I’ve never officially posted an opinion about New England Crafters – aka Magical Gift Company. But I’ve decided to post the following information from someone who thought it would be worth sharing.
I’ll be curious to hear other people’s opinion and whether they agree or disagree with this person’s feedback.
Here are the comments we received about New England Crafters – AKA Magical Gift Company
“New England Crafters, aka Magical Gift Co is NOT A SCAM, HOWEVER…
I just received my “kit” and paid extra for a glue gun they recommended and also a CD which is better than the written instructions. (about $75 total)
But the product was very difficult to make. I know it was my first attempt, but get this…
I am great working with my hands, yet I estimate that with practice I might (at best) produce only 2 or 3 of these per hour, receiving only $1.50 per piece. ($3-4.50/hr)
It is really what I call “slave labor”, and it is not only very tedious work, it is exacting work! Many pieces submitted will most likely be returned for fixing.
Although they also offer several other projects, I see from their “forum site” that many people are having many problems with most of the projects.
One “success story” is that someone did finally receive their first check for sending in 10 items worth $1.00 apiece – a check for only $10!!
However, it took her from August to December to become “approved” with making the item properly.
I do NOT recommend even this LEGIT COMPANY for those aspiring to make some REAL MONEY! As I said, to me it is SLAVE LABOR…”
Note from WorkAtHomeTruth:
If you still have interest in New England Crafters/Magical Gift Co you might want to read the Official NEC-magical gift post at WAHM.com
Important Note: What I meant above was that in the WAHM forum that is the “official place to discuss NEC”, but as Beth pointed out in the comments that I should have noted that the link above is NOT an official thread authorized by NEC. She also claims that the “thread over there was started by someone that assembles crafts and there is A LOT of bad information there.”
Sylvia
I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your opinion of this company.
To me it is an out and out scam to take people’s money the way this company does. Delivering false hopes to so many.
My opinion of calling it a scam is the person who set the company up knew in advance how they would make money off of selling the kit, cd’s, tools and extra from mailing charges and not off of buying back hand crafted products made by a crafter. I think the rules for operating a work at home crafting companies are way to lenient. I think the Attorney Generals of each state should rethink the way this is all set up for work at home crafting companies to operate a business on the Net.
Again thank you Sylvia. I so wanted to get the truth out to all.
Cindy,
Sorry I did not see your reply until just now. I do not use my BloominBoutique screen very often, but glad I found your reply.
You are right in that scamming companies make their money selling stuff, as opposed to helping other people earn money. It is just like those guru’s who try to get you involved in some “business,” but the question always at the forefront of such schemes is “why, then, are you writing instruction books and selling them?” (as opposed to being involved in the business or real estate organization for which they are trying to teach)
Rather than phone New England Crafters (since they do not want any angry comments—I wonder why they insist on such nice comments???–I have decided to let them have my $58 and let the Lord deal with this. He knows better than I do how to bring justice.
While I should not have been so stupid as to fall for this, as a senior widow lady, I take the economy seriously enough to work for my living.
It is sad that so many people are duped in these situations, but we only make the same mistakes once!
Those who are making a living at this must certainly be happy with a few cents an hour (or some pin money) as there is no way one can effectively put such small details together and earn a reasonable amount of income.
Sylvia
You have totally spoken the truth!!!!!
I was duped!
Hey. Thanks for all the information you posted here.
I just sent my sample for an angle but, the way I see it, this is some sort of scam or, at least, it’s slavery. But OK, I can’t work right now because my husband is sick so, any dolars I can get, will be wellcome.
Lou Ann, I saw the picture from the tiny tutu and it is really pretty! IIf you read this, ‘d like you to tell me how do you do it. The skirt is made of tule. What about the bodice? And I’d like to know if you finally got an order for 50 or you still are working on 10 at a time. I think that the time it takes them to send the supplies is a part of the problem.
Regards
I am still doing 10 of the tiny tutu’s. I think I may be still on the 10 because I have had some problems sending them back in a timely manner. Plus the bodice is a bit tricky. The best advice I can give you, is they want to see the item look like the sample. In other words, if it is easier for you to assemble the item in a different from the instructions, go ahead. Just make sure the end result looks the same as the sample. Regarding the tulle — has to be straight cuts on the bottom of the skirt. I fold & pin & foil & pin until the tulle is as small as I can get it & then cut the strips. I can’t use hot glue, it gets too messy for me. The bodice is wire edged ribbon. Good luck.
I was almost considering this company for a moment before I slapped myself back into reality. I am a very crafty person. I sew, knit, crochet, bead, loom, bead, and do a whole variety of projects. I decided that my $50 would best be spent in supplies I can purchase for crafts I can make myself with no one telling me my work isn’t good enough. In turn we have a local farmer’s market that not only gives me a chance to buy from my local people but in turn gives me a chance to sell to them. I say if you have mad skills in something or even a drive to do something crafty, learn the craft, give them as gifts, then look for local places where you can fashion your work for trade or sale. I think many people would be a lot more satisfied with their efforts this way. Thanks for the reality check everyone
Lucky you! I got the bird house kit which I thought would be a breeze the way they described it. Well, after hours and hours of trying to get my sample done, feathers from one end of the house to the other, I finally gave up! It happens that I am usually very good at crafts, art – like things, etc. Not this time! Only a fool would make 300 bird houses!
Hey. Thanks for the reply, Lou Ann.
I think that maybe it’s time for you to ask them when are they sending you enough supplies to do more tutus and what the reason is. It can’t hurt to ask.
I wish you luck with that.
I sent my angel on past Monday, I am still waiting for their reply.
I haven’t still bought the kit for the tiny tutu, just thinking about it. But I do like it! At least, the picture looks nice.
What do you mean when you say wire edged ribbon? That you do the edge with a wire and then put ribbon?
Take care
Ok, I think that you mean this:
http://www.trendytree.com/images/r2827712-green2827712-green.jpg
i have been reading all the comments on here so i called the company to ask y i see tha some people are only getting enough material to only do 10 items at a time and they have been doing this for months i was told you have to get the first ten done by a due date and when they are approved you will get a kit with enough to do 50 items.is there any truth to this has anyone got a kit with enough to do more than ten items?
