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I recently sent the following letter to Stampin' Up headquarters asking them to offer an unmounted option with their stamp sets. If you, too would like that option, please join in a letter writing campaign and let them know!
My letter:
Dear Stampin' Up,
I really do wish you would offer your stamp sets with an option of unmounted rubber. Many stampers, such as myself, have unmounted our stamps to save space (this is widely discussed on Splitcoaststampers.com ). I can fit 3 CD cases of unmounted stamp sets in the same space as one medium size mounted set. I like the fact that when I put the stamps on the acrylic blocks, I can better position the image (using a stamp-a-ma-jig is a bit tiresome). Thirdly, when I buy unmounted stamps from other vendors, they charge only half as much for the unmounted vs the wood mounted stamps. And best of all, I like that it uses up less natural resources when we don't use wood blocks.
I recently saw the preview of the Fall/Winter catalog and was disappointed with the high cost of the stamp sets. Since I do not use the wood blocks, I hesitate to spend the extra money for them and for the higher cost of shipping associated with the extra weight and bulk.
I have been a Stampin' Up customer for five years, spending several hundred dollars per year. But, frankly, with your high cost compared to your competitors who offer unmounted or acrylic stamps, I will be spending more of my money elsewhere. Please, please consider a change that will better serve many of your customers.
Thank you,
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I like mine mounted, altho I would love the wheels to come unmounted I am seriously gonna think about unmounting my wheels. I just need to find somewhere local selling ezcling stuff. Does anyone know if Archivers sells it? That is a great letter, maybe someday they will offer unmoutned.
I hope they don't offer unmounted, this is my job and I work on commission, so the less something costs, the less I make.
:shock:
I, too, am a demo. But I would never think to ask SU to not offer something because I wouldn't make more money! I like to think of myself as someone who is here to help further others in their creativity...not just line my pocketbook. And I don't think your statement fits with the SU statement of the heart...just my opinion.
Kathy~ I believe when they first started SU that was an option. If enough people want it, I am sure they will look into it again. And that is a nice letter!
As a SU customer I would love to buy them unmounted. It would not lower the sales for the demos as cheaper set prices would allow me to buy more sets and still spend the same amount that I do now.
I hope they don't offer unmounted, this is my job and I work on commission, so the less something costs, the less I make.
I don't think it would affect your commission that much. For me, I have a limited amount of money to spend, but if a set costs less because it is unmounted, that means I could buy two sets instead of one! Many people can spend only so much, but they want more. This option would benefit you and your customers who like unmounted stamps.
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I've just started using unmounted stamps from other companies. I like the rubber over acrylic. The mounting and unmounting is a little annoying, but I love seeing where I'm stamping. If SU ever went to unmounted, I would probably unmount all of my stamps to save space.
Great letter, but I would prolly remove "splitcoaststampers" from it.
Just MHO
Oh, I added that because I'm sure they are aware of SCS as a source of what there customers want and think. Getting marketing info takes time and money and they can get a lot of good info here for free. It also supports my claim that many stampers are going unmounted as they can see in many threads here.
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I would run it by Daven first. I don't know how he feels about his company being mentioned in a letter being sent to SU.
Does that make sense?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ikimom
Oh, I added that because I'm sure they are aware of SCS as a source of what there customers want and think. Getting marketing info takes time and money and they can get a lot of good info here for free. It also supports my claim that many stampers are going unmounted as they can see in many threads here.
I would run it by Daven first. I don't know how he feels about his company being mentioned in a letter being sent to SU.
Does that make sense?
Ohhhh, now I see what you mean. Um, I already sent the letter. :rolleyes: But, I think SU knows that SCS is a big boost to their bottom line, and if they don't, they should! SCS = enablers (not so) anonymous. Gee, it's like a feeding frenzy in here sometimes. I wouldn't have bought nearly as many things if I hadn't seen or heard about it here first.
Daven - hope you don't mind my mention of SCS in my letter. I hold SCS in the highest regard - it is the pulse of the stamping world!
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I'd buy SU! either way, but I prefer wood mounted stamps. I can write notes on them and don't have to worry about losing the notes. Notes like how big a frame opening is, which to stamp first...
