Something Wicked This Way Comes Part 3: "CardLauncher"!

[Norbie]

So how does the announcement of the Kings Wild Funding program affect yoi? I assume Jackson isn't one of the big dogs you have lined up for launch?

http://kings-wild-project.myshopify.com ... entproject" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

It's been a long and exciting road over the past year starting and developing Kings Wild Project. As time goes my I hope is to make your experiences with Kings Wild Project more enjoyable than with any other playing card company. I want Kings Wild Project to become THE industry standard of what is expected for both quality and excellence both with design and also the customer experience.

 

With that I am happy to announce that over the past months I have been working with incredibly talented developers to harness the power of crowd-funding exclusively on the Kings Wild Website. This crowd funding platform will be exclusively for Kings Wild Project decks and projects alone. I already have projects lined up and ready to go with my new system and hope that this will be a great step forward in the growth and self sustainability of Kings Wild Project.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

So we have Kickstarter, Deckstarter, CardLauncher, and now Kings Wild has entered the game?!

I wish success to all of them and the best of luck. However, this is to much for me as I'm sure there will be at least one project (ok, let's throw out "Deckstarted" from this conversation) I really want on each of those Playing Card crowd founders, and only so little of spending money. This will suck. And since I'm the most important person in the world, at least that's what my mum says, please listen to me when I say that this has to stop - no more new playing card crowdfunder companies.

[montecarlojoe]

Finally got round to reading all the way through - is it worth approaching MPC? I know they are the poor sibling as far as production goes - but the feedback from their KS campaign has been pretty good.

If USPCC wont get on board, then having a second partnered option may alleviate the perception of cronyism.

[Sher]

It might be worth it. There are some designers who would probably like to print in smaller scales and ha E lower funding goals.

[Mike Ratledge]

Lions and Tigers and Bears - oh, My! (and we are working on solving the shipping 'dilemma') - Read on...

As a follow-up to the previous question about International shipping, I have another Ace up my sleeve that our buddy Kai is working on right now. Would it make everyone happy if I could say that International shipping likely will be not much more than for the US, certainly no more than Canada nor Mexico, and that both Australia, New Zealand, all of Asia except Japan will likely be no higher than US? I thought so. More news at 11 once we have decided exactly how to do this precisely right. Delivery from the factory would mean people in Asia and Oceania and Europe would all have their decks at the same time that the US does as well, for about the same price, maybe a bit more, but certainly nowhere near what is being charged now. We could offer two levels of service, as well, and you pay for what you want: standard or "express" shipment.

All shipping will be separate, and I expect that means decks themselves will be around $7 or $8 each, perhaps even $6? The savings will be passed along to the backers, just like they will for the production, and the company buying and paying for all delivery services allows us to acquire an excellent rate for ALL projects! Of course the shipping for a single deck will likely be $3, so total will still be around $10 for one, but that also means that 2, 3 or 4 decks will likely cost no more shipping, and even up to 8 will be less than $3 more - total around $25 US for anyone with a ZIP code, around $30 for Canada and Mexico (or less) and about $32 for all others, possibly less, and maybe another $5 for express shipment services. Of course, the choice is yours, "we aim to please!". Bricks maybe $50-$70 depending on how fancy, with shipping per weight around $12 for US, $15 CA/MX and $18 "ROW" (rest of world). Express adds another $8 for that weight - or about that. Exact shipping is not yet available, but LMM, KWF and GW are all working it it, and we'll announce the real game changer here in a few days - which will mean that anyone overseas will see their decks at the same time with "express" shipping or no more than a week later than US with standard shipping, and quite likely Asia & Oceania will have them at the same time - maybe even a day earlier.

Shipping rates are controlled by the project somewhat by which fulfillment service the client (artists/designers/managers) chooses in the US and CA/MX, but with this thing we're going to announce, all fulfillment for "others" (overseas) will likely be handled directly from the factory in Taiwan - of course assuming it's an Expert PCC project, for USPCC/"Bicycle"and other production partners (yep, you read that correctly) projects we'll have to see what we can do, but likely we can figure that out as well.

[Mike Ratledge]

So how does the announcement of the Kings Wild Funding program affect yoi? I assume Jackson isn't one of the big dogs you have lined up for launch?

It doesn't - at all. Jackson will be self-funding his own decks only, as it says, and he has another thread here, please keep them separate so others that aren't used to UC that get redirected from CardLauncher.com don't get confused. Jackson is running a deck(s) on launch day on CL, just as we previously announced. His site is for himself and himself only, and doesn't affect or impact our plans in any way whatsoever.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

So we have Kickstarter, Deckstarter, CardLauncher, and now Kings Wild has entered the game?!

Do you really think DeckStarter affects anything? I wouldn't even include it in the equation, it is a very niche marketplace, created for non-playing card deck artists. See above for my comments about KW "Project" CF site, it doesn't change anything except Jackson's self-funding decks, and he has many, not all will be done there, of course.

