Stampin’ up Review – Too expensive to be considered geniuine

Stampin' Up was started with an aim to serve US houses with crafts through stamps and has grown into a huge company with its own manufacturing unit. However, the company's expensive products are unjustified and too hyped.
1 / 5 ( 2 votes )

Shelli Garden and LaVonne Crosby, sisters who founded Stampin’ up in 1988, were normal housewives until they founded the idea of stamps that were getting popular in 80’s. The company is in Utah, US and operates in different countries and stretches its operation across Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan.

These sisters shared common interests. After marriage, they settled in Las Vegas with their husbands. While their husbands worked as real estate agents for real estate, these sisters earned pocket money through MLM program with Tupperware and other contractors.

When Shelli and LaVonne came across rubber stamping, they were fascinated by the idea as these did not require any art, but only needed the stamps to create fun and impressive designs. They further understood that it was not only them who were interested, but a lot of women across US had the same interest.

Hence, they took that opportunity to build their own MLM business. In 1988, the foundation of their company was made. They researched about the top MLM companies approach and created their own direct selling platform.

LaVonne soon took off from her chair of CEO in the company in 1988, however Shelli remained the CEO of the company till 2016. Later, Shelli’s daughter was appointed the CEO of the company in 2016.

If you wish to join the affiliate program of the company, you need to spend $99 to get their product worth $125. You will also require their new catalogs worth $5 as a new affiliate.

Products offered by Stampin’ Up

When the company was started, they sold third party products. It was not before 1992 that they started manufacturing their own product. As of now, the company sells various products as below:

  • Accents
  • Embellishments
  • Big Shot
  • Adhesives
  • Colouring tools
  • Ink
  • “Memories and More” (Cards, albums etc)
  • Tools related to stamping

These are just a few of their products that they offer. There are a lot more to the list which you can find on their website. There are few products that are available in kits as well.

Stampin’ Up – Compensation Plan

Stampin’ Up offers eight plans for their affiliates to enrol with as follows:

  • Bronze – You can sign up to their plan as a Stampin’ Up affiliate
  • Bronze Elite – You need to produce minimum of 1800 GROUP VOLUME over a continuous 12 month period
  • Silver – You need to produce minimum of 3600 GROUP VOLUME over a continuous 12 month duration. Plus, you have to recruit at least one affiliate
  • Silver Elite – You need to produce minimum of 7200 GROUP VOLUME over a continuous 12 month duration. Plus, you have to recruit at least five affiliates of which one must be silver or higher
  • Gold – You need to produce minimum of 10,800 GROUP VOLUME over a continuous 12 month duration. Plus, you have to recruit at least ten affiliates of which one must be Silver Elite or higher
  • Gold Elite – You need to produce minimum of 14,400 GROUP VOLUME over a continuous 12 month duration. Plus, you have to recruit at least 15 affiliates of which two must be Silver Elite or higher
  • Platinum – You need to produce minimum of 18,000 GROUP VOLUME over a continuous 12 month duration. Plus, you have to recruit at least 20 affiliates of which four must be Silver Elite or higher
  • Platinum Elite – You need to maintain minimum of 10,800 GROUP VOLUMES over a continuous 12 month duration. Plus, you have to recruit at least 30 affiliates of which six must be Silver Elite or higher

Stampin’ Up Retail Commission

There are different plans for Bronze and higher affiliates as below:

For Bronze Affiliate

  • Incase you get up to 599.99 GV a month, you receive 20% commission rate
  • Incase you get 600 – 899.99 GV a month, you receive 24% commission rate
  • Incase you get 900 – 1199.99 GV a month, you receive 25% commission rate
  • Incase you get 1200 – 1499.99 GV a month, you receive 27% commission rate
  • Incase you get 1500 – 2499.99 GV a month, you receive 29% commission rate
  • Incase you get 2500 –  3499.99 GV a month, you receive 31% commission rate
  • Incase you get up to 3500 GV a month, you receive 33% commission rate

For Bronze Elite affiliate and higher

  • Incase you get up to 599.99 GV a month, you receive 25% commission rate
  • Incase you get 600 – 899.99 GV a month, you receive 29% commission rate
  • Incase you get 900 – 1199.99 GV a month, you receive 30% commission rate
  • Incase you get 1200 – 1499.99 GV a month, you receive 32% commission rate
  • Incase you get 1500 – 2499.99 GV a month, you receive 34% commission rate
  • Incase you get 2500 –  3499.99 GV a month, you receive 36% commission rate
  • Incase you get up to 3500 GV a month, you receive 38% commission rate

There are other rewards in terms of residual commission, party rewards, Bonus sales, Flex points, rank achievement and many more. You can refer their website for more information.

Stampin’ Up reviews 

Helen: Read Doh! Printed this off this morning and have just made one, using the German instructions – just realised the English translation is here. Still, I learned the word for ‘hot glue gun’ and my star looks great – thanks!

Rita Bradt: I LOVE this kit!. I used my bone folder to give the socks a nice smooth seam and I touched them up with my iron. Viola! They are perfect! I purchased two kits so I will have 20 of these adorable treat holders for my oncology nurses! Thank you Stampin Up! for these sweet stockings!

Comparisons of the above review

As you can read, both the reviews are from women who are interested in crafts. However, there is no price feedback. The products are expensive and if you would compare it with other companies, you would understand the margin that it is earning.

The Verdict

The company claims to be consisting of 99% female which is a great way to reflect your goals. Scrapbooking is rather a hobby that a business and is mostly famous among the housewives. So, to deal with the market target, the company has created like minded group of people who are ready to provide updated catalogs and designs to its customers.

However, the advertisement is plainly to attract the target market, while keeping the price expensive and unjustified.

The attempt of the company to reach homes of thousands of women across the world, has made it more of a profit oriented business than a goal oriented.

The affiliate program is also too expensive. Who would pay $5 for a catalog to become a member? The company is operating on one aim, to earn as much as possible.