I'd buy SU! either way, but I prefer wood mounted stamps. I can write notes on them and don't have to worry about losing the notes. Notes like how big a frame opening is, which to stamp first...
Sending a letter here too. Maybe if huge numbers of us do this, they will listen to us. Maybe they won't.
Thanks for your support Housefan. I was just reading another thread from a SU demo who is thinking of switching to be a TAC demo for many of the same reasons I stated regarding unmounted stamps. I'm not asking SU to go completely UM, just to have a choice for their customers.
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I agree! Choice hurts no one and will help them keep those of us who are slipping away at least partially. In the last 5 months I have spent 90% of my money somewhere else than SU. If you had asked me this 2 years ago, 90% would have gone to SU.
I would LOVE to have a choice. I would buy unmounted. I love the ezmount. I'm in the military and a lot of stamps actually equals a lot of weight. That's not so good when it comes to moving time. Storage of unmounted is easier too. I'd buy unmounted w/o a second thought. Great letter by the way.
I have bought unmounted stamps from other companies, the only thing I would like for the companies that sell unmounted that they would at least put the sticky ez-foam on them. It may cost a lil more but not as much as if mounted to the wood.
Yes, I wish we had a choice between buying the wood mounts with the sets or not. Because they already come unmounted, but come with the wood to mount them too.
Just MY opinion....don't want any flames thrown my way.....I HATE unmounted and the acrylic stamps.....I love the wood and real rubbah! And frankly I don't like the "gummy" feel......ok...cuss me all you want.....i can take it.....
I would love to see SU go um - so I can get more stamps for my money - storage is a big issue too. Also for me as I like in Aust and still buy some SU stamps from the US as the ones I want aren't available here - it would be much cheaper to post too!
With any warehouse, space on the pick line is often the deciding factor. If all sets were offered in mounted or unmounted forms - that would nearly double the space taken on the pick line, so it would impact a lot more than we might think.
I have looked at some unmounteds and have been quite suprised that they really are not all that much cheaper.
I have a customer base of over 200 and have only had 1 person request the unmounted option.
Won't hurt to ask, but there are many factors that go into these decisions, just not "are they listening"
Just MY opinion....don't want any flames thrown my way.....I HATE unmounted and the acrylic stamps.....I love the wood and real rubbah! And frankly I don't like the "gummy" feel......ok...cuss me all you want.....i can take it.....
That's okay, I prefer the rubber over acrylic, too. But, I like the rubber unmounted. ;)
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I have unmounted over 150 SU sets and all my other name brand stamps as well!
They take way less room, are easier to use and more cost effective! Save a tree, lose the wood!
Yeah, we don't want the rest of the world looking treeless like in your avatar. :p hahaha.
I just love how the CD cases I put my stamp sets in are all the same size and save so much space. I printed labels for the spines and alphabetized them. Room for more.
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
Oh, I added that because I'm sure they are aware of SCS as a source of what there customers want and think. Getting marketing info takes time and money and they can get a lot of good info here for free. It also supports my claim that many stampers are going unmounted as they can see in many threads here.
Yeah, we don't want the rest of the world looking treeless like in your avatar. :p hahaha.
I just love how the CD cases I put my stamp sets in are all the same size and save so much space. I printed labels for the spines and alphabetized them. Room for more.
I also love my stamps unmounted now but I know many people who just prefer them on wood. I doubt SU will ever go completely unmounted.
Just MY opinion....don't want any flames thrown my way.....I HATE unmounted and the acrylic stamps.....I love the wood and real rubbah! And frankly I don't like the "gummy" feel......ok...cuss me all you want.....i can take it.....
Oh, you won't get any flames from me. :-D I totally know where you are coming from. I used to hate the acrylic type stamps as well until I discovered some newer companies who have high quality stamps. I feel like I am so spoiled now because after using my clear stamps I dread using all my rubber stamps. I love being able to see through them and know exactly where I am stamping. When I was a career SU demo for 6 years I wouldn't even try anything but woodmounted. Now that I am retired I have given them all a shot and I am seeing now what I was missing. Stampin' Up! does know that some stampers prefer unmounted but they also hear how the diehard SU stampers want to stay with wood.
