I was contacted by someone to ask if it was me that is involved in this situation. I just want to go on record and say that it was not me. I totally understand that there will be more than one person doing a certain business (whether blankets, clothes, etc etc), and think this is not a bad thing. I also completely understand what you say about having the same fabrics...there are only so many cute prints out there, and we're all bound to have some of the same ones at some point in time (the clothing vendors do too!) As for the knots, I think we all do them the way we feel most comfortable with and the way we like best.

I also want to add.....Good luck to you in your business.:D

Awww girl, I personally would never think you'd do something like this :) I've bought from you before and was very, very pleased with my purchase!

I'm pretty sure I know who it is that did this (but please NO PM's asking who it is as I am not going to say) - and that WASN'T directed to YOU girl (Sadie's Mom) - but just to all YT members in general ;)

I'll second that ;) i haven't bought from you...but I would in a heartbeat :D :D

Ok--I it was fine that you apologized but I don't really see how it was necessary. If you looked on the web, there would be COUNTLESS sites that sell fleece dog blankets. And since blankets are somewhat basic, in that there is a limited number of ways to make a fleece blanket, there's bound to be another person on the web who makes the same blanket. And I'm sure that there are also some that would personalize the blanket like you do. It would be just silly to stop making your blankets because someone was offended. Will ALL of those other sites shut down because someone was offended by the competition? That's ludicrous! There is competition among all businesses. Look at how many dog bakeries exist on the web. If I worried about all of those, I would no longer enjoy creating and baking dog treats. I LOVE to bake--it's relaxing and therapeutic for me--and I would never stop because some competition told me to. Your products look great. Don't stop doing what you love because someone felt that you were stepping on toes.

I don't see why anyone should be upset or mad about your blankets. Those blankets are very popular, and you see them everywhere. I just bought some material to make one of my own because it seems so easy that I wanted to try it. I have no intentions of making them to sell or anything like that. In fact, I'm giving the one I make to my breeder.

I'm interested in the different knot though. Could you PM me how you do that? Like I said, I have no intention of making them to sell. In fact, I was looking at your site, and I am going to order a couple from you because I love that you can monogram them, and you have some really nice materials! I will be ordering at the end of the week.

Don't let anyone get you down about this. You haven't done anything wrong, and you have every right to sell these blankets and use whatever materials you want. I'm sorry that you felt you needed to apologize. I just don't see where you've done anything wrong. Good luck to you!

Sorry that you've had problems.. Here's my two cents:

Keep making your blankets! Not to sound rude, but the person who is complaining didn't (as far as I know) come up with/copyright these blankets.. I see them everywhere. Keep doing what you're doing. :cool:

pm'ing you now...but i will warn you.,.,i am HORRIBLE at trying to give directions LOL

same reason i dont sell my bows and blankets on here

i wouldnt stop doing what you love doing its our choice on here who we want to buy from and its the same as prefering walmart over target

footlocker over finish line

as for the materials and fabrics how many of us go to walmart and see the same stuff as another member in arkansas etc and we are in cali

simple mistake

its crazy to think all this on here

Mz_s3ski_Kitt3n,

Hmm, I was picturing a different seller this whole time...thanks for clearing that up. Having read the pm's that you posted, it seems to me that...

a. Mandee was upfront with you. MG, she came right out and asked you how you did it...she was not being sneaky.
b. Mandee did not rake your name through the mud. To my knowledge she never publicly announced who the other seller was, and was even apologizing for doing the wrong thing. I don't think she has defended her actions in this thread. OTHERS have.
c. Again, she's improved on her product...I'm sure in about 10 minutes of googling I can find others who sell dog blankets and pillows that are similar.
d. I don't even get the problem with the pm's to the other members, unless YT has a rule against that. Since I'm not a seller, I'm not sure on that.

I do, however, have issue with posting other people's email's, pm's, etc., in a public forum.

The way this thread began, YOU were given the option of keeping your name out of this.

I'm sorry, I just don't understand what the issue is.

I owned my own, non-internet business for years...competition is the name of the game. Believe me, I visited my competition regularly, checked prices, compared services, as did they. That's the way it goes.

Good luck to both of you...

(BTW, I don't know either of these sellers, have not purchased from either...that I recall...and am not personally invested in this situation in any way...just offering my humble opinion)

:yeahthat: There doesn't need to be a problem here. As gingergirlsmom said, competition is the name of the game. Just yesterday at my office we had a meeting on business competition. Nothing wrong with it as long as it's legal and nothing illegal has been going on here that I can see.

