI.
    I do agree with 4:52 I stopped posting there but haven't stopped buying and before anyone smacks about it, we're not anon when we post at the PTI forum so it's easier to target people here. Whereas, here, we are anon so you can post/say/swear anything and there's no fear of being singled out. Not trying to start anything, just maybe pointing out the obvious?

    She still buys but doesn't post on the forum. She is agreeing with 5:42.
    Because of the anon nature of the smack board, it is easier to say whatever you want about posters on the PTI forum.
    When she said that it's easier to target people here, she meant that people that post with their own names on the forum get targeted here.

    Just my interpretation.

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  89. You have got to be kidding me. That MFT circus set is 45.55 plus shipping?

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  90. Wow, that does seem like a lot for 1 set+dies.

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  91. I am sure each of us here has had an experience with at least one of the companies listed on the sidebar of the home page of this site. Let's give each other honest recommendations for each of those companies and end the tragic play which is PTI.

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  92. Rick, once again thank you for the hover feature. Vague thread titles like "Currently...." drive me batty!

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  93. The only time that I wanted to order something from Ellen Hutson, the shipping for a single item was $23 to Canada. I haven't looked at her site since.

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  94. I've ordered from The Frantic Stamper a few times and have been happy with the service and price.

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  95. Ellen Hutson is a bit high on shipping to me, but her shipping is so OMG quick, I can overlook it. Like two days from the other side of the country quick. Her free ship threshold is high ($150)but her frequent shopper discount (10% if you've purchased in the last two months)usually covers the shipping cost for me, so I look at it as rather than a discount, I get free shipping.

    Frantic Stamper great selection, very upfront about any shipping delays that are occurring. Charges actual shipping & is quick to refund the difference if actual shipping is less than charged on the website.

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  96. Oozak - good prices, very quick shipping. Corrected an issue with one order very quickly & politely.

    (Isn't it sad that we have to make note of politeness in correcting issues?)

    ReplyDelete
  97. I've ordered from & never had a problem with Flourishes, i {heart} papers, Verve, There She Goes & WPlus9.

    MFT is super easy to deal with and quick shipping for me. Plus I love their stuff.

    Oh and I'm also 10:07 & 10:11 and apparently I buy entirely too much shit from too many places.

    ReplyDelete
  98. "Please make sure that you are only concerning yourself with your issues"

    REALLY!!! This part of that whole email made me absolutely cringe! This is how a company replies to a customer? Seriously?!?!

    Think about all the dealings you have ever made with any other company. Have they even come close to talking to you this way?

    Unbelievable!!!

    ReplyDelete
  99. 9:36 nice way to derail the current cs issue. Do you work for PTI? coughcoughrickcoughcough.

    ReplyDelete
  100. I've also ordered from Randy at OOzak. They don't have a ton of inventory, but they ship FAST. Ordered yesterday and it shipped YESTERDAY. Randy is VERY good about adjusting shipping (in my case paypal refund). He is ALSO excellent in keeping shoppers up to date on merchandise. I ordered my Tim Holtz Distress MArkers through Oozak. He sent timely emails updating purchasers on the status of the markers(remember the HUGE backorder?)

    Here is my 2Peas story. Ordered a MArtha Stewart punch. Received order in timely fashion, but alas, punch did NOT punch. I opened a ticket through my account on 2 Peas and heard back the NEXT day. Girl replied they would send me a new punch, ASAP. Did NOT assume I broke it, misused it, but ACTUALLY TOOK MY WORD. I asked for an addy to return the defective punch, she said, "keep it." Yeah, they BELIEVED me. I received my new punch within 3 days.

    I've also ordered from Simon Says with no problems.

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  101. 7:33 Not Rick

    ^^^^^^^^^^ what's the point of saying this? It's only one of what... 4 people? each one of you REPRESENTS the Papertreyink

    ReplyDelete
  102. coughcoughwrongcoughcough

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  103. I second the recommendation for Frantic Stamper. I've ordered from her multiple times. She gets my orders out fast and charges actual shipping. She carries new items and hard-to-find older collections.

    ReplyDelete
  104. I also love ordering from WPlus9. I get my orders fast and Dawn has excellent customer service.

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  105. 9:30, I see it marked at 39.95 at MFT. Where are you seeing it for the price you stated?

    ReplyDelete
  106. ^^^^^ The circus set, that is.

