Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

211 comments:

  1. You're welcome on the ink thing :) . I'm glad you asked - I have just never gotten around to trying it.

    I've had PTI in the doghouse for a good long while now but I think I'll be placing a pretty big order this time around. I really didn't like those flowers at first but I'm starting to have ideas for them. I also like Melissa Bickford's new sets - I don't think I've ever purchased anything from her before. And I do like the monthly birthday sets.

    Also, it seems to me that Nichole's posts are friendlier lately, especially this release. She is starting to sound more genuine and "real," and more like she appreciates her DT and stamp designers, too. I know that's really subjective but I wasn't looking for it or even aware that she had a distant tone in the past - but reading her posts these last couple of releases, she seems ... nicer. I still wouldn't buy if I didn't like the products, but I think I'm ready to forgive and forget.

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  2. When did they add "search by designer" to the store?!!!

    THANK YOU!!!!!

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  3. To echo the comment from the last post, I can't get my glossy accents to look nice either. It's either too flat or too bubbly.

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  4. With glossy accents, I apply it slowly to my project, and I use a paper piercer to pop any bubbles that appear. I also use my piercer tool to smooth out any uneven spots.

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  5. 15% off at Impress. Use code "love" until 2/15.

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  6. 9:18 Nichole has always sounded friendly to me. It's all in the way YOU perceived it or maybe you jumped on the bandwagon with the rest of the haters.

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  7. Nichole is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Period.

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  8. I think for awhile there she just sounded kind of like she was going through the motions. It's possible I transferred some of my feelings about problems they were having to her written "voice," but it's just nice to "hear" her now.

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  9. I would put money on the last 3 posts being from the same person.

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  10. 6:46 Don't bet the farm because I am 3:53 and that was my only post. There are more people who share my feelings. Don't be so cynical.

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  11. I thought 3:53 and 3:56 could've been the same person, but I guess not; I'm 4:08.

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  12. And I bet the last 2 are the same as the three. You can usually tell by the chances that 2 different people would post those things 2 minutes apart. We can go weeks without a Nichole is wonderful post and then to get 2-3 in under 5 minutes is pretty telling.

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  13. 7:06 Wrong again. I am 6:49 but not 6:52. Why would I post and just sit here. If you'll notice we can go 2+ hours between posts.

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  14. omg this is the funniest string of posts i've seen for awhile. none of you knows a thing. the only thing for sure is that rick runs this blog. for reals!

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  15. Any takers that all the comments on this new post were written by the same person 'talking' to herself?

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  16. LOL - true, the only ones who really *know* are the people themselves. I don't think there are more than two or three wackos who would bother to pretend they are or are not more than one person.

    Remember on the other blog when people decided to give themselves aliases instead of posting anonymous? And then other people started commandeering their aliases? So silly.

    I started the whole Nichole discussion and then suggested that maybe I really did transfer some of my own feelings about PTI to how she sounded in her posts.

    It was just a simple observation and really no big point of contention or concern. There are some people who thinks she's a bitch and some who think she's a sweetheart. That's probably true of each and every one of us.

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  17. I actually counted the #$#@#$! bunnies and then I could not comment on the blog post because the capcha code function isn't working properly. WTH?

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  18. ^^^
    Forgot to mention that this has happened all week so far on Nichole's blog.

    I comment because someone has to win the $$$ certificates. ;-)

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  19. Why does Nichole not know how to spell calendar? wow.

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  20. I don't blame you for entering - if it's not too much of an aggravation, I've entered some too. If it were another company, I would say tell them about the problem you had by sending an email or post on the forum but. . . hmm....

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  21. Oh my gosh, there are so many typos and errors etc., in her posts that I just let it go now. It's ridiculous.

    I will say that the sentiment stuff shown today looks interesting. But why would someone buy dies for rectangles? I still don't get that.

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  22. 8:59 You NEVER make a mistake??

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  23. She (9:05) isn't posting on a professional blog for a company that should strive for perfection. Taking two seconds to proof your writing before you hit "publish" is a small price to pay. See, I just did it with my own post. Just now. I had "before your hit "publish"" and I corrected it. It wasn't hard at all. Really.

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  24. It's business. I put out reports that go to thousands of people. I double check my spelling. It's not rocket science. Her lack of detail leads me to wonder what other things she lets go. I put out tons of publications last year and not one of them had a spelling error. So, no. I never make a mistake:)

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  25. This is 9:05. Yes, personally, I do just "let it go." I mean, what's the point of mentioning it anymore? We all know it and it's been like that forever. Either no one says anything to her or she just doesn't really care. Or she's just not that bright. It is ridiculous.

    I don't really understand your first statement, 9:25. She IS posting on a professional blog, isn't she? Or are you saying that because her posts are so terrible that she's NOT? Or are you saying that I'M not posting on a professional blog ... so that's why I "let it go?"

    Some of you are a bit over the top here. All I did was mention to someone who pointed out ONE error on her blog (among many) that I now blow off her errors because it seems pretty hopeless at this point, but you make a big deal that she should be proofing, etc. Old news.

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  26. Scribbles and rectangles, oh my! The creativity is killing me.

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  27. LOL

    I used to think that what I missed were some of the older things that were actual drawings, like the one with the mailboxes. But that little truck? Can you imagine how tiny some of those customization stamps will be?

    I think this is where PTI is going to stay: Flowers, geometrics, sentiments, and gimmicks.

    Sometimes it seems like dies were the worst thing to happen to stamping. It's more about graphic design now or cutting out... anything and everything... than it is about original art.

