In The Market For a Cricut Machine? Even, If You Aren't, Read This

Are you in the market for a Cricut? Considering buying one in the near future?

If so, BUYER BEWARE!

As I was browsing through the Facebook marketplace recently, I happened to come across a listing for a Cricut Expressions 2 priced at $60. I couldn't help but notice that the price seemed too good to be true, and it made me think about the importance of being informed when purchasing a Cricut machine.

Over the past 6-7 years of being part of our local Facebook group, I have gained a wealth of knowledge about Cricut machines - what current models are available, what has been discontinued, and which ones are still in good working order. This experience has taught me to be cautious when it comes to purchasing these machines, as there are unfortunately individuals out there who may try to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers.

Firstly, it is important to be cautious when purchasing a Cricut machine from a private seller, as there have been instances where machines are sold and don’t work. There are 3 reasons a machine won't work- Its an older machine that has been discontinued (more discussed below), the machine is defective for one reason or the other, or the machine has been deactivated- When you install DS & try to pair your machine to the software, you’ll get a message stating “Please Contact member Care. Your machine is deactivated.”

Why does this happen? When a machine breaks within the warranty period, Cricut in most instances sends a replacement & Cricut requests for the machine be sent back to them (they will send you a return label). As per member care, as soon as a machine is considered being replaced on their end, it will become deactivated within a few days. This renders the machine useless and only suitable for spare parts. As per Cricut member care, you are more than welcome to request the serial number from the potential seller & call them & verify if the machine is still activate without any issues.

It is crucial to do thorough research before making a purchase to ensure that you are getting a genuine and reliable product. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. By educating ourselves and staying informed, we can avoid falling victim to scams and make informed decisions when investing in a Cricut machine.

To avoid purchasing a deactivated Cricut machine & getting scammed, I recommend buying from authorized retailers or directly from the Cricut website. This way, you can ensure that the machine is in proper working condition and not deactivated. Cricut now offers refurbished machines & are currently on a decent sale. The Air 2 is currently going for $149 compared to $249. If you have Cricut Access, you'll receive another 10% OFF.

I also wanted to share with you another reason why it's important to do your homework before purchasing a Cricut machine. One major reason is the existence of old, discontinued machines that are still being sold by people on various platforms.

You may come across a Cricut machine being sold for a great deal, like $60, and think it's a steal. However, please note that all discontinued machines do not work anymore. This includes cartridge machines, as they are not compatible with Cricut's current software, Design Space. When considering purchasing these machines, it is important to be aware that it may result in a financial loss. In many states, it is legally allowed for sellers to operate under the principle of "Buyer Beware." This means that the responsibility falls on the buyer to research and understand the product they are purchasing. If you are not up-to-date on the specifications and functions of these machines, it is ultimately your responsibility, not the seller's. It is crucial to educate yourself on what you are buying to avoid any potential financial setbacks.

Here is a list of Machines to look out for to avoid:

These machines are no longer supported at all with Cricut & you are not able to operate them. Stay away from these machines.

• Personal (2005)

• Expression (2005)/ Expression 2 (2011)

• Mini (2011)

The Explore (original, ONE, Air) machines are discontinued, however can still be used with the software.

Explore Air 2 & 3, Maker (original & 3), Joy & Joy Extra & Venture are current machines available to still buy on Cricut's website & of course are compatible with Design Space.

I hope this article was helpful to you & feel free to share to anyone you know who may be in the market for a Cricut machine.