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Saturday, January 11, 2014

Wayward Kickstarter - They Became Flesh - Two Years Late and Still No Books for Some


Before I even get into the nitty gritty of this post, let me start with a public service announcement: If you are going to have an part in the running of a Kickstarter project, PLEASE make sure you have decent health insurance. From the Kickstarter updates I've read over the years, you can expect to get hit with: Con Crud, the flu, the whole family gets the flu, depression, undisclosed illnesses, broken limbs and other assorted debilitating illnesses and injuries - often you'll get more than one instance of the above. Don't forget that one instance of the flu can put your whole project back months.

Aright, on to They Became Flesh. I must say I am almost disappointed that I missed this one when it was live over two years ago, as I would have had an amazing time getting pissed off with many of the updates. They were interesting to read, and frustrating - that's coming from someone without a horse in the race.

Basic facts - Funded December 12, 2011. Asked for $1,500 and hit $7,434. Estimated delivery January 2012 (talk about shooting oneself in the foot right from the start).

Now, time to look at the updates, kindly provided to me by an anonymous source:

Update #1
Nov 16, 2011
Goal reached! And a special BONUS goal added!
Hey guys!

Holy crap, I can't believe we made our goal of $1,500 in just three days! You are AMAZING. I want to tell you a little bit about what's going on behind the scenes, and then tell you what you all want to know anyway: what you get if we hit $3,000.

The crack development team currently hard at work on turning THEY BECAME FLESH from a game to a book includes me (you know me), Mist Robed Gate's Shreyas Sampat and Push: New Thinking About Roleplaying/Stage One's Jonathan Walton. We're refining the GM advice, including new setting guidance— so that you can still create a world to your liking, but we'll give you jumping-off points if you need 'em. As this evolves, we'll be posting links to iterations of the PDF for backers so that we can get your feedback— and so you can start playing right away. (how they planned on a January 2012 release date is beyond me)

But riding out the next 25 days without a new goal to hit wouldn't be much fun, would it? So here's the deal, guys: if we hit $3,000, the game will include a special supplement called THE KEYS OF HELL AND DEATH. It will take the mechanics from the main game and twist them, so your characters from THEY BECAME FLESH can soldier up for the final war in Heaven. Will you fight for God or for Lucifer— or will you risk almost certain death to fight for the cause no one expected, Humanity?
THE KEYS OF HELL AND DEATH will be available to everyone pledging $5 or above.

Update #2
Nov 30, 2011 (you hit goal in 3 days but wait 2 more weeks to give an update? it would seem to me you would want to fan the excitement)
New Goal: Custom Dice

Well, we’ve got a little time left before we’re funded, and everyone on the team is absolutely amazed by the outpouring of interest and support for THEY BECAME FLESH. We’ve got our noses to the grindstone and we’re working hard to make this a success.
You've made THE KEYS OF HELL AND DEATH possible, and now we've got a new goal to push for: if we hit $6,000, we’ll be able to offer custom THEY BECAME FLESH dice to our backers! We’ll send Archangel backers 2 dice, and any backers pledged at $25 or above will receive the set of 15 dice along with all their previously-planned pledge rewards. If we reach our goal, the dice should be available around Valentine’s Day.

Update #3 - For backers only
Dec 1, 2011
Dice Survey!
Hi backers!

We need your help making a decision. There are two styles of dice that we're considering for TBF's bonus dice. The dark dice are opaque black with iridescent swirls in red, blue, and gold; the light dice are clear with black swirls. They both look really beautiful in motion. Please let us know which style you like best!

Update #4
Dec 2, 2011 (alright, frequent updates while the project is live - look like they are hitting their stride)

For people who missed out on the leather-bound edition (and a note on dice):
We're not going to do more of those, because we said it was a limited edition and we want to be fair to people who have put up their hard-earned money for something we promised would be no more than 25 copies.

That said, so many people have asked about it that we're considering adding another reward at the same price level (because it costs me the same with this particular binder). Would there be any interest in a cloth-bound edition with the hand-illuminated cover? A traditional case-wrap hardcover? Both would have the same coffee-table-book, archival quality of the leatherbound, and color (if we do color illumination on the interior, which we are considering).