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  28. 9:55, I'm 9:25. I was agreeing with you and my comment was directed at the gal directly above me. I'm saying (to 9:09) that bringing up *your* mistakes is irrelevant unless *you* are posting on a professional blog - which Nichole is - and so Nichole should take a breath and check her work. Essentially what 9:27 said. And I don't think you should let it go. I mean of course unless you want to. I just don't think anyone should jump on you (like 9:09 did) for bringing up Nichole's inability to proof her work. And you are also right - expecting that detail to change is Elvis....and he has already left the building! Hahahaha!

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  29. 11:04 I totally agree.

    I have a paper cutter that does a splendid job of trimming strips of paper. I actually think using a die for strips of paper would take me longer than using a paper trimmer.

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  30. About the poor grammar. Nichole is just a product of our education system. Sadly, her errors are not ones that she would catch by proofreading. The folks I work with, many of whom have Ph.D.s, cannot spell, and cannot write. No one prints things out and edits by pencil anymore. It is just the way it is and it is unacceptable at the same time. If I were PTI and most of the other companies, I'd hire someone to write the blog posts, or edit them. The ones who talk in baby talk are the worst. "Muchly" "lemon peazy" "gooder" and the like are not appropriate in a professional post. I do not mind when it is a personal blog and the blogger wants to speak it cutesy slang or whatever that is, but folks on design teams or who work for a stamp company need to write.

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    1. I wholeheartedly agree on all points, especially the baby talk! The way Emily from Stamping Bella "speaks" in her blog posts and emails is atrocious! WHY she thinks that's appealing is beyond me.

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  31. I confess, I own rectangle dies. Not for cutting out specific stamps, but I bought the Spellbinders Nestabilities sets with the two sets of straight edge and two sets of scalloped. Because they were on an insane sale at the time (I paid about $20 for the 4 sets together) and because I can stamp a sentiment or image and then use the die to cut it so the image is exactly where I want it. Try as I might, I can't seem to manage that with my trimmer. And, with the Spellbinders, I'm able to get that nice embossed frame, which I absolutely cannot do with my trimmer. And finally, I really like the kind of squished-down edge that the dies give. (Not only do I have the Spellbinder rectangles, I have their full set of long rectangles and their squares. I'm a bit of a tool ho.)

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  32. Nichole says fuck off. If you don't like it, don't read her blog. And she says double-fuck you. If you don't like her products, don't buy them.

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  33. Haha! Thanks for clarifying 12:45!

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  34. 1:59 - I get your point but that first statement is a total cop out. There are plenty of people who are products of our education system who are perfectly capable of writing well. It doesn't have to be "just the way it is." It's another case of abdicating personal responsibility.

    Where I live, there are some people who have awful grammar - it's throughout families with people who have lived here for generations. And it's pathetic. But that's no excuse. I correct children and make no apologies for it.

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  35. 2:45, I can see the value of it and I didn't even think about those - I have the nestabilities too, lol! You made me remember that I liked the embossed edge and also it makes it easier to cut a window into something. I loved Laura Bassen's (is that her name?) card today. Heck, I may even get them now that I think about it!

    Part of me is always trying to talk myself out of something and I start to think, "Oh, I could do that without buying *whatever*..." -- but sometimes the "whatever" makes it easier and offers other options, too.

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  36. Must we encourage the grammar queens to come out? I say lets not.

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  37. I agree. LET'S not.

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  38. It is not the fault of the education system. There are people who graduated right along side of Nichole that know how to spell and proofread. Don't put Nichole's issues on a teacher. Nichole is always running behind schedule and those people don't want to bother with proofing.

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  39. The grammar queens act so high and mighty.

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  40. 7:20 pm,
    You need a little remedial help. That is, there are people who graduated right along side of Nichole WHO know how to spell ...

    Glass houses, people!

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  41. "that" is technically correct---just sayin'

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  42. It’s not wrong to use “who,” but it’s also not wrong to use “that.” I checked a bunch of major style guides. Garner’s Modern American Usage, the Chicago Manual of Style, Fowler’s Modern English Usage, and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary of English Usage all say that although it’s always fine to use “who,” it’s also fine to use “that.” For example, it’s fine to write something like “Girls that have long hair buy more scrunchies.”

    It’s been done for a very long time and the objection to it is more recent. Chaucer and Shakespeare, for example, used “that” to refer to people, and Merriam-Webster notes that usage writers only started objecting to it in the early 1900s.

    - See more at: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/pronouns-for-people-and-animals-who-or-that#sthash.rL5inGIV.dpuf

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  43. We all know that there are errors on her blog and while I wish she would use spell/grammar check before hitting publish, her errors not the end of the world. What is a problem is when the sentiment stamps are incorrect. However, there haven't been any recently that are incorrect so let's just chill, everyone.

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  44. 4:53 pm, may we quote her on that?

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  45. "Let's" is a contraction word meaning let us. So, if let us doesn't fit then neither does "let's"

    "Let's" go to the mall. "Let us" go to the mall
    My brother "let's" me borrow his car. My bother "let us" me borrow the car. See how this is obviously wrong.

    If this "does not" help you then nothing will. If this "doesn't" help you nothing will.

    See just remember if the contraction word has to fit if you put the two words used to make the word fits

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  46. So???? Let us just chill makes total sense.

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  47. this is when I love this blog. When the subject moves from PTI to each other. Good job!!! Rick

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  48. OMG today's posts are going to knock you out!!!!! turn the haters to lovers.

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  49. Except for Erin Lincoln and Heather Nichol's samples. Ugly ugly ugly. The rest is cute. I like the special delivery truck.

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  50. 6:19 - maybe Nichole's grammatical errors are to give the haters something to talk about. :-)

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  51. Lettuce all just get along. See what I did there? LOL bahahahahaha!

