I’m bumping this thread for an informative update, which is more than the Ziphius project is doing.
Needless to say, the product has not shipped, and we are now two years from the initial funding startup date and almost one year from the expected delivery date.
I get infrequent emails, like every 3 months or so, telling how there has been some unforeseen manufacturing problem, but they are enhancing and upgrading the product by adding more RAM, more battery, or a better CPU, but there is no new projected shipping date. It’s entirely open-ended.
I think I got screwed. Let this be a lesson to anyone who wants to contribute to Kickstarter.
Many Kickstarter projects fail due to improper planning, even though they get lots of money and orders.
Some time ago I read an article about the issue, specifically over the many 3D printer (something I’m into) crowdfunding campaigns that fold following the same problems. This is the article and anyone who is thinking about crowdfunding a project should take a long hard look at it, preferably with a notepad, pencil, calculator and realistic expectations.
I’ve only participated in one other Kickstarter project, a book. I paid about $30, and the delivery was a little late (manufacturing problems, higher than estimated costs). I didn’t feel the value was great once it arrived. I’ll certainly take a hard look at any others that come along, and to be sure, it’s speculation and a gamble.
I’m curious about this, how exactly these projects go when things turn bad or seem to be obvious scams. Is it really “your money is gone, blow off”?:dubious:
In that case even with a history of fulfilled projects I’d be hesitant because disaster can strike anytime.
It seems to me eventually if they hope for anyone to trust them long term they have to see to setting up insurance or some kind of gateway that guarantees delivery or refund.
Otherwise it will devolve into skeptical customers and a den of scummy scammers.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way - online or IRL. Speculators and investors lose money all the time. There is always an element of risk in startup of any kind. If it weren’t so, investing in them would pay 1:1 - no risk, no reward.
We had a local skatepark that was built last year from crowdfunding donations to the tune of $500,000. AFAIK, all the investor/donors were happy and the project was completed on time.
It probably really depends on the product. I noticed really nerdy gadget themed projects are often the sketchiest. This is because they can build a lot of nerd hype but aren’t under a whole lot of obligation to follow through on their promises.
While some might be outright malicious, I can imagine some are just creators that got way over their heads. A pipe dream with no practical way to implement it in their timetable. Often, the bigger the claims and investment rewards, the less likely any of it will ever happen.
Sorry you got scammed, Musicat. Guess it was a $200 lesson in Kick starter investing. As exciting as the product might seem, I think a better way would be to wait until somebody actually started selling them for real.
I enjoy PBS, but I’ll let other people pledge to provide the content I want. Same goes for many of these kickstarter schemes- Few are going to have feasible benefits offered to make being an early adopter worth it.