People who have the leather-bound, would this make you feel cheated? People who want the leather-bound, would this make you happy?

And about the dice: if we can hit the stretch goal, I'll do a thing where you can get an extra set of dice for an extra seven bucks. But I don't want to make a reward tier based on something that might not happen; that would suck.

Update #5
Dec 6, 2011
Custom Dice are a GO! And here's how to get two sets: (dice will be a problem later)

You guys are AMAZING!

We noticed that while most of you prefer the light dice, those of you who prefer the dark dice REALLY prefer it— and some of you want the chance to get both. So we're splitting the dice order!
$12 backers will receive one Light and one Dark die. $25 and above will be able to specify a full set of either light OR dark dice. Additional sets (of light or dark!) will be available to Kickstarter backers ONLY, for an additional $7 once the Kickstarter has completed— I don't want to create a whole bunch of additional tiers right now when this thing is almost over. Which should allow those completionists among you to catch 'em all.

Any leftover dice will be used in demos, and limited quantities might be available at conventions I attend.

Thank you so much for supporting my game. All money raised over the $6K is just going to go towards even fancier art— so thanks again!

Update #6 - For backers only
Dec 22, 2011 (Note, this is the first update in over 2 weeks. It funded 10 days prior and did not update then)
Reward surveys have gone out!

So be sure to check your email. We have something pretty fantastic in the works for your holiday card— expect it on Christmas Eve. It will be chock full of fun things: wallpapers, new info, and most excitingly, a new version of the playtest document with some really exciting GM advice for God and Humanity, as well as a sneak peak at our slowly-finalizing layout.

Due to the wild success of our Kickstarter— leading to the development of THE KEYS OF HELL AND DEATH, custom dice, and an actual art budget— it's going to take slightly longer than our original estimate to get the final product out there— probably an additional month. (probably an additional month - heh) Hopefully this is not a problem for you guys— and for those of you who are interested in this sort of thing, we want to keep you involved in the process of turning this game into a book.

I know not everyone is thrilled by a slew of Kickstarter updates, though, so we'll be doing an opt-in thing instead— publishing updates on elizabethsampat.com so you're not automatically notified every time we start going back and forth between font choices or something.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season, and keep your eyes peeled for our gift to you in your inbox!
-Elizabeth

Update #7 - For backers only
Dec 24, 2011
Here's your Christmas card!

This will be going to email as well, but in case you lose the link later on, I wanted to post it here:
http://elizabethsampat.com/they-became-flesh/

The password is: [REDACTED]

Please feel free to let us know what you think about the PTD, what you'd like to see added to better support play and prep, and especially what you think if you decide to playtest!

Have an awesome weekend!

-Elizabeth, Jonathan, and Shreyas

Update #8
Jan 12, 2012
Dice Update

We've just gotten prototype photos from the representative at our dice manufacturer. They look pretty rad! The details came out perfectly, and the laser engraving process they use creates a subtle texture in the recessed elements that Shreyas likes a lot. It adds something to the graphic.

Update #9 - For backers only
Jan 19, 2012
Dice: Good News and Bad News (some dice issues)

Hi friends!

We have placed our order for They Became Flesh dice from Chessex. They've been great to work with, and we expect the dice to arrive in a couple of months.

Unfortunately they have a shortage of the Light color, so we will need to wait some extra time for that. This means that some of you will need to wait a while to receive your Light sets. We would like to offer, as compensation, an extra set of Dark dice, at no additional cost.

If you are willing to wait a while for your Light set, please inform us. We will get you an extra set of Dark dice and ship your Light dice when they become available.

If we don't have enough volunteers, we will hold a lottery for the available Light dice; again, anyone who does not receive Light dice on release will get Dark dice at that time, and Light dice when they become available.

Thanks again for your support! We will also have a new version of the PDF soon.

Update #10 - For backers only
Feb 21, 2012
New Version of the Playtest Document Available!

