Create & Craft not taking payments

[Toril]

Can anyone get on the website now?

I’ve never been on the site before but after your post I put “create and craft” into my browser but I’ve no idea whether it’s the right one. I’ve put a screen shot below. The channel’s still not live or taking any orders. Even if I wanted to order something I certainly wouldn’t risk it now.

 

[Jason]

I’ve never been on the site before but after your post I put “create and craft” into my browser but I’ve no idea whether it’s the right one. I’ve put a screen shot below. The channel’s still not live or taking any orders. Even if I wanted to order something I certainly wouldn’t risk it now.

I put in the old .tv address when it was used under Ideal World and thought the worst had happened when it didn't load up.

 

[Worldie04]

So is the reason they are still showing repeated hours, to stop the platforms pulling the channel

As happened with Ideal World, if the channel goes to slate with no sound Sky will pull the channel within 24 hours. The same will happen to Freeview after 12 weeks.

 

[Jazzydrury]

I’ve never been on the site before but after your post I put “create and craft” into my browser but I’ve no idea whether it’s the right one. I’ve put a screen shot below. The channel’s still not live or taking any orders. Even if I wanted to order something I certainly wouldn’t risk it now.

Yea that’s the right one, the page has been updated with the new One Day Special you can’t buy

 

[Worldie04]

Oh yeah, your thread and @Jazzydrury posted there too.

Never saw how relatively cheap paper/craft items on TV could make a decent enough profit, unless overpriced, with all the costs and overheads of shopping TV.

I suppose some businesses / brands buck the trend like Sarah thingy off Dragons' Den, didn't she make millions from crafting on QVC or other channels?

As I'm sure you realise a lot of the businesses that feature on craft TV are smaller companies that are glad for/need the exposure of a national channel. HOCHANDA was originally built on the ethos that they'd feature more of that as it gave them a point of difference from C&C where people were getting fed up with the 'high price point' ethos.

I won't deny that she is a hard worker but Sara was lucky in that she had good support from her family and a hit product which reached heights many other suppliers could only dream of. The articles that say she made her fortune from QVC were written by people who don't do their research or don't know the difference - it was actually Ideal World, as in the early days (before Craft became a live channel in its own right) craft products were featured at least twice a week with a Pick of the Day on Tuesday nights.

 

[Worldie04]

Can anyone get on the website now?

Yes. They are saying that they can't take payments but you can't add anything to your basket either.

 

[Jazzydrury]

As I'm sure you realise a lot of the businesses that feature on craft TV are smaller companies that are glad for/need the exposure of a national channel. HOCHANDA was originally built on the ethos that they'd feature more of that as it gave them a point of difference from C&C where people were getting fed up with the 'high price point' ethos.

I won't deny that she is a hard worker but Sara was lucky in that she had good support from her family and a hit product which reached heights many other suppliers could only dream of. The articles that say she made her fortune from QVC were written by people who don't do their research or don't know the difference - it was actually Ideal World, as in the early days (before Craft became a live channel in its own right) craft products were featured at least twice a week with a Pick of the Day on Tuesday nights.

I thought prices had got dearer, but I remenber Martyn Parker say once, in the early days, they would have a Die POTD and it would be over £100.

Regarding QVC, it was Dawn Bibby who they bought to the forefront.

If it does return, I’d like more smaller businesses, rather than days on end of Tonic

 

[Toril]

I hope that no one here ordered anything from C&C before the announcement because it probably won’t arrive, depending on the reasons behind the “issue.”

I ordered something from IW before their demise but luckily it was delivered on the day that they stopped taking orders. Other customers weren’t as fortunate.

I’ve ordered nothing from IW since their return.

 

[PhædrusR]

I hope that no one here ordered anything from C&C before the announcement because it probably won’t arrive, depending on the reasons behind the “issue.”

I ordered something from IW before their demise but luckily it was delivered on the day that they stopped taking orders. Other customers weren’t as fortunate.

I’ve ordered nothing from IW since their return.

I finally ordered 2 small boxes, my first ever IW3 purchase.
Within a week they sent me email and phoned for a customer feedback survey.
I told them what I thought about their prices and presentation style and lack of ethics!
Gourav said he wrote it all down and will feedback.
I expect zero change.

 

[PhædrusR]

As I'm sure you realise a lot of the businesses that feature on craft TV are smaller companies that are glad for/need the exposure of a national channel. HOCHANDA was originally built on the ethos that they'd feature more of that as it gave them a point of difference from C&C where people were getting fed up with the 'high price point' ethos.

