Cricut Infomercial/Cartridges?

[eeyore29]

I saw part of the Cricut infomercial today and then I checked it out online. I have a question about the cartridges: when it says there are thousands of images on each cartridge, are there really that many? When I viewed the details on the infomercial site and looking around on the regular Cricut site, it doesn't look like anywhere near that many images are on each cartridge. Do they mean it could be thousands with different size/shadow/charm/sign/etc. configurations? Or does it mean that 1 blade will cut thousands before it needs to be replaced?

I'm also curious what's on the "bonus" cartridge since they don't really give a lot of details on it. I know I can find it cheaper on other sites (which I just might do), but the 5-payment plan is a real plus. If anyone has the Cricut, or -even better- if anyone's ordered from the infomercial can you give me more info about the cartridges?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I heard that the infomercial was not a great deal. I think I read somewhere that someone never got their machine or it was used or something.

Some Walmart's carry them, and ACMoore, Hobby Lobby, Michael's. Keep an eye out on their sale flyers, you can get great deals.

As for the thousands of images, well, I guess you could say that but I don't think it really is. Take the sand castle I cut today as an example, I cut the base and then cut the layer. The layer was technically 5 pieces but they are not 5 separate pieces that you can use individually, they have a specific task.

Not sure what the bonus cart is, did they give a name?

 

[hopemax]

I saw part of the Cricut infomercial today and then I checked it out online. I have a question about the cartridges: when it says there are thousands of images on each cartridge, are there really that many? When I viewed the details on the infomercial site and looking around on the regular Cricut site, it doesn't look like anywhere near that many images are on each cartridge. Do they mean it could be thousands with different size/shadow/charm/sign/etc. configurations? Or does it mean that 1 blade will cut thousands before it needs to be replaced?

I'm guessing they mean configurations. There are 11 sizes, 50 keys, 6 features + the regular cut for 7, and then there is the shift key so double it, and you get 7700 different cuts. Now not all of the shifts have images, and like Buffy said sometimes a feature just gives you a piece of a larger image (like the Disney carts).

I'm also curious what's on the "bonus" cartridge since they don't really give a lot of details on it. I know I can find it cheaper on other sites (which I just might do), but the 5-payment plan is a real plus. If anyone has the Cricut, or -even better- if anyone's ordered from the infomercial can you give me more info about the cartridges?

Don't let the payment plan sway you. You can make your own payment plan, make a "fake" bill and then write yourself a $50 check for 5 months. Even if you miss the Christmas sales, someone will have it on sale for $129. Then you would have $100 to spend on cartridges.

I went to the website for the infomercial, and the only thing that would come up was the keypad for George. I would guess the bonus is the Keystone cartridge which comes in the Walmart special. That cartridge is just a basic uppercase font, with only a shadow feature. Nothing that exciting.

 

[vanyel]

Doesn't the infomercial also charge shipping & handling? That makes it even more.

 

[New England Eeyore]

I saw that infomercial on the plane to Florida last month. I was mesmerized by it because I couldn't figure out why they were doing an infomercial with something that's been out for a long time and is in all kinds of stuff. I agree with everyone else - don't buy it from the infomercial. The cost will actually be more to you. There are a few threads on the Cricut board about it if you want to look there.

Hope is exactly right about the "thousands." On some of my cartridges it says on the side "5940 variations" and that's just a math problem - x number of images or letters times 6 creative features times x number of sizes, etc.

If I recall correctly from the infomercial, the other cartridge was a Sampler cartridge. I know they made a card using the dog from Paper Pups, so I think it had a few images from a variety of carts that are out there. A nice feature, but still not worth going the infomercial route.

 

[eeyore29]

I searched around the web and I purchased the machine, a Mickey & friends cartridge, and another cartridge for less than the price of the infomercial plus FREE shipping! I can't wait 'til it gets here now...I think I'll have to take a day off work to play with it!

Once again, the DIS'ers have not let me down!

 

[aroyer]

Congrats on your new bug! You will love it.

 

[Kim1964]

Congratulations! Taking a day off from work to play with it is a GREAT idea. UPS delivered my friend's new bug today while we were on the phone, and she set it up and tried it out immediately. Then, she had to hide it because her DH was coming home and he doesn't exactly know about it yet....and she went to her mailbox and the cart that was on back order had arrived......and she can't play with it until AFTER work tomorrow!! It's killing both of us, lol.

It really is a LOT of fun.....I hope you enjoy yours as much as we all do. Be sure you take a look at the Cricut message boards, too.....there is TONS of great advice and the pictures people post of their creations can be very inspiring.