Shipping update
10 months ago
– Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 10:02:43 AM
Hello all!
I've just packaged up 75 orders of single decks that are ready to be dropped off at the post office! However looks like backerkit resent ALL the shipping emails, even the ones that shipped out weeks ago. Ignore those, if you've already got your deck there isn't a new package!!
Some of you have asked if there's a way to help add to the shipping budget. I wanted to avoid asking for more, but with so many people willing to chip in, I've discussed it with my husband and we decided the best thing you can do is purchase a sticker through our website, level1gamers.com. There's an option to add a note to your order at checkout, just let us know that you're a backer and we will include the sticker with your package. If you're one of the many who said they are ok waiting, then no worries, this is not a requirement by any means.
Thank you to those who have offered kind words and patience. It means more than you know!
That's all for now, I will update you when the next batch ships.
Lisa
July update
10 months ago
– Thu, Jul 06, 2023 at 09:12:33 AM
Hey guys,
Just wanted to post a quick update for you all, and address some comments I've received that I believe need addressing. I want to be honest with you, and please know that there's no excuses for the delays, this is for transparency sake.
To start, please know that I take full responsibility for the delays here. This project was beyond what I imagined, and while it may seem like an excuse, my family and this project both have been hit hard by the inflation and the cost of living and shipping so rapidly increasing.
I've been in business for almost 8 years now. Last year was the first year I actually operated at a loss. The money from the Kickstarter paid for the marketing, the art, and for the work that went into all the design and writing for the cards. It also paid for our printing, and add-ons, with the exception for the metal, which has been another challenge. I wasn't concerned about the rising costs of shipping at the time, as I was confident that our Christmas season would more than cover the difference, as historically we cover a lot of the next year's business expenses off of how well the season goes.
For the first time, that was not the case. Or numbers were down over 50%, and the excess I thought would cover that shipping difference just wasn't there. The bills started adding up.
Our online store was becoming a money burn as the cost to ship our normal products was just too high. ($15-16 to ship a mug in some places) We stopped offering international shipping because it would cost nearly $60 to ship a couple of mugs to some countries. Because of the struggles online, we decided to take a stab at opening a store, after a very, very generous family member offered to invest in the idea. My family is not wealthy by any means, so despite the help we still opened on a very low budget.
Absolutely no funds from this Kickstarter were used for the store. The store was a way to bring in additional income, as our day jobs weren't cutting it. This was a way for us to try to build up a new income stream, while keeping our business open.
It has been helping, and I've been able to ship a couple of small batches since the opening. I truly hope that those of you who have received their decks have enjoyed them. It's still shipping very slowly, but I assure you that I have not given up, and I have no intention of abandoning the project. I very much overestimated the delivery times. I apologize for that, as I know it really puts things up in the air.
I also wanted to apologize for any communication issues. It's true that I have been overwhelmed, and as such I don't always get to messages and comments in a timely fashion. This is something I'll work on improving. If you've sent me an updated address, you're good to go. I have it. I am so sorry if I haven't responded to confirm!
Believe me, this project has been in the back of my mind almost every day, and I can't tell you how absolutely gut wrenching it's been to know that we've been unable to fulfill it as planned. I've talked to several other Kickstarter creators who are in the same boat, so I know its not just us.
Thank you so much to all those who have supported this, I do NOT take it lightly. For the most part, everyone has been incredibly patient and understanding. I want you guys to be able to enjoy this deck in physical form, and while the digital version has been available for a while, I do hope the cards will be worth the wait.
I will post short updates every few weeks to let you know I'm still here. I can't guarantee we will have a bunch of packages out the door tomorrow, but I will do my best not to make you feel as if I've gone dark.
Thank you,
Lisa
June update
11 months ago
– Sat, Jun 17, 2023 at 07:14:07 PM
Hello everyone,
I apologize for not getting this update out sooner!
We are continuing to ship as we can. To those of you who have sent address changes I have been updating them manually.
We will keep getting these out as we can, I don't have much other news besides that.
I would also like to remind any backers in the Utah area who would like to do so in person can come to our shop and we will get you sorted out :)
A couple folks did ask about the digital copies. If you aren't sure where to find them, you can log in to backer kit and it should be there in your digital downloads.
Thank you all for your patience. It has been a stressful year so the kind comments we've received mean more than you know <3
We've had pretty good feedback from those who have received theirs, so I think it'll be worth the wait!
Good news! Shipping has resumed
12 months ago
– Wed, May 17, 2023 at 11:03:47 PM
Good news!!
Our store is now open, and shipping has begun again! The first batch will be going out here in the next couple of days!
The shipping cost is still a bit of a barrier, so while we will be getting them out more quickly now, we will still be paying as we go to cover those cost increases, so it will probably take a few weeks for us to get through everything. As mentioned last time, we will be shipping out the single decks first because those are the quickest to pack, and will work on the orders with add-ons as soon as that's all done.
I apologize to my international backers, as that's where the biggest increase is, so those will be the ones that will likely take the longest.
However, I hope this news is exciting for everyone, as I know you all have been patiently waiting. I really appreciate everyone who has reached out and expressed their support, as I have been stressed to my eyeballs trying to make sure we get you these decks!! I think it will be worth the wait, as the feedback we've received from those who have their copy has been nothing but positive.
If you are in Utah and would like your order sooner than later, feel free to come pick up your order in our shop at the South Town Mall!
Thank you again for your patience,
Lisa
May update
12 months ago
– Thu, May 04, 2023 at 09:03:27 AM
Hello everyone!
As promised, here's an update for May.
Shipping will resume shortly! We are on track to have everything ready to go when our store opens. We will be starting with the single decks since those take the least amount of time to pack, and will go from there. Those with add-ons will come next, since those take a bit more time to pack.
We are going to try to get a minimum 20-30 packages out per week.
Thank you all for your patience. I know many of you have expressed you are frustrated by the delay, but please try to remember that we are not a big company, and we are doing the best we can to stay afloat in a crazy world while also trying to keep our business afloat in an economy that has very rapidly changed for the worse. This project blew up larger than we could have imagined, and we did our best to maintain the original schedule but we have been affected by the world events as well.
We are doing our best, and I promise you will get your decks. We just need your patience as we get through these orders.
Thank you to those of you who have expressed your support. You have no idea how much it means to have a little light in between the negative. Believe me, I have been beyond stressed about the delays myself. I do hear you.
