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I was just on ebay and this auction is for a $30.00 gift certificate good through the seller - who says she is an SU Demo. Is that allowed? It doesn't seem right.
This is a big NO NO!! SU demos cannot sell current merchandise on any internet auctions sites ie: ebay. They can only sell retired merchandise only. This really burns me when I see stuff like this!! Think I will contact my SAM about it to see if there is anything that can be done.
Devil's advocate :twisted: She's not actually selling SU! merchandise on eBay, just the promise of merchandise once the gift certificate is redeemed, only through her, of course. Clever way to boost sales, but, hmm . . . it does seem a bit close to "the line," if not over.
I've seen tabs for hanging file folders on eBay, each printed on the color of CS with the color family & item number on it. Are those taboo too?
__________________ Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels. -Faith Whittlesey
Just talked to my SAM and this is TOTALLY against SU policy. The seller states at the bottom of the page that she is an SU demo and where she is from. This is considered soliciting business and is NOT allowed. She did cross the line. If you are an SU demo who is honestly working to earn cruise, or great rewards items or just to be honest in your business this is not the way to go about it.
I just went on EBay and sent the seller a message telling her that what she is doing is at the least unethical and possibly illegal. We'll see if she replies back to me or not.
__________________ * Gail *
We must be the change we want to see in the world.
I am not a demo and so I do not know all the rules, but since she is an scs member, maybe you could pm her privately - she may not know it is a violation. JMO
I went to the auction and I want to know how she is going to make any money at all on this!?! It is a $30 gift certficiate with a current bid of $21.49. She is offering free shipping on the cute little purse AND 20% off for first time buyers.
This is the exact reason why Stampin' Up! doesn't want us (demos) selling current merchandise on eBay. It totally undercuts those who are trying to make an honest "living" (he, he, he, laughing because all of my earning go for more stamps ) with Stamin' Up! I RETRACT my "devil's advocate" statement from above. I made it assuming that she was selling the certificate at a buy it now price of $30. Why would anyone want to buy from me when they can get $30 of merchandise for $21.49 -%20!
BTW, that purse is so darn cute. Is there a pattern on here somewhere? My best customer and good friend is having a birthday on Thursday and I still don't know what to get her. That purse & gift certificate combo is WAY cute!
__________________ Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels. -Faith Whittlesey
I know Ebay really ticks me off, but before anyone jumps to conclusions, maybe she's a new demonstrator and just doesn't know she can't do this. Has anyone pm'd her? Why don't we give her the benefit of the doubt. I know it bothers all of us, but give her a chance. If she honestly didn't know she could pull the auction before she gets in trouble. Remember we were all new at one time!
However, if she does no this is in violation.....let's take her down! :twisted:
I know Ebay really ticks me off, but before anyone jumps to conclusions, maybe she's a new demonstrator and just doesn't know she can't do this. Has anyone pm'd her? Why don't we give her the benefit of the doubt. I know it bothers all of us, but give her a chance. If she honestly didn't know she could pull the auction before she gets in trouble. Remember we were all new at one time!
However, if she does no this is in violation.....let's take her down! :twisted:
Maybe I'm just naive, but I feel kind of sorry for her. I mean, she must not be aware that it's a violation - otherwise she wouldn't have said right in the auction that she's a demo and she wouldn't have posted the photo here on SCS as well. For now I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt and thinking she's new and not aware of the policy. She probably just thought she came up with a clever little gimmick to generate business. I hope she doesn't lose her demonstratorship over this!
I'm late for work and gotta go. Somebody please PM her nicely!!!!
I had a conversation with SU some time ago. They have a dept that investigates any selling that contradicts SU policy, either by demonstrator, contract or DSA ethics. Both of which are unfair to not only the demonstrators, customers and the philosophy of SU.
Selling anything current - that covers catty, mini catty, HA, SAB and demonstrator incentive items for a current year - is against the rules. Retired items are okay. They have to be officially retired.
I am not totally sure, although I believe selling a gift cert is against the rules too. It is a current usable biz item. What if the cert goes over the $30 mark? Then ethics comes into play here. I would feel awful selling a certificate for more than the face value. I couldn't do it.
I believe too that itmes made like the cardstock rings, and hanging folder filing and identification items are okay. As they are not made with our copyright images. Anything with our image, needs to have an angel policy stamp on it when selling.
The ebay thing is so frustrating to see. And I think the idea to e-mail the seller is smart. Give them a warning. I do believe too, that if they continue they need to be turned into SU. As it goes against what (SU) stands for, and what demos agree to abide by when they sign up.
