As of this moment the site is very limited. As to be expected the sales site is way more robust than the customer site. It is owned by The Geocoin Store/Geocoin Club. I really like the forums at the Geocoin Club, so I have confidence in these guys ability to do a good job with this. Anyone can go to the pathtags address, but only customers can log into the customer area. Here is a picture of it:
When you Paypal the money to the Geocoin Store, you get an email that gives you your login information. When you first login (as of right now) it will not knock your socks off. You get a little area in the upper right corner with a picture of what the tag will look like and some other information which presumably will be editable at some point. In about 3 days after uploading your press ready art you get an email telling you that you have a blueprint ready for approval. Here is the approval Screen:
You can click on the thumbnail and it becomes larger:
After reviewing the piece I noticed that the changes were minimal here is the before and after:
It seems crazy, but they actually scaled back some of the borders a little. In this blueprint (It isn't blue!) I didn't like how the "Power Pellets" were spaced in their version so I rejected the blueprint and typed a request that the spacing be corrected as well as the color of "Clyde" (Orange Ghost) to be corrected. To view the site you can view in any browser, but to type in the comments bar you need to use Firefox or IE. (Note: I felt that the comments bar was to small to do a good job. Pathtags: Consider revision)
I will provide updates to this as I get the news, so stay tuned!
*(Update)* 9/19/06
Ben Fogt of Pathtags.com sent me this email regarding my changes:
"Do you have a Pantone color you would like the orange to be? That would realy help get it the right color. I'll see what I can do about getting the spacing corrected. Sometimes the blueprinter (Outsourced?) thinks that close is good enough.
Ben Fogt"
*(Update)* 9/19/06
I chose Pantone 123 (a bright orange)
"We should have another blueprint in a few days.
Ben Fogt"
*(Update)* 9/20/06
One day and I have an email saying the blueprint is ready!
Email:
"We have just uploaded the production-ready blueprint for your PATHTAG to your account. Log on at http://track.pathtags.com to review and approve for production. PLEASE NOTE: This is a production ready blueprint. By approving it you are authorizing production of your order. Once authorized we will submit the blueprint for production and you will receive your PATHTAGS in 6-8 weeks. Also, once approved - no changes can be made. Be sure to check all colors, design elements, and spelling for errors. Provide feedback using the feedback button under the template display on your account if you need changes made."
They did exactly what I asked fast! In time the quality of the website and product will determine the success of Pathtags, (sounds cheesy) but right now they are winning me over with their great service! So far... A+
Here is the updated art:
After the blueprint is approved you get this message:
*(Update)* 9/20/06
2 hours after approving the tag I was emailed this:
Your starter kit order for 25 of template ID 5025 has been submitted for production. You will not receive an additional notice until they arrive. When they arrive, make sure to click the button under your template to activate it for trading and tracking. If you have any questions please contact us at service@pathtags.com
Now, my friends, we wait... and wait... and wait some more... is it here yet... still waiting.
If you were wondering here is what the website says after it goes into production:
