I pressed a bunch of the mottled type batiks for my new blocks. I only got 2 of them sewn. Tonight is a 3 hour TV night so I'll probably get the rest of them sewn.
I'm working on a hand finished binding between other projects. I hope to finish it today and then I'll show you the project.
There was a beautiful blue and intense pink/red sunset on Sunday night. I took 9 photos and this is the best but not as intense as the real life colors.
An update on the die problem and Accuquilt's response to it.
(If you didn't read the original post last week click here.)
First of all, the die was a $39.99 die and I could have just purchased another on sale with free shipping but I decided to contact them so they could fix the problem and then I could tell all of my readers what a great company they are. Well that didn't work, did it. After many back and forth emails explaining that it isn't a warranty problem but instead a packaging problem, their answer was "by the rule book" over and over. It makes me wonder if they settle with the customer will the cost of the die be subtracted from their pay.
As
we have stated previously we offer a 1yr warranty on our dies. Without proof of
purchase, we are unable to verify when and where the item was purchased. We
understand how upsetting, or frustrating this can be but as a company we do
need to be provided the requested information.
Since I didn't have a receipt (from a store that is now closed) to provide to them I'm out of luck. Taking care of my health (stress free living) is more important at this time of my life than fighting a huge corporation. In one of my emails to them I said:
The most successful companies are built on 2 principles, the customer is always right and A satisfied happy customer is the best free advertising we can ever get.
1:30 p.m. Good news!!! I just received a 30 minute phone call from the "fixer" at Accuquilt and they have taken care of the problem. I will be getting a new die.
Great job, Wanda! I love it when others stand up to Corporations! I too, have recently been in correspondence with 2 different MAJOR Corporations, Coca-Cola and Folgers. I feel better for having done so...when our little "drop in the bucket" comments start rolling in from other patrons, those drops become a river. Love to you from Missouri!
ReplyDeleteA lot of "one person's" can make them sit up and listen...good job...
ReplyDeletePretty new blocks, Wanda. Lovely sunset...
hugs, Julierose
I have been considering adding the Studio cutter... but, that is now out of question! I suspected that Accuquilt was not going to cave. One of the reasons I went with a SIZZIX system was that you can use the Accuquilt dies in their cutters. They even give you the instructions to do so! Bonus!!! Can you run slightly thicker dies through the Accuquilt???? Or only their dies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the AccuQuilt issue. After you and another friend had issues with dies that they did NOT stand behind, I have unlisted all of my YouTube videos.
ReplyDeleteThe other friend had blades that were falling out of the die- clearly a manf. defect. Yours was very clearly defective when it was NEW. I have lost all confidence in them. I see them setting themselves up for failure.
You have help me make the decision that if I was going to buy a die cutter it would not be one from AccuQuilt. I think I will send them a email and tell them that. I did finally get the info I needed on the sodium.
ReplyDeleteI agree “stress free living” is more important than fighting for $40.00. They never got what the problem was, it was their screw up! AccuQuilt products will not be in my home. Love watching what you accomplish Wanda.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you had a successful outcome and am bitterly disappointed that they handled it this way. It would have been such an easy fix for them and great advertising. You're right though, there are more important things in life than fighting a long drawn out and losing battle.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand why you have decided to just be done with a certain die cutter company, but I think you should post something on IG about this (I don't think you have, but I'm a bit behind on checking IG). This company spends a lot of money giving free stuff to social media influencers to promote their product. Maybe some negative feedback will make them rethink their approach to complaints. Of course, given what I've read so far, that doesn't seem likely.
ReplyDeleteYour peace of mind is more important than a $40.00 die.
Pat
Stand your ground. We are of generations of people who believe in customer service and good will. Today's generation is prone to toss things out and buy another. We've become a disposable society...including people. If you are of no benefit to someone, they ignore you. I have written letters to managers of my local shopping haunts. Some were complaints; many were compliments. It's important to let people know when they've done it right.
