Comments on: Interesting Thoughts On Creative Memories

By: Tanya

Tanya — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:48:37 +0000

I am saddened to hear some of these stories. I am a traditional scrapbooker and a CMC and am going to have to let my status go the end of next month. Too many of my clients have gone to digital scrapbooking. I’m not totally against digital scrapbooking, its just that I prefer working with the real stuff vs sitting in front of my computer for hours. Its more rewarding knowing that I created a book with my hands vs with a click of the mouse.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:29:02 +0000

I have no idea how much about Creative Memories is true. Or even if it has anything to do with my story.
However, I do know that my CM consultant has left the business. She says she’ll be back. But right now she is unable to … etc…etc…
So I got in touch with another consultant and ordered some refills for my tape runner (which I love) and some pages. Not a large order I know, but it’s business is it not? That was 2 months ago. And I have not heard from the new consultant, or the old one. I will not contact them again. Nor will I buy from CM again.
I love their albums, and would rather have them than any other. But if this is the way they do business now, they can do without mine!
My problem now is, in order to save all the work I’ve done; I will have to find an album that fits the pages I have completed. So, hopefully, somewhere out there is one waiting for me to snap it up. After that, my Creative Memories relationship is over.

By: Michelle O.

Michelle O. — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:32:20 +0000

Tara B., you are correct. I have been a CMC for 6 years and am sick to death of all the “spin”. CM says it does what it does for it’s consultants, but they are lining their pockets with our money – we really are their biggest customers.
CM is not keeping up with the times and they don’t have a solid business plan. As an insider to some aspects of the company, I know that CM planned to release ribbon, brads, and a couple of other items. Cm has “re-considered” (i.e. cancelled, wimped-out) because some long time (old-fashioned?) CMCs complained that those items are not the “CM WAY”. I can’t think of any successful craft company that became successful by purposefully trying to limit the creativity of its customers.
The problem is that management won’t stick to the plan. The founder is too busy being a people pleaser to make smart business decisions. Meanwhile, the new design books set to be released March 1 will be delayed until the summmer – while CM re-works all the designs taking out the ribbons and brads, etc.
Too bad for CM, but I’m afraid their business will continue to decline without some strict attention to the traditional scrapbooker and what they want in their albums (or one their cards and tags!).

By: Rod Cook

Rod Cook — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:37:19 +0000

Golly
A lot of companies would kill to have a recession driven business like Creative Memories! See some of notes on other parts of this Blog
Here is the bottom line 26.9% increase in traffic during a recession is FANTASTIC here are the stats for Creative Memories:
http://siteanalytics.compete.com/www.creativememories.com/?metric=uv
They are being used in my model for counter cyclical proof for MLM and Network Marketing companies.
Rod Cook
MLM Watchdog
Http://wwww.mlmwatchdog.com

By: Tara B.

Tara B. — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:32:23 +0000

I posted this on another forum about CM so here’s my “two-cents”…
They need a plan to save this company and from everything I have heard (and i have a very good source), that plan is digital. That claim is supported by their move in their most recent catalog/magazine. The thing is, the digital train has left the station and they just aren’t on that train. They may jump on at a station down the tracks, but again, in CM tradition, it’s too little, too late. The are jumping on that train with A LOT of baggage, for sure! You dance with the one that brought you. With scrapbook stores closing right and left they have this one window of opportunity to regain their focus and reclaim their spot as leaders in the traditional scrapbooking market.
But will they? And as far as mincing words about WHO is filing for bankruptcy – that is nothing but spin. Using the fact that your parent company is the one that has filed for bankruptcy would only comfort those who are uneducated about business – that isn’t a good thing and I feel sorry for those who have placed their trust in people who have nothing but self-interest in mind and have proven that time and time again with their business practices. All of their bad decisions are just catching up to them – and those who can, have taken their money and run! BIG RED FLAG!