You can download it right here:
[URL REDACTED]

In other news, the custom dice are in production, and I'm waiting to receive the prototypes of the T-shirts. One thing that has always bothered me with Kickstarters (and with RPG merchandise in general) is that the T-shirts were never something I'd wear; the material felt cheap and the printing wasn't great. One thing that has been important to me since the day we started considering wearable reward levels was that any T-shirt we offered would have to be a T-shirt I would actually wear. As a result, my estimates on how much the shirts would cost are way off! People who ordered at the T-shirt level actually paid me less than the unit price will be, but that's okay. I might put the shirt design (at a much higher price point) up on Spreadshirt or something to help recoup costs later, but not until everyone has their copies of the books in their hands. (keep this in mind folks - t-shirts can kill your kickstarter)

Speaking of: you're probably wondering when those books will come! Like I said, the dice definitely added to our production time, as did some personal issues.  That said, if all goes well the STANDARD EDITION packages should be sent out the first week of April! (not too late, all things consider - but won't happen) Due to the unique and hand-embellished nature of the LIMITED EDITION copies, those will go out before April is finished.

We're also hoping to have copies to sell at PAX East (from what I understand, copies have been sold at cons but backers are still waiting today), so if you want to pick up your package there— or drop by to say hello!— please do!

Update #11 - For backers only
Mar 30, 2012
Dice and Books Update

Hi, folks!

The custom dice are in our hands now and we're busy getting them sorted and packed for our backers. They look even better in-person than they did in the manufacturer's prototype photos, and we're excited about getting them into your hands.

Layout and design are complete. We're working out some kinks with the covers now, and when we get past that, the books will go to the printers. Thanks for being patient with us.

Update #12 - For backers only
Apr 1, 2012
Help us choose the cover!

Hi guys! Elizabeth here. Shreyas updated you briefly on the state of the peripherals. We're in the final pre-publication stretch— hopefully we will have the standard books in hand by the end of the month. Additional backer rewards, like the LE books and the shirts/hoodies, might take a little longer; please bear with us and we will be transparent and prompt as possible.

Speaking of transparent: I've been having a bit of art angst, you guys. An incredible artist that I deeply admired approached me about doing some art for the book, and due to the success of the Kickstarter I thought "What the hell? We can afford a big name guy for the cover." I am guessing I am not as good at art direction with artists I've never worked with as I am at art direction with artists I know. As amazing as many of the details are, the finished product is not as finished as I would like, nor is it as close to spec as I was hoping. Cue much angsting from me and wondering if I should just throw the whole thing out and go with the T-shirt/promo image, or if I am being too much of a perfectionist and the image is actually fine for my purposes.

And then I thought, HEY— ask the backers! It's THEIR money, after all.

So which of these cover mockups is more compelling to you? What would you imagine each one of these games were about?

Update #13 - For backers only
Apr 5, 2012 (based on the frequency of updates, you would expect the project to be nearly ready)
And the cover is... (Also: new PDF, T-shirt update)
Wow!
Once again, I feel pleased and amazed to have the world's best backers. Even this far along, you're insightful, attentive, and engaged. I can't thank you enough and this game would not exist without you.
That said, we're going to go with cover #1— the black and white. I might use the second image as a giveaway poster with wholesale purchases for local gaming stores; I'll probably have Shreyas turn it into a backer-exclusive wallpaper, too. But the majority of you guys prefer the black and white cover, and with the comments about boob-armor and it making people feel that they weren't in the target audience, there's no way I want to end my streak of awesome, inclusive art in my games.

A couple hours after I posted that update, a friend of mine was in an IRC channel with me and said "46 comments later, this just goes to show you shouldn't ask backers for art direction help." I TOTALLY disagree! I got exactly what I asked for, and I feel better about the decision because you guys are as invested in this as I am.

In appreciation, here's the link to the latest PDF:

[URL REDACTED]

The mechanical stuff is all done, the finishing tweaks are to add more information about endgame and more resources for people not familiar with the setting or source material. But we would LOVE your feedback— especially if you decide to run the game and tell us how it went for you, but also if there's more information you want in some places, or additional background material.

And more serendipity on the cover image: we also got the prototype T-shirt! I think we might go for a metallic silver instead of this gray, but I'm really happy with how it turned out (despite how tired I look in this photo)! This is the most comfortable, soft, stretchy and generally awesome T-shirt I've owned, too, and they run a little big.

