Hundreds of unique monster tokens for use in your fantasy games! If you missed out on the Kickstarter you still have the options to get some of our items at reduced prices!
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
I understand that there’s been some confusion about when backers will receive their packages. Perhaps this is due to shipping charges being applied, but it will still be a number of weeks before packages are delivered. Please know that we are doing everything we can to get your products to you as quickly as possible. The items are shipping via overseas freight to our fulfillment centers, which typically takes about eight weeks. After that, there will be some time for processing, packaging, and individual shipping. We anticipate that most backers will receive their products by late January. I appreciate your patience during this time, and I’m here to help with any questions you may have.
You should see your shipping charges added to Backerkit within a week. There were some wrinkles to iron out in our North American shipping logistics and calculations. I'm glad we found those snags and were able to correct them before finalizing your shipping details.
Several of you were kind enough to message me saying, "It doesn't look like I was charged enough for shipping," or another similar statement. You were right. Binders were not included in the shipping calculations for most backers. As you've seen, these beautiful binders are hefty. They must be accounted for when calculating shipping. This error wasn't discovered until after you were charged shipping. The additional charges that the fulfillment company then attempted to bill me for were completely unreasonable. It was an amount that I could not, in good conscience, charge to you, nor was it an amount that I could afford.
Over the past two weeks, I have been working to find a solution that everyone can stomach. It hasn't been easy, and I’ve had a few sleepless nights, but I’m confident that I have found a way forward. I talked to friends about who they use for fulfillment, interviewed several new fulfillment companies, and made spreadsheet after spreadsheet of different SKU configurations. Don't forget, this is a huge project. There are 1,800 of you, 3,400 binders, and 42,000 acrylic sheets. Thankfully, we have secured a new fulfillment partner. Although this does not change the fact that the binders were not included in the original shipping charge, this new partner has gone above and beyond to reduce costs as much as possible. They are eager to earn my business and trust for future projects as well.
Those affected by this most were those who backed for "2-of-Each", but some backers from all pledge levels were not charged the correct amount for shipping. The bad news is that this is an expense that Splattered Ink Games cannot absorb. In order to ensure these packages are delivered, many of you will see an additional shipping charge added to your account on Backerkit. I am so sorry this happened.
I understand that this project has been full of missteps. I am sincerely praying that this is the last stumbling block. This job is all I've ever wanted to do and it's killing me to not have delivered these items to you. I have learned a lot and will make significant changes to how fulfillment is handled in the future.
I have found a manufacturer that I trust. I have found a new fulfillment partner that I trust. I have an amazing assistant in Devin who's role is bound to grow which is guaranteed to improve how we deliver in the future. I've also learned that projects like these must be reorganized so that they are simpler to deliver, both from a product development perspective and fulfillment.
While there are still a few weeks to go before this project crosses the finish line, I hope my sincerity and transparency have earned your understanding and trust. I've personally backed 199 Kickstarter projects to date and have seen all types of creators and publishers. Most of us do this because we are artists, at heart, who love to create cool things. Whether that art is game mechanics, writing, illustration, woodworking, music, or any number of other things - it's something inside us that we have to share. Kickstarter and other crowdfunding campaigns are stressful, expensive, and a huge risk, but that's a small price to pay to be able to share my art with you. I value every one of you. I appreciate that you took the risk with me to support this project and I assure you that you won't be disappointed when it finally arrives.
Sincerely,
Darryl T. Jones
Hey Everyone,
Everything stated in today's update is primarily directed towards North American Backers unless otherwise stated. We will share shipping info directed towards our international backers on a later date.
You can expect to see shipping charges on Backerkit within the next day or two. We're actually quite pleased with the shipping prices. The shipping prices are all in line with what was originally quoted.
Here is a screenshot from our Kickstarter homepage on shipping estimates:
With that reminder on shipping estimates out of the way, let's break down shipping charges for the two most common pledge levels!
1-of-each: Prices are exactly between $20-$30, the average being around $27. The package is just over 5 lbs. Plus, it's a big box, as shown in a previous update.
3-of-each: Prices are between $70-$75. The package is around 15 lbs, which makes it three times as big as the 1-of-each pledge. This, of course, makes sense since it's three times the amount of tokens and size.
Packaging. Our manufacturer and fulfillment partners have taken great care to provide the most secure packaging they can without significantly impacting shipping costs. To that end, even the smallest sets will have sturdy boxes and padding. There will always be outliers and accidents do happen, but I think you will be pleased with shipping and packaging.
Shipping prices will increase depending on the number of add-ons added. We did everything in our power to keep the prices as low as possible and are happy that we delivered on our original estimates.
In other positive news, we have secured a freight for our tokens. This doesn't mean that the tokens have started their journey across the sea yet. They should start their voyage within the next week or two.
Addresses on Backerkit are locked, but don't panic because you will have one more notice from our shipping partners to confirm/change your address. However, if you have or expect to move outside of the US, email me. Just keep your eyes out for a message or email from them if you do need to change your address.
Thank you all,
Devin, Community Manager
and, Darryl T. Jones
Earlier this week, I wrote an overwhelmingly positive update about how production is finished, but I chose to edit this update to include information about the impending dockworkers strike. As some of you may have heard, there is an impending port strike set to occur in less than a week, stretching from Maine to Texas. While there have been meetings about the strike between officials, the two sides in this manner are unwilling to negotiate. The International Longshoremen's Association has stated their wage demands must be met, and a strike is the best way to have leverage.
This type of strike is especially damaging to small board game businesses like ours. I received an update today from our shipping partner that shipping costs are going to be nearly double what was quoted in the campaign. This is devastating news that requires attention.
This is due to the strike, but also a result of the coming presidential election. Every four years, big box stores flood all available container ships in an attempt to get as much product as possible before any potential changes to tariff law.
What we are doing: We're monitoring the situation very closely and praying for change. Additionally, we have representatives from GAMA who attended briefings with the 38 trade association leaders and the U.S. Maritime Alliance. They are able to speak on our behalf and relay relevant news to us.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please understand we are talking about overseas freight charges and potential delays. Your shipping charge will be based on your individual packages from regional fulfillment centers to your doors.
While this is disappointing news, we do have some REALLY GOOD news to discuss.
I just received news this week that production is finished. Our manufacturer has sent us a final proof of what the finished tokens, binders, and dice look like. I must say that they exceeded my expectations. The dice really pop and have a brighter finish than I expected.
Watch the unboxing video below:
And here are some photos:
Important note: I do want to remind everyone that the tokens have to move to freight so they can begin their journey across the sea. From that point, it will take another 6 to 10 weeks to get from China to our shipping partners for fulfillment. We are one step closer!
Since production is finished, shipping charges will be added to Backerkit soon. Unless something drastic changes, expect higher shipping charges. We're sorry for this inconvenience and are deeply sadden by these turn of events.
Thank you all,
Devin, Community Manager
and Darryl T. Jones
Our manufacturer is in full swing. In fact, I just got another proof from them this morning. We're working to finalize some of the packaging. Between the binders and the packs of acrylics, there's a lot to figure out to ensure they can make the trip across the seas without damage. I'll share some more details on that in the next update. I have full confidence in them delivering great a product to us!
However, today I'd like to show off samples of the Binder pages.
I recently received samples of the binder pages, and I am very pleased. How excited can one be for binder pages, you ask? Pretty excited! If you look at the images below, you'll notice that the binder sleeves actually have a flap that covers the top of each pouch to ensure that the tokens won't fall out. For any token fan, you got to be pretty pumped up for that!
Have a Great Day,
Darryl T. Jones (aka Splattered Ink)