An dieser Stelle kannst du dem Projektgründer gutes Gelingen wünschen, Fragen stellen und dich mit anderen Unterstützern austauschen. Wir bitten darum, den Austausch stets respektvoll und höflich zu halten! Danke!
I was one of the early filers with the Oregon DOJ. I also filled out the form on the Coolest website to request a refund (remember that? the one that said you would not get a refund until just prior to your Coolest getting shipped?). When the last batch of Coolests were going out this summer, I was notified that mine was going to be shipped. I wrote back to customer service to say wait I had asked for a refund on your website. And they actually gave me a refund. Which is great for me but basically proves what everyone already knows - this was the most inept, badly run, badly executed, ripoff imaginable. I was clearly only given the refund because they were concerned about the Oregon DOJ's investigation, and they could represent that my complaint was resolved. But where does that leave everyone else? Ryan and his team really ought to be ashamed at themselves. I wonder how they are able to sleep at night.
I'm backer 64,813 of 62,642 and from this you can assume I'll never get my cooler as my backer number is higher than the number of backers. I understand how that works, not all backers payed...okay, so I'm probably backer 62,642 and from this you can assume I'll never get my cooler. Here's my thought, quarterly emails is lazy, I'd rather get at least a monthly update that says, sorry not yet. No, not the crap updates of continual whining and blaming other people for their mistakes, it's been two years, you made mistakes, Ted, just admit it.
We have been betrayed, we have been let down, at least prove this isn't a scam by once a month by sending us an email that says backer XXXXX/62642 has received their coolest where XXXXX is the last backer mailed. I get that backers that gave the extra $97 will change how this works and I understand as backer 64,813/62642 there are other problems but as I said, I'm never getting my cooler anyway, you could at least do more than sending me a quarterly email where you take no responsibility for your lack of ability to handle over ten million.
I am well over 25, have started my own business and understand Kickstarter.
What you have failed to understand is the research groups of us have done to unearth the lies from the truth.
Kickstarter is not a store. However Coolest represented they only needed funding to produce the product. Then the money rolled in, they started from scratch. Then the products were produced. AND SOLD OFF TO OTHERS IN A GREEDY GAMBLE MOVE. All the while blaming backers once the cat was out of the bag. Ryan then becomes a board member on another failed campaign who does the exact same thing.
There are facts upon facts that dispute the lies on the updates.
So your uppity, your so much smarter than everyone else is pure and utter BS.
And am I angry at the Coolest scam? Yes, and I actually received mine. Only because I filed with the DOJ when the lies turned into pure BS.
I've been emailing customer service. We got our cooler a year ago (don't shoot me �). However one spring/summer/fall in south Texas and it has faded. Never has an igloo or Coleman faded the way my Coolest did.
Chris....I read your "war and peace" length comment (for someone who is putting others down..please learn to use paragraphs and spacing in your novels...makes it easier to read) and one thing I dont understand.
You claim to have partaken in several (many?) such campaigns...with most failing, but those 2 or 3 that came through...well they made up for the others. How exactly?
you are NOT an investor....all you get if the company is successful is....the product. No ownership shares, no IPO profit, no ....well no anything except the product. So, I ask, how do 3 "winners" make up for a dozen losers?
I guess you, unlike a lot of folks here, like to gamble, apparently like to lose, or at least tolerate losing more than winning, simply for the rare feeling of success when it does come. There are casinos and racetracks willing to pay your transportation to get you to them!
Better yet...I have a poker game I would like to invite you to. We can even call it the "Kickstarter Open" if it makes handing over your money that much easier. Of course, we promise nothing, but if you are successful, we give you a deck of cards at the end of the night!
Hey Chris, I'm not even going to bother to waste my time and finish reading your babble. You try to come across as someone better than all of us but once you start in and detail all of your losses after your extensive research you look terrible. Probably a nice guy though.
Look, it's very simple why people are pissed. They did not invest in a concept, they invested in a finished product that needed to move to mass production. Even that's not it though. Ryan took 13.5MM in real cash, for a real product. He then produced real product but HE then decided to stop shipping to his real customers and ship to Amazon. Terrible idea after terrible idea but that doesn't matter. If he continued to focus on us then maybe folks would have been kinder (probably not, but maybe). Remember, Ryan took the money we gave him for shipping, Ryan took our money for "extras". Two things that had nothing to do with underestimating COGS. If you don't see that than I'm sure you are confident enough to be the extreme minority who immediately thinks they will never get the product they backed on Kickstarter. I hope for the people around you that you are not a financial advisor.
Nothing personal....just a lot of frustration after dealing with this for so long.
I'm going to assume none of the individuals here that are complaining:
- are over 25
- have taken a risk or gambled with anything... EVER
or
- have an understanding of what Kickstarter is!
He nailed the point in his last update and I for one am really tired of all the self-centered, self-righteous, and self-entitled blithering idiots, whom have clearly never tried to run their own business or launch their own start-up complaining that these guys have not shipped a product they don't have yet. Why are you complaining to the DOJ... let me explain something to you, and I will try my best to use small words so you can understand... but here it goes anyways...
