I suppose getting your first shite review is a rite of passage for designers or whatnot. This wasn't particularly featuring, at least, I suppose, just by inference as I wasn't mentioned by name/item, but still.
I've been reevaluating my philosophy on freebies for a while. A lot of people have developed a sense of entitlement about it. While this is the first time it's directly effected me, it certainly isn't the first I've heard about it- from Sn@tch's blog post, to witnessing bad behaviour in groups and stores firsthand, to private conversations with friends about the newest crap they've had to deal with, it's been something that hasn't escaped my notice, generally. And, it has already had me start dialing back my energies on that and tend to direct them to other things- even if it's just hanging out with people for longer than I might otherwise, instead of building. I haven't given up on it completely, but I haven't tried to kill myself quite as much to get them done when I otherwise might well have.
If I hadn't had someone thank me directly in person for them earlier today, I very well might have pulled them early. Yes, it's true, one person can ruin it for everyone, and if you don't like the free toys, well then, maybe you won't get them anymore. If I really did want to take my toys and go home, I'd stop having a shop entirely, and just give things to friends. Apparently, some people do actually like things I make. You may think I'm coming off as a whingey bitch here, but yeah, as much as I try to have a thick skin about it, it does smart a bit- and I'd have far far less of an issue over it if it weren't something that cost you nothing to get in the first place. Moreover, I feel bad for the rest of the people who fell under this umbrella as well. You buy things, you expect things in return. You don't buy things, you aren't really in a position to expect. See you don't care for it, move on and don't shop there. Or, at the very least, offer constructive criticism, not just "they had issues."
That said, the purple Skelebeaters are still there through tomorrow, and there's a treasure hunt going on in Haute Couture that officially starts at 8am, but some people (including me) have put things out early. It ends Tuesday- it was going to just run today, but, well, I think you may have noticed our little tiny glitch last night/this morning.
Starlustland, Twomoons
12 years ago
20 comments:
You're not coming across as a whingey bitch at all. I felt sick to my stomach when I read that blog post.
I don't often say thanks to designers for freebies, because I'm horribly shy. I'm going to get over that because I really do appreciate their generosity. And frankly, when I see there's a new gift at Schadenfreude I squee with delight and run over to get it (almost always buying more of your awesome stuff while I'm there).
I don't think blog posts have to be all rainbows and sunshine, but that one came across as just plain rude to me. I loved the Starlust build and had a ton of fun exploring and shopping there. I know I'll be back!
Someone needs to read the Freebie Etiquette over at FabFree... http://fabfree.wordpress.com/freebie-etiquette/
Try not to let it get to you. *hug*!
Oh babeh you know I love what you do. You are my super hero building goddess and a ridiculously amazing designer.
I REALLY wanted to post a comment on that blog saying "What, you don't like that free baby I put out? I thought everyone wanted to be a mommy. How dare you insult baby Murr Philip Seymour Hoffman Bukowski Jr!" Don't let that crap get to you angel pants, you know no one can touch the Starlust (it's lust-o-rific).
Oh by the way, 150 people have "bought" that baby. I just thought your heart would glow at the idea of 150 proud new mommies running across the grid.
Anyone care to give me a hint as to which blog post?
I don't get the mentality of some people....greed is a terrible thing, and coupled with bad taste and apparent cluelessness....bah.
Allegory, your stuff rocks!
I am extremely happy about every freebie from my favourite shops, and I don't "hunt" freebies like some people do-"get everything as long as it's free and moan if you don't like it".
And Ach: UGLY??? YOU??? Maybe someone needs a pair of glasses or a new monitor there... (But I've also been called a midget with a big butt ;))
I came to the feeds this morning and saw that I had missed the Skelebeater on my trip to Starlust last night (yay for half the place rezzing :/)
I ran there as soon as I logged in got the free one and ran off with the green version. Your stuff is awesome. You have such a unique style. Don't let one person ruin it for you. I had one person say thank you the whole month I ran an egg hunt at my store. I was smiling all day like a dork ^^: But honestly myself I'm so painfully shy I rarely say thank you unless the creator is right there.
But I'm going to say it right here.
Thank you so much for the awesome freebie ^_^
Allegory, Your a brilliant artist AND a most wonderful friend. And we all struggle with the new "culture of entitlement" Just remember for every sour grapes person there are lots of solid and true lovers of your work and people who adore you as a person.
