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I think that clubs are going to be hard hit unless the folks are already very set on having a club just to stamp together. It would be hard to convince a new group to form to only get $15 in free stuff and doesn't give as much incentive for the individual customer to try to spend $150 on their own.
How is this new 10% hostess offer going to work for on-line sales?
In the past if a person spent $150 on line they got $25 in hostess credits .
With this new system of a 10% Hostess credit for any party sales amount , If a person spends $60 on line do they get $6 off ?
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
Last edited by Barbara Jay; 05-04-2015 at 07:04 PM..
Barbara, see post#68. It appears you still have to hit $150 before the hostess $$ kick in. Also, I seen to remember reading you didn't have to pick from the Hostess sets, you could pick from product in the the catalog.
Barbara, see post#68. It appears you still have to hit $150 before the hostess $$ kick in. Also, I seen to remember reading you didn't have to pick from the Hostess sets, you could pick from product in the the catalog.
So you still need a minimum of $150 in sales at a party or on-line to get anything and now you only get 10% of the sales amount .
Raise the prices; cut the sales incentives and hope for the best doesn't seem to me to be a good marketing strategy . sigh
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
Last edited by Barbara Jay; 05-04-2015 at 07:51 PM..
I placed my very last Stampin Up order last month. With shipping and sales tax and tax on the shipping, it raised the amount of my order by 31 percent. The $25 in hostess certainly made me feel less ripped off. I will definitely miss Stampin Up. I love their products, but I have a limited income and my craft purchases are only the result of saving up and cutting things out like part of my food budget. With the reduction in hostess benefits and price increases, I no longer feel like a valued customer. My demo offered to send me a free copy of the new catalog - I declined. All I can say is "Goodbye old friend".
While I agree that reduced hostess rewards are less than exciting, the fact that prices have gone up on some things shouldn't be taken so hard. SU hasn't increased prices on paper and ink since 2009ish. Most of the prices in the catalog have only gone up a nickel, some things have gone up a little bit more. When suppliers raise prices then it it's pretty much a given that the seller of products will eventually have to raise their prices as well.
I pay more for everything I buy these days because all of the stores I shop at have been increasing their prices. I may have to buy less, but I'd rather pay a tad more for creative supplies than for my food. Basic sustenance ought not be so expensive.
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Originally Posted by Skippet
I placed my very last Stampin Up order last month. With shipping and sales tax and tax on the shipping, it raised the amount of my order by 31 percent. The $25 in hostess certainly made me feel less ripped off. I will definitely miss Stampin Up. I love their products, but I have a limited income and my craft purchases are only the result of saving up and cutting things out like part of my food budget. With the reduction in hostess benefits and price increases, I no longer feel like a valued customer. My demo offered to send me a free copy of the new catalog - I declined. All I can say is "Goodbye old friend".
The tax on the shipping is not under control of SU, it's state by state so you should get taxed for shipping on everything, not just SU. It's a bummer as I live in a state with the same tax rules. But, I just wanted to point that out, that SU has nothing to say about how you're taxed. Now, online only companies are an exception I think. Can anyone confirm that?
SU has to make hard choices to stay profitable occasionally (not saying they are in trouble but maybe they would be in the future if they had not changed some things). Personally, I'd rather they make those changes now instead of maybe not being around later.
The tax on the shipping is not under control of SU, it's state by state so you should get taxed for shipping on everything, not just SU. It's a bummer as I live in a state with the same tax rules. But, I just wanted to point that out, that SU has nothing to say about how you're taxed. Now, online only companies are an exception I think. Can anyone confirm that?
SU has to make hard choices to stay profitable occasionally (not saying they are in trouble but maybe they would be in the future if they had not changed some things). Personally, I'd rather they make those changes now instead of maybe not being around later.
Don't quote me on this, because I haven't looked it up and it will vary from state to state: generally, most states expect companies with some physical presence in the state to collect sales tax. So, like, one of my makeup subscription companies has warehouses in three states, so they collect sales tax only from subscribers in those three states.