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  52. Awe, Nichole, you have to be tougher than that honey!

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  53. I haven't been here in a while. What happened to Maile Belle? Her blog hasn't been updated since December. I hope she's ok.

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  54. OK nevermind....she had a baby. Wow she is so adorable and the baby is too! (via Facebook.)

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  55. Agree that we've done the whole grammar thing to death here. Enough is enough.

    6:58, I'm not a hater but today's posts sure didn't do much for me. I did like Cristina's samples. I guess the little truck thing just isn't for me. Don't think I'd ever use that one.

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  56. I do like the delivery truck but $34 for the whole deal is way too much.

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  57. delivery truck set and dies are worth the money to me. versatile and you know there will be a christmas add on. santa on a truck

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  58. Santa on the truck doesn't sound very Christmasy to me. I am going to cut my own delivery truck stamps with my Cameo. I can decorate them by hand.

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  59. If the truck set had been sized to go with the city scene, I would have been all over it. But-they are huge in ratio.

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  60. OK, OK I know it's time to put the grammar thing to rest, but it's just stupid stuff like this that's what is most annoying! The "lsot" type is NOT bad spelling, it's just plain lazy, unprofessionalism! The spell check would have pointed out a mistake like THAT, yet she STILL doesn't do anything about it!

    "One of the great things about Building Blocks, and one of the reasons I designed the set, is so that you had a way to give sentiments as extra *pop* on a single layer card. Sometimes the sentiment can kind of get lsot, especially if combining it with a detailed image. But these blocks provide an instant "mat" for your sentiments giving them more definition without having to do a whole lot of work!"

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  61. Then quit reading it already if your panties get in a knot.

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  62. is that the best you've got?

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  63. I think expecting Nichole to spellcheck or proofread her blog posts is a lost cause. So I would have to agree with the other posters. Let it go and move on.

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  64. PTI is not doing it for me lately. When is the next Wplus9 release? Any other suggestions from the group?

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  65. impression obsession, hero arts. casual fridays, reverse confetti, newton's nook, precious rememberances, gina k, stampin up, ctmh, amuse studio, impress, savvy, waltzingmouse, taylored expressions, clear and simple stamps, stampendous, avery elle, wplus9, simon says, mama elephant

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  66. Penny Black, Flourishes, Just Rite, Verve... there are so many other options besides PTI and PTIjr (Wplus9).

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  67. Inspired By Stamping, My Favorite Things, Verve, Flourishes (going out of business sale going on) Just Rite Stamps....I'm sure there are more.

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  68. LOL, PTIjr. Good one!

    Isn't this about the time of an Amuse anniversary since they started the catalog business? Anyone hear anything about that? They are so low-key - I never hear a thing.

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  69. A Muse tried to live off the fame of their wooden stamp designs and are doing nothing to promote what they have now. I predict they will be out of business soon.

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  70. I was curious, too, so went searching. . . they have an "accessories" catalog published now (for sale in a couple of weeks), and there's nothing exceptional or innovative. They had sequins before I heard too much about them, but why pay so much when you can find them anywhere? I guess for the matchy-matchy people. So now they are using crepe paper. Ugh. I can't imagine working with something so flimsy.

    They finally started adding back in some of the "classic" style stamps, but too little too late for me. The catalog/home sales business is tough - you'd have to WOW people to break into that game, and I just don't see it either.

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  71. Betsey's Market Kits $70 - $100. Out of my league price wise so I'm very disappointed. I can only spend 100 a year! It would have to be amazing for me to buy. Hope she is successful as she seems like a very nice person. Wonder what you all think

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  72. Has there been an actual announcement from Nichole about 7% off anniversary discount? I know people are expecting it -- at least I am -- but I haven't seen an actual announcement. Just searched the home page of Nichole's blog, but I didn't find anything. Thanks!

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  73. If it is done by Betsy, it must be wonderful. $70-100 is really expensive. It must come with some significant non-consumables....stamps, dies, etc. Probably not affordable for me.

    From a business perspective, it is interesting to see that it is off their regular release cycle. A sneak peak on release day, and then a full reveal on the 28th. Great idea to drive business between releases.

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  74. I haven't seen a mention of a discount either. Personally, I wish companies would just release products with a full reveal at the same time. This sneak peek, drag it out for over a week and now over 2 weeks for the new kits, is just tedious. I'd rather see more consistent projects using the new releases from the DT than it all being concentrated during a week and then a lot of them don't even post much the rest of the month. But, especially for PTI, it seems to give them the leeway they need in always being late. Another delayed post...again.

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  75. Regarding the PTIjr comment, Wplus9 is in NO WAY like PTI with their customer service. They are top notch in that area so I'd be more than happy if they eclipsed PTI. I've had a couple of issues and they were resolved quickly with no questions asked.

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  76. 8:03 I think they meant PTIjr in terms of design.

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  77. I was looking forward to a discount too. Sniff sniff. Well, I was hoping to buy a bundle but with no discount I'll have to trim the list big time.

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  78. I am certain there will be a 7% discount

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  79. can always count on rick! bet it will be announced only on the forum.

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  80. I bet there will be an email going out later today.

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  81. The 7% is on Nichole's blog. You just have to scroll down a bit.

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  82. $70 - 100 is nuts for a kit unless it includes a ton of product. and I mean a ton!! like several stamp sets, dies, and other stuff. I don't want to pay that kind of money for sequins and stuff like that.

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  83. The 7% off is only good if you order within 24 hours of the release. It's posted in the "fine print."

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  84. It's posted in the same print the rest of her blog is posted in.