*hugs tight enough to smear lime green eyeshadow on her*
I saw you at Starlust yesterday, and didn't say anything because I didn't want to bother you. Now I'm sorry I didn't say anything. I love your stuff and your freebies are fabulous. And if I wasn't so unsure about SL transactions these last few days, you would have gotten at least a few Ls from me as well. (The stale transactions on the freebies didn't exactly give me shopping confidence yesterday.)
Your freebies have always been so much fun, especially the ones that allow you to give to others & pass the fun along. Please don't give up on your generosity because of a few discouraging words.
Hi there, while I don't have to deal with the same pressures as designers in regards to bloggers. I have had some careless comments left on my blog regarding my outfit choices and I am constantly reminded that we can't all have manners/tact or the same sense of style.
I know it still stings though especially in your case where you are just trying to be giving to the public. I would say from all the positive feedback I've heard from friends regarding your work (and what I've seen!) One persons opinion is just that and you should not let them get you down. *hugs*
I have never met you, so I'll take this way to say thank you. Your creations -freebies or not- have an amazing quality and I love them enough to have worn the freebie spiral necklace when being invited to a wedding.
Please don't get discouraged, I'd miss your shop and products very much.
Thanks so much for putting out freebies! (That is actually how I first heard of your store... from your amazing xmas stocking gifts)
I really appreciate your generosity!
Well said Allegory, you took the words right out of my mouth. I was trying really hard to explain to my boyfriend why that post upset me last night. He's really amazing at helping me stay grounded, and told me I shouldn't care about one negative post, when other friends, designers, and bloggers I highly respect and admire loved it.
It's good to know that I wasn't alone in feeling that way after reading that. More than anything it's made me rethink the freebie/dollarbie process, and how to go about it in the future.
I rarely go out of my way to say thank you for freebies, because I'm also painfully shy. However I for one am very thankful and love that skelebeater to death, and can't wait for the grid to stop freaking out so that I can go pick up more colors. *massive hugs*
HAHAHA, apparently I should throw Diva temper tantrums more often!
There are a lot of reasons I hesitated to push publish, but on the other hand, it's stuff that has been building in my mind for a while. I used to be very for freebies in a promotion kind of way...but some people have gotten far too spoiled over it. It isn't a right, it's a priveledge. I haven't yet gotten the "BUT I WANT IT IN THIS COLOUR" or any of that sort of thing, but a lot of people have. A lot a lot. Even the Sn@tch freebies have changed in philosophy since she posted about it. This was just the straw that broke the camel's back in my case, I've noticed the rudeness and held my tongue far too much.
Hell, I like a good freebie. I wouldn't dream of bitching about one I didn't like, it costs no one else anything to check it out themselves and see if they like it, and it doesn't put me out to empty my trash if I don't like it (and in this case, yes, a bunch of them were 0L so people aren't even out one single Linden). I'm also going to raise my hand as the pathologically shy here, and say that yeah, I don't thank people the way I should. Sometimes I even sit there with an IM typed in the box...and just don't hit send. (Speaking of, thank you Stephanie for all the La Sylphide freebies I've collected. You make absolutely gorgeous skins.)
One of the big reasons I did post was actually because of you, Violet. That was a complete and total smack in the face to something that was really great. Yeah, orange isn't my colour, but fuck that, it's free, and I may end up in orange sometime (I end as a man in a glittery dress sometimes, so it could well happen!), and it's totally awesome.
Crystyle, it warms the cockles of my cold dead heart that so many new mommies (and daddies too!) are running around with a darling baby of their very own.
Heh, Morrigan, your name is actually one that's stuck in my mind when downloading transaction records :)
Thanks Antonia, I've calmed down a bit, and one person isn't going to make my pull up shop yet. Please excuse the fangirlish squee you might hear, because OMG she noticed me. ;)
Alyx, remind me if I forget, I'll send you a link in world. I'd rather not connect it by a permanent archive here, just for my own peace of mind (I really don't need to go back and pick at old scars years later).
hya, *cough*, I knew you'd know exactly what I meant. You've gotten it far worse than I have, and I'm amazed at how well you put up with it. I've got a crap-o-meter that gets filled up and then I rip into the last poor soul who just happened to be the one who hit the line.
