Backerkit Surveys are SENT!
almost 7 years ago
– Tue, May 16, 2017 at 10:42:59 PM
Hi Everybody!
Great news - the Backerkit survey is finally finished, and open for business! You should have all received your link to the survey in your inboxes. If for some reason you need to recover your survey, here is the link to do that: https://reckless-deck.backerkit.com/
Compared to the Last Update on Shipping
After reviewing my last Project Update, which was all about how our shipping situation was shaping up, I'm pretty sure that there are no major changes to the plan from what I told you to expect - with one exception. For the international folks, I tried my best, but I was not able to avoid a per item shipping charge for Add Ons. After many calls and email chains with my Backerkit handler, her manager, and their shipping expert, the way it's currently set up is the best solution from their combined efforts. I tried to keep shipping costs for adding on as low as I could for you, in order to create the best possible environment for you to get as much of the unlocked stuff you wanted.
If you find yourself adding on a bunch of decks and a bunch of Expansion Packs, and maybe a magnetic box, and maybe a set or two of the gaming minis, you may want to consider switching your pledge tier up to a Passport tier. The shipping is all figured out, and you get one of everything in the Kickstarter. It's still an option for you in the survey.
These Are the Shipping Rates
Though I've tried to keep you all in the loop about how things were shaping up shipping wise, both through Project Updates, Posting comments, and answering individual emails, there still seems to be some sticker shock regarding shipping from people doing the survey. The first issue people seem to have is, "well, I only paid $X for my pledge, so why is shipping so high?" The answer is, your shipping rates have zero to do with the dollar amount you paid, and everything to do with the weight of your package. The other detail people are neglecting to consider is, rewards tiers of just decks are not "just decks" any longer. We unlocked all our stretch goals, and so everyone who backed a one, two, or three-deck rewards tier also gets a magnetic box, a Good & Evil coin, and 2 Expansion Packs for free. But, these add about 6 ounces to your shipping. The truth is, both domestic and international rates take a jump up after just 8 ounces. So, if you backed a one deck rewards tier, then yes, your added free stuff is bumping up your shipping a bit. But if you backed a 2 or 3 deck rewards tier, guess what? The weight of your decks alone has put you in the shipping tier you're in, and the added weight of your free stuff isn't making much of a difference.
I explored many shipping options before putting this survey together, and where I landed was using USPS via a Stamps.com account. This is the recommendation I got from many other project creators, and also from conversations with people at Backerkit. My decision to do so is based not only on the preferable shipping rates (which are very good), but also on the services the account affords me as a project creator. Every combination of rewards tiers, single items, and add ons have been weighed to put through the Stamps.com postage meter. The rates you're getting are the USPS rates, but with some slight improvements due to the Stamp.com account. They're not "my" rates, and there's no profit margin built in for my benefit. I'd much much rather you all spend your money on cool add ons than shipping costs, and I've really tried to facilitate that for you as best I could. Suffice to say, I've thoroughly explored all of this stuff in countless hours of research and experimentation over the past 3 weeks, and in phone and email conversations with people at USPS, Stamps.com, and Backerkit. They all agree with the decisions I've made here, and have led me to many of them through their own knowledge and recommendations. Based on this work, these were the best rates I could secure for you guys.
One Survey Glitch Solved
Probably the biggest question I got as soon as the surveys were sent out had to do with domestic Passport Tier backers getting a weird question that was meant only for international backers. We talked about this in the last Update - with the flat rate packaging I'm using for the Passport Tier backers internationally, the 9"x12" Print Folio does not fit along with all the other stuff. So, I created an option to either get a smaller, 5"x8" Print Folio, which does fit, or to pay an additional $8 to have the original 9"x12" size Folio it shipped in a separate flat rate envelope. This affects US backers not one bit - the box I'm using for them is plenty big. I wish I could use it for International Passport backers as well, but it would increase their shipping costs by over $20. But, the question was coming up for US backers as well. The solution, thanks to Backerkit, was to create a third option in the question, allowing you to select "US backer - the 9"x12" Print Folio at no additional shipping charge". If you're a US backer and you've already filled out your survey, and you had to choose between the 5"x8" Print Folio or paying an extra $8 in shipping, you should still be able to go in and change your answer to the new, third option. If anyone has any issues doing this, let me know .