Has anyone tried the Snowman? I signed up for the kit and should be expecting it any day now. I’m very excited! Of course seeing some of these posts is a little discouraging but I’m staying optomistic. Anyway, if anyone has worked on the snowman any tips are appreciated
)
Cindy, Cindy, Cindy…….in a lot of ways, your opinions are correct. But again, I hope everyone realizes they are your opinion. And experiences will vary from individual to individual. I have been crafting for NEC for nearly two years now and love it. I slow down and stop at times if I work outside the home…but there is NEC welcoming any items whenever I send them in. I am now back to a SAHM (stay at home mom) and welcome any extra income for spending. If I am at home…why not do something to earn a little. No…can you do this for big bucks and pay major bills??? No. What is great, I had absolutely no crafting experience and learned quickly, and with great patience. I to had to trade a project out of my 4…just couldn’t get that one, and am fixin’ to hopefully try another.
There is one thing I have always wanted to tell you though Cindy. There was a time you really bashed NEC hard and the ladies talking positive about them on the WAHM forum. I still remember that, as I was a part of those ladies and still am. You called us liars…remember? That was uncalled for. You do have a large chip on your shoulder as the above comment from another user stated. The thing is Cindy….put your self in NEC’s position with ALL your negative comments from them. If you were a head honcho there….would you pay that person for their work?? I wouldn’t…maybe that is wrong of me but it is what it is. Yes anyone should be paid for their good work….but you constantly slammed them. And I wondered if that isn’t the real reason your sheep got turned down the last couple times. I am not saying they did this….but I wondered……because again….I probably would have denied you soley on that fact. You were mean and right out vicious at times. You would say something bad….apolozise for it…and turn around and do it again and again and again. Always the same pattern. When oh when will you learn a thing or two Cindy?
For those interested, I can’t really add anything new that hasn’t been posted. Yes, NEC is legite. Some will get it….and some will not. You really have to like crafting and working with small tiny details. And it may take several tries. The key is patience and attention to the fine details. Not a lot of money to pay bills, but for SAHM’s, it could be great at home extra money. Good luck to everybody….for those who make it CONGRATS..for those of you who just can’t seem to get it, I am sorry for your loss…maybe try another project or company.
If i had a way to shut down all the sites that Cindy cries scam about NEC I would (ie, tulip).
Jessica, Nikki and others, nec has an offical forum with positive, up beat approved assemblers. seek there for encouragment and tips. this site can only bring people down especially if cindy is here.
Nikki, i am approved on several projects that I work 50 on. I like to stay at 50 because it give me a chance to switch to a differnt project. Ive been with NEC for a long time now. Every now and then I will “check” on this site to give my testimony of this company. I and others here will not sit back and let NEC’s name be smeared without a fight.
Jennifer
I have shared my opinion and my experience on this blog.
I am not going to debate any longer. It has all been said.
Your opinion is your opinion.
Many I talked with were treated just as I was by NEC. I do not think they sold me a kit knowing they were not going to pay me.
I can not change what the Chamber of Commerce told me about NEC. That is the reason I formed the opinion they were a scam in the beginning. I would share and then not share on the forum we were posting on because that forum did not welcome conflict. There was a possibility conflict could close down a forum.
Many have differing opinions about work at home crafting companies.
Everyone should have the right to share.
Thanks to this blog I was able to share my opinion.
Much thanks to Paul the founder of this blog.
i recently sent out my 1st kitty magnet. It took me a few hours to complete it but i took my time and i thought it would be easier than it looked. Ummm, im wondering how long it takes for the feedback letter to come in after i sent in the sample i made. Does it take long? I could really use th money because i need to pay for my cheerleading and prom for my senior year. Cheerleading costs $300 a month so thats why i chose the kitty magnet because im guessing they pay $450 for a completed shipment i guess. I dont know thats what it said next to the order form. So… yea. I just hope i get approved because if i do, i will work my way to paying for another kit because the kitty magnet seems too hard. I shoul of tried something more easy in the beginner level. Aha!
Please don’t waste your time. I am a crafter and the work is very tedious and time consuming. I sent my sample back and they returned it to me 2 weeks later. obviously not up to their standards. I could not get my money back either. I am just chalking this one up to a stupid risk!!!!!!!
Believe me, you won’t make any $$$$$$.
love2craft
You would shut people up that have a different opinion then you do about work at home craft companies?
That is sad.
Everyone should be able to share their opinions. Free speech you know.
Only hearing one side of the story when there are other sides to a story is never good. That was the problem with the WAHM message board and the crafting forum. People were forced to only say good things. Very one sided. A few got brave and shared negative thoughts and experiences about the company NEC but they were quickly manipulated so that they did not say much. I found that crafting forum only a tool to sell kits for NEC. Just my opinion of course.
I wanted to share my opinion of work at home craft companies is the same as the Attorney General of the State of Maryland.
Avoiding Work-At-Home Rip-Offs
* Never pay any money for information about a work-at-home offer, or for any kind of start-up kit, instructional booklets, or other items. Under Maryland law, a company that advertises a work-at-home opportunity cannot require advance payments or deposits on any instructional booklets, brochures, kits, programs, mailing lists, directories, memberships in cooperative associations, or any other items or services.
http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge87.htm
I feel this way because even though there are people who may make a bit of money with these companies many many loose their time and money.
lol, no just the sites that Cindy cries scam. And there are a few.
love2craft
Yes I have shared my opinion of work at home craft companies and New England Crafters.
So have others not just me.
You can look at this in a positive way.
I have always said there are people who are getting paid by New England Crafters. I have shared my experience with the company and also what many many other women had to say about the company.
I have realized most people who try work at home craft companies realize upfront they may lose their money.
For people to have a bit more information about these companies is a good thing.
Just recently
Angel Pins was closed. Why because a woman got ticked enough she reported them to the right people. Now Angel Pins says they were following all the rules. I have no idea what rules those were. But the company did close down.
