Kickstarter is not a store. These are 'rewards'. They are 'thank yous' for contributing to help someone with their idea. Not products in a store you pick of the shelf. It's a different mentality.
Agreed, my wife and I funded a movie once and all we got was an 18x24 poster. Was the poster's value equal to what we pledged? Not in the slightest. I think we as card collectors have been "lucky" and "spoiled" by many of the designers, but that's not typically how kickstarter works. If you pledge towards a new hover bike, don't expect to get a hover bike. You might get a sticker, a phone call from the creator or a Tshirt.
You as the backer are acting like the bank - you are acting like a donor. Yes, the backers assume the risk, that's how kicktstarter works. That's why backers get burned sometimes, the same way people who take out loans forfeit and end up with the bank coming after their money (sound familiar?)
the creator can set the pledge levels at whatever they please and it's up to the public to back them or not. You want the deck, back it. You don't like the pledge levels don't back it.
Totally agree. Why are we arguing about this? Unless, you do want the deck, but are angry about the price being high.* As far as I am concerned ALL kickstarter decks are collector's items. Their limited run and availability make them more sought after than most. The market on collector's items has no ceiling, if you want it, you pay what is asked for. I collect Star Wars figures, believe me I know. The same 3 3/4 figure, made from the same plastic can sell between $3 and thousands of dollars. Is that piece of plastic WORTH thousands? No way. But if you want it, you pay the asking price.
The Empire deck has a known designer of decks that consistently sell. Invest in two decks and chances are.... you'll be able to sell one on ebay and recoup ALL your expenses. when this deck sells out. Currently Fontaine decks are selling for $20- $30 a deck on ebay! Shoot, I might just up my pledge!
* this statement is not directed at anyone in particular