nkelsch wrote:
New update...

You RoW people can get your refunds... Might not be a terrible idea since the second-hand market is crashing and the rules are questionable.

I can still recommend the models, and the game is fun but not bulletproof or easy. It is a frame work not a game.

Update #117

May 8 2014
You Want Answers? I Want the Truth
41 comments
15 likes

We know enough of what happened and have enough answers that putting out an update will have substance. If you followed along with the KS, then you know our policy is to communicate when we have something to share.

It has been two weeks since our last update, but only 10 business days. Email communication with China is an interesting thing. It often takes several days to get to a final answer. Questions lead to answers which leads to other questions and clarifications. In some cases, answers had to be figured out. In others, it was clear what had happened.

Every update at this point is intensely scrutinized and rightly so, but oftentimes this leads to a rumor so when I go through the questions, please try not to be offended by my commentary.

Where is the missing container?

There is no missing container. I never said there was, but as I read the comments this rumor grew and has somehow become truth. I said, we had never scheduled a 6th container pickup. To me, this means we didn’t have another container on the way which means the missing elements were not even loaded. Because, as we found out, they were not finished.

We have produced stuff in China before, but the publishing company we went through (for the MERCS cards and rule book) has a representative on the ground. We have direct contact with the person in the plant, so have first-hand knowledge from someone on OUR side.

We don’t have someone like that for the miniatures. Our contact is the owner and an employee who is with the plant. This is important, because apparently they haven’t quite followed our instructions in terms of production of all the miniatures. From emails, it is clear that this request of ours never made it to the production floor.

It goes further, but I will stop there for now. The question we asked ourselves is: What can we do now? Is there anything we can do? Do we have any power to facilitate a change at this point? The answer is unfortunately no; we must suffer with them until they are done. To make a change now only hurts the project more. We have of course asked them to expedite our stuff, and have communicated our disappointment.

However, the production part is based off a queue (something we didn’t take into account). It has long been rumored that if we could have shipped early why were they not done and that must mean we have known for quite some time that we were going to be late, therefore lies, therefore aliens.

The reason is when we delayed the shipment we moved back in the production queue. Apparently, much further back. We didn’t expect this, but probably should have. We experienced it at are previous jobs, but we didn’t have to deal with production or fulfillment there. Previously we were on a deadline to keep our place in line at the plant.

What’s missing?

Unfortunately, a lot. Alt Heroes, traps and lairs, and a couple of the later large models.

What is the new schedule?

We have schedule the next container pick up for 12 June.

What does that mean for you (wherever you may be)?

For the EU backers: We are going to air freight the last of the minis to the warehouse in Germany. The EU base game and stretch goals will be over there already. One of us will be on site to supervise the arrival, loading of the last of the minis, and to supervise shipping. We have very little knowledge in estimating EU shipping times. However, it is our hope and it has been communicated, that we want EU backers to have their stuff mid to late July.

For non-EU international: We are going to air freight these figures to us and the fulfillment for non-EU international done about the same time as for EU backers. However, for non-EU we are willing to price and ship the base game and sleeves/metal stuff early. If you are interested in checking this pricing please email mercs@mercsminis.com. Nikki will check the price and send it back to you. You can make the decision.

For domestic: Wave 2 will be sent as soon as it arrives on the container. It is not being air-freighted because it will take us three weeks to fill non-EU international AND we don’t have that much space in the warehouse.

When will the new videos be up?

Justin has the footage now. When he gets done and it is approved. I would imagine two (maybe three) will be ready next week. We will shoot the last of the second tile today and tomorrow.

What about revised rulebook and cards?

These will be available for free pdf download as soon as we get done. If you want official Megacon printed versions, you’ll have to wait for the next KS.

Will there be a version 2 rulebook in the second wave/international first wave?

There will be a portion of the rulebook. It will be some of the stuff you’ve seen and some stuff we are working on now. However, it will be one color.

What about the German and French rulebooks?

We will provide them with the same documents we have and it is their choice. We had agreements for the initial rulebook and most of the supplements. However, it is their call on the extra documentation.

