I'm pretty sure every stamp company is going to have confidentiality language in their contracts with illustrators. I don't know about DTs - a lot of you here have been on them, so did you have that in a contract (for any company)?
It seems to me that a DT shouldn't have any proprietary information or inside information on how a business is run, including financials except for what their terms are for when it comes to designing CARDS. And I can see where even that has to be confidential because maybe a company will change their compensation plan at some point so you don't want misinformation out there. But DT info really shouldn't be a big secret. Many companies make it public.
Of course, they have DT members who also design stamps. I think that's a big mistake. Either hire them for the DT or hire them as an illustrator.
But the PTI DT members who design stamps aren't really "illustrators." They take stock images, for the most part, and team them together into a set. Not hardly an illustrator in my book.
I know some are stock images, but I don't know that all of them are.
But I think this is why PTI is on the downswing. Besides the crappy service. They don't have the depth in stamp design. As much as a lot of people have loved their cardstock, there are plenty of companies that can offer the same thing if not better now. Stamps have always been the big thing for PTI and it's amateur hour now.
People don't know anything like that. There is just speculation that since PTI is washed up and did a number on her rep that she will likely bail at some point.
So did anyone buy this month? i didn't. i have some reward points, but i think i'll probably just get card stock.
i think PTI as a whole in on the down swing. I think it's a cop out putting out all the sentiments sets. I don't consider that designing. Nichole uses a bunch of stock images but she does it well. Lizzie, Erin, and the other lady (who did that soup/food set) add nothing to the mix. It's not just knowing graphic design (which they may have training in), but it's having taste. As much as I hate to admit it, Nichole has that certain taste that defines PTI. For awhile there they were putting out tons per month to get a jump on the other companies (in my opinion). In an effort to get out there first, a bunch of the sets are rife with filler images/sentiments and aren't worth the $. If they had thoughtfully developed the sets, they wouldn't be so inventory heavy. I think Nichole should go back to designing full time. They should hire a helper to do the posts on CTM (someone who can proofread please). Even if they don't make a ton of $ on it, they should work on more custom colored cardstock. That seems to get folks in the door so to speak. Also, no more year long series. Again, series = fillers. Of course, all of this with CS and website improvement (broken record, yes).
The problem with custom colored cardstock is that it is VERY expensive to manufacture, and if it is not a popular color it could be years before you see a profit on it.
Oh I'm sure the profit margin is negligible, but they have to play up what is unique to PTI. MFT, WPlus9, GinaK are all getting in the matching ink/paper game but PTI still has the most rounded stock of colors. In the past, I was hooked on the paper and was more apt to buy other PTI product when ordering my cardstock. Now, not so much. Many people are going to SSS and EH for one stop shopping. Just saying that they should explore what made them popular in the first place.
Maybe PTI should reduce the size of the DT. Sorry, but ACN doesn't add anything to the team and a few of the others only add good stuff part of the time. Betsy, Christina, Mailie and Laura are reliably good.
And 5:30, I think you spoke well on the stamp design issue. I'm not a big fan of Nichole because of her bad attitude, spelling, grammar , "Pinterest " inspiration with nonexistent {photo credit}, etc. but I couldn't agree more - Nichole is the successful design "voice." Or was. The reliance on stock art is lazy and speaks loudly to their attitude.
I'm sure these DT members who " design" sets are nice good people, and some may have a background in design but someone has to be calling the shots. I assume it's Nichole. And there is a lot of filler anymore. Melissa bickfords, Lexi, Lizzie, dawns. Those series are uninspired.
Even if Nichole isn't going to design or illustrate all of the sets herself she has to at least edit -
You really think PTI has a rounded selection of colors? Really? They still don't have a decent green, imo, and don't have an apricot or a Carribean Blue color (Aqua is too green for me).
Compared to others, PTI probably has the most colors in the heavy stock. You can get more colors (SU, HA, Papersource, etc.) but not so much in the heavy stuff. Maybe MFT has a lot too but I've never bought from them. Bazill card shoppe is good too but pricey.
I have been purging my stamps and supplies. I am a little depressed about.all the money wasted for a quick high. I will continue to watch PTI and a few others but something will have to be pretty spectacular at this point. Nothing in this release made me even consider buying.
Probably won't be able to even give them away anymore. It appears no one wants those sets. If you cannot sell them for 70-50% off original prices, how many do you think the 3 Mouseketeers are selling?
I didn't even want one thing this release. It's funny, I stopped ordering (as much) due to the CS issues and due to PTI's overall shitty attitude towards customers. But now, I'm pretty much ordering because the designs are boring or just plain bad! I still love some of my older sets, but that's about it.
Yeah, i thought I still love my older sets but I'm going to sell some of those. I think it's less that I love them and more that I'm sentimental about them. I don't really use them so much but in the past when I've purged my stamps, I've always looked at them and thought - Oh, I love these, I won't get rid of these. I think I'm just remembering how much I wanted them and loved them when I first got them.
I'm finally just going to deal with reality with these (and some from other companies, too) and just dump the stuff that I never use.
I've had a hard time selling PTI at other venues, too. I think because a lot of people have never heard of them.
It seems to me that the PTI forum would be the last place you'd want to try to sell them. Do newbies even know to look for them there or where to look?
People on the forum are mostly already fans of PTI and probably buy what they want. Then there is a percentage of people who don't want to order used anyway. You never know the condition of the case, if the stickers are well-placed, etc. I'm not one of those but I know some people are picky. I won't buy used wood-mounted or even cling stamps anymore unless I see a good photo or see them in person because sometimes people undercut them.
Anyway, I wouldn't try to sell them there. I wonder if they sell well on the Splitcoast Buy/Sell/Trade forum.
Also, I think a lot of the $24 sets would be considered overpriced now.
