FireBox: A Tiny DCC Train Controller

[up1950s]

One of the things they teach you in standup comedy workshops, is to know your audience.

Yeah , I see what you mean . Germany has a phrase , " We grow old too fast and smart too late "  http://www.45cat.com/record/nc791670us

[thomasjmdavis]

So far, 48 hours and no response from Kickstarter.....

[POVC]

I got tired of waiting for a response from David to my question in the post on the previous page, so I went ahead and submitted my survey response.  I replied "No" to the refund question, because I want the promised reward (even if it's just the hardware without software), but under delivery instructions I stated that if he was unable to provide the promised 2x Firebox i would accept either 1x Firebox or a refund of my prorated share of the unspent funds (~$71).  I also stated that I don't have a Paypal account and would not created one just for his convenience, so any refund would need to be sent by check or money order to the provided address.

I'm interested to see what response I get.

[C855B]

FWIW, I received a response from Kickstarter:

As all collected funds are dispersed to the creator once a project ends, Kickstarter cannot issue a refund. Any form of reimbursement must be granted and issued by the creator, so in this case you will need to continue working directly with the creator for your refund request.

Ultimately, creators are responsible for their own behavior — from communication to fulfillment and refunds — and while we can and do enforce our terms of use, we can’t force anyone to complete their project idea or issue refunds. It is up to each creator to determine whether, when, and how they offer refunds. It’s also worth keeping in mind that if the creator is in the middle of the production process, the funds may have already gone towards producing or shipping rewards and therefore a refund may not be possible at this time.

We hope this helps to clarify.

My conclusion is we were mistaken that Kickstarter is results oriented. It is simply a gussied-up GoFundMe for R&D projects, a one-way street for [your] money. Live 'n' learn.

[thomasjmdavis]

I also received one sent sometime overnight- but to a somewhat different issue

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for reaching out!

We took a look at the project page, and our information shows that the same update indicated the project creator would be sending a backer reward survey.  It is this backer reward survey for which reminders have been sent to you.

It's not possible to dismiss these reminders or the corresponding banner without filling out the survey at this time. I would recommend that you send the survey back to the creator, typing "N/A" or otherwise selecting arbitrary options for any fields that might not apply. You can also reach out to the project creator directly to clarify this as well. I know this is not what you wanted to hear, and I apologize for that. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Best,

Jennifer

Thomasjmdavis

Oct 13, 2020, 5:53 PM EDT

Have received 2 notices from Kickstarter to claim my "reward" for a project I backed (called "Firebox"- a model train controller). PRIOR to receiving these notices from Kickstarter, received an email from the designer that he had abandoned the project altogether. It appears he is telling you he completed, but is telling us that he has abandoned, the project. At the very least, Kickstarter notifications about a project should be consistent with the notices from designer about whether the project has been successfully completed.

[learmoia]

Coming soon to Kickstarter:

TrackerBox: A Teeny Train Tracker

With Teeny Train Tracker has tons of features and options like.
-Reads the locomotive and knows where it is at all times on the track.
-Compatible with DC, and all major DCC systems and any signal system.
-Integrates with sound decoders and controls functions based on locations such as crossings and stations
-Works with magical electrical contact/current that tracks decoder anywhere on the layout.
-NO track blocks or IR sensors required!

If you add the optional caboose/eot decoders, you can:
-Read Train length.
-Know the distance between 2 trains
-Sense uncoupling and derailments with auto stop protection.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

This amazing invention can be yours with a modest contribution of $129.95 (plus $99.95 processing and handling)

 

[davefoxx]

[DKS]

Ouch... tough crowd... dissing two at once. (I love it.)

[71jeep]

It is just amazing how easy it is these days to legally rob someone 
Will now or never contribute to this sort of thing again.
Amazing too how people that do this have no remorse or conscious about what they are doing!
What a wonderful world we live in 

[nickelplate759]

Skarp Razor anyone ( it was supposed to be a laser-powered cutting razor)?  Rejected by Kickstarter way back around 2015, moved to Indiegogo, has yet to deliver anything other than disappointment  (no, I didn't invest).

[DKS]

laser-powered razor

 

Eons ago I thought it might be worth looking into a laser-powered lawn mower... wonder if anyone else is looking into that...

[up1950s]

Eons ago I thought it might be worth looking into a laser-powered lawn mower... wonder if anyone else is looking into that...

Laser POWERED ? or laser cutting . Wouldn't that be a fire starter ?

[learmoia]

laser-powered lawn mower... wonder if anyone else is looking into that...

[DKS]

Laser POWERED ? or laser cutting . Wouldn't that be a fire starter ?

Cutting. No more of a fire starter than lasers that cut wood kits. I should have guessed, someone else is (was) looking at a lawn mower.

https://www.lawnandlandscape.com/article/luxury-lawnmower-uses-laser-to-cut-grass/

And here's the dead razor.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-skarp-laser-razor-21st-century-shaving/#/

[CRL]

Eons ago I thought it might be worth looking into a laser-powered lawn mower... wonder if anyone else is looking into that...

Then his cat walked across the lawn during testing... (don’t get all worked up... Stumpy has recovered, albeit precisely 1.5” shorter)

Project cancelled 😔 followed by much therapy. Fortunately, paid for by royalties from the Gary Larson book inspired by the unfortunate episode.