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 like the Think Big and the photo finishers but I'm holding out for the anniversary month.
Haven't ordered since SAF and I have 24 reward points saved from the last 2 years. I'm hoping I can cash out points and get a few items and then pretty much close the book on PTI.
The fact that they can't get stamps to their design team say a bunch.
Thanks so much for the new space. I appreciate it. I am vision impaired and it is so much easier for me to find my place where I quit reading before, when the pages are not hundreds of comments long.
Not more brilliant than many of us who run good businesses that make profits with happy customers. And certainly not more brilliant than the neuroscientist stamper who posts here.
Where is there any indication that it is a widespread problem in the stamping business for dt members to not get their product in time to showcase? Give us just a half dozen or so examples.
When it's like the 3 or 4 th month in a row that DT gets packages late it's a sign to me of a general inability to get it together...one of many many signs
commented on other post by mistake. Wanted to make sure everyone was aware: Ashley is on double secret probation. Dawn is getting together a kangaroo court to have her black-balled. Sad, really. I read it on the interwebs.
I agree that CAS-usal Fridays is much more innovative, what with their WTF set and all, than PTI's old lady stuff. And Mama Elephant? Oh, the creativity just overflows there - yipee, a typewriter stamp being released tomorrow!
Maybe Ashley really is on "double secret probation," which prompted her to write that incredible brown-nose post about all of the stuff she liked so much from the first group post. I wouldn't be surprised if her inane chatter on the forum got her in trouble with Nichole... you know, since Nichole is such a charmer and so forgiving.
I'm not feeling much this month, either. The Photo Finishers stuff will be useful, (thank God that "sending" and "thoughts of you" are separate stamps) and the Folk Art set is interesting... definitely would fill a niche in my stamp collection. I know "smackers" think it's old lady-ish, so I apparently have the taste of an old lady. I looked, and the stuff you guys call so "fresh" is awful... Maybe old lady taste is better than bad taste.
You know what? I don't WANT to be BBFs forever with PTI. Never expected to be, never wanted to be. I know they don't care about me and how I'm feeling or anything. I know that they probably do laugh at some of the projects that their customers make (not everyone is a designer; not everyone who loves crafting is actually talented). They're just a company that I buy stamps from. It's a business relationship. I have never personally had a customer service problem with them, but I know that many others have. But, to their credit, I can't think of another stamp company that actually listens to what their customers want the way that PTI does.
20:40 - Agree with you. Disagree on one point - PTI have shown they are not interested in looking into better shipping options, despite many requests from customers. This would indicate they are not interested in international customers.
i miss the old PTI forum and many of the folks that felt like internet friends. I have a happy fulfilled life with real friends, but none of them are interested in stamping. i just can't seem to connect with any other forum the way i did there.
i am issuing an open invite for folks who read here and used to post there to come back. not now. that would be obvious that you are reading here! LOL, but slowly over the next few months.
I love the products and am not ashamed to admit it. Not a huge fan of the folks who run the place but really do not care all that much.
I think that it is Erin that posted about the black friday warehouse sale.She has also posted other things like this about the anniversary set "We've only got a month to wait! I'm anticipating this year that we'll have dies to go with it right off the bat just like we did with Pretty Peonies." Since she is on the dt, some people will see this as fact or hinting.
the DT have conference calls where they discuss ideas and get very specific assignments, which I think is one of the reasons the DT is so good.
other companies just send out boxes and ask the team to make stuff. Nichole hasn't outsourced the DT or the selection of designs to someone else and she is really good at this stuff.
this is one reason why I continue to buy. I don't want to be PTI's friend, just want a nice product at a decent price.
I know they aren't the nicest people, but they aren't polluting my air or killing workers.
I don't want PTI to be my BFFs. It's a business/client relationship. I want a business to value the fact that I choose to spend my money with them. Period. I have not and do not see that with PTI. This is my fun money here. This isn't buying gas for the car, groceries, etc. Why on earth would I spend money with a company who acts as PTI does? I spend my money with companies who are apologetic and prompt with corrections when mistakes are made. I spend my money with companies who do not make me feel like a criminal trying to bilk them when I approach them with a product problem. I spend my money with companies who are prompt in shipping the product that I purchased. PTI does have nice product, yes. But they are not worthy of my fun money. And so, they no longer get it. Their loss, not mine.
I don't need the people who run the company to be my buddies either, and I have to say that I'm impressed with the fact that PTI obviously heard the message that people were unhappy and are taking steps to work on the issues. Yes, it took way longer for them to come to their senses than I would have liked, but I'm encouraged by the progress. I am still sad for the international customers and wish that something could be done to make it easier and more economical for them to order.
I haven't purchased much in the last year, but this month's release is killing me and will certainly cause me to open my wallet.
PTI (and really all of the paper/stamp/scrapbooking companies out there) know that they way to get people to buy is to get them personally invested. Why do we know the names of the owners? Why do we see pics of their homes and kids? If you market that way then be prepared to take the criticism on your own behavior. Nichole is selling herself, not just the stamps.
I don't need the PTI PTB to be my besties either, but knowing what I know now, I don't feel good about my purchases with them. Bottom line, I don't want to give my money to those ladies. I know they have made some strides in the last year, but I think those changes are more due to sales going down. The recent ink and impression plate issues speak volumes about how far they have NOT come.
i posted that I continue to buy but I totally understand if someone is too irked by PTI's attitude not to buy. it's capitalism. the consumer can pick whatever they think matters to them.
@5:52 It was definitely Ashley who posted about the idea of a Black Friday warehouse sale. Erin posted something about "if you had to spend $100 on older sets" soon after.
@7:03 - The ink & impression plates are a good example of how things haven't really changed there. They may have made some surface changes but not apparently anything substantial.
And then there is Ashley not getting her DT sets. Yes, I'm sure that it occasionally happens with other companies. But this is happening in a company who has a history of problems with slow shipping. If they can't get out a planned DT package in a timely manner, how could I trust that they would get my order out in a timely manner?
Just to clarify about what I said about the bad new inks and IPs. I'm not so worried about the actual problems. Every company makes mistakes, but just own up to it and fix it!
7:48 I do get that. But I'm even beyond "every company makes mistakes" by now. (Though that is very true. And PTI's handling of problems is still a problem.)
I can't remember what version number of inks we are on now. PTI just has product/service fiascoes one after another. It just screams "poor business plan" to me. Yes, of course, every company will have issues at some point. (See: stamp manufacturer issue that affected multiple companies last year.)But how many has PTI had in their almost six (five? hell, I can't remember anymore) years of being in business? And it's not just one thing. It's inks, IPs, customer service, slow shipping. Something just ain't right at PTI.
Re: January Release Chatter by nichole » Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:37 am
pmm wrote: I am loving the Hands of Time products, but the reveal shows that the large clock face is cut off on one side- is that true? Any ideas on how to make it as a whole clock, which is what I would much prefer?
Nichole Says...Yes, the large clock face is cut off slightly on one side to accommodate the sheet size of our stamps (the widest we can go is 3-1/2"). You might be able to line up the stamp for a second impression to make it a full circle, but it would be a bit tricky. I found when I was using the stamp that I almost always wanted it to go off the page anyway, so it works out really well. Especially when applying it to an A2 card front. Hope that helps!
Yes, the large clock face is cut off slightly on one side to accommodate the sheet size of our stamps (the widest we can go is 3-1/2"). You might be able to line up the stamp for a second impression to make it a full circle, but it would be a bit tricky. I found when I was using the stamp that I almost always wanted it to go off the page anyway, so it works out really well. Especially when applying it to an A2 card front. Hope that helps! :)
07:03: Maybe you get personally invested with the whole "aura" of a company or design team, but I certainly don't. But then again, I can also tell the difference between a movie and reality. Like you said, it's all just marketing.
omgawwwd! I'm so irritated about that clock face. I was all over that set until I saw that dumb sliver of the clock cut off. I cannot believe they couldn't find a way to work around it. Ugh.