New Add On shipping for the Passport Tier
I got more than a few requests to create an Add On of the Passport Tier so people could get them for friends and loved ones. That's done. International backers who want this will have to pay the full shipping for a second package, because the package size is so limited. This isn't an issue for domestic backers, though. So, after someone pointed it out this morning, there's now a new shipping option that allows Passport Tier backers in the US to add on a second one for only +$4 shipping. I hope that helps.
You guys have been great about sending survey questions and concerns my way, so please continue to do so. In our next update, we'll hopefully be getting back to the creative stuff. I'm hoping to have some Good & Evil Coin designs for you by the end of the week, or this weekend!
Clark
IMPORTANT Shipping Info for All Backers
almost 7 years ago
– Tue, May 09, 2017 at 11:59:18 PM
Hi All,
Good news! The Backerkit Survey is on track to go out Thursday morning, May 11th. Before that happens, though, there are a number of things we need to talk like grown ups about as far as how the shipping will shake out. As I've mentioned in my previous Updates, this sh*t is HARD. We're lucky in one sense, that we don't have endless permutations of sizes & different colors of things to choose from. But we have lots of different combinations of things, and a lot of potential for you to add things on. In my dream world, each add on would bump everyone's shipping cost up a very appropriate little tick of an amount. Unfortunately, that's not exactly how the post office - not to mention other countries - do things. Here's a look at how my dreams and shipping reality match up.
STAMPS.COM
I took a backer's advice, and got both a USPS Business Account ,and a Stamps.com account. This has proven to benefit absolutely everybody. Better rates at every rewards level, both domestic and international.
LOCAL PICK UP OPTION
I'm going to offer this, but backers in the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut area who want this need to contact me individually and directly through the messaging function. This is the method for doing this the Backerkit has recommended to me: you will still get charged for shipping through Backerkit. If you tell me you want pick your stuff up in person, we can arrange a pickup time via email once fulfillment begins. When you come get your stuff, I will reimburse you your shipping costs either in cash or by check. I will hold your stuff for exactly one month after fulfillment begins. If after that month you have let scheduling a pickup time slide, I will mail your stuff out like everybody else's.
ADD ONS
Dudes, we unlocked every stretch goal we had. This gives you endless opportunities to accessorize and otherwise trick out your Reckless Decks in whatever way you see fit. When I did my initial Project Update on shipping, we had unlocked four Expansion Packs. Now, we have eleven - plus a set of gaming minis. That's an additional 11.5 ounces of added rewards. For all domestic backers, things are relatively mild, and the impact is fairly minimal. for International backers, things get a little more complicated (surprise surprise).
Here is a table for all backers, both domestic and International, for how much each reward weighs:
One 72 Card Deck: 5 oz
One Expansion Pack: 1.5 oz
Good & Evil Coin: .5 oz
9"x12" Art Folio: 6 oz
Single Deck Magnetic Box: 1 oz
5 Deck Magnetic Box: 5 oz
Set of 4 Gaming Minis: 1.5 oz
For domestic backers, you will find that the add ons have a slight shipping charge associated with them as you add them on. For International backers, there is no immediate added shipping charge, and here is more about why that is.
INTERNATIONAL BACKERS
International shipping rates, I've found are much more standardized, and are divided into much larger weight categories. Now, let's leave out the Passport Tier for the moment. Thanks to all the fabulous stretch goal unlocking we did, we know that every backer gets not only the decks in the tier they backed, but a magnetic box, a Good & Evil coin, and 2 Expansion Packs. Add the weight of all these items together, according to the weight classifications of International Shipping, the one deck, two deck, and three deck rewards tiers are all in the same weight category. Now, to the international backers who backed single deck rewards tiers, this is probably frustrating, and I don't disagree. The international shipping categories break down like this:
0 - 8 oz: CAN: $9.50; UK, AUS, & Everywhere else: $13.50
8.1 oz - 2.0 lbs: CAN: $15.00; UK, AUS, & Everywhere else: $22
2.1 - 3 lbs: CAN: $24; AUS: $36; UK & Everywhere else: $33
And, here are the weights of the rewards tiers with their appropriate swag:
1 Deck (+ box, coin, & 2 Expansions): 9.5 oz
2 Decks (+ box, coins, & 2 Expansions): 14 oz
3 Decks: (+ box, coins, & 2 Expansions): 1 lb, 3 oz
3 Decks (+ box, coins, 2 expansions, & Art Folio): 1 lb, 9 oz
I'd like to make lemons out of this lemonade. I'm not attaching additional add on shipping rates for international backers, because I want you all to have the opportunity to utilize the shipping "money in the bank" you have, and do some adding on of Expansions & other goodies to take advantage of the shipping you're already paying for. Here is the amount of weight international backers can add to their rewards in the form of Add Ons without bumping their shipping rates up to the next level:
1 Deck rewards tiers: 21 ounces (or, 1 pound, 5 ounces)
2 Deck Rewards tiers: 17 ounces (1 pound, 1 ounce)
3 Deck Rewards tiers: 12 ounces
3 Deck rewards tiers + Art Folio: 6 ounces
I'm counting on you to do the math correctly on this one. If you're interested in adding on items, look at the table above of the weights of all the items, and calculate it to make sure it fits within your weight range. I will personally be checking all the weights of the final international orders. If you go a little too wild with your adding on, and manage to bump yourself up into the 2-3 pound shipping rates, I will charge your card the additional amount.
THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: THE 5 DECK COLLECTOR'S BOX
There will be options to add on single 5 deck boxes, and a combination of 3 boxes at a reduced price. The 5 deck boxes are bulky compared to everything else, and the chances that they will need to ship separately are too great. For both Domestic and International backers, a separate shipping charge will be added to the 3-box combination option.
THE PASSPORT TIER FOR INTERNATIONAL BACKERS
This is where things get really interesting. Thanks to our additional 11.5 ounces of unlocked stretch goals, the complete passport tier now weighs 3 pounds, 9 ounces - enough to put us well into the next shipping weight class. Shipping via a regular box or the Medium Flat Rate box offered by USPS, shipping would be close to $50 for international backers. Before you freak out, I know you'd find this unacceptable. So, we need to make everything fit in the Medium Flat Rate Padded Envelope offered by USPS. Doing so will bring everyone's shipping back down in the $30-$33 range we previously said it would be. I've done several packing tests - everything fits, except the 9"x12" Print Folio. That and the 5 Deck Box won't fit in the padded envelope together. So, in your survey, you have a special question to answer: would you like a smaller, 5"x 8" version of the Print Folio for no added shipping costs, or would you like the original 9"x12" Print Folio, mailed in a separate envelope for an additional $8. Also, space in the package is TIGHT. There's not a lot of room for add ons. Maybe one or two additional Decks, and Maybe 3 or 4 Expansion Packs. If you want duplicates of some things and want to do a bunch more adding on, email me, and I'll get a second package started for you.
Whew. Hate me yet? Welcome to my last three days. But, I think I finally understand the system, and what we can do within its rules. I know this was like, the most tedious, boring Project Update ever. But it was necessary and important. I hope you find all these solutions acceptable, and if you have any questions, email me. In just one more day, you should finally have the chance to lay claim to all that great stuff you've been so excited about: gaming minis, the Expansions you've been most excited for, and of course, the WORLDS Deck!
I'll send out another update if I get any new info from Backerkit tomorrow.
Cheers,
Clark
Another update on the BACKERKIT Survey
almost 7 years ago
– Sat, May 06, 2017 at 09:25:00 PM
Hi all!
Another short and sweet Project Update for you, minus the usual fun & games. I just want you all to know I've been down a 3-day rabbit hole trying to sort out the Backerkit, and all the domestic and international shipping costs. It has absolutely SUCKED, let me tell you. But, I think I finally have made some major progress. I've just fired off an email to my Backerkit handler Korey, outlining a bit of a hiccup regarding international shipping. Unfortunately, she won't get that until Monday morning. But if we can solve that issue, & also one other thing, I think we'll actually be ready to make the survey live by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. And as for what these issues are, I'll tell you about them once I have a chance to talk them over with Korey. Nothing disastrous, so don't worry.
Meanwhile, I've been working a lot on WORLDS. Man is it cool! And yes, I did mean "science-y" in my last update. Sigh. Autocorrect's little secret dirty pleasure is to take your most clever, witty wordplay and turn it into something that makes you look like a complete moron. Anyone else have this problem?
What I meant by "science-y" is that, in formulating the categories and content for WORLDS, I'm finding I'm looking more and more at the actual existing systems used to classify differences in topography, climate, and weather, put in place by actual scientists. Definitely a change in my diet as far as reading material goes, and one that so far has proved to be actually quite cool. Needless to say, I'm really excited about how WORLDS is shaping up!
More on shipping on Monday or Tuesday. And get ready for the survey to hopefully go live on Wednesday or Thursday.
Okay ,fine - here's a little bit of "science-y" fun and games for you. Man can't live on shipping information alone.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Clark
