a RAK...
...well since i got this RAK together, a couple of things has happened that makes me want to say something. so let's start with the good stuff! here is a RAK of our 4" chipboard binder album with a pen i made, some MR ribbons and my piece of CHA "flair" which i am giving away! post here between now and sunday for your chance to win! the sheer blossom is one i decorated at the show. if you want this RAK, feel free to post here (again no anons b/c we can't reach you!)
which brings me to talk about the quirks of people. one of our DT members gave away a bunch of RAKs on one of the boards one day and some people had the audacity to email her and say "well i was expecting more" - and they didn't even have the audacity to post it under their own names. i don't know if you read my blog but if you do, then email me - tell me personally that you want more stuff and that you are disappointed that you didn't get enough - i can be reached at info@mayaroad.com. just don't be tacky and rag on our DT members. our DT member spent her own money sending those RAKs out - much like i do when i send these RAKs out. when and how anyone chooses to RAK and for how much is our choice. even when we do giveaways with MR it is my choice (and deb's).
i am not sure where people's sense of entitlement comes from - but just so you know this is our company (deb and mine). we pay for everything for the company ourselves - we don't have a big old venture capitalist back there handing us money - we have always loved giving away our products because we want to see folks use them and enjoy them - please don't take that joy away from us. we are a small company and we want to be as generous as possible, but we find some of these hurtful comments distressing and frankly makes me a bit fiery.
if you are going to comment on my financial situation (much like what was said about my DT member who gave away her OWN MR products for a RAK) please refrain. we do this becase we love the industry and our customers. deb and i work 60+ hours a week each on Maya Road. we are there in the trenches with the container unloading. we pack orders sometimes in a pinch. we try our darnest to locate a needed product for a retailer that is out of stock. sometimes we have to work the midnight to 3 am shift. we also are raising our babies and trying to continue to build Maya Road.
but back to the positive, thank you for all the wonderful supporters. all you chicas make it worth it and we will continue to do RAKs - big and small.
sorry for the long post but some things needed to be said and then we move on to better things. have a great weekend and hope to see some lucky gal enjoy these goodies!
posted by Caroline @ 8/11/2006 03:13:00 PM
39 comments
39 Comments:
Good for you! I totally agree!
I'd love to throw my hat into the ring for that sweet RAK! My lss got those books in and they went like hotcakes.
Have a fantastic day! Thank you for all your hardwork!
Gretchen
gretchen@consolidated.net
Thanks for doing this RAK drawing!
I would appreciate anything you have to offer if were to be so lucky to be drawn as a winner! I cannot believe the audacity of some people to COMPLAIN about a GIFT! How rude!
I've done a RAK drawing on my own blog and know that it's not only money (for the product and the postage) but time invested (doing the drawing, packaging the RAK, sending it off etc.) So my hats off to you for clearing the air and venting a little!
And I also like to add...I enjoy your products very much, especially the packaging!!! And I'm dying to get my hands on one of your board books. That will be my next purchase for sure!
Have a great day!
-Cathy Pascual
cayla73@yahoo.com
You go girl! Somehow the spirit of the gift is getting lost. I am with you. Love your stuff.
Well said Caroline! For some reason I seem to be coming across some sour grapes lately in this industry and it is so un-called for. You and your sister have done an awesome job of designing great new stuff and should be commended for bringing your company so far in such a short amount of time. Not sure who your DT member is but big hugs to you and her!
OMG...how unappreciative! I can't believe some one would say that!
I love any RAK, although I have only won one but I think it is an awesome sentiment and the person that was rude to your DT can not know the meaning of a RAK (random acts of kindness). so even if I don't win this RAK thanks for the chance! :)
love your blog and MR!!!
It's sad that some people just want the world handed to them on a plate. You and your DT are so generous. they really didn't deserve to win if they would not appreciate the thought behind the gesture.
Out me in your RAK drawing please! Thanks so much
Some people's kids! Humph!! I cant believe anyone would complain about something like that! Personally, I squeal with delight and do a little dance (much to my DH's dispair) each time I get something in the mail - big or small!!
