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Is there the ability to limit funding in bands to limit this 'middle ground' ie. if we're funded between a to b we'll deliver a prototype unit, but over b we w

Is there the ability to limit funding in bands to limit this 'middle ground' ie. if we're funded between a to b we'll deliver a prototype unit, but over b we won't deliver any more until we hit c. Hitting the initial funding goal opens up a stretch goal that is independent (backers are backing the stretch goal, not the initial campaign and won't get rewarded unless it's also hit)

pavel_lishin 11y ago
I mean, they could just say it. "Give us 40k, and we'll ship you some well-designed prototype coffee machines. Our stretch goal is 100k." I've stopped funding Kickstarters once they're significantly over their goal; I don't think it helps, and I can just buy their product later anyway.
- seanp2k2 11y ago
  Yep; same, I keep a list of things I'll buy if/when I can just get it through their website. I've seen too many fail to deliver stuff for a couple years now that I'm pretty skeptical of any pre-orders. The latest thing on my list is the Marbel skateboard. Looks great on paper, all the tech exists, other [small] companies are doing it, but they've had tons of delays and I don't trust that their first products sent out won't have some kinks. I'm not really willing to pay the early adopter fee for a vehicle which could cause me great bodily harm if it malfunctions (e.g. Bluetooth has interference problems or randomly disconnects, which would definitely not be unprecedented in the world of e-skateboards).
jack-r-abbit 11y ago
I've seen many Kickstarters that have limits on certain rewards. I've never created one so I can't say for sure... but perhaps if you can set all your rewards with limits you could at least keep it from being a runaway. That would at least give you a window and certainly an absolute top end (if all reward levels sell out).
adevine 11y ago
I think smart campaigns, especially for manufacturing projects, should limit funding so that they can work out the kinks in their product, and if they're wrong on cost estimates, they limit their losses. If they're successful, they can always do another kickstarter to ramp up manufacturing.

pavel_lishin 11y ago

I mean, they could just say it. "Give us 40k, and we'll ship you some well-designed prototype coffee machines. Our stretch goal is 100k." I've stopped funding Kickstarters once they're significantly over their goal; I don't think it helps, and I can just buy their product later anyway.

seanp2k2 11y ago
Yep; same, I keep a list of things I'll buy if/when I can just get it through their website. I've seen too many fail to deliver stuff for a couple years now that I'm pretty skeptical of any pre-orders. The latest thing on my list is the Marbel skateboard. Looks great on paper, all the tech exists, other [small] companies are doing it, but they've had tons of delays and I don't trust that their first products sent out won't have some kinks. I'm not really willing to pay the early adopter fee for a vehicle which could cause me great bodily harm if it malfunctions (e.g. Bluetooth has interference problems or randomly disconnects, which would definitely not be unprecedented in the world of e-skateboards).

jack-r-abbit 11y ago

I've seen many Kickstarters that have limits on certain rewards. I've never created one so I can't say for sure... but perhaps if you can set all your rewards with limits you could at least keep it from being a runaway. That would at least give you a window and certainly an absolute top end (if all reward levels sell out).

adevine 11y ago

I think smart campaigns, especially for manufacturing projects, should limit funding so that they can work out the kinks in their product, and if they're wrong on cost estimates, they limit their losses. If they're successful, they can always do another kickstarter to ramp up manufacturing.