Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
I meant to post this earlier, but you know that whole good intentions thing.
Is it me, or is Stampin' UP! quickly watering down their products and beefing up the prices. I am in shock at some of the lack of creativity demonstrated in the new stamp sets and the pricey tag on them.
Namely:
Stem Silhouettes 31.95?
Gift Labels 23.95?
Autumn Apparitions 28.95
I'll give them that Holy Triptych is a very nice set. I would pay 32.95 for it, but how clever for all the appropriate sayings that would fit nicely on the bookmark stamp are in another set for 33.95 Star-Studded Season. That's nearly 70.00 right there.
I was disappointed with the new catty and was starting to cringe at the pricing, but this Holiday Mini is just over the top.
If you don't like the U.S. you would really not want to see the Canadian prices.
Star studded season is, $46.95 + G.S.T. + shipping.
Holy Triptych is, $45.95 etc.
So yes I understand.
I would be okay with the price if the quality was good. In my last order, 4 things had to go back (2 punches, a roll of ribbon, a package of DP). I never used to have any problems with SUs quality.
I have to admit, though... LOVE Season of Joy. Nothing else grabbed my attention.
__________________ -Shelby- I can, I will, I DO. -Verna C. Powers Okay, I haven't yet, but I still can, right??
I have to agree...only 6 months with new catty makes me mad and plus I am not impressed with what they have changed to. Most of the stamps are not my favorite at all. The Mini catty has only one that I really like and think is okay in price "Autum Harvest" it can be used for Halloween or even Fall/Thanksgiving type cards. Otherwise the prices are ridiculous. I think on some of them my 6 year old can draw better than the way the stamp looks. I am not impressed at all with the new designs they have come to. Also not knowign what is going to carry over makes me very irritated because I would rather buy those sets now and work on getting the other ones next catty. ARGH! Even when you email Stampin' Up you get a canned response "thanks for sharing your comments it will be passed on to the appropriate dept". I am getting very irritated with Stampin' Up
Increased prices are because all the sets are already cut out for you (die cut).
I know what ur saying. If I do buy a set, I'll be curious to see this die cutting thing, however,
the exact wording from the mini was:
"and wait, there's one more thing--every stamp set is die cut, a wonderful holiday surprise that will save you time during the most busy time of year."
Don't save me time, save me money at the most expensive time of the year.
I agree with you Danyelle. First of all, I too am disappointed in the main catalogue. My friend wants a Christmas list from me of SU stuff ... I went through the catalogue DOZENS of time and could only come up with 6 items for my list ... and that included cardstock! Every other year it took me the whole year to work through the catalogue and even though I didnt get everything I wanted. Now the mini comes out, NOTHING in there that I want either! I am starting to get worried about myself here! The prices are just too high for me also. I'm in Canada so our prices are higher than yours in the US and I just cannot pay those amounts for a set where I like (only like, not LOVE) some of the stamps, I need to LOVE all of them and its not happening. I told my demonstrator what about my feelings this time around and she said that she did understand what I was saying. Last catalogue I probably ordered something every 2 weeks from my demo (every payday), now she hasnt heard from me in a while. I'm sad about it, but I think that SU has out-priced themselves for some people. There is just WAY too many choices other places for great quality stamps nowadays. Of course I will still buy what I like, but I have to see something that I like first!!!!
And before anyone flames, this is just MY OPINION. I'm not bashing SU, it's just not me (both the main catty and the mini) ... I'm sure that some people LOVE them both and that is great. I have a limited budget and for now at least, I will spend my money elsewhere. I will always buy SU cardstock though and I love their double sided ribbon in the in-colours too.
I, too, did not fall in love with much from the new catty. I ordered some new ribbon, the vintage brads, and the in-colors (ink and cardstock) and a couple of the new word sets. . . but that's it. I don't think I'll even need to order anything else until the next catalog comes out (the January one). I am not into the style they chose to go with this time (although I know many are) and I hope the next catty has more that I LOVE!!!