I guess I meant to say that they buy what they want when it comes out - a lot of them. And you don't have to worry about them retiring because they don't do that.
Ridiculous. Some of them were never good sellers and some are just looking dated. Maybe that's Nichole's retirement plan. If they still have as much inventory on older sets as it seems, they could make a bundle on volume sales even with a discount.
Hey everyone. I was thinking today about Amuse Studio. I know of them, have looked at their stuff, but never "hear" much about them online (or in person). There's virtually no chatter. I think they had ads for a short time in some magazines.
Anyone here a former consultant and care to spill the beans? What is up with them anyway? If you left, care to share why?
One thing I'll say for her that I love is that she talks fast, lol! On so many videos, the people just plod along with so much that is tedious that I nearly fall asleep.
But I thought it was really weird that she describes the Hero Arts "ability" to stamp splotchy and then even out as a "feature." I mean, yes, good to know I guess that it's going to change from awful to good or at least acceptable. But I don't think of that as a "feature." I'd much rather see what I'm going to get rather than sit around and wait to see if it evens out well (you can stamp poorly and I'm sure it wouldn't even out in that case).
I bought a few HA cubes awhile back (coupon at JA, so not a big investment) and I thought the splotchiness was awful - tossed 'em.
Memento Luxe looks a little bit like a chalky ink which I like. Anyone think it's like Versamagic? Same, better or worse?
And I think that's just silly. When I stamp something, I want it to look the way it should look. I think it's absurd to describe that as a "feature." It's a warning, if anything.
Jeez, do some of you even read what people say here?
Hearing "as the ink absorbs into the paper" to me translates into it's going to bleed. Not my idea of a desirable "feature" nor the kind of ink I want to use. Waiting a few seconds for an ink to dry is acceptable, but not this!
I've tried the Hero Arts shadow and neon inks and mine never did smooth out like Jennifer claims. They stamp splotchy and stay splotchy. Maybe mine were defective.
I have not had any problems with HA shadow inks. They definitely do not bleed. Maybe I've been lucky. My only complaint with them is that they stain clear stamps (some colors more than others), which is unusual for dye inks. Jennifer did not address staining in her video and you'll notice that she used a rubber stamp to stamp everything.
I was pretty sure that she peeled a clear stamp up off of a sheet but I would have to look again.
When I tried them, they were splotchy. . . and stayed that way. But that's the thing -- it could be that I had inked it up or pressed it down unevenly. But I'm going to sit and watch it dry or wait or heat set it to see if once it absorbs it's smoothed out? I don't think so. Not when there are other inks that you can stamp and see right that very second that you got good coverage or not.
I will say though that I don't think being absorbed into the paper means that it's going to bleed. Maybe if the paper is already wet with another ink or medium. But I doubt that you would expect them to actually bleed beyond the stamped image area.
HA should make a point of this time-delay "feature" in their blurbs about this magical changing ink . . . gee, wonder why they don't?! :p
Ugh. I'd never try PTI inks again. Been there, done that mess. I hear the newest ones are decent but then when I watch them in videos there is a lot of tapping, tapping, tapping, tapping, and then more tapping.... and often on DT work they look splotchy.
Gathering my thoughts on A muse . Anyone else a former demo with them?
I placed an order this month. Surprisingly everything I wanted was in stock including a bunch of stuff that had been out of stock for some time. I used some points too so I was able to save on shipping to Canada and it looks like my package may be here in a reasonable amount of time.
You just need to wait a few minutes for the ink to absorb into the paper. They work best with solid stamps and really stamp nicely on top of each other as well.
11:57 appears to be a snotty bitch. Maybe her meds need topping up.
you are arguing over INK? Does it not occur to some of you that different folks will have different opinions of the same product and that no one is "right" or "wrong"? Dopes
And it's not a patience thing with that ink. The original criticism was that maybe it takes a few minutes for the ink to absorb or whatever and show you that there's good coverage, but that's hardly a "feature." It's plain old weird.
Am I just overly tired and not catching it, or has Rachel's PTI tirade thread on SCS disappeared? I don't see it. (And sorry if this has already been mentioned... it's hard to keep up sometimes when you have to weed through the idiot monkey stamp comments.... thank you blog owner for deleting.)
How the HA inks react depend on the type of paper you use. I've seen it smooth out just a tad. And I think that only applies to the shadow inks IIRC, not all the HA inks. There's an explanation out there on one of the HA pages.
PTI inks are crap, all versions. When they weren't splotchy, they were the wrong color or turned the wrong color. Sucks that they botched it 3 times. Really, 3 times?
^^^ Yes, it's the shadow inks. You get a smooth coverage for solid stamps. Not splotchy like other inks can be with large solid stamps. And yes, it IS a feature of this ink - the inks were developed to be this way. Go read the info on the HA website. I don't think it helps anyone here if people trash products because they can't be bothered to try them out.
MFT inks are awesome! My friend ordered 4-5 different pads and I tried them on Monday when we got together to craft. I love love love them! They ink beautifully using clear stamps. I am going to invest on some.
FT inks are awesome! My friend ordered 3 different pads and I tried them on Tuesday when we got together to craft. I love love love them! They ink beautifully using clear stamps. I am going to spend the money my husband earns on some.
I'm an A Muse consultant. One of my biggest frustrations with them is the lack of advertising from the get-go. The products are really nice....the inks are awesome, best on the market, IMO. There is so much potential there, but they have botched the launch of the new company. Also, IMO, they have gotten too far from the classic "A Muse" feel of their images. They want to be different from SU, but each catalog looks more and more like them. I'm an initial marketing blast would have been expensive, but they are now suffering from the lack of brand awareness and publicity. As a consultant, it makes it hard to get sales when no one knows who you are. :( I will continue to be a rep as long as still want things they are selling.
