Kickstarter Books? Are they still shipping?

[aramis]

Also, to quote a KS backer:

"Alliance Game Distributors has the book (stock # FFE0300) listed as “in-stock” in each of their 4 distribution centers. So the book has made it to a mainstream distributor."

Alliance has been known to troll KS in the past, and buy in to stuff they think will sell.

There specifically was a store owner level - $275 gets 5 books and 5 dice sets. Add the "Double up" option, and you got 10ea for a total of $481.25.

I would be surprised if alliance didn't go that route; that level has 4 backers.

 

[mechascorpio]

I would be surprised if alliance didn't go that route; that level has 4 backers.

Are you saying that Alliance backed the KS at @ $48.00 per book, put them into the channel, and that retailers like Noble Knight, Discount Games and others sell them in-turn for $53-60? Because that's an interesting and, it seems to me, unlikely margin compared to everything else I've ever read about game retailing. Occam's razor would seem to indicate otherwise.

 

[aramis]

Are you saying that Alliance backed the KS at @ $48.00 per book, put them into the channel, and that retailers like Noble Knight, Discount Games and others sell them in-turn for $53-60? Because that's an interesting and, it seems to me, unlikely margin compared to everything else I've ever read about game retailing. Occam's razor would seem to indicate otherwise.

Alliance does some direct sales.

There are 4 retail level backers. THat means up to 40 books at retail. Not counting any who got it, read it, and sold it.

 

[SpaceBadger]

There was a post several days ago, in this very thread I think, mentioning that several businesses had participated in the Kickstarter to help get this book printed. If they participated at levels to receive multiple copies that would explain how they have multiple copies for sale.

 

[Snigwiddle]

Well, just found the book for sale at my local game store.
I'm a Kickstarter and still waiting for any kind of news.
I asked the manager how they got it in and he said it just came in.
I don' t know if someone in the shop got it,read it and put it up for sale.
I didn't see any signature or anything in it.
Not familiar with distribution channels and such, but it was really a downer to see my contribution enabled someone else to buy it off the shelf while I am still waiting.

 

[Kaeto]

Well according to tracking I should have mine on Monday. So I'll let you know.

 

[Azezel]

I bought a copy direct after the Kickstarter finished. You remember, the 'Kickstarter's over but send an email and we'll pretend you were in time' thing.

I got an email on the eleventh of may:

This is just a quick update on Traveller5 progress.
You are receiving this email because you ordered something for T5 through a Paypal invoice. In come cases, you have already received your order, so you can ignore this email (it was simply too complex to remove you from this list).

Otherwise, this update is for you. We've been processing our orders as fast as we can, and the original Kickstarter orders have had priority. Now, we'll be out of town (out-of-country in South America) through May 24.

Then we will return to full-time shipping of orders.

We expect to ship your order by June 1.

I've not got my book, nor any shipping confirmation, and am starting to feel pretty ansty. I'm on a tight budget and the sum I paid is not something I can expend on a whim.

I certainly cannot afford to just write it off and buy another book from any of the (apparently legion) retailers that seem to have them.

I think I'd have been happier without that email.

 

[Baltech Budapest]

I think I'd have been happier without that email.

An update via Kickstarter or a quick email to say "don't worry you are last in the queue but will receive your package soon" would go a long way.

Being honest and up front with us loyal people who have put serious money into this thing would really mean a lot.

As I said in a previous post, I am unemployed. I was made redundant from my factory job 5 years ago with no chance of work in the current economic climate. 5 mouths to feed, mortgage, car etc etc.

The initial order plus the extra dice came to 163 dollars. I couldn't afford this at all, let alone the 111 dollars I just paid to a retailer for a copy of the book has not gone down too well with my wife. However, I am determined to get T5 for myself and my kids, whether it be from a retailer or directly from Marc Miller. The retailer has shipped as promised. Marc replied to me 3 times in the last 81 days. I have no reason to believe that I will ever see that package I paid him 163 dollars for, but I will remain hopeful until 30 June. After June 30 I will accept that my package will never be sent and my 163 dollars will have been wasted unless I can seek advice to recoup it.

 

[aramis]

Message from Marc:

Kickstarter books (the very last 100 or so) are currently shipping. All will be shipped by June 30

Also, Marc is aware of people's issues at the moment, but is up to his elbows in shipping the last few.

If yours haven't arrived by the 15th of July in the US, or 30th in Europe, THEN worry. I have no idea what the shipping order is. Marc's also been slow to email me moot payment data due to all the shipping activity.

You should have a shipping tracking number with your notice of shipping. If you haven't gotten that notice via email, then either the email was wrong or it hasn't shipped yet.