I was suprised (as was DH) because usually I have a year to buy things and don't end up getting everything I want. . . I put in one (small) order and got everything my heart desires out of this one.
__________________
- Katie - Wife to Ted - Mommy to Lizzy, Luke, Maggie, and Annie
I know what ur saying. If I do buy a set, I'll be curious to see this die cutting thing, however,
the exact wording from the mini was:
"and wait, there's one more thing--every stamp set is die cut, a wonderful holiday surprise that will save you time during the most busy time of year."
Don't save me time, save me money at the most expensive time of the year.
Danyelle
\\
OMG! I totally agree! I'll gladly trim the sets if SU trims the price!!
Every other year it took me the whole year to work through the catalogue and even though I didnt get everything I wanted. Now the mini comes out, NOTHING in there that I want either!
The prices are just too high for me also. . . .I'm sad about it, but I think that SU has out-priced themselves for some people. There is just WAY too many choices other places for great quality stamps nowadays. Of course I will still buy what I like, but I have to see something that I like first!!!!
My sentiments exactly Deb. I too will spend my money elsewhere for stamps (unless they come out with a new catty with something I LOVE). I will however continue to buy SU cardstock and the Wasabi stitched ribbon is on my next order.
No, I don't think the products in the mini catalog are a rip-off or a joke.
The sets all come die-cut, which for me is a *HUGE* perk! Plus, they are still cheaper than if you were to buy stamps individually. (I've seen other companies sell single stamps for $13...now for me that is impractical and expensive!) With SU! you also have the quality - which is another reason why I love SU! (I have quite a few Whipper Snapper stamps that are NOT deeply etched and I struggle to get a good, clean image with.)
Simply....if you don't like it, don't buy it...as with anything. Not everyone is going to like everything, we all have different tastes, (and different budgets! ;) ) Which is why there are so many companies out there.
Hopefully you'll find something that you're happy with.
I think the price is just too high for many budgets. I would rather cut them out myself than pay extra for someone else to do it. Besides, I will probably have to trim them down more for my own taste.
It's still a better deal than buying individually, and I love Stampin'Up, but...
Location: In a hostile frozen wasteland...waiting for spring!
Posts: 3,546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I don't like Christmas stamps at all so the mini didn't thrill me. I always loved the winter and spring minis the best. As for the prices I never thought about it much, but if they are more expensive yes it is likely cause of the die cutting. I would pay more for something that is die cut cause I hate trimming! I don't think they are more expensive than any other stamp company out there with already trimmed and mounted stamps.
I haven't bought from the new catty yet anyways Don't know if I will.
__________________ Lucky I'm in love with my best friend, lucky to have been where I have been, lucky to be coming home again...
Location: on the farm in windy Saskatchewan, CANADA
Posts: 5,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As it was said above, our canadian prices are way higher than yours already, but I don't mind cutting them out myself, if it would save me money. The only thing that caught my eye in the mini was the ribbon, but even that is a bit wider that I like
C
Everyone is not going to like every catty that SU comes out with. Nor will you like every product line from any other company. As for the prices, Everything goes up over time. SU has not raised their prices in a few years. They now have more everhead and they also do alot for charities. I will not gripe about the prices for really good quality products. You cannot buy 6 individual stamps for the price SU charges. If you can, please let me know but they must be the same quality and very nice disigns that all match together. And they need to be the good rubber and wood mounted. As for me , I did not like the catty from 2 years ago. Instead of griping about it I just waited for the new one to come out. This years I absolutely love the catty. Everyone has different tastes in style. SU tries to cater to everyone but there will always be some who do not like the current catty.
I do not believe that SU is lacking creativity, I think it is just a style change. Look at all of your past catties. The styles change year by year. In 2001 there were tons of "pretty & flowery" sets. Now many things are doodles. They to need to go with the current style.
If you do not like this catty , wait until the next one comes out. A forum like this one is not a place to cut down SU. There are going to be people that may get offended by this.
