UC KS Watchdogs (A strategy for tracking delays)

[DragonSoul]

I have the No. 17 deck anticipated in July. You have it listed as already being expected to ship. Are we talking about the same No. 17 on Kickstarter?

Oops. You are correct. Not sure how I managed to get the wrong date in my spreadsheet.

I think you guys should change the title of this thread as you are tracking projects that are by no means late like the NO 17 deck. Calling Lorenzo a deadbeat how dare you hehehe... Or start a new thread that tracks projects or something

Hmmm, it has evolved somewhat hasn't it? I suppose I see it now as a watchdog thread. For me it's because there have been so many past due to keep track of and yet, I wouldn't classify any of the more recent projects as deadbeat. The only ones I have that truly fall into that category are The Type Deck and Alice of Wonderland but, we've gone over and over those. Those are in the Hall of Shame now.

If you think it should be split off it probably would make more sense to have a different title.

[rousselle]

I took a stab at a new title.

Boo-ya.

[volantangel]

I took a stab at a new title.

Boo-ya.

Its one better now, I made it a sticky thread, I think it definitely deserves it.

[Lotrek]

It hurts so much to see my Venexiana Dark in the list... But the truth is that it is outrageously delayed.

[rousselle]

Lotrek,

I have absolutely no doubts whatsoever that your decks will be worth the wait.

I've already started talking framing options with my favorite local frame shop for the uncuts.

You keep your backers in the loop; you show us what is happening, and what you're doing. As with some of the other projects I've backed, I consider these works of art. If the artist needs a little more time to realize his vision, and communicates accordingly with his patrons, then all is good.

[volantangel]

Ive never for a second doubted Lotrek, but rather i simply cant wait =D

[Mike Ratledge]

On the other side of the coin, unless something truly bizarre happens, Lorenzo will deliver Bicycle N°17 a month earlier than projected. Good planning!

[rousselle]

On the other side of the coin, unless something truly bizarre happens, Lorenzo will deliver Bicycle N°17 a month earlier than projected. Good planning!

This is an interesting point. There are several KS projects I've backed that never get any visibility on this thread because they ship *early* rather than "on time" or later. I offer a tip of my proverbial hat to them all.

[MagikFingerz]

On the other side of the coin, unless something truly bizarre happens, Lorenzo will deliver Bicycle N°17 a month earlier than projected. Good planning!

This is an interesting point. There are several KS projects I've backed that never get any visibility on this thread because they ship *early* rather than "on time" or later. I offer a tip of my proverbial hat to them all.

Maybe we can have a Hall of Fame too?

[DragonSoul]

I like that idea. I note those who delivered on-time or early. Also those who go the extra mile (delayed or not) - in quality, communication, customer service, etc...

[Mike Ratledge]

I am all for a thread on KS decks done right. The other side of the coin from this discussion is groups like Uusi who always delivered on time and true artists like Lotrek who keep is tight in the loop so we know what is going on instead of all the BS we get from a lot of people who are here in this thread.

[Cbkimble]

I haven't updated in a while so here's my current lists.

Here's what I have received
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I'm still waiting on these
- Seasons (December)
- Black Book Manifesto (January)
- Choice
- Bicycle Titanic Playing Cards
- Fishing for Compliments
- Tendril Ascendent & Nightfall
- Grimoire series part 1
- Delirium
- Scarlet Tall Ho
- Different Deck Greenback Edition
- Gettysburn Playing Cards
- US ARMY playing cards


Here's what I'm currently waiting on:
--------------------------------------------------------
- Call of Cthulu Writhing Dark (August) - last update they were 60% shipped
- Malam (November)- Malam (November) - started shipping today
- Mana Playing Cards No 3 (January) - Tuck boxes complete and on their way to Taiwan
- Venexiana Dark (February) - Decks should be at the fulfillment center or very close.
- The Coven (March) - Decks should be there by today
- ICONS Imperial Edition (May) - Awaiting decks
- Spirit Playing Cards (May) - Awaiting decks from EPCC
- Mardi Gras Playing Cards - Approved printing June 1
- Spectrum 52 & Spectrum EDGE Playing Cards - Awaiting Decks from USPCC
- Monster Pin Up Girls Playing Cards (June) - Delivering rewards now

[Lotrek]

The first batch of Venexiana dark was sent out today. At least this is what I'm told.

[EvanEssence]

Sweet! I can't remember if I preordered any though...

[rousselle]

Well, as Cbkimble pointed out over a week ago... it's time to update for July!

As of my post last month, I had been anticipating 13 Kickstarter decks that had been previously expected to ship in November, January, February, March, April, May, and June.

