Back on Track
Hey coffeechangers,
It’s been a long time since we last spoke. Last month we reached out to quite a few of you, to know exactly what was bothering our backers and to see if we could explain those actions and functions. One sentence that an overwhelming majority of you expressed?
"I get it now! If only Bonaverde had communicated this better in the past!"
Honestly, like any project we made mistakes, some small, some big. The biggest mistake, though, was allowing a gap to creep into our communications with our backers. This gap not only made the most important stakeholders in our project feel alienated, but it also tore in half, the faith that had pulled this project to the light of day. And if we did not understand that then, you can bet that we do now. We were simply not keeping up. We were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the project that we had taken on and our communications suffered.
Some people are wondering,
“Are these coffeechangers ever gonna deliver my machine?”
YES WE WILL! We are back on track and we are working day and night to bring this invention to market – but more importantly to your doorsteps, as has been our promise all along. Tooling is finally FINISHED and we have something real to show you guys. A picture says more than a 1000 words, and a video says more than a million so let’s just cut to it:
Brief overview:
35: The total number of plastic parts in the machine. Tooling has been completed for every single one of these. The metal parts are being tooled as you read this.
3000: Most of the parts, including the grinder, filter, fan, motor, switch have been tested 3000 times and the machine will be tested for a 3000 times life-cycle.
FOT: As the first metal parts start rolling out this week, the first machines off the tooling will be assembled. The tools will be fine-tuned, as per standard manufacturing protocol, and then used to produce the first round of mass produced machines will be tested and sent to Germany.
PCB: The machine’s nervous system. The board stores the machines whole control and operational program with all the wires in it. Currently being tested to ensure that the lights go on and that the sensor works virtually.
Your machine in pictures:
The completion of tooling is a significant and tangible step forward, putting us back on track. For those of you who have stood by us on this roller-coaster, THIS IS A HUGE BREAKTHROUGH! We are another step closer to putting the machine on your kitchen counter.
Although we have reached out to some of you in person to discuss your concerns with the project, but we would also now highlight that we have installed a backer hotline, should you feel like picking up that phone with unanswered questions. Call us on: +49 30 12022251. Remember, you can keep track of our project plan in real-time at: http://plan.bonaverde.com/
For a more detailed version of the video, head over to: http://bonaverde.com/mag/en/blog/tooling-finished/
As always, we would here like to extend our gratitude once again for your continued support and for sharing this dream with us. We will be back soon with more news so please stay tuned!
PS: A lot of you have asked us if it is still possible to retract your refund request. YES IT IS still possible to retract your refund request. Just send an email to: givemeamachine@bonaverde.com
Happy Easter everybody!
Your Bonaverde Team
Dan Pearce on May 28, 2015
So your last update was 2nd April. According to your own online plan, you have:
- Finished tooling, tool testing and modification
- You're done with the EB1 build (I guess early adopters who paid a lot to get their machines have their test machines as they paid to have early test machines?)
- You're 25% through EB1 Lifetime testing and tool modification
Or is it fair to take the silence of Bonaverde on all social media channels as realising they are basically done spending close to €2m raised through various channels on something unlikely to realise its business objectives and we'll be lucky to receive a coffee making PC tower. Feedback very much appreciated.
Benjamin Kober on May 12, 2015
Are you guys still alive? No updates here, neither on FB or Seedmatch. Is this your understanding of "we have to communicate better"?!
Having our money does not mean that you're not responsible for keeping us updated any more.
Dan Pearce on May 8, 2015
"The biggest frustration for customers is that the 2.0 model only brews Keurig branded coffee cups.
"Quite honestly, we were wrong. We underestimated the passion the consumer had for this," Kelley told analysts on a call Wednesday evening.
Keurig plans to bring back the My K-cup accessory to allow customers to brew other brands of coffee."
These people actually know what they are doing and have actually made and sold some coffee machines and they believe the decision wiped 25% off sales! But I'm sure Bonaverde know better with all the time they spend listening to the overwhelming majority ...
http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/06/investing/keurig-green-mountain-earnings-stock-fall/index.html
Aye Aye on May 8, 2015
I backed Bonaverde and all I got was this lousy jute bag.
Peter M on May 6, 2015
I'm so excited for my beautifully designed wood grain machine with lovely curves that fits under my counter top and gives me all the controls I need to roast grind and brew my coffee exactly how I specify.
Can't wait!
