Create An Equipment Co-operative
<p>As scrappers become more sophisticated in their tastes and techniques, their need for more expensive tools increases. As an example, die-cutting machines are becoming ever popular, most especially because of the variety of dies that are available either for fonts or graphics.</p>
<p>And then of course there are the machines that are computerized such as the Cricuits, which are so versatile and functional that, once experienced, a user doesn’t want to ever live without it. Cost, however, can be very prohibitive, and that’s why it might be to your advantage to chip in with some friends and share a certain coveted tool or piece of equipment. </p>
<p>The positive reasons for forming a co-operative for a piece of expensive equipment are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Each person only has to come up with a portion of the ticket price, thereby saving money.</li>
<li>The equipment actually gets used! So often we buy something, and we’re enthusiastic about it at first, but then only end up using it once in awhile.</li>
<li>Everyone has a strength to contribute. One person might be really good at reading the directions and can provide technical support, while another person might not be afraid to play around and can discover all the creative options.</li>
<li>Accessories can be shared. Who needs to own every font available? With a co-operative, each person can buy a different font, or accessory, that they are particularly in love with, but can also make use of the items that the others in the group have purchased. Everybody wins!</li>
</ul>
<p>There can be drawbacks, of course, which you should definitely be aware of before you enter into a cooperative-type agreement. Ask yourself the following questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Do you really like the people you’re going to share with? Make sure to not involve too many people. Two is great, and four is probably the maximum. </li>
<li>What are the arrangements for getting the item to and from each other. Is there a rotation schedule that can be written up so that everyone gets equal time?</li>
<li>What parts are actually shared, and which are not? As an example, for the Cricuit, will everyone have their own cutting mats, but share the tool kit for peeling the die-cuts off the mat? </li>
<li>Should the cooperative disband for any reason, what will the procedure be for buy-out? Hopefully, there will never be a need for this, but it could happen, nonetheless.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you’ve got a couple of friends, whom you trust and love scrapbooking with, then a co-operative could be a wonderful answer to your equipment woes. Not only will you all get to enjoy the scrapbooking benefits of your new gizmo, but it will also be a common thread that adds fun and excitement to your friendships. </p>