Maybe just maybe by being better informed people who lose their time and money will not be so ticked off. Ya never know.
I have described why I say scam. Scam as in being deceived. Not necessarily doing something illegal.
I have shared my opinion just like you have.
I am grateful to live in America where we can share our opinions.
People really need to put on their thinking caps and realize scamming can be deceiving someone, plotting to take advantage of someone. Does not have to mean doing something illegal. Figuring out if someone was doing something illegal would be left up to law enforcement.
I think we all know when we have been manipulated, ran around and lied to.
Opinions Everyone has one.
Please let people share there opinion without you getting all bent out of shape and personally attacking them.
Share your opinion and if someone else does not agree, well that is the way opinions go.
I just received my sample package for project #31 magical love birds, and I noticed that the birds where not even included in the package, the DVD was also not very clear and understandable. I called NEC and they said to use one of the wooden balls included in place of the birds. I think they make it more difficult than it really is. My best advice is to enjoy doing this type of work and be very, extra, careful because this people are very picky. Secondly, this is only something to do in your spare time, it is not a job. NEC is good for you if you are unable to move, drive, or leave your home for any personal and health reason. One thing to keep in mind is that you are your own boss working whenever you can, no commute, no gas spending, and you are not dealing with rude co-workers. At least 250 to 500 a month is helpful for paying your health insurance or buying groceries… I say try it and don’t expect to get rich or think of this as a way to support your family because it will not work no matter how hard you work at it.
Cindy..Cindy..Cindy…,
I wasn’t going to do this again, but you dig yourself deep with your words. You wrote above that you use the wording scammed as “being deceived”. Well….you are the master scammer then aren’t you? Little do all these new people know all the attacking you did on the company and the women. For all to know….she would go back and edit (so what she wrote is gone) the mad hateful things she wrote. If she didn’t edit, then she completely deleted it. We left our stuff on there, but Miss Cindy’s is gone…so no know can see what she wrote. So who looks like the bad guys?? We do. Who is really the bad guy…Cindy..and you can’t even read about it cause she deleted or corrected the commemts she originally wrote. You scammed all new people Cindy. And talk about getting all bent out of shape and attacking…you would know wouldn’t you?
As for work at home companies….majority are scams. Everyone has to be extremely careful. NEC is legitite. But can be hard to pass as well. Again..takes patience as you probably won’t pass the first time around. You have to like crafting too. Pay attention to detail and keep at it. I like what Carrie wrote above, she nailed it right on the head…….”My best advice is to enjoy doing this type of work and be very, extra, careful because this people are very picky. Secondly, this is only something to do in your spare time, it is not a job. NEC is good for you if you are unable to move, drive, or leave your home for any personal and health reason. One thing to keep in mind is that you are your own boss working whenever you can, no commute, no gas spending, and you are not dealing with rude co-workers. At least 250 to 500 a month is helpful for paying your health insurance or buying groceries… I say try it and don’t expect to get rich or think of this as a way to support your family because it will not work no matter how hard you work at it.”
Again Cindy, I personally think you had a bad experience because you kept bashing NEC and calling us crafters there liars. I wouldn’t pass you and pay you with you bashing me that way. As you described your sheep…it sounded great….but again….why would I want to pay YOU of all people. Sharing opinions is one thing, bashing ALL the time is yet another.
Good luck Marina and Carrie on your crafts. Look at the WAHM board…yep all 500 and something pages. Several people posted some awesome tips in there. I read 300+ pages before I dove in and ordered some kits. I had a piece of paper too and wrote down all the tips to the various projects and then determined which ones to order. Seemed logical after I did that…plus I was a head of the game with the tips. Passed on the clay snowman on my second try. Foam and dots the hardest on the magnets Marina. Hang in there you guys and good luck to everyone attempting the various crafts.
Jennifer
I really doubt anyone wants to read us going back and forth with insults.
You are doing the very same thing you did on WAHM.com.
My advice to anyone wanting to know about work at home crafting companies is to read the entire crafting forum at WAHM.com.
You will need to go back through all the threads. A lot to read. This has been advised on this blog in the above posts.
Also it has been said NEC has there own forum. I thin it has been shut down for some reason the past few weeks. You have to have paid money for a kit to post on that forum though.
The very first post on this blog is a very good description of the NEC crafting company. She stated she did not feel NEC was a scam because they do pay. But she described what she did not like about the company. I just feel a bit different because I feel it is a scam because of how many they do not pay. Meaning how many can not make this kind of crafting work bring them any money but yet you pay money. Then of course I have gone into much more detail in my above posts.
I really do not want to share anymore on this blog. I have said everything I want to say.
Bickering back and forth with the women who made this company work is not going to do a thing for this blog and it being informative.
Just keep an open mind and consider everything before you pay money for a crafting kit from a work at home company. Think it through and do not spend money you cannot afford to lose.
I just reread Jennifer’s post and it is so insulting i do think I need to defend myself.
You cannot delete your posts on WAHM.com. You cannot fight on WAHM. It is against the rules to insult anyone on WAHM. I posted on that forum for over a year and never got banned. I did talk to the administrator about insulting posts from Jennifer and the administrator did take those posts off of the board. Funny thing it was similar to what she has just said about me on this blog. It was about my editing and i did edit to fix typing mistakes. She just wanted to personally attack me for something. I did start editing posts at the very end of posting on WAHM because i was so frustrated with some of the women and NEC as a company. I just wanted to leave and have never been a part of any of it. As i started editing I was asked by others to not edit and leave what I had said on the forum. Not to let these women run me off. You can read some of this in the scam thread in the crafting forum.
The same bunch of women are again angry because I have shared my opinion about this company. Others also have the same opinion I do.
The WAHM.com is a nice forum but they do not want controversy. So if you post in a thread on that forum and feel the company is a scam and say so you may start fighting with others who do not share your opinion. The thread can be closed because of this. Again you cannot insult others on that forum. It is against the rules.
I am not the type of person to throw out a bunch of personal insults. But I do think some of the women who posted on WAHM.com only posted the good things about NEC and never shared the things that could cause you not to want to work for the company. So i saw the forum as one sided and misleading. I said so, and to say the very least these women did not like it. Just like they do not like what I have said on this blog.