As far as posting others emails and PMs - that's not playing fair and is certainly not something that speaks of trust! I would advise you to give that a little more thought before doing it again.

I usually stay out of these posts where things can get a little hot, but Mandee has proven herself to be a person with a great passion for helping our furfriends and for helping other's here on YT and I have personal experience with her in that. So in this instance I come to your defense dear. You've done nothing wrong.

Ok, so I have stayed clear of this thread this whole time, mainly because I tend to keep my nose out of other people's business. But after what Mz_s3ski_Kitt3n said, I can't keep my opinions to myself anymore.

First, I make these blankets as well. I put it on hold for a whole because there were no need for blankets in the summer. But now that winter time is comming soon, I'll be opening up shop again, so to speak. lol. Anyway, I more than welcome the friendly compition. Afterall, when I first started making these blankets, someone else on YT was already making them. I thought they were pretty, I loved making them, and it was a great way to make extra money. But I NEVER contacted the other seller and asked her how she made her blankets. I went on google and looked up the different ways to make them and I went from there. I honestly think that when she contacted Mz_s3ski_Kitt3n and asked her how she tied her knots, that she crossed the line. It's one thing to ask for personal reasons, but to ask her how she made them and then go and sell them here on YT was really wrong on her part.

I also have to say that when she first made her site available to us, the first thing I noticed were the matching pillows. I knew I had seen those exact same pillows somewhere else.

In my opinion, it's one thing to improve upon someone elses work, but it's another thing to straight out and copy it. Even it she had offered monogrammed pillows, at least it would have been something different.

Also, I don't agree with making any of this public at all. Honestly it seems like more of a way to get people to feel bad and buy your blankets. I mean if you go bakc and look at people's responses, half of them say that they are going to check out her site right now and buy a blanket. Honestly, the matter should have been taken care of privately and if it couldn't be settled between them, they should have contacted admin to try and figure something out.

I'm sorry if you all don't agree with what I have said, but it's just my opinion as a fellow YT seller. I welcome all friendly compition, but lets please keep this all friendly, as we all use this site daily and a lot of us sell on this site and it would be horrible if everyone was unhappy and arguing over something that could have been handled a lot better than it obviously has.

I'm sorry for those parties involved, and I truly hope that you can figure this out and come to some sort of agreement or understanding.

i have to run, but I want to point out that my pillows are NOTHING like hers :) and I only got the idea to make them because I had extra cotton fabric left and was trying to find something to make with it.

but no...they are nothing alike.

You're right, I just went back and checked.. I think i was thinking of another YT seller's pillows. But see, that just goes to show that there is compition when you encounter any market of thinks you want to sell. It comes from everyone and everywhere. It's like when I went to sell my gaming system on YT and there was already someone selling one, but that didn't stop me from posting mine for sale. When you think you're comming out with something new and exciting, there's always someone else who will come out with something better or even sililar.


Can't we all just get along? lol. This is an internet site afterall... it's not like someone is opening a wendys Next a McDonalds. If you do a search on google and crossreference fleece blankets and dogs, you get a ton of sites that are all selling the same things. The compition is supposed to keep us on our toes and on the lookout for the newest and best things. It's not supposed to get us angry or depressed.

There are so many people on here that make clothes, and such that I can't see why one other blanket maker should be a big deal. If only one person was aloud to make dresses and vests we certainly wouldn't have many to pick from It's the same thing with your blankets. I'm excited about getting mine. It was my choice to pick yours, and if others are offended then I'm sorry too. This is a public site, and everyone should be able to share their wares on this site, so we have a wider selection to pick from. Keep sewing girl.

I think this is all so silly and I don't think she did nothing wrong by asking how to tie the ends. Alot of us sewers on here will often share where we buy our velcro ,drings,just share any info to help others.
Also, Miss kimmie there are several others the offer the exact pilloew as you,did they get upset at you when you started making them? It would be like saying well Connie sells dresses so I shouldn't or so and so make hareness I shouldn't.
Overhand Knot

The overhand knot is just about the simplest knot: It's the one you tie first as you begin to tie your shoe.

