Crowdfunding or pre-orders?

[Iguazzu]

Hi mates!

Recently I've write a new article about the crowdfunding campaings and the way they're running and I really would like to share it with you and know your opinion (here or in my blog)

http://www.iguazzu.com/?p=2029&lang=en

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Thanks for the article! .. by no means is it boring! .. However, the whole ethos of, 'Crowd-funding', or 'Pre-Payment', ('Sponsoring', for want of another word), .. is a difficult aspect to navigate. As you have said, there is the possibility of some truly great sculptors, and numerous small companies trying to finance there given projects, and get a foot-hold in the. 'Market place', but do not have the capital to expand or develop! .. clearly 'Banks', are of little help in todays financial climate. So, it is down to the prospective consumer/client, to assess whether a given product is worth investing in ! But without the guarantee that it will succeed, or gain a refund of their initial monies! ... If there was a 'Rock-Solid', guarantee of the return of the initial payment ! I, for one cannot see a problem with it. But as that guarantee, is not there, there is always going to be a risk of being out of pocket, with no produce received.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Tecumsea]

It is an interesting concept that has the disadvantage to the buyer of transferring risk from the producer to the buyer himself............caveat emptor!

For the same reason I will not buy a painted figure until I actually see what I am buying, ie the finished product.

Keith

 

[DEL]

I find myself on the fence with this concept. Clearly there are a number of great sculptors/manufacturers out there who cannot fund a project without investment and let's be honest what do you think the chances are of receiving a positive response from a bank for a model soldier idea?
I suppose if you are really passionate about a project then a little venture capital is worth the limited risk.........think of yourself as a merchant venturer
Unless I know what to expect from a particular sculptor I now rarely buy 'off plan'. Like Keith I like to get my sticky fingers on the actual piece before I decide.
All of that being said I always look at the crowdfunding / Kickstarter requests just in case one of them is something I MUST have........an example would have been (not that it was crowdfunded) Grenadier Miniatures recent Black Watch Officer in the Crimea......I have absolute confidence in the company and Maurice is sculpting at his best.....so....had it been crowdfunded I'd have jumped in with confidence.
I do suspect we'll see more and more of this so like everything else just proceed with caution but don't just reject out of hand.......as stated above...Caveat Emptor.
Derek

 

[Tommys War]

I completely understand where Alex is coming from here - when is such a project a crowdfunder and when is it simply an advance order?

With the growth in digital sculpting and 3D printing we're going to get a lot more of these projects coming on board. If you have a great idea for a figure and the correct contacts it does allow a new manufacturer to develop a release with no risk. However, as Alex points out, if its an established manufacturer releasing a figure in to an existing range would perhaps constitute a pre-order? Not that there is anything wrong with that, as it's all perfectly legitimate.

Personally, I think the idea of the crowdfunder is a good one and allows for innovation. The concept is there to support new companies but actually existing and established companies using this method are actually a safer bet for investment. I've been tempted a couple of times with kickstarters, not taken the plunge yet, but there it's something that is here to stay.

However, crowdfunding isn't something I'm considering. I think it's great for the fantasy/sci-fi market but not right for the historical side (well, certainly not my part of it).

 

[megroot]

For me no crowdfunding or pre-order.
Sculpting and casting the figure is the risk of the manufacturer. If he think the figure has no response then don't cast it.
I had a great interest in a 90 mm fantasy figure. Because it whas only produced with enough money brought in by crowdfunding I lost my interest. I been very sure if it whas brought out on the market I should buy it. Now, it passed my GA, otherwise I should paint it.
The only and last crowdfunding I've done whas for only € 35,- , I whas almost sure that I lost my money......It whas introduced in Octobre and the merchandise came two weeks ago. It whas promised around X-mas last year.

Marc

 

[Iguazzu]

Thanks for sharing your opinions! I'm really happy to read them.

Regards!

 

[IIICorps]

...For me no crowdfunding or pre-order...

Same here. I appreciate the explanation, but I am not enlisting with the crowd.

 

[Oldironsides]

Hi Iguazzu

I accept that crowdfunding (CF) relies on a high level of trust and confidence from the buyer in the manufacturer.

However CF has a long history and buyers have extra protection from using established CF organisers such as Indiegogo and from paying by such means as PayPal.

For me it has the advantage that projects are brought to the market which would not otherwise have happened. I am content to 'invest' in such projects as the recent Scale75 steampunk campaign. http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/crowdfunding-campaing-scale75.56594/page-2 as I'm very pleased with the outcome.

Mark