Kickstarter is not a store. It is an investment platform. You are helping fund a start-up. That's why it is called crowdfunding, not crowdbuying. Just like any other company that you invest in by providing funds, there is a chance you will lose your money. The only difference is that instead of stock or ownership, you get a beta version of the company’s first product. So if you are wanting to invest and in return get a product instead of watching your money grow, then use Kickstarter. But just like any other investment, assume your money is gone when you hand it over. Just like a real investment, you should do your due diligence, and make sure the business model sounds solid, that the cost analysis is accurate, and that people are trustworthy. There are several Kickstarter's and Indiegogo's I did not fund because I did not believe in the team’s ability. Now, in this case, Ryan needs to acknowledge that they way underestimated the roadblocks, costs, and logistics, but HE HAS ALREADY DONE THAT. Now he is trying to find creative ways to get the product out to everyone, and you are shooting him in the foot for it. If this had been a standard company and they had gathered 13 million in funds, and then hit these problems, they would have just closed their doors, and the investors would have lost everything. Instead they are trying to do the right thing - so everyone needs to sit down, shut-up, and be patient. If $200 is too much of an investment for you, then you should not have gambled with it in the first place. Hell, I funded 17 start-ups last year with real actual cash, and 9 of them closed already, 2 are looking shaky, but at least 3 of the others are looking to be rocket stars. Those will make up for the losses in the other companies, but what I am not going to do, mainly because I am not insane, is try to get all the ones that failed thrown in prison for not delivering on the idea...
No, I have not gotten my cooler yet, and I doubt I ever will. I check in periodically, but I assumed the money was gone the minute I backed the project. I have had almost all my projects here, at Indiegogo, Crowdfunder, appFunder, quirky, and RocketHub either be delivered egregiously late or not at all (including the compute stick that the creator literally disappeared the day after it was closed and fully funded and took all the money on Indiegogo, and Truebuds here on kickstarter).
Stop thinking of Kickstarter as a place to buy cool new toys at a deep discount. It's not a wholesale club, it's not a Sam's, and it's not a discount Amazon. If you see a product or company you like or believe in, and CAN AFFORD IT, invest in the company, otherwise take your money and go buy a popsicle. But stop crying like little babies that your investments did not pan out. Did it bother me to see one for sale at the downtown shops where I live nine months ago? No, because I knew they paid twice what I had, and it was because I invested in the company that they could make one at all and get it shipped out and sold. I actually felt proud. Told my friend that I helped back the creation and production of it while we were down there. Told him the whole story, and yet managed to not be angry, hurtful, or spit venom in the process towards the people THAT INVENTED THE ITEM.
Ryan did take responsibility Scott... Now he's trying to get the coolers out. Would you rather he just closed shop and no one got their cooler? Because surprise-surprise, I guarantee you that they are an LLC or C-Corp meaning that if he did close up then none of you could go after him for the money or products, since you’re not customers, you’re investors. I for one am glad he is the kind of person trying to do right thing, rather than walking away, which I promise would be cheaper and much less stressful for him and his family. He has already laid bare all the mistakes he has made, what would you like him to do otherwise? Call down the power of God to miraculously have the coolers made out of thin air for free? He hasn't pissed on anyone, but everyone here sure wants to piss all over him and his reputation! Instead of complaining about it, how about you all try to go create something. Rather than go punch the clock for someone else like sheeple, take that energy and go create something or come up with a better solution. Because I have yet to see any one of you offer a better solution. Giving a refund is not a better solution, as there is not clearly enough money to give everyone a refund, so who decides who gets a refund and who doesn't? Plus, you DID NOT BUY ANYTHING! YOU INVESTED IN AN IDEA AND A COMPANY AND A PRODUCT! Handing out the amazon coolers in stock isn't a better solution as there is clearly not enough to give every backer a cooler, so who decides who gets one and who doesn't? Plus, doing so PREVENTS EVERYONE ELSE FROM GETTING THEIR COOLER! Calling the DOJ isn't a better solution as they have not broken the law or done anything wrong or that a million other failed start-ups haven't done in the past. Plus, doing so PREVENTS EVERYONE ELSE FROM GETTING THEIR COOLER! And it is clear that sitting here bitching and moaning and complaining isn't a better solution either. So come up with something better, or shut your traps and go back to playing your pokemon games.
Thank you Ryan for not walking away and for sticking around to try to do the right thing. In fact, as a thank you I went ahead and bought a SECOND coolest from amazon to help burn through the stock. I had wanted a second one after the funding ended anyways, so I could give one as a gift. You ship me the other one if and when you are good and god damned ready sir! I for one actually get how life and business works. You just ignore the entitled children below and keep on chugging along sir!
I am SHOCKED and PISSED to find that this cooler is being sold on Amazon for $175!!! With prime shipping no less! That means it would have actually been cheaper for me to wait and buy the product than to back it at the "discounted" price. Oh and I'm guessing that since you have to sell it so cheap on Amazon you haven't made enough profit to send out to the people who already paid you! This is ridiculous!! If I could demand a refund I absolutely would do so and turn around and buy it directly from Amazon!
