Information

[lilkoala3]

Also, if I was on the design team or anything like that, I would NEVER say anything rude to our members . The DT and guest DT members are representatives of ACOT and should represent the company in a manner that reflects well on the company. It's like going into a brick and mortar store and being treated poorly by the sales staff.

I'm not sure if you're talking about me, but I would argue that I'm promoting ACOT by calling out people who I feel are just "popping in" to drive traffic to a site. As you can see, I've communicated the feelings of many people on this board. In fact, after I posted the above, many people have sent me PMs saying that they think that these types of promotions have made them feel like ACOT is less of a community. In fact, one person told me that they have gotten so frustrated by this issue that they've considered leaving. If you take a look at my previous posts from the last 4.5 years, I think you will find that I have supported and welcomed every person on this board except the one woman who started this thread. Even the people with whom I have shared heated political debates and argued are my friends. I've spent time with two in person, in fact. Yes, this means you Annonimous and Koala1966!



Even so, I've never "bought" the idea that just because you're on a design team, you have to ALWAYS be nice to everyone. Sure, I think that as a general rule, you should be polite and welcoming, but I also think that there comes a time when people should speak up. Where do you draw the line? What if someone said something that you thought was racist or sexist? What if someone said something anti-military or pro-military that you didn't agree with? Should you not argue? Even beyond political issues, sometimes you have to say something when someone is being just downright annoying! Do you remember that one lady who posted like 18 new topics a day!? Ugh!



And if you aren't talking about me and you are talking about other CT members, I have to say that it is my experience that EVERY one of the CT members here work hard to make us non-CTers happy and entertained so much of the time. Many times, they go out of their way to post games and articles that they aren't required to do, simply because they want to promote ACOT and make us happy. They have always been polite, and I have never witnessed them being rude or harsh to anyone.

[lilkoala3]

Although my position has not changed, after reading my original post, I WILL apologize for using the term "pimping out." It was inflammatory. I'm sorry for using that language.

Hey, Leslie, I wasn't talking about you. I would agree, except for today, I have always "known" you to be one of the first to welcome newcomers to ACOT. There was a CT member several years back, and I can't remember her name, who always seemed to post negative things.



As for your posts, I must admit that I don't always agree with your views, but I do enjoy the candidness of your posts and reading your views. I would say you are a very opinionated person, not afraid to speak her mind. In my "real life" I tend to be that way... pretty outspoken and enjoy a good heated discussion about a number of topics. I tend to stay away from that on the boards simply because one too many times I've been blasted for my opinions, and people taking things I type in the wrong context. So, pretty much I save my opinions and outspoken-ness (is that a word?) for face to face conversations.



Maybe I should change that.

[lilkoala3]

Hey, Leslie, I wasn't talking about you. I would agree, except for today, I have always "known" you to be one of the first to welcome newcomers to ACOT. There was a CT member several years back, and I can't remember her name, who always seemed to post negative things.



As for your posts, I must admit that I don't always agree with your views, but I do enjoy the candidness of your posts and reading your views. I would say you are a very opinionated person, not afraid to speak her mind. In my "real life" I tend to be that way... pretty outspoken and enjoy a good heated discussion about a number of topics. I tend to stay away from that on the boards simply because one too many times I've been blasted for my opinions, and people taking things I type in the wrong context. So, pretty much I save my opinions and outspoken-ness (is that a word?) for face to face conversations.



Maybe I should change that.

I think you should definitely change that! I have found that most of the women on here argue intelligently and never resort to personal attacks, hostility, etc... On any given issue, I'm probably at odds with half of the ladies on here, and we will all debate with fervor, but in the end, I respect those that hold differing opinions as long as they argue sensibly.

