Friday, August 14, 2020

Flash Giveaway on our Facebook Page + A Plea from a Small Business Owner


Hey, STAMPfriends! If you aren't following our Facebook page, now's a good time do so because we've got a flash giveaway happening over there.

And it's a giveaway wherein you and a friend can win! So head on over there now and get your entries in. Giveaway ends Sunday night, August 16, with winners announced Monday night, August 17.



About the giveaway prize:
Bloomtangled #1 is one of our super-popular cover plate dies and I recently re-stocked it (it's 25% off when you use the code CUT25). My manufacturer included a few extras over what I ordered so I'm happy to give away a couple of these :o)


*****


A Backstory and a Plea for Support

Interestingly, this cover plate die was the victim of theft. Last month, I was made aware that a Chinese company (not going to mention the name nor link to it because they don't deserve any promotion or link juice from me) was selling a knock-off of the Bloomtangled #1 design. It was a shoddy copy of the design -- a little modification here, a little frame added there, and they called it their product and was selling it in their store dirt cheap. But hey, it was pretty obvious that they stole that design from me.

It wasn't the first time my designs have been stolen; in fact, I've been dealing with this kind of theft for the past 14 months and I have been pretty disheartened, exhausted, and so, so ready to give up. Long story short, I shot off a cease-and-desist email to the company with a threat that I will report them to Shopify for copyright infringement and intellectual property theft if they did not take down the product page and stop selling the die. Within 12 hours of them acknowledging receipt of my email, the product was gone from their store. As with all other cases like this one, I continue to monitor and check their store to make sure they didn't put it back up for sale. 

If you have ever wondered how some companies are able to sell stamps and dies for literally pennies, it's because 99% of the time, they are selling stolen designs. They never invested in the design development...all they really did was copy the design and have them produced. They never invested many, many hours brainstorming and coming up with original designs. Unlike small business owners like me, these thieves were never torn deciding between time to spend on designing products and time to spend on their families, especially when these thieves don't have small children and their business is not their sole source of income. Those who have purchased from these companies before and thought they got a great deal...well, yeah they did, but what they don't realize is that it was at the expense of legitimate designers and small companies who are barely making a profit from their original products.

Now more than ever, small companies like STAMPlorations need your support. Please, please don't buy counterfeit products. If the price seems too good to be true, trust that little voice in your head -- it's called your conscience -- and don't spend your money on stores/companies that seem to give off a counterfeit vibe. Small businesses are barely surviving these days, and when their designs are stolen and are bought from thieves, then that is one huge thing that contributes to their eventual demise.

If we let these counterfeiters continue to profit off the work of legitimate artists, designers, and small companies, there would hardly be any more small companies like STAMPlorations left because we simply can't fight all the theft and infringement and still be able to invest in original designs and have them produced, only to be stolen soon enough, and then be expected to stay in business.


23 comments:

  1. Hear hear! I know some other small businesses started displaying their designs askew, since these slightly distorted images are harder to copy. I also chanced upon a knock-off design that I recognized from another small business, so I informed them about the theft so that they could take action. I make it a point not to buy super cheap crafty products from Chinese companies. If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is...

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  2. I have seen those knock-off copies around blogland....makes me furious! I am glad they took notice of your threat. SU has had lots of issues with this as well! I LOVE your stuff, keep up the good work!

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  3. I am so sorry to hear about this. I've never seen any knock offs. If I had I would report them in a split second. Small businesses shouldn't have to contend with the cheating ways of others. They are stealing the food off of your plate so to speak. You are a very generous small business too. I'll be praying for your business. [Bunny]

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  4. I hear you Shery, and apart from some initial purchases before I realised what was what, I now go without rather than support thieves
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  5. I'm sorry you are facing this Shery! I love your stuff and hope your customers will continue to support you and not go for the cheap knock-offs.

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  6. I am sorry you have been copied by these people. I only buy originals as its just not right to copy! Also there is no way the quality would be as good i would imagine. Take care and stay safe xxx

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  7. Thank you for sharing your story Shery. I've shared it in the Coffee Loving Papercrafters FB group.

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  8. I am sad and angry that this continues to happen and I am sorry to hear that it is happening to you. Great message and I hope it reaches and influences crafters to not purchase knock-offs.

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  9. So sorry to hear that happened with you. I understand how much time is spent by small businesses in product designing and running the business.
    I hope people don't go for cheaper products, that are stolen designs.

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  10. Disgusting avarice. This should not be allowed to continue. What a colossal waste of your time fighting an issue that should never have occured. I'm so sorry. It's exactly why I only shop from reputable companies that I know.

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  11. This makes me upset as well. I think you know how much I love your products, Shery, and will continue supporting you for the rest of my crafty life. ;-)

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  12. Oh no, Shery, I am sorry this has happened to you. It has been happening to a lot of other stamp companies too - I believe most of these items are being produced very cheaply in China. I'm glad you were able to get the item removed from their store and I hope this doesn't happen again. I already have this die so I won't enter the giveaway, but thank you for your generosity.

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  13. Hoping the future is
    brighter for you and
    I love your blog and
    creations!
    Carla from Utah

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  14. Your dies rock Shery. Love your unique designs. HUGZ

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  15. AHHHHH BOO! I hate that! So sorry your design was stolen!!!! Support DESIGN not CRIME! Behind you and your awesome company 100%

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  16. When I first saw the cheaper items of Chna production, I thought the price was appealing. Then after reading through the comments I realized what was going on. I refuse to buy the ripoff items that are stolen work of designers, smaller in size, and at times slightly modified in work around attemps. I usually leave comments on the site and inform other shoppers there that they products are not originals. We need to refuse shopping at any place that practices theft and actively work to inform other shoppers of the situation.

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  17. I am so sorry to hear that! I absolutely love all of your items!

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  18. I have heard this way too often where legitimate small companies have had their designs stolen and this makes me so upset so I can only imagine how an owner of the design would be so angry. I feel so bad and I have been only buying from companies who are in the business. I am glad you are keeping after them for this theft they are doing.

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  19. So sorry you are having to deal with this. I have never bought any of these "too cheap to be true" products and don't intend to.

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  20. I am truly sorry this happens to your company and others. Love your products!

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  21. I too am appalled that this stealing of designs occurs. I've not bought any of the cheap ones. I try to buy Made in America if I can. Keep up the good work Shery, and I will continue to support you.

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  22. I so wish your post popped up every time someone went to that site!! I'm appalled at people I know actually giving those thieves credit for a die they've used on their card. Sadly, a couple years ago, I gave in to the "great price" when a friend was placing an order. I never used the dies (not Stamplorations) & eventually threw them out. My conscience won & my friend knows how I feel. I can't even imagine how discouraging it is to have your work stolen. So glad you ARE still in business! No wonder they stole this design--loved it the first time I saw it! It's time I used my real Stamplorations Bloomtangled die again!

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Spammers have been in full force lately so I had to turn comment moderation on. We love hearing from fellow crafters (not spammers), so your comment will be approved as soon as possible. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us :o)