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  85. 10:13 - Well, the date and time restrictions on her blog are actually in bold, so...

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  86. And I didn't see the 7% or the within 24 hours part of it.... going back to look. Darn. I want to place a big order for the first time in YEARS, but did NOT want to do it right at release time. Grrrr. Glad to get the discount though.

    I won't pass judgment on the kit until I see what's in it. I have been interested in letterpress but looking for an easy way to approach it. Curious so far. I think it's brilliant to schedule it the way they did. It gets exposure at release time but perks up sales in the middle of the month (maybe). And there are people who can manage spreading out purchases but would not be able to order regular products AND buy a kit at the same time.

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  87. Oh, I see. The 7% announcement was not buried at all -- it just wasn't posted at the same time as stuff I saw hours ago.

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  88. Well, that anniversary set wasn't up before either.

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  89. The 7% is posted on Nichole's blog, the forum, and I've gotten an email. They have publicized the discount in every way they can, short of a personal phone call or a knock on your front door. I think there was some discontent (imagine that!) on a previous smack blog that it wasn't publicized enough.

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  90. Everything seems so overpriced for what you get. Be Happy for $15, seriously it is barely a $5 set if you ask me. $50 for Special Delivery stuff? Cute but not $50 kind of cute. $70-100 kits? Sorry I am just a hospital nurse. I don't have that kind of expendable income at my house. I have about $50 a month for my own money to waste. I order PTI now and then when I have enough for free shipping. For that reason, as their prices have continued to inflate, I am getting more and more picky and finding myself ordering from other companies where I get more bang for my buck. 7% off is really nothing. It would only be $2.85 off the entire grouping of Special Delivery, sentiments, and dies. Sorry,PTI, but I think I have to finally remove all your dt's etc from my blog reader and just move away from even being tempted.

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  91. The 7% and the Anniversary Set were absolutely not there when it all first went up. I went through it time after time looking for both.

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  92. Imagine getting an email that says "7% off the entire Michaels store. This offer is so generous that it can only be honored for 24 hours". LOLOL!

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  93. 10:44, the problem is not the pricing. The problem is that you have bought into this concept of dies and separate sentiment sets. Just because they make it/sell it, doesn't mean you have to get that too!

    Now, if you love the little trucks, I admit that they didn't put any really useful sentiments in the set -- but think about what you already have... once the truck, decked out appropriately, is on the card, you have Congrats and Get Well, etc., already.

    And why do people suddenly feel like everything needs to be cut out?!?! I only do that sometimes and sure don't always or even usually need dies for that. I love the speech bubble things but if I want it cut out that's no biggie to just do myself.

    So... if you like their stamps, just start thinking of how you can use them (like in the olden days... you know, a couple of years ago, lol) without the dies.

    I'm not a huge PTI cheerleader, but I think they have kind of lowered (price) expectations with those $5 sets. We now expect a lot more for $15. I think a few, like the library card, circle scribbles and sweet speech could be $10 or $12.

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  94. "If you spend $50 with us you will save $2.91!" Amazing!

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  95. Whoever is chastising everyone for saying that the 7% discount was not posted can just get right off their high horse. It was NOT there when the initial reveal and kit announcement were made.

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  96. wait 13 years and you can get 20% off

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  97. And some of those dies look impossible to line up -- if it's at all intricate, the border is so uneven that I know I can do just as well.

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  98. The cost of living in the US has gone up an average of 4% or more over the last 7 years, and PTI has not raised prices on most of their products since the day they opened their doors. Not only that, they give a 4% discount on every order automatically with Rewards. Keep complaining about their discounts and prices. Your complaints are baseless. Def not a Unicorn, but they have stayed pretty consistent with their pricing at least.

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  99. predict betsey will sell these kits for a year and then bow out. there will be some shipping delays or defective products and she will be embarrassed to be represented by PTI. I noticed that Nichole referred to the arrangement as a partnership. Bet Betsey was smart enough to negotiate a better deal than the stamp designers get. Ladies, you are being ripped off. "I know."

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  100. I wondered about the terminology about Betsy's kits too. I read it as she has negotiated some terms to try to prevent problems with the kits. I also think the variability leaves her a cushion. She isn't locked into a production schedule.

    I think when the items are revealed for the kit, people will be able to tell pretty easily if the price is unreasonable or not.

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  101. Prove to us, o wise one, how you "know" anything?

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  102. Paper Smooches is celebrating their 3-year anniversary - has anyone seen a discount or sale from them? Thinking of placing an order but don't want to do that and then see that they had a sale.

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  103. What kind of perks and pay do you think PTI DT members get? I'm always curious if they actually would get paid or just receive free product and a % off other items they might want/need (paper, embellishments, past sets and dies etc).

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  104. Why do you read so much into the phrase "our new partnership with Betsy"?
    Nichole can't write or spell and she can't be bothered to spellcheck or proofread her posts. So why do you bother trying to interpret or look for hidden meaning in a simple phrase she has used? Do you really think there is some secret code there?
    SMH

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  105. Because Betsy was already part of the team, so what is "new". I bet only Betsy was smart enough to protect herself after watching the 3 genius businesswomen's antics for the last few years.

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  106. For those of us ordering tonight - if you want free shipping, make sure your total is over $70 AFTER the 7% discount and any redeemed points.

    Just trying to help out and avoid anyone being mad afterward when they get charged shipping.

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  107. As much as I think the Delivery set is cute, I would probably actually use it less than a dozen times. I kind of have a rule that if I won't use the set at least one time for every dollar spent, it is not worth it to store. Now I just need a system to get rid of sets that I have not followed this rule for. I guess use them more or give them away.