    ReplyDelete
  107. ummm....hey, 10:38, I'm not Rick or anyone who is affiliated with PTI.

    We don't have to constantly beat a dead horse here. We all know PTI has, and always will have, shitty CS. Let's help each other find alternatives.

    ReplyDelete
  108. I stood up for PTI for a long time. I was not a uni, but someone who believed that the small business, started by 3 women should be supported and given the benefit of the doubt, like when things sold out early and shipping was taking a bit longer than some people found acceptable. I admit, there was an element of 'lets support women' in there.

    But when the uncaring/rude responses started (remember the pixelated PP - green boutique, anniversary sets late oh so late, making people pay for their own shipping for CS returns, then the Karen fiasco, etc), I realized that the women I needed to support and stand behind were the *customers*, not the owners, who really did not seem to give a damn.

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  109. So, by a show of hands, who here even cares about whether or not Papertrey gets their act together?

    ReplyDelete
  110. For me there is only a wee bitty amount of caring and that waxes and wanes depending on how much I like a particular release. So far this month, I don't care at all.

    ReplyDelete
  111. 10:38, i thought the same thing! LOL, great minds.

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  112. I don't NEED any more stamps or paper. If I get the urge to purchase, there are so many other companies that are a pleasure to do business with. So no, I could care less about PTI.

    ReplyDelete
  113. i dont give a rats ass what happens to them. why should i care about them succeeding when they dont care about the ones who help them succeed.

    ReplyDelete
  114. I care. But I'm not ready to support them with big orders (occasional small ones do happen), until there is change.

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  115. I no longer post on the forum becausse it is so fake.

    Most of it (thanks to the DT) is chatter for the sake of chatter, not because there is anything worthwhile to say. Too bad.

    ReplyDelete
  116. I do not care a whole lot. I ordered last release but before that it was last year sometime. I had a problem with the sunrise ip and had to deal with Julie. I can't see anything at this point that would make me order. If they are still around after a year and Julie is no longer in customer service I might care a little.

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  117. Any care I have for PTI is for purely selfish reasons. I like their designs and would like to purchase their products if they weren't such asses, but I don't care if they succeed or not. Clearly, their demise will be of their own doing.

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  118. ^^^ I agree. I like the stamps but I have trouble believing that they can change. My care level is very low.

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  119. I used to want them to succeed but now, I couldn't care less if they go away. The actions of PTI are disgusting.

    Julie, Jane, Nichole and Rick are just morally reprehensible people. I don't think there is one ounce of goodness in any of them. They are money hungry theives.

    ReplyDelete
  120. Sorry, I like Rick.

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  121. I'll admit, I like the product and occasionally purchase. like maybe 2 times this year. i was never a die hard fan but i did enter the contests and visited the forum often though didn't comment much.

    i'll also admit that as much as i love their cardstock, i do kinda hope they go down. i love cardstock but i love justice more. and i love reading about the drama here.

    people who've been sowing horrible seeds of dishonesty and greed for many years will eventually reap an equally nasty harvest.

    the devious person in me wants to be around when that drama happens.

    oh my lordy bees, can you imagine how often PTISmackerIII will have to be here starting new threads????

    ReplyDelete
  122. ^^^ me again. i used to root for them. now i just hope they get what they deserve. oh, and i like rick too. i think he's really trying but the ship has already hit the iceberg.

    ReplyDelete
  123. I think MFT's price for the circus dies and stamps are reasonable. It's not very far from ordering Rosie Posie stamp and dies and paying for shipping (which would come to $44.95).

    ReplyDelete
  124. 12:57 has THE BEST quote of the day:

    "i love cardstock but i love justice more."

    Need to make that into a bumpersticker . . .

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  125. "Please make sure that you are only concerning yourself with your issues"

    REALLY!!! This part of that whole email made me absolutely cringe! This is how a company replies to a customer? Seriously?!?!

    Think about all the dealings you have ever made with any other company. Have they even come close to talking to you this way?

    Unbelievable!!!

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Honestly, never, but I think most companies out there would never act like that in the first place.

    ReplyDelete
  126. What is one of Julie's sayings? There are plenty of other companies that would like your business or perhaps we aren't the right company for you or ????

    ReplyDelete
  127. "Please make sure that you are only concerning yourself with your issues"

    This sounds like something that Julie would say!

    ReplyDelete
  128. I see the MFT circus set as being 39.95 on their website too.