However: many states then have a provision that if you purchase something online and you do not pay sales tax, then you as the buyer must remit the sales tax to the state. Where I live, it's a line on your income tax form.
I don't know what the states without individual income tax do (if they expect you to remit it separately or anything).
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Originally Posted by SkyNacho
Don't quote me on this, because I haven't looked it up and it will vary from state to state: generally, most states expect companies with some physical presence in the state to collect sales tax. So, like, one of my makeup subscription companies has warehouses in three states, so they collect sales tax only from subscribers in those three states.
However: many states then have a provision that if you purchase something online and you do not pay sales tax, then you as the buyer must remit the sales tax to the state. Where I live, it's a line on your income tax form.
I don't know what the states without individual income tax do (if they expect you to remit it separately or anything).
Thanks. I know I've read somewhere that companies that are only online (no demos, no catalog, none of that kind of thing) are the exception. I assume if they are based in your state you probably still have taxes then. I think it's silly to tax shipping but most states are�.silly� ;-)
beaddict, I get what you are saying. But I don't agree. Raising prices, reducing incentives, but still push push pushing their demos to sell sell sell seems very greedy to me at a time where prices for life essentials are rising as well.
1) They have to see that their customer is there by choice not necessity
2) There are loads of quality competition for our craft dollar
3) If the consumer has to choose between rising prices of milk/bread/eggs/gas (and hey thanks for only a 2% salary increase to compensate for 30% inflation ha!) or a set of more expensive new stamp pads....
Everywhere we turn the consumer is losing. There are many ways we don't have choices but in this one we do.
I wasn't a fan at first either, but then I saw them next to the the 14-16 colors, and the two pallettes work very nicely together so I'm definitely adding them to my collection. I did absolutely LOVE the in colors that just retired -- coastal cabana, strawberry slush, baked brown sugar, pistacchio pudding and crisp cantelope! so glad I stocked up on them before they were gone!
I will have to see the catalog before I decide where my craft money is going. I didn't like the stamps in last year's catty and I have been seriously been looking at other companies. I will probably have to buy new hybrid inks, but whats the difference at this point. I still want something like Chameleon pens and SU doesn't have them. I'm a little disappointed right now.
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EVERYTHING seems to go up, up up in prices, I'm convinced that's why people get grumpier as they get older! And the quality goes down as well. At least SU's won't and I can live with the price increases this time and our state has no sales tax.
I was expecting the inkpads and reinkers to go up, they've been the same prices since I started stamping in early 2009.
Hmm, I realize that all the hostess benefits seem to be reduced, but what other stamp companies out there even give rewards?
Close to My Heart (hostess)
Amuse (hostess)
I assume FSJ (hostess or hostess like-- I only glanced at the catalog once)
My Favorite Things (free with $60)
Papertrey Ink (rewards points)
I thought Neat & Tangled had something like MFT.
And that's not even counting the companies that give you other types of rewards, like free shipping at a certain amount.
Close to My Heart (hostess)
Amuse (hostess)
I assume FSJ (hostess or hostess like-- I only glanced at the catalog once)
My Favorite Things (free with $60)
Papertrey Ink (rewards points)
I thought Neat & Tangled had something like MFT.
And that's not even counting the companies that give you other types of rewards, like free shipping at a certain amount.
I for one LOVE the New Catalog!! The New In Color's are the Bomb!!
Personally who care's if there are two different color's of green. It's not like we haven't had two of same color's in the past.
Last night I placed my pre-order as a demo. And should be getting my stuff sometime this week.
I didn't order any of the New stamp set.....Only because we could only order certain sets. and I was really crazy over those. Not my taste.:(
But I will use some of the current stamps that I have to create something wonderful with the new In Color's. Which I will share on my Fb page.
The first time I looked through the New Catalog. I have to agree. I wasn't thrilled with it.
But then I started looking at it. In a different light sorta speak. Thinking what can I create with these items and colors.
Well this is How I FellINLOVE with the New Catalog!!
Hmm, I realize that all the hostess benefits seem to be reduced, but what other stamp companies out there even give rewards?