Well, I just say let your $$ do the talking. If you are dissatisfied with what is offered (whether it be price, quality, whatever), then spend your $$ elsewhere. That is what ultimately creates change.
Location: rockin' the pink mojo wig in Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wasn't WOWed by the holiday mini either. Only one stamp caught my eye. Holy Triptych $32.95 US price,
$45.95 Canadian price - OUCH!!!!! - a $13.00 difference. Yup, I'd rather cut my own rubber!!!!
I said it before, I'll say it again....SU won't see as much of my hard earned dollars this time around.
__________________ Some call me Pinky, some call me Lori - I answer to both Pinky's Pictorial DREAM as if you could live forever, LIVE as if you only have today.
I had no idea that die cutting was such an expensive process that it would raise the cost so much. I wonder how much actually sticking them to the wood would raise the cost. I guess those companies that do all that are hardly making any profit at all. I bought a new set of wood mounted stamps that were same quality as SU last Friday. The die cut and mounted set of 14 stamps cost me only $17.95. With all the options out there like 28 PaperTrey stamps for $24 I won\'t be buying sets of 4-6 stamps for $30 after shipping and tax. That is for sure. I think some of these companies think this is a rich woman\'s hobby but I sure don\'t see rich women into this hobby. I read many blogs and almost all stampers I know from the blogs and in person are on a budget. $30 for some is a good part of a day\'s wages and for others it is what they could get daycare for an entire day for! I could see 6 movies for the prices of one set!
At those prices they could have at least put faces on the Holy Triptych set! And as for the doodle look, If I wanted doodles, I could draw them myself.
I think there are lots of stamps that cost too much. I have to remind myself it's like Hallmark cards, (Yeah, bad comparison for a stamping site) you are not paying just for the product, but the art that went into it.
My money will be going elsewhere rather than to SU! right now. I have never liked trimming my own stamps and as for telling me that die cutting is what makes them more expensive, I doubt it. It's not like a person is hand trimming the stamps for me, it's done by machine somewhere in bulk. The die cutting excuse just sounds convenient to me and not very truthful.
I think price costs just went up because prices of everything else have gone up. Other ladies have mentioned that SU has not had a price increase in a very long time. However, I didn't care for a whole lot from the mini. I did order Autumn Harvest, and Holy Triptych because I had already signed up for a swap, but had I not signed I probably would not have ordered anything from the mini. I was just not WOW'd by anything. Very disappointing.
__________________
Christina Carnahan - Mom to Nathan 8, Iian 8, Cloe 6, and Matt 5.
I know what ur saying. If I do buy a set, I'll be curious to see this die cutting thing, however,
the exact wording from the mini was:
"and wait, there's one more thing--every stamp set is die cut, a wonderful holiday surprise that will save you time during the most busy time of year."
Don't save me time, save me money at the most expensive time of the year.
Danyelle
Now THAT'S FUNNY!!!!!
I haven't seen it yet( I stopped being a demo last Oct)...but nothing in the new cattie was a must for me...so I feel sure after reading this it will be the same for the mimi,too.There are just sooo many other really good stamp companies out there getting my money!!
And that's why there are SO many stamp companies out there! Something for us all. You have to know that there are folks out there who absolutely LOVE the catty and the mini..they deserve to have stamps they like just as much as you do, no? As for the price..well everything has gone up, so I wouldn't expect SU to be any different. I am more concerned with the prices of things that I *have* to have like gas, food, and school uniforms...lol. Don't fret so much about stamps! Smiles, ladies, Smiles!
__________________ Keva
We shouldn't have expectations of others that we, ourselves, could not fulfill.
Wow - I guess that shows how tastes differ - I love both stem silhouettes and autumn apparitions. Even after tax and shipping I'll be paying less than $7/stamp for stem silhouettes, a good price in my area. There are some sets in the mini that aren't my style, but I expect that.
