Why do some of these embroidery sites charge so much for their designs? Why would I pay $15 for an in the hoop design of a basic zipper bag plus the zipper and fabric and any other needed supply? It seems like some of these stores are pricing themselves right out of the market, when they could charge a moderate price and sell more. I greatly appreciate the digitizing that goes into a project, as well as writing and photographing the directions. But I can't afford this pricing. Is anyone else frustrated by this?

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that feels that way. Thanks Ladys

1 comment

by parkermom 11 Sep 2017

These days, we all have to careful with budgets. I would rather collect designs on sale from special sites rather than pay a large price on one item.

They are charging for exclusivity

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by parkermom 11 Sep 2017

But I've noticed that they really aren't that different or special. I am gonna pass on the expensive ones.

Well here i like one dollar or two at the most lol as Canadian half to pay exchange like two dollars becomes $2.75 for one design***

I think I know which one you are referring to and I thought it was far too expensive especially as she added more files overnight and put the price up before we "downunder" had even seen the original. We were asleep while this all went on. The ones on that side of the world who had bought at the introductory price received the extra files free. She has lost this customer.

3 comments

by parkermom 06 Sep 2017

She lost this customer too. I can't afford these high priced designs. They really aren't worth it.

by sewist1 06 Sep 2017

There are other quality digitizers who are much more reasonable for very similar designs e.g Oma(who just had a 65% off sale) and Kreative Kiwi (where I can buy in Aussie dollars), I also picked up a number of ITH projects at $1 each from Inspiration Mutz during the Treasure Hunt on Secrets of Embroidery. So I don't know why some digitizers think there designs are worth more than other peoples'.

by sewist1 06 Sep 2017

Oma and Kreative Kiwi also have a bonus points system which means you can pick up designs really cheaply.

I agree with you and those below, to sell more you need to charge less it's common sense and when you do this word of mouth gets around and you sell even more.

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by parkermom 05 Sep 2017

Two people buying at $5 versus one person buying at $10 seems smarter to me--doubles the chance of word of mouth.

Boy do I agree! That's why I shot at Cute, Vicki's site, Embroidery Gardened, and Embroidery Library. They all offer lots of designs on sale.
I just refuse to buy those that are too expensive. Some times, if a design is priced high, I only buy them if they are unique and are still a good deal.

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by parkermom 05 Sep 2017

Some of my favorite sites to buy from!

I totally agree some are far too high, but I only buy the reasonably priced ones I know I can use. I really like Sue Box and it is good that she sell them singly a lot of the time, also Kreative Kiwi has some really lovely ones and is doing a lot of ITH ones and they can be finished in the hoop as well . They have a lot of sales and I have bought quiet a few and they all turn out well Val

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by parkermom 05 Sep 2017

I love shopping at those sites too!

I just recently found an embroidery card (Husqvarna Rose) for a set of floral designs that I bought probably closed to 20 years ago. I did a double take when I looked at the cost - $150. I'm probably dating myself here but that was when machine embroidery started to become popular and these where the only type designs available. You either scrimped and saved to buy the designs, or you didn't do much embroidering. I could download a few designs onto an imprintable card but still had to be connected to the computer because there was not an image on the machine and no color guides unless you were lucky enough to be able to print one off. Embroidery has sure come a long way! Like someone on here said once before, It is all about perspective. While I do not like the prices that some digitizers charge, the prices are still for the most part, a lot cheaper than they used to be. And I am thankful for that- I must say though that I will probably never spend that much money on a set of designs ever again. I don't know how I did it back then! lol

2 comments

by mops 05 Sep 2017

Those embroidery cards were so expensive. I have a lot of Brother ones, dating back to 1992. And most of them had copyright restrictions - personal use only, no selling of embroidered items. And I also have the Husqvarna sets - on diskettes, but as pricey as the cards.
I know exactly how much I spent on those for I kept a spread sheet till January 2002 - stopped when we changed from guilders to euros.

by parkermom 05 Sep 2017

I have brother cards too. But when I started embroidering several years ago, I never even thought to look at the copyright restrictions. Since the dealer I bought my machine from copied designs all the time, it never occurred to me.