Papertrey Ink. Plus if you are not in Ohio, you get your order tax free and free shipping over $70, plus their dies and stamps sets are less expensive on the whole for the quantity per set...Their customer service can be dicey though.
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Last edited by Melissa Hannant; 05-05-2015 at 11:40 AM..
Close to My Heart (hostess)
Amuse (hostess)
I assume FSJ (hostess or hostess like-- I only glanced at the catalog once)
My Favorite Things (free with $60)
Papertrey Ink (rewards points)
I thought Neat & Tangled had something like MFT.
And that's not even counting the companies that give you other types of rewards, like free shipping at a certain amount.
Stampin' Up! run a large number of promotions over the year. There are various sales and free shipping promotions. There was a free shipping one in the US just the other month.
For three months of the year they run sale-a-bration where you get to choose from a fairly wide range of items for every 'x' amount you spend (not sure what the US amount is, its �45 in the UK)
They have a retiring month where the majority of retiring items are significantly reduced and an ongoing clearance rack plus the weekly deals- 52 weeks of deals isn't a small thing! There are also frequent monthly promotions that vary from punch and stamp bundles to buy one get one free DSP. There have been loads more than I can't remember off the top of my head.
They also have two seasonal catalogues a year which when placed alongside the annual catalogue, means that they are providing a really wide range of products.
Stampin' Up! aren't stupid, they know that crafting is a hobby and a luxury, not an essential and that in times of economic downturn or stress its often the first thing to go on the back burner but they also have to be realistic about business costs and the impact that any business decisions will have on the thousands and thousands of demos worldwide. They have a much bigger demographic dependant on them to run a healthy business than many online companies which could easily be run by teams as small as 2 or 3 people.
Yes there are many online companies that sell other manufacturers crafting goods cheaper but at the same time, you could get the same items at twenty different stores. The market is saturated with those products so they have to buy big and buy cheap because by being the cheapest is generally the only way you will win over the customers. Everybody loves a bargain!
Stamping up have chosen to focus on colours and coordinating products across ranges (card, ink, ribbon, punches, stamps etc) and creating products that are unique. That uniqueness (is that even a word?!) comes with different costs ad challenges-including not appealing to everybody's tastes but for a colour-matching-challenged person like me its great!
Also, I don't know what the craft stores are like elsewhere but in the UK a shop will let you buy whatever you want as long as you spend money with them. Even if you don't realise you may be buying the wrong thing or that there may be something more suitable out there for you. in many stores they are simply there to put your items through the til. At least with su they have people who you can contact for follow up product support, advice, hints and tips. Every single time you need it. Would that happen in a big chain store?
Mandy is right. I will not be sharing a link to the catalog, but I can share pictures taken at the Aussie convention. There are lots of new stamp sets that I am in LOVE with. Two hostess sets that will be on my next order. I like in the new In colors too. I can not wait to get my hands on some of the new coordinating stamps and dies!!!!
I do buy some products from other companies but mostly from SU. I like the quality and the customer service. I wholeheartedly agree with Mugglewump. Thanks for putting it so nicely!!
Stampin' Up! run a large number of promotions over the year. There are various sales and free shipping promotions. There was a free shipping one in the US just the other month.
For three months of the year they run sale-a-bration where you get to choose from a fairly wide range of items for every 'x' amount you spend (not sure what the US amount is, its �45 in the UK)
They have a retiring month where the majority of retiring items are significantly reduced and an ongoing clearance rack plus the weekly deals- 52 weeks of deals isn't a small thing! There are also frequent monthly promotions that vary from punch and stamp bundles to buy one get one free DSP. There have been loads more than I can't remember off the top of my head.
They also have two seasonal catalogues a year which when placed alongside the annual catalogue, means that they are providing a really wide range of products.
Stampin' Up! aren't stupid, they know that crafting is a hobby and a luxury, not an essential and that in times of economic downturn or stress its often the first thing to go on the back burner but they also have to be realistic about business costs and the impact that any business decisions will have on the thousands and thousands of demos worldwide. They have a much bigger demographic dependant on them to run a healthy business than many online companies which could easily be run by teams as small as 2 or 3 people.