1035 I didn't say that I am personally invested in PTI. I'm just describing a popular marketing style. There are many who drink the koolaid. Look at how many people went to that damn stampafair! That said, just because I'm not personally invested in PTI doesn't mean that I want to keep sending $ to people who I know are jerks.
I love the Tiny Tags so I'm drawn to the Tremendous Tags die. I know it's just a blown up version of the little thing which is typical PTI MO these days. I also like the pattern paper packs. I have a few. I like them. But, I'm not going to order any time soon. I'm curious to see what the anniversary celebration is like. And I do hope Ashley gets off her double-secret probation. ;)
I was going to order the clock stuff too, but now I have $46 to spend on something else in my life. Glad someone noted it because I truly had not noticed it. Wonder how many will order and be truly pissed when it comes?
When I noticed that the large clock was not a full image, I hesitated about whether or not to add it to my list. Then I took a look at the design team samples again. The scale of the smaller clock (full image) is perfect for cards. When I need the full clock, I can use the smaller stamp. I would use the larger clock on scrapbook pages and for background stamping so the almost-full image works for how I would actually use the stamps. The dies also sold me on all the clock possibilities. I love those intricate hands and can't wait to get them.
When I realized that most of the stamps used on Melissa Phillip's blue and red folk art bird card were not even in the folk art set, I lost my yen for it.
Why in the heck are the large Roman Numerals for the clock not in a circle like the small ones? What is the chance that one could stamp all 12 in perfect orientation without tilting one here and there. Ick.
Just returned a die I ordered last month from PTI because I wasn't happy with the way it cut. I was refunded my money the day after they received it. Had no problems.
Old lady or vintage? All in the eye of the beholder. I know 20 year olds who collect antiques and decorate in farmhouse country of their grandma and great grandma's time.
Really? You want to know why I think Ashley didn't get her box?
Let's see -- Nichole hates her; the post office made an error; Julie made a mistake; Julie hates her; the box was lost behind a pallet of stamps; Al Quada intercepted it to implant a teeney weeney video camera in one of the dies so it can track Ashley's whereabouts; it was delivered to a neighbors house by mistake.
Seriously, of all the immature drivel I've come to love on this blog, this question wins. Who the fuck cares why Ashley didn't get her fucking box on time.
Damn 1:19, you need to take your meds. I'm not the original poster, but geez. Overreact much?
I was also wondering about Ashley because Betsy got her package in enough time to do her projects BEFORE she went to CHA. Here CHA is over (or close to over?), and Ashley ain't got nothing to show? It is hinky. I'm not an Ashley fan, so I could care less. Just shows the ineptitude of this company yet again!
Old lady is not the same as vintage. Old lady stamps are like Stampin Up, Just Rite, Flourishes, CTMH. I'm not saying that all the PTI stuff is old ladyish, but it has that out-dated feel. I don't want my cards to look like they came out of the 80's.
Does this seem odd to anyone else? Michelle W's term is up with Project Life and she posted the following this morning.
" I was kind of happy when I got the note about the Studio Calico calendar that was to be included in the Project Life kit. Although I would have rather had all the journaling cards in the kit be perfect and not have to trim them, the little calendar set was a bonus. But upon viewing it, it was a hot little mess of uneven corners and edges...free or not, it was not really usable in it's current condition."
I guess you can't really diss the company while you are on the dt but this seems like an odd thing to say IMO. Is it a slight against Studio Calico?
Yeah, studio calico had started a project life kit of the month, and had some issues with the finishing on the calendar cards. So she's dissing studio calico...which is wierd as it really seemed she was previously ass kissing to get on the DT
Why are random posts from the PTI forum being copied and pasted here at the smack blog? Someone is posting comments written there like it is a random anonymous smack blog post. Not cool.
The only random post that I saw was the one that was letting people know that their order went off without a hitch. I figured that it was someone making the point that things are getting better at PTI.
As far as fresh stamps and old lady stamps - I don't understand the love of Paper Smooches designs. They are basically line drawings that if I took my time I could replicate. I understand it's personal style and all that. It's just not my style. When I think of fresh designs, I'm thinking of something that hasn't been done 10-20 times by other companies and is also artistically done. And yes, by most accounts I am an old lady LOL. To me old lady stamps are old, tired, styles but not yet vintage styles. But, to each their own and that's why all these companies have customers :)
When I noticed that the large clock was not a full image, I hesitated about whether or not to add it to my list. Then I took a look at the design team samples again. The scale of the smaller clock (full image) is perfect for cards. When I need the full clock, I can use the smaller stamp. I would use the larger clock on scrapbook pages and for background stamping so the almost-full image works for how I would actually use the stamps. The dies also sold me on all the clock possibilities. I love those intricate hands and can't wait to get them.
I think 8:25 is absolutely right... It is about what you personally like. I agree that some of the images at CTMH and Flourishes can be more appealing to an older generation, but I have never felt like that with any of the sets from PTI. Even these stamps this month don't feel at all "old" to me.
The knitting stamps were very on trend, as I have seen countless knitting sets from other companies, and knitting is extremely popular with the advent of Pinterest. Some of this incessant bitchy criticism just sounds like sour grapes... PTI's poor excuse for customer service doesn't compromise the integrity of their designers.
What do you mean sour grapes? I just think that PTI looks a lot like Stampin Up which to me is a very dated style. Lots of people like/have this dated style. They may not realize it looks dated and if they like it, who cares? Not me. Just don't feed me that crap that PTI is fresh and innovative.
Havent ordered for nearly a year. But looked at the mini polaroid frame, and yeah, its out of stock. Thought they were getting better at keeping inventory up. Should have known better.
I don't think most of PTI's designs are 'old lady'. Some of the flower $5 sets were getting a bit repetative and boring, and the kid-themed sets are... well... kiddie-ish.
Maile's sets are super modern and eclectic, but I don't think they appeal to the majority of the people.
I think people equate 'graphic' and super grungy sets with fresh, but that's a different style, not more in vogue.
Nice, 1:19. You ALMOST read my question correctly. I was wondering why people thought THAT was her reason for not posting... You know, as opposed to some other reason, like sickness or death in the family. But thanks for sharing just how easy it is to get your feathers ruffled. I'll remember that the next time I need a good chuckle, lol!
Thank you for your response 4:55. That's all I wanted. :)
I hadn't ordered form PTI in months and months, but decided to place an order on January 3. Still haven't received it. Why?
It was lost by the freaking Post Office! It left the Cincinnati PO on January 5th, and is out there somewhere. I filled out a report, so let's see how promptly the USPO handles it.
For once, PTI is not to blame. Mark this date in history.
And who are you to be the judge of what looks "dated"? Are you so trendy? There is a difference between being merely "trendy" and "fresh" and being classic and sophisticated. Fashion changes frequently; timeless style endures. Obviously if they are still in business and still have a substantial monthly release, your feelings are in the minority.
The "sour grapes" was in reference to the fact that your criticisms sound rather hollow, like you're grasping at straws for something to bitch about. Their customer service has improved; it's not perfect (not that you'd know since you supposedly don't order), but what else can you complain about?
I love flourishes and think their detailed hand drawn florals can be stunning. true art, unlike a splot of ink on a page or some computer generated squares.
I hate the modern cartoonish look of many of the trendy stamps. Paper Smooches is an example. They look childish. I also don't care for Steam Punk even though that would probably be considered young and not old lady stamping. I also don't care for the dripping paint, water spotted, etc. that is a big part of the modern look. Give me the old lady stamps any day. I do not like things that look like a mess.