I'm backer 15,365 and the laughing stock of my family. I still hold out just a bit of hope my cooler will arrive. If you've shipped 2/3 of the units surely mine must be high on the next to ship list? Can I have a time of arrival estimate or just refund me...( that was a joke).
Saw this on Amazon for $175 yesterday. I told my roommate to buy two...they're out for delivery right now lol. 2 years later, buyers can buy it for Kickstarter price and get it before Kickstarter backers.
I want a refund! I feel like an idiot I've been waiting for this cooler for two years now it's on sale at Amazon at Kmart everywhere else but in my house and where I act expected it when I purchased it I want my money back now
I'm so sick of waiting for this coolest cooler. Much like everyone else still waiting.
As an international backer, we don't even get the option to pay more money to get our coolest!
This really isn't cool. I have backed 68 products on kickstarter in the period of waiting for this and this is the only one that has failed miserably.
I echo the thoughts of other people who think that by the time we get this, it will be obsolete. Or some other company will have copied it and made it better, and faster, and my local Kmart will sell it for $100
I hope noone listens to a damn thing he is saying in the last email, if anyone has hurt this project. It was him. I wonder the amount he put in his pocket out the 14 million raised or how he "works everyday" when he's probably out on his yacht. Wake up people. This man has failed so many time. Keep filing DOJ complaints and get this man locked up where he belongs. You think not getting your cooler is bad? Batteries are exploding. Blenders are breaking down. He claimed he got the best of the best but in return we recieved junk. Be happy you didn't recieve yours and wait on the refunds.
Got my cooler. It works. Glad that Ryan is making it happen despite all the issues.
Thank you for persevering Ryan. It is not easy to conceive, make something and see it through. I am glad I backed you. I waited. Paid a little extra and got my cooler. If people want to buy stuff, do it on Amazon. If you are taking a risk to see someone else succeed, stick around the Kickstarter Crowd. Here we help people make new things...
Hmmmm Might be more like the "hottest" project ever.
Check these pics out. This backer's battery, exploded and flew off the charger. They still haven't gotten taken care of by Coolest yet (including burning damage to their floor coverings)
I have pretty much given up on thinking I will ever receive the cooler I paid for two years ago. I will NEVER order another thing from kick starter and if there ever is a class action suit I will be onboard. Buyer Beware!
Although I did in fact receive my cooler last xmas, I was none to pleased to see it selling last week on Amazon for $175 ($10 less than what I paid and free shipping!). I manufacture my own product in China and knows the ups and downs of it but with the sheer amount of money they raised, I still wonder how they screwed this up as they had a prototype to work off of and weren't creating something that never existed before. Not saying anything suspect with the money raised but more that they overpaid on the research and molding side. I really feel for the people who still haven't received theirs. I will say they were always responsive when I contacted them and as soon as I said I think it would be best to just get a refund, lo and behold I had a cooler a week later. Hope it all works out for you remaining backers!
Hahaha I was even dumb enough to buy the second speaker - live and learn.. live and learn. Truth is, I didn't really need a cooler anyway. I would never spend the money I did in a cooler, it was his enthusiasm on the video that sold me. Live and learn...
I pledged $200 in August 2014 and still haven't received mine (currently 10/2016). I filled out the form for a refund, and I got the typical response about "You should get your refund within 2 weeks from your backed unit's ship date" which is absurd.
I can honestly say. This was my 1st kickstarter pledge. I had No idea that I would not ever get the cooler. I have been nice and yet no response. I don't get it. But I can say this, he has ruined it for other people. I will never use kickstart again.
What a joke!
Since it's clear the backers that haven't received their 2 years ago coolest cooler, not so cool now cooler, never will, how about this. How about you sell whatever intellectual property rights you might still possess in this ill-fated adventure and either have the buyer send the remaining backers a cooler as we were promised, or simply refund our money?
If you think about it, you, and only you, are responsible for the situation so many of us are in. You failed to follow the number one rule in manufacturing; settle on a design, lock it down, and sell it. Save revisions for version 2 or 3 or whatever. You made so many ‘improvements’ that you ended up losing sight of our shared goal, a Coolest Cooler.
Sell the company, if there is such a thing, take a loss, whatever. Make it right. And if you go to jail with the DOJ investigation you go to jail. At least you’ll go with a clear conscience if that’s something that matters to you.
2 years and still waiting. Randy, you have given so many excuses and asked us to be patience. Every month they only notification I receive is: continue waiting. By the time I receive this It will be obsolete already.
Hey Ryan, how does it feel to work with someone who is so shady, goes against their promise, and gives you misinformation all the time? Now you know how so many of your backers feel. Once again though, it's never your fault.
And why would I opt for corporate labeling of a cooler that will never arrive? I don't want my boss pissed me. My wife already hates that I wasted our money on this.