Yes there are many online companies that sell other manufacturers crafting goods cheaper but at the same time, you could get the same items at twenty different stores. The market is saturated with those products so they have to buy big and buy cheap because by being the cheapest is generally the only way you will win over the customers. Everybody loves a bargain!
Stamping up have chosen to focus on colours and coordinating products across ranges (card, ink, ribbon, punches, stamps etc) and creating products that are unique. That uniqueness (is that even a word?!) comes with different costs ad challenges-including not appealing to everybody's tastes but for a colour-matching-challenged person like me its great!
Also, I don't know what the craft stores are like elsewhere but in the UK a shop will let you buy whatever you want as long as you spend money with them. Even if you don't realise you may be buying the wrong thing or that there may be something more suitable out there for you. in many stores they are simply there to put your items through the til. At least with su they have people who you can contact for follow up product support, advice, hints and tips. Every single time you need it. Would that happen in a big chain store?
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
I am saving your post to refer to when responding to my one Debbie Downer customer. The rest of my customers are such positive supporters
Papertrey Ink. Plus if you are not in Ohio, you get your order tax free and free shipping over $70, plus their dies and stamps sets are less expensive on the whole for the quantity per set...Their customer service can be dicey though.
I've been holding off on Paper trey. Didn't realize about the tax free since I'm in CA. I just wanted one die, and I'm not liking their no budge policy on the flat shipping fee. I guess because I don't see them as a large global / national entity like SU, that has more warehouse systems in place, who I can understand can't budge on their flat rate shipping fee. $7.95 shipping is a lot imo esp when all their stamps and dies are flat. Nothing bulky.
Close to My Heart (hostess)
Amuse (hostess)
I assume FSJ (hostess or hostess like-- I only glanced at the catalog once)
My Favorite Things (free with $60)
Papertrey Ink (rewards points)
I thought Neat & Tangled had something like MFT.
And that's not even counting the companies that give you other types of rewards, like free shipping at a certain amount.
Thanks for the list Emily! I've never been a CTMH fan and I knew about the MFT, but their benefits were not as rich as SU's in my opinion. A few times, I earned the extra exclusive stamp. But it's not like SU where I get a hostess set and dollars to spend towards anything in the catalog. Or maybe, I just need to spend more at MFT? Love MFT though. Coming back after a few years, I can see their offerings have exploded!! wow.
Me too!!! And the Watercolor Wings set. There are three large butterflies, three small one tiny, some pieces n' parts and greetings.....AND coordinating framelits!!! Oh be still my heart. And then there is a set of a collage style that includes a dragonfly and plants.
Garden themed dsp, and coordinating stamp sets.
A brick wall embossing folder that is 6x6.
A stamp set with cupcakes, icecream greetings and a tree that interchange... With a new punch!
Perpetual calendar kit
Lace ribbon
New wilderness stamp set
And more!!!
I like the new in colors, but I will have to say that they look almost exactly like most of the new monthly Distress Ink pads. Luckily I have the Distress so I'm okay. Now I'm waiting to be wowed by the catalog. I am curious though about the pricing of some things. I mostly like photopolymer stamps & there doesn't seem to be any consistency in the pricing. 10 stamps for $24, 13 stamps for $19.95, 5 stamps for $17. So the amount of stamps doesn't make a difference, and the style of stamps doesn't seem to matter either. Doubt anyone knows, but I just wondered.
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The tax on the shipping is not under control of SU, it's state by state so you should get taxed for shipping on everything, not just SU. It's a bummer as I live in a state with the same tax rules. But, I just wanted to point that out, that SU has nothing to say about how you're taxed. Now, online only companies are an exception I think. Can anyone confirm that?
SU has to make hard choices to stay profitable occasionally (not saying they are in trouble but maybe they would be in the future if they had not changed some things). Personally, I'd rather they make those changes now instead of maybe not being around later.