Sylvia, I also could see what the work at home craft companies were offering and knew not to get involved. I started posting on a crafting forum and just got pulled in.
I learned a lot. A lot about work at home companies and a lot about message boards. Lost quite a bit of money but what I learned was extremly valuable.
Yes, the lord does take care of us all.
Best Regards
Cindy
Hi,
I would like to share my story since it is apparent at this time everyone on this blog is in search of an Income or extra money to in order to supplement their current income. Since being laid off from my job over 6 months ago it was not feasible for me to find the same paying job in this state of the economy. So my husband & I decided for me to be a stay at home mom with 3 children due to the child care expenses. I searched long & hard on the internet for months trying to find a real legitimate job where I can make a decent income working from home and help support my family during these hard times while caring for my children. As God knows I have tried everything on the internet in an attempt to make a real paycheck and I constantly ran into road blocks or false promises. One day I was talking to a friend of mine who found this company called Projects for America. Apparently they do not advertise on the internet or anywhere else since they are not desperate for customers. The customers they receive come to them by word of mouth – simply called referrals from former satisfied customers spreading the word of their success in doing this type of work from home. The reason I am writing is because lately I have been receiving a lot of constant emails from this blog site with people bickering back and forth regarding their dissatisfaction in regards to doing business with New England Crafters or any of these other work at home companies similar to this company. Based on my observations, I feel obligated to share my experiences since I have had tremendous success with this company called Projects for America. From what I have been reading from these blogs, I understand most of these companies require an approval process for completion of their projects before you even see a paycheck. Let me tell you that the many companies I currently work for Projects for America do not require an approval process. Let me explain to you how to do this so you can avoid that problem or any problems. What I do is pick a very simple project, normally paying about $190.00 per project. I then master this project for about a month or 2 – doing about 4 of this same project a week for 4 weeks or more and move on to other simple projects until I can start to handle the more advanced projects. The more advanced projects pay a lot more money. Although, I do not recommend these projects unless you have the experience to complete these projects so you do not run into any problems like these people are having in this blog. Amazingly enough I have achieved the income I’m accustomed to in making, by completing 3 or 4 of these simple projects. I have also received a lot of freebees that has made me even more money I hope this information helps anyone in need of an extra income and tell your friends. They will thank you for it. There is no shortage in workers as the website indicates. OH!!! I forgot, they also offer a program where I can drive around with a magnet advertisement on my car and receive $10.00 for every referral and have already made over $200 a week doing this as well. If you are interested and for more information – the website to visit is – http://www.shoot-this-photography.com
@Miena: I’m very curious about the web site http://www.shot-this-photography.com…. This is very similar to something I tried about a year ago. The difference is that I was e-mailed a link to get an on-line list. The advertising was the same….tons of companies that hire work at home people. However, almost 100% of the list was just addresses to mail for information. I would say at least 80% of the envelopes were returned for various reasons. At least 10% were “stuffing envelopes” The other 10% were a waste of time. I was already working with NEC & I was also aware the other other 1 or 2 companies that were options. What makes this company different. I’m pretty sure I sent out somewhere between 150 to 200 envelopes just to get information. I did this over a period of about 3-5 days. I was so looking forward to getting good information that I didn’t think about the possibility of this being a scam. I’m sure I’m not the only person that has done something like this…So why should we believe this is legit (the other one had a money back guaranty as well, but of course by the time you figure out it’s a scam the 30 days are over.
I have to say the “angel company” should have been shut down. I ordered that kit & the written instructions were not complete & the steps were out of order. When I called, I had to leave a message & several days later someone called back when I wasn’t home & left a message. By then I had decided that the angel was just too difficult… Let’s keep in mind I was approved the first time with NEC for the Tiny Tutu. I think the angel company was set up to make money off of the kits.
Hello.
What is the website to Projects for America. The website you provided no longer exists under the company name.
its a list of work at home assemble jobs…ie angel pins, twister braclets…
in fact thats how i found NEC was buying a list like this.
ive been with nec for a long time and have loved it. its not for everyone, i do realize this and not all people will stick with it.
Cindy, you can see where I am at when I say it hurts to see NEC’s name being smeared. You yourself said (and i am not quoting) that you felt bad that many could not get approved on the bookmark. Well it is the same for me. I do feel bad you did not continue with NEC and you feel taken.
I too had tried that bookmark company remember. I tried the card and felt it was way to much work for the price and that was the end of it.
I do not make NEC crafts to supplement my income. I am busy with children as well as house and home. I work on my crafts at my leasure and i may not work on them for 2-3 days in a row. I stay at home anyway so why not make alittle money in my spare time and enjoy doing it. I do enjoy it, I really do.
Anyway, thanks.
Luv2craft
Everyone’s experience is different with the work at home craft companies.
What we know is they all charge money for a kit. The price varies. NEC is one of the most expensive. The company makes money off of kits, dvd’s and tools sold by the company. They encourage buying more than one kit.
If the person buying these items is not successful with getting approved and making two hundred and fifty of a craft this money is a profit for the company.
So we can all see the selling of kits, tools, dvd’s and extra materials and I believe monies made off of postage is one of the ways the company stays in business. Many believe the main way the company stays in business is by selling these items.
Some make crafts, get approved and make money selling the craft back to the company. But many many do not make this work out as a way to make money.
I believe many more do not succeed than succeed. This was pretty easy to figure out once I got involved with these work at home crafting companies. You look at people you have talked with. How many succeeded and how many did not. How much money was spent. How many people these companies are advertising to on the internet and where these companies are located and who and how they say they sell their crafts made by the person they are selling kits and other items to.
My opinion is the companies are taking advantage of people. My opinion is more loose money than make money. My opinion is it is a scheme or a scam whatever word you would use to label this kind of work at home company.
I quit making the bookmark even though I was getting paid. I decided I did not want to support what I feel these companies are doing. By posting about making the bookmark I was soliciting for others to pay money into the work at home craft company. Even though I was being paid many many never made a cent. Only lost money. NEC does have people getting paid. My opinion is many more do not make a cent and loose money.