I can see both sides to this story. I think you both should kiss and make up....or at least hug. :) You'll feel better:animal-pa

i wish.... I hate feuds.

ok...i am back from the vet and want to take a minute to respond to some of this.

yes, I can see how kimmie could feel that her toes were stepped on...which is EXACTLY why I posted the apology. and Kimmie...I told you I would do it...so why are you surprised???

My apology was sincere. It was put there in case I had upset any other vendors on YT by making the same product. This is my first experience with selling things online and I was not sure how the internet world was compared to everywhere else. maybe people are more sensitive to this stuff online??? so I apologized. Nothing Kimmie posted is a surprise, because I covered it in my posts. I said that I sent pm's out to promote my website..NOT TO PROMOTE MY POST IN THE FOR SALE FORUM...but my website. I have looked and looked and don't see anything in the rules about doing that. But...since it upset her...I wrote those people back and apologized for my pm and I told her that I would not do that anymore.

I also mentioned that I asked her how to tie the knots that way. She did not respond, so I went elsewhere to learn. I'm sorry...but I just don't see anything wrong with me trying to improve my product. the knot is not called the "kimmie knot" it is a knot that is known world-wide by children of all ages. It is basic. So there is no reason why I can't use the same knot.

I also mentioned that I noticed I had some of the same fabrics as her...she was upset by this as well. she asked that if I see a fabric that she has on her site in the store, that I not buy it. well...I don't keep up with everyones websites to see what fabrics they have. The only reason I got to people's websites is if they have something I want to buy for maggie....clothes mostly. So I don't have a clue what fabrics others are selling, unless they specifically post a thread here about it. And I do not intentionally buy the same fabrics as others, I am looking for things that I think are nice, and will sell well...and if I see something unique, I will buy it. There is not a whole heck of a lot to choose from when it comes to fabrics, so we WILL have some of the same items. So, I cannot promise that I will never have the same fabrics.

is there anything else??? I don't think I hid any of this from anyone. The ONLY thing I hid was Kimmie's name. I was NOT trying to smear her name...and I posted that I did not want people asking who it was I was referring to. I am not trying to get rid of my competitors. I think it is great. In face, I would buy from other blanket makers if I thought they had a fabric I couldn't get and I wanted the blanket. I have no problem with competition. I welcome it. it is what keeps us all around :) Plus, if I was the only one making blankets, I would not be able to keep up with demand. I work full time, have a daughter that is very active in gymnastics, and a house full of dogs...I could never keep up if I was the only blanket vendor on YT. So, If kimmie feels I have smeared her name...then think again. I never mentioned a name.

ok...I think I have said enough. This has gotten way out of hand. the thread was meant as an apology, not an act of war.

:yeahthat: The PM's and the public stuff is bad form.:thumbdown
Business is competitive. That is the way it is.

she didn't respond to you when asking about how to tie knots, well that's a different story????

Listen you have tried your utmost to be fair Pepe mint. You Go Girl!!!!!!

Exactly.

And those fleece blankets are pretty basic and straightforward. You see them everywhere, and not a lot of variation in the basic pattern is even possible.

People sold them on this site for years before either of these posters came along, and they will sell them here years afterwards....I don't think anyone can claim a patent on something that Girl Scouts regularly make as a craft project.

Pepe ment I really feel like u shouldnt explain yourself anymore. You apologized and that should be enough. You did nothing wrong. when you asked her how to do that type of knot and she didnt respond she obviously knew that you wanted to make the same knot on ur product thats why she didnt answer u. therefore you didnt even use "her technique" Im sorry but to tell someone to look at the fabric and not buy the same is ridicules. If its in a store with a price tag then u should be able to buy what u want. hope no one gets angry with what i have said but its how I feel.

perfect post i agree 100 zillion percent

I don't see why you can't PM people offering your blankets. I have had received some PMs in the past with the same intention of selling their stuffs (not you though) so its a pretty normal practice on here I supposed. I am sorry you had a bad experience but I just want to say I don't see anything wrong with promoting if other people has been doing it and it should be fair for everyone when it comes to competitiveness.