8:26, you named a few of the things that bothered me about Amuse too. The lack of an ad campaign was very frustrating. There was a little bit at the start but it wasn't enough - I remember an ad that was on the back of some magazines but there wasn't really information there. It was like the cover of the catalog and a very basic description. I've only seen them with a banner ad on Splitcoast once. I have yet to talk to a single person about Amuse who actually knows who they are, where they started, how long they've been around, or what they offer.
A big thing for a lot of consultants judging from the forum talk was abandoning the classic Amuse look ---- that's what drew a lot of us into the company from the start. I noticed in the most recent holiday catalog they brought some of it back but the big attraction of Amuse was that it was going to be DIFFERENT. It is anything but.
Most of what they offer you can get anywhere else but consultants were expected to sell that at premium prices. We all know that SU and Amuse charge a lot more for shipping than a lot of online companies and the item prices are elevated as well. No one in their right mind pays that unless it's exclusive. (I'm impressed with SU's catalog but they screwed up their cling stamps with those stupid stickers and should just go to clear stamps.)
I also had the webstore (they did do a cut-rate deal at one point which was a bargain). The only time I got sales blindly through it was when they had a limited edition set for $3. I NEVER got a downline through it. I think when they started they had some core group of hand-picked consultants (not many) and all of the new people were signed up under them. You would think that it being a new company, anyone who signed up right away would have a good shot at new people coming in. I've talked to others who thought getting in right at the start was going to be a good investment because of that logic. Nope.
It just seems like no matter how hard you work at it with them, they just don't help that much. And communication wasn't all that great - they had some flubs and some trouble getting info out to us in a timely manner. Really frustrating.
Of course I have no idea what it's like now - I've been out for awhile. But I still never hear anything about them either.
I have contacted 5 A Muse consultants online. I have a $300 order just sitting there but am not going to do it unless the consulant herself emails me back and answers my list of questions. I cannot even get an email response.
Yes, the Downton Abbey link worked for me. I fell for the downloading popup but realized it didn't need it so I deleted the program from my computer. What seems to happen is when I click on the icon for the episode I want another totally unrelated window opens up. If I close that window, then the episode appears in the smaller window and I click the arrow and it starts up fine.
10:10, that's crazy! I'd contact the company and tell them the problem you're having.
Maybe it's the consultants who are messing up the company. I know I would cater to someone with a $300 order if I were still with them. I talked to a lot of my customers that don't live anywhere near me - I'd call them and they'd call me. And I sent out emails on a regular basis. It was a lot of work and honestly I felt like I did all the work and the company wasn't doing me any favors.
I was an A Muse consultant, too. I signed up because I loved the old style stamps and because 2 of my favorite stampers were involved with the company (Julie Ebersole and Krystie Lee). Unfortunately Julie and Krystie left the company soon after I joined and the classic A Muse style was missing in action. I still love the ink and like the cardstock for card bases because it's white inside. I don't like the cardstock for die cutting or use in my Cameo. Premium pricing and paying for shipping are not worth it to me.
AMuse does have some issues but 1) I will not buy rubber anymore and 2) I hate the home sales/consultant business model. Buying from a consultant does nothing for my experience. It's too bad because i like their inks and some of the stamp images are cute.
I'll try again. I can't seem to get past that popup window asking me to download the software. There's no 'x' or 'close' button for the popup window. SMH I need to catch up on Seasons 1, 2 & 3 before January. ;-)
Hero Arts and Memory Box also have that nice cardstock with white on the reverse. And Impress and Versamagic are also nice alternatives to Amuse ink with a chalk finish.
I loved the products too but decided to find alternatives to save $$&.
If amuse had only added those inks and cardstock, and some unique ribbons and embellishments, to their original Amuse Artstamps website, and switched their classic Amuse style stamps to at least cling or even better photopolymer, I bet they could be doing great as an online store.
Hero Arts inks http://www.heroarts.com/products/ink/
Yes, the drying time IS a feature of this ink. Yes, they do talk about when describing their inks. It is not 'weird' or 'strange'. It IS a feature of this ink. The ink was developed to act this way. 11:57 am / 7:36 pm / 10:11 pm doesn't want to talk about it anymore because she just doesn't get it herself due to her own comprehension problems. SMH
^^^ Forgot to add: It just needs a minute to absorb into the paper to give a smooth non-splotchy coverage. This has nothing to do with bleeding which this ink does NOT do.
Regarding Hero inks, the ink does soften up after awhile, as it makes its way into the surface of the paper, it fills in the initial splotchiness, which is the feature of the ink, but that also means the results are NOT crisp. The inks are okay for large backgrounds, but not detailed images.
A Muse is like PTI in that they both had SO much potential. PTI was growing so fast until they fell apart. A Muse was great when they had a store and Julie did their classic look. It looks now, to me, like they are not even trying. I cannot even find an active consultant who come recommended and am not going to order from just anyone on the internet. There was a lady named Nancy who was great but the people she recommended when she left have been simply apathetic in helping me.
I was an AMuse consultant for a little over a year. I was assigned to my upline as were other new consultants. She had quite the large team as a result of these assignments. Many of us went inactive and about 5 months ago I got a note from her saying she was quitting. I was only in it to get the inks at a discount. Once my friends and I had all the ink and refills we needed, I was out.
Christine Franco is a very experienced consultant -- she was with TAC before Amuse and I can strongly recommend her. She is active.
Yes, there was a core group that got all of the downline. I think a lot of the early signers were cheated. I guess Amuse handpicked these people for some reason.
I wonder what will happen with Amuse. Either the owner has some long-term game plan or they are fine with mediocrity. If they don't publicly step up their game, I wouldn't expect them to be around very long.
I want to tell this woman thag buying from PTI is a mistake...and btw she says that the stamps are expensive in her video, which I find odd because he room is full of SU supplies...SU is way more expensive that PTI IMO...
