Hello Everyone, Great news that the fund has reached 35%, so a huge thank you for your support.

Hello Everyone, Great news that the fund has reached 35%, so a huge thank you to every single one of you, I really do appreciate your support. 

There are limits on the amount of words you can add on Just giving, so it’s impossible to include every single detail, it has to be condensed. On a comment yesterday, I was questioned about the fund and my circumstances. I wanted to be crystal clear about the amount I am trying to raise and why. If there’s anything missing that I should have added, I will be more than happy to add it.

I need a machine that will produce 6 litres of Oxygen. To make the machine as light as possible It takes the regular air, filters it, removes the nitrogen, other gases and concentrates the Oxygen for me to breathe. There are no tanks at all, no Oxygen, just filters, that is a very simple explanation. I will need to run this on the highest setting, to get the amount I need, which will reduce the battery significantly, giving only an hour or so.

As I have put in the title of the just giving page, I am trying to raise sufficient funds for the machine, additional batteries and an external charger. I have been speaking to someone at Portable Oxygen, who recommended those extra options to make life easier and give me the most independence.

I will be over the moon if this fund allows me to buy just the machine that will make a huge difference to me. But, If I can get the additional pieces then that would be great, however I will be more than happy to save up for additional batteries and charger. What I want to say is that I will be eternally grateful to each and every one of you for the support you have given whatever the final outcome.

I would have been offered liquid Oxygen, but as I have said in the main page, this would have been incredibly restrictive for me. It requires a large mother tank to be installed on the ground floor, then heavy tanks that need to be refilled. I have other conditions, which would make it impossible to carry the tanks, so the Oxygen Concentrator makes much better sense and will give me more independence and, hopefully the freedom I am after.

Thank you to each of you that have added your support, it really does mean a huge amount to me, helping me to get a machine, that will transform the quality of my life. If anyone else can help to reach the amount I need, I will be forever grateful to you.

Thank you so much and Take care xx

The most unprofessional and deceitful company going, it's been devastating for Craftascope.

Hello Friends and Crafters. I’ve been kept busy by the wretched delivery company and to tell you the truth, it has taken me to an all-time low. Some of you will knw that I have just been plagued with bad luck for months and it seems there's just no end to it. I have reached the very depths of despair. This is quite a long post so I hope that some of you will take a look. I have provided everything they have asked for after finally getting and filling out my claim form.

There’s been lots of differences of opinion, not about the actual claim but they have disputed ownership and payment for the items lost in the parcel. I have provided invoices, which they have refused point blank. I contacted the company and requested them for other invoices showing payment has been made, they were happy to produce them with official company stamps. They have refused to even consider my bank statements which clearly show the payments for each invoice.

I was accused of editing these and providing fraudulent documents, the company has even sent me a statement listing each of the invoices individually, again company stamped and signed to show that all payments for the goods have been received by them and they have still refused the claim.

They have had the downright cheek to credit my account with a 15 pound credit to use for a future shipment. I can tell you, I would never use them again, not if they offered free shipping.

This has really depressed me and at times I have felt suicidal, I have had to take everything off the Hochanda website as I can’t offer the selection required, I only have the items on the Craftascope Etsy store. I can’t see any way of going forward now after losing such a great deal of stock and no way of replacing it, I just don’t have the funds to cover the loss and then make up the difference needed to place the minimum orders required.

I have loved haring and helping people with their crafting and will always value the friendships and customers that have been so amazing but I think this is where the journey will end. I have worked my socks off to bring the collections I have, hearing the comments and praise for my designs will never be forgotten. It’s devastating that an incident like this has been the thing that has destroyed it all. It seems that anyone working for DPD can take a fancy to anything they like and it’s the customer that foots the bill. How on earth can this be right.

Interestingly, I decided to leave a review for my most recent experience. I wasn’t able to leave one for ParcelCompare/DPD as I wasn’t invited to share the experience. Maybe I am the only one who didn’t realise this but it’s the company who can select which customers can leave reviews on Feefo. Despite sending around 17 Parcels with them over the last 6 months, I have not once been asked to leave a review. No wonder they have such a high star rating, they have only selected those customers who have enjoyed a good experience. Worse still, I discovered that Feefo awarded them a ‘’Trusted Service Award’.

