Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I am so disappointed in this provocraft tool. Gypsy Handheld Design Studio for Cricut I have two Cricuts, the recently discontinued Coluzzle System, a Yudu and some other provocraft products that work great. In hindsight, I did not read enough of the reviews on the Gypsy in the Cricut Community boards before I ordered the Gypsy. I got caught-up in the frenzy of trying to get a Gypsy from HSN before they ran out again. BTW, I do not have a problem with HSN -- rather provo craft (yes, that lower-case "p" is intentional).
There are "oodles" of people who are very happy with their Gypsies -- but if you research and read, you will see that there are plenty of purchasers who are not.
So that I avoid sounding like a lone-nut, I won't go into any details about the problems that I experienced with the Gypsy. Rather, I will encourage you to go to the Cricut homepage and visit the community boards. Join (it's worth it), then search/filter on Gypsy and go to the tech forums.
As for me, I am returning this product to HSN for a refund as defective. After fairly extensive -- albeit LATE reading about provocraft customer service, I will not be sending the Gypsy to provocraft for repair. The Gypsy is potentially a great gadget and a fantastic concept but. I can see where it could become addictive because it is sooo freakin' cute and portable. I really want one -- but one that works. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that the quality and stability of the Gypsy are currently hit-or-miss. Even with "4 interest-free monthly payments", $300 is too much to pay for an inconsistent, battery operated paperweight. Congratulations to those who got good ones. Yes, I read and followed the instructions carefully and treated it with kid-gloves. I even sat through an hour + call with provocraft customer service to diagnose the problems. Provocraft admitted the devices were defective. I want one but I'll wait until this sucker has been on the market for at least a year. Oh -- and don't be too enamoured with the "exclusive" totebag offered with the Gypsy. You can find very cute purse-styled camera bags that are much more attractive should you decide to buy a Gypsy.
Happy crafting!
Gypsy by Cricut personal design studio with Accessories
*** Update 9 Dec 2009 Update****
Okay, I whimped out. I ordered a second Gypsy and I kid you not! --it too had problems. (sounds like the lone-nut again, I know, WHY would I do this to myself?!?). Instead of sending it back to HSN, I decided that I would give Provo Craft a chance to fix or refurb it. I have now received the second Gypsy from the Provo Craft repair facility. I have no way of knowing if it's a new one or a refurbished one because it looks new to me. Provo Craft did as they promised. They sent me a Gypsy that works. It has a serial number that matches the cartridges that I'd previously linked. I linked them and more. Provo Craft sent me return postage for the repair. It took them less than 30 days (it was about 18 days) to receive, repair/replace and return the Gypsy and so far she is working beautifully.
I've upgraded the firmware on the Gypsy and both of my Cricuts, and started several projects. My passion in the earlier review was grounded and I stand by my original feelings about receiving faulty products. -- thiat is why I won't delete them. I will however upgrade my rating by 2 stars for the following reasons;
1. Provo Craft stood behind their product
2. The Gypsy is SO enjoyable and addictive and I really WANT to like and use one
3. As I said earlier, there are people who have never had a problem with their Gypsy
If the Gypsy had worked straight of out of the box, I would have given it 5 stars PLUS a fantastic review.
It may be my paranoia but I think that it matters where you buy your Gypsy. Both of my retail shipments of the Gypsy, were in boxes with significantly less packing -(a few of those air-filled-bags and brown wrapping paper).The Gypsy box shifted around ALOT inside the shipping box. I gotta point the finger at HSN when I say this - HSN? Pack it better -- just in case that's part of the problem. Let's save everyone some pain and aggravation.
When the repaired/replaced Gypsy came it me, it was surrounded by bubble wrap with HUGE pink bubbles and there was absolutely no movement of the Gypsy box inside the shipping box. I think that when you are packing a UPS or FEDEX truck with packages, it's efficient and one might be tempted to toss the smaller boxes into place on occasion -- well, even if it is a flash-drive type device (I think) THAT can't be good for it if it's shifting around in the shipping box.
Provo Craft? things happen and I shouldn't have had THIS many problems with a Provo Craft product. None the less, Provo Craft (notice the capitol "P" in this revisit to my rating) you made good on your product and your warranty. Except for discontinuing the Coluzzle system, I forgive you and your corporate -selves for this Gypsy fiasco and I am once again, a happy Provo Craft customer.
Ehh.. okay, I'll make it 4 stars (my first review was 1 star). I love this little thing. I'm even going to give her a name!! Buyers, just try to get it from a store with a good return policy and if it doesn't look or act as promised, exercise the option to return it for refund, exchange or return it to Provo Craft so that they can fix the situation. If you are giving it as a gift, you might want to give it with a caveat (odds are low but there COULD be some problems -- but Provo Craft is responsive and gives good customer support.
L
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Gypsy is a handheld design studio for the Cricut machines. It lets you escape and design anywhere by storing your cartridges, and offers a wealth of design features. Comes with an AC power adapter and 1 stylus. Battery life: 4 hours continuous, 18 hours intermittently. Also comes with 2 full content cartridges already preloaded: Gypsy Font and Gypsy Wanderings.
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