They will eventually get the message when sales are very slow. I love the way Sue Box sells her designs singly from her 'collections'..........Ann

4 comments

by barba 04 Sep 2017

Me too. That is one site I watch and purchase from often. Hugs, Barba

by parkermom 04 Sep 2017

Many sites are so reasonable, but I visited a site today that had a "collection" of 6 blocks for $360!! I was astounded.

by shirley124 04 Sep 2017

I would be giving that collection a miss at $360 for 6 designs

by toogie 04 Sep 2017

I think all of us should miss this collection.I don't think any of us here, have lost our minds-lol-

I agree. I am retired and do not have the finances to splurge on overpriced designs. (although sometimes I wish I could) I only purchase when on fantastic sales. There are some sites I watch as their designs are awesome. I only sew to give away so the selling does not affect me but I certainly understand what you are saying. After purchasing the designs we should be able to sell the stitched design on articles but not the digitized design itself. Even if the amount of articles with the design was limited to under a certain amount. Just my opinion. I do not digitize so I am extremely grateful to all those who do. Hugs, Barba

1 comment

by parkermom 04 Sep 2017

Yes, I have to watch my finances too. I have some sites I watch a lot to try to catch sales. I don't sell anything either, so I really have to pay attention to my costs.

I downloaded the free zipper bag from the Brother site and just put whatever design I want on the front or just use pretty fabric.
I agree some sites are just too expensive.

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by parkermom 04 Sep 2017

I have downloaded that bag too, and done the same thing. I am willing to pay for well-made designs, of course, but within reason.

by arisann 07 Sep 2017

how do I find the zipper bag?

by maggiecal 10 Sep 2017

Instructions: http://www.brother-usa.com/Homese...;id=12127 DESIGN: http://www.brother-usa.com/Homese...

That's not my biggest complaint. I am thinking of a very small digitizing business and a very large digitizing business. They are each rather high priced, excellent, attractive designs and perfect digitization. But each of them specifies that I may only use the designs for personal use or to give away. You thought I was going to pay $90 for your set of 14 similar, darling designs to stitch two of them out once or twice ever???? Get real. I'm spending the $90 hoping I can sell enough of your sewn out designs to at least recoup my money and materials cost, plus the cost of my festival booth and maybe the gas to get there! So, I can't waste my money on your beautiful designs because they are limited, restrictive and unusable.

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by parkermom 04 Sep 2017

Yes, it is hard to justify spending for a set of designs when I only really want one out of the eight or so.

Well, I do agree some charge a lot for their designs...I try not to buy anything unless it is on sale...

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by parkermom 04 Sep 2017

By the time I buy the design, and replenish my stabilizers and thread as needed, it makes a hole in my already strained budget. Being retired is wonderful to me, but budgeting is essential

I know a lot of people feel like you. Who wants to pay high for a design they may use only once? I'm not saying that about the ITH zipper bag, I'm just saying in general. There are designs I think are beautiful, but if I don't plan to emb but one, no thanks.
Before the digitizers come down on me (lol) I do appreciate the fact you have the knowledge how to do this, you spent time doing this, but lets face it, how many of us really get back what the work/time spent we do is worth to us. I agree they would sell more if priced reasonable and would benefit them and us.
I have to say, I admire that about basketkase. Her designs are priced affordable so, that it is an opportunity, for anyone to be able to enjoy.
If you are looking for a free ITH zipper bag, 5x7 size, put RP Zip bag in the search at sewforum. I use it all the time. You can insert another design on the front to dress it up if you like.
I'm know there are other places for places for a free bag, as I have downloaded others too. I don't have anything bigger than the 5x7 though, as that is all I am able to stitch on the emb machine. I make my bigger bags with my regular sewing machine and do the free motion quilting myself.

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by parkermom 04 Sep 2017

Yes, I agree that basketcase's designs are very affordable, and well-digitized. I was just aggravated today by a site I haven't been on in a while and it seemed as though the prices were sky high. Seems to me it would be better to charge less and have more people able to buy them.