Ryan Dolan on April 30, 2015
So according to your Project Plan you should now be done EB1. Is this the case? How come there is NO progress shown on your plan on that item?
Jens on April 22, 2015
Seriously, you're calling Naborn a copycat? Considering this video, they have built a RGB machine five years ago. Maybe it was them who created "World's first roast-grind-brew coffee machine"? It definitely wasn't you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
Bonaverde, your business is disgusting.
David Barhouma on April 21, 2015
I would like my money back please. I've emailed you guys 3 times with no response other then your "we got your email. Someone will get back to you shortly". Please get back to me
Dave
rockfulam on April 18, 2015
just send out email request refund.
Mathias Widtskiold on April 14, 2015
How do I stop notifications from this scam, every time I get an email with an update my blood pressure goes through the roof.
Xiaodan Wang on April 6, 2015
Hi there, may i ask if you guys have sent out emails confirming our posting address? I recently encountered a problem of not receiving similar emails from another project that I backed and now I have a bit of problem, so I just want to be sure. Please let me know if you guys have sent that, as I haven't received any yet. Thanks, Sabrina
Dan Pearce on April 6, 2015
You're so right. I get it now and have done for 12 months. I get that Bonaverde haven't got a clue what its potential customers want. I get that Bonaverde are capable of ignoring the entire market base on which you're whole idea is bankrolled because they think they know better (as a heads up, you can say its our misunderstanding all you like. Your fallacy won't buy coffee). And Bonaverde are entirely ignorant to the screaming voice telling you we don't want your machine or your future coffee business model. Best of luck with that Bonaverde. You're a shoe in for the hall of worst Kickstarter fails of all time.
lk on April 6, 2015
(Oh, and in case it isn't clear, I want a refund.)
lk on April 6, 2015
'"I get it now! If only Bonaverde had communicated this better in the past!"'
It's true. If Bonaverde had clearly communicated what their intentions were in the beginning, I would never have supported this project.
Andrew R on April 5, 2015
Absolutely nauseating update. Never thought it would be possible to dislike this company more than I already did. Bonaverde proves me wrong once again!
Reinoud on April 5, 2015
Meanwhile, 192 days have passed since I requested a refund. Any day now... /s
Brendan on April 5, 2015
Boneverde what sort of update is this? You seem to be under the false pretence that suddenly everything is okay and that we are just confused.
Your entire update is a logical fallacy, spun because you simply cannot comprehend - https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/personal-incredulity - you can't understand why people would want a refund for a product you didn't actually have on kickstarter.
Worse, you now blame your backers for just not understanding. It's our fault and we're sorry we just don't get it?
You have now convinced yourself that red is blue, that East is West and that hundreds of people are lining up for your product that bares no visual, operational or even believable resemblance to what was shown. And they almost certainly don't want the refund you have REFUSED to offer.
There are many trading laws in a number of countries to prevent the kind of bait-and-switch tactic you have taken. And to product the consumer from such poor, deceitful practices. It would appear you have used Kickstarter to advantage your position knowing that it would be impossible to do so ordinarily.
The product clearly was to be a different device to that which you brought to kickstarter.
You (not just Boneverde) have collectively and personally violated the trust backers give you by pledging to support your product. And insult those who have requested a refund.
You have started to believe the story, yet you haven't learned, or changed a damn thing. This is no way to build a foundation. I am amazed that you honestly believe this is how a company should act, regardless of any progress made (or not).
It is utterly, utterly appalling.
Rob McClure
Superbacker
on April 3, 2015
What a joke of an update. If you have something show it. I'll be at SCAA - will you?!!
Roman Moritz on April 3, 2015
although you where heavily present in the press during and even after the kickstarter, indiegogo and seedmatch campaign you didnt sell the 5000 machines. not even close ... worldwide...
further a more or less big part of your once extremely euphoric croud is turning their back on you and demand a refund.
still it seems you dont even see that or you try to ignore it. your updates on kickstarter are a bad joke and show nothing new. we still dont know what afford we get as a beta tester (100$ more i waisted) and no news about the beanmarket you wanted to open.
the crowd was used to be the foundation on what you build your house called bonaverde. you lost a huge part of that foundation and so your house will collapse, its just a question of time.
i lost 400 $ thats bad but i lost my trust in kickstarter and the start up scene here and thats even worse
if i want to retract my refund? hell no! I just want to lean back and watch the last act of that drama i paid 400$ for!