    ReplyDelete
  129. Just saw a post on Facebook. My local animal shelter is in dire need of dogfood. THAT is where my $$ is going. PTI can suck it!

    ReplyDelete
  130. MFT is $45 with shipping.

    As for concerning myself with other customers issues? Well, of course I do. When I hear that a company mistreats customer after customer it IS my business to find out who I am giving my money too and if they think it isn't my business then I am not THEIR business.

    ReplyDelete
  131. Love the new releases from MFT! The polished to perfection is cute for my daughter! And I am a total 80's girl. Will be getting those sets for sure. Then the jersey stamp and die are awesome as both kids play soccer and hockey! Love it!

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  132. I would like to see the company succeed but believe that will only happen when sales plummet and julie is forced to get out of CS.

    Unfortuntely, if smackers are still buying that aint going to happen

    ReplyDelete
  133. Now that I am not buying from Papertrey every month, I am just not spending as much money. The only stamps that I'm buying these days are from the for sale boards on SCS and Papertrey.

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  134. I would never contact customer service to say that they should fix another customer's issue.

    If customer service tells me that I'm the only one having an issue and I know for a fact that others are having the issue too, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm gong to mention others, because 1) I won't be told I'm alone when I'm not and 2) I'm not going to take different treatment than others are given (esp refunds on shipping)

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  135. "I would never contact customer service to say that they should fix another customer's issue."

    If you are referring to the exchange between Louise and cs on zendesk, Louise was not concerning herself with another customers issues. She was suggesting that other customers would not know about the sunrise ip problems unless it was posted on the forum or website.

    ReplyDelete
  136. 14:00 - I'm 13:57

    I don't think she was. That wasn't what I meant.

    But some people do email without having an issue of their own just to spout off. I don't have that much energy to devote to the issue.

    When I'm emailing CS anyway, because of other issues I'm having, there should be no issue to bring up that they aren't notifying people.

    ReplyDelete
  137. BINGO, 13:57!

    ***********

    "I would never contact customer service to say that they should fix another customer's issue.

    If customer service tells me that I'm the only one having an issue and I know for a fact that others are having the issue too, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm gong to mention others, because 1) I won't be told I'm alone when I'm not and 2) I'm not going to take different treatment than others are given (esp refunds on shipping)"

    ReplyDelete
  138. ^^^so Julie or whoever basically told Louise to mind your own business don't tell us what to do!

    ReplyDelete
  139. 12:25 Those are strong words. There is good in everyone and not right to judge...lest ye be judged.

    ReplyDelete
  140. 12:25 Those are strong words. There is good in everyone and not right to judge...lest ye be judged.

    ReplyDelete
  141. I agree with 12:25's words being strong.
    While I will comment on my dislike for the actions of some people, I don't agree with attacking their character.

    I actually believe the helpful anon poster yesterday that suggested that Julie perhaps should choose her words more carefully. I would even go so far as to suggest that she doesn't intend to come across as she often does. I do wish that she would find somebody in customer service that is able to choose her words properly though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Temporary subject diversion...

      Distress Ink Broken China is a near perfect match for Hawaiian Shores.

      Thanks again to those who recently, and patiently, reposted subsitutions for PTI ink. I've been using the spreadsheet this week and it's SO handy.

      Delete
  142. I believe that Julie doesn't care how she comes across. There has been no effort to improve and no changes (bringing in someone to handle it and walking away). She doesn't have to drink and beat her kids to be bad businesswoman. I really do think for her it is all about the money. She doesn't seem to care who she steps on her way to the bank.

    Again, do I think she has no morals? No. I think she possibly applies them selectively and doesn't bring her nice self to work very often.

    (and I'm not the previous poster with the strong words, just adding my 0.02 here.)

    ReplyDelete
  143. also should add that pride is a sin... not seeing that you can make mistakes and should learn from them, well that is a healthy doese that most everyone at PTI could use to learn - some of the DT included.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Michelle W.'s stamp sale. The prices are meh. I thought that there would be more.

    http://michellewooderson.blogspot.ca/p/papertrey-sale.html

    ReplyDelete
  145. Well she only shops to the US...phooey

    ReplyDelete
  146. Ordered from MFT 2 hours ago. Order confirmation in 10 minutes after. Order shipped within 45 minutes of ordering. Now that is service.

