Kickstarter

Creator Nicholas Sylvain-Obsidian Tormentor on March 3

I eventually got the product, which was decent enough, but I'd definitely advise people not to back any further Kickstarter or other venture until/unless he proves he's learned from his failures here.

Creator Ronald Shaffer on February 28

It's been a year since this project was funded and I still have not received my rewards. Please either send me my rewards or my $100.

Creator J. Noelle on February 23

I just tried to dispute the payment through Amazon Payments, but unfortunately, it's been more than 105 days since the payment was processed so we've missed the window. This is ridiculous that we have no recourse.

Creator J. Noelle on February 23

I haven't received my order yet either. And my messages have gone unanswered. I reported this to Kickstarter, but they basically said there was nothing they could do. They said it's Kickstarter policy that the project must fulfill its pledges' rewards or return your money; Kickstarter cannot refund your money. But that doesn't help much when they won't respond to messages...

Creator Alan Claver on February 7

I've emailed twice. Once Brooks said that "Well I shipped it but it was returned". I asked for the tracking number - nothing. He asked for my address - I sent it twice. It's just a load of bullshit.

What's really troubling is that the farm isn't that far away from me. I should drive over and grab a sheep or something as payment.

The thing that really cheesed me off is his statement that - "Oh you not getting a product worth the contribution". Huh? I've never been in a Kickstarter where the product wasn't greatly discounted over the planned retail pricing.

Creator Ronald Shaffer on February 4

J Greg, don't feel bad I've sent them emails and they won't reply back about my rewards.

Creator J Greg DeFelice on February 2

Hi. I left a comment on Jan 14 regarding my reward but have not heard back yet. I still have received it. Can you let me know when I can expect it? Thanks.

Creator J Greg DeFelice on January 14

Hi. I wanted to make you aware that I have not yet received my $100-level reward. The last correspondence stated they were being sent around 12/18. Can you let me know when we might expect our shipment? Thanks.

Creator Kevin on December 28

Alan, you're not alone. i haven't received anything either....

Creator Alan Claver on December 27

Welp christmas has come and gone and I've received nothing. Told my stuff shipped last month but I didn't get it and since they're not using tracked shipping (for $100 rewards) I could prove nothing. So I was promised a new shipment in this last $100 group and nothing.

Wow.

Creator David Satin on December 27

The sliced meat was pretty good. The Chorizo-Inedible
the Genoa Absolutely horrible.
I certainly have learned my lesson.

Creator Nicholas Sylvain-Obsidian Tormentor on December 16, 2012

OK, to be fair I just found this in my spam filter (since he used a private email account and not through KS):

Hi folks - this is going out to our last 100 backers who have yet to receive their rewards. We've a bunch of your rewards sliced and will be slicing through the weekend. Before shipping on Monday and Tuesday, I wanted to confirm that you will be around to receive the package. Usually, it takes 1-2 days to arrive, getting there between Wednesday and Friday (19-21) next week. If you will NOT be around, or there is an alternate address to send to, please email a reply! Otherwise, do nothing, and we will send a shipment confirmation with a tracking number.

Also, if you'd like it delivered to one of our markets the weekend of the 22nd, please let us know. Thanks for your patience and expect an email Monday!

Creator Nicholas Sylvain-Obsidian Tormentor on December 16, 2012

ok, email says "expected to be the week of the 10th" still...

Creator Nicholas Sylvain-Obsidian Tormentor on December 16, 2012

Was told I was set to have my rewards shipped 12/10. Well, nothing so far.

Creator George Sagi on December 13, 2012

$100 backer: no communications and no sampler. Sad.

Creator Ellie and LB Deyo on December 6, 2012

Hi,
I received half of my reward--a package of lomo. Can I expect a package of lonzino soon?

Ellie

Creator David Rosen on December 4, 2012

$100 backer - never rec. product - never rec. email ...

Creator Lizabeth Barclay on December 1, 2012

It would be nice to have an update.

Creator jamie reilly on November 29, 2012

yep. he started emailing me yesterday.

Creator Nicholas Sylvain-Obsidian Tormentor on November 29, 2012

Finally! Brooks sent me an email that my product should be shipping on December 10. Communication! I wish you all the same.

Creator Nicholas Sylvain-Obsidian Tormentor on November 27, 2012

I'd prefer product, second best would be communication, and if I don't get SOME communication that I can trust soon, I'll go ahead and file my complaint with KS to try and get a refund. This is kind of ridiculous.

Creator jamie reilly on November 27, 2012

If they did not seem to be intentionally ignoring all communication, I would be less likely to think it was fraud. however, our contract calls for goods in exchange for money. it is now many months pas when the goods were supposed to be delivered, and by the tally at the right, they've collected about twice as much money as they needed for this project. the "what ya gonna do" part is easily answerable. if they continue to ignore communications, there are two types of people who's living hinges on these kinds of situations: law enforcement and lawyers.

Creator David Rosen on November 26, 2012

i dont think its "fraud" .. its more "2 hippie farmers who do things their way in their own time .. and what happens happens..". I think they are building a butcher shop and they are making the product and they are shipping "some" of it out .. but there really is no real commitment to getting anything done in any particualr period of time or "ensuring" all backers rec what they were promised .. what ya gonna do ..

Creator Paul H. Ting on November 26, 2012

Even though Kickstarter does not directly give refunds in cases like this, this is what their FAQ says:

"Is a creator legally obligated to fulfill the promises of their project?