Sakuradawn, the crowds have been insane there (which, you know, I find pretty awesome, even if it does mean I end up retreating most of the time). Doesn't help me any that with the new viewer/backend, I get lagged to effective inactivity any time more than 5 people are in the same general area, even with the avatar imposters and my settings customized lower than low. Heh, and we picked the perfect weekend to open with all the general instability!
mAlice- I know what you mean about transactions, boy do I ever. Is it really too much to ask for that something they're touting as an economic platform actually have functional economic tools? Apparently the answer is yes, but that's a rant for another time. I may end up switching gears to more "fun" freebies and less of the same sort of thing, but that's partly depending on time. I like giving those away, but I have to plan well ahead to start working on them (hence the lack of an Easter basket or anything of consequence for St. Patty's Day, I've been spending all my time at the motel trying to get things together. It's fun, but a lot of work!) p.s. I love your name :)
Thanks Hethr. Positive comments are certainly brightening my mood over the whole thing :) Apparently some people didn't get the "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" lesson. Not everything has to be rainbows and unicorns, but some people are just plain rude.
Thank you Layara. I'm not in this full time to pay my rent (and I'm amazed by the people who do make that work), just to have some fun. And it really does matter when people say "I love what you make" because then it is worth it.
Thanks Daria :) If you'd like to IM me in world sometime (or, if it doesn't say I'm online, a notecard might be safer), I'll drop you the precursor to the stocking, that I personally like even more- a Halloween treat bucket. It's totally holiday inappropriate this time of year, but I still love it, and it's got some things that I think are pretty neat in it. That goes for anyone else reading who might interested as well.
Hey, I love that treat bucket! If I'm having a crappy day I run around the grid dressed like Alice (albeit a dark and bloody version) and carry that bucket, and it's never failed to cheer me up. As Ministry said, Everyday is Hallowe'en...
Oh my lord, what did I miss? I know I missed this fabboo skullbeater of yours when I visited Starlust because I was also having rezzing issues too.
I have no idea which blog you are referring to but I am assuming they criticised a free item??
Well, as we say in the UK, they can JOG ON, you are not obliged to give anything free to anyone. When a designer does give a free gift it is a pleasant suprise and a little taster of what is offered in store. I do think it's terrible that people seem to expect it now.
I hate to think I may have unwittingly encouraged this behaviour in some way with the Free*Style blog and group. When Ivey Deschanel had some probs in her store last month I was so close to giving it all up because I didn't want to be associated with this ignorant behaviour.
I think your designs are creative and inventive Allegory, here's a big huge THANKYOOOO from me for all the great gifts you've given out :))
As Stephanie, Violet, Antonia, Hyasynth and Crystyle are all in this comments thread, I want to take the opportunity to big THANK YOOOO to you all for your generosity also :)
Crystyle, I've become so attached to baby Murr Philip Seymour Hoffman Bukowski Jr, I loved having him suckling at my virtual breast, LOL!
*grin* Awww, Morrigan :)
Creamy, I think it's just the way things have been moving, period- there's been a huge move towards offering freebies recently, and an insane amount more press everywhere (I have theorized that it's a way to try to draw people back in a post casino world- some people have less cash to spend, one of my friends was drawing down more a week gambling when it was allowed than I do from sales. It's an imperfect way that's backfiring a lot, and I wonder how many designers are going to just get fed up with it eventually. I'm sure all of them won't, there are more circles than just the fashionista, for one thing, as well as some of the bigger names probably always seeing it as a thing to do to stay on top). And when some people see that they can get top notch without paying into the system at all, they feel like it's just the way it is and they shouldn't have to pay for it. If you hadn't done it, I think someone else would have done the equivalent, although I don't know that they would have done it as positively- I love the fact you are showing some full price items alongside each look, so the message isn't entirely "hey, look, you never need to spend money!"
I am a member of Free*Style myself, and have been since before you closed membership, so I'm not in a position to be totally against freebies, period. I also take advantage of them, possibly more than I should sometimes (although that's a combination of being used to being dirt poor, and always running around lately so I haven't even gone through a huge mass of things to see what I think of their product and if I want to go back and do some shopping there. I've still got Christmas backlog, it's kind of insane). It's a great promo tool, and a lot of it is limited time- in which case, will I kick myself if I don't get it before it disappears? In some cases, yeah, I totally will. There are some limited time freebies that I absolutely cherish, so I love finding out about them so I don't miss them. Not all of them are the same sort of thing the designer sells at all, but random fun stuff (some of which I'm actually more into, but then, I have giant slug races on my giant free slug, and stand around farting in my free farting gasmask).
And, I really don't want to see you giving up. You're a great resource for new players especially, people who might move on to actually being a functional part of the economy. Plus, I do think it will just create a vacuum that may be filled by someone who's less concerned by it.
Wanted to throw my vote in for the FABulous skelebeaters - loved 'em, bought'em, WEAR 'em!
Yay you! Free or full price, they rock.
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