Wrestling the Bear
"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".
This has been a hard update to write. Mainly because every time my mind comes around to thinking about this project the anger and frustration kicks in again and I can't focus. I just want to spew awful, awful words.
We have not shipped yet and it's killing me. February 24th I approved parts and our vendor has STILL not delivered our production run. The shipping boxes sit, collecting dust in our warehouse.
My original story was about showing the world that the United States of America is a great place to manufacture. In fact I purposely set my time on designing something that could be done with this vendor knowing their capabilities and reputation for quality. Their actions on this project have really got me asking where to go next.
Perhaps when I'm feeling less agitated I'll have the strength to recap. It's taken a lot out of me to finally see something happening. Tomorrow they will be running our tool at a sister company and then we'll see how things go. I've been burned too many times to trust them. Best I can say is "we'll see". Once production parts arrive I'll update you again. I hope we get this thing wrestled soon. I'm having a really hard time moving ahead on anything until it is.
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Funding period
Aug 9, 2011 -
Sep 8, 2011
(30 days)
- 2 created · 47 backed
- Jim Young 227 friends
- Website: nicebydesign.com
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Comments
Creator Jim Young on April 16, 2012
@Randall - In my frustration I considered using "the crowd" to help motivate our vendor many times, but unfortunately a crowd can sometimes be a mob.
Creator Jim Young on April 16, 2012
Thanks Everyone for the amazing support. It has certainly lifted my spirits.
Creator bronwen on April 13, 2012
Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about the problems. Best wishes to you.
Creator Petra Oltheten on April 13, 2012
Jim,
Very sorry to hear about your troubles.
Hope it helps knowing we keep our fingers crossed out here for the succes of your endeavour.
Thanks for the update.
Creator Josh Wright & June Lai on April 12, 2012
We get your frustration Jim. Keep up the great work and great updates.
Creator Quijana Byrd on April 12, 2012
The best you can do is to take this experience and grow from it. Put the frustration aside, and allow the next project to begin. Not easy, but destructive energy is not something you want to keep around. Thank you for the update.
Creator Dominick Montalbano on April 12, 2012
That's a total bummer that your vendor didn't come through for you... but we can wait so don't stress about shipping immediately. I personally appreciate your attempt to do something different with the manufacturing process.
Creator Joao Calistro on April 12, 2012
Hang in there, I'm sure all the backers support you.
Creator Randall Kane on April 12, 2012
Thanks for the update Jim. Just a thought...maybe let us your backers know who the vendor is and we can apply a little "social media" pressure?! Hang in there
Creator Brogan Thomsen on April 12, 2012
Hang in there even though hard. And nice work spewing out some hard words. You did good. Brogan on Seattle
Creator Maik Nogens on April 12, 2012
Greetings from Germany,
thanks for the update. Reading and being involved (well, at least somewhere down the chain :-) ) made it a good read. Sorry for the trouble they cause you. We all pay our learning dues and as you stated "we'll see" and you yourself also learned a lot (I assume).
And every learning is a good thing; so on my part I am "fine" as it goes.
Keep your spirit up,
Maik
Creator Tobster on April 12, 2012
Hey Jim, another "backer" here , keep the head up and hang in there. You will get it done!!!
Creator Michael Brown on April 12, 2012
This updates helps. Do you have a plan B if they can't deliver? Just a question? I know your trying very hard to keep this together, and I appreciate it.
Creator Renee Perry on April 12, 2012
Along with other backers, I want to thank you for the transparency and all the hard work you've put in for this project. Happy to wait till you get it right.
Creator Ian Stearns on April 12, 2012
We are here to back you up. We all know there are hurdles with a project like this. They call them hurdles because there is always a way to get over the top of them. Thank you for the update and the honesty, the only way we can continue to help support you is to know what is going on. thanks again
Creator Thomas Lee on April 11, 2012
Hang in there. When you're in the clear you will realize you've learned a lot more than if everything went smoothly.
Creator Bernie Graham on April 11, 2012
What A great group of backers (not buyers). Keep on pluggin you'll get there Jim!
Creator Andreas Michalski on April 11, 2012
hi, heads up ! it will be finished and then it is a great product !
Creator L.W. Brown on April 11, 2012
Similar to what the others said, deep breath, exhale slow, be focused...
Creator Eric Price on April 11, 2012
Ken makes a great point. We're not shoppers, we are investors. Sometimes it takes a while read what we've sown. Thanks for keeping is in on the journey...
Creator terrigriffith on April 11, 2012
Love the honesty and transparency. We're all in this with you. Like Ken says, we aren't here to shop -- we're here to support people trying to do something new and new is hard. Thanks for letting us learn from your experience.
Creator Kat Trabert on April 11, 2012
Keep your head up; Rome wasn't built in a day! :)
Creator Ken Daniels on April 11, 2012
That your design is fish inspired is appropriate: you ought not set out to catch one if you aren't okay with the fact that it may require a long wait. Kickstarter isn't a place you go to shop, it is a community where you go to help people realize their dreams. More often than not that is a rough and tumble process which everyone pretty much understands going into it. Best of luck in this next stage of the saga.
Creator Marion on April 11, 2012
It's OK...just do your best!
Creator Nilay Shah on April 11, 2012
I concur - if we are on Kickstarter, funding ANY project, it has to come with the realization that there could be bumps, or mountains, in the road. You are surely devoting a TON of time and sweat into getting this project going, and I, for one, support you and am not worried about your ship date. When my little fishies come, they will come. :) Stay strong!!
Creator Roger Kasten Jr on April 11, 2012
Jim, I too stand behind you on this project. As a former product designer and manufacturer I know that sometimes when it rains it pours. This has been a baptism by fire and you're still standing. I'm anxious to get product but I am also a realist. I will wait for things to come to completion. Good luck and thanks for keeping us informed.
Creator Gerry G on April 11, 2012
I reckon your next kickstarter project should be to fund a documentary on the trials and tribulations of this product. Could be very telling story to show just how much inventors put in to bring these innovative products to life.
Creator Kyle Smith on April 11, 2012
I can only imagine your frustration. I still stand behind you and your products. One of the things about Kickstarter is we all get to follow the inventor from concept to delivery even when there are bumps in the road. Take a breath and hang in there! Can't wait to one day receive my CableKeeps!