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A little background before I get to the question: A company whose products I've purchased has released new dies and coordinating stamp sets that are too lovely for words. One of the sentiments that fits an image that goes with the die...(you get the idea)...is missing an apostrophe. When I questioned a company rep about the critical omission, the rep said they felt that the apostrophe was "artistic interference," so they agreed to NOT use it. As much as I wanted to purchase several items, I can't because of this glaring error. Adding the apostrophe myself would look too obvious because of the lack of a space.
Am I being too picky? Isn't proper punctuation (on a serious sentiment -- not a pun or anything whimsical) valued any more? Would YOU buy the product(s)?
If I really liked the sentiment, I'd get it anyway. I'd just put a little apostrophe myself with a Copic multiliner or ZIG permanent pen. I try not to sweat over small stuff, life's too short, lol.
No you are not too picky - this was just poor and sloppy editing on their part. And they did not want to pay to re manufacture a correct set. Shame on them.
My grammar isn't great however, if I paid for a sentiment that should have an apostrophe in it, then I want my apostrophe otherwise to me it is defective. Sounds to me they don't want to admit an error and recall/reproduce the sentiment in its correct form.
If I really liked the sentiment, I'd get it anyway. I'd just put a little apostrophe myself with a Copic multiliner or ZIG permanent pen. I try not to sweat over small stuff, life's too short, lol.
That's what I would do, too. I want things to be right, but I'm willing to do a little bit to make them right, lol.
I'm afraid as more and more folks spend time texting with their thumbs and using abbreviations instead of words (and their brains, ha!) that we will have more dumbing down of proper word usage.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Count me among those who would not buy or use the stamp missing the apostrophe. It is one of my pet peeves. I also find the manufacturer's excuse unacceptable and inane.
My friends and acquaintances who are not stampers or scrappers work in the field of print media. I can't see any of them being forgiving of a company that sells a stamp missing an apostrophe.
That said, I tend to make a lot of mistakes in my posts, especially when I type on this laptop. Somehow, I hit something (probably with the heel of my hand) that sometimes causes a letter, word or even entire bits of text to disappear or cut from one area and paste in another. :-O
But then, I don't put a price tag on my mangled posts and and claim my mistakes are "art". LOL
No you are not too picky - this was just poor and sloppy editing on their part. And they did not want to pay to re manufacture a correct set. Shame on them.
Remember the movie, "Elf", where the company sends out a children's book missing the final two pages? That's what this reminds me of.
Artistic interference?? Sounds like an excuse they came up with because someone couldn't spell and someone else couldn't proof read. ;)
I wouldn't use or buy it either.
I am in agreement 100%
That response would have made me angry. Artistic Interference? My DH would say that is somebody not doing their job. You can send me a PM too. The company needs to know we are not pleased with that kind of response. Personally, I don't want to buy from a company who feels that way. I understand from a big corporation a response like that. Could be a customer support rep who hates her job. If the President of a company said that I would be furious! This is a small company. I am assuming it's a small company. My DH works for a small company if he pulled a stunt like that the customers would be irate. My DH would not be working. No, your not being nit picky.
I would find it hard to use a sentiment with poor grammar. If I really liked all the rest of the set I might buy it and not use that stamp. I agree with SkyNacho that it's easier to insert punctuation than take it out, but still it tends to throw the spacing out and visually it's never as good as if the correct punctuation had been there in the first place. You could say it spoils it artistically, LOL.
100% AGREE. I would not buy it. English and grammar skills in this country are already in a sorry state. No sense to perpetuate it. Someone was not doing their job.
I'm a proofreader so I certainly wouldn't use the stamp, I would feel it reflected badly on my own language skills and awareness. I have told two different companies about errors in sentiments in the past - both thanked me for pointing it out, pulled the sets and had them remade with the correction.
I know times are tough and nobody wants to trash inventory but offering the sets with a mistake at a discount to those who don't care or are willing to fill in missing punctuation with a marker might be an option.
I agree with the suggestion to point the company in question to this thread so it's obvious that lots of people do care about whether grammar and punctuation are correct on the stamps they buy and their buying decisions are influenced accordingly!
And I was sure when I read your question that you'd be in good company ~ there have been many threads over the years where we've blown off steam about poor grammar and punctuation ! Warms my heart to know those things still matter to so many.
I hope many more customers let the company know that their decision has lost them sales. "Artistic interference" ??? Hogwash.
Good for you, Linda, and if you'd like to send me a PM as well, I will add my support!
I hope many more customers let the company know that their decision has lost them sales. "Artistic interference" ??? Hogwash.
Good for you, Linda, and if you'd like to send me a PM as well, I will add my support!
Yep, me too!
Makes me think again of a youtube video this year of some kids at a school who did the hallelujah chorus with the flip up cards...and the TEACHER did "King of King's" and Lord of Lord's". A Teacher! Hmpffff!
I agree with you. I would not knowingly send anything that isn't correct. I also make mistakes when I type. I do try to look it over before sending. Whenever you send something to be manufactured, or to be distributed, it should be correct. Proofreading would save some of these companies money. I worked in a school, and if a letter or notice went home with a mistake, the phone would ring off the hook.
__________________ The best things in life aren't things.