SU! Going Unmounted Poll

[Tracy-Stamper]

I thought it would be fun to do a poll about whether or not we think SU! will go unmounted. I've also included whether your a demonstrator or not to get an idea of everyone's perspective. I hope you will play along

[Shanon]

:shock: Nooooooooooooooo....
Not again.

[Tracy-Stamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanon

:shock: Nooooooooooooooo....
Not again.

LOL aren't you curious!!

[Inkalicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracy-Stamper

LOL aren't you curious!!

No, not curious, dont want them unmounted, SU is already smart, for growing the biz from 2 sisters in a garage, to SU GLOBAL now!!!
Aint too dumb!! lol

[Inkalicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marieos

If they don't do something soon, you just watch what happens. I think they are smarter than to remain so very stubborn.

Why do you see SU as stubborn?? And what is soon? Curious...
They are doing business the way they want to , which works for them, and they dont seem to be having a problem, as far I can see. But we dont work for the ' inside' , so technically we wont know the #$'s game. But I think being able to expand globally, shows there isnt a problem staying with rubber wood mount! IMHO!!

[Tracy-Stamper]

Let me rephrase the original post as I did in the poll. Do you think SU! will offer unmounted as an *option*.

[Tracy-Stamper]

I am still curios about the poll because I'd like to see what the difference is between what customers and demos think.

[Shanon]

We have been there done that. This poll is gonna cause a HUGE uproar.:( Trust me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracy-Stamper

LOL aren't you curious!!

[Inkalicious]

Hee hee!! I think its fine however they wish to go!! As long as they keep wood mounted as an option, they can add Digi to the mix too!!! lol
Even tho I dont do digi-no skillz!!

[Tracy-Stamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanon

We have been there done that. This poll is gonna cause a HUGE uproar.:( Trust me.

ok, I'm not aware of that and it's really about information and if it bothers some I apologize.

[MSBetsyZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkalicious

Why do you see SU as stubborn?? And what is soon? Curious...
They are doing business the way they want to , which works for them, and they dont seem to be having a problem, as far I can see. But we dont work for the ' inside' , so technically we wont know the #$'s game. But I think being able to expand globally, shows there isnt a problem staying with rubber wood mount! IMHO!!

OK, Tandra...exactly who is "Marie05," and where is her post that you were responding to? I get confused easily.

[Tracy-Stamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ

OK, Tandra...exactly who is "Marie05," and where is her post that you were responding to? I get confused easily.

I think the author deleted it.

[SophieLaFontaine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ

OK, Tandra...exactly who is "Marie05," and where is her post that you were responding to? I get confused easily.

I think for some reason Marie05 (I had always read it as Marie OS [letters vs numbers]) is having a hard time having her posts stick. I've seen her replies in other threads and later they aren't there anymore. I read in another thread that they are working on it.

Anyway, I voted that SU! will not offer unmounted. I don't think they ever will. They are comfortable doing mounted only, and they are huge enough and have enough life-time loyal customers (who dislike unmounted) to do whatever they wish to continue doing.

[USAMoose]

I am a demo and voted for option #3... I doubt SU will ever go unmounted... But I do hope they go die cut ;)

[Charmed]

I have my doubts SU will ever go unmounted - even though it is the preferred method here in the UK.

I also hope that if they dont go unmounted, that they then dont go all die-cut. Die cut stamps are a much bigger hassle to re-mount on EZmount than the orriginal non-die-cut stamps.

[Joan B]

I think the folks at SU are smart and savvy and will continue to produce a product that enough customers want to buy. If that means adding lima beans to the caddy (as an embellishment, of course), they will!

So as long as they have a solid customer base and are making a handsome profit, why change? Customers who prefer other options will go elsewhere. On the other hand, if their market share is slipping and their bottom line as well, there's no doubt that they will adjust accordingly. The change in the angel policy is a recent example of that. Very smart...

[lgp@alumni]

I'm pretty sure Shelli has been asked this several times and she always says no. However, as Joan B put it, they are business savvy people who will continue to look at their market. I, for one, hope that they never offer it.

[Luannech]

On a lighter note, I just received my order and they are dye cut. I'm really glad I don't have to cut before I mount.