I do not want to support the way these companies make their company a success. My opinion is it is a a scheme that takes advantage of many more than it makes a success.
This is my opinion and the opinion of many others. In fact even the opinion of many professionals. The Chamber of Commerce in Connecticut was not in favor of work at home craft companies. This was when I spoke with them two years ago. The Attorney General of another State is not letting these companies work in his state. I am not alone with my opinion about work at home crafting companies.
My opinion is the work at home craft company is the one who is making much money off of this type of offer. I see it as a scheme that is taking advantage of many. Just my opinion but also the opinion shared by many.
I feel everyone has the right to share their opinion about these work at home companies. The internet is policed by us. These work at home companies can take advantage of people and do. We all need to speak out and share our opinions.
Again Luv2craft I understand your stance on this issue. I just do not agree. I am taking a position that more loose their money than those who make a work at home craft company a success, I also feel the way these companies are set up and operate is misleading to people and take advantage of people so that a few can make some money.
Again just my opinion. I formed this opinion after trying NEC, making money with EZmark and posting on crafting forums where I was able to speak with many many women. Some made the companies a success and many many did not.
I just do not think the majority of the money NEC makes is from their kits. After 5 tries they send out free materials and keep doing so until someone is approved or they will completely send you another kit. They have a sell now that if you buy two you get one free with free shipping. I have been given several free kits when their inventory is low.
Also I know these crafts are being sold. I currently have the opportunity and waiting for a sales kit to begin selling in my town which is several states away from CT. If I hadnt procrastonated I could have set up my own craft booth at the local arts festival a month ago and sold their stuff.
They have a new craft right now being offered “Free” to approved clay assemblers. ie, free kit, free shipping, free materials. I asked for this new project and love it. Its not a secret it right on their website.
The Chamber of Commerce BBB rating is an A.
i cant say enough good things and you cant say enough about the bad. We are different and that is fine. I will continue my work with my crafts and forget about worrying about what you will say next. I find myself jumping on the computer to check this blog and I am going to stop.
Take care.
@love2craft:
love2craft, when you say :
They have a new craft right now being offered “Free” to approved clay assemblers. ie, free kit, free shipping, free materials. I asked for this new project and love it. Its not a secret it right on their website.
Is this for real ? let me know where !!!
Luv2Craft
Yes, we share two different opinions.
One thing you just said in your post I am going to challenge.
As far as I know the BBB report has nothing to do with the Chamber of Commerce.
I did see the change in NEC’s rating with the BBB. In fact they are not even listed as a work at home company anymore. I did contact the BBB in Ct. to try and see why this had happened. I also had noticed Cottage Industries was listed in much the same way as NEC now is. I tried to word my inquirie so that I could get an answer. They just kept telling me to make out a compaint if I had one. That was not at all what I was asking or trying to do. They must just be set up for complaints. LOL
Want to also share Cottage Industry has stopped their home worker program.
I think when NEC put letters labeling their craft kits as Beginner and so on. NEC making a view changes as to complaints by people, the BBB gave them a better rating.
I do not know what the BBB really does as far as letting someone know if a work at home company is a good deal or not. They are sure to say they are not recommending the company. So I kind of lost respect for the BBB. That is not to say it is not a good thing a company makes positive changes and gets a better rating. I just am not sure how much it really tells you about a company.
Also the Chamber of Commerce and work at home companies is questionable also. The Chamber of Commerce in Mississippi told me EZmark was a great company.?
So I would say trying to find out about a work at home company can be very difficult. Very difficult.
All the ways you are told to check out a work at home company does not tell you what will happen when you yourself trys the company. Paying out money is something you are told not to do.
So my advice would be what I have said before. Do not spend more money then you can afford to lose if you just have to try a work at home crafting company.
Luv2craft I want to say I am happy you are happy with NEC.
My hope would be the owner can make positive changes so that so many women do not lose their money and feel cheated.
Cindy,
I understand what you saying about the BBB, it doesnt really give that much information.
ichiang,
NEC is the company being discussed above. The free kit is only available to crafters who are currently making their clay projects.
Lou Ann
I do not think there is any way to know which wah crafting companies may pay some of their people for making a craft and selling it back to them.
I have considered the company has to have a way to keep what they pay out in monies for buying back crafts at the correct amount so that they themselves can stay in business.
This could mean they select the very best people to make their craft. Could be a company according to its financial means may pay one or two people. Then a larger company may pay twenty or thirty people, etc. But they may be selling thousands of kits and making large amounts of money off of the kit and only approving and buying back from a select few.
I do not know what the rules are for a wah crafting company to be following the law. I know Angel Pins stated on their web site they were following the rules. I would like to know what the rules are.
So my conclusion is there is no way to know if the wah crafting companies are paying anyone or not. Or if they sell the craft or if they even have to sell the craft.
I do know some of these companies seem to have terrible customer service. Seems it is probably one person working out of their home and not giving any time to the company. Again making money from selling kits.
I’M CONFUSED BUT I WOULD LIKE TO START A KIT
YOU NEED TO READ CAREFULLY TO DO EVERY STEPS I NEED SOME ADVICE I AM THINKING TO START WITH THE MAGNETS OR WITH THE CD CASE…….
Don’t even bother to try this! It’s not worth you time. It took me 3 hrs to complete 1 craft item, only to have them return it to me with errors!
You’d be better off selling pretzels on the corner.
Trust me.
its true it takes a longggggg time to be approved, when they finally aproved you,you get to make $10.00 not much
oh my god. i came on this website to see if this company is legit or not. i have barely been able to find this out cus all you guys seem to be doing is bickering … i can only hope that you guys are younger than 20, because you all sound like high school adolescents. though, to be honest, i kinda like this jennifer girl .. so, jennifer, you seem to know a lot about the companies and crafting community – would you be able to tell me anything about a company that would be good to get into as far as working at home & crafting? i really just enjoy crafts, my boyfriend and i do it in our spare time when it’s raining and throughout our college semesters to do some community service for elementary schools – but i want something that’ll give me extra cash. being a college student, i could really use it.
much appreciation
and i hope this alllllllll clears up….