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  108. Yes, their prices have remained consistent. The paper costs the same, and the cost of their sets have been consistent. Their dies are way less than other companies like MFT, Paper Smooches, Amuse, etc. They have introduced the $5 sets too. Free shipping over $70 and rewards points. I consider it a good deal for what I get, and affordable for me to order every few months.

    I think they can use some consistency in what is a $28 set, a $15 set, and $5 set. Sometimes they over deliver, and sometimes they under deliver.

    Also, I agree with the previous poster about not having to get every component of a theme, such as the special delivery and add-ons.

    I was the person who first inquired about the 7% discount. That was definitely not there when the anniversary set was posted.

    The new anniversary set....meh. I was hoping for another Botanical Silhouettes. I will use my points for something else.

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  109. oooops, $24 set

    I wouldn't want to fuel the fire about high prices!

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  110. $15 for Be Happy is just stupid. The anniversary set looks like a thousand other sets and for 24 points!!!!! Notice how many fewer $5 sets we see anymore.

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  111. When companies get too sure of themselves, like SU and PTI, you see the prices not change much, but what you get for that price is paltry compared to other companies. I purchased a set with 32 really nice stamps in it for $15 and $2.67 shipping this morning from a company with great designs. No die to go with, but I have a Cameo so I don't hardly ever buy a die/punch anymore.

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  112. I am incredibly intrigued by the new kits from Betsy. The price point is a little steep, but if I really loved lots of the components, I think I could find a way to make it work. I bet people on the forum would be willing to split, too. I do give PTI some major marketing credit for releasing g them on the first of each month... While annoying to those who would order during release, it really is an ingenious way to drum up some mid-month business.

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  113. 4:54 I agree with you about their stamp set prices.

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  114. for 5:25 - Regarding your comment about fewer $5 sets...it got my inner accountant going. I went back and counted from January, 2010 until now.

    2010: 23
    2011: 53
    2012: 57
    2013: 54
    2014: 9 through 2 months, at this rate would be 54 for a year

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  115. I'm happy about the 7% discount.

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  116. It would be nice if some of their stamp sets be $10 or $12 like someone earlier posted. I do like that their dies are much cheaper compared to other companies. I know I keep backing out from buying from PS because the die prices are crazy high for me.

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  117. I feel that the stamps should max out the carrier sheet for the $5, $15, and $24 sets. For the most part, I don't care how many stamps I get (I would rather have fewer medium-sized stamps than more tiny stamps. It is really about filling the sheet, with minimal amount of empty space between them. And of course, a good design concept is needed.

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  118. ^^^^^^^^ Completely agree with that about the carrier sheet should be full.

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  119. "We know a secret! The winner of FREE stamps for a year was just randomly selected from the database that everyone has been entering for two weeks! The winner will be announced on our webstore's front page at 10pm EST! I wonder if it's YOU!!! Are you going to be holding your breath every time you hit refresh?!?!?!"

    Oh, for pete's sake!

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  120. Yes, the stamp sheet should be full. PTI may have kept the same prices, but the sheets are not full. Way too much space IMO.

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  121. I think they do, in general, fill the sheets. But when they don't (like I am thinking the Be Happy Set may not), it is noticeable.

    The other aspect is that all of the images are useful. For example with the feather set, the feathers and dots are gorgeous. I wish they would have skipped the sentiments and birds, and made it a $15 set instead.

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  122. I'm placing my first order in a long while, and honestly I haven't bought ANY stamps in a long time, and carefully reviewing my list.

    I really was loving Be Happy... then on the final reveal I realized that there isn't a striped flower. Hmm. I know that seems little but the samples built up an image in my head and the reveal just didn't live up to it - plus $15 seems a bit high for this one.

    I am quite happy to see that there are several that are the beginning of series. I like the samples for the "You Make Me..." die ... but there are only a couple of sentiment fillers there that I'd use for my kids. I'm glad it's #1 of a series though - I bet there will be future sets that I'll like more.

    Still not sure about Building Blocks. I buy stamps mostly for cards - these I think I'd use more for wall art or pocket photo books and haven't done too much of that yet.

    I had the Slide Frame stuff on my list but I just know the word stamps are going to be teeny tiny... and I don't remember slide frames looking like that anyway.

    Does anyone else agonize over a purchase like this?!

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  123. The special delivery sentiments also look microscopic.

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  124. I'm going to be placing an order, but I'm not really agonizing. I have $61 from this release, and then a few things to add from previously. The only thing I am having a hard time deciding is how much more to get because of the discount.

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  125. I added a few from previous releases too.

    This is probably why I shop so seldom. I've had carts going in three different stores today and talk myself out of everything, lol! I guess with that kind of restraint, I should just not worry about it. I think I've made a lot of mistakes in the past and just don't want to do that again. I have to tell myself that as long as I use something enough to get my money's worth out of it, it's okay if I sell it off down the road with no regrets.

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  126. Exactly. I have learned this with PTI. I really, really want it. I order it. Within a few days I don't really care anymore and by the time it arrives 2 weeks later, I really wish I had not ordered it. In some cases I take it out and make a few cards and put it away and never use it again. I have learned to stop ordering and the cycle goes even faster. By Thursday of this week I will feel very relieved that I ordered nothing and by the next week I would not even be able to tell you what it was that I wanted to get.

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  127. Yep. I've done that a LOT. Maybe it's in part because of the drawn out peek and sample process. You see so many ideas and then you don't realize you're seeing someone else's vision and potential in the sets and not your own. Today I've really examined the set reveals objectively without going back and looking at samples. I'm having my own ideas and there are just a few from the DT that are standing out in my mind.