With respect to MPC: I'll approach them and see what they have to allow. I certainly have no problem making them a low-cost alternative. USPCC / "Bicycle" will eventually come to the table, let's give the gorilla in the room time to react. They are too big to be quick, but they can't ignore this, unless they want to lose more market-share, or let the rest be partners with discounts when they don't offer to provide the equivalent to everybody else.

[Wilko]

Decent. Looking forward to this getting up and running.

[dalemathis]

Exciting....! Looking forward to seeing this come to fruition. Good luck.

[Mike Ratledge]

Exciting....! Looking forward to seeing this come to fruition. Good luck.

As long as your email address is current, you should have just gotten a message about the details and our "key differentiators", Dale - about 10 minutes ago... It went out to all 80 of our Verified Designers and Deck Artists groups.

[Lotrek]

I think the big advantage of CL is that it's created by insiders and it's ONLY for decks. So we know everything we need to know and we're still learning. The site will be set up in such a way that the backers will forget the meaning of the words "scam", "fraud", "stupidity".

[Cbkimble]

Im looking forward to that.

[lolo]

I think the big advantage of CL is that it's created by insiders and it's ONLY for decks. So we know everything we need to know and we're still learning. The site will be set up in such a way that the backers will forget the meaning of the words "scam", "fraud", "stupidity".

I agree with you, it's an advantage but it could be also a great disadvantage. Passion participes to a company success but doesn't do it.

I talk by experience : I have been into a LLC equivalent made by "insiders" and they have fallen because they have forgoten some business basis despite their really good ideas and knowledge of their world.

[Thirdway Industries]

I am really interested in this project, seems a great alternative for who, like me, have problems to open a Kickstarter from their country.

[TGunitedcardists]

Whispering Imps is transparent and straightforward about their shipping prices. This should be the template for the maximum amount of shipping. Anything else feels too high.

SHIPPING
The Whispering Imps™ believe in fair and accurate shipping from their home to yours. Every deck from 1 to 72 is hand packed with care to ensure the safest arrival of your package! Below are some example of how decks are packed and shipped. Indestructo boxes are "Crushproof" and can withstand up to 200 lbs. of pressure.

For shipping rates in the United States, Canada and the Rest of the World, please refer to the Shipping Calculator below.

http://whisperingimps.com/pages/shipping" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mike Ratledge]

Whispering Imps is transparent and straightforward about their shipping prices. This should be the template for the maximum amount of shipping. Anything else feels too high.

Pretty much how I envision it working on CL: you chose the standard or express shipping and the costs is displayed before you do, computed by weight and possibly "special handling" for uncut sheets as well. That's about it. The project manager chooses which fulfillment center he uses for all domestic shipments, and perhaps others as well, but as of this morning I feel certain that all "overseas" shipping will occur from Taiwan, and that's where most of the decks will be coming from - at least until USPCC begrudgingly comes to the table. They can choose to ignore us, but they can't do that and keep their margins and market share, just my opinion, of course 'your mileage WILL vary".

[TGunitedcardists]

Also about payments:

Paypal is really the devil.

You should really focus on getting as many different payment options as possible. To standardize on just PayPal is a huge mistake. PayPal should just be one option (of many).

Check out Google Wallet.
http://www.google.com/wallet/business/payments/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Check out Dwolla
https://www.dwolla.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Every major credit card possible.

[MagikFingerz]

Paypal is really the devil.

Could you elaborate on that? I'm genuinely curious. I've used Paypal for years without any trouble.

[TGunitedcardists]

Paypal is really the devil.

Could you elaborate on that? I'm genuinely curious. I've used Paypal for years without any trouble.

Just Google away.

http://www.paypalsucks.com/forums/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are lots.

Here's a list of alternatives too.
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/top- ... es-paypal/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And if you guys are really feeling saucy, think about BitCoin payments...

[caramelo]

Exciting....! Looking forward to seeing this come to fruition. Good luck.

As long as your email address is current, you should have just gotten a message about the details and our "key differentiators", Dale - about 10 minutes ago... It went out to all 80 of our Verified Designers and Deck Artists groups.

First of all, congratulations and good luck for the new adventure.

Sent to me please too, not verified designer, yet, (collection decks in 70% completed, I present to you, and to UC at 90%) but I would like to do business whit you, since I can't do business with Kickstarter (I'm in Portugal, Kickstater don't work here) and I have a lot of questions to make.

thanks,
Nuno

[lolo]

And if you guys are really feeling saucy, think about BitCoin payments...

This one is really funny coming from a Japanese ! One word to explain what I want to say : "MtGox"

[TGunitedcardists]

And if you guys are really feeling saucy, think about BitCoin payments...

This one is really funny coming from a Japanese ! One word to explain what I want to say : "MtGox"

This one is really funny coming from an American, Australian, Englishman, Francois...wait, I don't make assumptions ! Two words to explain what I want to say: "I'm not Japanese"

[lolo]

And if you guys are really feeling saucy, think about BitCoin payments...

This one is really funny coming from a Japanese ! One word to explain what I want to say : "MtGox"

This one is really funny coming from an American, Australian, Englishman, Francois...wait, I don't make assumptions ! Two words to explain what I want to say: "I'm not Japanese"

Sorry : i correct ! Read "coming from Japan" instead of "coming from japanese" !