[AmyTeets]

Well Rita usually posts this exact post every month, just as a gesture for the ACOT girls to win some free chipboard. I really don't see the difference between Rita posting and another DT member? I'm sure I'm seen as showing off product as well at times, but it's not any different than being on any other DT, even the ACOT DT. We're "hired" in a sense to make things with products and to get out there and show the public. Some of us on the Magisitical DT have been encouraging some of our new members to post their creations here and to join the MB because of all the love and support that we've felt here. I'm sorry that this new member didn't get that from some members. If manufactures aren't encouraged to post their goodies in the gallery and message board, they'll shy away from here and I don't want to see that happen. Because that's potential profit for the shoppe.

[AmyTeets]

Hey, Leslie, I wasn't talking about you. I would agree, except for today, I have always "known" you to be one of the first to welcome newcomers to ACOT. There was a CT member several years back, and I can't remember her name, who always seemed to post negative things.



As for your posts, I must admit that I don't always agree with your views, but I do enjoy the candidness of your posts and reading your views. I would say you are a very opinionated person, not afraid to speak her mind. In my "real life" I tend to be that way... pretty outspoken and enjoy a good heated discussion about a number of topics. I tend to stay away from that on the boards simply because one too many times I've been blasted for my opinions, and people taking things I type in the wrong context. So, pretty much I save my opinions and outspoken-ness (is that a word?) for face to face conversations.



Maybe I should change that.

Hey Mindy, you should really let loose on us! I know where you're coming from about being afraid of someone taking your post out of context with how you really wanted it to come across though

[suslvgeo]

Okay ladies, I have been in NY on dial up (egads) and missed this all going on.


First off I just want to say to the regular cherries, I understand that you are a little aggrevated by what some term "drive by postings" in the gallery and the message board, but you need to understand that everyone starts somewhere. Everyone has that "first" post.





The summer tends to be slower, so I just think it is more readily noticed now, but honestly does it hurt acot the random posts? As long as it is not a competing site or some spam sending me to a viagra page, I have no problem with it. In fact, it ups our numbers even that one post, so me, I am all for it. (now don't start spammiing me people ) It is like most threads here, if you have no interest in it, then open it and then move on.

As for the gallery, I LOVE to see different peeps posting in there. Do I wish that they would pop over and say HI and spend time with us...yes, yes I do. BUT, it does not stop me from looking at some of the awesome work. I just look at it as, it is their loss they don't want to hang with us cool kids.





So many scrapping boards are disappearing, that I want to make sure everyone feels welcome here. We the CT, the ACOT staff and YOU all try to make this place a kick bootie place and I want to make sure it always feels that way.



okay, off to put my pom-poms back on the shelf.

[MOM2SNOX]

Okay ladies, I have been in NY on dial up (egads) and missed this all going on.

First off I just want to say to the regular cherries, I understand that you are a little aggrevated by what some term "drive by postings" in the gallery and the message board, but you need to understand that everyone starts somewhere. Everyone has that "first" post.


The summer tends to be slower, so I just think it is more readily noticed now, but honestly does it hurt acot the random posts? As long as it is not a competing site or some spam sending me to a viagra page, :winkb: :? :-D I have no problem with it. In fact, it ups our numbers even that one post, so me, I am all for it. (now don't start spammiing me people :winkb: :winkb: :winkb: ) It is like most threads here, if you have no interest in it, then open it and then move on.

As for the gallery, I LOVE to see different peeps posting in there. Do I wish that they would pop over and say HI and spend time with us...yes, yes I do. BUT, it does not stop me from looking at some of the awesome work. I just look at it as, it is their loss they don't want to hang with us cool kids. :-D

So many scrapping boards are disappearing, :( that I want to make sure everyone feels welcome here. We the CT, the ACOT staff and YOU all try to make this place a kick bootie place and I want to make sure it always feels that way.

okay, off to put my pom-poms back on the shelf. :-D

Woohoo! Way to go SUS!!!!