Pepe... I dont think you did anything wrong. It was a nice attempt to appologize. I tie my blankets like that. I bought one at a craft fair and untied one to see how it was done. Stop being sorry and get busy making blankets girl!!!!:)

First off I wanted to say that I don’t want to upset anyone by posting this and I know this is long but please read the entire post before judging me. This is very hard for me to post and anyone who know me knows I am a good person and I try to be fair and I always try to be nice and resolve conflict. This is not only directed at this thread but a few others that have come up over the months. I have held my tongue on several occasions and I feel I must say something now. I sincerely hope that this does not offend anyone and I hope you can understand that I am speaking from personal experience. I feel awful for both parties involved:( . This is such a touchy subject but I feel that someone needs to bring it to light. I understand that there will be competition everywhere including here but I feel that there is a fine line between friendly competition and total lack of respect. Why is it that someone would want to improve their product to look just like someone else’s? I do not understand this reasoning at all? When I make my stuff I make sure that it is different and unique because why flood YT with the same product? I have had my harness design copied by 2 people and yes they sell them and yes they are making a profit off of my hard work:( ! Do I think that is friendly competion NO!!! Why because they did not put in the effort to come up with their own design they took it from me. Is that what you all think is ok to do? Why should I work hard to bring original stuff and have someone think it is ok to copy it and not just the idea but actually the exact design? Well people speak of K-mart and Wal-Mart competing well they buy the same shirt from one person it’s not 3 venders making the exact same shirt to sell only one so there is a difference they compete only in pricing. The thing is some of us only sell here on YT and it is hurtful when this happens. I think when you set out to copy someone else’s work instead of taking the time to IMPROVE your product on your own like the rest of us have is wrong IMO. I would never go to the store and pick up and outfit and pick it apart to make it for me to sell anywhere? Why? Because someone else took the time to come up with the design and if I am that lazy I shouldn’t be making clothes!!!! Bash me all you want but I feel Kimmie had every right to defend herself most of you knew who Mandee was referring to and she had every right to post her pm because it proves a point that she contacted her with the intent to make the exact type of blanket Kimmie was making. I have no problem with you Mandee but I feel if it was me this happened to I would feel the same way Kimmie does right now! Do I get upset when someone has the same fabric as me NO because that will happen and there is nothing anyone can do about it, Do I get upset that other people sell products similar to mine No because that will happen. But I do get up set when someone contacts me asking how I make my product and then copies it to sell here in the same place I do. I respect all the venders here and I try very hard to be different and yes there are only so many ways to make a blanket and tie a knot but why make your blanket look just like someone else’s? I really hope you all can understand why I am posting this and this is not a bash at anyone I just wanted to express my personal feelings on the matter. I never posted about my situation because I was afraid that people would judge me and think bad of me:( and I love YT way to much to let that happen but I feel that over the year this problem has gotten worse and I feel that some have gotten to much support about it. If I came on here selling a puppy that I took from someone else I would get bashed and embarrassed by everyone here! If I went to a company and took their designs and started selling them I would be punished for it why is this any different? If this was another member who was more established would some of you feel the same way? Again I apologize if this has offended anyone that was not my intent and know that I love and cherish YT more than you will ever know. Without YT I wouldn’t have got through some of the hardest times this year please understand that I am not posting this to hurt anyone nor am I taking sides it’s just My Personal Opinion.

I feel that this thread should be closed it is not helping YT and it is not helping these 2 fix the situation. :(

As a seller I can see both sides as well. I'm not taking sides at all!

I can see why kimmie was bothered that pepe would ask her how she does her knots. When you put a lot of work into researching how to do things your way and then someone asks you to freely give all your time and effort without doing the work themselves it does bother you. However since Kimmie didn't respond and Pepe did do the research herself after all, that's great, she can call her blankets her own design and be proud of it. But I can feel for Kimmie's hurt and frustration as i and i'm sure other seller have been there one time or another, however you do have to get a thick skin and get beyond it as there will be many more things that happen as a seller that you just have to let go

I don't think you can patent a knot that already exists and used by many and i don't think this should have gone on so publicly... But something else that makes this situation different than other blanket websites on the net is we're more of a family here on YT and we take things more personally and things will hurt our feelings more when things happen...

That said, i really hope everything can be resolved because i would hate for admin to get annoyed with everything that goes on and take selling priviledges away from this site. As so many sites do not allow selling. We are very lucky to have YT as a venue!!

You are right in that sense, If its ur unique design that is wrong sorry that happen to you :-(...but she is talking about a knot that you find everywhere. it was not the other persons creation.

I\'m Switzerland on this one.

I see both sides of the story in terms of why both parties feel taken aback by how the situation played out.

BUT, bottom line is: you\'re each selling something that a gazillion other people could sell or do sell.