GCU Forum - Taking a Break.

Angela_134247

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 761

Taking a Break.
Dec 7^th, 2011, 6:56am

After three years of building our card shop with time and care, Cherie and I will be taking a break for awhile and moving on to a different web site. Our current store will remain open, but we will no longer be submitting new designs. Almost every single design I have submitted in the last two months has been declined or returned for the tiniest of nitpicky reasons, and I simply do not have time to deal with it anymore. I have three kids. I wish you all the very best, and I am very sad to have to move on for awhile. Cherie is going to experiement with her camera to come up with "better" shots, and maybe we will return someday when we have obtained the "perfection" the reviewers think we must possess to sell cards here. Reminds me of the Borg.

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stacy_136134 Junior Member artist Posts: 97	Re: Taking a Break. Reply #1 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 7:27am sorry to hear this. But don't feel alone in your decision. I came to the same conclusion some time ago, and have seen other artist post this as well. Despite what might be good efforts it has become too difficult and subjective a process. Wish you the best.
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Trish_136241 Senior Member artist Posts: 440	Re: Taking a Break. Reply #2 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 7:43am That is a real loss to GCU. You have creative and funny, romantic, very unique cards. I'm sorry this has been your experience. It's hard to imagine why you've had such issues. Much success to you and your family and your creativity and support will be missed.
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Willaim_132003

Senior Member
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Posts: 433

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #3 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 8:08am

This is sad new indeed, you have great cards and designs. I understand how you feel though with many things i have run into over the past year with cards being accepted. Many fine artists and designs will be leaving GCU and make other POD sites grow.

I am not planning on leaving here but it is getting more difficult to have a dedicated attitude when t sometimes feels things are working against me on here... of curse it could just be me having a bit f an attitude on some days also. :-P

Still love GCU

.

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Nadine_142067 Senior Member artist Posts: 283	Re: Taking a Break. Reply #4 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 8:20am OUch! GCU's loss for sure! You have some terrific best sellers in your GCU portfolio. Nadine
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Robert_135612 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 40	Re: Taking a Break. Reply #5 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 8:20am William,"of curse it could just be me"- Freudian slip? I can't help thinking that perhaps the more stringent standards could be accompanied by an increase in commission. We are being asked to be professionals after all.
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Maria_133363

Full Member
artist

Posts: 169

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #6 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 8:29am

I just visited your store. It is unbelievable that your designs are being rejected. You have talent!
My designs are being questistioned too... I am now focusing on my other card store.
My designs are being accepted there within minutes.

GCU is just hurting themsleves BIG TIME by not offering FREE SHIPPING.
What's up with that??

Signed,
Disappointed in MI embarrassed

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« Last Edit: Dec 7^th, 2011, 9:42am by Maria_133363 »

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Joan_135833

Gold Member
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Posts: 591

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #7 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 9:02am

Quote from Maria_133363 on Dec 7^th, 2011, 8:29am:

I am now focusing on my other card store.
My designs are being accepted there within minutes.

GCU is just hurting themsleves BIG TIME by not offering FREE SHIPPING.
What's up with that??

Signed,
Dissappointed in MI embarrassed

Your other store - if it is located where I believe - has no quality review policy in place, so "being accepted within minutes" is merely a question of how quickly something can be posted by the servers. Spelling 'disappointed' with a double 's', for example, would not be pointed out for correction.

GCU offers free shipping on a regular basis. "What's up with" your not knowing that??

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Emily_138045

Junior Member
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Posts: 59

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #8 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 9:03am

I'm so sorry to see you go, but I understand completely! While I count on constructive criticism to improve, it's a bit over the top here. I'm surprised that after so many people have expressed their utter frustration that something hasn't been done.

Yes, sites like Zazzle are growing by leaps and bounds. I opened a store there as well.

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Kathy_131728

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Posts: 610

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #9 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 9:05am

Angela,
I have always thought your designs were wonderful. This is a loss to GCU. I totally understand where you are coming from, as I too have stopped submitting. I have not submitted anything for months, as it is just too much trouble for what the pay is. I too run a business and have to decide where to spend my time and how to get the best payback for my time. GCU is unfortunately losing good artists. I hope things will get better, as some of us have been here a long time and really are saddened by this.
Best wishes to you in your new adventures. I am sure you will be successful, as you are very talented.

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Maria_133363

Full Member
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Posts: 169

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #10 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 9:19am

Quote from Joan_135833 on Dec 7^th, 2011, 9:02am:

Quote from Maria_133363 on Dec 7^th, 2011, 8:29am:

I am now focusing on my other card store.
My designs are being accepted there within minutes.

GCU is just hurting themsleves BIG TIME by not offering FREE SHIPPING.
What's up with that??

Signed,
Disappointed in MI embarrassed

Your other store - if it is located where I believe - has no quality review policy in place, so "being accepted within minutes" is merely a question of how quickly something can be posted by the servers. Spelling 'disappointed' with a double 's', for example, would not be pointed out for correction.

GCU offers free shipping on a regular basis. "What's up with" your not knowing that??

GCU has not offered FREE SHIPPING in weeks. My customers and myself are buying from my "other" store.
Thank you for pointing out my error in spelling, Joan.

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sarah_156107 Junior Member artist Posts: 56	Re: Taking a Break. Reply #11 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 11:08am Sad to see you go, we will miss all your new designs, let us know what your new site is!
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Donna_137698

Gold Member
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Posts: 1064

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #12 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 2:05pm

I hope GCU will settle down by looking at the issues we all have brought up and hopefully through discussion (as heated as it has become) will come to grips with the problems - having artists leave like this isn't good business in the grand scheme of things. I too am focusing elsewhere as I continue to learn and grow and I hope to come back here when I too can achieve that level of perfection being asked for - but when I consider 50 cents per card for a lot of aches and pains, it's a bit much to think about the time and energy asked for so little in return and all the legwork I still have to do to "peddle my wares".

I will say I have gained a lot of helpful insight from fellow artists and I'm most grateful for that - but yes, I agree, Angela's departure is a blow in a big way but not surprising somehow.

GCU Admin - you need to do an update - the front page advertises 4000 artists when the artist listing is like 2300 currently. That front page needs to be updated for accuracy in advertising.

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cheryl_133782 Gold Member artist Posts: 1350	Re: Taking a Break. Reply #13 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 2:14pm GCU may not have free shipping but they have run a lot of discounts for shopppers lately...I'd say that is still a pretty good deal. Cheryl
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Bettie__142065

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 490

Re: Taking a Break.
Reply #14 - Dec 7^th, 2011, 3:35pm

Oh, Angela, I hate to see you go,but I understand because that is the way I feel sometimes.However my situation is somewhat different. I don't do this for a living. If I did I would seldom eat.

I realize we must have our cards look nice and professional looking which yours do. But I also think a reviewer should not say things about a card that they have no idea whether it is correct or not. I.E. Decide for themselves whether card has been reviewed and fixed so many times the client wouldnt want it... how does the reviewer know whether the client wants it or not?

I know the reviewers have lots of cards to look at and examine,and the text on the cards must be scrutinized carefully.I appreciate the effort they all make,but maybe they could stop nit picking about the smallest mistake

I wish you and your family thre very best. Keep up the good work and know that I for one will miss you and your cards and comments.

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