[lilkoala3]

Well Rita usually posts this exact post every month, just as a gesture for the ACOT girls to win some free chipboard. I really don't see the difference between Rita posting and another DT member? I'm sure I'm seen as showing off product as well at times, but it's not any different than being on any other DT, even the ACOT DT. We're "hired" in a sense to make things with products and to get out there and show the public. Some of us on the Magisitical DT have been encouraging some of our new members to post their creations here and to join the MB because of all the love and support that we've felt here. I'm sorry that this new member didn't get that from some members. If manufactures aren't encouraged to post their goodies in the gallery and message board, they'll shy away from here and I don't want to see that happen. Because that's potential profit for the shoppe.

Huge difference, in my opinion. The two of you actively participate on the boards. You're not just here to direct us somewhere where we can buy something. You're part of the community here. You two are like friends who invite you over for a tupperware party. These drive by posters are like door-to-door salesmen. And I am like a "no soliciting" sign on a porch! If you found out that the stranger who lived down the street from you were a scrapbooker, would you just pop in and try to sell them some Stickles? "HI! I'm Amy, and I sell Stickles!" Something tells me you wouldn't do that.

And no, these types of posts don't hurt me personally, but they annoy the crap out of me. And they annoy other people, too. And if people get frustrated, I fear THAT will hurt ACOT.

[AmyTeets]

Hey now, it would be a WINE party not Tupperware! Shesh, and I thought you knew me

[suslvgeo]

Sadly what will and has hurt acot before is if the board seems like a hostile place for peeps to come. Now don't get me wrong, I have had issues with some people in the past, not everyone will have the same opinions on things such as religion and politics and stuff, but when it comes to scrappy stuff, I think we should try to chill. I do not want to be like a board "who shall not be named here but has a vegetable in it and not a fruit" that has been known to be mean at times.




As for selling someone stickles, um yeah, I would go to their door and try to sell them stuff....pahaha why do you think I wear my ACOT shirt around the neighborhood everyday???

[alligatorally]

Sadly what will and has hurt acot before is if the board seems like a hostile place for peeps to come. Now don't get me wrong, I have had issues with some people in the past, not everyone will have the same opinions on things such as religion and politics and stuff, but when it comes to scrappy stuff, I think we should try to chill. I do not want to be like a board "who shall not be named here but has a vegetable in it and not a fruit" that has been known to be mean at times.




As for selling someone stickles, um yeah, I would go to their door and try to sell them stuff....pahaha why do you think I wear my ACOT shirt around the neighborhood everyday???

this is really really a valid point- again, I have to tell you my own experience... I buy a lot from acot and spend way more time in the store than on the message boards, and the whole reason I found this place is because of my dt position with magistical years ago.

if I had gotten flamed like the poor girl that posted this thread, I definitely wouldn't have felt welcome and would be spending my money elsewhere.

what does it matter HOW someone comes to this super great board, just so they come here? Who knows what will come of someone's "drive by"

[-Tracy-]

Sadly what will and has hurt acot before is if the board seems like a hostile place for peeps to come. Now don't get me wrong, I have had issues with some people in the past, not everyone will have the same opinions on things such as religion and politics and stuff, but when it comes to scrappy stuff, I think we should try to chill. I do not want to be like a board "who shall not be named here but has a vegetable in it and not a fruit" that has been known to be mean at times.




As for selling someone stickles, um yeah, I would go to their door and try to sell them stuff....pahaha why do you think I wear my ACOT shirt around the neighborhood everyday???

As a survivor of the "Board Which Shall Not Be Named" let me state for the record that this site is NO WHERE near the level of hostility as that one. So I don't think that is even an issue. One thread does not a pod make.

I also think everyone should be entitled to express their opinions. This is not the first time this has been discussed on this board, I don't get why it's causing such a ruckus.

Sadly what will and has hurt acot before is if the board seems like a hostile place for peeps to come. Now don't get me wrong, I have had issues with some people in the past, not everyone will have the same opinions on things such as religion and politics and stuff, but when it comes to scrappy stuff, I think we should try to chill. I do not want to be like a board "who shall not be named here but has a vegetable in it and not a fruit" that has been known to be mean at times.




As for selling someone stickles, um yeah, I would go to their door and try to sell them stuff....pahaha why do you think I wear my ACOT shirt around the neighborhood everyday???

this is really really a valid point- again, I have to tell you my own experience... I buy a lot from acot and spend way more time in the store than on the message boards, and the whole reason I found this place is because of my dt position with magistical years ago.

if I had gotten flamed like the poor girl that posted this thread, I definitely wouldn't have felt welcome and would be spending my money elsewhere.

what does it matter HOW someone comes to this super great board, just so they come here? Who knows what will come of someone's "drive by"

You're right, it doesn't matter how someone comes to the board, I think the point was to get to know us, and become part of the community not just try to sell us stuff.

[Laura Fiore]

How do you think I got here in the first place?


Magistical Memories sent me...and to be honest, I was scared to death of the "group" at the time. I'm glad I stuck around, but you have to know that as a group, you can be a little intimidating. If I didn't know and love y'all, I would have skipped long ago...so glad I didn't let anyone scare me away, because there are so many lovely, friendly people here.

I don't think we have to sugarcoat our feelings, but I also agree that if we aren't excited about what we see in a thread, sometimes we can just choose to ignore it. At least that way we aren't scaring away someone who could potentially be a great new friend.

[baltoscrapper]

"we are the wooooorld, we are the childreeeeeeeeeeeeen".... sing it with me!


How about you give us all free chipboard, and we forget this whole thing ever happened? and than you stay and play with us. Than you'll get to know Leslie and know she holds NOTHING back, which is pretty funny stuff when she's talking about her sex life or how often she changes boyfriends!

[milmomma]

Its ACOT love--- JK

Lets spread the love and not war... wow I sound like something out of the 70's... I've gotta go find the right decade now.

[JDs Mom]

Just a thought here, but what if we kept the free offers, contests and stuff like that to the "Challenges and Contests" section of the board, away from the general discussion threads? Anybody with a contest from a manufacturer or designer that's NOT being sponsored by ACOT would have to post it there. Make the rules clear when they register and if they don't follow, then...we get to waterboard.

The drive-by posting of layouts I think is a fact of life...unless ACOT invokes a rule that you have to make a certain number of comments/posts for every layout you want to post! I know some mb's have rules that you have to post, for example, 15 comments before you are ok to post in other places--I think it's done to prevent the obvious spam. Just trying to come up with something here...this is obviously a very hot topic and one which many here have strong feelings.

[4peasinourpod]

I still can't see the sketch and I want to enter the contest

[4peasinourpod]

Oh, and welcome to ACOT!


I would just like to say that I welcome any SCRAPBOOK related post/challenge/contest. If you love a contest, and it makes you place an order from ACOT, I that. The more ACOT sells, the happier Kristin is, and that makes ME happy. I just wish we carried Magistical Memories, but now they make all their chipboard to order I would rather place a large order HERE that INCLUDED MM, and not have to order from 2 different sites.



the only posts that truly annoy me are the people that drive by and ask me to vote for their kids in a photo contest

[lilkoala3]

Well, I'm sticking with my original position. I still think it's rude to introduce yourself once and then direct us to another site (4 minutes later and then disappear) where we can go to buy stuff. And Laura, I don't remember when you first came, but I have a feeling that you would get to know us a little before promoting something. And if you didn't, well, I love you more than anything, but I think that's rude. Also, stuff like this is just bad business if you think about it. You want people to like you before you promote stuff. That's why car dealers are so stinking nice and offer you soda and tell you about their children before they try to sell you a Camry.

Anyway, it's not that I'm sitting here fuming about this. It simply irritates me, that's all. I, for one, don't like to be treated purely like a customer. I guess I'll shut up now. I was enjoying the debate, but after a couple of days, I'm kinda getting bored. I think I'll go have sex or darn some socks instead.

I want to make it clear that I don't think there is anything wrong with the ladies on the board who participate and then promote something.