I am in desperate need of advice

[domgoddess1]

We received our Birchcraft invitations last week, and began to address them. The problem we are having is that the outside envelopes don't seem to be glued together very well! There are what I would consider to be large gaps on both sides, and a number of them aren't put together evenly.
I went back to where I placed the order, and was told they'd reorder them, but the same thing would happen. They said this is how they are made. I'm hesitant to put them together and mail them in this state, as I have this visions of the envelope opening up en route to their destinations. Not only that, a number of the envelopes, due to this non sticky issue are ripping!! I ordered extras, but if they keep doing all of this, I'm going to be in some deep trouble. I asked how a company could do this. Invitations are supposed to set the tone of the wedding. What will people think about a beautiful invitation enclosed in a very poorly designed package?
Any advice on how to glue the envelopes "tastefully?"
I have checked the local stores-office supply, and craft and the net to see if there might be better quality envelopes, but I can't seem to find a 6 x 8 1/8(or even 8 1/4).
Another note: I kept asking what the paper weight on the invitations is. No one in customer service was able to advise us.
Thanks for letting me vent.
UPDATE TO THE ABOVE: After using Scotch brand glue stick on over 175 envelopes, it seems to have worked. We also purchased stickers to help. It also turns out that when we were closing the envelopes, the "adhesive" flap did'nt even hold!! The glue stick again came to the rescue!! Thank goodness for that. Talk about time consuming.
As usual, the samples are not what you get.

[Community Chest]

Try an art store and ask them for glue they'd recommend that wouldn't leave a pucker or run or get gloppy.

Bring the envelope with you. They can best advise you.

That invitation company owes you a refund. After getting the refund, I'd try one of the paper websites, like marcospaper.com or envelopemall.com and get a size that will accomodate your invitation. (nobody will care or notice the envelope doesn't match.)

Good luck.

[domgoddess1]

Thanks for the great advice. It turns out that the glue stick worked well, along with putting one of the circular stickers to help keep it together.
As for the company giving a refund, other than contacting the store where I purchased the invitations, I was up against a brick wall.
I could'nt get any help.
It's really annoying that it took a few hours to glue everything together. Time I could have spent on something else.
Thanks again.

[waack]

I am appalled at the response you received from your invitation supplier concerning the Birchcraft Envelopes! I suspect that whoever sold you the invitations didn't want to be "bothered" with your envelope problem. I have been a wedding stationery dealer since 1972, and believe me, when I sell invitations....I inspect every order that comes in, and contact the company immediately if I see a problem. I represent Birchcraft, as well as Carlson Craft, McPhersons, Regency, Chase, NuArt, Stylart and more. Not one of those companies would appreciate a dealer telling their customer that "this is the way they are made"!!

You may have recourse. I would recommend that you write a letter to Birchcraft customer service and explain the problem you had. Give them the item number that you ordered. (If you don't know the item number, call the dealer that sold the invitations and ask them for it, and also see if they will give you the invoice number... or view a Birchcraft book an obtain the number).

Tell Birchcraft who the dealer was that sold you the invitations, and what that dealer told you. Then ask them to reimburse you for the envelopes, the glue and time you spent gluing 175 invitations.
The last thing that Birchcraft wants is an unhappy customer!

To everyone else shopping for wedding invitations and accessories....deal with someone who specializes in invitations and dedicates their business solely to it. Florists, Bridal shops and other stores may not want to go to bat for you! Think of it this way....you wouldn't got to a florist to buy your bridal gown...why would your trust invitations to them? Same goes for the bridal shops...they specialize in gowns...not flowers or invitations.

I offer an across the board 25% discount on your entire order and FREE Shipping. I never charge a handling fee, and it doesn't matter how big or small your order is. It is worth it to get quotes on your invitations, and read the testimonials on the seller's website.
Get a "bottom line" quote.....know what the "total" of your order is...not just the discount price....where more handling or shipping charges might be added.

I built my business on superior service AND low prices, as have other stationery vendors. Do your homework and you will save money AND receive a product free of defects. The smaller business often extend the best services!

Penny
email: waack@fulton-net.com
visit my website
http://www.quaintweddingstationery.com



Penny\r\nQuaint Weddings

[mbf1978]

Did you pay for this by credit card? If so, I would try contacting them. We are trying to put all wedding expenses on a credit card (and paying it off each month) because you can always dispute charges with the credit card company. I assume the charge for envelopes and invites were all the same, so I'm not sure if they remove just part of a charge. But I have had charges removed from my credit card before.

[www.invitations4sale.com]

I have been in the business nearing 20 years, and am shocked, too, that anyone would tell a client such a fluff answer.

I no longer represent Birchcraft, at my own choice, but they are a nice company, and I would agree that you should contact them directly about the incident, and the dealer should be reprimanded. That makes them look very bad, and although their product was just average to me, it was never shoddy. I won't guarantee they will do anything for you, but they should, and you should approach them.

Kindness to you,
Linda Zec






>Thanks for the great advice. It turns out that the glue stick
>worked well, along with putting one of the circular stickers
>to help keep it together.
>As for the company giving a refund, other than contacting the
>store where I purchased the invitations, I was up against a
>brick wall.
>I could'nt get any help.
>It's really annoying that it took a few hours to glue
>everything together. Time I could have spent on something
>else.
>Thanks again.
>