Luanne

[cheris]

Anytime a product is added, then another must be taken out of the catalog. Offering double the option in the same stamp would mean half the number of stamps offered or a huge slash in the accessories.

Each item carried takes space on the 'pick line' in the warehouse - so to continue to add more and not take away would mean another move to another larger warehouse.

So, in the end they may see the option as a detriment. Because now, customers do have the choice whether to stick the rubber ONTO the wood or continue to use an unmounted system.

As a demonstrator, when you show new stampers how to stamp adding another step in explaining the difference between two options (if there were) would be one more reasons ladies could talk themselves out of the hobby before a legitimate chance.

When we offered foam mount - it was a much cheaper option - BUT the images were harder to stamp. The ink often caught the corner and they were easier to roll. You would tell new ladies that the wood would be much easier to work with and get them started in the right direction. I know that some thought we were just pushing that because it was a more costly option.

I know that around the country there are those who have foam mount stamps stashed away that they used one time, got discouraged and quit. In the same way, offering an unmounted options would have gals purchase the rubber only - never get a mounting system and never used what they purchased.

I voted 'no' because they have told us that until they find a better alternative what we have is what we have. Frankly, there are options galore for those of you who prefer unmount (I wonder why the wood only group (me included!) never start demanding that the unmounts offer wood).

I could see select sets being offered in unmounted, but not all, at least not for a while.

[Luannech]

Sorry for all the repeat posts. My computer was acting up and I didn't realize it sent all the posts:oops:

[Badger53186]

I am not a demo and have only been stamping a little under a year. I have lots of sets from SU and lots of stamps from other sources. SU does a great job and the quality of their stamps is really excellent. BUT there have been a few threads lately about the ever rising cost of sets. One way to bring the cost in line could be to offer UM. Other stamp companies offer both options with what seems success. Demos are among the group most comfortable with using wood mounted stamps and have no reason to change. They are buffered from the cost factor somewhat more than their customers.

I have spent some time and money lately unmounting my stamps and remounting to EZMOunt. I am so pleased being able to have over 100 sets on my desk top and having it take up only 1 square foot of space. If SU sold EZmount, I would buy it from my demo....product line extension.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

[CknODaC]

ummm, we already offer an unmounted option :mrgreen:

If you don't want to mount them, you don't have to! :twisted:

[craftycrunchymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracy-Stamper

I think the author deleted it.

This is the second time this week I have noticed that she has deleted her posts. :confused:

[CknODaC]

she's not deleting them... it's a system hiccup. I don't think you can delete ANY post yourself, anyway. You can edit for a short time, but not delete... the post itself would still be there if edited, not gone entirely... it would just show up as a blank post.

[craftycrunchymama]

Okay, well then I'd be aggravated if I were her. I'd feel as though my voice couldn't be heard! ;)

[sassyat30]

I don't think SU will ever go UM.

And I read the posts that have disappeared as by "marie oh S (as in the letter). ;)

[SweetTea]

Aren't they alreayd unmounted? They come with option to mount or not to mount. If SU! goes totally unmounted, I will be looking elsewhere for my stamps.

[Badger53186]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CknODaC

ummm, we already offer an unmounted option :mrgreen:

If you don't want to mount them, you don't have to! :twisted:

True enough! But I am paying for wood and stickers that I throw away and have to pay to have shipped to me....:-D

[robynstamps]

I didn't answer the poll because I am a retired demo and know Shelli well. I don't believe she will ever go unmounted from our previous conversations but as she always says.... "I will never say never."

We can speculate all we want but noone will ever know this answer until it actually happens.

[SCEmily]

Personally I wish all stamps came like SU's, with the wood and rubber separate. I'd be a lot more willing to purchase from more companies if they came with wood and stickers. Like an above poster said we have the option to mount them, or leave them unmounted. I mean really how much are we paying for wood and stickers?

Personally I don't see unmounted happening any time soon, but I've been wrong before;).

[happystamper05]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ

OK, Tandra...exactly who is "Marie05," and where is her post that you were responding to? I get confused easily.

I'm glad you asked this Betsy. I've noticed the same thing not only in this post but others as well. At least I know I'm not going crazy or seeing (or not seeing, as the case may be) things!