Why have stampers/scrapbookers become such negative people? I have looked around for other hobby smack blogs or boards and have not found any like these. I am not being snarky I am being analytical by profession.
There are sites that offer digital embroidery files and pdf patterns for all kinds of crafts. Many of which you purchase and download. I am sure not all those transactions and purchases are rosey. But I have not found as much bashing and bitching as I have found in the stamping/ scrapping community. Maybe we can blame it.on PTI which seems to always have someone angry.
It is bizarre that Julie is so stuck on policy about the allegedly used die but Rick turns around and replaces a die that another customer broke. What does Julie think about this or is Rick replacing it out of his own pocket (like Jennifer Ellefson did with the $20 shipping charge to Karen overseas)?
So PTI has so much integrity and loves their customers so much that they stick to the letter of the law - their rules, unbendable, unwavering.
SO.... the rule apparently is that if you write to them, complain to them, submit a request from them because you have a defective product, or oops ordered one too many, or used one and it didn't work the way it was supposed to (like, I don't know, maybe broke or something) and try to go through channels and are willing to jump through hoops, pay shipping, send photos, etc. . . .they'll still probably say no. Because, hey, those are the rules.
But just put a photo of your mistake on their forum, and definitely do NOT suggest that it had anything to do with the product they sold you, and BINGO!, you get the product replaced.
Because this is just the generous and kind and customer-loving PTI out there for all to see.
You need to learn how to work the system, people!
PTI's generosity is about as random as their customer service.
I had trouble hearing back from local Amuse demos as well... I found Christina Franco on SCS, and ordered from her. I got a personal thank you card (which was VERY pretty) with a tiny little bag of embellishments in the mail as a thank you. She comes highly recommended from me as well. <--- also NOT Christina
I would not think for a second that any of the recommendations from Christina here would actually come from her -- for two reasons. I think she's far to classy for that, and I doubt she spends time here at all. She's a good consultant, serious about her business.
I'm a former consultant and if I wanted to order, I would not hesitate to order through her.
The forum admin sent her a new die because she is such an active member of the forum and he was feeling grateful. Nothing to do with PTI customer service. Don't get it twisted.
Send a legit complaint to CS and get treated like a liar and a cheat. But make nice in the forum and get freebies ?
And you think that has nothing to do with customer service? It only makes their priorities, decision-making, customer service, logic and attitude that much more inconsistent and bizarre.
That was very nice of you Carol. And it is sad that an act of kindness and generosity is met with cynicism. But that is a direct result of PTI's continuing disregard for good customer service. It is going to take a long, consistent effort toward exceptional CS before PTI can win back consumer confidence.
First
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure every stamp company is going to have confidentiality language in their contracts with illustrators. I don't know about DTs - a lot of you here have been on them, so did you have that in a contract (for any company)?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that a DT shouldn't have any proprietary information or inside information on how a business is run, including financials except for what their terms are for when it comes to designing CARDS. And I can see where even that has to be confidential because maybe a company will change their compensation plan at some point so you don't want misinformation out there. But DT info really shouldn't be a big secret. Many companies make it public.
Of course, they have DT members who also design stamps. I think that's a big mistake. Either hire them for the DT or hire them as an illustrator.
They scare the bejeesus out of the DT with the "say anything about us ever and we'll sue you language."
ReplyDeleteCan you provide the language in particular that they use? Or are you just guessing about this?
But the PTI DT members who design stamps aren't really "illustrators." They take stock images, for the most part, and team them together into a set. Not hardly an illustrator in my book.
ReplyDeleteI know some are stock images, but I don't know that all of them are.
ReplyDeleteBut I think this is why PTI is on the downswing. Besides the crappy service. They don't have the depth in stamp design. As much as a lot of people have loved their cardstock, there are plenty of companies that can offer the same thing if not better now. Stamps have always been the big thing for PTI and it's amateur hour now.
Where is the proof that Nichole is leaving PTI or starting another company?
ReplyDeleteInquiring minds want to know.
People don't know anything like that. There is just speculation that since PTI is washed up and did a number on her rep that she will likely bail at some point.
ReplyDelete^^^
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty big stretch.
People are posting here like it is a done deal.
SMH
BTW, I'm not a PTI uni.
There is no proof because anonymous # 700 just made it up to start chit.
ReplyDeleteNothing here can be taken at face value really. One person spoke as if it's reality but the rest are just supposing.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't find it somewhere else then it probably isn't true.
Just remember. You heard it here first :)
ReplyDeleteSo did anyone buy this month? i didn't. i have some reward points, but i think i'll probably just get card stock.
ReplyDeletei think PTI as a whole in on the down swing. I think it's a cop out putting out all the sentiments sets. I don't consider that designing. Nichole uses a bunch of stock images but she does it well. Lizzie, Erin, and the other lady (who did that soup/food set) add nothing to the mix. It's not just knowing graphic design (which they may have training in), but it's having taste. As much as I hate to admit it, Nichole has that certain taste that defines PTI. For awhile there they were putting out tons per month to get a jump on the other companies (in my opinion). In an effort to get out there first, a bunch of the sets are rife with filler images/sentiments and aren't worth the $. If they had thoughtfully developed the sets, they wouldn't be so inventory heavy. I think Nichole should go back to designing full time. They should hire a helper to do the posts on CTM (someone who can proofread please). Even if they don't make a ton of $ on it, they should work on more custom colored cardstock. That seems to get folks in the door so to speak. Also, no more year long series. Again, series = fillers. Of course, all of this with CS and website improvement (broken record, yes).
