hmm… ok let’s explore this idea then…
I don’t want to give 10% to kickstarter (7% + 3% processing typically) for this, so let’s say I need $10k for a small batch of 20 mags plus a few additional magnets for destructive testing which I will pay for myself. If I put up a pre-sale page for a Ti coated sensing magnets, and set a goal of say $10,400… so 20 people * $500 + $20 packing and shipping = $10k batch + $400 for packing and shipping…
What would the process be if the pre-sale didn’t reach the goal? Refunds suck because now processors like PayPal and Stripe KEEP their damn fees even if you refund a purchase… so, a $520 charge after 2.9% and $0.30 processing fee turns into $504.62 for us, a total cost of $15.38 per “backer”, times 20 is $307.60 if we end up having to refund everyone… not terrible, but also not awesome. If everyone agreed to just accept a refund minus $15.38 as a “risk for playing the game”, then yeah that’s fine.
Or we could explore the idea of something like a half-refund of $250 and instead we send a polymer magnet (assuming process issues are sorted).
Let’s work this out and if we can 1) agree on parameters, 2) identify at least 15 people who are willing and able to go for this, then I will have another phone call with the mag people and see about setting up a batch and get the pre-sale page up online.
There are two things to consider;
-
The mag people are not what I would call “psyched” about doing this and somewhat concerned about where these might end up. If we do this, it may be a one-shot only.
-
For a successful “campaign” we would need this community to do outreach… a lot of it… people with a spare $500 laying around and want a magnet are gonna be super rare… and while we can keep a campaign up for 30 days, stretching this into months is going to for sure get people reconsidering and wanting their money back… so it has to be a quick campaign that gets wrapped up one way or the other in very short order. To do it successfully would mean all hands on deck… lock and load social media platforms… break out the email address book ammunition… and keep firing until you’re out of ammo… that kind of thing.
Please share thoughts everyone… let’s see if we can work this out.