Alex,
Thanks Alex for your questions. College is great…good luck. If you are not in need of a lot of money and want to tinker in your spare time for some extra spending money…yeah..NEC is it then. I am at home with 4 kids..the economy sunk..our jobs sunk…it was aweful. My husband works enough for us to just make the bills…no extra to save. The jobs I could get would have all crazy hours (law enforcement and retail security) and we just can’t afford daycare..afterschool care and nighttime care…so here I am at home. I love working outside the home…but since we are not in that position right now, I craft. I had never crafted before and I was seeking an at home job when I came across the WAHM board. Then, NEC didn’t have as many pages to go through..but as I wrote before…I was soooo sceptical that I read it ALL to form and opinion. I did….I had also wrote down fantastic tips that some of us posted about certain projects. Cause I had no idea where to begin..I had never crafted. I got brave and ordered 4 kits!!!!! Yeah. So scary. and then I started communicating with the girls who were currently working on those projects and they gave me even more advise. Thanks ladies!!!
I became a part of there family and stated conversing with them on a regular basis. My results are I guess…typical. I failed all of them the first go round. I look back at them now and laugh..yeah I would have flunked me too!! 
hehe. I did pass on my clay snowman the second time around!! Yeah. I was excited. I love him too…but he does take a lot of time. Oh yeah..that is something I have planty of now. 
I traded in my reindeer…..kept flunking. Traded him after 5 attempt. They let you trade then. I passed on my joker face on attempt number 5. believe it or not, I am STILL trying to pass on my scottie magnet. I love him and just bought the magical tool to make the perfect circles which was my main problem. Just sent him back in last week. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I also just began attempting the gingerbread boy….second sample going into the mail today…..I was soooo close to passing the first go around….mainly because I knew what they were looking for..and I have friends there that make him already that of course gave me some good tips. Oh,, I also ordered that free cake kit that was offered to assemblers who have been doing clay crafts for a couple of years. Looks interesting!!:) My last check I got from the snowmen I bought one son a bike. I should be getting another check for my jokers and snowmen anyday, and my other son can’t wait…cause he gets a new bike then…and then my 3rd son has to wait for another to get his new bike. So you see, my money I earn with NEC I guess could pay some small bills…but it is extra for the stuff my husbands check can’t buy. The kids toys!!!! So, for me, it is VERY good in this way. I think it would be great for someone in college to earn a little extra as long as it was just extra money. I had an outside parttime job while I was in college cause I definately needed more than what NEC could offer at this time. It’s definately going to have to be up to you and what your needs will be. Of course how demanding your college classes will also have an impact on whether you try NEC or work outside of college. Oh and get this….when I went back to work…I didn’t craft for a year!!!!! Didn’t send a single thing in. When I was back to being unemployed…I sat back down at my table..assemble some crafts for them with there last order they asked me for and sent it to them…and look at me in the thick of it. They don’t care. Once an assembler, always an assembler!! 
Good luck with college Alex, enjoy it to the fullest. I hope I helped you in some small way. I don’t get on here often, but feel free to ask any questions you would like!
Always, Jennifer
FYI I am 55 years old and have been crafting since I was 16….If you want to be ripped off, by all means send in your $$$$$$ and then sit back and wonder how you could ever make any substantial $$$ with this company. Maybe you will make $50.00 in the next 3 months!
Good luck!!!!!!
Paula…that is great that you can craft and go sell it on your own if indeed that is what you are doing. That is not me. I am not that crafty go to fairs and set up some site to sell my stuff. I don’t even have stuff!!! I am not a crafter per say. I craft certain item for NEC…I could no way come up with something myself…that’s not in me. I can however follow directions on “how to’s” which is not original. My next check alone for my clay snowmen (50 pieces) will be nearly $83.00. That is 1.50 a piece plus shipping. That is only for my snowmen. I sent in my jokers after that. Depends on how many prijects you got going on…….I wouldn’t post about how much one can make unless you craft for the company and you know first hand. And if you have and only did one product…then that was your choice. I choose to do more along with several of the crafters and I choose to stay home with the 4 children doing it.
It’ good for them you will work as if you lived in south america but in usa that money does not work
it works rodrigo if this isnt ones sole income…no one says to quit the day job to make crafts. we do this as a little xtra pocket change not to get rich or pay the morgage. For many of us we stay at home anyway and choose to sit down in our free time and craft. we are good at it and make money doing something we enjoy.
Alex
Chat forums and blogs are set up differently. You will find forums specifically for debate and discussion over whether an online company is a scam. There are forums who do not want debate about whether a company is a scam. No bickering.
We all know when there are differences of opinion. When people have lost a substantial amount of money and time emotions and feeling can be strong.
Alex if you visit other forums that are specifically for the debate of scams you will find bickering in fact you will find out and out fights. Debate and discussion that turn to bickering, fights and personal attacks. This is why some forums just do not let you share if you feel a company is a scam. They want no fights or bickering.
Try to endure the bickering so you can get at the truth.
Good Luck in your adventure to find a work at home company right for you.
Please share your experience if you decide to try New England Crafters.
Hi Alex,
I like Jennifer am also a homemaker. I stay at home with my 3 young children. I have been with NEC for 5 years now and believe with all my heart they are legit. Like Jennifer said this is a little xtra cash we make on the side. I work on my crafts in my spare time after my house is clean and my children are busy with their activities.
It is not a fast process and it takes alot of patience. Once you get approved you get faster and better at your projects.
Like Paula said a few posts above, she stated it took her 3 hours to complete one sample. You know what..it does, thats typical..So many people give up because of that. But after you get some practice and over time it gets alot faster.
Alex for more positive posts and more people working on and getting approved on NEC crafts you should go to wahm.com. Yes you will see some differences of opinions a few years back but that has passed and there are some great people getting approved.
Just take your time and decide for yourself. Good luck on whatever you decide. Take Care.
Hi Jennifer,
I am approved on the poodle skirt and magical lovebirds and I also have not done any crafts before NEC and I wanted to know if the clay projects are easy to do.