[Skittl1321]

I don't think SU will go unmounted any time soon.

I sure wish they would though...

[Skittl1321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCEmily

Personally I wish all stamps came like SU's, with the wood and rubber separate. I'd be a lot more willing to purchase from more companies if they came with wood and stickers. Like an above poster said we have the option to mount them, or leave them unmounted. I mean really how much are we paying for wood and stickers?

Personally I don't see unmounted happening any time soon, but I've been wrong before;).

I find SU's stamps difficult to use unmounted since the foam is already attached. I like ez-mount, so first i have to remove the foam (which I could then use as is if I liked bare rubber) then I have to buy and attach ez-mount. It would be much easier if SU sold them with the wood, the rubber, and the foam seperate.

And even if we aren't paying a lot for the wood and stickers- what the heck am I supposed to do with all that wood? That's why I haven't unmounted my SU stamps. I don't have kids who want to play with it, the local daycares have said they aren't interested, and trashing it seems wasteful. So the old SU stamps stay on their wood blocks, and no new ones come in until SU decides to offer an option to not buy the wood blocks.

But there is something for everybody. At this point- SU rubber is not for me. Seems silly for them to change a product that is selling great for them.

[momis mama]

i say...

don't fix it if it ain't broke!


glad there are so many choices for so many stampers! seems we are all finding stamps to use.

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger53186

I am not a demo and have only been stamping a little under a year. I have lots of sets from SU and lots of stamps from other sources. SU does a great job and the quality of their stamps is really excellent. BUT there have been a few threads lately about the ever rising cost of sets. One way to bring the cost in line could be to offer UM. Other stamp companies offer both options with what seems success. Demos are among the group most comfortable with using wood mounted stamps and have no reason to change. They are buffered from the cost factor somewhat more than their customers.

I have spent some time and money lately unmounting my stamps and remounting to EZMOunt. I am so pleased being able to have over 100 sets on my desk top and having it take up only 1 square foot of space. If SU sold EZmount, I would buy it from my demo....product line extension.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

I think what's hard is that consumers don't actually understand the process or the costs of adding UM, to the entire line, as an option--because yes, it would increase the company's costs to do it.

I sat down with one rubber stamp manufacturer and asked them to explain a little to me about what would be involved. I was startled to learn many things that consumers simply don't think of because they are not in the business of manufacturing stamps!

There is a LOT more to it than simply putting blocks into the clamshell box with the rubber or not.

A company would have to have TWO sets of SKUs, one for mounted and one for UM; this affects the inventory and ordering systems and consumes a great many additional man hours, for which employees must be paid, resulting in increased cost.

In addition, this affects how their catalogs are done, which is yet another increase in man hours.

Distribution space and organization; depending on the size of the facility of the manufacturer, they may not have the space nor the systems in place to accommodate BOTH, contrary to mistaken belief. This results in an increased cost to alter the systems already in place.

Packaging also becomes an issue; different packaging would be required for each version. This results in an increased cost.

Ultimately, these increased costs would have to be passed on to the consumer.

Increased options = increased costs.

[momis mama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

I think what's hard is that consumers don't actually understand the process or the costs of adding UM, to the entire line, as an option--because yes, it would increase the company's costs to do it.

I sat down with one rubber stamp manufacturer and asked them to explain a little to me about what would be involved. I was startled to learn many things that consumers simply don't think of because they are not in the business of manufacturing stamps!

There is a LOT more to it than simply putting blocks into the clamshell box with the rubber or not.

A company would have to have TWO sets of SKUs, one for mounted and one for UM; this affects the inventory and ordering systems and consumes a great many additional man hours, for which employees must be paid, resulting in increased cost.

In addition, this affects how their catalogs are done, which is yet another increase in man hours.

Distribution space and organization; depending on the size of the facility of the manufacturer, they may not have the space nor the systems in place to accommodate BOTH, contrary to mistaken belief. This results in an increased cost to alter the systems already in place.

Packaging also becomes an issue; different packaging would be required for each version. This results in an increased cost.

Ultimately, these increased costs would have to be passed on to the consumer.

Increased options = increased costs.

yours was a very informative response!

thank you so much!