While I didn't receive them all (as usual), I did receive a few of my KS-backed projects. Grimoire (originally expected in April) arrived this past month, as did the US Army deck (which arrived in the originally targeted month of June). A few other KS projects arrived ahead of schedule: No. 17, Delicious, and Moku Hanga all arrived ahead of schedule.

That's five KS projects I received in June.

So, here's the list of KS projects I am eagerly anticipating that had originally projected ship dates from as far back as last November up through this month (July). Notice I'm adding a whopping seven to the list for this month:

• Malam (November) -- As of June 30th, "Card's are being packaged up, and will start shipping." Nobody has posted comments yet that they have received their decks yet, so I assume this is taking longer than originally expected.
• Mana Playing Cards No 3 (January) -- The most recent update, June 8th, said that the tuck boxes were completed, so now they needed to be shipped to Taiwan, where the decks still had to be produced and then the packages assembled. Radio silence since then.
• Venexiana Dark (February) -- Shipping has begun, and UC members are already reporting receiving their decks.
• The Coven (March) -- Decks have made it to the fulfillment company, and shipping should commence soon.
• Memento (April) -- Survey was sent out at the end of June, but it didn't ask about add-ons. At last word, shipping was expected to commence in mid-July.
• Whispering Imps Gamesters (May) -- As of July 1st, shipping is expected to begin in the second half of the month and be completed by August 1st.
• Whispering Imps Gamesters Limited Edition (May) -- Ditto.
• Mardi Gras (May) -- As of an update on June 1st, the paper proofs had arrived, were about to be approved, and then production was set to begin. Printing was expected to be completed in early July, and then the decks shipped to the US shortly thereafter.
• Bicycle Spirit (May) -- As of July 6th, a tuck box issue is delaying production at EPCC by a week, but shipping from Taiwan to the US has been expedited, and these should reach GW within a week or two.
• Icons Imperial Edition (May) -- Registration issues are requiring another partial-reprint, but fulfillment appears to be not that far away. The "Trial" print run is expected to ship at the same time as the official project decks.
• Spectrum 52 and Spectrum Edge (May) -- An update on June 3rd simply indicated that USPCC was running a little late (because the original art file had to be re-visited), and that production may be 4-6 weeks out from that time.
• Arcana (July) -- Proofs are approved and printing at USPCC is expected to be completed by the end of July.
• Exploding Kittens (July) -- This is not a conventional deck of cards, but I'm listing it anyway. Shipping is expected to roll by the end of the month.
• BOWL-A-RAMA (July) -- As of July 6th, fulfillment is expected to stay on target for this month.
• Werewolf (July) -- Tucks are in, and USPCC production was expected to begin at end of June/beginning of July.
• Joker and the Thief (July) -- EPCC tells the project creators that the decks are in production *now*.
• Impressions Metallic Foil (July) -- As of July 2nd, production was imminent.
• Glow-in-the-dark Cosmic Lanes (July) -- See BOWL-A-RAMA above.

If all eighteen of these KS projects were to arrive in the month of July (which we all know is simply not going to happen), my inner card nerd would be drowning in drool. There are also a number of non-Kickstarter decks I expect to see this month: there's the Hive 2 project from King's Wild, a new deck released through Conjuring Arts, and new releases being teased by Shop Bicycle, to name a few. All in all, I expect these next couple of months to provide a lot of happiness at the mailbox. That said... I'm starting to feel a little strung out waiting for some of these decks -- especially from project creators who don't bother to keep backers in the loop.

What are the rest of y'all experiencing with regard to your KS projects?

[CostlyAxis]

Besides the ones listed by rousselle, I'm waiting on the following projects:

• Metal Playing Cards: Titanium, Brass, & Copper (April) - Orders were to go out on 6/25, but I have yet to see anything indicating they have, and no one is reporting to have received them.
  This one arrived!
• Collectors Bicycle® Playing Cards Deck (May) - Decks are printed; no update on when they'll actually ship.
  This one arrived!
• The Triangles Prototype playing cards - BEE stock by USPC (May) - Has shipped with some backers indicating to have received them, but at this time I have yet to.

With so many projects getting delayed it's becoming hard for me to justify backing new ones.

[Bikefanatic]

For Those who care, the Bicycle Fireworks have been shipped. Btw, they do make great looking fans.

[tylergo]

I am just curious if anyone has a limit of how many cards they are expecting before the stop pledging? I was just looking and it is a little gut wrenching to think of how many decks I am waiting on. I am currently waiting on 67 decks from KS pledges.

[Cbkimble]

I am just curious if anyone has a limit of how many cards they are expecting before the stop pledging? I was just looking and it is a little gut wrenching to think of how many decks I am waiting on. I am currently waiting on 67 decks from KS pledges.