The problem with custom colored cardstock is that it is VERY expensive to manufacture, and if it is not a popular color it could be years before you see a profit on it.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sure the profit margin is negligible, but they have to play up what is unique to PTI. MFT, WPlus9, GinaK are all getting in the matching ink/paper game but PTI still has the most rounded stock of colors. In the past, I was hooked on the paper and was more apt to buy other PTI product when ordering my cardstock. Now, not so much. Many people are going to SSS and EH for one stop shopping. Just saying that they should explore what made them popular in the first place.
ReplyDeleteMaybe PTI should reduce the size of the DT.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but ACN doesn't add anything to the team and a few of the others only add good stuff part of the time.
Betsy, Christina, Mailie and Laura are reliably good.
Lol 3:30!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd 5:30, I think you spoke well on the stamp design issue. I'm not a big fan of Nichole because of her bad attitude, spelling, grammar , "Pinterest " inspiration with nonexistent {photo credit}, etc. but I couldn't agree more - Nichole is the successful design "voice." Or was. The reliance on stock art is lazy and speaks loudly to their attitude.
I'm sure these DT members who " design" sets are nice good people, and some may have a background in design but someone has to be calling the shots. I assume it's Nichole. And there is a lot of filler anymore. Melissa bickfords, Lexi, Lizzie, dawns. Those series are uninspired.
Even if Nichole isn't going to design or illustrate all of the sets herself she has to at least edit -
6:52 - absolutely!!
ReplyDeleteI have to say Lizzie is a snoozefest.
Both Melissas have styles the others don't - but their cards all look the same to me.
You really think PTI has a rounded selection of colors? Really? They still don't have a decent green, imo, and don't have an apricot or a Carribean Blue color (Aqua is too green for me).
ReplyDeleteCompared to others, PTI probably has the most colors in the heavy stock. You can get more colors (SU, HA, Papersource, etc.) but not so much in the heavy stuff. Maybe MFT has a lot too but I've never bought from them. Bazill card shoppe is good too but pricey.
ReplyDeleteI will be stampin' with my PTI goodies on Wednesday. My package left Ohio today. Super fast shipping.
ReplyDelete5:30 I spent $119 this month at PTI.
ReplyDeleteI have been purging my stamps and supplies. I am a little depressed about.all the money wasted for a quick high. I will continue to watch PTI and a few others but something will have to be pretty spectacular at this point. Nothing in this release made me even consider buying.
ReplyDeleteI am selling everything, absolutely every PTI stamp I own, on the forum.
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna
ReplyDeleteDoesn't look like anyone is buying,Donna. Same list and now 20%off. Hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteProbably won't be able to even give them away anymore. It appears no one wants those sets. If you cannot sell them for 70-50% off original prices, how many do you think the 3 Mouseketeers are selling?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't buy anything from Donna.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even want one thing this release. It's funny, I stopped ordering (as much) due to the CS issues and due to PTI's overall shitty attitude towards customers. But now, I'm pretty much ordering because the designs are boring or just plain bad! I still love some of my older sets, but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, i thought I still love my older sets but I'm going to sell some of those. I think it's less that I love them and more that I'm sentimental about them. I don't really use them so much but in the past when I've purged my stamps, I've always looked at them and thought - Oh, I love these, I won't get rid of these. I think I'm just remembering how much I wanted them and loved them when I first got them.
ReplyDeleteI'm finally just going to deal with reality with these (and some from other companies, too) and just dump the stuff that I never use.
Does anyone have the link to the SU SAB flyer? I couldn't find it, though it seems to be online already.
ReplyDeleteThere are a record number of sets for sale on the forum and many at very low prices and no one seems to be able to dump them.
ReplyDeleteI've had a hard time selling PTI at other venues, too. I think because a lot of people have never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the PTI forum would be the last place you'd want to try to sell them. Do newbies even know to look for them there or where to look?
People on the forum are mostly already fans of PTI and probably buy what they want. Then there is a percentage of people who don't want to order used anyway. You never know the condition of the case, if the stickers are well-placed, etc. I'm not one of those but I know some people are picky. I won't buy used wood-mounted or even cling stamps anymore unless I see a good photo or see them in person because sometimes people undercut them.
Anyway, I wouldn't try to sell them there. I wonder if they sell well on the Splitcoast Buy/Sell/Trade forum.
Also, I think a lot of the $24 sets would be considered overpriced now.
I guess I meant to say that they buy what they want when it comes out - a lot of them. And you don't have to worry about them retiring because they don't do that.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous. Some of them were never good sellers and some are just looking dated. Maybe that's Nichole's retirement plan. If they still have as much inventory on older sets as it seems, they could make a bundle on volume sales even with a discount.
Hey everyone. I was thinking today about Amuse Studio. I know of them, have looked at their stuff, but never "hear" much about them online (or in person). There's virtually no chatter. I think they had ads for a short time in some magazines.
ReplyDeleteAnyone here a former consultant and care to spill the beans? What is up with them anyway? If you left, care to share why?
I had never visited Jennifer McGuire's blog before but I was looking for some ink comparisons and found this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2013/07/video-ink-comparison-hero-arts-shadow-my-favorite-things-and-memento-luxe.html
One thing I'll say for her that I love is that she talks fast, lol! On so many videos, the people just plod along with so much that is tedious that I nearly fall asleep.
But I thought it was really weird that she describes the Hero Arts "ability" to stamp splotchy and then even out as a "feature." I mean, yes, good to know I guess that it's going to change from awful to good or at least acceptable. But I don't think of that as a "feature." I'd much rather see what I'm going to get rather than sit around and wait to see if it evens out well (you can stamp poorly and I'm sure it wouldn't even out in that case).
I bought a few HA cubes awhile back (coupon at JA, so not a big investment) and I thought the splotchiness was awful - tossed 'em.
Memento Luxe looks a little bit like a chalky ink which I like. Anyone think it's like Versamagic? Same, better or worse?
The HA splotchy ink dries to a lovely rich non-splotchy image AS THE INK ABSORBS into the paper.
