Cricut cartridge cost question

[laura&fam]

I am considering purchasing a cricut and I am looking into what it is really going to cost me. There are optional add ons like the Gypsy, etc. and then the cartridges, which I know I would want a million of.

My question is: are some cartridges much more expensive than others? I know the price locally of Disney cartridges, but now I found out that there are other licensed cartridges like Batman. Are other licensed cartridges more? Are there other cartridges that are more expensive for some reason? Maybe the Disney and other cartridges I had seen were the cheap ones and others are more? I'm asking because I have seen many used cartridges for sale in local classifieds for more than I thought they cost new on sale. I also wondered if these were cartridges that people already loaded onto their Gypsy and are now selling.

I hope this makes sense. I just don't want to take the plunge and pay a large sum for the Cricut and then find out the cartridges cost much more than I thought.

Oh, one last question, what are "solutions" cartridges? How are they different from other cartridges?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

Generally the newer cartridges cost more. But, you can find them cheaper. try Hallmarkscrapbook.com for good prices on the new carts. I've never bought any cartridges "used." Unless you know the person, I don't know that I'd want to do that, especially if you plan to get a Gypsy because if it's already been linked to their Gypsy, you can't link it to yours.

The Solutions cartridges have less features than the regular cartridges. It's basically just the shape and a shadow.

 

[hopemax]

The MSRP for licensed cartridges is $10 more than the unlicensed. However, with all the sales that becomes irrelevant. Michaels has switched to a % off format, so there would be a difference in price, but most places if they have a sale for $34.99 cartridges that includes both licensed and unlicensed.

I normally hold out for the brick & mortar sales. Black Friday, everyone has them cheap, but I think the craft stores also have good sales in the Easter-Mother's Day period. Aside from the previously mentioned Hallmark Scrapbook, I have gotten good prices from Oh My Crafts. I have seen people mention cricutmachine.com, and some people will get the good deals from Custom Crops. I haven't ordered from either of those, but I don't trust Custom Crop's shipping or customer service. Also, Big Lots has started carrying some older cartridges for $30.

As long as you are patient, you should be able to get whatever you want for less than $40.

 

[laura&fam]

Thank you. That is what I thought.

I don't think I would buy cartridges used, I just found them when I was looking for a used Expression. But when the prices on cartridges were so high I started to wonder if I was totally wrong on cartridge prices.

Incidentally you can buy either a Cricut Expression or original Cricut used for more than you would pay new. Huh? I think I'll just stick with buying it from Costco if I decide to get one.

 

[dogcarbon]

I bought my new E from HSN as a bundle with several carts and as a new customer ya get a 10 or 15% off coupon to use...

but since then I don't buy carts, I use Sure Cuts A Lot software.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I just picked up the My World cartridge for $20.99 at Michaels, it was an As Is item (no box). Just get in the habit of checking out clearance aisles whenever you are in Michaels or Joanns, you may find a bargin. So you can definitely find them cheap!

But by far, my best cartridge buy was Winter Woodland for only $5 on Black Friday. It rang up at the register incorrectly.

 

[laura&fam]

I bought my new E from HSN as a bundle with several carts and as a new customer ya get a 10 or 15% off coupon to use...

but since then I don't buy carts, I use Sure Cuts A Lot software.

Sure cuts alot sounds great for fonts, but can you use it with images?

 

[morgansmom2000]

Sure cuts alot sounds great for fonts, but can you use it with images?

Yes you can! This is my favorite store for SVG files. And, they give away anywhere from 3-5 free files a week on their blog! Mary and Leo are the best!

 

[laura&fam]

Argh! This is driving me crazy. I just went to the Cricut demo and you can't cut out whole words at once unless you buy extra software.

Does the sure cuts alot weld letters together?

 

[hopemax]

Unless they've changed something, you should be able to use the trial version of CDS to cut using the George cartridge(if you own the baby bug) or Plantin Schoolbook(if you own the E). Make sure the Weld box is checked. I have cut many, many things using the trial version and George before I got the full version.

You can weld with SCAL, but their demo version will cut lines though the design. So you can't design and cut something to use in your book right away. You have to purchase the software.

 

[laura&fam]

Thank you so much for all your help. I was bit by the bug, I bought an Expression today.

Thank you for the tips about the trial versions of CDS and SCAL. I am leaning towards SCAL, but it's nice to know that I can try them both a bit before I decide. Also I will have to wait and save up a bit before I can buy anything else.

 

[LindaBabe]

Sometimes, it's easier to "weld" the words when you apply them to the page, anyway. So don't feel badly that you don't have Design Studio right yet. I think you're going to love your "E".

 

[laura&fam]

I got it last night after the kids went to bed so I told my DD10, who also has wanted the E, that the Easter Bunny came to my scrapbook room. In reality it is my Mother's day, birthday, etc. present.

 

[YoYoAurora]

Congratulations on your new E! I love mine.

I have SCAL too. Love that software!

I've found great buys on cartridges the past few months, especially for the Disney licensed ones. Monitor the sales at your local craft and sewing stores. I picked up the Mickey and Friends cartridge on sale for less than half price about a month ago! Yippee!

 

[laura&fam]

YoYoAurora I just noticed your pets names. I love them! I grew up watching Star Trek.

 

[YoYoAurora]

YoYoAurora I just noticed your pets names. I love them! I grew up watching Star Trek.

Thank you! My husband named them, and their names fit them perfectly!

I hope you're really enjoying your new E! I just finished cutting Easter items and am moving on to some wedding related shapes that I'll use for anniversary cards.

-- Susan