Contemplation time. Do I sit by passively waiting for a product I will never get, or do I mount an internet poor business practice shaming campaign? I just wish I was only out the $185, but I requested an extra battery (because I am stupid) and an extra speaker (because...party pairing). I am down over $300 for 1 cooler that I will never receive. I think I might opt for the public Ryan shaming option. We shall see how I feel after lunch. I hate it when I am hangry.
So Amazon now has blue and green available, and previously they only had orange. I wonder who sold them those? Considering Amazon is 'the worst company to work with', it couldn't possibly be Ryan Grepper could it? I can't imagine the incredible duress one must be under to get into bed once again with a company that so totally screwed you over and threatened to 'burn you to the ground'. Oh wait, I can imagine. Let's just say you're a pathological liar and you're also being investigated by the ODOJ, who's also aware of the terms by which you promoted your product on Kickstarter, which stated that you had to EITHER deliver a product or refund the money. (The terms have changed since.). Sooooo...you have two choices. Keep selling your coolers to anyone that can offer you cash and maybe, just maybe, you'll raise enough to refund all these angry backers (myself included) and keep your ass out of prison. Or option B, keep selling them until no one will buy them anymore, use the cash to move to Mexico, and change your name. I'm betting on Option B :)
I was one of the first backers...updated the speakers..and still nothing. Cant even get a response for a refund. Good, well bad, learning experience. I am a huge backer and this is the ONLY porjected that stiffed its backers. I cant even pay 100.00 extra shipping for it. Uncoolest cooler!
Dilemma time, do I buy a Coolest on Amazon for $175 and possibly end up with two in future or do I pay up the $100 next time we have a guaranteed shipping offer. As I don't think I have much of a chance of getting mine via the standard process in the future given that I am an international backer.
Around Oct 6th the DOJ announced they were investigating Coolest Cooler. Around that same time Amazon starting dropping the price of coolers and has continued to keep lowering the price. Coincidence? I don't think so. I bet Amazon wants these coolers gone even at a loss to rid themselves of the DOJ burden and its association with Coolest. As a result, Amazon has destroyed the retail market price point. It's over folks. Grepper can't try anymore cash grabs from backers because the coolers are $175 on Amazon. I'll consider my pledge money well spent as an entry fee to watch the coolest sh*t house go up in flames. It's going to be a great show...congressional investigation? New crowd funding regulations? Grepper publicly shamed and financially destroyed? Jail time? Get your popcorn out!
Hey, LOVE feeling ripped off by this con job. I live in hope that maybe I didn't actually throw away the money to support this Kickstarter 2 years ago, but I doubt it.
I'm so sick of waiting for this damn thing. Excuse after excuse!! I've been more than patient and now I could have just waited and gotten one on Amazon or even at Bass Pro Shops for $175!!! I paid that as a backer, plus extra money for an additional battery. None of which I expect to ever see. I'm not rich. That's money I spent to get a superior product. Turns out it's a "pie in the sky."
I got a good laugh out of the co-branding joke... LMAO.... If amazon is taking a loss getting rid of their year+ old supply of coolers at such a low price.... Its over! Anybody still wanting a cooler had better take advantage of the loss Amazon is taking... although we might see 150 before they start to move fast enough to get them out of their way.
An dieser Stelle kannst du dem Projektgründer gutes Gelingen wünschen, Fragen stellen und dich mit anderen Unterstützern austauschen. Wir bitten darum, den Austausch stets respektvoll und höflich zu halten! Danke!
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Ältere Kommentare anzeigenA Warshaw vor rund 16 Stunden
I was one of the early filers with the Oregon DOJ. I also filled out the form on the Coolest website to request a refund (remember that? the one that said you would not get a refund until just prior to your Coolest getting shipped?). When the last batch of Coolests were going out this summer, I was notified that mine was going to be shipped. I wrote back to customer service to say wait I had asked for a refund on your website. And they actually gave me a refund. Which is great for me but basically proves what everyone already knows - this was the most inept, badly run, badly executed, ripoff imaginable. I was clearly only given the refund because they were concerned about the Oregon DOJ's investigation, and they could represent that my complaint was resolved. But where does that leave everyone else? Ryan and his team really ought to be ashamed at themselves. I wonder how they are able to sleep at night.
Sarah Calloway vor rund 16 Stunden
I'm backer 6,962. I just want a refund at this point. I have no interest at owning the Coolest anymore and wish I had saved my money.
Brandon Hostetler vor rund 21 Stunden
I'm backer 64,813 of 62,642 and from this you can assume I'll never get my cooler as my backer number is higher than the number of backers. I understand how that works, not all backers payed...okay, so I'm probably backer 62,642 and from this you can assume I'll never get my cooler. Here's my thought, quarterly emails is lazy, I'd rather get at least a monthly update that says, sorry not yet. No, not the crap updates of continual whining and blaming other people for their mistakes, it's been two years, you made mistakes, Ted, just admit it.