    The last six months or so, I've gone back and looked weeks later at releases and can't believe the things I've almost bought. But - this time around, I'm actually kind of excited about a few things.

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  128. Wow - is the stuff usually up in the store this soon? Used to be 10:30 or later before you'd see it.

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  129. The store is loaded 15 minutes early? Is that to entice us all to order quickly before we realize that the 7% discount won't be applied if we order before 10pm EST?

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  130. discount was applied

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  131. Oh, gosh when they post those prices individually it looks really pathetic.

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  132. ^^^ What would you rather? Posting prices individually at least lets people see that they are getting the discount.

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  133. 10:02 and if they didn't you would complain about that too.

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  134. Anxious to get your order in? FYI it goes up early every month.

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  135. My cart is ready but the system is really slow. I'll just put it in tomorrow.

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  136. People who work with paper: the word for paper goods is STATIONERY.

    "Stationary" means not moving.

    The fact that people who work with paper for a living, or really anybody who works with paper goods, don't know the difference is ridiculous.

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  137. Additionally, "then" and "than" can not be used interchangeably! Also, it is "scissors" as in a pair of scissors, not "scissor". Also, you make scores on the paper, not "score's". And it was not Pa Walton, it was Daddy Walton. He was never called Pa. It was Daddy who called Grandpa, "Pa".

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  138. I rarely buy the stamp sets. Not worth $15 or $24 for me.
    But I love the cover plates and many of the dies, especially word-related ones. PTI dies are so well-priced. So I ordered for the first time since last June. I still agonized and kept deleting items, then adding them, then deleting them. I am sure there are a few things I will regret deleting. Oh well, there is always next year. LOL

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  139. ^^^^
    Forgot to mention why I rarely buy the $15 or $24 stamp sets. I love the cards made by Christina, Laura and Maile. But they only use a few of the stamps in a set in their cards. And I know I won't use all the stamps. Especially the tiny stamps or the strangely-worded sentiments. But i wouldn't have said no to winning a year of free stamps. ;)

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  140. If anyone's still up... Is there another place to buy the snap albums at a cheaper price or is it a good deal to buy from PTI now? First time scrapper. Thank you in advance.

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  141. I thought Hobby Lobby carried the Snap line but I'm not sure and don't know if that's an option for you.

    I had a terrible time with PTI's website last night. The good thing is I had time to think and this morning I kept taking items out of my cart. So, I'm right where a few others above had mentioned. The hype is over, I took the stuff out that is someone else's vision (liked that!) and kept only what fits my style and what I'll actually use.

    Saved me quite a bit. Even with the 7% discount. So thanks for the slow servers, PTI.

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  142. I am not a hater. I was a huge fan and customer until PTI did me wrong. Long story, same story as many.

    I am happy that I no longer buy from PTI and chuckle when I see the same frustrations. It saddens me to see some of my favorite stampers join that design team.

    They get the full release every month and are paid a small amount in cash to post each item. A friend of mine used to be on the DT and told me that she got $5 for every item she posted. She quit after a bit frustrated at the delay in compensation.

    In addition, they get a discount on paper, ink etc. And of course they get paid to post on the forum. Thank goodness some of them don't do that.

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  143. Well I placed my order, but I'm annoyed that 2 items from this release and 2 items from the last release were out of stock. It's not like I didn't try for an hour yesterday.

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  144. I used to order every month. This year I have ordered once or twice. I was excited for this release but couldn't get thru last night and gave up. Today things are out of stock that I was going to order. I think this is the final straw for me. This should be fun but it's not.

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  145. It's fun if you got your order in before anything was out of stock.

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  146. ^^^ i could have written this post word for word. now I'll wait for rick to have the #@! to come here with his usual excuses for a company that is too cheap to spring for more capacity on its server. "we are small" "we are popular" "we try"

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  147. Same here. Final straw. Done, once and for all. 7% does no good if they are out of stock.

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  148. I am so irritated. I did fill my cart last night - it took a long time to load each item, and the last one I had to load several times before it appeared in my cart. It was so slow that I didn't want to place the order then because I was concerned about the possibility of accidentally placing it twice or something . . .especially with PTI because getting it fixed would've been a royal pain.

    It has been so long since I ordered at release time that I totally forgot about the possibility of things going out of stock. I had a $255 order in my cart.

    With that order the 7% really would count for something. And because it looks like they have several new series starting now, I'll probably want to place a future order so I can add those items then. But I'm so annoyed, I'm not sure I want to order from them. This is so STUPID that they can't stock up with BRAND NEW products. Do they have that little confidence in themselves that they don't think they'll EVER sell their own stuff??

    So now I guess if you want to order something without having to wait weeks for it to be restocked, you still have to stay up until some absurd hour to place an order at release. Honestly, I was really happy when they moved the time from midnight to 10 p.m., but apparently that still isn't good enough if you like to get to sleep at a decent time.

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  149. rinse, lather, repeat

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  150. 12 things on my wishlist, 9 out of stock. 5 of those are from last night's release. Giving up. Really saves them a lot on that 7% deal when people cannot order no matter how hard they try. Wanna bet the out of stock comes in pretty fast after the 7% no longer applies?

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  151. I placed my order. In the future, I will NOT order at release time.

    And pretty irritated about their new store. It says "Paypal Express" so I think that means it just defaults to the payment method and I can't choose, so I just went the cc route. But I'll NEVER place a large order again. From now on, if I want something badly enough I'll pay shipping, or I won't order until I have a $70 order put together. Maybe every 3-6 months.

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  152. ^^^ customers like you are what keeps the 3 geniuses in $$.