Hi Michelle…I don’t know that answer. Clay comes easy to me. I think that is my thing with NEC..clay. I look at the poodle skirt and say to myself “yea…NO!!!” hehe Those skirts look hard!! So cudos to you
. I absolutely love the clay snowman…but, he has A LOT of little parts and he takes a long time to make. But I just love him. The clay joker…I have a bit of trouble with pulling his ears our uniformly..but otherwise..I think he is an easy little guy to make that is quick. I don’t know about that penguin cake favor yet…they are shipping the kit as we speak. I love the scottie magnet. I do…even though he is difficult to get correct….those dots will get ya everytime. and I think I am gonna pass on my gingerbread boy this time too. He is ok..not too hard. But I have come to realize..clay projects are just more my thing than the fabric and stuffing projects. Whatever you decide….good luck with it. I guess there is only one way to find out. and remember…if you spend the money on a project and find that you just can’t get it….after failing 5 times…just trade it for another you think you might like. Whatever project you do chose….make sure you check out the WAHM board for any tips on that project. !!!!! Good luck!!
Jennifer
Jennifer is the gingerbread boy easy and not time consuming?
Ummm…that’s hard for me to answer Michele. He’s not as time consuming as the clay snowman….I don’t think he is hard…but the fabric cutting and glueing it together and then stuffing it, is not my passion. I have sent in my second sample…no word back yet. I did not send it in til last Thursday though. I nearly passed my first go round…so that may be saying something. The hat on that guy is probably the trickiest and time consuming. Trying to make sure NO glue showing is the hardest part. Time consuming? Again, if I compare him to the clay snowman….no, not as time consuming. Good luck!!!
Hi Michele I was wondering how long did it take to get approved?
Hi Cheryl.
It takes 2-3 weeks to get your sample back.
for me it was a type of scam i’m a carpenter and i’m young for me all this project are very easy i can do all of them but almost all of them take you a lot of time to do it so no one wants to earn 2 dollars by hour this is ridiculous
Aww, im sorry you only made 2 dollars by hour rodrigo. How long did you work for them?
Look everybody who is interested in this company. Go back and read the into comments. They hit it head on here. This is not a job to rely on paying the bills. It just isn’t. It is for women (or men) like me with 4 kids and a husband who travels who can’t work outside of the home right now. It is extra spending money for around the house…nothing to rely on. Again…I buy the kids extra toys with this money. That’s it! And for those that are more ambitious like some of my friends here at the company…they work on anywhere from 4-10 projects so they are constantly working on something and have materials being sent to them. Cause realistically…turn around time for each project is at least 6 weeks. So, if they send in a project every week (usually 50 pieces) they have a check coming in every week. If you are looking a job to make a lot of money to support a household…this is not it. I love working outside of the home…but when I can’t, I craft. Good luck to all, hope this helped. Jennifer
hello
I just recently became a stay at home mom. I have income coming in but would like a little extra money. I am bored out of my mind so was thinking if anything this could help keep me busy when my kids aren’t. I love crafts and I worked for an assembly company that sometimes had tedious jobs. So I was thinking of giving this NEC a try. I realize this is not a get rich program but I am curious, do you make back the money it cost for the kits. Also if you do get good at it will you get a check every week. And just wondering whats the most anyone has made in one week, (for those who have been with them long time)
hello
hello
I am a new stay at home mom, I have income coming in but wouldnt mind having a little more. I am bored out of my mind so I was thinking that trying out NEC would keep me busy when my kids aren’t. I recently gave up a job of assembling stuff including at times tedious things plus I love crafts so what could it hurt to try. I realize this is not a get rich program and by the way ppl talk you must have lots of patience. So I was just curious for the ppl that have been with the company for awhile, do you make back the money that you spend on the kits, just for inspiration what is the most anyone has made a week through them I know results may vary but would be interesting to know if anybody can actually make any profit from this
thanks just curious Im a gambling woman so i still might at least give it a try
Hi. I agree with staying positive and certain crafts taking a long time to do the first time around. I’m about to join NEC and another company, for the simple fact that I will be in my home working. Debating between how long it takes verses how much they will but it back from you is really irrelevant, because you are in fact at home. LOL. I’m laughing because I remember when I was a teenager and my friend and me ordered a work-at-home kit making earrings. LOL. It was a FAT vhs and the lady teaching us was wearing clothes from the 1970′s. LOL. TO make a long story very short, and 3 hours later, we laughed hard and threw everything away along with the static VHS tape. The moral I learned is:
1) you have to have a sense of humor. Yes it costs money to buy these kits in the start and get approved, but by gosh, if it’s doesn’t pane out, simply laugh and move onto another.
2) Scams are everywhere, and knowing that NEC has a lot of positive reviews from people saying they were approved and paid is more than enough to give you hope. If it doesn’t work out, move onto another. My God, it sounds like I’m a spokesperson for them! LOL.
3) Every time I see a negative person, or someone passing on their hurtful energy -not their fault, they don’t realize it- I just think about those beaded earrings and that old VHS tape and say, “At least I don’t have to do those beaded earrings ever, ever, ever again in my life!”
4) And lastly, everyone has different experiences with every company. Some are scammed by honest companies, and some companies scam honest people. What that means is it’s in the eye of the beholder. LOL. I takes me back when I did yet another job as a teenager mailing out things to people. To me, I knew it was a scam when I received the kits. But then my parents came in and saw it and laughed. They went onto to say that’s what they did when they first got married to make some extra money. They said it worked for them, but they hated it. But yet to me, it was a scam that didn’t work. See the pattern yet?
Just because something doesn’t work for you, doesn’t mean it’s a scam. Throwing the word ‘scam’ out is like saying the ‘F’ word. Some people say it all the time, and others say it only when it’s needed; I’m that guy.
I wish you the best of luck with any work-at-home job out there. Believe me when I say that I have tried EVERY SCAM out there. I could be angry with that, but I choose not to be. It’s okay to get frustrated about doing something for the first time that takes you 7 hours to figure out. Remember, if it was easy the first time around for everyone, these jobs wouldn’t exist; they’d be fully staffed.