I love Kim's (paper smooches owner and designer) handwriting and her upcoming dies. I am still on the fence whether to buy her images or not. I am not sure if my old friends would appreciate them lol!
Yup 16:04 I agree fishy A paper crafting class?? Really??
Also, this was ribbon share girl who has flaked on numerous occasion. There's always an excuse ( move, illness, whatever) but she's lef people on the hook before, disappears and then shows up with an excuse. I would not send her anything.
@16:08: agreed! Sloppy does not equate style to my eyes. I wonder if some designer randomly accidentally flung paint or spritz spray on one of their projects, decided to put it on their blog anyway and call it "new" and "fresh" and "innovative"?
Michelle W will not be back. If she was, she would be gushing over her new found love for old favorite stamps and how we should be using some of our Papertrey stamps because they go with anything.
My guess about who is leaving? Maille and maybe Jessica or Danielle.
Who are the stamp designers again? They haven't left an impression.
If Michelle W were to be heading to any dt, we would already be reading about the newest products on her blog. We haven't even see much of October Afternoon lately.
I like Michelle W but I don't like Project Life. I hope that she spends more time making cards. I would love to see more PTI cards but that will never happen. I can't see her giving Nichole any free publicity.
I used to love mish a couple years ago before she started using tags and tickets on everything because she was selling them in her shop. Before she tried to pass off a wadded up tangle of sewing thread as an "embellishment", wtf! Her style has drifted so far away from what made me a fan of hers in the first place.
I used to love mish a couple years ago before she started using tags and tickets on everything because she was selling them in her shop. Before she tried to pass off a wadded up tangle of sewing thread as an "embellishment", wtf! Her style has drifted so far away from what made me a fan of hers in the first place.
I think a delayed package is a good thing. With all the new product we get overwhelmed. So now during the cool down period we get to see new ideas with the product. I think its brilliant! Someone might be very clever
Nothing is going to prevent ribbonsharegirl's sister from getting a package at school and schleping it home to the "wonderful crafty sister." I wouldn't send her a glue stick as I don't trust her based on past events. (as they've unfolded on the forum, not as I've been burned personally) Call Hobby Lobby. Call Michaels. Call AC Moore. Get their left over scrapbook paper they can't move, even from their clearance bins.
15:00...I could have written that. I remember the first time I came across her blog (right before she began on the PTI DT). I simply devoured it, reading every entry from the very beginning. I don't like how she's evolved since focusing on her etsy shop.
As for the person soliciting donations, I don't know her but I do know that geographical area. It's very impoverished. In fact, I used to know an art teacher there and she provided a lot of her own art supplies. She could be legit.
MW has added to her list of PTI for sale. I believe this is the second time she has done this. So I tend to think she is getting rid of PTI not becoming a DT member again.
I am trying to find the lemon bowl art that Nichole used for the blog hop. For the photo credit, she just linked the blog, not the specific blog entry. I hate when people do that!
I think that Michelle would create beautiful cards again if she had a nice stamp company to work with. I don't fault her for trying to make a living through her Etsy shop.
IMO she is not going to use stamps from a company unless she is representing them. Why would she?
Gina K, I would love to see you invite Michelle to be on your dt.
Two of my favorite PTI stamps sets are ones that Mish had a hand in designing - the Take Note one to make the little notebooks and Vintage Picnic. I like those baskets. Made Mish's notebooks for Christmas gifts for friends a couple of years ago and they were big hits. And mine were no where near as cute as Mish's have been in the past.
It bugs me when stampers whose style I admire (or used to, in mish's case) will only use stamps from a company they are dt-ing for. Is your craft time soooo precious that you will only show work using product for which you are compensated somehow? I know there are plenty of people for whom the answer to that would be yes. So annoying.
It bugs me when stampers whose style I admire (or used to, in mish's case) will only use stamps from a company they are dt-ing for. Is your craft time soooo precious that you will only show work using product for which you are compensated somehow? I know there are plenty of people for whom the answer to that would be yes. So annoying.
I used to feel the same way, however, once I decided to become a designer for a living it didn't make sense to promote other companies.
In Michelle's case, she can't sell kits using stamps that she doesn't carry and she may even get into trouble using stamps in kits that she doesn't own any rights to.
I know a lot of SU demo's that no longer use anything that isn't SU because they are trying to make a business out of it.
If one were to just stamp and blog for the fun of it, that would be one thing. Once you are trying to make money doing it, it doesn't make a lot of sense to promote random companies.
it does make sense to use other companies IF doing so ultimately increases traffic to your blog. as much as I like some bloggers, I see the products they "love" disappear as soon as they no longer work for a company. That makes me annoyed and less likely to visit.
watching the former PTI DT sell off every last set cracks me up. All that love out the window so fast!!
Oh ribbonsharegirl...she is the master of stories. I think everything that comes out of her mouth is pure BS. As much as I would love to help, I don't trust her one bit. Like the poster before me, not from personal expirience but from things that have unfolded in the forum so many different times.
I used to be a SU demo and hated how it made me feel so stifled by the supplies I was 'allowed' to use. (Even if it is good business sense to be SU Only as a demo.) If I were to make a go at designing for profit I would want the freedom to use whichever dang company's product I liked. I get sad when I see design team members never use a company's product again once they leave the team. But I totally understand if they leave on less than good terms.
Ribbon share girl left people hanging on a ribbon share ... She ordered a bunch and was to send it out..then disappeared. She came back and said that she moved and people got their ribbon but it did take quite a while. Then she was involved in that pass your stash swap. The box stopped with her and she wasn't responding at all. Eventually the poor person that organized the swap came out and told people who had the box and it looked like the swap was done for. Then she comes on and said that her husband had a heart attack the day the box came to her house yadda yadda yadda They all could have been true but it just seems a series of unfortunate events again and again.
In addition to the less than honest stuff she has one on the message board, consider the following from her post:
School is dropping all kinds of programs or making them "pay to play", yet they start a scrapbooking class. ?????
Sister is given the assignment to run said scrapbooking class, yet ribbonshare girl (who isn't a teacher there or a parent of a kid there) changes the class to a papercrafting class. ???
Sister is recently hired at the school yet apparently already has a history of packages sent to her at the school go missing and that's why you need to send them to ribbonsharegirl. ??????
"We used to live in this district before we moved." "As a bonus for these kids, I'm going to offer classes in my house during the summer for a small fee." Red flags all over this one. She doesn't live in the district so how are these kids going to get to her house? And how are these "poor" kids going to come up with the fee? How is she making this offer to them? Is she in the classroom? Is a random person without ties to a kid in a school allowed to be in there?
There's enough of an "ick" factor running through this. I take my castaway products to local schools/daycares.
I agree about ribbon share girl. Have you noticed that she doesn't do ribbon shares any longer? People were not getting their ribbon, took forever, sent to the wrong address, etc A "poor" school would not be adding an elective without any funding. Scrapbooking? How are these kids going to pay to develop their pictures? I just don't buy it, sorry it seems like a scam to me. Also most schools are taking away electives not adding "fluff" subjects.
I am not slamming our craft so please dont think that but in thats school situation (if accurate) wouldnt a different kind of activity be more beneficial? Cooking, book club, painting, language etc.
Wonder if its for adult classes for a small fee...
It seems she does a lot of complaining, and especially a lot of making up excuses. And the excuses are always grandiose. If these bad things keep happening to her, that is unfortunate, but why spread it all over the internet? My husband got laid off 2 weeks before Christmas, but be damn sure that I didn't write a post about it and ask for crafting supplies to be sent to me because I don't have money to buy them anymore. Geeze. She also won a Make It Monday and wrote a post about "Oh my God, I can't believe I won...insert sob story about how she failed her EMT tests..." Maybe you should be studying instead of stamping lady. It's borderline ridiculous. Who does that?