We have been betrayed, we have been let down, at least prove this isn't a scam by once a month by sending us an email that says backer XXXXX/62642 has received their coolest where XXXXX is the last backer mailed. I get that backers that gave the extra $97 will change how this works and I understand as backer 64,813/62642 there are other problems but as I said, I'm never getting my cooler anyway, you could at least do more than sending me a quarterly email where you take no responsibility for your lack of ability to handle over ten million.
Robert Fisher vor 1 Tag
@Chris Hockenberry
I am well over 25, have started my own business and understand Kickstarter.
What you have failed to understand is the research groups of us have done to unearth the lies from the truth.
Kickstarter is not a store. However Coolest represented they only needed funding to produce the product. Then the money rolled in, they started from scratch. Then the products were produced. AND SOLD OFF TO OTHERS IN A GREEDY GAMBLE MOVE. All the while blaming backers once the cat was out of the bag. Ryan then becomes a board member on another failed campaign who does the exact same thing.
There are facts upon facts that dispute the lies on the updates.
So your uppity, your so much smarter than everyone else is pure and utter BS.
And am I angry at the Coolest scam? Yes, and I actually received mine. Only because I filed with the DOJ when the lies turned into pure BS.
Kristin Frisch Cortese vor 1 Tag
I've been emailing customer service. We got our cooler a year ago (don't shoot me �). However one spring/summer/fall in south Texas and it has faded. Never has an igloo or Coleman faded the way my Coolest did.
Bobby Panos vor 1 Tag
show us your personnal account how many millions did you keep!!!
Tony Orlando vor 2 Tagen
Chris....I read your "war and peace" length comment (for someone who is putting others down..please learn to use paragraphs and spacing in your novels...makes it easier to read) and one thing I dont understand.
You claim to have partaken in several (many?) such campaigns...with most failing, but those 2 or 3 that came through...well they made up for the others. How exactly?
you are NOT an investor....all you get if the company is successful is....the product. No ownership shares, no IPO profit, no ....well no anything except the product. So, I ask, how do 3 "winners" make up for a dozen losers?
I guess you, unlike a lot of folks here, like to gamble, apparently like to lose, or at least tolerate losing more than winning, simply for the rare feeling of success when it does come. There are casinos and racetracks willing to pay your transportation to get you to them!
Better yet...I have a poker game I would like to invite you to. We can even call it the "Kickstarter Open" if it makes handing over your money that much easier. Of course, we promise nothing, but if you are successful, we give you a deck of cards at the end of the night!
Kurt Richter vor 2 Tagen
Good read:
http://kickscammed.com/project/coolest-cooler-ryan-grepper/#.WBqYQHT3af0
Kurt Richter vor 2 Tagen
Hey Chris, I'm not even going to bother to waste my time and finish reading your babble. You try to come across as someone better than all of us but once you start in and detail all of your losses after your extensive research you look terrible. Probably a nice guy though.
Look, it's very simple why people are pissed. They did not invest in a concept, they invested in a finished product that needed to move to mass production. Even that's not it though. Ryan took 13.5MM in real cash, for a real product. He then produced real product but HE then decided to stop shipping to his real customers and ship to Amazon. Terrible idea after terrible idea but that doesn't matter. If he continued to focus on us then maybe folks would have been kinder (probably not, but maybe). Remember, Ryan took the money we gave him for shipping, Ryan took our money for "extras". Two things that had nothing to do with underestimating COGS. If you don't see that than I'm sure you are confident enough to be the extreme minority who immediately thinks they will never get the product they backed on Kickstarter. I hope for the people around you that you are not a financial advisor.
Nothing personal....just a lot of frustration after dealing with this for so long.
Matt Mathers vor 2 Tagen
Chris Hackenberg - you take forever to say nothing.
Chris Hockenberry vor 2 Tagen
I'm going to assume none of the individuals here that are complaining:
- are over 25
- have taken a risk or gambled with anything... EVER
or
- have an understanding of what Kickstarter is!
He nailed the point in his last update and I for one am really tired of all the self-centered, self-righteous, and self-entitled blithering idiots, whom have clearly never tried to run their own business or launch their own start-up complaining that these guys have not shipped a product they don't have yet. Why are you complaining to the DOJ... let me explain something to you, and I will try my best to use small words so you can understand... but here it goes anyways...
Kickstarter is not a store. It is an investment platform. You are helping fund a start-up. That's why it is called crowdfunding, not crowdbuying. Just like any other company that you invest in by providing funds, there is a chance you will lose your money. The only difference is that instead of stock or ownership, you get a beta version of the company’s first product. So if you are wanting to invest and in return get a product instead of watching your money grow, then use Kickstarter. But just like any other investment, assume your money is gone when you hand it over. Just like a real investment, you should do your due diligence, and make sure the business model sounds solid, that the cost analysis is accurate, and that people are trustworthy. There are several Kickstarter's and Indiegogo's I did not fund because I did not believe in the team’s ability. Now, in this case, Ryan needs to acknowledge that they way underestimated the roadblocks, costs, and logistics, but HE HAS ALREADY DONE THAT. Now he is trying to find creative ways to get the product out to everyone, and you are shooting him in the foot for it. If this had been a standard company and they had gathered 13 million in funds, and then hit these problems, they would have just closed their doors, and the investors would have lost everything. Instead they are trying to do the right thing - so everyone needs to sit down, shut-up, and be patient. If $200 is too much of an investment for you, then you should not have gambled with it in the first place. Hell, I funded 17 start-ups last year with real actual cash, and 9 of them closed already, 2 are looking shaky, but at least 3 of the others are looking to be rocket stars. Those will make up for the losses in the other companies, but what I am not going to do, mainly because I am not insane, is try to get all the ones that failed thrown in prison for not delivering on the idea...
No, I have not gotten my cooler yet, and I doubt I ever will. I check in periodically, but I assumed the money was gone the minute I backed the project. I have had almost all my projects here, at Indiegogo, Crowdfunder, appFunder, quirky, and RocketHub either be delivered egregiously late or not at all (including the compute stick that the creator literally disappeared the day after it was closed and fully funded and took all the money on Indiegogo, and Truebuds here on kickstarter).
Stop thinking of Kickstarter as a place to buy cool new toys at a deep discount. It's not a wholesale club, it's not a Sam's, and it's not a discount Amazon. If you see a product or company you like or believe in, and CAN AFFORD IT, invest in the company, otherwise take your money and go buy a popsicle. But stop crying like little babies that your investments did not pan out. Did it bother me to see one for sale at the downtown shops where I live nine months ago? No, because I knew they paid twice what I had, and it was because I invested in the company that they could make one at all and get it shipped out and sold. I actually felt proud. Told my friend that I helped back the creation and production of it while we were down there. Told him the whole story, and yet managed to not be angry, hurtful, or spit venom in the process towards the people THAT INVENTED THE ITEM.
Ryan did take responsibility Scott... Now he's trying to get the coolers out. Would you rather he just closed shop and no one got their cooler? Because surprise-surprise, I guarantee you that they are an LLC or C-Corp meaning that if he did close up then none of you could go after him for the money or products, since you’re not customers, you’re investors. I for one am glad he is the kind of person trying to do right thing, rather than walking away, which I promise would be cheaper and much less stressful for him and his family. He has already laid bare all the mistakes he has made, what would you like him to do otherwise? Call down the power of God to miraculously have the coolers made out of thin air for free? He hasn't pissed on anyone, but everyone here sure wants to piss all over him and his reputation! Instead of complaining about it, how about you all try to go create something. Rather than go punch the clock for someone else like sheeple, take that energy and go create something or come up with a better solution. Because I have yet to see any one of you offer a better solution. Giving a refund is not a better solution, as there is not clearly enough money to give everyone a refund, so who decides who gets a refund and who doesn't? Plus, you DID NOT BUY ANYTHING! YOU INVESTED IN AN IDEA AND A COMPANY AND A PRODUCT! Handing out the amazon coolers in stock isn't a better solution as there is clearly not enough to give every backer a cooler, so who decides who gets one and who doesn't? Plus, doing so PREVENTS EVERYONE ELSE FROM GETTING THEIR COOLER! Calling the DOJ isn't a better solution as they have not broken the law or done anything wrong or that a million other failed start-ups haven't done in the past. Plus, doing so PREVENTS EVERYONE ELSE FROM GETTING THEIR COOLER! And it is clear that sitting here bitching and moaning and complaining isn't a better solution either. So come up with something better, or shut your traps and go back to playing your pokemon games.
Thank you Ryan for not walking away and for sticking around to try to do the right thing. In fact, as a thank you I went ahead and bought a SECOND coolest from amazon to help burn through the stock. I had wanted a second one after the funding ended anyways, so I could give one as a gift. You ship me the other one if and when you are good and god damned ready sir! I for one actually get how life and business works. You just ignore the entitled children below and keep on chugging along sir!
Robert Fisher vor 2 Tagen
It you are angry upset, need to vent, want to feel you were not the only sucker then join like minded others at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Coolest.Cooler.Rants.and.Reviews/
Despeghel Johan vor 3 Tagen
Can we start a kickstarter campaign to hire the best lawyer and start a lawsuit against Mr Grepper?
I am willing to pay
jeana mervine vor 3 Tagen
How do I get a refund?
John S. Gagne
Superbacker
vor 3 Tagen
The word is that Amazon is dumping them because they are not selling through and they are tired of the post sale complaints and service requests.
Brian Connor vor 4 Tagen
I am SHOCKED and PISSED to find that this cooler is being sold on Amazon for $175!!! With prime shipping no less! That means it would have actually been cheaper for me to wait and buy the product than to back it at the "discounted" price. Oh and I'm guessing that since you have to sell it so cheap on Amazon you haven't made enough profit to send out to the people who already paid you! This is ridiculous!! If I could demand a refund I absolutely would do so and turn around and buy it directly from Amazon!
Andrew Schuman vor 5 Tagen
I'm backer 15,365 and the laughing stock of my family. I still hold out just a bit of hope my cooler will arrive. If you've shipped 2/3 of the units surely mine must be high on the next to ship list? Can I have a time of arrival estimate or just refund me...( that was a joke).
Calvin Jung
Superbacker
vor 5 Tagen
Saw this on Amazon for $175 yesterday. I told my roommate to buy two...they're out for delivery right now lol. 2 years later, buyers can buy it for Kickstarter price and get it before Kickstarter backers.
Rick Perez vor 5 Tagen
This is the best Cooler ever! thanks Ryan!
Chastity Steele vor 5 Tagen
You Ryan are scam artist
Chastity Steele vor 5 Tagen
I want a refund! I feel like an idiot I've been waiting for this cooler for two years now it's on sale at Amazon at Kmart everywhere else but in my house and where I act expected it when I purchased it I want my money back now
Aussie Jess vor 5 Tagen
I'm so sick of waiting for this coolest cooler. Much like everyone else still waiting.
As an international backer, we don't even get the option to pay more money to get our coolest!
This really isn't cool. I have backed 68 products on kickstarter in the period of waiting for this and this is the only one that has failed miserably.
I echo the thoughts of other people who think that by the time we get this, it will be obsolete. Or some other company will have copied it and made it better, and faster, and my local Kmart will sell it for $100
Anthony Evert vor 6 Tagen
I hope noone listens to a damn thing he is saying in the last email, if anyone has hurt this project. It was him. I wonder the amount he put in his pocket out the 14 million raised or how he "works everyday" when he's probably out on his yacht. Wake up people. This man has failed so many time. Keep filing DOJ complaints and get this man locked up where he belongs. You think not getting your cooler is bad? Batteries are exploding. Blenders are breaking down. He claimed he got the best of the best but in return we recieved junk. Be happy you didn't recieve yours and wait on the refunds.
Hendrik van Wyk vor 6 Tagen
Got my cooler. It works. Glad that Ryan is making it happen despite all the issues.
Thank you for persevering Ryan. It is not easy to conceive, make something and see it through. I am glad I backed you. I waited. Paid a little extra and got my cooler. If people want to buy stuff, do it on Amazon. If you are taking a risk to see someone else succeed, stick around the Kickstarter Crowd. Here we help people make new things...
Landshark vor 7 Tagen
Hmmmm Might be more like the "hottest" project ever.
Check these pics out. This backer's battery, exploded and flew off the charger. They still haven't gotten taken care of by Coolest yet (including burning damage to their floor coverings)
http://imgur.com/a/MffNi
http://imgur.com/a/Ip2KG
http://imgur.com/a/lQhwr
http://imgur.com/a/E1wK6
Peter Epperly vor 7 Tagen
THIS IS STILL THE COOLEST PROJECT EVER!!!!!
Hunter Thompson am October 29
How do I get a refund?
Karen Dugan am October 28
I have pretty much given up on thinking I will ever receive the cooler I paid for two years ago. I will NEVER order another thing from kick starter and if there ever is a class action suit I will be onboard. Buyer Beware!
Lynne Fitzwater Sammons am October 28
Although I did in fact receive my cooler last xmas, I was none to pleased to see it selling last week on Amazon for $175 ($10 less than what I paid and free shipping!). I manufacture my own product in China and knows the ups and downs of it but with the sheer amount of money they raised, I still wonder how they screwed this up as they had a prototype to work off of and weren't creating something that never existed before. Not saying anything suspect with the money raised but more that they overpaid on the research and molding side. I really feel for the people who still haven't received theirs. I will say they were always responsive when I contacted them and as soon as I said I think it would be best to just get a refund, lo and behold I had a cooler a week later. Hope it all works out for you remaining backers!
Carol Kempen Tuttoilmondo am October 28
How do I get a refund? Tired of waiting for this to come....... Thanks
Jason Roberts am October 27
Hahaha I was even dumb enough to buy the second speaker - live and learn.. live and learn. Truth is, I didn't really need a cooler anyway. I would never spend the money I did in a cooler, it was his enthusiasm on the video that sold me. Live and learn...
Kevin Johnson am October 27
I pledged $200 in August 2014 and still haven't received mine (currently 10/2016). I filled out the form for a refund, and I got the typical response about "You should get your refund within 2 weeks from your backed unit's ship date" which is absurd.
Jennifer Hottes am October 27
I can honestly say. This was my 1st kickstarter pledge. I had No idea that I would not ever get the cooler. I have been nice and yet no response. I don't get it. But I can say this, he has ruined it for other people. I will never use kickstart again.
What a joke!
Bianca am October 26
I just want to change my address can you send me a link to do so? Just incase my coolest comes I want it to be sent to my new address.
60pilot am October 25
So Ryan,
Since it's clear the backers that haven't received their 2 years ago coolest cooler, not so cool now cooler, never will, how about this. How about you sell whatever intellectual property rights you might still possess in this ill-fated adventure and either have the buyer send the remaining backers a cooler as we were promised, or simply refund our money?
If you think about it, you, and only you, are responsible for the situation so many of us are in. You failed to follow the number one rule in manufacturing; settle on a design, lock it down, and sell it. Save revisions for version 2 or 3 or whatever. You made so many ‘improvements’ that you ended up losing sight of our shared goal, a Coolest Cooler.
Sell the company, if there is such a thing, take a loss, whatever. Make it right. And if you go to jail with the DOJ investigation you go to jail. At least you’ll go with a clear conscience if that’s something that matters to you.
Your friend,
Scott
Hunter Thompson am October 24
can we get a refund?
Juan Miguel Delgado am October 23
2 years and still waiting. Randy, you have given so many excuses and asked us to be patience. Every month they only notification I receive is: continue waiting. By the time I receive this It will be obsolete already.
Jason Warner am October 22
Hey Ryan, how does it feel to work with someone who is so shady, goes against their promise, and gives you misinformation all the time? Now you know how so many of your backers feel. Once again though, it's never your fault.
Michael Enoksen am October 21
Someone should start a GoFundMe account to pay back all of the backers that got sucker-punched. Total amount needed to be raised $15M.
Michael Enoksen am October 21
I wonder how many of Ryan's personal friends are still waiting for their cooler. You already know the answer...as do I.
Michael Enoksen am October 21
And why would I opt for corporate labeling of a cooler that will never arrive? I don't want my boss pissed me. My wife already hates that I wasted our money on this.
Michael Enoksen am October 21
Contemplation time. Do I sit by passively waiting for a product I will never get, or do I mount an internet poor business practice shaming campaign? I just wish I was only out the $185, but I requested an extra battery (because I am stupid) and an extra speaker (because...party pairing). I am down over $300 for 1 cooler that I will never receive. I think I might opt for the public Ryan shaming option. We shall see how I feel after lunch. I hate it when I am hangry.
Janelle Hines am October 21
So Amazon now has blue and green available, and previously they only had orange. I wonder who sold them those? Considering Amazon is 'the worst company to work with', it couldn't possibly be Ryan Grepper could it? I can't imagine the incredible duress one must be under to get into bed once again with a company that so totally screwed you over and threatened to 'burn you to the ground'. Oh wait, I can imagine. Let's just say you're a pathological liar and you're also being investigated by the ODOJ, who's also aware of the terms by which you promoted your product on Kickstarter, which stated that you had to EITHER deliver a product or refund the money. (The terms have changed since.). Sooooo...you have two choices. Keep selling your coolers to anyone that can offer you cash and maybe, just maybe, you'll raise enough to refund all these angry backers (myself included) and keep your ass out of prison. Or option B, keep selling them until no one will buy them anymore, use the cash to move to Mexico, and change your name. I'm betting on Option B :)
Scott Whiting
Superbacker
am October 20
I was one of the first backers...updated the speakers..and still nothing. Cant even get a response for a refund. Good, well bad, learning experience. I am a huge backer and this is the ONLY porjected that stiffed its backers. I cant even pay 100.00 extra shipping for it. Uncoolest cooler!
paul am October 20
I got mine and love it. It's awesome and works great. We liked it so much we bought a 2nd one on Amazon. I am glad this product was made.
Mark Pearson am October 20
Dilemma time, do I buy a Coolest on Amazon for $175 and possibly end up with two in future or do I pay up the $100 next time we have a guaranteed shipping offer. As I don't think I have much of a chance of getting mine via the standard process in the future given that I am an international backer.
Dan Brown am October 20
Around Oct 6th the DOJ announced they were investigating Coolest Cooler. Around that same time Amazon starting dropping the price of coolers and has continued to keep lowering the price. Coincidence? I don't think so. I bet Amazon wants these coolers gone even at a loss to rid themselves of the DOJ burden and its association with Coolest. As a result, Amazon has destroyed the retail market price point. It's over folks. Grepper can't try anymore cash grabs from backers because the coolers are $175 on Amazon. I'll consider my pledge money well spent as an entry fee to watch the coolest sh*t house go up in flames. It's going to be a great show...congressional investigation? New crowd funding regulations? Grepper publicly shamed and financially destroyed? Jail time? Get your popcorn out!
Bryant Duhon am October 19
Hey, LOVE feeling ripped off by this con job. I live in hope that maybe I didn't actually throw away the money to support this Kickstarter 2 years ago, but I doubt it.
Next project for Ryan and team: Snake Oil.
Jessica am October 19
I'm so sick of waiting for this damn thing. Excuse after excuse!! I've been more than patient and now I could have just waited and gotten one on Amazon or even at Bass Pro Shops for $175!!! I paid that as a backer, plus extra money for an additional battery. None of which I expect to ever see. I'm not rich. That's money I spent to get a superior product. Turns out it's a "pie in the sky."
Dax am October 19
I got a good laugh out of the co-branding joke... LMAO.... If amazon is taking a loss getting rid of their year+ old supply of coolers at such a low price.... Its over! Anybody still wanting a cooler had better take advantage of the loss Amazon is taking... although we might see 150 before they start to move fast enough to get them out of their way.