A 5 minute search on the internet brings up many other sites that, in my view reflect the service given by ParcelCompare far more honestly. It's appalling the amount of people that have suffered both mentally and financially by this company. Feefo have chosen to provide a public service in collating reviews to assist customers when selecting products or services. They have a huge responsibility to ensure that customers are given a balanced, with a true reflection of what they could and might expect. At present this is certainly not true of ParcelCompare, the other reviews, across many online sites have certainly shown this. Like many others, I rely heavily on review sites, as I mentioned earlier, Feefo had always been my site of choice, but now I am not so confident. Many of the customers who have or are suffering could also have made their choice to use this disreputable company by reading the glowing reviews on your site.

I have taken the time to read many of the other reviews and the service described certainly mirrors that of mine. Many of these have also shared proof that they were in fact customers of ParcelCompare, but like me, have been denied the right to share on the Feefo Site. Now I am aware that they are involved in the selection process, it's clear that they are being far more selective than they should. Obviously selecting those who have had an acceptable or better service.

 

The loss I have suffered on this occasion, along with the damage caused to another of my parcels has totally destroyed my small business. The length of time and excessive delays has left me with little, if any chance of recovery. I was so incensed by this that I contacted 'Rip Off Britain' a few months ago and they have contacted me for an update as they are preparing for their next series.

 

Below is the review I have written, it’s also available on the Feefo website, but for some reason the photos weren’t published. You all know that I am honest, I have always shred my reviews and experiences to help others, I really hope you will look at other review sites to get a mre honest view of this company.

 

Feefo should have the option of a ‘Zero Star ’ option, this company just do not deserve to be in business and certainly doesn’t deserve a star rating. I would implore people to go direct to the parcel company, these days the pittance you save is not worth the lack of Customer Service you get from ParcelCompare when it is required.

Before I start, I would like to share something very important. When I decided to share my most recent experience, I visited Feefo, who I have always trusted to share balanced and unbiased reviews. I believe the reviews on their site are 100% genuine, but I was shocked that ParcelCompare had such a high rating. It transpires that it is ParcelCompare themselves that select the customers that leave the reviews. In the last 6 or 7 months I had sent 17 parcels, in that time, I have never been invited to describe my experience or share an honest account of the Customer Care or service received. In fact in order to leave this review I have had to contact Feefo and ask for the right to share. It is no wonder to me that ParcelCompare have such a high rating on Feefo. I am certainly not alone, a five minute search on the internet and you will see there are hundreds if not thousands of reviews from people who have suffered both mentally and financially. Please take the time to look before deciding to use this company for your delivery needs.

I started a very small business 2 years ago, this year has been a very hard for everyone without experiencing any additional trouble. I needed to move my stock from the UK to Bulgaria before the end of the transition period. Through the year I had been sending 2 or 3 parcels at a time, I had a few niggles, but nothing could have prepared me for the last few shipments. Sadly they were all sent in quick succession so there was no way of knowing, believe me I wouldn’t and won’t ever use them again.

I had a shipment of 3 parcels each weighing approximately 29KG and obviously very large too. They arrived and one was missing, the other 2 looked like they had been kicked from the UK to Bulgaria. I got in touch straight away and was told that they would investigate, which could take up to 14 days. In the meantime I had to provide a list of the items involved. This was fairly easy as it was all stock that was to be shown on a TV show. The time passed and I kept asking for updates, cutting a long story short this went on for over 3 months, now nearer to 4 months. I had contacted the CEO of DPD by this time as I felt it was not being taken seriously at all. DPD said they had searched every office it could have passed through and therefore it was ParcelCompare that were causing the excessive delays.

I was so relieved when I finally got a claim form, I had lost so much by this time, I had to give notice to my wonderful design team, as I couldn’t sell much as the items lost formed part of collections,I just couldn’t afford to replace them without the claim being settled. I had continually told them that the longer it went on the more damage was being done, it had been devastating. I filled out the claim form. Since then they have disputed ownership my products, despite providing invoices, they refused to accept bank statements which clearly showed payments.

I contacted the company who makes my hand drawn craft designs and asked if they would provide company receipts, they did, all signed and stamped with the business stamp along with a document confirming all the invoices were paid, this was also stamped and signed. Parcel Compare came back to accuse me of editing the documents. I can prove they were all sent to me by the company by email. I have provided everything they have asked for again and again. I have not edited any documents, even my legal advisor can’t understand, they agree that the documentation clearly shows ownership and payment.

This has gone on and on, they have asked for the same information repeatedly, it’s as if they don’t know what they are doing. The have declined my claim, refunded the original payment for the shipping and as a goodwill gesture credited the account with 15.00, I would never use them again, even if they offered free transportation, I would rather get on a flight and collect things myself.