[rjtomlinson1977]

So how does the announcement of the Kings Wild Funding program affect yoi? I assume Jackson isn't one of the big dogs you have lined up for launch?

http://kings-wild-project.myshopify.com ... entproject" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;..

It's been a long and exciting road over the past year starting and developing Kings Wild Project. As time goes my I hope is to make your experiences with Kings Wild Project more enjoyable than with any other playing card company. I want Kings Wild Project to become THE industry standard of what is expected for both quality and excellence both with design and also the customer experience.

 

With that I am happy to announce that over the past months I have been working with incredibly talented developers to harness the power of crowd-funding exclusively on the Kings Wild Website. This crowd funding platform will be exclusively for Kings Wild Project decks and projects alone. I already have projects lined up and ready to go with my new system and hope that this will be a great step forward in the growth and self sustainability of Kings Wild Project.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

So we have Kickstarter, Deckstarter, CardLauncher, and now Kings Wild has entered the game?!

I wish success to all of them and the best of luck. However, this is to much for me as I'm sure there will be at least one project (ok, let's throw out "Deckstarted" from this conversation) I really want on each of those Playing Card crowd founders, and only so little of spending money. This will suck. And since I'm the most important person in the world, at least that's what my mum says, please listen to me when I say that this has to stop - no more new playing card crowdfunder companies.

With all these new places to buy cards I'm starting cardloanshark.com. I'll loan you as much money as you need with the highest interest rate legally possible. Of course I'll have to compete with the Kings Wild Loan Shark website (coming soon).

[wahl0108]

With all these new places to buy cards I'm starting cardloanshark.com. I'll loan you as much money as you need with the highest interest rate legally possible. Of course I'll have to compete with the Kings Wild Loan Shark website (coming soon).

Sign me up!

[badpete69]

Great Rj. This will go with my new venture "alwaysbefrstpledgerforgreatrewards.com" where I will offer my services of guaranteed first pledge on a project for a small fee

[TLZ1979]

Great Rj. This will go with my new venture "alwaysbefrstpledgerforgreatrewards.com" where I will offer my services of guaranteed first pledge on a project for a small fee

I like it, your motto can be "there is no "i" alwaysbefrstpledgerforgreatrewards.com, we work as a team"

[Mike Ratledge]

Great Rj. This will go with my new venture "alwaysbefrstpledgerforgreatrewards.com" where I will offer my services of guaranteed first pledge on a project for a small fee

I like it, your motto can be "there is no "i" alwaysbefrstpledgerforgreatrewards.com, we work as a team"

LMAO at each and every one of you. We shall see. The hope is that by adding a calendar system to CL we can make it more sane than the 'spray and pray' model currently used. Of course participating will have to be voluntary, but I would hope the big boys play nice with all.

[emana]

I actually read the whole thread. Interesting view points and valid arguments. I really do hope that some of these ideas come to fruition especially customizing your own order with itemized shipping. If you can eliminate surveys completely, that alone will separate CL from other sites. It's definitely a load off the creator and less hassle for the backer.

Also, fulfillment can be a bitch for both parties. It would be nice to see some standardized pricing across the board. I know that's asking a lot, but if you're going to partner up with these fulfillment companies and with the amount of volume you will be bringing in, it would be nice to try to get your own pricing approved with them. This too can be a stand out feature for CL. No more questions about shipping fees if it's the same for all projects. Just a thought.

Anyway, this sounds like a great project and I wish you guys all the best in this venture. Good luck!

-Erik

[Paul Middleton]

Also about payments:

Paypal is really the devil.

You should really focus on getting as many different payment options as possible. To standardize on just PayPal is a huge mistake. PayPal should just be one option (of many).

Check out Google Wallet.
http://www.google.com/wallet/business/payments/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Check out Dwolla
https://www.dwolla.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Every major credit card possible.

Paypal can be troublesome sometimes when processing what are effectively pre-orders, as in this case.

Not sure about the full policy for payments processed in the US but this should help (you may have seen it already in your research, if so-sorry!) ... https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/brc/ ... d-reserves" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Personally.. I think should take a look at Stripe also- direct card payments with an option to save card details for use again (stored by stripe). You can pre authorise cards to charge later and their are other useful features too. I believe backerkit uses it at the moment.

[montecarlojoe]

It all depends on what the platform supports - later there will be more flexibility, but to begin with I think Mike is sticking to the KISS axiom: "Keep It Simple, Stupid"
(Sure any system can potentially be imnplemented anywhere, but at the start minimising 'nice to have' dev costs in favour of core functionality development is the way to go)

Like them or not, Paypal is basically universal and can be used for timed/instant payments quite easily.

[Mike Ratledge]

Well, the fact that PayPal is the payments partner of choice may be a more argument if I can get one thing done outside of the basic system, and that is the ability to pay using a credit card. The shipping computed by weight and destination is one thing that will set us apart from all the rest, but it needs to be perfected ND I can only hope that it is ready in time for launch.