ETA: Please note that I am adding questions to the bottom of this post as they come in. I will do my best to answer them as quickly as possible.
What is the price point of the Xcalibur?
Oh how I wish I was at liberty to share this with you, but at this point I am not able to share this information. As soon as I can - I will, so keep watching being that once CHA begins I can then shout it from the rooftops. All I can say is that I believe you will be thrilled.
When will the Xcalibur be available for purchase?
Currently the release date is May 2008. So why are we talking about it now?
The crafting industry can be a very difficult industry to work within at times. It is important to share what new inventions are on the horizon, but the question is always when should we do it to best accomodate the needs of our customers. Many question why the manufacturer does not let everyone know the minute an idea hits the drawing board. I can easily tell you that it is due to the incredibly competitive nature of the industry. If word is leaked to far in advance that a new invention is in the works, another manufacturer will waltz in and take the idea and run with it. So timing is critical in this industry. Do I wish it was not this way? Very definitely yes, but it is what it is and so we must work with it.
The next part of this question is why tell about it so far in advance. My answer to that question is that by sharing this information in advance of the actual release date it then allows new consumers to make a decision as to whether they should wait on their next purchase or buy what is currently available. At times it can be a difficult decision especially when the new product is not even out yet to physically try. It's a catch-22 that unfortunately there are no good answers for. All we can do is try to accomodate as many needs as possible.
So as always we will do our very best to educate you about what is coming vs. what is here. You will then be able to make a decision for yourself as to whether what you currently own is best for you or if what is coming is worth all the hubbub. There are many consumers who currently do not own a diecutting system. This will allow them to reflect on what it is that they want and make the decision that is right for them.
Is the Wizard passe?
In my opinion I believe that the Wizard will always be my go-to tool for any heavy duty crafting. There will more likely than not ever be another machine on the market that can withstand the pressure that is exerted by this Univeral Crafting Tool. This little metal machine can withstand pressure like no other in today's market place because it is all metal.
The Wizard will not be taken off the market at this time. It is a tool that fills the needs of many. That is not to say that sometime down the road it will not be taken off the market - it just depends on you the consumer. Will you still have a need for a tool that is durable? We can't answer that question - only you can. Again I believe that there will always be a place for a strong tool and that is what the Wizard is - a strong, Universal diecutting and embossing tool.
Are we taking preorders?
I believe that it is much too early to take preorders on this product. It is so important to me that I leave your money in your checking account until I am ready to make a fair transaction with you. It is always my intention to be able to ship your product out to you immediately upon receiving any financial compensation.
I also take the trust that you place in me seriously. At this moment I have great confidence in Spellbinders and their ability to make things happen, but there are so many others that need to be counted on for parts and labor that it is out of the control of any one individual or company.
Can we take your name and put you on a list so that we make certain to order enough product to begin with - most definitely! If you believe that you are going to have to have one of these when they are ready to ship and you would like to support us by purchasing it through us, then please send us an email at customerservice@ellenhutson.com. We will put together a special list to keep you updated as to what it is that is happening with the Xcalibur and consider you in a head-count of those we will honor orders of when the timing is right. I promise that we will not bombard you with frivolous "stuff", but will keep you up-to-date on what is that we are learning.
Do I think the Xcalibur is big news?
Yes, I think it is huge. What an incredible innovation! There are many crafters who have a difficult time using tools that require manual labor, so to have a completely mechanized machine is huge. I am personally VERY excited about it being I have noticed arthritis setting in to my hands and I wonder at times how I will continue to do what it is that I do into my more "advanced" years - LOL! Well - I believe that the solution is within reach with this machine Ü
I thank you for your questions. I will most certainly be trying the Xcalibur for myself at CHA being that I have not had the opportunity to personally test the machine. We all work so hard to make a living and I respect you all so much for wanting to know what the "right" thing to do is. I hope to be able to share my perspective and knowledge with you as soon as I can have some "hands-on" time with this latest, greatest innovation. As always I will give you as much information as possible and I thank you once again for placing your trust in me. I hope to never let you down.
Will the Xcalibur Cut and Emboss Simultaneously?
Being that the dies are designed to be utilized in three possible ways it will still require two passes through the machine to first cut your cardstock and then a second pass through to emboss it. As with the Wizard you will be able to cut and emboss, only cut, or only emboss. Versatility is so important and this is the only way to achieve the flexibility we would like to see from the dies.
Hello, what ever happened to this product? It sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Jeanette | February 18, 2009 at 05:48 AM
It is now April and I am surprised there isn't more information available online anywhere for the Xcalibur.
I haven't been able to find anywhere, whether you plug it in, or it's battery operated or rechargable.
Any new information would be great!
Posted by: Mary Franklin | April 26, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Wow, this is amazing! Because I do not see an electric cord in the photos of the Excaliber I would like to know if it's electric or battery powered. Thanks for taking our questions and TFS.
Posted by: Juanita | February 05, 2008 at 10:29 AM
I hope that the sandwich for Wizard dies is exactly the same sandwich as used today in the "classic" Wizard. I personally don't need to remember a different sandwich combination when switching between them. Please let us know if this is the case, as this, along with price, is a factor when considering the purchase. Thanks!
Posted by: Mary | February 04, 2008 at 06:31 AM
What an exciting new product! I can't wait to read your CHA report on this!! Thanks for sharing all the details!
Posted by: Rose Ann | February 01, 2008 at 02:03 AM
I'm so intrigued with this.... my question-- since I THINK there is a motor in this, how loud (noisy) is the motor?? Let us know when you can check this out and answer!
Thank you,
Micki
Posted by: Micki Cline | January 31, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I'm very disappointed - I just bought my Wizard in October and now they are coming out with a new model that sounds much easier to operate. I wish I had waited since I too am getting arthritis in my hand. It would be nice if there was a program that gave you a credit for the old if you buy the new.
Posted by: carol | January 31, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Thanks for the info! I appreciate the time you take to keep us on the "cutting" edge!
Posted by: liannallama | January 31, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I am excited about this machine! I have had tendonitis in my right arm for about six months, and using the arm much makes it flare up and get worse, and spread to my shoulder. This machine may have come at just the right time for me, because I have never owned a die cut machine and was just in the process of choosing one!
Posted by: Ruth Gore | January 31, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Will the 'sandwich' needs for the various dies (QuickKutz/Cuttlebug, etc.) be tested and listed for the Xcalibur by the time is marketed; or, is this something the consumer will have to work out?
Posted by: Ann | January 31, 2008 at 07:19 AM
I, for one, will patiently wait for you to fill us in on the new toy! I've got arthritis in my hands, too. I'll send you an e-mail on what I do about it.
Posted by: kathynruss | January 31, 2008 at 05:17 AM
I would love to know if this will cut and emboss all at once. Now that would be cool! I'm making a V-Line straight for Spellbinders' booth at CHA!!! :)
Posted by: Julie Campbell | January 30, 2008 at 04:46 PM