My Cute Stamps - I wondered that too, I ordered some stamps in the sale a long time ago, but that has been one long sale, I thought they may be clearing out their inventory of older stamps to make way for new releases but they haven't had a new release in a long time. It's a shame as they did have some _cute_ stamps.
15:59 I agree with you. If you order before release your order should be out BEFORE the order frenzy. I ordered the day before the release and my order finally got shipped yesterday. Which I think really sucks because people that ordered on release night already received their orders. But then again it's my fault cause I keep ordering from the stupid place.
How could release orders have been received before orders ordered before the release have even been shipped? Didn't they tell us that orders are done in order?
I have always suspected that those who defend them on the forums and those who place regular and big orders get their orders hand picked and shipped BEFORE anyone else. This sort of confirms it, doesn't it? Once again, lying from Nichole.
oh i cannot believe that PTI provides better shipping to its favored customers; I just don't think they care enough about any customer and I don't think they have the business skills to pull it off.
17:06- I was wondering the same thing. Doesn't it seem like it's always the same people saying "I got my order" ... I do think they play the favorites card, why not? They spend hundreds of dollars a month!
Yes, the big spenders and loyal forum people often brag about already having their orders when others have not had them shipped. I think it indeed could be the way they do business. What other explanation do you see?
They KNOW those people are going to post, as they always do. It makes it look on the board like there is no shipping problem and those who complain are on drugs.
"I have always suspected that those who defend them on the forums and those who place regular and big orders get their orders hand picked and shipped BEFORE anyone else. This sort of confirms it, doesn't it? Once again, lying from Nichole."
Two explanations. They order within minutes of release AND they have a great local postal system.
Do you actually think that PTI is organized enough to send out certain orders ahead of others? THAT is crazy.
Although I wouldn't put it past them to send orders to cheerleaders first, it implies a level of organization that they just don't have (as demonstrated by fuck up after fuck up)
Here's what I think happens. They run out of stamp set x or die y and put it on order. They get a delivery date of Friday. Monday is release day so they load it into inventory (even though it hasn't arrived). You place your order on release day Monday at the stroke of 10 pm est and order stamp set x. Your order is picked (but for the missing item) and set aside. Other orders placed after yours don't contain stamp set x so out they go. On Friday, when the shipment arrives, your stamp set x is added and your order goes out.
Or else it got lost sitting on a pallet in the warehouse behind some construction material.
Fortunately there are plenty of other really great companies that you never hear a legitimate complaint about and we can order from them, Waltzing Mouse is top among them.
Claire takes customer service super serious. She's willing to take money out of her pocket to make her Mistakes right (PTI will never do that)
She keeps her releases small so she can handle them. She's also VERY upfront about any challenges she is facing and keeps her customers in the loop. She listens to what her customers want ( recently implemented shipping from US) And she is just genuinely lovely to deal with
214 comments:
1 – 200 of 214 Newer› Newest»Not feeling anything with this release. Just not my style
Happy for your wallet, mine's singing a different tune though.
I like the Think Big and the photo finishers but I'm holding out for the anniversary month.
Haven't ordered since SAF and I have 24 reward points saved from the last 2 years. I'm hoping I can cash out points and get a few items and then pretty much close the book on PTI.
The fact that they can't get stamps to their design team say a bunch.
Those brilliant business women hard at work! NOT!
Love everything this month.
Thanks so much for the new space. I appreciate it. I am vision impaired and it is so much easier for me to find my place where I quit reading before, when the pages are not hundreds of comments long.
Still more brilliant than any of you!
Not more brilliant than many of us who run good businesses that make profits with happy customers. And certainly not more brilliant than the neuroscientist stamper who posts here.
I love everything this month too. Looking forward to February's releases from both PTI and Paper Smooches!
15:12 I think DT members of other stamp companies receive their stuff late too. No one just cares enough to smack the corresponding company about it.
And I forgot to mention "not always late" but it happens.
Where is there any indication that it is a widespread problem in the stamping business for dt members to not get their product in time to showcase? Give us just a half dozen or so examples.
When it's like the 3 or 4 th month in a row that DT gets packages late it's a sign to me of a general inability to get it together...one of many many signs
commented on other post by mistake. Wanted to make sure everyone was aware: Ashley is on double secret probation. Dawn is getting together a kangaroo court to have her black-balled. Sad, really. I read it on the interwebs.
What caused them to turn on Ashley?
Gullible much, 19:54?
I agree that CAS-usal Fridays is much more innovative, what with their WTF set and all, than PTI's old lady stuff. And Mama Elephant? Oh, the creativity just overflows there - yipee, a typewriter stamp being released tomorrow!
Maybe Ashley really is on "double secret probation," which prompted her to write that incredible brown-nose post about all of the stuff she liked so much from the first group post. I wouldn't be surprised if her inane chatter on the forum got her in trouble with Nichole... you know, since Nichole is such a charmer and so forgiving.
I'm not feeling much this month, either. The Photo Finishers stuff will be useful, (thank God that "sending" and "thoughts of you" are separate stamps) and the Folk Art set is interesting... definitely would fill a niche in my stamp collection. I know "smackers" think it's old lady-ish, so I apparently have the taste of an old lady. I looked, and the stuff you guys call so "fresh" is awful... Maybe old lady taste is better than bad taste.
You know what? I don't WANT to be BBFs forever with PTI. Never expected to be, never wanted to be. I know they don't care about me and how I'm feeling or anything. I know that they probably do laugh at some of the projects that their customers make (not everyone is a designer; not everyone who loves crafting is actually talented). They're just a company that I buy stamps from. It's a business relationship. I have never personally had a customer service problem with them, but I know that many others have. But, to their credit, I can't think of another stamp company that actually listens to what their customers want the way that PTI does.
Sorry, should be BFFs, and never mind the forever. Don't want to offend the language police.
20:40 - Agree with you.
Disagree on one point - PTI have shown they are not interested in looking into better shipping options, despite many requests from customers. This would indicate they are not interested in international customers.
i miss the old PTI forum and many of the folks that felt like internet friends. I have a happy fulfilled life with real friends, but none of them are interested in stamping. i just can't seem to connect with any other forum the way i did there.
i am issuing an open invite for folks who read here and used to post there to come back. not now. that would be obvious that you are reading here! LOL, but slowly over the next few months.
I love the products and am not ashamed to admit it. Not a huge fan of the folks who run the place but really do not care all that much.
Was it Ashley that was teasing about a Black Friday warehouse sale? I could see that landing your butt in hot water!
I think that it is Erin that posted about the black friday warehouse sale.She has also posted other things like this about the anniversary set "We've only got a month to wait! I'm anticipating this year that we'll have dies to go with it right off the bat just like we did with Pretty Peonies." Since she is on the dt, some people will see this as fact or hinting.
the DT have conference calls where they discuss ideas and get very specific assignments, which I think is one of the reasons the DT is so good.
other companies just send out boxes and ask the team to make stuff. Nichole hasn't outsourced the DT or the selection of designs to someone else and she is really good at this stuff.
this is one reason why I continue to buy. I don't want to be PTI's friend, just want a nice product at a decent price.
I know they aren't the nicest people, but they aren't polluting my air or killing workers.
I'm still a loyal fan.
Fan here too! I try other stamps, dies, etc but prefer PTI. And love the inspiration.
I don't want PTI to be my BFFs. It's a business/client relationship. I want a business to value the fact that I choose to spend my money with them. Period. I have not and do not see that with PTI.
