So I know that they have it for preorder at a great price. 2 questions though:

1 - Does anyone know when they charge your card...when the machine comes in or immediately when you order?

2 - Has anyone preordered/ordered anything through them before...if so, how was your expierence (just checking out their service since it's a small company and it's a large ticket item.)

Thanks!!!

My card was charged right away. I paid through PayPal-figured then I would have both PayPal and the Credit Card company as options to help me recoup my money if anything goes bad.

I did try to research the company, as I do all major online purchases. Didn't find anything on them with the BBB or in just general searching. I did find a thread for scrapbooking where they were being discussed-people had ordered cartridges from them before and said they always check there first since they have such good prices. Then I decided it should be safe-if not, hopefully PayPal and/or my credit card company will save me!

What a co-ink-i-dink Just received an email from them. Here's a clip:

"Thank you for your recent pre-order at CutnCrop.com. We just want to communicate the shipping status of our current pre-order items.

Cricut Cake -- Provo Craft told us today that they are still on schedule for a May 1st ship date to ensure it is on our "shelves' before Mothers' Day."

I'm so excited

Thanks!!! Considering my birthday falls on Mother's Day this year - It'll be a nice present

Now...to see if I happen to have $300 lying around the house...hmm...maybe the change bucket...LOL!

Thanks again!

Sorry for being so 'out of the loop' but why is this better than just getting the Expressions?

It's food safe, the blades and mats (which I think don't have the sticky stuff you have to address with the others) are dishwasher safe, it's water resistant so it can be cleaned and it comes with a cartridge that may not be offered individually. The place listed in the title has an awesome deal that makes it about $306 (shipping included) if it's preordered. While you can find the Expression for a little less, you would still have to buy the deep cutting blade...

Thanks.....are the cartridges interchangeable? And wouldn't they sell the mats separately?

From what I've read, any of the cricut cartridges can be used with any Cricut-but they now make special edition cartridges that are only release with certain machines and then are sold for as much as the machine on eBay, later. Yes, you can buy more mats-the site listed above has mats for the cake cricut that can be purchased to have addtional. From what I understand about the original mats, they have sticky stuff on them that must be removed or covered somehow to use them for cake.

As far as being easier, I honestly don't know. Maybe it's a little stronger, but I don't know. I think the main element is that it's deemed food safe and the blades and mats are dishwasher safe. They are making their own fondant/gumpaste to be used with the machine, too. Don't know what that will run, though.

If you ask me, I think the Cake Cricut is just a marketing gimmick. ALL the techniques have been developed using the Expressions. Heck go to Joann's this week, buy the Personal for $85and then SCAL for $75 and you're all set.

I agree with Leah - I have the Expressions model, but only 3 cartridges. The darned things are expensive. I've recently done a lot of research on the SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) software. From what I see - the possibilities are endless - and it's only $75. No need to buy all those $69 cartridges!!! My husband does a lot of graphic design ( and is a computer wizzard) - He says he doesn't see any reason why the SCAL won't do the trick!

If I find any information on making the Expressions (or other models) cut "better", I'll be sure to post the information for you gals.

I emailed PC to see if the Cake blades and mats could be used on the Expression and was told that they could not. I then suggested that maybe they should offer a trade up promotion for those who want to use theri food safe products for cake decorating. We will see how that goes over.

I find it hard to believe that the mats are not interchangeable. It is the same exact machine, just produced for cakes so it is food safe. I agree with Leah, it is a marketing gimick. Those that have the expression, don't fall prey and get rid of your machines. Just wait, I bet shortly after it comes out, you will be able to buy the cake cartridge seperately and I bet you can buy the cake mat and use it in your expression.

I think I want this new one but I have a brand new Cricut Expressions that I used once to cut chocolate transfer sheets. I would have to unload that first. Any takers?

I haven't heard anything from PC about my trade up program. I guess they want us to buy [i]ANOTHER machine at a ridiculous price.

We opted for the more expensive Cricut Cake solely because using most devices in a way other than it is intended will generally void the warranty and we wanted to be covered in case something went wrong. Sure they may not know you were using your busted expression for gumpaste but if they found traces of it inside the machine somewhere it might be enough for them to deny any warranty claims.

I went to micheal's and bought the personnal on sale 84.00 and I have the expression but don't want to use it for cakes. I think it will do the same thing and I also believe that the mats will work in it maybe not the cutters but alot of people have been using these machines before they came out with the cake one so I say go cheap.