[Image - Elizabeth wearing a TBF t-shirt]

Update #14 - For backers only
May 13, 2012
Character Sheet, Printing Info

Hi friends!

Things have been happening since our last update. It turns out Jonathan Walton will not be a co-author on the book after all, but we thank him for his support. (how do you drop someone from the book AS it goes to print?)

We are expecting a proof from the printer by the end of next week, at which time we'll take photos and let you guys get a look at the finished product.

If you're already playing the game, we're pleased to show off one of the final play aids, the Angel character sheet. These will be in the book and available for download.

Update #15 - For backers only
Jun 8, 2012
Print and Apparel Update, Google Hangout

Hi, folks! Shreyas here. We are closing in on our final pieces of legwork before we can start shipping product to our backers. (what happened to  the picks of the proof copy?)

As a thank-you for your patience, we will be running a Hangout on Google+ this Sunday (noon PST), where Elizabeth and I will both be available to answer questions, and possibly do a demo of the game. Circle Shreyas Sampat to stay updated on this upcoming event.

We are now waiting on the printers for paperback books, shirts, and hoodies. As usual,the current PDF (this is the final, print version) is available for backers to download. As you know, we have the dice in hand and we're packing them up for delivery.

Finally, I'd like to show off a page from the hardcover special editions. Take a look.

Thank you so much for your patience; this has been an adventure both personally and professionally, and it means a lot that you have all stuck by us.

[Image - Sample page]

Update #16 - For backers only
Jun 28, 2012
Finally! Proofs are in!

Hi guys,

We have had some small printing issues, and we're working with our awesome representative at the printer to work them out, but we've finally got a proof in our hands and we wanted to show it off. Take a look! (The dotted lines on the cover proof are not going to be in the final) (6 weeks late or so)
[Image - Cover proof]
[Image - Interior proof]

Update #17 - For backers only
Jul 24, 2012 (mark this date, as nearly 18 months AFTER the books arrived with the publisher, they still haven't reached every supporter - but were sold at Gen Con)
THE BOOKS ARE HERE!

Last Thursday, the books finally arrived! There were some initial problems with the first proof so it took longer than expected, but as usual our amazing printers knocked the book out of the park. It's gorgeous and I'm very excited to get it into your hands!

We spent all of Thursday sorting the fifty pounds of dice we bought into 2 and 15-dice bags, and now we're ready to begin shipping.

If you are an Angel, the PDF has been linked and is available to you.

If you are an Archangel, the books will be on their way to you by the end of the week.

If you are a Principality, your books will go out next week!

Transparency time: we are having a hell of a time getting the printer we chose for our shirts and hoodies to return our emails or calls. (told you t-shirts are the fucking doom of many a Kickstarter) I could probably get the shirts and hoodies done easily and cheaply by someone else, but I really want these to be the best-looking, best-feeling game T-shirts ever and available in a wide range of sizes, instead of the scratchy, stiff, boxy T-shirts that usually come as rewards for this kind of thing. So I'm open to asking you guys: are you tired of waiting for your rewards or are you willing to wait for something good? Do you have a line on a great printer who has non-astronomical prices and high quality?

We are sourcing more of the leather for the hardcovers, and finalizing the illuminated cover design. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to ask! And if I miss your comment or you feel like it's not getting the attention it deserves, feel free to email me directly at eshoemaker@gmail.com.

I just played another game of THEY BECAME FLESH this past weekend with friends and it was amazing. I am truly excited to share this game with you, and appreciate the patience, input and support you've given me as I work through my first crowdfunding experience. I promise the next time will be smoother! :)

- Elizabeth

PS: I am a Guest Of Honor at GenCon this year! If you're going to be joining us in Indianapolis, feel free to drop by the Machine Age booth and say hello! Maybe we can play a game!

[Image - Box of softcover books]
[Image - Ziploc bags of dice]

Update #18 - For backers only
Aug 2, 2012
Shipping for Books and Dice, Other News

Hello! We have lots of news today.