Is that 67 different decks or total combined between pledges?

[nECr0MaNCeD]

The only two I am still waiting for that Rousselle didn't list are Call of Cthulhu: The Writhing Dark and Elements. While I believe I'll get Call of Cthulhu: The Writhing Dark someday, I gave up hope of ever seeing Elements long ago.

I found the Alien Ink Facebook page. Oddly there were no negative comments or complaints from the backers of the four outstanding projects he has. I left one and found out why. He blocks the person who made them and once he does the comments disappear. He did send one of his trademark rude replies. I do possess the knowledge and skills to get around his silly block, I won't because it isn't worth the time and effort. I got a letter from the California Attorney General that said the tried contacting him and since he didn't reply they were dropping the matter. I hope they pursue murderers better than this.

[cherrynukacola]

That's crazy - they dropped it because he didn't respond!?

Anyways, here's my update:

Due in Feb:
Titanic - Received, was missing part of order, received other decks in lieu.
Dark Venexianna - Not sure if mine has shipped or been put on hold awaiting EPCC's response to them being placed in the wrong tuck.

Due in March:
Rongo Rongo - Received
Feudal Ninja/Samurai - After two months and initiating a chargeback, I finally received the missing part of my order.
The Coven - Shipping has begun.

Due in April:
Grimoire - Cards and refund for missing deck received.
Memento - Should be shipping soon.

Due in May:
Icons - Additional decks needed to be printed due to registration problems
Spirit - Delayed to issues with tucks
Retro - Received, with bonus pencil!

Due in June:
Vintage Vampires: Shipping starts 'soon'.

Due in July:
Impressions Foil - Small runs trialled, waiting on full production.
Bowl-A-Rama - fulfillment soon (I think?)
Werewolf - waiting for production
No 17 - decks received, waiting on sterling ace

Due in August:
British Monarchy - Shipped

I don't have a numerical cut-off point for backing projects, but I have become very disheartened with Kickstarter. This last month I felt like I've spent a lot of time chasing up people to actually send me what I paid for. As a result, I've cancelled quite a few pledges and won't be backing anyone in the future who doesn't already have an established track record on Kickstarter and whom I personally know will deliver. This goes for non-card projects as well.

[samurai007]

One deck I've been waiting a long time for and had almost given up on was the Lakota deck. The artist had not responded to personal messages on Facebook, emails, or the many comments on Kickstarter.

However, she had not completely vanished the way the Founders creator did, she kept posting on Facebook and recently created a Deviant Art page. I decided to post on both her Facebook and Deviant Art pages, and sure enough, she noticed and posted an update on the Kickstarter the next day, including the first pictures of the cards themselves. We may actually get this deck after all.

http://badhandillustrations.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/16 ... ect_update" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bikefanatic]

Guys (and gals), cross Malam off your list. I got my deck today!

[badpete69]

you got yours, but a lot of us did not. he is still on my list

[rousselle]

you got yours, but a lot of us did not. he is still on my list

Same here, but I hope this is a sign that we can soon consider this done.

[see_squared]

[*]Whispering Imps Gamesters (May) -- As of July 1st, shipping is expected to begin in the second half of the month and be completed by August 1st.
[*]Whispering Imps Gamesters Limited Edition (May) -- Ditto.

UPDATE: All packages have been shipped out to backers of the Standard & Limited Edition Gamesters Kickstarter campaigns.

[rousselle]

How did it get to be August already?

As of my post for July, I had been anticipating 18 Kickstarter decks that had been previously expected to ship in November, January, February, March, April, May, June, and July.

We can finally cross November off of that list. Malam finally arrived this past month, as did the decks for Venexiana Dark (February). However, I'm keeping VenDark on the list, as I'm still waiting for the uncuts and two signature decks (Sorry Lotrek! But, I know it'll be worth the wait!) March gets pushed off the list with the arrival of The Coven, and two related projects slated for May, Gamesters and Gamesters LE, both arrived for me recently, as well. That's four complete projects received for me that were Kickstarter funded. Well, five if you include the absolute surprise of seeing Asylum arrive (originally pledged back in the 1920's, if I recall correctly.)

