I received an email from craftedge and nothing has been settled yet.. and no we don't need to pay for the upgrade if we do decide to purchase an ecraft or any others... I'm seriously considering getting the ecraft but only because I love the fact it doesn't need mats or cartridges.. .. I've watched youtube videos.. It's still cheaper than what I paid for my cricut expressions here in CAnada.. So I'll just sell my cricut and my cartridges off and have it will pay for the new machine
"For those wishing to boycott a bullying company, you should be aware that Gazelle mats and blades work with the E. Blade holders, blades, and embossing, engraving, etching, and pen tools for the Pazzles Inspiration also work with the bugs. Don't support bullies!"
Also, when I was looking around at Archivers' the mats for the Sizzix eClips mats are the same size (held them up together to compare) so that is an option as well.