This has completely ruined my life, I have actually been suicidal, it has been devastating, thousands of pounds of stock lost, through n fault of my own, DPD have accepted the loss and yet I have no comeback. Mine is a very small concern, it’s devastating and I can’t see a way forward. I have spent hours trying to get them to see reason. It really isn’t fair, that I should have to suffer this loss, it seems that anyone at DPD could take and parcels they take a fancy to and it’s the customer that has to shoulder the loss.

The other shipments that I mentioned, there was so much damage in one of the parcels that nothing could be retrieved. I sent photos to the CEO of DPD and they conveniently disregarded the issue completely. I tried to raise the issue with Parcel Compare but the reply I got was curt and dismissive.  This is a polite warning not to use this disreputable company. If you need any help or assistance you will not get any, even approaching the courier itself will not help as the contract is direct with ParcelCompare, who show no empathy once they have had payment. The only time you will get any assistance is when it is to pay for a shipment, apart from that they couldn’t care less.

It’s totally beyond me how a large parcel weighing nearly 30Kg can possibly go missing, it is complete incompetence and shows sheer lack of responsibility for property. I was proud of my ‘Craftascope’ Brand of Craft Products, now I just can’t continue, they have destroyed everything. Please don’t risk feeling as bad as I do. They have made me feel like a criminal over the last few months. I never thought I could be affected so badly, but bit by bit they have chipped away and destroyed my confidence and ruined any chance I could have had of a recovery.

It might be the end for me but please share this as much as you can, I would hate anyone else to lose so much. People need to know before choosing to use their services, It's okay if you have no issues but if you do, there will be no help whatsoever. Just a few photos of the damage done, I can also provide proof of payment and I can confirm that this is an honest and true reflection of the experience I have had.

I would like to say that I first used ParcelCompare quite a few years ago, to be fair in the beginning the service was far superior, but now it is not even a pale reflection of what it once was.

Bless all of you for the support you have given, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

  

Keeping it short Today. I Came across something very Interesting Too. Stay Safe.xx

 Hi everyone. Honestly I dont know where today has gone, I could do with about 50 hours a day or more. 24 is definitely not enough. I'm going to keep this short, but did want to share something very interesting that I came across on the internet and a bit of general information. First I am going to share the offers that are still available on the Craftascope Store, I know they are easily missed as I was looking for something specific yesterday and couldn't find it so I have made it easier.

None of the offers I have shared are products that I am trying to get rid of, they are all really popular designs. They have always sold incredibly well, so it's a great chance to add to your collection, especially as some are ending tonight. The slice of Heaven is a brand new release and is a collection of incredibly useable elements, they are great for your Mixed Media, Home Décor and all sorts, I am hoping that I can bring this to Hochanda again, sadly I couldn't but Lou did a couple of wonderful shows with it. I doubt I will ever be able to bring it at such an amazing price again, so if you dont have it make the most of the terrific saving.

There's well over 50% off the Dancing Dolphin, which is normally 22.99, 2 lovely dies to allow you to leave it in you card, for a box lid or similar, or as a separate piece entirely.

You can see how many have the Rose Petals in their baskets and there are now only 9 or 10 left, so someone is going to be disappointed. The Chrysanthemums are also another thats low, none of these items will be available once they have sold out. It really is the best time to get these at this price, The striplet Dies are such wonderful dies and excellent quality, if you missed out on the stencils on Hohcanda, with these you could make your own for a couple of uses.

Here's another selection of items with great offers, I have also included a few that aren't on offer simply as they are about to sell out. The ATC Antics and Such a Card are so useful for all of your Mixed Media projects, your Journals and Scrapbooks too.

Here I am saying I was going to keep it short and I'm not. It's because I am so passionate about the my designs and I really want you to have fun and explore your creativity. There are a lot more in the store, but I thought I would share some for today.

When I was looking through the internet, I came across a company in Bulgaria that were offering these for sale, They are huge Self Adhesive poster that go on your wall, with any image behind that you choose. I thought it must mean that the 'Splinters in Time' collection must have been seen maybe. I thought it was quite flattering to see this being offered. It's obviously been a great seller and maybe now is the time to get hold of the collection. It makes wonderful cards, the only limit is your imagination.

Thats all from me today, Please do take a look at the Craftascope Store, it will help me no end and you will find something on offer that you want. There's a shop link at the top of the blog pages. I just want to say, Keep Safe and Take care. Lots of love to you all and thank you ever so much for your support.

Day 19 of the Advent Calendar Offer, Christmas is Coming.

Hi Friends and Crafters. Where on earth is December going? It's scary thinking that Christmas is next week, for some reason I thought there was a bit longer. It's going to be a very different Christmas for everyone this year, some will be getting together and some wont. It's definitely a year when Christmas Cards and letters mean even more. I got a wonderful card from a Customer/Friend today, another one that will be treasured, as they all are. This is a super card, really smart & classy. It's also made using the Craftascope 'Splinters In Time' stamp set. I shared one a little while ago using the same stamp with a Christmas Mountain scape. I absolutely love this one from Mary, it really is so well done, it would be a fantastic one for batch making and a great way of using pieces of your scrap card, maybe that not large enough for another project.

Being the designer of the 'Splinters in Time Collection' I am obviously biased, but it really is a wonderful collection. The main 'Splinters in Time' gives an instant aperture for absolutely anything you want to add behind it. It makes an amazing & unique photo Frame for a start. Great for children to use as they have so much imagination. This is a stamp set that has no boundaries whatsoever, the possibilities are endless, however for your creativity will take you.

The set comes with 'Scenes In Time' a set of 3 perfectly sized scenes that work perfectly with the main stamp. These were designed to give you a few ideas. As always when designing these I wanted to offer more than just an insert for the frame. Each one of them has a totally different feel, they look wonderful water coloured, whatever you choose with give you a completely different look. They are easily extended if you are planning a larger project. 

Then Comes 'Lush Landscapes' again this was designed to work either with or without the main frame stamp in the collection. This set gives a wide selection of trees, mountains, hills and more, perfect for building your own unique country scenes to suit any season. Each of the stamps in the collection work perfectly together, used on their own or mixed with other stamps you have in your collection. At the moment this collection has an amazing saving, these are large stamp sheets, they work out at under 12 pounds per sheet, thats a super price for the size and quality. Even less than that is you also use the additional discount code I gave everyone in yesterdays blog.

There are many other offers in my Craftascope store at the moment, The Regal Rose Stamp collection is also offered at an unbeatable price. If you would prefer the full Regal Rose Collection, I have an amazing saving on that as well. It includes the 3 large stamps sheets, The Cathedral Rose Bouquet Die, The Rose Striplet Die and 2 beautiful coordinating stencils all for under 60 pounds and even better value with the additional discount. There are so many yo show, but had to just chose a few.

After bringing the lads out as stamps, there were so many requests for larger versions. I struggled with that because they would have used up a full sheet, which I thought would be too expensive, so to give the value and variety I came up with the 'Build a Man' set. This has been so popular and I am not surprised, it a great set for so many projects, cards, Scrapbooks, Journals etc. A real mix and match set to give you so many looks, use the hairstyles included, or why not try your own? You don't even need to add hair, how about a hat, or something totally different. 

There really is something in store for whatever your style of crafting and for any project you would like to create. From ATC's to Journals, Home Décor and Pottery. Needlework and Embroidery the designs can be used in all of your crafts and many much more besides. There's finished project photos on many of the listings in store, I have a library of Tutorials on my Blog and nearly 60 videos on my YouTube Channel to help if you have lost that Crafty Mojo. I a always happy to have your requests, so if you do have any please comment on any of the videos, with your request.

Im so proud of what I have achieved over the years, My goal was to bring excellent quality crafting items that would encourage creativity and imagination. Many of you know that behind the scenes and out of sight of Social Media I have offered over and above what anyone would expect from a Craft business. It's been a joy to be able to offer help and support to anyone that has asked. I am passionate about Craftascope and I have really done and offered everything I possibly can to try and survive. I'm not ready to give up without at least trying.

If there are any of you who are reading this and would like to add their support, please do. I really can't find any more words to tell you how much it would mean to be able to continue. There are so many wonderful offers in my store at the  moment, such a lot to choose from. But they will be ending, some at midnight tonight and some tomorrow. If everyone that could just bought a small item, some stencils from the pick n Mix, it would probably see me through. There are all the same top quality products, some as low as 8.99 and all have free postage and packing for the UK & Europe. For the USA shipping is free over 35 pounds or equivalent.