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  153. It was posted on the forum that part of the problem was that last night there were international orders coming in for 20 to 30 of each die ordered. It seems that there are people living outside the US who order at full retail and resell. If multiples of orders were getting 20-30 of each item, it's no wonder things are out of stock. There's no way to anticipate for that.

    Someone suggested that for the first 24 hours of a release, limiting quantity to 5 of each item. That would prevent the bulk orders and give individuals a chance, but probably someone can think of a situation where a person would legitimately need more than 5 of an item.

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  154. If 20-30 items of a single item puts them into out of stock then those of us who suggest the company is going under are correct. When you stock internet inventory you buy twice of what is expected. If 20-30 ruins that then I bet they anticipated selling less than 100 per item, which means they are on the rocks for sure. Especially when they are now out of stock on many items. They don't have the money to lay in stock for a one year anniversary sale? Uh-oh. Even marketing 101 won't save their buts if they are running that thin of a margin. Nichole needs to watch Shark Tank.

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  155. 1:47 - Are you trying to deliberately misunderstand? There were a "number of foreign orders for 20 and 30 dies at a time". They stock waaaayyy more than 100 of a die. There were over 2,500 orders between my pre-release order and release order. Huge quantities of product have gone through there in the last 48 hours.

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  156. Although I think buying to resell is a great idea and someone has a nice little business going with very little overhead. If they mark them up a bit and sell large orders with a good variety, they will do well. Postage can be much less within a country.

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  157. So a number of people all got the same idea in the same month and ordered within hours of each other. Someone is lying to you and you are naive.

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  158. Hey 12:21, you're an idiot.

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  159. So you did a pre-release order followed by a discounted order? Hmmm, that doesn't ring true either. You wanted some items at FULL price on purpose?

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  160. 1:42 there is no reason on earth someone would need that many unless they are reselling them.

    I would restrict the ordering to one per person.

    But I'm not PTI. And PTI doesn't really care where the money comes from. Or about keeping loyal individual customers happy.

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  161. 12:21 is not an idiot. she was simply pointing out that folks who continue to buy make money for PTI. prove that wrong, wormhole

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  162. It sounds like the foreigners are the ones keeping them in business.

    The only way to be a happy PTI customer is to visit the store halfway between releases, and buy what you like. Stay off the forum and stay off of this blog.

    Once you have a glimmer of what goes on behind the scenes, you are doomed to dislike and distrust this company.

    There is no other company that I visit a forum for or a smack blog, I have no idea what happens with them on this level, and I happily order and enjoy using the products.

    It's going to be my new policy for PTI.

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  163. so 11:57 is frustrated and her solution is to place multiple orders in the future. hmm

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  164. 2:01, well of course people who buy are what keeps them in business. The person being criticized had said that they aren't placing big orders anymore but accumulating a list and will buy when they hit free shipping. Considering the usual debacle of release night, that seems like a good plan to me.

    It sounds like she was being chastised for being a customer, period. Well, yeah, customers are what keep a company in business. Pretty much stating the obvious. Not everyone wants them to GO out of business.

    Some of us don't care either way. I like some of the products and buy what I like (that's pretty much my relationship with every single other store I've shopped at in my entire life). If they go out of business, I won't buy from them (stating the obvious as that's what you apparently relate to).

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  165. It doesn't necessarily mean their inventory was that low - even if only four or five international customers ordered large quantities (like 20 to 30 each of some products) plus all of the usual PTI fans wanting the new items and others wanting the discount, the inventory would dip quite quickly, especially for the really popular products.

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  166. 1:59 - I'm 1:56. I don't care if it rings true to you or not. I had a rebate gift card. Since a rebate card can only be used for the exact amount of purchase, I got around that by using it to purchase a PTI gift certificate to then use on my actual order. Very simple, actually.

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  167. 2:04 also needs remedial reading and comprehension lessons.

    Yes - place smaller orders at times when the release won't be a pain in the butt. Sounds like a strategy to me.

    So the people with the "never buy from them again and we'll force them out of business because they are terrible business people and we hate them" philosophy have returned?

    The person you all are criticizing said:
    1. The system was slow; she (wisely) decided that there could be problems placing an order.
    2. She forgot about the frequency of out-of-stock items (with all the talk here, you'd think they no longer have any customers so who would think that would still be happening?).
    3. She knew that a 7% discount would actually add up to something with a big order, and gosh let's lynch her for wanting to save some $ on products she wanted to buy. jeesh.
    4. She paid attention to the new series and realized that she didn't need instant gratification - she can order those items some other time because she likes the new series and will likely want to buy them in the future.
    5. She made a good point about the fact that even though they changed the "buy time" to 10:00, it doesn't do much good if the site is still so damn slow that you have to worry about having problems with it - so you still have to stay up late to beat the "out of stock" scenario.

    I thought it was a pretty well thought out strategy and plan with a little bit of venting.
    Apparently, a bunch of you have a PTI fixation and refuse to be customers at all.
    That is beyond understanding. If you want them out of business, don't like the products, whatever... why do you pay the least bit of attention to them?

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  168. actually 11:57 said she'd pay shipping if she had to -- which is exactly what pti wants. the company has no incentive to change because it is making money.

    thus, my comment that folks like her keep the geniuses happy and in $$. that's all.

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  169. i want them to go out of business. they screwed me out of money by not agreeing to refund me for defective goods. so yeah i'm pissed and would like to see them go out of business because i can't fly to cincinatti from arizona to wrest my refund from their tight fists. call me crazy but venting here is my only recourse. Hope this helps. Keep buying until you are screwed and then you will join the chorus of "haters" also known as ripped off consumers.

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  170. Can you pay using Paypal and still use a GC? I wasn't sure and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get back in to place my order, so I paid by credit card.