This is my fun money here. This isn't buying gas for the car, groceries, etc. Why on earth would I spend money with a company who acts as PTI does?
I spend my money with companies who are apologetic and prompt with corrections when mistakes are made.
I spend my money with companies who do not make me feel like a criminal trying to bilk them when I approach them with a product problem.
I spend my money with companies who are prompt in shipping the product that I purchased.
PTI does have nice product, yes. But they are not worthy of my fun money. And so, they no longer get it.
Their loss, not mine.
I don't need the people who run the company to be my buddies either, and I have to say that I'm impressed with the fact that PTI obviously heard the message that people were unhappy and are taking steps to work on the issues. Yes, it took way longer for them to come to their senses than I would have liked, but I'm encouraged by the progress. I am still sad for the international customers and wish that something could be done to make it easier and more economical for them to order.
I haven't purchased much in the last year, but this month's release is killing me and will certainly cause me to open my wallet.
PTI (and really all of the paper/stamp/scrapbooking companies out there) know that they way to get people to buy is to get them personally invested. Why do we know the names of the owners? Why do we see pics of their homes and kids? If you market that way then be prepared to take the criticism on your own behavior. Nichole is selling herself, not just the stamps.
I don't need the PTI PTB to be my besties either, but knowing what I know now, I don't feel good about my purchases with them. Bottom line, I don't want to give my money to those ladies. I know they have made some strides in the last year, but I think those changes are more due to sales going down. The recent ink and impression plate issues speak volumes about how far they have NOT come.
i posted that I continue to buy but I totally understand if someone is too irked by PTI's attitude not to buy. it's capitalism. the consumer can pick whatever they think matters to them.
@5:52 It was definitely Ashley who posted about the idea of a Black Friday warehouse sale. Erin posted something about "if you had to spend $100 on older sets" soon after.
@7:03 - The ink & impression plates are a good example of how things haven't really changed there. They may have made some surface changes but not apparently anything substantial.
And then there is Ashley not getting her DT sets. Yes, I'm sure that it occasionally happens with other companies. But this is happening in a company who has a history of problems with slow shipping. If they can't get out a planned DT package in a timely manner, how could I trust that they would get my order out in a timely manner?
Just to clarify about what I said about the bad new inks and IPs. I'm not so worried about the actual problems. Every company makes mistakes, but just own up to it and fix it!
7:25 says it all for me.
7:48 I do get that. But I'm even beyond "every company makes mistakes" by now. (Though that is very true. And PTI's handling of problems is still a problem.)
I can't remember what version number of inks we are on now. PTI just has product/service fiascoes one after another. It just screams "poor business plan" to me. Yes, of course, every company will have issues at some point. (See: stamp manufacturer issue that affected multiple companies last year.)But how many has PTI had in their almost six (five? hell, I can't remember anymore) years of being in business? And it's not just one thing. It's inks, IPs, customer service, slow shipping. Something just ain't right at PTI.
Next month is anniversary time. Who do you guess will be staying and who will be leaving "to spend more time with family" ?
I would buy the clock set and dies but besides that, I can't even come up with a $100 order (I'm in Canada) including older releases.
Speaking of the clock set. Is the large clock face really cut off as the graphic shows on Nichole's site? That would be dumb.
Can we vote on who should "spend more time with family"? cough*erin*cough
If you could choose who to put on the PTI DT, who would you choose and why?
From Sausage Fingers Mouth:
Re: January Release Chatter
by nichole » Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:37 am
pmm wrote:
I am loving the Hands of Time products, but the reveal shows that the large clock face is cut off on one side- is that true? Any ideas on how to make it as a whole clock, which is what I would much prefer?
Nichole Says...Yes, the large clock face is cut off slightly on one side to accommodate the sheet size of our stamps (the widest we can go is 3-1/2"). You might be able to line up the stamp for a second impression to make it a full circle, but it would be a bit tricky. I found when I was using the stamp that I almost always wanted it to go off the page anyway, so it works out really well. Especially when applying it to an A2 card front. Hope that helps!
==============
How FUCKING stupid!
From Nichole-
Yes, the large clock face is cut off slightly on one side to accommodate the sheet size of our stamps (the widest we can go is 3-1/2"). You might be able to line up the stamp for a second impression to make it a full circle, but it would be a bit tricky. I found when I was using the stamp that I almost always wanted it to go off the page anyway, so it works out really well. Especially when applying it to an A2 card front. Hope that helps! :)
Wow. That is pretty bad.
The clock face IS cut off as per my last post. How stupid!!! I bet a lot of people won't be buying that set now!
I can hear the outcry now! LOL! That sure changed my mind!
So who is going to post this information in the general stamping area since it is hidden in release chatter?
Has anyone tried Mama Elephant stamps? How's the quality compared to PTI? Betsy Veldman is designing for them today, I really like that feather stamp.
07:03: Maybe you get personally invested with the whole "aura" of a company or design team, but I certainly don't. But then again, I can also tell the difference between a movie and reality. Like you said, it's all just marketing.
omgawwwd! I'm so irritated about that clock face. I was all over that set until I saw that dumb sliver of the clock cut off. I cannot believe they couldn't find a way to work around it. Ugh.
No new impression plates or cover plates this month?
1035
I didn't say that I am personally invested in PTI. I'm just describing a popular marketing style. There are many who drink the koolaid. Look at how many people went to that damn stampafair! That said, just because I'm not personally invested in PTI doesn't mean that I want to keep sending $ to people who I know are jerks.
Maille is late getting her post up. Maybe she has spread herself too thin with Studio Calico.
0856. Your name calling makes you no better than her!
And I am writing this from my junior high lunch room
I love the Tiny Tags so I'm drawn to the Tremendous Tags die. I know it's just a blown up version of the little thing which is typical PTI MO these days. I also like the pattern paper packs. I have a few. I like them. But, I'm not going to order any time soon. I'm curious to see what the anniversary celebration is like. And I do hope Ashley gets off her double-secret probation. ;)
I know that it's a joke but "double secret probation" makes me laugh every single time I read it!
Why wouldn't she just make the clock face a little smaller during the design process?! Cutting off a sliver is just idiotic.
There isn't much outcry about the clock. Color me surprised.
Someone posted that you can only use the clock stamp on the left side of the paper because it's cut off.
The image is the same all the way around so you can use it anywhere on the paper. It will still be cut off but you aren't limited to the left side.
I hate that the clock is cut off. It reminds me of the doily stamps that you had to line up. No thank you.
What about the doily stamps? (I am ashamed to admit I own them but haven't used them . . .)
The largest doily stamp is cut in half so if you want to have a complete circle, you would have to line up two halves.
The dt had a hard time getting the doily stamp to line up so I passed on that set.
There isn't much outcry about the clock. Color me surprised.
-----
People will vote with their pocketbook.
I love Mama Elephant stamps, i would say they are the same quality as PTI.
The fact that the clock is cut off is enough to make me not want the whole set. Fine by me, it saves me $46 (the set and the 3 coordinating dies).
I was going to order the clock stuff too, but now I have $46 to spend on something else in my life. Glad someone noted it because I truly had not noticed it. Wonder how many will order and be truly pissed when it comes?
When I noticed that the large clock was not a full image, I hesitated about whether or not to add it to my list. Then I took a look at the design team samples again. The scale of the smaller clock (full image) is perfect for cards. When I need the full clock, I can use the smaller stamp. I would use the larger clock on scrapbook pages and for background stamping so the almost-full image works for how I would actually use the stamps. The dies also sold me on all the clock possibilities. I love those intricate hands and can't wait to get them.
When I realized that most of the stamps used on Melissa Phillip's blue and red folk art bird card were not even in the folk art set, I lost my yen for it.