It's impossible for me to do this on my own, there really is nothing more that I can do. I have tried to get the word round, offered the products with amazing savings, run giveaways. I would sell my soul to keep designing I really would. As I have said over & over, it has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, I know that not everyone is in a position to make a purchase from Craftascope. But even commenting on the Facebook Posts, helps so much. Facebook just don't share posts that don't have the comments, so many hardly see the light of day.

Thank you for your wonderful messages on Facebook and for the e-mails, it's been so lovely to hear how much you like Craftascope (and Me) and for the support you have given me. It's lovely to know how much you care, it really is, it's wonderful to have your backing. I will never ever forget what any of you have done and whatever happens one day I knw I will have the opportunity to do something special to show just how much it's meant.

Another great way to support Craftascope, is to share your makes on Facebook and either tag me or Craftascope in or add my name to your post so I get it on my timeline. Just remember I can't share anything from the Craftascope makes page, it's a private group to protect members and their privacy. Even better join in with the December Craftascope Giveaway and you could win 100 pounds to spend in store.

Thats all for now, apart from to remind you that some offers with be ending tonight and some tomorrow. The last of the advent offers will also be added tomorrow so that any orders can be posted on Tuesday. If I get enough they will be sent to the UK via Courier so we can avoid some of the postal delays and get your orders to you as fast as possible. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Lots of Exciting News Today- Day 18 Advent Offers Added- A Star Buy Added-Craftascope Closing on December 22nd

 Morning too you all. Well Day 18 is already here and there's not long to go now. There's lot of Exciting news today, so here are the bullet points with more information below. The Advent offer for Day 18 Has been added, A Special Star Buy. Customers in the USA can Purchase, An Extra Discount Code For Everyone, Some offers ending on the 20th & 21st, Last Posting date 22nd December, A big Day on Sunday and Finally Craftascope will be closing on the 22nd December. Full details below. Hopefully you will all be adding your wonderful creations to the Craftascope December Giveaway, Im looking forward to seeing them all. Here is a wonderful Creation from a Craftascope Customer, this uses the wonderful Retro Leaves Stamp Set, what a great piece, thank you to Emma for sharing.

There is a special star buy in the store today, I will give you a clue, It is a collection and has a large discount. If you find it, add it to your order along with a note on the order and you will receive a free Bonus Die set. Please don't forget to keep your eye out for the hidden Daily prize, add a note of what it is and you will have that added to your parcel too.

  One From Katrina Using Retro Leaves.

Here is a discount code for everyone (BASKET10) enter this code and you will receive and additional 10% discount off your order total. It is valid across the store, even on items already on offer. So it really is a great time to add to your collection.

One From Natalie Using the Retro Leaves.

I need to say this again as there are so many items in Baskets. Please do check out these items as soon as you can, I honestly dont have enough stock of these items to cover everyone, so there are going to be people losing out. You should be able to see this when you are in the store. There are more items in basket than I have available. Some of them are still on offer but some of the offers will be ending n the 20th & others on the 21st, why not get them now with the additional discount and you know they are yours. There's nothing I can do I am afraid and some people are going to be disappointed, there won't be new stock available once these have gone.

One from Bryan with Xander & Retro Chaos

For all of my very valued Customer in The USA, with the help of a friend I can now offer postage to you via the UK, so if you would like to place your orders and take advantage of the discount please go ahead until the 21st December. The discount code above is for everybody, so do use it and share it with any friends and Family that might be interested.

One From Jane Using the Retro Leaves.

As I mentioned above, some of the additional offers are ending at midnight on the 20th and the others at Midnight on the 21st. Craftascope will be closing on the 22 December, this will also be the last posting date, so do please take advantage of all of the amazing offers on the Craftascope Store and the additional Discount available. As you know the Transition Period ends on the 31st December at 11pm and after this Etsy will be collecting VAT on Behalf of the UK Authorities, this has nothing to do with me at all. Also anything posted after that date will be liable for Customs and Import Taxes on Delivery, so another reason for taking advantage of the offers.

One From Cheryl Using the Retro Leaves.

Because of the last posting date, the Last Advent Calendar Offer will be Day 20, On the 20th I will add all of the remaining offers, so do watch out on Sunday as it will be a very exciting day. After the 22nd December, then next day for posting will be on the 5th January 2021.

Jewellery from Terri Using the Retro Maze

Thank you for supporting Craftascope, especially over the last few weeks. It's been incredibly kind of you.  Please continue to add your support for me and Craftascope, it still can make a difference. As soon as I have got myself sorted I will be in touch with each of you, I will never forget it whatever happens in the future. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx