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When Kickstarter Projects Go Missing
On Friday, we posted about Kickstarter's new rules of engagement, including some new rules under which some of the most popular Kickstarter projects to date might never have surfaced. But what about ones that make it to the site, then disappear? Wired takes a look at what happens to those Kickstarter projects that for one reason or another get yanked from the site. (DMCA complaints apparently are often that one reason.)
"Call me a scrooge, but the idea of donating money to projects that will eventually charge you to purchase the product they produce seems ridiculous to me. On top of that, there is no guarantee that the project you donate to will see the light of day. Honestly, can someone tell me why this is such an appealing option?"
I don't think you're Scrooge but how about not quite clear on the concept.
You aren't donating. You are buying into.
We have a Kickstarter project which successfully funded to help our farm build an on-farm USDA inspected meat processing facility for our pastured pigs. See:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sugarmtnfarm/building-a-butcher-shop-on-sugarmountainfarm
Our project was successfully funded.
We're building our butcher shop. (We're about to make the next pour of concrete.)
People who were 'backers' got to choose 'rewards' which which in almost all cases are meat from our farm.
They are paying a price for product created by the project.
It's a pre-buy.
Think CSA.
It's isn't a donation.
It isn't tax deductible.
It isn't charity.
It is people backing a project that they want the product from because they feel confident in the creator's ability to produce the product.
It is important to understand that a Kickstarter project is not a store in the sense that you are not buying an existing product off the shelf but helping a creator bring a product to market. Generally you get some special aspect such as being first in line, special colors or features, added goodies like T-shirts, etc as well as satisfaction in being part of something. Most people who pledge to a project already know the creator.
So, if you're feeling Scroogish, be sure to back projects you feel confident in getting your 'reward' from. Check out the creator to see if you think they can produce.