Other companies are not raising their prices so drastically. Hero Arts has been around for a very long time and their prices have hardly moved over the last decade. I think SU should consider how this makes the customer perceive them. I have 2 other craft hobbies and prices have not gone up with those supplies either. In fact, some of the prices have gone down due to competetition. I think SU needs to keep a very close eye on that ever rising and attractive competition.
I won't be buying anything from the new mini either. There is just nothing that I love. I am to the point where things need to be amazing or cheap. I have all the in between items.
Well, I just say let your $$ do the talking. If you are dissatisfied with what is offered (whether it be price, quality, whatever), then spend your $$ elsewhere. That is what ultimately creates change.
You are absolutely right Novell. That is why I only buy SU paper...and A*Muse Stamps! :-D
I have been a SU woman for a long long time, and until they make some changes to their products, and their pricing structure....I just won't spend the money for their product like I did in the past.
__________________ �Truth isn't mean. It's truth." ~ Andrew Breitbart (1969-2012)
Not thrilled with much in the catty or the winter sale flyer. I haven't bought any sets since last April when they ran that special on the sets that retired. I will probably wait and buy sets the same way next year if they do something like that again. I love the sets and have been actually shopping around for some clear sets that will mimic some of the ones with the swirls and flourishes that are in the SU catty. It would probably be better for SU to look at selling their stamps with the option of having the wood to mount them on or not. You can still get the same quality of rubber without the cost of the wood and it would be easier to store in those little CD cases.
Other companies are not raising their prices so drastically. Hero Arts has been around for a very long time and their prices have hardly moved over the last decade. I think SU should consider how this makes the customer perceive them. I have 2 other craft hobbies and prices have not gone up with those supplies either. In fact, some of the prices have gone down due to competetition. I think SU needs to keep a very close eye on that ever rising and attractive competition.
First, let me welcome you to SCS!! I see this is your first post!!
And yes, Danyelle has a right to her opinion, I hope nobody was saying otherwise.
Second, the Hero Arts stamps that I have seen in store are still more individually than SU!, and like someone else mentioned earlier, there is SO much more competition now, and luckily everyone should be able to find what they are looking for somewhere!
Although there are a couple of things in the Holiday Mini I am getting, it is much less than I used to get. Their prices have hit most folks where it hurts, I think we may be buying less SU over all because of it.
Then we must remember, there is something for everyone, everyone has different tastes and will not agree on the price of these products, so we should just only buy what we like or where we like.
I may not care for all that is in this mini, but someone else does! Enjoy it!
__________________ Karen
...My life is like a stroll on the beach...As near to the edge as I can go...Thoreau...
I haven't seen anything in the catty or mini that I just had to have. I would be willing to pay the higher prices, but SU has to come out with "WOW" sets that I fall in love with for me to do that. That just isn't happening with this years product line.
Other companies are not raising their prices so drastically. Hero Arts has been around for a very long time and their prices have hardly moved over the last decade. I think SU should consider how this makes the customer perceive them. I have 2 other craft hobbies and prices have not gone up with those supplies either. In fact, some of the prices have gone down due to competetition. I think SU needs to keep a very close eye on that ever rising and attractive competition.
As a long time customer, here is an honest opinion....
Concerning pricing, I think SU needs to consider the fact that when they raised the price of their sets, this in turn increased the price of shipping and handling, and sales tax. When we buy from other sources (on-line stores, or our local craft store) we do not have to pay those costs. These two factors roughly increase our costs 15-20%.....money that could be spent on more stamps. Granted, I love my demo, and want her to do well at her business...but I just cannot justify a extra 20%. I really think SU needs to look at this and uncover ways to be more competitive in the marketplace. Unmounting stamps is a great idea, selling single stamps (some of us don't like all the stamps in the set) , or having sale prices on more everyday items....or reduced shipping costs or no sales tax on orders over $50....
Heck, what do I know...their sales probably are up from last year. :-D Plus I am not in their marketing department. ;) But if sales are down, these ideas are something that they need to consider...especially if they want to increase their market share.
__________________ �Truth isn't mean. It's truth." ~ Andrew Breitbart (1969-2012)