I won't deny that she is a hard worker but Sara was lucky in that she had good support from her family and a hit product which reached heights many other suppliers could only dream of. The articles that say she made her fortune from QVC were written by people who don't do their research or don't know the difference - it was actually Ideal World, as in the early days (before Craft became a live channel in its own right) craft products were featured at least twice a week with a Pick of the Day on Tuesday nights.

What was her moneymaker product?

 

[Worldie04]

What was her moneymaker product?

The Enveloper (You can make multiple sizes of cards, envelopes and boxes with it):
This is one on eBay

 

[pyjama princess]

The Enveloper (You can make multiple sizes of cards, envelopes and boxes with it):
This is one on eBay

This is a later version. The original was made of wood. If my memory serves me right they were made by her father in their garden shed.

 

[Battiola73]

I thought prices had got dearer, but I remenber Martyn Parker say once, in the early days, they would have a Die POTD and it would be over £100.

Regarding QVC, it was Dawn Bibby who they bought to the forefront.

If it does return, I’d like more smaller businesses, rather than days on end of Tonic

I remember just basic shaped nesting dies were anything from £100 to £150. Hasten to add I didn’t buy them at that price. Can’t remember how much the die cutting machines were. The more popular they became brought the price down. I’ve still got my Grand Caliber machine but bought an electronic Kit n Caboodle one a couple of years ago as it hurt my poor old shoulders to manually use the GC.

Maybe if they do comeback they’d be better broadcasting live for less hours, have smaller companies and cut back on the bigger brands.

 

[Dr Quincy MkII]

I'm sick to death of companies, in particular retailers, being mismanaged to the point where the company goes under. There should be legislation for more transparency. Fudging issues, BS as if coming back when it never happens. I don't know the full story but going by their FB page there are a lot of people asking for an official statement about orders they placed

 

[Rosievoice]

A few years ago, before the company was sold to the current owners, I won £1,000 of vouchers to spend at C&C in one of their prize draws. I was delighted and spent about £700 of it. The company changed hands and refused to honour the remainder. I decided not to renew my membership after that.

 

[Shopping Addict.]

Used to be cheap stuff, a set of something which years ago would be £20.00, these days everythihg seems to come as a kit for £100 or more

And with that in mind; what will happen to all the very expensive orders we’ve paid for? Will the customers be the last to be refund? It’s usually the little guys that get done over in bankruptcy.

 

[Ant7t]

I have never really watched the channel, other than a fly-by, short stop, and not being a craft-y person, haven't bought from either this or HM 'next door' as I channel hop. But I saw an intro of a new poster here and they said they used to watch the channel. So, curiosity and all that. It says, as it is known, that it is not live, nor taking orders. Finally I get to the point. WHY is it still showing items on air? Why not 'take it off air' either until it gets itself sorted, or permanently. After all, and this isn't as stupid as it sounds, there may be folk who can't read well that well, but want to order off the channel and can't see they are not 'operating'. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic for a channel I don't partake in, but you get what I mean, I hope.

 

[Shopping Addict.]

I thought prices had got dearer, but I remenber Martyn Parker say once, in the early days, they would have a Die POTD and it would be over £100.

Regarding QVC, it was Dawn Bibby who they bought to the forefront.

If it does return, I’d like more smaller businesses, rather than days on end of Tonic

Here, Here! C&C tried to diversify into all crafts rather than card crafting. There are many genres within that. Instead we have weekends that turned into weekdays of crotchet and other banal arts. Like QVC and Hochanda they have their favourites: Highlights Craft (Stephanie Wightman) has so many subsidiaries. JND; AALL and Create. Great crafts but it’s overkill at the expense of the smaller guys like Indigo Blu. The profit C&C must have made. However; the many orders Ive returned because of logistic incompetency. They were and still are, slow to refund. I have quite a few orders outstanding. C&C also ‘bent’ the law of ‘distance selling’ and wouldn’t repay. All they did was amend the missing information in their T&Cs

 

[PhædrusR]

I have never really watched the channel, other than a fly-by, short stop, and not being a craft-y person, haven't bought from either this or HM 'next door' as I channel hop. But I saw an intro of a new poster here and they said they used to watch the channel. So, curiosity and all that. It says, as it is known, that it is not live, nor taking orders. Finally I get to the point. WHY is it still showing items on air? Why not 'take it off air' either until it gets itself sorted, or permanently. After all, and this isn't as stupid as it sounds, there may be folk who can't read well that well, but want to order off the channel and can't see they are not 'operating'. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic for a channel I don't partake in, but you get what I mean, I hope.

I think they have to broadcast on TV to keep their channel slot.

 

[Jazzydrury]

Watching one of the repeats now a Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine for £2,900

How many of those high priced items would they really sell