ReplyDeleteWell duh. I DID watch the freaking video, right?
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that's just silly. When I stamp something, I want it to look the way it should look. I think it's absurd to describe that as a "feature." It's a warning, if anything.
Jeez, do some of you even read what people say here?
Enjoy your Lovely Rich Color idiot.
Hearing "as the ink absorbs into the paper" to me translates into it's going to bleed. Not my idea of a desirable "feature" nor the kind of ink I want to use. Waiting a few seconds for an ink to dry is acceptable, but not this!
ReplyDeleteI've tried the Hero Arts shadow and neon inks and mine never did smooth out like Jennifer claims. They stamp splotchy and stay splotchy. Maybe mine were defective.
ReplyDeleteI have not had any problems with HA shadow inks. They definitely do not bleed. Maybe I've been lucky. My only complaint with them is that they stain clear stamps (some colors more than others), which is unusual for dye inks. Jennifer did not address staining in her video and you'll notice that she used a rubber stamp to stamp everything.
ReplyDeleteI was pretty sure that she peeled a clear stamp up off of a sheet but I would have to look again.
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried them, they were splotchy. . . and stayed that way. But that's the thing -- it could be that I had inked it up or pressed it down unevenly. But I'm going to sit and watch it dry or wait or heat set it to see if once it absorbs it's smoothed out? I don't think so. Not when there are other inks that you can stamp and see right that very second that you got good coverage or not.
I will say though that I don't think being absorbed into the paper means that it's going to bleed. Maybe if the paper is already wet with another ink or medium. But I doubt that you would expect them to actually bleed beyond the stamped image area.
HA should make a point of this time-delay "feature" in their blurbs about this magical changing ink . . . gee, wonder why they don't?! :p
HA inks don't impress me at all. Love my PTI inks.
ReplyDeleteUgh. I'd never try PTI inks again. Been there, done that mess. I hear the newest ones are decent but then when I watch them in videos there is a lot of tapping, tapping, tapping, tapping, and then more tapping.... and often on DT work they look splotchy.
ReplyDeleteGathering my thoughts on A muse . Anyone else a former demo with them?
Thanks to the person who posted the Downton Abbey link. I've already watched 2 episodes.
ReplyDeleteA Muse and Impress are the same formula and they are my favorites, although I thought HA was fine. PTI,--ick.
ReplyDeleteI placed an order this month. Surprisingly everything I wanted was in stock including a bunch of stuff that had been out of stock for some time. I used some points too so I was able to save on shipping to Canada and it looks like my package may be here in a reasonable amount of time.
ReplyDeleteI think all of that says that it was a very poor release for them.
ReplyDeleteMailie uses HA shadow inks on her cards.
ReplyDeleteYou just need to wait a few minutes for the ink to absorb into the paper. They work best with solid stamps and really stamp nicely on top of each other as well.
11:57 appears to be a snotty bitch. Maybe her meds need topping up.
5:06 pm,
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried the link, I couldn't watch or download the episodes without downloading some special software. Did you have to do that?
11:57 am,
ReplyDeleteYou can't "sit around and wait" for a minute? SMH
Yes, it IS a feature of this HA ink to provide great smooth coverage for solid stamps.
you are arguing over INK? Does it not occur to some of you that different folks will have different opinions of the same product and that no one is "right" or "wrong"? Dopes
ReplyDelete7:19 - Just tired of dealing with people here who have no reading comprehension.
ReplyDeleteTrue 7:35.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's not a patience thing with that ink. The original criticism was that maybe it takes a few minutes for the ink to absorb or whatever and show you that there's good coverage, but that's hardly a "feature." It's plain old weird.
Big sale at MFT via their FB page. Some stamps and dies -- up to more than 50% off some items. (Just glad the stuff I ordered this week isn't listed!)
ReplyDeleteAm I just overly tired and not catching it, or has Rachel's PTI tirade thread on SCS disappeared? I don't see it. (And sorry if this has already been mentioned... it's hard to keep up sometimes when you have to weed through the idiot monkey stamp comments.... thank you blog owner for deleting.)
ReplyDeleteHow the HA inks react depend on the type of paper you use. I've seen it smooth out just a tad. And I think that only applies to the shadow inks IIRC, not all the HA inks. There's an explanation out there on one of the HA pages.
ReplyDeletePTI inks are crap, all versions. When they weren't splotchy, they were the wrong color or turned the wrong color. Sucks that they botched it 3 times. Really, 3 times?
^^^
ReplyDeleteYes, it's the shadow inks. You get a smooth coverage for solid stamps. Not splotchy like other inks can be with large solid stamps.
And yes, it IS a feature of this ink - the inks were developed to be this way. Go read the info on the HA website.
I don't think it helps anyone here if people trash products because they can't be bothered to try them out.
Rachel's thread is still there. In fact she posted about being a Christian and some of things she said were out of anger.
ReplyDeletePersonally dropping the ink talk because some of you just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteRachel's thread has moved down with no more posts after she wrote a somewhat apologetic comment.
Yes, PTI botched it three times. Their spin would probably be that they are at least overachievers :p
MFT inks are awesome! My friend ordered 4-5 different pads and I tried them on Monday when we got together to craft. I love love love them! They ink beautifully using clear stamps. I am going to invest on some.
ReplyDeleteFT inks are awesome! My friend ordered 3 different pads and I tried them on Tuesday when we got together to craft. I love love love them! They ink beautifully using clear stamps. I am going to spend the money my husband earns on some.