As I write this, we are collating books and dice for shipping. As we said earlier, availability of light dice sets is limited. Everyone who has already paid for light dice will receive them; we don't have enough extra sets to open up ordering for those of you who were planning to put in for extra at this time, but when we do, we'll inform you. We are working with Chessex to make those available as soon as possible.

To make that fully clear: If your Kickstarter reward level includes a pair of dice, you will receive a pair of dice, light and dark, as previously stated. If your reward level includes one set of 15 dice, you will receive that set. If you have already paid for two sets, you will receive them. If you have not yet paid for a second set of dice, then you are on our backer-only mailing list, and we will have a backers-only sale once the dice become available again, but there's no point in our taking your money now, because the availability of customized dice depends on the manufacturer having dice blanks in stock, and we can't predict when that'll happen.

Finally, I'm administrating a different Kickstarter campaign opening soon, as a representative of FailBetter Games, the awesome makers of Fallen London. This upcoming campaign is not a Two Scooters Press project, and it has no impact on, or financial relationship to, They Became Flesh, but we hope you'll check it out anyway.

Again, if you're going to be at GenCon, I'd be happy to meet you and chat or play a game! Thanks again; your feedback and support have been invaluable to this project.

Update #19 - For backers only
Aug 25, 2012

PDFS ARE IN THIS POST, Shipping
Hi folks!
As some of you have noticed, shipping has begun. We should have your books to you soon.
You can download PDFs here:
The Special Edition
The Electronic Edition
Angel Play Sheet
Humanity Play Sheet
God Play Sheet

Update #20 - For backers only
Sep 20, 2012
Shipping Update

Hi guys, the domestic Archangel books and dice have been shipped. The international ones will be going out by end of week, as will Principalities and books and dice for Powers. You should expect some extra time for international orders to ship due to customs.

Sorry this is taking so long; it is a much more involved process than we expected it to be.
There are links to all the PDFs including the basic edition, special color edition, and play sheets, in the updates below.

You can contact me at ssampat at the google powered email service if you need to.

Update #21
Oct 15, 2012
More Shipping and Apparel News

Hi backers!

I'm sorry that so many of you are frustrated about the shipping delays that are keeping you apart from your books. We have been wrestling with production issues around the t-shirt and hoodie backer awards, as well as the hardcover editions, and that has led to a significant holdup on our side. (but those weren't the only ones waiting on their books to ship, and updates are becoming less frequent again)
Sorry for that.

Instead of delaying any longer, we will be shipping books and apparel separately so that we can get books to you in a more timely fashion.

Update #22 - For backers only
Oct 18, 2012
Books Shipped, Possible Kickstarter Messaging Issues

Hi, folks. We know you're frustrated by the shipping delay, and we've finally been able to get it sorted out. If you are a softcover backer, your books and dice are either in the mail RIGHT NOW or they are in the trunk of my car so I can take them to the post office tomorrow.

It has come to my attention that some backers have attempted to contact us through Kickstarter's messaging service and we have not received those messages. I apologize for that. There are definitely a few messages that have slipped through the cracks, but there are also some that I am unable to find any evidence of. I have contacted KS support in hopes of getting to the bottom of this.

I don't want to miss any more messages from our backers, so I'm going to give you my private contact info.

In order to ensure that your communication gets to us and I'm able to answer it in a timely fashion, please contact me at my email address ( ssampat at gmail dot com ) if you don't see your package within seven days. (or seven week, or seven months)
Thanks,
Shreyas Sampat

Update #23 - For backers only
Oct 28, 2012
Answers for some Questions

João: We are legally liable for falsifying customs information and therefore, we have marked all our international packages with accurate information, which means that your envelope, just like those of other international backers, is marked as merchandise. Sorry; I know that you were hoping that we'd be able to grease the wheels.

Michael: Thanks for raising this question again. To be truthful with you, I would love to have more details than I do right now; the suppliers that we are attempting to work with are painfully slow in their communications with us, and as frustrating as that is, there is very little within our power to do about it.

Joseph: The shipments that I've sent out reflect the information that I have in our backer reports and subsequent communications. As I recall, you are on the list of backers signed up for extra sets of dice, so you should have received those.