 

[Thlaylie]

Well, just found the book for sale at my local game store.
I'm a Kickstarter and still waiting for any kind of news.
I asked the manager how they got it in and he said it just came in.
I don' t know if someone in the shop got it,read it and put it up for sale.
I didn't see any signature or anything in it.
Not familiar with distribution channels and such, but it was really a downer to see my contribution enabled someone else to buy it off the shelf while I am still waiting.

WHY didn't you buy it?!

Buy It!!

 

[Baltech Budapest]

Thanks Aramis for the update, that means a lot.

 

[aramis]

Thanks Aramis for the update, that means a lot.

I do make certain Marc knows about things he NEEDS to read.

Marc also apologizes for not tracking personally the threads on T5... but if he did, he'd be "shipping beyond July." (Marc, via email)

 

[Baltech Budapest]

I do make certain Marc knows about things he NEEDS to read.

Marc also apologizes for not tracking personally the threads on T5... but if he did, he'd be "shipping beyond July." (Marc, via email)

I appreciate that Aramis.

No more negativity from me as it is not serving any meaningful purpose.

We will have a copy of the book next week and at some stage THE package from Marc will arrive. I'm still going to wait until the official package arrives before I open the wrap on my new Traveller t-shirt though

 

[aramis]

I appreciate that Aramis.

No more negativity from me as it is not serving any meaningful purpose.

Thanks.

 

[Spaceresearcher]

Now just to clarify here, before people go getting cross and pointing fingers at Marc.

You have all read the Kickstarter option for backing at $275 right? EG. That was for crowd funding friendly retailer mailing list customers. This gave them 5 copies of the book plus a patent of nobility.

It's also possible that this was allowed after the Kickstarter had ended. EG. No one has been lied to, it was always an option for interested parties.

In a nutshell, why wouldn't Marc want to sell more copies of the book? I understand everyone wants there copy but honestly, if they backed at that level(possibly even before yourselves) are they not entitled to receive there books and sell them?

DON'T PANIC, I'm sure it will happen shortly. Myself I have received my copy but then I did back rather early on(before the project had even met the initial goal). That said I fully understand the frustration, when other players have there books and some people are still waiting. All I would say is, hang in there, be patient and enjoy the reward when it arrives.

 

[Baltech Budapest]

You have all read the Kickstarter option for backing at $275 right?.

I hadn't noticed that until it was mentioned today. It makes things much clearer now.
I have offered an apology in a separate thread regarding my negative comments recently.

 

[Snigwiddle]

WHY didn't you buy it?!

Buy It!!

Uhhmm...I pledged $100 a year ago for a book I'm still waiting for?
Besides, things like mortgages and car payments and electric bills...and food...food is nice...kinda limits my splurging on rpg books.
Besides, the endless waiting, the less than stellar reviews ,the great errata thread, have doused the flames I once had for this thing.
This whole experience has become a chore to me.
Surfing the boards to find out any information, getting slammed for posting any fear or doubt by diehard groupies;the nagging worry that I might have blown my hard earned cash on a big black doorstop,checking the net for any news,check my email everyday for any word,check out the kickstarter site, read through errata threads and reviews and ,blah,blah,blah...lather,rinse repeat pretty much everyday for a year now.
Then walk into a store and see it just sitting there.
No, paying money for that book was not my first thought...my first thoughts involved fire and explosions.
This is not a game anymore.It is a lifestyle.

 

[Spaceresearcher]

Snigwiddle, please feel some peace of mind in the fact that if your a Traveller fan, your going to love some of the great new features of Traveller 5. Personally I find it awesome and most negatives boil down to not enough explanations more than anything. Like every version of Traveller, I think for a lot of players they will take the bits they like from it and add that to there already established rules.

Sorry to hear you havn't received your book yet, I'm sure it will not be far away and I hope it reaches your galaxy shortly, safe and sound.

 

[ekervina]

My strategy was to consider the money I pledged as just gone, like I had given money to a charity that was doing something I support.
Money gone, nothing to show for it, but hopefully something good becomes A Thing.

Then, a couple of days ago..
YAY!
Free copy of Traveller 5!
Free dice!
Free assorted swag!

 

[Hemdian]

My strategy was to consider the money I pledged as just gone, like I had given money to a charity that was doing something I support. Money gone, nothing to show for it, but hopefully something good becomes A Thing.

Thanks for saying that, ekervina. That's my philosophy about all KS projects too. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets it. I was quite shocked at some of the comments during the KS ... people comparing what was offered at various pledge levels to the expected retail value and complaining that the 'prices' were too high. Maybe the book itself shouldn't have been one of the pledge rewards? Me, I looked at how much enjoyment I've received from Traveller over the years, then looked at what I could reasonably afford ... then said "screw what is reasonable" and dug deep. No regrets.

Now that the book is here, the more I read it the gladder I am that I did contribute what I did. (The rest of the swag was good too.)

And I appreciate the frustration of those still waiting.