Yes. Kickstarter's Terms of Use require creators to fulfill all rewards of their project or refund any backer whose reward they do not or cannot fulfill. (This is what creators see before they launch.) We crafted these terms to create a legal requirement for creators to follow through on their projects, and to give backers a recourse if they don't. We hope that backers will consider using this provision only in cases where they feel that a creator has not made a good faith effort to complete the project and fulfill."

Creator jamie reilly on November 25, 2012

I've messaged them several times with no response. also messaged them on facebook with no response. At this point I'm pretty comfortable saying we've been defrauded. That's a bummer. I've spoken to Kickstarter and they said it's between us and the folks we funded. I've messaged North Mountain Pastures and asked that my money be refunded. Again, no response. That basically means, as NMP is completely unresponsive, the only recourse we backers have for making this right is taking legal recourse. Also, I think the amount of money that they took in makes this a significant legal issue.

Creator Ronald Shaffer on November 20, 2012

I would have love to have some Salami with my Thanksgiving day meal, but it doesn't look like I'll have any. I only live 2 hours away might have to go collect.

Creator Liza Daly on November 18, 2012

Also still waiting. Sigh.

Creator Nicholas Sylvain-Obsidian Tormentor on November 11, 2012

Yeah, I'm also in the "still waiting" camp. Communication has definitely not been the best, one only hopes that the product (eventually) will justify the wait. Hopefully Brooks will learn his lessons from this poor outing.

Creator Paul H. Ting on November 3, 2012

I share the frustration of many of the posters here - after supporting you wholeheartedly with a large sum of money, I have yet to receive anything...not even a note to let me know what the situation is or to apologize for the extended delay and ongoing lack of progress. :(

Creator Alan Claver on October 31, 2012

Another month goes by and I've received nothing, well except 2 updates saying the rewards are shipping out imminently. I'm writing this Kickstarter off - perhaps Amazon should be informed. Don't know if you read these comments but you're destroying your reputation should you wish to go into retail or online business. This behavior will be well publicized.

Creator Ronald Shaffer on October 1, 2012

Thanks for the tips on cutting the Salami. I would love to try it but I haven't received any of my rewards for funding this project yet.

Creator timothyp23 on September 30, 2012

I have yet to receive anything. It's disappointing. I understand you've had issues, but I agree with the poster below who stated that frequent updates would have done something to quell my disappointment. Best of luck in the future.

Creator Mike on September 13, 2012

I received the saucisson sec 3-4 weeks ago and was rather disappointed in it. It smelled off a bit and was a dark brown and extremely greasy, like a bad Slim Jim. I tasted it and it tasted like it had gone bad. Maybe something happened in shipping (I received it in Texas in August, perhaps the heat got to it)? Maybe that's how it is supposed to be? I'm not a connoisseur of cured meats so I can't say for sure. At any rate, my dogs seemed to enjoy it...

Just one backer's experience here, hopefully other folks fared better. Regardless, I wish North Mountain Pastures the best of luck in the future.

Creator Sheena on August 30, 2012

Loved it! I moved and my package went to Washington State then to a mail box in Florida and was still awesome when I got it. It must have been in transit for a while.

Creator Sandrine Thinnes on August 29, 2012

The North Mountain Pastures Salami made it's way to Luxemburg, Europe! I was so excited to get the sausage and it smelled great. However it was hard to cut and hard to chew and also very very salty in taste. I wonder if it did suffer during it's voyage ... could be. All in all I am very happy that you got your project going, wishing you all the best for the future. Who knows maybe one day I'll have the opportunity to come and taste on farm!
Have a great day!!

Creator Dan Dammerman on August 28, 2012

Thank you for the email today. Your project looks very interesting. How were the Amish contractors to work with?

Eagerly looking forward to sampling your product.

Creator Nick Bonilla on August 28, 2012

Just received my package last night. Can't wait to try them tonight. I do have to agree with most of the comments here about communication. We all know you are very busy, but just a few lines would have done so much to quell any discord in the community.

Creator Ellie and LB Deyo on August 27, 2012

2.45 oz of sliced lomo arrived today. Will I also receive a package of lonzino?

Creator Matt Ross on August 17, 2012

I don't want to be 'that backer', so I wanted to say I hope you guys learn from this for any future Kickstarter projects. I'm glad I funded you, and I hope the money went to making an awesome structure for you to provide people with delicious meats.

All we (I) wanted was more visibility from the project so we could feel involved in it. The projects I've backed that have communicated frequently (even bad news!) have a much higher confidence rating for me.

Involve your community, and you can grow with us; alienate your backers and you limit yourself.

Creator Matt Ross on August 16, 2012

I'm glad to hear people have actually received product. I'm cautiously optimistic now!

Creator Matt Ross on August 16, 2012

Over a week with no response to my contact form submission (or comment), and nothing on the Facebook comment I made yesterday.

Any backers live near Newport, PA want to stop by and see what's going on? Maybe remind them about the whole Kickstarter thing? I wish I was anywhere near there so I could get an actual response; I'm starting to feel scammed.

Creator Lizabeth Barclay on August 10, 2012

I agree with everyone else. I backed another project where there were some delays, BUT, that creator sent out regular updates that explained what happened and where the project was. You are not respecting your backers. Many of us may have arranged vacations or business trips to be sure to be home to receive your package (which has not yet arrived).

Creator Lizabeth Barclay on August 10, 2012

I agree with everyone else. I backed another project where there were some delays, BUT, that creator sent out regular updates that explained what happened and where the project was. You are not respecting your backers. Many of us may have arranged vacations or business trips to be sure to be home to receive your package (which has not yet arrived).