Thanks for being so thorough! I plan to go with the quarterly notebooks so this doesn't impact my purchase, but I thought that perhaps ML should also offer last year's covers in their replacement line.
I'm not really fond of the covers this year. I like the florals cover but I wish the background was a darker blue. Still, even though I don't like the covers and won't buy any extra, I love that Sierra is offering the covers separately so that people can have multiple and switch them out. That's just so different. This will be my first year buying MakseLife and I'm really looking forward to working with that system. I also have Powersheets coming because they made such a difference for me this year. I'll be trying both and see which I like best.
Oh, I love that you are trying both out. I would love to hear back from you in the middle of 2021 and see what you think;) Thanks for taking time to chat:)
@Ingrid Johansson I can understand where you're coming from but I also understand what they're doing. So, these aren't handmade by the company - they outsource making the planner. They have a set inventory amount created for each product and that's usually it. How much each planner costs to make is usually determined by the amount they have printed and made. So, they say to order, like 10,000 planners and maybe an extra 1,000 covers. So, once everything is printed, it's shipped to them in bulk and then they send it on to us. At least, that's the usual process. So, they have 10,000 planners and 1,000 covers. Once their stock is sold, that's it. They would then have to decide to either create another order for another set amount or say that's it and they're sold out for the year. Because they print in bulk, they get discounts on the order. But because of that, they can't usually print-on-demand. What you're asking for is on-demand printing. Customization and on-demand printing drive up the cost of printing by a lot. It wouldn't be feasible to go back to the printer and have them print a couple of extra planners if the demand isn't there. They need to order in bulk - the larger the better. So, it's entirely possible that if enough demand is there, they may have more artist cover planners printed to take advantage of the demand. But if there isn't, or they want to keep the artist covers more exclusive, then they won't bother with another order. It does feel a little money grabbing but it's more to keep costs down with the business model and printing contract they have chosen. The reality is that, unfortunately, there's usually a set stock, regardless of the planner company, and if you want one specifically, you have to order it before it's gone. As for the extra covers they have, that was apparently something they were trying this year to allow people the options to switch their covers. I don't think it was really meant to be a means to replace the cover you ordered with the cover you actually wanted. Or at least, that wasn't their original intention. But this option does work and it's actually the route I took. I couldn't buy the floral cover planner before they sold out. I really hate all of the covers, honestly, but the floral was the best out of them. So I bought the other artist cover and then purchased an extra cover in the floral. I'm glad that it was an option because otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get the cover I wanted at all. If it had been the year prior, I would have just had to stick with the cover I got. That said, regardless of the reasoning for why they can't do it, if you don't like the practice, absolutely do some voting with your wallet and don't purchase the extra cover or the planner at all. It sucks to be excited about a product and then feel like the company is taking advantage.
Sierra is part of why I'm even in the planner community in the first place, so I love supporting her. Thank you for another great review! So excited about some of the great changes. I'm on team pinstripe, but I still love 2020's yellow.
Sierra is amazing:) And I still LOVE both my floral covers from 2020 and I am keeping them! The yellow and blue really are both some of my favorite covers of all time:) Love the pinstripe for this year too:)
This will be my first MakseLife! I was leaning toward the stripe, color linen precisely, but then again, those peonies are too magnificent to let them pass! And the gold on the cover! What can I say, I love shiny things! Thanks for the video Amanda! You’re always the first planner I’ll go watch for review!
Aw, thanks for that compliment Ruby:) It means a lot for me to hear that you come here first! And I agree...the cover choice is hard! Love both of the ones you are looking at;)
Thank you so much, thorough review helped me decide to try this planner out for 2021. I’ve also watch your other reviews from 2020. I was getting ready to purchase your link then realized not available for ordering until October 21st 😅 Will make sure to use your link once able to purchase it 😊
Thank you so much Jacque. I know it's an extra step...but the support of using my link keeps me going on my channel:) So a big Thank You for that! Have a great weekend:)
Amannda - your reviews are stellar. I am having such a hard time selecting a goal planner and the care you take to cover every feature and your experience using each planner is really beyond helpful.. Whichever I decide on I'll be thrilled to use your affiliate link to keep these reviews coming! PS when you noticed your fingernails part way through this video I had to check mine - (laughing) turns out the plant I repotted this morning shared some of its intended soil with me ;-)
Aw, thank you so much for the kind compliments Michelle:) That truly means a lot for me to hear. And yes...I really do try to check my nails and polish them before videos...LOL:) Have a good weekend. And best of luck in the goal planner decision!
