Stampin' Up! has today announced that all Australian demonstrators are required to sign a new Independent Demonstrator Agreement which our American counterparts were required to sign last month. There are some minor changes which will streamline a few issues and are welcome changes.
There is, however, one major change which I do not agree with.
This is a direct quote from Stampin' Up! explaining the extent of the change:
"On your web site, blog, or other online space, you may not post links to the web sites of competitive companies or to locations where a customer could purchase competing products. Links you provide should not a) go to the company web site of a directly competing company (retail, online retail, or direct sales), or b) go to the web site or blog of a representative for competitive products where the customer may purchase directly from the site. This does mean that you may link to any blog or forum that highlights the crafting industry in general, regardless of the products highlighted or advertised."
Stampin' Up! has qualified that the statement "On your web site, blog, or other online space" includes any and all online communications including MySpace, facebook and even personal emails. It also covers ANY personal blogs even if being a Stampin' Up demonstrator is never mentioned on the site.
Stampin' Up are asking for 100% exclusivity 100% of the time.
I choose to be a part-time demonstrator and I choose to design for other companies as well. Many papercrafters represent and design for more than one manufacturer without issue. I have over six years worth of crafting on my personal website (including an ever increasing list of links to fabulously creative sites) and I will not compromise any of the work I have created either for myself personally or while under contract to another company nor am I prepared to monitor those links for any changes which may contravene the new agreement.
I also refuse hand over control of my personal emails and personal blog posts to any other person or entity. What I choose to do in my own time is my choice. I will not owned by anyone for 100% of the time.
It concerns me that Stampin' Up! appear not to have the confidence that their products can weather the competitive nature of this industry. If you have total belief in the quality of your product it will not be affected by competition.
Therefore I will NOT be signing the new agreement and will be terminating my business dealings with Stampin' Up! on 31st October 2009.
If you wish to place any orders please contact me beforehand. If you wish to continue to order from Stampin' Up! after 1st November 2009 I can happily direct you to a demonstrator.
Live with Integrity.
And because I like to add a little something to the inside of cards. :D
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