ReplyDeletelove the new waltzingmouse folk art christmas set
ReplyDeleteI'm an A Muse consultant. One of my biggest frustrations with them is the lack of advertising from the get-go. The products are really nice....the inks are awesome, best on the market, IMO. There is so much potential there, but they have botched the launch of the new company. Also, IMO, they have gotten too far from the classic "A Muse" feel of their images. They want to be different from SU, but each catalog looks more and more like them. I'm an initial marketing blast would have been expensive, but they are now suffering from the lack of brand awareness and publicity. As a consultant, it makes it hard to get sales when no one knows who you are. :( I will continue to be a rep as long as still want things they are selling.
ReplyDelete8:26, you named a few of the things that bothered me about Amuse too. The lack of an ad campaign was very frustrating. There was a little bit at the start but it wasn't enough - I remember an ad that was on the back of some magazines but there wasn't really information there. It was like the cover of the catalog and a very basic description. I've only seen them with a banner ad on Splitcoast once. I have yet to talk to a single person about Amuse who actually knows who they are, where they started, how long they've been around, or what they offer.
ReplyDeleteA big thing for a lot of consultants judging from the forum talk was abandoning the classic Amuse look ---- that's what drew a lot of us into the company from the start. I noticed in the most recent holiday catalog they brought some of it back but the big attraction of Amuse was that it was going to be DIFFERENT. It is anything but.
Most of what they offer you can get anywhere else but consultants were expected to sell that at premium prices. We all know that SU and Amuse charge a lot more for shipping than a lot of online companies and the item prices are elevated as well. No one in their right mind pays that unless it's exclusive. (I'm impressed with SU's catalog but they screwed up their cling stamps with those stupid stickers and should just go to clear stamps.)
I also had the webstore (they did do a cut-rate deal at one point which was a bargain). The only time I got sales blindly through it was when they had a limited edition set for $3. I NEVER got a downline through it. I think when they started they had some core group of hand-picked consultants (not many) and all of the new people were signed up under them. You would think that it being a new company, anyone who signed up right away would have a good shot at new people coming in. I've talked to others who thought getting in right at the start was going to be a good investment because of that logic. Nope.
It just seems like no matter how hard you work at it with them, they just don't help that much. And communication wasn't all that great - they had some flubs and some trouble getting info out to us in a timely manner. Really frustrating.
Of course I have no idea what it's like now - I've been out for awhile. But I still never hear anything about them either.
I like MFT inks too.
ReplyDeleteGot a couple of MFT ink pads the other day. They're okay. They remind me a bit of Memento dye inks and Adirondack. Probably won't get more though.
ReplyDeleteI have contacted 5 A Muse consultants online. I have a $300 order just sitting there but am not going to do it unless the consulant herself emails me back and answers my list of questions. I cannot even get an email response.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Downton Abbey link worked for me. I fell for the downloading popup but realized it didn't need it so I deleted the program from my computer. What seems to happen is when I click on the icon for the episode I want another totally unrelated window opens up. If I close that window, then the episode appears in the smaller window and I click the arrow and it starts up fine.
ReplyDelete10:10, that's crazy! I'd contact the company and tell them the problem you're having.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's the consultants who are messing up the company. I know I would cater to someone with a $300 order if I were still with them. I talked to a lot of my customers that don't live anywhere near me - I'd call them and they'd call me. And I sent out emails on a regular basis. It was a lot of work and honestly I felt like I did all the work and the company wasn't doing me any favors.
I was an A Muse consultant, too. I signed up because I loved the old style stamps and because 2 of my favorite stampers were involved with the company (Julie Ebersole and Krystie Lee). Unfortunately Julie and Krystie left the company soon after I joined and the classic A Muse style was missing in action. I still love the ink and like the cardstock for card bases because it's white inside. I don't like the cardstock for die cutting or use in my Cameo. Premium pricing and paying for shipping are not worth it to me.
ReplyDeleteAMuse does have some issues but 1) I will not buy rubber anymore and 2) I hate the home sales/consultant business model. Buying from a consultant does nothing for my experience. It's too bad because i like their inks and some of the stamp images are cute.
ReplyDeleteMama Elephant and Impress inks are the same as Amuse.
ReplyDeletetrue, but some of the colors are not the same from each group.
ReplyDeleteThanks, 10:16 am.
ReplyDeleteI'll try again. I can't seem to get past that popup window asking me to download the software. There's no 'x' or 'close' button for the popup window. SMH
I need to catch up on Seasons 1, 2 & 3 before January. ;-)
Hero Arts and Memory Box also have that nice cardstock with white on the reverse. And Impress and Versamagic are also nice alternatives to Amuse ink with a chalk finish.
ReplyDeleteI loved the products too but decided to find alternatives to save $$&.
If amuse had only added those inks and cardstock, and some unique ribbons and embellishments, to their original Amuse Artstamps website, and switched their classic Amuse style stamps to at least cling or even better photopolymer, I bet they could be doing great as an online store.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't bother me to not have the Amuse exclusive colors - a nice range is what matters (although I admit their colors are beautiful).
ReplyDeleteWhy did Julie Ebersole leave Amuse?
ReplyDeleteHero Arts inks
ReplyDeletehttp://www.heroarts.com/products/ink/
Yes, the drying time IS a feature of this ink. Yes, they do talk about when describing their inks.
It is not 'weird' or 'strange'. It IS a feature of this ink. The ink was developed to act this way.
11:57 am / 7:36 pm / 10:11 pm doesn't want to talk about it anymore because she just doesn't get it herself due to her own comprehension problems. SMH
^^^
ReplyDeleteYes, HA shadow inks are great. ;-)
^^^
ReplyDeleteForgot to add: It just needs a minute to absorb into the paper to give a smooth non-splotchy coverage. This has nothing to do with bleeding which this ink does NOT do.
Regarding Hero inks, the ink does soften up after awhile, as it makes its way into the surface of the paper, it fills in the initial splotchiness, which is the feature of the ink, but that also means the results are NOT crisp. The inks are okay for large backgrounds, but not detailed images.
ReplyDeleteA Muse is like PTI in that they both had SO much potential. PTI was growing so fast until they fell apart. A Muse was great when they had a store and Julie did their classic look. It looks now, to me, like they are not even trying. I cannot even find an active consultant who come recommended and am not going to order from just anyone on the internet. There was a lady named Nancy who was great but the people she recommended when she left have been simply apathetic in helping me.
ReplyDeletei've ordered amuse from christine franco. i think she's good and no i am not christine. i've never met her
ReplyDelete3:44 pm, yes, I agree.
ReplyDeleteThat's why HA recommends using these inks with solid images. Other inks create splotchy images when used with solid stamps.
I was an AMuse consultant for a little over a year. I was assigned to my upline as were other new consultants. She had quite the large team as a result of these assignments. Many of us went inactive and about 5 months ago I got a note from her saying she was quitting. I was only in it to get the inks at a discount. Once my friends and I had all the ink and refills we needed, I was out.
ReplyDeleteChristine Franco is a very experienced consultant -- she was with TAC before Amuse and I can strongly recommend her. She is active.
ReplyDeleteYes, there was a core group that got all of the downline. I think a lot of the early signers were cheated. I guess Amuse handpicked these people for some reason.
I wonder what will happen with Amuse. Either the owner has some long-term game plan or they are fine with mediocrity. If they don't publicly step up their game, I wouldn't expect them to be around very long.
6:42 PTI has not fallen apart.
ReplyDeletehttp://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=43589
ReplyDelete8:59, that's a matter of opinion.
ReplyDeleteyour point, 9:48?
ReplyDeleteLinks to forum threads are USELESS for many posters here who don't use the forum. SMH
ReplyDeletePTI is the best stamp company ever!!!
ReplyDeleteWhy hasn't Nichole posted anything on her Cedar Ridge blog for a year and a half.
ReplyDeleteI agree 10:49. Some woman posted a die she broke and rick is apparently sending her a new one.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute. I have a broken PTI product, too. Is this for all customers or only special ones?
ReplyDeleteI want to tell this woman thag buying from PTI is a mistake...and btw she says that the stamps are expensive in her video, which I find odd because he room is full of SU supplies...SU is way more expensive that PTI IMO...
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/8C4CXfIGghY
I can't speak for nichole on why she stopped posting about cedar ridge but I can speculate. people smacked it.
ReplyDeleteAbout as useless as your comment 10:49
ReplyDeleteWhy have stampers/scrapbookers become such negative people? I have looked around for other hobby smack blogs or boards and have not found any like these. I am not being snarky I am being analytical by profession.
ReplyDeleteThere are sites that offer digital embroidery files and pdf patterns for all kinds of crafts. Many of which you purchase and download. I am sure not all those transactions and purchases are rosey. But I have not found as much bashing and bitching as I have found in the stamping/ scrapping community. Maybe we can blame it.on PTI which seems to always have someone angry.
It is bizarre that Julie is so stuck on policy about the allegedly used die but Rick turns around and replaces a die that another customer broke. What does Julie think about this or is Rick replacing it out of his own pocket (like Jennifer Ellefson did with the $20 shipping charge to Karen overseas)?
ReplyDeleteWill Rick take back my bad ink, my impression plate, and my damaged products?
ReplyDeleteI guess only if you broke them yourself. They won't take back defective goods. LOL!
ReplyDelete1:00 AM - exactly.
ReplyDeleteSo PTI has so much integrity and loves their customers so much that they stick to the letter of the law - their rules, unbendable, unwavering.
SO.... the rule apparently is that if you write to them, complain to them, submit a request from them because you have a defective product, or oops ordered one too many, or used one and it didn't work the way it was supposed to (like, I don't know, maybe broke or something) and try to go through channels and are willing to jump through hoops, pay shipping, send photos, etc. . . .they'll still probably say no. Because, hey, those are the rules.
But just put a photo of your mistake on their forum, and definitely do NOT suggest that it had anything to do with the product they sold you, and BINGO!, you get the product replaced.
Because this is just the generous and kind and customer-loving PTI out there for all to see.
You need to learn how to work the system, people!
PTI's generosity is about as random as their customer service.
I had trouble hearing back from local Amuse demos as well... I found Christina Franco on SCS, and ordered from her. I got a personal thank you card (which was VERY pretty) with a tiny little bag of embellishments in the mail as a thank you. She comes highly recommended from me as well. <--- also NOT Christina
ReplyDeleteI would not think for a second that any of the recommendations from Christina here would actually come from her -- for two reasons. I think she's far to classy for that, and I doubt she spends time here at all. She's a good consultant, serious about her business.
ReplyDeleteI'm a former consultant and if I wanted to order, I would not hesitate to order through her.
Well that came out all wrong now, didn't it?
ReplyDelete"any of the recommendations FOR Christina," would be correct.
The forum admin sent her a new die because she is such an active member of the forum and he was feeling grateful. Nothing to do with PTI customer service. Don't get it twisted.
ReplyDeleteLol lol lol!
ReplyDeleteAre you freaking kidding me ?
Out if the goodness of his heart. He's feeling "grateful" to someone for hanging out in the forum?
I liked Rick when he hung out on the smack blog before. This is absurd if you are him or just presuming to speak for him. Either way.
I think it's ridiculous too.
ReplyDeleteSend a legit complaint to CS and get treated like a liar and a cheat. But make nice in the forum and get freebies ?
And you think that has nothing to do with customer service? It only makes their priorities, decision-making, customer service, logic and attitude that much more inconsistent and bizarre.
That was very nice of you Carol. And it is sad that an act of kindness and generosity is met with cynicism. But that is a direct result of PTI's continuing disregard for good customer service. It is going to take a long, consistent effort toward exceptional CS before PTI can win back consumer confidence.
ReplyDeleteNew post is up.
ReplyDelete