    I logged in early and put all my non-release items in my cart. I was able to put release items in my cart a few minutes before 10 pm.

    And then pages started becoming temporarily unavailable. And adding or deleting items from my cart started to take a few minutes each.

    But I was able to place my order (first since June).

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  171. Perhaps the pre-release order was for items going into the vault.

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  172. 2:17, I looked over both of our posts (twice) and didn't see where either of us mentioned paying shipping. So is that the big deal? Wait til you have a $70 order or pay shipping. Last I looked, lots of companies have a minimum. Some higher.

    2:21 - I guess I can understand that reaction considering your experience. But I'm also a bit curious. I know you don't have to tell the truth here, but how much did you lose on the defective goods? Did you have no recourse through your method of payment? How did you try to obtain the refund?

    Venting usually works because people can get something off their chest, share with a community and feel better. So, how long are you going to hang onto this anger? And how's that working for you?

    Also, a lot of the bashers are not ripped off customers. I've been a HUGE critic of PTI, but I think some people carry it a bit to an extreme. If I examined every little detail of other companies I like to shop at, I could probably be pretty irritated with them too. I'm not saying PTI doesn't have the magnifying glass coming to them - they've earned it. But I just don't think it's as big a deal as so many here make it out to be. The major screw-ups are long gone. Now, they just don't make very good decisions but those typically don't affect the average shopper (okay, unless you're searching their website for something, but they have lots of company in that department - many online stores have crappy websites).

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  173. I think the fear of something going out-of-stock is their marketing strategy ace to drive sales at release time. I am sure that PTI is well aware that, given more time to think, many non-unicorn customers would not buy as much. The unicorns will always buy and do not mind waiting 2-4 weeks for restocking. Just my opinion.

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  174. Venting usually works because people can get something off their chest, share with a community and feel better. So, how long are you going to hang onto this anger? And how's that working for you?

    what, are you Dr. Phil?

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  175. So either 4-5 people all came up with the same idea on the same night, within a few hours of each other and it has never happened before OR Nichole did not stock enough for some reason, even knowing these 5 people had done this before or most likely the company is way short on cash due to low sales. It is one or the other.

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  176. ^^^^ And of course this won't be discussed on the forum because Nichole will be seen through publicly, yet again.

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  177. 2:39 pm, shipping was mentioned by 11:57 am.

    " I placed my order. In the future, I will NOT order at release time.
    And pretty irritated about their new store. It says "Paypal Express" so I think that means it just defaults to the payment method and I can't choose, so I just went the cc route. But I'll NEVER place a large order again. From now on, if I want something badly enough I'll pay shipping, or I won't order until I have a $70 order put together. Maybe every 3-6 months. "

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  178. Thought you were talking about a previous poster. My mistake. Guess I need remedial blog comment reading or something.

    I guess this person's point was that they weren't going to place a large order and have concerns about release night problems or large charges on an account they don't want to put them on. Pretty stressed out, straightforward vent.

    Your comment that that kind of behavior is what keeps them in business is still absurd to me (besides stating the obvious nature of shopping and businesses). She says she's willing to pay to just order the little bit she wants when she wants it - not at release time - otherwise, let it accumulate but then she won't be ordering nearly as often. People who don't order monthly are not a good thing for PTI - it's unpredictable and their more likely to go somewhere else in the meantime.

    I think that's called taking control of your situation. Their obviously not really happy with PTI which should make you happy :) .

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  179. Damn it. They're, not their.

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  180. It is the new dies that are now out of stock, not the new stamps. Kind of telling, don't you think?

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  181. 3:18, I'm 2:50 pm and I'm not the other poster.
    Re the shipping comments, it's easy to lose track of the posts being discussed. ;-)

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  182. Thanks for clearing that up. Yeah, I'm not so used to so many people posting at once here, lol!

    I was thinking about the dies being sold out first, too. Some of them are "standalone" dies, but with the ones that coordinate with the stamp sets, I guess they just don't buy the same number of them. That's kind of lame for the release.

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  183. the "what are you dr. phil" comment made my day!

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  184. I knew I sounded "shrinkish" when I said it. It was intervention time.

    bwaahahahahaahaa

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  185. What I find kinda sad and truly incomprehensible is that people who say they are done with PTI are still constantly critiquing and nitpicking the company ... if you are done, move on. Some of us still want the company to do well and are inspired by the projects and new products coming out each month.

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  186. 3:31 - "It is the new dies that are now out of stock, not the new stamps. Kind of telling, don't you think?"

    I'm not sure I get your point. Of the 8 dies now out of stock, 6 don't necessarily need a coordinating stamp set. It was specifically said that the bulk buyers were buying 20-30 of each die that was in their order, so it makes total sense that it would be dies out of stock before stamps. Or are you saying that people want PTI's dies and not their stamps?

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  187. I have not stepped in a Walmart in 6 years but I still verbally trash them to anyone who will listen.

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  188. I also do not get why the dies would go without the stamps to match.

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  189. 4:31 pm, what are you doing on a PTI smack blog?

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  190. I think the does go faster because they are better priced & more value than the stamp sets and the standalone ones don't need stamps. The $3 dies always seem to go fast if thy are well designed.

    So, PTI, lower the stamp prices or fill up those sheets.

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  191. I think many customers bought the anniversary die set now because PTI will run out and won't have enough for those who earn the points and order the anniversary stamp set later. I said it first here! LOL

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  192. 5:51 the same thing you are doing going to PTI's forum and Nichole's blog.

    I am not 4:31.

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  193. I am not 4:31 either but agree with the sentiment ... give up if you are done and move on!

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