Speaking of that card, where did the black leaves on stems with black dots come from?
Why in the heck are the large Roman Numerals for the clock not in a circle like the small ones? What is the chance that one could stamp all 12 in perfect orientation without tilting one here and there. Ick.
Just returned a die I ordered last month from PTI because I wasn't happy with the way it cut. I was refunded my money the day after they received it. Had no problems.
The clock stuff is so old ladyish anyway. I mean really PTI, knitting, old clocks, roses? O-l-d l-a-d-y...
I'm going to suggest that PTI put out bigger versions of the think big series. Think bigger!
Site is up!
Order in!!
Wow! Done shopping already! This was the quickest and smoothest check-out ever. Thanks to all those behind the scenes!
http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=159&t=39812&start=25
18:08 the stamps and leaves on Melissa's card is from the fancy folk art set too. The birds are from tweet talk. I had to looksee. :)
Hey, if old lady styles are selling... Reminds me of Just Rite stamps. Oh, I don't care if they're old lady stamps. I love them and bought them!
It's dead over at PTI tonight. Maybe it'll pick up in the morning when all the old ladies put in their orders. I spent my $ at Mama Elephant today:)
Just curious why some of y'all think Ashley didn't get her box? How do we know she's not sick or out of town? (just wondering)
Old lady or vintage? All in the eye of the beholder. I know 20 year olds who collect antiques and decorate in farmhouse country of their grandma and great grandma's time.
Really? You want to know why I think Ashley didn't get her box?
Let's see -- Nichole hates her; the post office made an error; Julie made a mistake; Julie hates her; the box was lost behind a pallet of stamps; Al Quada intercepted it to implant a teeney weeney video camera in one of the dies so it can track Ashley's whereabouts; it was delivered to a neighbors house by mistake.
Seriously, of all the immature drivel I've come to love on this blog, this question wins. Who the fuck cares why Ashley didn't get her fucking box on time.
^^
There is only one thiing that slightly interests me at Mama Elephant and thats the typewriter. Not seeing all the hype
20:53, someone on the forum asked why Ashley hadn't posted any projects, and Nichole replied that she had not received her box in time.
Damn 1:19, you need to take your meds. I'm not the original poster, but geez. Overreact much?
I was also wondering about Ashley because Betsy got her package in enough time to do her projects BEFORE she went to CHA. Here CHA is over (or close to over?), and Ashley ain't got nothing to show? It is hinky. I'm not an Ashley fan, so I could care less. Just shows the ineptitude of this company yet again!
Old lady is not the same as vintage. Old lady stamps are like Stampin Up, Just Rite, Flourishes, CTMH. I'm not saying that all the PTI stuff is old ladyish, but it has that out-dated feel. I don't want my cards to look like they came out of the 80's.
ME, Studio Calico, Hero Arts are more my speed.
Does this seem odd to anyone else? Michelle W's term is up with Project Life and she posted the following this morning.
" I was kind of happy when I got the note about the Studio Calico calendar that was to be included in the Project Life kit. Although I would have rather had all the journaling cards in the kit be perfect and not have to trim them, the little calendar set was a bonus. But upon viewing it, it was a hot little mess of uneven corners and edges...free or not, it was not really usable in it's current condition."
I guess you can't really diss the company while you are on the dt but this seems like an odd thing to say IMO. Is it a slight against Studio Calico?
Yeah, studio calico had started a project life kit of the month, and had some issues with the finishing on the calendar cards.
So she's dissing studio calico...which is wierd as it really seemed she was previously ass kissing to get on the DT
That's what I got too. I thought that she was vying for a SC dt spot earlier.
Why are random posts from the PTI forum being copied and pasted here at the smack blog? Someone is posting comments written there like it is a random anonymous smack blog post. Not cool.
Huh?
The only random post that I saw was the one that was letting people know that their order went off without a hitch. I figured that it was someone making the point that things are getting better at PTI.
Was there another random post?
As far as fresh stamps and old lady stamps - I don't understand the love of Paper Smooches designs. They are basically line drawings that if I took my time I could replicate. I understand it's personal style and all that. It's just not my style. When I think of fresh designs, I'm thinking of something that hasn't been done 10-20 times by other companies and is also artistically done. And yes, by most accounts I am an old lady LOL. To me old lady stamps are old, tired, styles but not yet vintage styles. But, to each their own and that's why all these companies have customers :)
See 18:03.
When I noticed that the large clock was not a full image, I hesitated about whether or not to add it to my list. Then I took a look at the design team samples again. The scale of the smaller clock (full image) is perfect for cards. When I need the full clock, I can use the smaller stamp. I would use the larger clock on scrapbook pages and for background stamping so the almost-full image works for how I would actually use the stamps. The dies also sold me on all the clock possibilities. I love those intricate hands and can't wait to get them.
Anyone order Gina Ks new inks? I would love to hear reviews on them before I buy.
^^^ Me too.
I think 8:25 is absolutely right... It is about what you personally like. I agree that some of the images at CTMH and Flourishes can be more appealing to an older generation, but I have never felt like that with any of the sets from PTI. Even these stamps this month don't feel at all "old" to me.
The knitting stamps were very on trend, as I have seen countless knitting sets from other companies, and knitting is extremely popular with the advent of Pinterest. Some of this incessant bitchy criticism just sounds like sour grapes... PTI's poor excuse for customer service doesn't compromise the integrity of their designers.
What do you mean sour grapes? I just think that PTI looks a lot like Stampin Up which to me is a very dated style. Lots of people like/have this dated style. They may not realize it looks dated and if they like it, who cares? Not me. Just don't feed me that crap that PTI is fresh and innovative.
Havent ordered for nearly a year. But looked at the mini polaroid frame, and yeah, its out of stock. Thought they were getting better at keeping inventory up. Should have known better.
I don't think most of PTI's designs are 'old lady'. Some of the flower $5 sets were getting a bit repetative and boring, and the kid-themed sets are... well... kiddie-ish.
Maile's sets are super modern and eclectic, but I don't think they appeal to the majority of the people.
I think people equate 'graphic' and super grungy sets with fresh, but that's a different style, not more in vogue.
11:42 - There are still 20 mini polaroid frames in the store.
I have ordered Gina K inks. Will give a full report upon receipt.
Nice, 1:19. You ALMOST read my question correctly. I was wondering why people thought THAT was her reason for not posting... You know, as opposed to some other reason, like sickness or death in the family. But thanks for sharing just how easy it is to get your feathers ruffled. I'll remember that the next time I need a good chuckle, lol!
Thank you for your response 4:55. That's all I wanted. :)
Back to smack...
I hadn't ordered form PTI in months and months, but decided to place an order on January 3. Still haven't received it. Why?
It was lost by the freaking Post Office! It left the Cincinnati PO on January 5th, and is out there somewhere. I filled out a report, so let's see how promptly the USPO handles it.
For once, PTI is not to blame. Mark this date in history.
And who are you to be the judge of what looks "dated"? Are you so trendy? There is a difference between being merely "trendy" and "fresh" and being classic and sophisticated. Fashion changes frequently; timeless style endures. Obviously if they are still in business and still have a substantial monthly release, your feelings are in the minority.
The "sour grapes" was in reference to the fact that your criticisms sound rather hollow, like you're grasping at straws for something to bitch about. Their customer service has improved; it's not perfect (not that you'd know since you supposedly don't order), but what else can you complain about?
I love flourishes and think their detailed hand drawn florals can be stunning. true art, unlike a splot of ink on a page or some computer generated squares.
I'm 29.
Is it just me, or is this forum thread just really fishy?
http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=39768
I hate the modern cartoonish look of many of the trendy stamps. Paper Smooches is an example. They look childish. I also don't care for Steam Punk even though that would probably be considered young and not old lady stamping. I also don't care for the dripping paint, water spotted, etc. that is a big part of the modern look. Give me the old lady stamps any day. I do not like things that look like a mess.
Nothing at all fishy about it to me. As a fellow teacher I will absolutely donate to them.
I think that Mish should be on the Studio Calico dt.
I would like to see Michelle Wooderson design for Gina K or even MFT (is that where Lisa Johnson is?).
Were Michelle and Lisa friends?
I hope that there are some new products for the anniversary celebrations. I might be tempted to order if they bring out dies for some of the YOF sets.
I almost ordered the clock set but I am not a fan of the cut off look.
Sigh. Really, are there no other qualified card makers in the stamping world aside from ex PTI design team members?
I love Kim's (paper smooches owner and designer) handwriting and her upcoming dies. I am still on the fence whether to buy her images or not. I am not sure if my old friends would appreciate them lol!
Ditto. I buy Paper Mooches for the sentiments and some of the graphics. I don't own Copics or color images.
Yup 16:04 I agree fishy
A paper crafting class?? Really??
Also, this was ribbon share girl who has flaked on numerous occasion. There's always an excuse ( move, illness, whatever) but she's lef people on the hook before, disappears and then shows up with an excuse.
I would not send her anything.
I absolutely see NO thread about donating. I have my box ready and no address. Help, please!!!!
16:04 and 20:04...
I totally agree...wouldn't trust her as far as I could pick her up and throw her...and wouldn't send her one scrap of paper.
Whoa, did you see what someone just did on that thread? Let's see what happens now. She is cornered. Push it.
I would have thought the address would be known or Googled at the point of question
@16:08: agreed! Sloppy does not equate style to my eyes. I wonder if some designer randomly accidentally flung paint or spritz spray on one of their projects, decided to put it on their blog anyway and call it "new" and "fresh" and "innovative"?
I think that Michelle Wooderson will be back on the PTI design team for 2013.
Michelle W will not be back. If she was, she would be gushing over her new found love for old favorite stamps and how we should be using some of our Papertrey stamps because they go with anything.
I just can't see it.
No way about Michelle.
Wasn't Erin supposed to be designing stamps this past year? I haven't paid attention really but does have any sets out?
Well, since MW just updated her PTI for sale page on her blog stating that there would be more soon, I'll go with no MW on the PTI DT in 2013.
my vote is no michelle, no jessica, no erin, no betsy, no debbie. they are walking! and I wouldn't be surprised if maile took her work to W Plus 9
No to Michelle.
My guess about who is leaving? Maille and maybe Jessica or Danielle.
Who are the stamp designers again? They haven't left an impression.
If Michelle W were to be heading to any dt, we would already be reading about the newest products on her blog. We haven't even see much of October Afternoon lately.
I like Michelle W but I don't like Project Life. I hope that she spends more time making cards. I would love to see more PTI cards but that will never happen. I can't see her giving Nichole any free publicity.
I used to love mish a couple years ago before she started using tags and tickets on everything because she was selling them in her shop. Before she tried to pass off a wadded up tangle of sewing thread as an "embellishment", wtf! Her style has drifted so far away from what made me a fan of hers in the first place.
I used to love mish a couple years ago before she started using tags and tickets on everything because she was selling them in her shop. Before she tried to pass off a wadded up tangle of sewing thread as an "embellishment", wtf! Her style has drifted so far away from what made me a fan of hers in the first place.
I think a delayed package is a good thing. With all the new product we get overwhelmed. So now during the cool down period we get to see new ideas with the product. I think its brilliant! Someone might be very clever
Nothing is going to prevent ribbonsharegirl's sister from getting a package at school and schleping it home to the "wonderful crafty sister." I wouldn't send her a glue stick as I don't trust her based on past events. (as they've unfolded on the forum, not as I've been burned personally) Call Hobby Lobby. Call Michaels. Call AC Moore. Get their left over scrapbook paper they can't move, even from their clearance bins.
Isn't "Scrapbook Academy" a registered name? How and why would a school use that name?
15:00...I could have written that. I remember the first time I came across her blog (right before she began on the PTI DT). I simply devoured it, reading every entry from the very beginning. I don't like how she's evolved since focusing on her etsy shop.
As for the person soliciting donations, I don't know her but I do know that geographical area. It's very impoverished. In fact, I used to know an art teacher there and she provided a lot of her own art supplies. She could be legit.
Just googled the school given. Her sister's name is not listed under staff???
Check this out.
http://www.indiegogo.com/aspirinwristband
Just might save a life.
Did I miss something? Michelle Wooderson hasn't been on the PTI DT for a while, right?
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Oh, ribbonsharegirl, you won't get any supplies from me. I'll be driving a Mack truck through the holes in that story!!!
Maile hasn't updated her blog to include links to her own stamp sets. Sherlock says she's done with PTI. Or I have too much time on my hands.
My PIT is out for delivery. Should see it in 2 hours!!
MW has added to her list of PTI for sale. I believe this is the second time she has done this. So I tend to think she is getting rid of PTI not becoming a DT member again.
why would anyone think Mish is going back to PTI anyway?
BTW, I know someone who knows her and she told me that she is incredibly nice. Love to hear nice things for a change
I am trying to find the lemon bowl art that Nichole used for the blog hop. For the photo credit, she just linked the blog, not the specific blog entry. I hate when people do that!
Someone posted that Mish was going back to PTI either because it was just their opinion or because they wanted to create some drama.
I think that Michelle would create beautiful cards again if she had a nice stamp company to work with. I don't fault her for trying to make a living through her Etsy shop.
IMO she is not going to use stamps from a company unless she is representing them. Why would she?
Gina K, I would love to see you invite Michelle to be on your dt.
I would love to see Michelle designing sets for Gina K
Even if Michelle doesn't co-design sets, I would love to see her on the dt.
Two of my favorite PTI stamps sets are ones that Mish had a hand in designing - the Take Note one to make the little notebooks and Vintage Picnic. I like those baskets. Made Mish's notebooks for Christmas gifts for friends a couple of years ago and they were big hits. And mine were no where near as cute as Mish's have been in the past.
0337 can you share a few details about the rinbon share fiasco?
Gina should absolutely grab Mish and put her on the team.
It bugs me when stampers whose style I admire (or used to, in mish's case) will only use stamps from a company they are dt-ing for. Is your craft time soooo precious that you will only show work using product for which you are compensated somehow? I know there are plenty of people for whom the answer to that would be yes. So annoying.
It bugs me when stampers whose style I admire (or used to, in mish's case) will only use stamps from a company they are dt-ing for. Is your craft time soooo precious that you will only show work using product for which you are compensated somehow? I know there are plenty of people for whom the answer to that would be yes. So annoying.
I used to feel the same way, however, once I decided to become a designer for a living it didn't make sense to promote other companies.
In Michelle's case, she can't sell kits using stamps that she doesn't carry and she may even get into trouble using stamps in kits that she doesn't own any rights to.
I know a lot of SU demo's that no longer use anything that isn't SU because they are trying to make a business out of it.
If one were to just stamp and blog for the fun of it, that would be one thing. Once you are trying to make money doing it, it doesn't make a lot of sense to promote random companies.
it does make sense to use other companies IF doing so ultimately increases traffic to your blog. as much as I like some bloggers, I see the products they "love" disappear as soon as they no longer work for a company. That makes me annoyed and less likely to visit.
watching the former PTI DT sell off every last set cracks me up. All that love out the window so fast!!
Not to mention they are selling them off for more than what they paid for them to begin with.