I would be thankful just to be included in the draw! :)
You, your sister, and your DT, are incredibly generous. And I am sorry for the people who cannot see that.
I am amazed at the audacity of some people! However, I am sure that these are the same people who go rifling through the tissue paper at the bottom of a gift bag, searching for more, rather than appreciating and loving what they DID find.
I think these people have missed the point of a RAK- RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS!!!
Sheesh - you've gotten me all fired up now! :)
I, for one, appreciate all that you've done for our forum, and for the sbing industry in general.
Please Do NOT include me in this draw, however - as I was lucky enough to have just won a RAK the other day from you!! Let someone else bask in your generosity... :)
Hey Caroline,
Lucky RAK person here, so appreciative of what you and Deb and Heather have done for me indirectly over the last few weeks...i now have more friends because of you guys....i am sad that ppl are so unkind.....i have enjoyed getting to know you guys with your blogs and cant express how much i have been blessed by the experience of the last few weeks....the RAK for me is a bonus, i love scrappy mail and from the bottom of my heart i THANK YOU !!!!
Wow, it just leaves me flabbergasted when I hear stories like this. People must have a misconception that all the companies in this industry are huge faceless corporations, but they don't realize that many of the businesses are run by very involved owners who put their blood sweat and tears into their work every day. Either way it doesn't make it ok for people to feel entitled to FREE stuff!!
I love MR's innovative and well thought-out products. Your generosity is the icing on the cake!
Ugh... I hate this. I was just talking to a friend about how I don't like saying I give 'freebies' out in classes b/c people come w/ expectations. That is so wrong. It's FREE people! Be grateful. Or just give it back, thank you. Good post.
Some people are just downright selfish and rude! Please dont let them get to you! They dont matter! I think your rak is incredibly generous and like Melissa - I also squeal with joy when i get any scrap parcel - big or small!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your products too!! That board book looks gorgeous and has so much scrapping potential! And that ribbon - GORGEOUS!!
life is a series of little things! i would be uber pleased with a little RAK! :)
How on earth people can be nasty about a GIFT i have yet to figure out?? There is so many awful things going on in the world that a little act of kindness or generosity goes such a long way.
I for one am grateful to you and others who give people an opportunity to be on the receiving end of some kindness :-) especially because you don't have to do it, you do it before you want to!
I love MR products and think you've done a great job with what you have brought out :) A small chance of getting something 'extra' is just a wonderful bonus :)
Tamara
First of all, oh my goodness that is rude! Secondly, is that pen wrapped in ribbon?? That is the cutest thing ever!!
Thirdly, Cole is loving the tin that you sent the chipboard letters in. He carries it around with him everywhere. : ) So thank you again from both of us!
just here to say "hear, hear" on your post and to say i admire you and deb and the davids for what you have built together!
All it takes is one sour grape to ruin a bunch! I admire all that you, your sitster and husbands have done! Not everyone can follow their dreams and make them be a successful venture! Yours in a perfect example that dreams--with alot of hard work and ingenuity--do come true! I'm sorry about your DT's experience. It's always sad to hear that there are people who have no idea what the spirit of a RAK is.
Not entering for the RAK here, but I am just shocked! Sadly, not suprised, but it's terrible that people have these entitlement issues. You, Deb and your DT are extremely generous and it's too bad that someone has to ruin it for you.
I agree. I think you guys are one (if not THE) most generous in the business. You are always giving out Rak's and the like, and I have been on the receiving end at times, and totally LOVE what you send, no matter how big or small. I'd be happy even if it was one strand of MR ribbon! That is a decent RAK to me!! So it's horrible to hear when others aren't so appreciative. They were lucky they received anything at all. So bollocks to them I say! The rest of us love you, your products and your DT :):):)
It's such a bummer that a few unappreciative people have to leave such a negative mark on the entire experience of a RAK. I actually just started following a few blogs a few months ago and couldn't believe it when I saw that someone was GIVING anything away! I think it's just fun to get into the 'drawing' and have a chance to win something that you wouldn't have a chance to get anyway - especially for FREE! So thanks for the chance!
