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There may be one or two Ambassadors somewhere...
What I find amazing is how some people offered to send me for free decks that they bought from me. Thank you guys, it's really touching.

That's horrible... Lotrek, I'm ready to do what I can to help.

I heard the news about the factory, and I am shocked and very sad, both for Lotrek and the Taiwanese company involved in this disaster.
I do business with them, and they always were very kind, honest and reliable - I am sure the fault of this disaster is not on them. I really hope they can get up after this big hit.

If I can do something for help, count me in too.

Lotrek wrote:There may be one or two Ambassadors somewhere...

20180612四樓火災_180622_0070.jpg

What I find amazing is how some people offered to send me for free decks that they bought from me. Thank you guys, it's really touching.

I do hope no one was injured or worse in the fire. Things can be replaced, not people. I have gone out with fire experts to determine what caused a fire. It is usually things like a copier, extension cord, computer, stuff like that. Sometimes faulty wiring. I was amazed how he could quickly zero in on the area where the fire started with a quick and careful scan of the area.

Also, folks that do this fulfillment are really tireless heros. It is long work that has to be done exactly right thousands of times over. I hope they can recover from this also. Thanks Gio for reminding us about them in this tragedy

I just got called and was told I have a fire at one of my offices. Seriously? Edit: Luckily just electrical smoke. Need to find the source of it, but not dealing with a fire.

holy s*******t!
that is terrible.

If I have to depict the armageddon of playing cards, I'd just show that picture.
verry sorry to read about these terrible news

What a truly unfortunate situation for all those affected in this tragedy - that really sucks and my heart goes out to all those dealing with this loss - best of luck and support in moving forward after such a huge setback

I've got a friend who bought the Players' ed after the KS. I might just trade with them one of my pairs for the 52+ deck.

Really bummed about the fire.. I hope nobody was hurt.

That's horrible.

While I am waiting on the Signature decks, I decided to put one of my sets of Ambassador decks, less the Signature deck into a 6 deck carat case. It is a little loose, but not enough space to put in the signature deck. I guess I will have to settle to put them in a separate wide single case. Even though a bit loose, they look really nice together.

What's the deal on the signature deck? Any news on when we can expect it?

New update regarding Signature Editions:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/36 ... ts/2258396

I for one are extremely disappointed with this update. On May 5th Lotrek stated " I'll assemble the decks, sign the tucks, number them and send them out. The reason is that we want to honor the word "Signature". Just waiting on them to get here!

Now 3 months later, that's the NEWS you want to share, customs is holding things up! It took 3 months to figure that out?!?

As promised, now the decks won't have the craftsmanship & quality control that they would have if they were in Lotrek hands for assembly. Nor will people be given their usual collectors number, because the fulfillment center won't give a shit who gets what.

Lastly, I don't see why Lotrek cannot provide an official document (receipt) to show he paid for these decks. When you received everyone's money back in November 2017, Lotrek would've had to create a purchase order with EPCC (Taiwan) to print X amount of decks. Shouldn't that be enough for customs??

One hiccup after another.

Just saw the latest update. Tough luck. This is my worst nightmare when printed decks can't reach fulfillment centre or fulfillment can't happen.

@ Lotrek - There is a third option in case your fulfillment company is not operating, you can get hold of another fulfillment company in Taiwan which does the fulfillment for you. PMing you an email & contact# of a person in Taiwan (account manager of a fulfillment company) who might be able to help.

Please call out in case you need any other help.

aznh wrote:New update regarding Signature Editions:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/36 ... ts/2258396

I for one are extremely disappointed with this update. On May 5th Lotrek stated " I'll assemble the decks, sign the tucks, number them and send them out. The reason is that we want to honor the word "Signature". Just waiting on them to get here!

Now 3 months later, that's the NEWS you want to share, customs is holding things up! It took 3 months to figure that out?!?

As promised, now the decks won't have the craftsmanship & quality control that they would have if they were in Lotrek hands for assembly. Nor will people be given their usual collectors number, because the fulfillment center won't give a shit who gets what.

Lastly, I don't see why Lotrek cannot provide an official document (receipt) to show he paid for these decks. When you received everyone's money back in November 2017, Lotrek would've had to create a purchase order with EPCC (Taiwan) to print X amount of decks. Shouldn't that be enough for customs??

One hiccup after another.