With any warehouse, space on the pick line is often the deciding factor. If all sets were offered in mounted or unmounted forms - that would nearly double the space taken on the pick line, so it would impact a lot more than we might think.
I have looked at some unmounteds and have been quite suprised that they really are not all that much cheaper.
I have a customer base of over 200 and have only had 1 person request the unmounted option.
Won't hurt to ask, but there are many factors that go into these decisions, just not "are they listening"
Most of the vendors I buy UM stamps from also offer wood mounted and the UM is usually close to half the price. For example: Cornish Heritage Farms, UM $7.99 vs. $14.99 mounted for the background stamps. A Country Welcome, and Creative Images Stamps - UM $6 vs. $12 for background stamp.
As with most decisions in business, the bottom line is the big factor. They have to analyze the effect of their higher prices driving more customers to other companies or buying less vs. the cost of space to stock UM stamps. I see other companies offering a choice, so it can't be that difficult. I just think it helps to let SU know there is a desire and a market for this option.
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
Yeah, we don't want the rest of the world looking treeless like in your avatar. :p hahaha.
Ok, quoting and laughing at myself, because our huge demand for paper isn't helping the tree situation! All the more reason to not use the wood blocks, though.
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I guess its all what you get used to. My LSS this past weekend said they hated the clear stamps and they weren't going to sell them anymore...They are a "Rubber Stamp" store, he said. I have bought some of the "newer" company clear stamps and I just don't like them...they really feel sticky and I don't think(personal opinion) that they stamp as well...there is one stamp in particular that is very popular and I can't get a solid image to save my life..no matter what ink I use! I don't have a storage problem,which is great,but I do understand people that do and I can understand where they would want that option. RUBBER unmounted is one thing..but not a fan of the acrylic..and really can't see where they will hold up,but I could be wrong. Just not for me.
Ok, quoting and laughing at myself, because our huge demand for paper isn't helping the tree situation! All the more reason to not use the wood blocks, though.
OK..I really had to laugh at that quote and the avatar too.....am I bad!!!!
:shock:
I, too, am a demo. But I would never think to ask SU to not offer something because I wouldn't make more money! I like to think of myself as someone who is here to help further others in their creativity...not just line my pocketbook. And I don't think your statement fits with the SU statement of the heart...just my opinion.
Kathy~ I believe when they first started SU that was an option. If enough people want it, I am sure they will look into it again. And that is a nice letter!
I didn't say I was asking SU anything. This is a business for me, don't say "line my pocketbook" like I'm doing something dishonest. I don't say people who work in an office and ask for a raise are looking to line thier pocketbook. If our only goal was to help people further their creativity then we could volunteer our time, loan our stamps, give away our discount, teach for free. Some of us do all of that or some. It doesn't make anyone any better or worse than another, it's what works for you as an individual. For some of us, this is our way to make some spending money or money to send my kids to summer camp. Shelli is well aware of and has spoken about using your business in the way that works for you whether that's time with friends or help with a bill or two so don't chastise me for wanting to earn money at my job.
I didn't tell the OP that she was wrong for asking either, she asked for opinions and I gave mine. I would ask TAC or CTMH to change the way they do things just b/c I prefer wood mounted. I take what those companies have that I like and I make it work for me. As a customer the OP is perfectly within her rights to ask. SU knows about SCS so I don't think they'll get the impression that she is speaking on behalf of them or anything.
i'd like unmounted..i know i would buy more. Just so expensive for me..but the quality is excellent..we get what we pay for i guess.. still i like unmounted..
loves ya
__________________ Gail
When the world says give up, hope whispers, try one more time.
If not for any other reason, how about SAVING OUR ENVIRONMENT?? I love wood blocks, but I can easily do without them to save thousands of trees!! Kind of like ivory...love the feel and it sure is beautiful, but don't go killing the elephants for it!
Sorry, I'm a bit of an Earth-lover...;)
i'm a demo, how do you view the preview of the new catalog? i already preordered it, but i think the stampin up page is a little difficult..
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
Please help! Voice your opinion.