Luke: The shipping thing is on me; it's my responsibility to get items out to our backers.
The convention thing is Elizabeth's gig. She's the person who represents us at conventions, runs our games and so on. Running games and making books available at GenCon is just her job here.
Now I understand that you're upset about that, and all I have to say about it is, I dropped the ball, not her, and your ire should be reserved for me. The fact that I'm doing my job poorly shouldn't constrain my partner from doing her job effectively. (notice the attempt to insulate Elizabeth Sampat from criticism, even though it is here name on the Kickstarter)
Thanks,
Shreyas

Update #24 - For backers only
Nov 20, 2012
Keeping in Touch
Hello, backers. Shreyas here.
American Thanksgiving is coming up at the end of this week, and until now we have been dealing with an urgent health issue. I know that I have some emails from you in my inbox, and I will get back to each of you who wrote to me individually. Thanks.

Update #25 - For backers only
Dec 1, 2012
Leisure Games
Hi folks,
I see that there is some question about Leisure Games' selling of TBF books.

Leisure Games was a backer of the Kickstarter campaign and they received books along with the other softcover backers. I'm sorry that we didn't make that clear. Of course once they have the books it is their decision to distribute them as they see fit. (I notice there wasn't an update addressing the selling of books at Gen Con prior to any backers receiving their copies)

João, I'm particularly concerned that you have not received your book by this point, as I'm aware of a couple of other backers in your country that have gotten theirs after a reasonable shipping interval. It seems odd that your shipment should be singled out in this way. I will be writing to you in an attempt to solve this issue.

Thanks,
Shreyas

Update #26 - For backers only
Dec 10, 2012
I have an apology to make

Hi, backers. Shreyas here.

I have to apologize to all of you. You all put your trust in us and I've let you down. I dropped the ball on shipping and customer service, and you're justifiably upset. Most of all, you want answers.
So, I have an apology and some answers.

I'm sorry.

We have handled this project as a freelancer relationship — I don't take a cut from sales of TBF. Elizabeth paid me for the work I did on the book, and for my role as fulfillment and CS guy. I've never done this on this scale before; she took a chance on me. On that front, I've really screwed up. It has taken entirely too long to get your stuff shipped out. So I apologize for that.

The truth is, the last time I cleaned the garage, I actually left a box full of TBF packages, ready to ship, in there and lost it in the debris. I was too embarrassed to actually tell you folks that I did that, because it's a stupid thing to do, but there it is. For a while I just didn't know where your stuff was. I apologize for that.  (this is really a fucked up excuse)

I've also been maintaining a pretty minimum level of contact with you all, and that's unfair to you. I have several emails I'll be sending after I post this to those of you who have contacted me directly. And I apologize for that.

Now I've located the missing inventory (it's undamaged), and I've taken some long evenings making sure that everything is packed and labeled. I'll be double checking that stuff before it goes out to ensure that nothing goes to outdated addresses or anything of that kind.

I want you all to be able to wash your hands of this, and have your Kickstarter rewards in your possession. So I'm taking a few days to deal with unfinished business.

The rest of the outstanding Principalities will go out on December 15th.

For those of you that are waiting on apparel and hardcovers, we're clearing the final hurdles on those processes, and we hope to have them printed and shipped by the end of January. We hope that the community can help keep us accountable on that. Look for updates with hoodie photos and hardcover designs in this coming month.

Thanks, Shreyas

As always, you can reach me at ssampat at gmail dot com.

Update #27 - For backers only
Dec 26, 2012
Happy Holidays

Hi, backers. Shreyas here.

It's the end of December and the winter holiday season has passed. I hope that you all had an enjoyable holiday season, and you enjoy your New Year festivities as well.

Hopefully by this time, or shortly after the Christmas shipping bottleneck, all the Principality backers should have their books. I have gotten a few changes of address since I last updated you, so I will contact those of you for whom that is true, to ensure that your books end up in the right places.
I see that some of you are interested in refunds. I will contact you tonight and make arrangements with you.

Talk to you soon,
Shreyas

Update #28 - For backers only
Mar 16, 2013 (almost three months of silence)

T-Shirts in the Mail, Hoodie Update

Hi backers,

For those of you who have backed for shirts, we have placed orders for all of them. Because I've been super crappy about shipping, we're eating the additional costs to get them shipped directly to you.