I’m attempting to do this again for my wife mostly. Sad story, but she’s was scared on her last job -bad boss, real bad boss- and after she left it, she’s too afraid to go to work again. And any form of extra money -no matter how poor or rich you are-is still extra money.
I’m glad I happened to find this posting after I was looking up reviews on NEC. Thank you. And anyone who’s had success with NEC, please share your comments so I can have my wife read them. There are already a lot of positive reviews, but I have to have her see them for herself, personally.
Take care,
Hope I helped a bit
Stephen
Wahm.com is not an official website for this company by any means. If you have questions or concerns contact the company itself. They actually answer their phones and email which is more than I can say for some companies.
This is a great company for anyone looking to bring in a few extra dollars crafting but you have to be ready to go through the process. You won’t pass inspection overnight. They want a quality handcrafted piece that they can resell in their shop, at fairs, and yes even online.
I agree with Beth about them answering the phones. And anytime I have ever had questions, they have always been quick to help. They have even offered extra tips to help me pass the project. I am very pleased with the company.
Cindy is right about companies like Magical Gift. They don’t want the stuff back ! Their goal is to sell you materials and supplies to put this crap together – but you can’t ! The instructions are bad and it’s like assembling a 5000 piece puzzle blindfolded !
In addition to trying the Magical Gift, I tried a company a few years ago that “needed” people to assemble an electronic gizmo that makes your cd player send the music via FM to your radio. I showed the (lousy) plans to an electrician and he said if he could do it, it’d take him 3 days ! They said I’d make $10 per unit ! Let’s see, I could make a whopping $3.33/day – that’s IF it’s up to their “specs”.
RUN RUN RUN from these make-crap-at-home opportunities. At the most, you’ll be lucky to make 10 cents an hour – IF YOUR WORK IS PERFECT.
AMEN……….AMEN
I realy wish some people who have been scammed by this New England Crafters would post it on the bbb website. I checked their rating and they had an A-. If they are so bad why aren’t more people complaining about them to the people that can change things. I am not sure I would or would not get their products. The way i was spoken to over the phone wasnt possitive. I do know until I saw this sight I was concidering it because the bbb had only a few reviews that was negative.
Sandy,
They have an A because they are a legit paying company. I do a total of 6 projects for NEC. I have been paid on time everytime I send in a completed unit. I have been with them now for 5 years.
Sandy,
The best advice I could give anyone who really wants to understand scams and the internet is to get involved on a forum that is set up to bust scams. Not a forum that is advertising work at home jobs, independent contracting and business’s. Not by reading BBB reports or articles posted saying which companies are scams and which are not.
Even after you get involved an a scam busting forum you will still have debate over whether some companies are scams or not but you will get much knowledge so that you yourself can understand better what is going on with these companies on the internet wanting your money so that you can make money.
A few thing about Cindy’s comments.
1) Correct about the BBB – especially in the Work At Home field. Often the BBB will start a company off with an F rating merely because they are in the “Work At Home/Home Business” sector.
2) RealScam.com is a new forum where a lot of the more experienced members from the old Scam.com, including some of us (including myself) that have provided documentation to federal law enforcement – and at least one member who has an assigned federal agent and runs EagleResearchAssociates.org
My personal area of expertise is in home business scams more than “home job” scams or “freelance scams”, so if I’m not 100% sure of something (such as New England Crafters) it helps to have people with more experience debate about the company.
3) The only downside to scam-busting forums at times is that a lot of the people who gravitate to them are quick to call anything a scam.
4) You can’t isolate ONE red flag to call something a scam – you usually have to look at at least a few of them together.
However, I personally approach scams from a more technical, provable angle (that’s not to say other ways of identifying scams aren’t valid).
These are the tools I use.
If you’re not sure what I mean and you’re at all interested you can look at some examples of the type of analysis I’m talking about here:
Hello eveyone
I have tried several crafting companies. I tried the one to make Christmas cards – too hard & time comsuming. Tried making the Cross necklaces – never could get the wrapping to their standards. I had to buy the supplies from them, which meant even more out of pocket money spent. After a couple hundred into that one, I gave up and quit wasting my money. Tried the Fabric cd cases from another company. Had no clue how to do the edging. No help from them…so never could get that sample made.
I was sure at that point that all the crafting companies were scams. Then one day, a couple of years later, I came across the forum on wahm.com and started reading all the posts on there. I asked lots of questions over a period of months. I finally decided to give NEC a try. I bought a kit, sent in my samples several times, always getting rejected. I asked more questions on the forum and got more help. After a year of sending in samples I finally passed. After I got paid for my unit I bought another kit. This time I passed faster. Sent in my units from the 2 kits, got paid and bought more kits. After almost 2 years, I have over 10 kits that I work on. 1 kit was phased out and I was given a free kit to replace it. I thought that was great! I work on the kits as I have time and send them in.
Best things working for NEC
I don’t have to buy the stuff the assemble the kits (like with the crosses & such)
They pay me back for the postage
They pay me back for the paint
I get paid on time. Never have had to wait more that 2 weeks to get paid.
They answer my emails asking for help in a timely manner
Would I recommend this company? Yes I would. Yes it costs to get the kit, but they keep sending supplies until you pass or you can trade for a free kit. So to me the fee is worth it. Plus after sending in 250 pcs you get the kit money back anyway. So it’s more of a deposit than an a real fee. Plus unlike some other craft companies, there is to time limit to send in your samples. So you don’t have to rush to meet a deadline. You also don’t have a deadline to send in the units either, which is great.
Just my input…wanted to share
I have been with NEC since the summer of 2008 and I love working with them. They have always been very helpful and kind to me whether I called them or emailed them. They have always paid me quickly. I really like that I don’t have to set a specific deadline. I am approved on 9 projects and there are a couple more I am working on appproval for. The projects that I work on are things that I really like to make and the more I learn on each one seems to help with the assembly on others that I do. I love details and I love working with crafts so this is something that really works for me.
So approximately how long does it take to get approved/paid on a NEC beginners project?