Oh ribbonsharegirl...she is the master of stories. I think everything that comes out of her mouth is pure BS.
As much as I would love to help, I don't trust her one bit. Like the poster before me, not from personal expirience but from things that have unfolded in the forum so many different times.
I have 2 boxes with several hundred dollars worth of stuff in it to send her. Before I do, would someone give me some evidence that she is dishonest?
When you leave a dt it isn't always love and sunshine. I couldn't get rid of my stamps fast enough.
I loved Michelle's PTI cards before too. I hope she goes back to PTI.
I used to be a SU demo and hated how it made me feel so stifled by the supplies I was 'allowed' to use. (Even if it is good business sense to be SU Only as a demo.) If I were to make a go at designing for profit I would want the freedom to use whichever dang company's product I liked. I get sad when I see design team members never use a company's product again once they leave the team. But I totally understand if they leave on less than good terms.
And my package is still just sitting in Cincinnati. (however you spell it) With Monday holiday I probably won't see it until February.
Ribbon share girl left people hanging on a ribbon share ... She ordered a bunch and was to send it out..then disappeared. She came back and said that she moved and people got their ribbon but it did take quite a while.
Then she was involved in that pass your stash swap.
The box stopped with her and she wasn't responding at all. Eventually the poor person that organized the swap came out and told people who had the box and it looked like the swap was done for.
Then she comes on and said that her husband had a heart attack the day the box came to her house yadda yadda yadda
They all could have been true but it just seems a series of unfortunate events again and again.
^^^It doesnt sound as bad as I thought but it does seem a bit fishy anyway. I am going to go with my instinct and not do it.
^^ 04:41 I think that's a good idea.
In addition to the less than honest stuff she has one on the message board, consider the following from her post:
School is dropping all kinds of programs or making them "pay to play", yet they start a scrapbooking class. ?????
Sister is given the assignment to run said scrapbooking class, yet ribbonshare girl (who isn't a teacher there or a parent of a kid there) changes the class to a papercrafting class. ???
Sister is recently hired at the school yet apparently already has a history of packages sent to her at the school go missing and that's why you need to send them to ribbonsharegirl. ??????
"We used to live in this district before we moved." "As a bonus for these kids, I'm going to offer classes in my house during the summer for a small fee." Red flags all over this one. She doesn't live in the district so how are these kids going to get to her house? And how are these "poor" kids going to come up with the fee? How is she making this offer to them? Is she in the classroom? Is a random person without ties to a kid in a school allowed to be in there?
There's enough of an "ick" factor running through this. I take my castaway products to local schools/daycares.
^^^ what she said.
I agree about ribbon share girl. Have you noticed that she doesn't do ribbon shares any longer? People were not getting their ribbon, took forever, sent to the wrong address, etc
A "poor" school would not be adding an elective without any funding. Scrapbooking? How are these kids going to pay to develop their pictures? I just don't buy it, sorry it seems like a scam to me. Also most schools are taking away electives not adding "fluff" subjects.
I am not slamming our craft so please dont think that but in thats school situation (if accurate) wouldnt a different kind of activity be more beneficial? Cooking, book club, painting, language etc.
Wonder if its for adult classes for a small fee...
I sincerely hope that the ladies who have volunteered to send stuff to this ribbon share girl are not being taken for a ride.
It is hard to tell if there is any dishonesty involved, but I think I would have a hard time trusting her based on her past antics.
What good does it do to pay for Priority Mail when 5 days later my package still sits in Cincinnati?
It seems she does a lot of complaining, and especially a lot of making up excuses. And the excuses are always grandiose. If these bad things keep happening to her, that is unfortunate, but why spread it all over the internet? My husband got laid off 2 weeks before Christmas, but be damn sure that I didn't write a post about it and ask for crafting supplies to be sent to me because I don't have money to buy them anymore. Geeze. She also won a Make It Monday and wrote a post about "Oh my God, I can't believe I won...insert sob story about how she failed her EMT tests..." Maybe you should be studying instead of stamping lady. It's borderline ridiculous. Who does that?
did "my cute stamps" go out of business?
0929 your tracking number shows the package recieved by the post office?
My Cute Stamps - I wondered that too, I ordered some stamps in the sale a long time ago, but that has been one long sale, I thought they may be clearing out their inventory of older stamps to make way for new releases but they haven't had a new release in a long time. It's a shame as they did have some _cute_ stamps.
0929 Why would you order the day before a release, and then bitch about it being delayed. Can you not read??
Maybe the owner of cute stamps has moved on to make a new venture? I clicked on her new blog and she directed readers to a "cute stencil" site.
Stamps ordered BEFORE a release should not be held up due to a release.
15:59 I agree with you. If you order before release your order should be out BEFORE the order frenzy.
I ordered the day before the release and my order finally got shipped yesterday. Which I think really sucks because people that ordered on release night already received their orders. But then again it's my fault cause I keep ordering from the stupid place.
stop ordering
How could release orders have been received before orders ordered before the release have even been shipped? Didn't they tell us that orders are done in order?
I have always suspected that those who defend them on the forums and those who place regular and big orders get their orders hand picked and shipped BEFORE anyone else. This sort of confirms it, doesn't it? Once again, lying from Nichole.
oh i cannot believe that PTI provides better shipping to its favored customers; I just don't think they care enough about any customer and I don't think they have the business skills to pull it off.
http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=39897
17:06- I was wondering the same thing. Doesn't it seem like it's always the same people saying "I got my order" ...
I do think they play the favorites card, why not? They spend hundreds of dollars a month!
Yes, the big spenders and loyal forum people often brag about already having their orders when others have not had them shipped. I think it indeed could be the way they do business. What other explanation do you see?
They KNOW those people are going to post, as they always do. It makes it look on the board like there is no shipping problem and those who complain are on drugs.
If you order right at release hour those orders ship super fast. After that there is a bit of a lag
I ordered BEFORE the release. Mine only shipped today.
Did your order include the Funky Florals? Maybe they were out of it?
"I have always suspected that those who defend them on the forums and those who place regular and big orders get their orders hand picked and shipped BEFORE anyone else. This sort of confirms it, doesn't it? Once again, lying from Nichole."
Two explanations. They order within minutes of release AND they have a great local postal system.
Do you actually think that PTI is organized enough to send out certain orders ahead of others?
THAT is crazy.
Although I wouldn't put it past them to send orders to cheerleaders first, it implies a level of organization that they just don't have (as demonstrated by fuck up after fuck up)
Here's what I think happens. They run out of stamp set x or die y and put it on order. They get a delivery date of Friday. Monday is release day so they load it into inventory (even though it hasn't arrived). You place your order on release day Monday at the stroke of 10 pm est and order stamp set x. Your order is picked (but for the missing item) and set aside. Other orders placed after yours don't contain stamp set x so out they go. On Friday, when the shipment arrives, your stamp set x is added and your order goes out.
Or else it got lost sitting on a pallet in the warehouse behind some construction material.
^^ I've seen more praises than complaints lately. You hate that don't you.
I hope PTI's products, shipping and customer service are terrific and that all their customers are happy. and i mean it.
but I choose not to spend my money on this company.
It is fine with me if it flourishes. Just not off my bank account.
Fortunately there are plenty of other really great companies that you never hear a legitimate complaint about and we can order from them, Waltzing Mouse is top among them.
Yep.
I have never heard one, not one customer, who was disgruntled with WMS. How does she pull that off??
Claire takes customer service super serious. She's willing to take money out of her pocket to make her
Mistakes right (PTI will never do that)
She keeps her releases small so she can handle them. She's also VERY upfront about any challenges she is facing and keeps her customers in the loop.
She listens to what her customers want ( recently implemented shipping from US)
And she is just genuinely lovely to deal with
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