AUGUST 3rd. That’s what you need to know at a two-second glance. But since this is a later date than we were all expecting, here’s a little more explanation … if you’re interested.
…..
Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh.
Refresh.
All day long. For the past 2 days. I’ve been clicking the refresh button on the back end of Amazon where I, as a seller, can see the status of my shipments. But trust me, I was also being proactive via email and phone communication with our logistics team and Amazon to try to figure out what was going on. Where is our product? Why isn’t it there yet?
Valerie on facebook wrote: I think the Amazonians are sitting back with their coffee and waiting to push the button, and laughing at all of us. (I appreciate her sense of humor.)
Cristina said: Thank you for your updates … i do not even bother to check amazon … i will just wait for your updates … and when they are finally available I WILL BE SHOPPING LIKE CRAZY!!!!!
(And Cristina’s right, my friends. You do not have to stalk Amazon. You know I’m doing the stalking, and you know that as long as you’re getting my facebook or twitter or instagram updates, you will be totally in-the-know as stuff shows up. That’s what I do.)
We’ve learned a few things about Amazon this week. Since the last time we had products arrive to Amazon, some things have changed on their end and it looks like they’ve been through some growing pains. I totally get growing pains and I hold nothing against them – except, perhaps, that better communication would have been nice.
{ plastics }
We were expecting to see all of our new plastics (as outlined here) yesterday. They’re not there. I just found out this morning that the shipment in fact did not arrive, and in fact – the appointment time we had with Amazon was changed to next week. I know. I KNOW! This is something we have never experienced before with Amazon (did I mention we learned a lot this week?) and there is absolutely nothing we can do about this.
Our new appointment time with Amazon is Monday, but one of their “new” things with sellers is that we need to allow 3-5 business days from the time of delivery to the day the products actually become available in the system. It used to be that our stuff would show up, unload, magically appear in the system, and they would literally be shipping hundreds of packages the very. same. day. We were blown away by their ability to do this, but now we need to adjust to their new time table.
So — I would say that it’s safe to say we will now see our plastics on Amazon by August 3.
{ core kits + organizational trays }
We did finally receive an appointment time for the delivery of our Core Kits, and I would expect to see those around the same time.
{ binders }
Still no appointment time with Amazon at the time of publishing this post, but very likely the few that are currently sold out will be showing up right behind the other stuff.
…..
August 3rd, my friends. Anything sooner would be a pleasant surprise. Anything later will make me cry because of the headaches we’ve already been through. But this is the world of business. The good news is that we really are learning + growing a lot as a company which = constant improvement. The other good news is that once everyone has what they want, and we’re not sold out of so much, we’ll all hardly blink an eye as we look back to the times when being patient was really hard. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. I’m “pleased” for those of you who are actually happy with the (unintentional) timing adjustments because of your current travels, etc.
We’re doing our best. I hardly know how to respond to all the kindness + enthusiasm flying around in social media about Project Life. Thank you.
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PS1 – As soon as we get through this unique time of craziness surrounding our product arrivals, we’ll cool our jets on all the product updates + I’ll be back to more “regular” blogging. : )
PS2 – Not interested in keeping up on facebook, twitter, or instagram? No problem. We are keeping our PRODUCTS page updated so whenever you’re wondering if a product is in stock or when it’s coming … the information is all there, on a product-by-product basis.
Tags: Project Life
Thanks so much for the update Becky! I really appreciate it!
I can’t believe I’m the first one to comment, but I’ve been stalking your blog, your FB and Amazon. I’m so impatient! Thank you, thank you for the update. You and your company are completely amazing. So…SIGH…to wait another week…..
Cathy
Casselberry
I still think you and Amazon are both FAB-U-LOUS!!!
Thanks for the update. I’m really looking forward to the plastics. It is what it is.
I can imagine this response was difficult for you Becky, but we don’t hold the circumstances against you in any way and we feel your pain. We will be patient. Thank you, thank you for all your hard work and dedication. We appreciate everything you do!
Christine’s right, “It is what it is”.
Thanks for the update Becky. I have been stalking fb and your blog since yesterday. We will be moving overseas very soon and was hoping to be able to take some of your products with me. Still keeping my fingers crossed that I will get them in time but it will be VERY close. I will keep thinking positive thoughts!!
Bummer to wait again, but I totally understand of course. And your products are definitely worth the wait! Thanks SO much for the update, I have hit refresh on your twitter page about a million times since yesterday morning, lol!
Ditto!!
Thanks for the updates! In the meantime last night I finally opened an Amazon store thanks to your blog post! Am excited to be able to share it with my friends and family. Hang in there! You are awesome for giving us so much behind the scenes and updates. Not too many places share this much, so it is awesome to feel like we are part of it all, even the bumps in the road. Thanks again!
Thank you for the update! I have been very anxious as we are leaving for Disneyland on August 3!!! I will enjoy my vacation and hope to order when I get home. I wish that I could order from Amazon and somehow delay my shipment. Oh well.
Sheree – if you by chance have an iPhone, you could order everything through the iPhone app
I LOVE the Amazon iPhone app. I’m not sure but they might also have one for Android.
I don’t mind to wait at all as long as still with Amazon where I have prime and they deliver to me for free and in 2 days I will be a happy camper.
So sad to hear this as I was stalking the site to place my order right away. I live in Canada and the prices and shipping up here for the PL products are a little crazy. I am going to be in Pittsburgh next week (go Steelers!!!!) and I was going to have my plastics delivered to the hotel (better prices and free shipping!). I guess I’ll have to figure out a new plan…. thanks for the update.
You, Becky, are amazing, thank you for your hard work and dedication in bringing this fabulous product to all of us.
Your update is appreciated so much and I will wait patiently for all of your products. I am really looking forward to seeing the cherry edition as I wasn’t using PL when the original came out, but I can wait a little bit longer:)
Don’t let it make you crazy, you have such a loyal customer base, we will all wait with you!
Thanks so much for the updates!
How frustrating it must be for you, especially when we are all so excited to get your products and you are so good to your customers. Thanks for providing such an excellent product, and such timely communication about it and all the new developments. I look forward to supporting your business further as soon as everything’s available on Amazon.
I’m a huge fan, and I’ll wait for PL as long as it takes!
Meghan
Any word on the Bazzill?! Like everyone else said, it is what it is and we are good. We know it’s coming and we just thank you for putting out these fabulous products!
Thanks for the update! I will be away on vacation but I can order from the beach on my trusty iphone and will have a package of Becky Higgins to console me when I am facing piles of vacation laundry. Speaking from experience, running a successful business is not easy but you make it look effortless!
You’ve done an AMAZING job keeping us updated, thank you. I am waiting patience, and don’t plan on getting stress out about it either. I have plenty of back-up in hand. Thank you again for all your hard work, Becky!!!
It’s my birthday today and I was hoping to order the core kits. Charging it to my husband’s credit card of course. I’m not happy about it not being available today but will be happy once it’s in my hands.
Well, I am one of those people a little glad they’re delayed! This gives me more time to get organized and figure out exactly how many packs of which kind of protector I need to get all my kids’ STUFF into a school album (they are both in college…ACK!).
Thanks for all you do, Becky!
You’re so awesome — you don’t have to sit at your computer and keep us in the know — you choose to, which makes you ……. awesome! I, for one, am happy that they’re delayed since I’m going to CKC this weekend.
Don’t want to buy TOO many scrapbook supplies in one week — well, I don’t mind, but, I’m sure my husband does.
Becky,
As much as I would love them here now, I’m not worried about waiting. What does worry me about waiting is that after the long wait- first it was the end of June, then the first week of July, then mid-July, now beginning of August, they will immediately sell out. So people that have been waiting a very long time will still not be able to get them because Ebay sellers will clean them out within an hour or two. Do you have any numbers to report to us about the expected AMOUNT of product? So that some of us might just move on rather than wait all this time for something that we still won’t be able to get after it immediately sells out?
