Is Nancy's Closing for Good as Merrill Takes Over PC Products?

[pkd09]

OH MY GOSH ... just got an e-mail from HO. Merrill will be exclusive PC products. Nancy's will be done as of 8/31.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

Sad isn't it I love her stuff!

 

[Kathytnt]

OH No - I just saw the e-mail I am going to miss Nancy's Merrill is really going to have to step up the plate to fill the void

 

[cmdtrgd]

AND take down the prices!!!

 

[pamperedalf]

I am pissed!!! I love Nancy's and I think Merrill is way too overpriced. It just went from bad to worse. I was excited about the posability of getting a new clothing vendor, but not I am so mad. I can barely type. I think we need to start a petition to keep Nancy. They are priced so reasonably and I just can't think of how much I will be paying for something so similar. Ugh!!

I am gonna go sulk now, that I got this out!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I am not happy either! Merrills is expensive, and their customer service cannot hold a candle to Nancy's....so very disappointed!

 

[cmdtrgd]

What I don't understand is why get rid of them when they just redesigned some cards and designed new ones, too!

 

[sillylittlechef]

I am mad too. What, is PC getting a kickback for going with Merrill as an exclusive vendor? Unless, of course Nancy's is quitting PC? I guess that could be the case, but I have gotten such great products and customer service from Nancy's. I love the whimsy feel of many of Nancy's products. There is no whimsy with Merrill. I can't afford Merrill's prices expecially if I am going to have to wait a month before I get my stuff!
Maybe we should email the HO! and complain.

 

[soccermama]

OY! I really prefer Nancy's business card style! I guess I'll have to order a whole bunch of them so I can have enough until someone else comes out with better

And then of course, there's the stickers!!!!! I LOVE THE STICKERS!!!! The PHD ones are my fave..... and I don't have extra $$ right now to order a bunch Oh well..... I'll survive, I suppose......

 

[Marg]

We don't have Merrill in Canada. There is one place that we can get business cards/stationery stuff, but Nancy's is the only place that we can get other stuff like stickers and rubber stamps and stuff. I wonder if we'll be getting access to Merrill here? Maybe I should stock up from Nancy's in case we don't have anything...

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I wonder if we are going to have those options with Merrill with stickers and stamps... I am stocking up soon!!!

 

[Lisa/ChefBear]

I'm totally bumming here too ............what is PC thinking, we're all NOT made of money, matter of fact, I'm in this business to MAKE money for my family and not to have to pay a fortune for busniess supplies.

So I think probably Vista print will be getting LOTS more of our business.

I'm wondering who owns Merrill??? One of the PC family members?? Warren Buffet?? I think their products are WAY to expensive and can't justify paying the price for their products, and I was hoping the clothing would become more reasonable, I'm guessing we're all going to be wrong on that one.

GRRRR, guess I'd better get some that remain on clearance from VIP, and I'm sorry some of their clearance prices I don't like, lol.

I've also got to get $ around to get stickers from Nancy while they are still here.

Going to get my tissues now.

Lisa

 

[BethCooks4U]

Here is the email (for those who haven't gotten or seen it yet). Says Merrill is the new exclusive apparel vendor now too - so the secret it out (I thought it was going to be announced at Nat. Conference??


Dear Consultant,

We’re pleased to share with you that Merrill Corporation will become the exclusive licensed vendor for all Pampered Chef® logo merchandise, including custom apparel, stationery, promotional items and other business development materials. Merrill will also be offering an exclusive Director Company Store and Upper Level Store.

With this move to a single vendor, all of your Pampered Chef® items — from business cards to sweatshirts to pens — may now be ordered from one source, saving you both time and shipping costs. We’re excited to offer you Merrill’s extensive product line, customized to your needs.

Merrill will have many of its BRAND NEW logo apparel and business development tools available for viewing and sale at National Conference. Stop by the Merrill booth and check them out! Merrill’s e-store will be updated on July 23 with all of the new items.

The transition to Merrill follows the recent decision by VIP to redirect its business. Given Merrill’s full line offering, Nancy’s Artworks will be available only through August 31.

Over the next few months, Nancy’s Artworks will be offering its Pampered Chef® logo merchandise inventory at incredible savings. All sales will be final. There will be no returns, exchanges or refunds. Visit the Web site at www.nancyweb.com.

We wish both VIP and Nancy’s Artworks all the best in the future.




The Pampered Chef®

 

[Kathytnt]

I actually prefer the more casual approach of Nancy's for the postcards and such

 

[pamperedtraci]

I will sign any petition to save Nancy's as a vendor and I am emailing home office to save it!

 

[dannyzmom]

I am not thrilled with the quality of Merrill's stuff...not to mention their unaffordable prices.

 

[Kitchen2u]

If you're not happy with Merrill solely ~ there's a place on Consutlant's Corner to voice your concerns

Managing Your Business --> HO Emails --> Licensed Merchandise Vendor Comments

I personally it's a shame we don't have "choices" plus I can see Merrill INCREASING prices since they'll be the sole provider for us. As I like Nancy's, but my feeling is "give us OPTIONS" ~ I'll be sending an email today!

Ginny

 

[pcchris]

Wow! I just went to nancyweb.com and stocked up. I know if I would have waited I probably could have saved some $$, but I want the stuff before she runs out of inventory (kinda like VIP did). I'm very sad. I love Nancy's stuff. Who knows, I might order more in a month...she does already have a LOT of buy 1, get 2 free specials...fyi.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

We wish both VIP and Nancy’s Artworks all the best in the future.

Oh, I just BET they do.Doris steps down, we get new leadership that decides we have to project a more "professional image." New logo, new tagline, dump the old vendors.Are we next to get dumped? Why not? The new leadership keeps proving that nothing is sacred.

 

[pamperedalf]

Still MadThis was not a day to release any info to me like this. I am cranky and think I might be coming down w/ something. Ugh!

Anyways I just sent an email to Nancy's this is what it said:
I don't know if you are leaving the pampered chef or if they are not continuing services with you as one of their authurized vendors, however I wanted to let you know that You will be missed.

I love your products and the prices can not be beat. Thank you for serving us, you are great!! If there is anything we can do to help continue the service please let us know!!

I am not good w/ words but HO is going to hear from me and I honestly think we need to sign a petition about keeping Nancy's. I am w/ everyone else I can't afford to use Merrill. I would like to make money not waste it.

My Director is not picking up her phone how dare her. I don't think she knows yet. Done venting for the second.

Did I tell you I am not getting any work done? Oops!

 

[pcchris]

Great message...keep us posted if youget a reply!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I like her stuff becasue it is fun!! Maybe she will still sell stuff for consultants like sticking to business... and a few other sticker companies.... at least one would hope!

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Time and time again, I have seen new ownership/leadership take over a company that operates just fine and makes money. The new management always seems to have a desire to put their own stamp on it. The result is usually not very good.If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[whiteyteresa]

I am pissed!!! I love Nancy's and I think Merrill is way too overpriced. It just went from bad to worse. I was excited about the posability of getting a new clothing vendor, but not I am so mad. I can barely type. I think we need to start a petition to keep Nancy. They are priced so reasonably and I just can't think of how much I will be paying for something so similar. Ugh!!

I am gonna go sulk now, that I got this out!

I TOTALLY AGREE

WHERE'S THE PETITION, I WANT TO SIGN IT.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

What, is PC getting a kickback for going with Merrill as an exclusive vendor?

Kickbacks are not legal, but exclusive contracts happen all the time in business, always in ways that can't be proven that it makes up a trust.

Welcome to the real world.

 

[Kitchen2u]

I sent my email to HO...anyone else? Either emails or phone calls...VOICE you opinions...my ED told us awhile back...phone calls are the way to go ~
I'm doing both!

Here's what I sent:

I received the email regarding the discontinuous of Nancy's Artwork as a vendor (and of course, VIP not a choice either).

Here's my concerns:
1) Merrill prices are already ridiculous ~ I feel that since they will be the only provider for us, I can see them increasing the prices even higher because they KNOW they're the only approved vendor for us.
2) What happened to "choices" ~ I don't understand why HO had taken this position for all of us consultants. I'm disappointed on the choice HO has made for us.
3) Is HO getting a kick back (monetarily) from these vendors? Is that the reason?

Ginny

 

[Kitchen2u]

I know kickbacks aren't legal ~ but I put it in my email since it kind of gives them a sense of where I stand.

Ginny


....waiting for their response...

 

[Chef Kearns]

I miss Doris and Julie! I miss the family feeling of the whole thing. It is too much like a "business". I guess that is the way they see PC growing. I agree that Merrill's is too expensive and it takes WAYYY too long to get an order. I don't like Merrill's fonts and stuff, the print is too small on alot of their items. I wonder about the clothing line. I'm sure it will be nice, but EXTREMELY expensive!! I could barely afford VIP!!

It is becoming harder and harder to justify staying in business. Not just because of this decision, but because of many others. I'm not sure I like the direction the company is going.

 

[varga11]

Disappointing I just got off the phone with Nancy’s and I am so mad I could cry. I just asked if it was a mutual decision. It was not. I knew it wasn’t but I was hoping maybe…

I can not believe PC would do this. Nancy loves PC have you ever met her at conference? She is one of the nicest people and she truly wants our business to succeed!! The lady on the phone said they have been flooded with calls all day, she sounded sad.

You can not beat Nancy’s prices and then she always gives away free stuff! I can not even imagine Merrill throwing in a pack of stickers for a $25 order!
I am very disappointed!

 

[whiteyteresa]

Which e-mail address do we use for this reason

I want to e-mail them something, for my business, I like using items that are more homemade because it looks more sincere when I send them, the stickers are so eye catching, Merrill has never done things like these since I have been with PC, the prices are so affordable for me. Merrill is way to expensive for my budget and if someone from PC tells me to do more shows to be able to buy Merrill stuff - that will not make me happy

I am not sure what I am going to say but I want to make sure it get to the right people.

I need the correct e-mail address

~