Spreadshirt says that domestic orders should arrive at your doorstep within 4-8 days. They are shipping via UPS, delivery by USPS. International orders are a little less predictable.

For those of you who backed for hoodies, we are working with Spreadshirt to alter the design so that it works with the zip-up as you requested.

For those of you waiting on hardcovers, because our hardcover printer works mainly with archival photo albums, we have to break down the PDF into individual JPG images for them. Once that's done, we'll have a proof to show you. (maybe you picked the wrong printer?)
Shreyas

Update #29 - For backers only
Mar 19, 2013
Spreadshirt Confirmation
Spreadshirt has contacted us to let us know that all the T-shirt orders have shipped.


Update #30 - For backers only
Sep 4, 2013 (nearly six fucking months - did the Sampats misplace themselves in their garage?)
Update
Hello, backers.

We are still at work trying to deliver your product. (uhm, no you're not) As you know, we made a decision to expedite the t-shirt tier by shipping each order directly from the manufacturer to the backer, which ended up costing more than the entire tier backed us for.

This is part of our effort to balance expedience and expense with the delivery of every backer tier. We are aware that the higher backer tiers are still waiting on product delivery, and we're working continuously to resolve that problem. Thanks.


Update #31 - For backers only
Oct 25, 2013
Shipping Address Confirmations

Hi backers, Shreyas here.

Once again, I abjectly apologize for how roughly this has been going for you. I have a shipment of books prepared to go out the door and I want to be sure you receive them, so I am asking you to confirm that the shipping addresses in your backer surveys are still current. If we have heard from you recently, I'll also be sending you a direct message to this effect.

I would love to do this by sending out a new backer survey, but that's not possible so I'm doing this the hard way.

Please let me remind you again, the whole issue of shipping mismanagement is my responsibility. Both my name and Elizabeth's are on the book, and shipping is part of my job, so please direct your ire toward me. (again, we need to insulate the bread winner from the ire of our paying public)
Thanks.

and so it was written. from what I've been told, there are backers still waiting for their books, which I'm sure are for sale at every major Con...

13 comments:

  1. This is why the Kickstarter system itself needs more visibility. When did things ship. How many projects is the creator involved in that are late. Customer satisfaction surveys, etc...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, they aren't going to make anymore money from the people who have already paid so what is the point in sending them their books when they can sell them at a Con?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sadly that sounds about right.

      Just another reason not to Kickstart.

      Delete
  3. Kickstarter...where people who have no experience in running a business get to pretend like they know how while pissing away money in the wind.

    On the plus side, so far as we know they didn't start another KS yet, right?

    I wonder if anyone who was owed a book has confronted them at a con.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to witness that confrontation.

      Delete
  4. I honestly don't understand how people can contemplate doing a Kickstarter when they so clearly haven't prepared for the project. Kickstarter isn't supposed to supplement your life - it's supposed to help you get the fucking project out the door.

    God, these people need to take a lesson in life from Joseph Bloch and get their shit together before they end up defrauding people of their money.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm halfway tempted to offer t-shirts as rewards in my next Kickstarter, just to prove that it can be done. (And thanks for the kind words, Charles!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least I know that if you do it they'll be in the mail before I my son turns fifty!

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    2. I did t-shirts in mine and it was the 2nd thing I ordered. I think the problem with t-shirts is everyone waits until the end...when, almost inevitably money is tight, to place their orders. If you succumb to your halfway temptation know that I will add one on- I always buy the t-shirt ;)

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    3. I normally don't do tee shirts but for a member of my list of 3 not only do I assume I'd get it but somehow it would be formal wear.

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  6. I don't know what it is but I get sick Jerry Springer like joy watching a Kickstarter crash and burn.

    There should be a "Do Not Fund Ever" list of people to avoid, a Tenkar's List of RPG Foes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. laughable excuses...oops, I lost the shipments in my garage!?...that garage must be the size of the Pentagon. how hard is it to put something in the mail unless you're just lying about it being ready to go?

    ReplyDelete

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