I’m so confused! Why are people needing product now? I bought in a year increment and bought stuff I thought I might need. Am I different for having done that? (It’s my first year.) I didn’t get started until July so I’m all set for the rest of the year. Is it because of the new pocket thingies? Is it what Annie wrote above that the stuff will sell out right away? I’m feeling really dumb right now.
Some people are trying to get one for next year because they know historically the products have not had great availability. Others have never been able to get their core kit because it has been out of stock for so long.
Well for one people always need more plastics and for another, some of us just heard of PL last Christmas and have been waiting since early 2012 for Core Kits. For the longest time the only one available was Cobalt. And once again the core kits came and went in a day and some of us can’t sit in front of the computer 24/7 hoping to score one while others are buying a few at a time. Sorry to sound whiny but how long is long enough to be ‘patient’ when you’ve been trying to get ONE core kit since Feb/early March and its now August (in 2 days). I don’t know about anyone else but I work among other things and I have limited time to work on and get projects done. I also set goals and I’m 6-7 months behind my goal of catching up on photo albums. Some don’t mind being ‘patient’ and I agree…these are great products but I gotta get a move on. Life is short (4 people my age have passed away unexpectedly in the last 6 months…40′s and early 50′s!) and while patience is great, life is unpredictable. And being as organized as I am I strive to meet my goals. Sorry this is long and whiny and sounding ‘impatient’ but as great as the products are, I am looking into other options for 3×4 and 4×6 journal cards. They won’t be boxed as nice as PL or be all matchy matchy but I will have to be creative. I’m thrilled for all of you who got product or have product, but just realize there are some of us who don’t and can’t seem to get it. However, I will still continue to support the PL concept and continue to buy plastics, but as for the core kits, I am out of time. Nor do I have the time to print out the digital versions (cost and time prohibitive…uses too much ink!)
Wow! I am so thrilled – my silly little comment on your recent FB thread got put into your latest blog post – thanks, Becky! You made my day!
What I am totally relieved with is that they finally gave you some info so we’re not all sitting here like weirdos at our computers all day; at least we know now, and it’s completely worth the wait!
Thanks, Becky
I’ve been stalking your Facebook and blog to see when the products will arrive. Thank you so much for keeping us posted. I do not “need” and products right now but I really wanted to get in on your made in America shipments and also get in on the current prices. That would be my only issue with not getting the products I want next week. Like I said, I really don’t “need” them until January 1 when I plan to start my next album. I just really WANT them!
Becky,
I forgot to say that while I was at the CK Convention — many years ago — I met your Mom. Her name tag said, “Becky’s Mom. Yes, that Becky!” She is SO CUTE!!! But, you already know that.
I just ordered a Turquoise Core Kit and it said it’d be to my house on August 1, so it looks like you can place orders already! I am super excited. I bought a set of inserts and am already planning stuff out.
Yes – I just ordered Clementine!
Thanks for the update! You are one in a million. I know it’s been said before but I don’t know ANY other folks/businesses who are so diligent in communicating with their ‘peeps’ regarding new products/timelines/etc.
You are truly amazing.
Thanks from this happy customer!
Kathi
For those few left of us who don’t Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, thanks so much for keeping it posted on the products. I may still stalk Amazon, because anticipation makes you appreciate things SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!! (Oh, yea, and because I want to get my hands on some things before they sell out. Yea, and I KNOW they are going to sell out. Trust me.)
So now I’m really confused. Core kits are on Amazon and I didn’t think they would be available until after the plastics. And they just randomly showed up without any announcement. What’s the deal?
I literally JUST ordered my core kit that I have been waiting for, for months! Have just kept checking my wish list every day (sometimes twice) and low & behold. . . . There it was! Yippee!!,
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