Thank you! I appreciated both the Powersheets and the Makse Life reviews. Your attention to detail really helped me make my. choice to buy the Makse this year!
I really hope they make an academic planner one day, because I love the idea of happing a planner and goal guide in one place. But academic planners make so much more sense for me, since I have kids and all of our activities are on an academic schedule.
I think it was so smart of her to come out with that product:) I can't wait to get my hands on it and review it too! Thank you so much for using my link and supporting my work here. Have a good week:)
Great review, Amanda. I am going to use Tools 4 Wisdom for 2021. It also focuses on goals. The prep work seems good, and there are four pages of goal-related stuff every month. I was going to use the large monthly Erin Condren, but after a couple of months I realized that I didn't want to draw lines for a whole year.
Thank you for your review, Amanda! Your reviews are always the ones I look forward to the most. I watched the whole video- I did hear you talk about the weight of the paper however I didn’t catch if you said if the paper is slick, smooth or has tooth?
Man...I didn't mention that! Thanks for asking;) It is smooth, but not slick at all! It doesn't have tooth like EC....but it takes the pen well. I like it....where as I don't love Plum Paper that is too smooth (almost slick) to me. But I really do like this paper;) It takes all pen and mildliners well.
Thank you for a great review. I really want a goal planner this year so I'm leaning towards buying my first MakesLife planner along with the stickers and bookmarks. 😊
I was so excited to order I forgot to use your link :( I did message them to ask if there is anyway for it to count towards your affiliate link because you are my favorite reviewer lol
Aw, thank you SO MUCH for going the extra mile! I saw on their FB page yesterday others were asking that and they said to email them with your order number and my name and they would add it:) Sierra really is top notch with customer service and she values her affiliates like no other:) Thank you again!
Hey Amanda, I just stumbled on your channel, i subscribed immediately. I like your content, you are good at narrating. I am looking for a daily goal setting, journal, and planner in one. Every morning, I prefer to write down at least one thing I am grateful for and why, in addition to writing down my goals every single day. Do you know anything that combines all the above? It is too cumbersome carrying around everything. Thanks.
First of all Welcome:) From what you have mentioned that you want I would use a Journal like a Leuchtturm notebook and just date the top. I have a Playlist about Leuchtturm. Another option is TN's (Travelers Notebooks) I am using ones from Planner Perfect right now. If you really want something dated but with room to write...KitLife Daily planner pages have that. Their new Calendar line hasn't launched yet for 2021 but it's coming soon and I will have a review on it. If you don't need a whole page per-day then I can suggest some great horizontal layout planners. Let me know;)
thanks for always providing so much info, Amanda! it really helps indecisive people like me! I’m just frustrated their site isnt open yet. is that the only place they’re available for purchasing? thanks so much...hugs, laur
It is the only place they can be purchased. They don't launch until October 21st 9am (PST). The site will open then, and I am not sure if it will open before that?! It would be nice to see all the products and specs on the site before launch day....but they are a small company only in their second year and I know their web developer is still working on it;)
Are they planning on getting more of the floral pattern in? Both of them are out of stock already. 😔 I really wanted to use this as my horizontal planner / journal for 2021. 😞
I heard there will not be a re-stock. But last I checked the floral cover was still available to purchase separately. So you can switch out your cover to it;) Since it is only their second year I think Sierra had no idea how fast these would go!
For anyone that reads this and wants to see it also...It's on Instagram as an IGTV. I will add the link here and in the description. Thanks for asking RuthAnne:) instagram.com/tv/CLZvwjGJ440/
She is only in her second year...so she uses a 3rd party to ship there...Called shipitto (I think) I might be spelling that wrong. I know you need to email Makselife to get the information on how to place your order if you're international. So if you want to order on launch day...email them today:)
They are using shipito for international since they are still small in their second year. You have to email them to get the right information to do that when ordering. Just shoot them and email and they will give you all the information:)
I won't have a discount at launch...but she will have a launch day deal. I don't know what that will be yet. I will share on my Instagram when she gives the details of a launch day deal:)
No plans for a code after launch day. She just announced her launch day special is 10% off your entire cart launch day only! I would buy then if you can. And you can support me just by clicking through my affiliate link to the Makselife site when you purchase. It's in the video description. If you do that I get credit for you sale...and make a small commission. Thank you for supporting my channel!
@@AmandasFavorites thanks Amanda. I will definitely do that abd support you. I plan to get the planner anf maybe the dividers. It's my first Makse and first real goal planner so I'm excited. You helped me decide this was the one I wanted and I couldn't wait for the new ones. Thanks again. I'll definitely be watching for ideas on using the planner as well