    ReplyDelete
  147. I ordered from MW's etsy several years ago. What a rip off. She used photo tricks to make it look like a lot of stuff. What came were tiny little bits of air mail scrap bits. Never again.

    ReplyDelete
  148. 16:33 that is funny, but in a sad way.

    ReplyDelete
  149. Anonymous said...

    I no longer post on the forum becausse it is so fake.

    Most of it (thanks to the DT) is chatter for the sake of chatter, not because there is anything worthwhile to say. Too bad.

    8 August 2012 12:1

    THANK GOD

    ReplyDelete
  150. Thank God what?

    That the OP never posts? That the forum is fake? That the dt posts?

    ReplyDelete
  151. Mish is always selling kits, maybe they're selling well? I haven't bought any, no plans of doing so but they do look cute.

    Not buying the MFT stamps either. Happy for you 16:29, your shipping was fast. I ordered last year and my order took almost a week to ship. Didn't bother emailing, just waited like I always do for online orders. Just sayin.

    ReplyDelete
  152. On Mish's PTI for sale list:
    Out On a Limp Revised

    ROFL!!!

    ReplyDelete
  153. 16:33- how could someone do camera tricks to make it look like more? Do you mean things looked bigger than they actually were?
    I've been checking out her store for a while, so I'm curious what to look out for.

    ReplyDelete
  154. Just noticed the lady who had 2 Sunrise IP plates wrecked, has posted that PTI had credited her for both of them..

    ReplyDelete
  155. Did she get the $6 postage back?

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  156. Re: today's sneak peek, how many Flower Fusion stamp/die sets can you have before they ALL start looking alike? I thought so after the first three! Why does PTI keep encouraging Bickford to do more? I guess NH is not the only one out of NEW ideas. groan....!

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  157. I need to start using the sets that I already have. I am not even tempted this month. Then again, I don't like Fall or Winter, I don't make Halloween cards or treats and I have a bazillion Christmas sets so I am set anyways.

    ReplyDelete
  158. I'm eager to see if Miss Cleo called it correctly when she conjectured that PTI would be shutting it's doors after October release. I can't wait to laugh about it when it doesn't happen.

    For those of you just tuning in, Miss Cleo is a self proclaimed psychic who was arrested for fraud and my own pet name for the prophetic chicken little here in smack land who likes to throw out tidbits of nonsense to see who takes the bait. And then later comes in to bitch about how the smack blog promotes lies and everything here is a lie.

    ReplyDelete
  159. I am not posting to the forum because I am just a troublemaker and the thread will just get locked but here are my true feelings -

    "How wonderful that the PTI PTB did some investigating and actually asked the manufacturer about problems customers have been having. THIS is excellent news. I am so pleased that you and everyone else who has a problem will see it resolved. This is the way to have good CS relations. :like"


    How sad that the PTB made people feel like idiots, returned defective products to the customers and made them jump through hoops to get this issue resolved.

    That, in my opinion is NOT good cs relations.

    Funny that the thread won't get locked or deleted as long as people are praising cs, right?

    ReplyDelete
  160. And the circus set from lisa johnson looks like vector stock images. Doesnt look like she illustrated that IMO

    ReplyDelete
  161. 7:32, odd you say that b/c the bulk of PTI's images (save for the juvenille stamp sets, which I define very broadly to include little hotrod, the new ghost set, etc.) ALWAYS look like they are vector images.

    ReplyDelete
  162. "Dear Papertrey, thanks for not calling me a liar, for reaching out to your manufacturer/supplier like any good company would do when quality control issues are raised, and for quietly and finally owning up to having a product problem. Hugs and kisses and brownie points for doing what you are suppose to do."

    ReplyDelete
  163. ^^ Yes, like thanking my kids/ husband/coworkers for flushing!

    ReplyDelete
  164. 06:14 - don't know - there was no mention of shipping refunds, just that they credited her for the 2 IP's.

    ReplyDelete
  165. New release - awful so far. Juvenile drawings and the same themes reconstituted. It's getting boring at PTI.

    ReplyDelete
  166. Most boring release ever!

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  167. Yep - boring. And another 13 stamp sets, not counting dies, etc. etc. Such overload.

    ReplyDelete
  168. WOW! I missed one day. (What can happen in one day right?)

    I just read 07:29. Wow. (Shake head) Wow (Hang head). Wow (Hold head).

    May I suggest that that CS email was inappropriately worded (rocket science right :)?

