Blendabilities discontinued

Unfortunately, due to continuing issues with the Blendabilities range of markers, they have been permanently discontinued. I appreciate that this will be a huge disappointment for many people (including me) and I can only apologise on the company’s behalf. As you read on, you will see that the problems are outside of Stampin' Up!'s control.

What’s the problem?

When the tip of the pen is welded to the barrel, the welding process can leave microscopic (invisible) holes in the marker tip. This leads to accelerated evaporation of the alcohol in the ink.

Can I replace my Blendabilities for non-defective Blendabilities?

Sorry, no. The entire inventory is being returned to the manufacturer.

Are all Blendabilities markers defective?

No. Most Blendabilities markers work as intended. We ask that you use your best judgment to determine whether your product is in good condition or if you need a refund.

Why did it take so long for Stampin’ Up! to discover this problem?

Over the months, SU noticed quality issues with this product, but they were within normal tolerance. However, when corrections and complaints became more and more frequent, quality testing was increased, leading to the discovery of a serious problem with the product line. The manufacturer is now reporting a 30-40% failure rate before they are shipped to Stampin’ Up!— which is unacceptable.

Will the Tuxedo Black Memento Pad and Refill still be available?

Yes. These will also continue into the new catalogue. 

What now?

Ok, now some information for people who already have Blendabilities or are waiting for backordered items. Click the table to enlarge. 

Finally, a statement from Stampin’ Up!

We’re acutely aware that the decision to pull the Blendabilities line is painful for both you and for your customers; it’s also painful for all of us here at Stampin’ Up! We carefully selected a reputable manufacturer whom we believed could produce high quality, alcohol-based markers. But with the manufacturer reporting that 30-40% of the product produced could not be shipped to Stampin’ Up!, and with other defects being discovered by us when we tested the product here at Stampin’ Up!, we’ve come to the conclusion that both our demonstrators and the company are in a no-win position. Due to the nature of the defect, the problem would only become more widespread. That leaves us with only two possible courses of action: to keep selling the product (with uncertainty about whether the manufacturer could ever repair the defect) or withdraw it from our offering. We felt that we would rather pull the line than … sell a product with such a high fail rate and such an uncertain future.

We’ve learned that alcohol-based markers are very popular with our demonstrators and customers. Knowing that you’ve enjoyed all of the colouring options provided by alcohol-based markers helps us chart a course for finding a reliable product line that will truly meet the needs of our demonstrators and customers.