Nicole
jklein76@hotmail.com
Was totally appalled at that yesterday myself. She was totally generous and sweet and did NOT need to be dumped on. You guys have amazing stuff and are so generous with it!
Well said Caroline!! Well said!! I admire you and Deb so much!! NO ONE has the right to impose on you or your DT like that!! I am constantly shocked at the lack of manners that so many possess... Wow. I *LOVE* your stuff!! And I think you are overly generous with it all!! Amazing. Count me in girl!! I would be thrilled with anything from you!!!!
I think people can totally be tacky sometimes, good for you for speaking up Caroline, it's nice to know that you aren't afraid to tell it like it is, I get so tired of people "not wanting to make anyone mad" bah. you rock....
I cant believe how people can act at times. I run into some of those same rude people at work sometimes. You guys have such a wonderful company and I enjoyed seeing all your new products at cha.
I am so sorry that your generosity is taken for granted these days, and that people have the you owe it to me attitude. I would be thrilled with anything anyone would give me out of the kindness of their heart.
Well said! I have often wondered about people that don't know how to be gracious or how to say thank you. Your post shows real class and great business sense.
i appreciate all you and your sister do for the industry. :)
Oh WOW!! I am just a little stunned. I am amazed at the audacity of some people and the sense of entitlement that they have.
It was a kind gift that your DT member was sharing and it is a pity that it went to such an ungrateful person.
Don't include me in your RAK. I have won two of your amazing RAKs and I would like someone else to have that opportunity.
How incredibly rude and ill mannered these people are! Grr to them!! Goodness me, it's a gift!!!! What a cheek they have!!!
I'm still shaking my head. I would love to receive a RAK and I don't care how big or small it is. Just receiving something is so lovely. You, your sister and dt members are extremely generous!!!!
Hi Caroline, I love to read your blog, and don't comment very often but this post is so worthy of it. I know you are not looking for compliments here but too bad :). I have to say I unfortunatley know exactly how you feel. I am not sure about where this entitlement comes from either, but it only takes a few sour apples to knock us down(or at least for a few minutes make you really mad) Thank goodness for the thousands of incredible people out there who really admire and appreciate all you do to be a part of this industry and make it work. I know we have chatted about this but from my perspective you and Deb have the kind of thing that really works-- first class all the way. That is why you will get my business over and over. Now that 3 am shift thing, I am with you there, what can we do about that?? :)
Thanks for your courage in saying this, sometimes it has to be said!!
I can't belive some people! I think we should be pleased with any RAK, because of the kindness behind it. I know I would be thrilled to get some MAYA stuff!!!!!
The nerve of some people! Well you know the old saying, "what goes around comes around". You two work so hard. Don't let people like that get you down. Any decent person would be grateful for getting your stuff!!
Hugs!
You know, some people will just never be happy no matter what. I'm just glad I'm not one of them!! I like to be happy! :o)
~Heather B.
(P.S. it was great to meet you again last night at SBW... your son is so sweet!!)
Hey. I think what you and your sister are doing is fabulous. Keep up the good work. I love checking in and seeing your latest...always so cool! -- Tricia
That is really sad. Thank you though, for having the courage to say what you did! It needs to be said and heard! You are incredibly generous and I am so thankful that I have been the recipient of your generosity!
i am totally shocked that someone would say one bad thing about MR< it's an amazing company and quite new, and totally organized, and 2 new babes in the mix, some people are just plain rude, WOW, i'm blown away!!! keep up the awesome work MR!!!
I was just surfing around tonight and found your blog. Just wanted to say that I love your stuff and look forward to keeping up on your products! I'm off to peruse the Ideas section of your website: so much good stuff!!!
I must say I am saddened to read this. I just want to say you have built a fabulous company with wonderful products, you are a class act in every sense of the word. Don't even worry about people like this because it is an indication of their lack of a proper upbringing and their ignorance. Just continue to do what you do and find joy in it.
Much love,
Ranjini
am i too late? i HOPE NOT...please pick me...i would love to show it to all my aussie friends...*G*
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