So, here's the list of KS projects I am eagerly anticipating that had originally projected ship dates from as far back as last January up through this month (August). Notice I'm adding a whopping 3 to the list for this month:

• Mana Playing Cards No 3 (January) -- As of last week, this project is finally on the slow boat to the US from Taiwan. I'm guessing that means fulfillment in the first half of September...?
• Venexiana Dark (February) -- As mentioned above, the decks have arrived and they are positively amazing. Wow! Now, I patiently await uncuts (resolution of printer mistake still pending) and signature decks, which are currently expected to arrive along with the rest of the regular decks that underwent a tuck swap for some backers. (I don't mind getting my earlier without the swap.)
• Memento (April) -- As of last week, fulfillment expected to begin this week. Woo-hoo!
• Mardi Gras (May) -- Given the timetable announced in mid-July, looking forward to fulfillment in first half of this month. Woo-hoo!
• Bicycle Spirit (May) -- Shipping began at the end of July, and some backers are already reporting receiving their shipments. Since I ordered more "stuff" (limited editions, coin), I'm not surprised that mine wasn't one of the early ones to get shipped. Soon, I hope!
• Icons Imperial Edition (May) -- The final 150 decks await foiling, and the printer who handled the previous run is experiencing technical issues, so Lotrek is looking to resolve this last little piece, and then fulfillment can commence.
• Spectrum 52 and Spectrum Edge (May) -- One deck is printed and the other is expected to be finished soon -- likely this month.
• Arcana (July) -- USPCC anticipated having the decks in Chris's hands by this week, as of the last update, and everything else is set for fulfillment to start. Woo-hoo!
• Exploding Kittens (July) -- This is not a conventional deck of cards, but I'm listing it anyway. Shipping has begun and is apparently still in progress. I have not yet received notification of my own shipment, but given how many backers there were, this may take a while. Still... they should be on their way soon. Woo-hoo!
• BOWL-A-RAMA (July) -- Fulfillment began last week from Hong Kong; speculation is that US backers will start seeing their rewards arrive in another week or two. Woo-hoo!
• Glow-in-the-dark Cosmic Lanes (July) -- Ditto.
• Werewolf (July) -- In a comment from three days ago, Scott reported that he hoped fulfillment would begin early August. Woo-hoo!
• Joker and the Thief (July) -- As of last week, EPCC reported that printing was done and decks are being boxed. Soon, they should be shipped out to California and from there, fulfillment begins. I'm guessing first half of September.
• Impressions Metallic Foil (July) -- Shipping has begun, and is expected to take a couple weeks. Woo-hoo!
• Innovation (August) -- Jody has received the hard proofs, and expects the completed decks to arrive "in port" for fulfillment later this month.
• Regal (August) -- As of July 11th, GW commented that they still expect this project to ship this month.
• Aztec Codex (August) -- Shipping is expected to begin this week, and backers in North America should expect their decks to arrive next week. Woo-hoo!

So, that's seventeen KS projects that were originally projected to ship at some point up to or before this month. I hope I see more arrivals in August than I did in July. Still, of the projects that have arrived, I have no complaints about quality or craftsmanship. My inner card nerd has plenty of decks to enjoy while awaiting more.

And how about y'all?

[DragonSoul]

I had such high hopes for June but, I was only able to cross off a couple. So, I decided to wait another month before posting an updated list. Fortunately several more were delivered.

I FINALLY received the last of the missing decks from my Hawaiian pledge.

I was also very pleased that British Monarchy arrived a month early, Delicious 3 months early and Deep 2 months early. Bravo to them!

My list stands thus:

Jan: Mana Sybil
Feb: Venexiana Dark
April: Memento

May:
Mardi Gras
Icons Imperial
Spirit
Spectrum 52 / Spectrum Edge

June:
Vintage Vampires – as of 7/19 decks in hand, waiting on other items, shipping to start “very soon”
Leonardo – as of 8/2 decks expected to ship by end September
Love is a Smoke – as of 7/21 decks being printed, next ship to Hong Kong & begin fulfillment

July:
Wizard of Oz – as of 7/17 still waiting for final approvals from legal
Arcana
Werewolf
Bowl-a-Rama / Cosmic Lanes
Joker & the Thief
Paragon – as of 7/20 decks in hand, shipping to start in August

August:
Innovation
Regal
Four Seasons – as of 7/13 EPCC had final artwork, waiting on print date
Hellsgate – as of 7/4 should be ready to ship early August
Back to the Asylum – as of 7/31 printed, hopefully ship in August
Fuego – 7/5 sent out Backerkit invites
Aztec Codex
Branle - as of 7/31 printed, hopefully ship in August

Oh, and I received my Exploding Kittens on Saturday.

[rousselle]

Hey, DragonSoul, thanks for the great update!

BTW, I have Fuego for September, not August.

Like you, I had high hopes for both June and July. Given how many projects are already shipping or planning to ship starting this week and next, though, it looks like August should be raining cards.

[DragonSoul]

Well, dang it! That's what I get for trying to cross-reference my spreadsheet while trying to work on other things.

Thanks for the catch!