__________________ "Friends are the sweetest things," said Pooh,... "even sweeter than honey." ** A scrapbooker lives here... with her memory makers **
But she is actually SOLICITING for business online, which is totally against SU! rules!! Now if she didnt have a computer to come here and read SCS and post stuff (which she does) I could see her not knowing its against policy, I mean, look at all the posts on Ebay selling. She hasnt read-a-one??? Its hard not to know its wrong.
I looked through old posts of the person with the purse in their gallery and their name is Amy not Stephanie, I see that it is the same picture but i don't know that it is the same person so be careful before she is hit with all kinds of pm's and emails about the ebay auction.
__________________ My avatar is my adorable niece, she makes me smile, thought she might make you smile too!!
Another 2c from me . . . In thinking this over, I think that selling a gift certificate is WORSE than selling current items and here is why. Any particular stamp set only attracts a percentage of SU! customers. However, when you sell a Gift Certificate, that gives the buyer "cart blanc" in the catalog -- ANYTHING goes and at a discount, too. This appeals to EVERY SU! customer and totally undermines the position of the honest demonstrator, selling at current prices and from the catalog only. So, if the Gift Certificate goes for $21.49 (haven't checked the price in a while) then the buyer makes out like a bandit and the seller, an SU! demo is left to make up the difference. If anyone is foolish enough to pay more than $30 for it, SHAME ON THEM and SHAME ON THE DEMO for letting it go higher.
__________________ Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels. -Faith Whittlesey
I thought I read somewhere on Ebay that you have to sell actual items, and I think a gift certificate isn't an item really. I know from working in retail stores that there is the slight hope that no one will use the GC and then the company makes money on it.
I am sure she will get shut down my SU as soon as possible.
kelli
I looked through old posts of the person with the purse in their gallery and their name is Amy not Stephanie, I see that it is the same picture but i don't know that it is the same person so be careful before she is hit with all kinds of pm's and emails about the ebay auction.
yes, just because the picture is the same, does not mean the person is the same.
Although the Ebay seller is probably a member of SCS - how else could she get the photo? Any SCS member could download it. And chances are she ended the auction early because of this thread or because of the e-mails the seller had recieved.
You know, I am not extremely happy about demos who sell hostess sets on ebay or mini catalog sets that aren't out yet. And people complain about it all of the time. I personally don't like the "no internet" policy of SU!, just because it is a monopoly that we have to use their website (at close to $10) per month if we want to do anything internet related.
But... What I want to know is why don't people complain about other demos in your area that steal your customers! Why doesn't anyone complain about demos who sell mini catalog sets before they are supposed to be available?
I don't think I loose a lot of business to those who sell on the internet. I loose business to those who lie to my established customers about shipping time (last fall - "oh, no order it from me, it'll only take 1 week") AND who sold Christmas sets before mini catalog sales began! AND...AND...AND...
Those are the dishonest demos who burn me up and steal my customers!
I'm not a demo so I'm not qualified to comment on the appropriateness of the ebay posting, however, that purse looks very much like the one we have all adored that was submitted to scs by hsmom71 (or something close to that) and I know that she spent alot of time making them and then sharing the pattern with everyone here. SO, for that reason I think someone knowledgable about demonstrator rules and casing should contact her. Only my opinion..........
I'm new to all this stuff.....would it be OK to sell cards that you make with SU! stuff to friends?
Hi MissLyssa--
Yes, it's okay to sell cards made with SU stuff to friends, etc. as long as you don't sell in a fixed retail location (or on the Internet). Also, the cards should have one of the Stampin-Up copyright stamps on the back, such as those in either of the "Handmade with Love" sets (pg 190 in the catalog) or the personalized "Hand-Stamped By" stamps on pg 199.
You can find a copy of SU's "Angel Policy" on their website.
As far as someone having the purse in her gallery, come on! Don't most of us copy ideas we see on other people's galleries. Isn't that why we share our ideas? Chances are that she saw the purse and thought, "Wow, that's cute, I think I'll make one." I say that all the time! You guys are such good artists, I can't help myself!
Gina
As far as someone having the purse in her gallery, come on! Don't most of us copy ideas we see on other people's galleries. Isn't that why we share our ideas? Chances are that she saw the purse and thought, "Wow, that's cute, I think I'll make one." I say that all the time! You guys are such good artists, I can't help myself!
Gina
It's a okay to CASE but you should always give credit to the original creator. This gal didn't do that.
I am the one that made this project and posted the pic, which I DID NOT post on ebay to sell. I am so mad and have posted a topic about this here is the link Forums at Splitcoaststampers
I have sent emails to the buyer and ebay and I will be sending an email to the seller shortly. I can't believe this happened.
Demo selling $30.00 Gift certificate on ebay