Does that mean I can get a refund?

It is clear we won’t hit the June deadline as promised. If you are an international backer and want a refund, we’ll facilitate it. Email Nikki at mercs@mercsminis.com with the subject line REFUND. Domestic backers, however, are not eligible for a refund as they have received their base game which is technically what you backed.

That is about all of the major questions I have read or been asked. If we didn’t answer your question, it is not because we are ignoring it or we are hiding. Has the fulfillment gone as planned? No. But it is far from the worst. Other KS update shipping in terms of quarters. I can see the appeal. If we functioned like other KS (that have not gotten nearly the flack) we would have put out an update one month ago saying the shipment slipped one quarter. In the end, we hope to have full world fulfillment done in late July/early August. Ideal? No. Longer the promised? Yes.

We’ve read people comments that we are hiding and that we are running away or won’t complete the rest of the order. We will complete this KS soon, and continue to take a hard look and fix the issues with the game. In fact, I should have an update very soon with a look at the revised card design. I will also have an update with some pictures with painted second wave sculpts.

 Polonius wrote:

Sining wrote:
I probably would cancel it if I could get the full amount back. Just tired of the BS, and merc disappearing for days with no reply isn't a great sign either.

That's fair. I suppose after a year, you might not even need/want the thing you pledged for anyway!

But we also understand Kickstarter and right now you might be saying to yourself, “Here we go again…another infinitely delayed KS.” We want to reassure all backers with a guarantee. We are so confident you’ll have your game and stretch goals within five months of the original date that we will give a refund to anyone who requests their money back if we fail to deliver your pledge before June 31st, 2014.

 Azazelx wrote:
I've sent them an email, asking what their projected start and finish dates are for shipping international orders. I'll see what they are and then decide if I'm going to ask for a refund or not.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ah,
Here's a big part of the problem.

But we also understand Kickstarter and right now you might be saying to yourself, “Here we go again…another infinitely delayed KS.” We want to reassure all backers with a guarantee. We are so confident you’ll have your game and stretch goals within five months of the original date that we will give a refund to anyone who requests their money back if we fail to deliver your pledge before June 31st, 2014.

So they're essentially rules lawyering and playing their interpretation of RAW. How nice. How respectful.

 Polonius wrote:
It's interesting, because even with all the delays and nonsense, it's still cheaper to make stuff in China than in the US.

 Polonius wrote:
It's interesting, because even with all the delays and nonsense, it's still cheaper to make stuff in China than in the US.

 Salacious Greed wrote:

I agree Az, they are pretty much rules lawyering. I think they also realized that they came across as very harsh, as they changed their tune (some) in the comments for that update. I do feel sorry for them, but they really should write an update and have everyone in the office (or building) read it before they hit send.

Triple9 wrote:
In all fairness, it says "a refund", not "a full refund". The amount of the refund is not specified (if my rules lawyering is working). They could easily turn around and say if domestic backers want a refund, MCG give them back $20 for the cost of the stretch goals. I don't think they would get any takers as much chatter as it would create.

 MangoMadness wrote:

 Polonius wrote:
It's interesting, because even with all the delays and nonsense, it's still cheaper to make stuff in China than in the US.

It depends on what $$$ value you put on your reputation and how much the delays/quality hurts your business in the future.

 Catyrpelius wrote:
If you were to contract with a US or any other western company to produce something for you there would be a contract in place that would spell out exactly what would happen if either party was late fuffling part of their requirment. Usually on the manufacturing side there would be a penalty if they were late in producing your product and some kind of bonus if they were early. It would also layout standards for quality, communication, etc. It works both ways though, there would also be requirments placed on the company that hired the manufactuerer as well. Generally these would revolve around timely delivery of the requirements with some type of penalty added on if they fail to meet the time frame.

It depends on your location, since you are in Australia, the date range will be longer. At this time, we are unable to project a time from for non-EU backers. The last update explained the situation with the product, and we want to make sure all backers are getting taken care of in the best time frame possible. I

Nikki