I know that my state (AZ) does NOT require tax on the shipping. Yet Stampin' Up! STILL charges it. Or rather, ALL the SU! demos I've ever ordered from have collected it. But the Creative Memories and Pampered Chef did NOT charge tax on the shipping. So I've never understood why SU! still charges it in my state, when no other direct-marketing company that I've bought from has.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SophieLaFontaine
I know that my state (AZ) does NOT require tax on the shipping. Yet Stampin' Up! STILL charges it. Or rather, ALL the SU! demos I've ever ordered from have collected it. But the Creative Memories and Pampered Chef did NOT charge tax on the shipping. So I've never understood why SU! still charges it in my state, when no other direct-marketing company that I've bought from has.
My guess is your demos did the math wrong :( I'm pretty sure it's based upon your state but I think a lot of people don't know how to do it (not just SU�.) They may have not known and just been adding things up. I am TERRIBLE at math so I like to input the orders and let my few customers know what they owe since I'm always afraid of making a mistake!!!! I don't think it's SU that's requiring it. I've never seen anything about that. It's always been "refer to your state" for tax things and I think the system does it automatically when we input as you have to find the tax rate for the shipping address.
My guess is your demos did the math wrong : I'm pretty sure it's based upon your state but I think a lot of people don't know how to do it (not just SU�.) They may have not known and just been adding things up. I am TERRIBLE at math so I like to input the orders and let my few customers know what they owe since I'm always afraid of making a mistake!!!! I don't think it's SU that's requiring it. I've never seen anything about that. It's always been "refer to your state" for tax things and I think the system does it automatically when we input as you have to find the tax rate for the shipping address.
This is every single SU! demo for the last two decades in AZ. Numerous demos. Maybe the AZ tax rules are worse (tax on the shipping) in AZ ONLY for SU!, and better for Creative Memories or Pampered Chef (no tax on the shipping). I'm guessing the SU! demos inputted their orders too. So maybe the whole system just for AZ is just set up incorrectly.
Personally I can do without In-Colors. Prices do have to go up though. You have to remember that SU's prices have to be higher to allow the demos to make a profit, although we know that many demos are hobbyists. I still like the personal service and being able to see products in person before I buy. As some folks have said catalog photos just aren't good enough to judge the colors.
As someone who has been stamping for 15 yrs. I see a lot of new sets that I wouldn't buy because I already have something similar. Not saying I never buy any!
I wish SU would do free shipping with a &75.00 order or whatever. Really, companies like SU that are huge shippers are not paying what you or I might pay to have something sent. They get a discount based on volume.
I wonder how long card-making will survive. My 30ish DD says no one her age sends cards except wedding invites or something. I'm sure some do. The people I see at stamping events are mostly middle aged or older. Having said all that I still buy the majority of stuff from SU!
Stampin Pretty has really nice sneak peeks (SU approved) on her Facebook page, Here is one link http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/med...05.2015_US.pdf if my link doesn't work just go directly to her facebook page. I loved seeing these samples and product.
beaddict, I get what you are saying. But I don't agree. Raising prices, reducing incentives, but still push push pushing their demos to sell sell sell seems very greedy to me at a time where prices for life essentials are rising as well.
1) They have to see that their customer is there by choice not necessity 2) There are loads of quality competition for our craft dollar
3) If the consumer has to choose between rising prices of milk/bread/eggs/gas (and hey thanks for only a 2% salary increase to compensate for 30% inflation ha!) or a set of more expensive new stamp pads....
Everywhere we turn the consumer is losing. There are many ways we don't have choices but in this one we do.
Maybe MommyDoesn'tActuallyNeedToStamp
I strongly disagree with point two. There are practically no retail stamp or scrapbook stores around anymore, the big box chains have limited selections.
If you are talking on-line stores, there are lots out there but the selections vary, you don't have a demo to offer classes or help, and shipping is often way higher than SU!
We all have to make decisions about where to spend our money and we all have to look for deals. But prices alone don't make the decisions for us, we need to
consider service, selection, quality and convenience.
Mary Beth
Why is Australia getting first dibs at this? Is the SU annual convention still in July? (Sorry, I was a demo back in 2000-2005, so I'm sure lots has changed)