Just chill this is KS and EU custom is weird and crazy strict. (VAT, tax etc.)

He isn't running away (mana,scott king, so on) and delivered good product so long now.

"One hiccup after another" that life, you wont expect a fulfilment center to burn down :/

@aznh:

It isn't that simple. I ordered and paid EPCC for 2000 decks. The 200 SIGNATURE edition decks are coming from the fulfilment center which is the "seller" from the customs' point of view. Moreover, the invoice I could present is for 2000 decks delivered to TAIWAN, not for 200 decks delivered to Greece.

Before I write an update I examine all possible solutions, that's why I'm so late sometimes.

I understand that hikups like that can be annoying and frustrating for backers but believe me, they do not offer me any entertainment...

guru wrote:Just saw the latest update. Tough luck. This is my worst nightmare when printed decks can't reach fulfillment centre or fulfillment can't happen.

@ Lotrek - There is a third option in case your fulfillment company is not operating, you can get hold of another fulfillment company in Taiwan which does the fulfillment for you. PMing you an email & contact# of a person in Taiwan (account manager of a fulfillment company) who might be able to help.

Please call out in case you need any other help.

Thanks Sunish, sending you an email.

Hi Lotrek, sent you a PM, can you please check?

Finally some good news: Eventually I'll be able to get the decks in my hands and the Signature edition will be shipped soon. (whatever "soon" means in my case...).

We in the know have learned to give you more leeway than others. It will be worth the wait!

From Lotrek's recent update, I'll choose option #1 for the Signature deck to have white background for number cards.

I like consistency but having red backgrounds for the numbered pips and whole deck will look too much.

I preferred Option 2 as it was just more consistent in design with the courts. Still, I understand the pull for option 1 too. I will not be disappointed either way. I was going to say I think #2 had the edge, but I see the last few voted for #1, so that might be the lead. Either way, the vote seems to be really even.

Lotrek, last update regarding signature decks was that cutting and completion would complete first week of January with shipping commencing on Jan.10th

Can you give us an update as to if they shipped and/or what delay you have now as it's nearing March without any communication/updates.

2nd Request - What is going on with the Signature Editions?

People have asked on KS and it seems Lotrek has gone into radio silence.

Please, give us an update

He finally updated on KS, including for Rick Davidson's De Novo decks. So it's 2fer.

That update did not include any information pertaining to these signature editions. Wish Lotrek would inform those of us that are still waiting what is going on.

I received an email from Lotrek last Friday. He advised that the Ambassador Signsture decks are scheduled to go out the end of this week from Athens.

I got an update about the Grotesks and Silk just now, via email.

Lotrek appears to be tying up all of his loose ends.

Ambassadors Signature, Arabesque players version, DeNovo and Silk are all in the pipeline.

Hopefully no new releases until these decks are shipped, I forgot about half of them.

For those not in the loop, here's the email about Silk and Grotesk. He's finally cleaning up and clearing out his outstanding projects. Along with the update, this augurs well for Lotrek that he's finally got the processes down to avoid any delays which are under his control. After all this, he can give a masterclass on producing custom playing cards!

I OWE YOU!
Pending stuff

Hi all,
Although surprisingly few people have complained so far, and in case you don't remember, there are old unfulfilled orders. I'm talking about the Grotesk Macabre Test decks that some of you ordered hmm... definitely this century but I cannot remember the decade!

The reason behind this delay was not my unwillingness to fulfill these orders of course but the fact that the continuous production problems I had with many of my projects absorbed almost all of my time. Meanwhile, the place I had them stored little by little became unaccessible to humans. Thousands of spare cards, uncuts, unused tuck cases, various materials and other stuff turned what I call "my Cellar" into a hole of oblivion.
Finally, I managed to find the time and I am cleaning the mess in order to send these pending orders.
They are expected to be out next week.
A huge thank you to all who have patienly waited for that
"Grotesque" shipment!

SILK playing cards

That's a wonder on the works! I absolutely cannot wait to get these to you. Everything went smoothly without problems although much slower than anticipated. The printing part is over with a delay bacause I applied the varnish in multiple thin layers after foiling. Consequently the drying time along with my printer's limited availability added over a week production time. A week in human time is about 3 minutes in Lotrek time, so all is good!
These are also expected to ship next week.
Once the decks are sent out you'll be notified by email and tracking numbers will be given upon request.

Thank you,
Lotrek