    How about:

    Dear Papertrey,

    Please make sure that you are only concerning yourself with your issues (product release, inventory control etc.) as we have found information is being distorted when the company involves themselves in the customer service role.

    Yours sincerely ....

    ReplyDelete
  169. 10:07, that is funny. Information is distorted when PTI involves itself in CS role. Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  170. I don't know if this has been addressed but really are the IPs etched? Wouldn't etching be really expensive? The plates look like they were pressed by a machine. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the etching process. It doesn't matter. A crap product is a crap product.

    ReplyDelete
  171. OMG, can Leigh post any more on the forum??? Damn, what is with her? Is she angleing to be on the PTI team? If so, hope she doesn't trip over that bar they've set!

    ReplyDelete
  172. The days of "promoting" PTI customers to DT status ended with Dawn, Mish, and Niki Estes. Leigh can angle all she wants but it ain't gonna happen.

    ReplyDelete
  173. anyone thinking of doing the beckky higgins class for Q4 on big picture classes? Was looking today and I'm tempted, but it is $99.... wish there was a coupon code or something

    ReplyDelete
  174. Maybe she wants to be forum moderator? Maybe she wants it to be sunshine, unicorns and rainbows. Maybe she needs the attention. Maybe she is gunning for a spot on the DT and it trying to make NH notice her.

    And as I recall, 12:53, ACN was making "Look at my PTI Haul" videos a couple of years ago...now she's on the DT. How did that happen if the days of customers being elevated to DT are "over"?

    ReplyDelete
  175. ACN was never on the forum.

    ReplyDelete
  176. ACN was on the forum pre DT. And let's not forget about Lizzie Jones. She's been a forum member who "randomly" was chosen to design a stamp set.

    ReplyDelete
  177. Some people are just friggin annoying as all hell and should be made aware of how much they annoy people.
    Speaking of annoying people, why is Ted so quiet? Think he's still sulking after NH handslapped him a while back?

    ReplyDelete
  178. Never saw ACN on the forum before her joining the Dt

    ReplyDelete
  179. I saw her like 3 times.
    Someone who isn't lazy like me could check her post history easily enough.

    ReplyDelete
  180. I'm starting to like Ted now (snort).

    ReplyDelete
  181. I checked. She posted a few happy birthday messages prior to DT and that's all.

    ReplyDelete
  182. However, I did see her drop a big mint at CHA. She was first in line so I'm not sure of they let her in before it opened, but she walked away with QUITE a few large totes full of stuff
    She was already a name, and getting pubbed with PTI stuff, so I wonder if the greedy trio have her a discount or not

    ReplyDelete
  183. I placed an order on Tuesday and it looks like it's in Birmingham.

    ReplyDelete
  184. I hope that your order arrives without any missing or damaged items.

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  185. Sounds to me like you should be posting about your order on the PTI forum, not here. The unicorns would love to hear about all the details. Maybe take some pics of you opening your box!

    ReplyDelete
  186. Wonder if Nichole ever worked at Mickey D's. She seems to have spirit of this phrase down pat. Would you like that Supersized?

    ReplyDelete
  187. Didn't Lizzy Jones "win" the opportunity to design one stamp set? Isn't that how she got on the DT

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  188. Anyone notice that NH no longer introduces the peaks saying 'set *I* designed?'

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  189. Sorry Trell, I have no interest in the speed of your order.

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  190. 20:00 UPON CUSTOMER REQUEST...do you understand what that means?

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  191. How is increasing from 2" to 3 1/4" "over double the original size"? Am I missing something here?

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  192. 03:45 I am hoping that was not meant snarky. Its not very becoming

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  193. Not as many of Mish's stamps have sold as I would have expected.

    ReplyDelete
  194. How is increasing from 2" to 3 1/4" "over double the original size"? Am I missing something here?

    Thank you for taking the time to share your disappointment in how we do our math here at Papertrey. Maybe we aren't the right company for you. If you would like a snarky non-answer please feel free to open a zendesk ticket which we will quickly mark as resolved.

    ReplyDelete
  195. I see I am going to be in trouble this month ... $5 stamp sets calling me. I know there are dies to go with them but how can I pass up a $5 set? They are cute!

    Where can you find mish's PTI stamps for sale?

    ReplyDelete
  196. Those are some fugly stamps that sausage fingers is hawking today!

    ReplyDelete