ReplyDeleteI've always subscribed to "voting with my feet." Don't like the insurance policies of a particular hobby store? Don't go there! Don't like the immigration policies of a particular hardware behemoth? Don't go there! It's hard sometimes, but at least I feel as though I'm doing something. And now, after being mostly at home over the last year (!), I'm also voting with my dollars, not just my feet! I totally support what you've accomplished here -- thank you for standing up!
ReplyDeleteYAH!!! What you said!!!
ReplyDeleteI've also heard that they're trying to or have blocked Australian company Blue Wren from selling their Accuquilt compatible dies in the US.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you have had such a bad experience with this company. The right and ethical thing to do is obviously send you a replacement die. I hope you don't mind that I did this, but I wrote a comment on their blog because this really irked me.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I wrote: "I am writing on behalf of one of your customers - Wanda Hanson. She is a prolific quilter and blogger whom I have been following for many years. She has blogged for almost 10 years about using Accuquilt dies to cut her fabric for patchwork quilts. She purchased one if your dies from a company that has since gone out of business, and discovered that there is a manufacturing flaw in the die. I understand from reading her blog that after contacting your company numerous times to remedy the situation, you are not going to replace the die. Unfortunately, she does not have a receipt. I think this is terrible customer service. She purchased a die manufactured by your company that has a manufacturing defect. I think the ethical action to take in this case to retain customer good will (including the good will of her blog readers whose decision to purchase an Accuquilt system or dies may be affected by the outcome of your decision) is to send her a defect-free replacement die. I am a quilter but do not have any type of cutter system. I will certainly think twice about purchasing an Accuquilt system in the future and will advise my quilt guild members of the difficulties people have experienced with your company in trying to get a defective die replaced. Companies that do the right thing earn invaluable good will from their customers. " I wrote this on their 2/11 post 'quilting on a budget'.
I hope someone will pay attention to my comment and come to their senses and take the high road on this.
I agree ..... time to let the issue go and live stress free. Easier said than done, I know cause it will linger for awhile. Your new Hattie's Choice blocks are so pretty and as always, the points on these blocks are supreme.
ReplyDeleteJJM
That binding you are doing by hand is lovely with the backing fabric--wow! So happy that you have received a satisfactory closing to the die problem. I hope they were appropriately pleasant and apologetic.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you will be getting a new die. They should have done that in the FIRST place. You should not have had to go through all of the back and forth with their stock answers - or had to get a "fixer" involved. "Customer Service" is supposed to BE the "fixer" - that's why we contact them - to solve our problem. But first they have to LISTEN and UNDERSTAND what the problem IS - and that's where they fall short.
ReplyDeleteBy the way - I just checked - and they STILL have not addressed the HST/QST issue on the "Chimney Sweep" die. They obviously don't think there IS a problem - even though it was pointed out to them - ;))
Yay Wanda! You go girl!
ReplyDeleteSometimes we just have to stick to our guns so that justice is done! I'm glad you persisted with logic!
ReplyDeleteSurprise, surprise... Good work to all those that sent in their negative experiences with that company. And that the company recognized your following, and made it right for you. Unbelievable
ReplyDeleteJJM
So happy you made them "see the light" and you will be getting a new, correct die. I have a few I haven't used and now I think I should check them all.
ReplyDeleteWell done Wanda! Shoddy workmanship and bad customer relations do not do the company any favours. I'm so pleased your new die is on the way. It did cost you though, in terms of stress, and with the amount of cost to the company to replace a faulty item should have been instantly replaced without ado! I'm making a toast your good health with my mug of coffee!
ReplyDeleteGreat news, persistence pays x
ReplyDeleteI find this whole thing with AccuQuilt very telling. I am a big Accuquilt supporter but you have brought a weak point in the company out in the open. I have a tendency to keep my receipts (but not always.) Thanks to this misstep by Accuquilt I will now definitely keep the receipts. Many of my dies have been gifts so there could still be a problem. On to happier thoughts -- I really like your Hattie's Choice blocks. And, I'm looking forward to seeing what you will be making with the half rectangle die. I still like Accuquilt dies and use mine a lot but the company has tarnished their reputation a LOT.
ReplyDeleteThat is our Wanda...You go Wanda...our fearless leader xo
ReplyDelete