Benjamin Kober on April 3, 2015
I don't get the sense of this video - literally it's showing nothing short of some glimpses of a production site. If you have working prototypes by now you should have made a video showing the process of actually using the machine in detail (not like the short video you've shown last year).
The other thing I really laughed about is your generous offer to retract the refund request - are you sure yo actually listened to your backers concerns? There is no way I'm retracting the request, altough I'm having little hope that you will ever pay out your fellow backers. Also im quite annoyed that you put it like it's a big thing that you actually NOW offer the possibility to retract the refund - you're legally required by KS to deliver the machine we pledged for so we have all the right the actually receive the machine (if we want to).
You voluntarily offered a refund for those not wanting what you made out of the inital proposal - stay true to your promise, refund your unhappy backers now and go on with you business - there is little hope in getting the unhappy backers back on board. IMHO trust in your company can not be restored, you failed and lied far to often.
If you're right on track you also should have made some remarks about the actual delivery date for those still interested in the machine. In addition to that you promised your beta testers some information about the beta test procedure long ago - where is that information?
Jens on April 3, 2015
So, what is the definition of "tooling is finished", if an undisclosed number of metal parts are still being tooled? Looks like the fooling is still in progress.
Peter M on April 2, 2015
April fools?
Milos Vajdic on April 2, 2015
Wow, you guys seem to be using propaganda aproach from the worst period in your country's past. Utter denial of things you actually did, and further lies about things you are promising.
We want our refunds, and if some people have changed their tune even better, faster refunds for rest of us.
Henrik Norberg on April 2, 2015
The biggest mistake" was lying...
And you still lie so you haven't learned anything yet either!
Christian Leth Christensen on April 2, 2015
PS: A lot of you have asked if it's still possible to deliver a machine that somewhat closely resembles what was promised. YES IT IT still possible to retract your fraudulent machine and deliver on your promises. Just write an email to:
givemewhatyoupromised@likeanyonewillbelieveyounow.com
Also the PS really did make me laugh, as if that reverse mentality trick is likely to work haha :D
David Seid on April 2, 2015
Anyone want to announce their intent to back away from their refund demand? I didn't think so. Bonaverde please return to reality and start issuing our refund checks... In full... NOW.
Rich Mattingly on April 2, 2015
Ironically for you guys, this update has convinced me to ask for a refund. The machine you are producing is a very different machine from what was initially kickstarted. It doesn't appear you have roasting or grinding controls, which is going to make this machine not work for crap for anyone who actually cares about coffee that isn't a vienna roast. Throwing good green beans in this machine is likely going to torch them. I really think the initial idea was really there, but this execution is not at all what I signed up for.
Matthew Sarracco on April 2, 2015
Wow. Third or fourth time they've come to the conclusion that they stopped communicating and will promise to do it better. Such a history of lies, about communication, about the coffee, about the machine and its function, about refunds.
Hopefully I'll recieve my refund by the time someone starts a kickstarter campaign for the originally promised machine.
John Schmitt on April 2, 2015
I get it now, Conaverde is a shell company in Florida that scammed us out of $300. Start issuing refunds or go out of business.
Jens on April 2, 2015
So, if only a few people had requested a refund, and now a lot of them asked for retraction of their refund request, I assume this means you can start to pay out the remaining handful of refunds just now, right?
PS: If first of tool production has not even started, your plan is anything but realtime, it should have been finished two weeks ago.
Sean Wormsbecker on April 2, 2015
There is no "I get it now." What you originally sold people on is still completely different. The beast you plan to deliver, aside from looking and functioning in a completely different manner, won't even fit on my counter!
Reinoud on April 2, 2015
+1 for refunds. Remember the 'Top Priority' statement on refunds last year? Yeah, still waiting.
Candy Lee on April 2, 2015
"I get it now! If only Bonaverde had communicated this better in the past!"
Can you let us know the secret words which will make all of our anger go away? Why not? I did not sign up for the personal outreach because you have made it clear that the machine you will provide is nothing like the one you promised in the Kickstarter campaign. Except it makes coffee. No controls for personal roasting profiles and no way to use it for beans that you don't sell. That was a very secret and significant omission. It wasn't an omission as much as a flagrant lie.
Robert Fixer Smith
Superbacker
on April 2, 2015
Why have refunds not been issued yet? Product dev & Tooling cost the same as if you had just managed to reach your original funding goal. You had way over that, and you could not have ordered parts & materials or paid for manufacturing before your design was locked & tooling finalized.