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John A.

Contributor Level

Total Points
102

1 Review by John

  • Kickstarter

2/2/15

Kickstarter is just short of an out and out scam. You put your money in and if the people who raised the money through Kickstarter fail to deliver for whatever reason, even when they actually admit that they never planned to deliver on parts of what was promised during fundraising, Kickstarter just throws their hands up in the air and does nothing. I've had extensive emails back and forth with their customer support over one such project, and they essentially told me that my only option was to contact the project creators for redress, which I did to no avail, and, if they didn't work, sue, which the average person isn't going to do. I'd have more protection if I bought something on eBay through PayPal from a random person. Eventually they just stop responding to emails.

Quite honestly, I don't think this company should be allowed to operate this way. At some point, a company that takes on projects knowing that some portion will turn out to be fraudulent, takes a percentage of the funds raised, and then stonewalls and keeps their cut is participating in the fraud.

Steer clear. If the product is good, it or something like it will find a market and you can buy it from a retail outlet you trust when its ready. Kickstarters often offer what they say is a discount relative to the retail price, but you've got to weigh that against the knowledge that there's a chance people will just keep your money and essentially flip you off, and also that there may be a sale later that is even better than the "price" kick starter is offering things for.

I backed a project from a musician who's work I loved who's been making music since the 60s. He screwed us all over, even wrote an update quoting me personally and flaming me. Now I have trouble listening to some of my favorite songs without thinking of that experience and how unscrupulous the guy is. I also wound up having a falling out with an online community of fans who I knew for a long time and who felt it was an honor just to give this guy money and anything we got back was a bonus. So, the cost can be more than just financial.

Crowd sourcing wasn't a bad idea in theory, but it requires a site that can exercise contractual rights that allow it to garnish the money from the person running an individual project that goes rogue to refund the backers and that is willing to do that. Kickstarter isn't a site that can or will do that, so unless you're willing to sue, anyone can screw you on there and leave you with little recourse.

I wish we had stronger consumer protection laws that would force these companies to take some responsibility or shut the down.

John Has Earned 2 Votes

John A.'s review of Kickstarter earned 2 Very Helpful votes

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