Did you pay, or did you pledge on Kickstarter?
What’s your point Brant?
Some pertinent stuff from Kickstarter’s FAQs
What should creators do if they’re having problems completing their project?
If problems come up, creators are expected to post a project update explaining the situation. Sharing the story, speed bumps and all, is crucial. Most backers support projects because they want to see something happen and they’d like to be a part of it. Creators who are honest and transparent will usually find backers to be understanding.
It’s not uncommon for things to take longer than expected. Sometimes the execution of the project proves more difficult than the creator had anticipated. If a creator is making a good faith effort to complete their project and is transparent about it, backers should do their best to be patient and understanding while demanding continued accountability from the creator.
If the problems are severe enough that the creator can’t fulfill their project, creators need to find a resolution. Steps should include offering refunds, detailing exactly how funds were used, and other actions to satisfy backers. For more information, see Section 4 of our Terms of Use.
For projects that launched before October 19, 2014, please see our previous Terms of Use.
What is a creator obligated to do once their project is funded?
When a project is successfully funded, the creator is responsible for completing the project and fulfilling each reward. Their fundamental obligation to backers is to finish all the work that was promised. Once a creator has done so, they’ve fulfilled their obligation to their backers. At the same time, backers must understand that Kickstarter is not a store. When you back a project, you’re helping to create something new — not ordering something that already exists. There’s a chance something could happen that prevents the creator from being able to finish the project as promised. If a creator is absolutely unable to complete the project and fulfill rewards, they must make every reasonable effort to find another way of bringing the project to a satisfying conclusion for their backers. For more information, see Section 4 of our Terms of Use.
For projects that launched before October 19, 2014, please see our previous Terms of Use.
I wish Sam all the best and hope he manages to get everything sorted. If I was concerned I’d email him about it but generally I’m not. It’ll always take a while and if previous performance is anything to go by the Puffins took an age but were well built and well received once they arrived.
I admit I do find myself now regretting that I have at least £600 tied up in a frame and rear wheel, plus the future promise of a rim and pair of Chronicles. However, that is my choice and more to do with other commitments that came up after (way after) I pledged. So, that’s not Sam’s problem and is more “wisdom in hindsight” than anything else. Otherwise I’m still waiting patiently.
I agree with many comments earlier about updates. They need to be at least once a month and be as”warts and all” as possible. I’m a grown up and can take bad news with the good. I can understand if Sam is reluctant to do so because of the histrionics and bollocks common to this forum and the internet in general. I suspect that amongst everything else Sam is probably doing updates are at the bottom of his list. Also, I suspect, there’ll always be a reluctance about being completely open. Business reputations have many facets and the dreaded internet and its occupants act against this quite often IMO.
Anyhoo, fingers crossed it’ll all get sorted in the not too distant future and the bike’ll be great.
😎
