SIDEKIT: AFTER CAMPAIGN STORE

Sun Aug 6 '23 Announcement
over 2 years ago – Sun, Aug 06, 2023 at 03:25:48 PM

Update Summary

We have completed Crowdfunding fulfillment unless there was something in particular that was an issue, scroll to section on shipping status if you haven't received your order yet. In this update we provide our summary and feedback below and invite you to enter yours via feedback form so we can gather this information and work with sourcing partner/manufacturer on changes.  Feedback Form

Campaign Summary: The good, the bad, the ugly

The Ugly: Well we set out to create our very first product and in a nutshell, we made it. We stumbled upon issues after issues and it took way longer than we wanted which hurt us financially which also lead to staffing issues.  We thought working with a  sourcing partner would decrease the amount of time needed to complete product but for us it increased the time (this may be different with other campaigns). Our product included 8 different molds and the cost to produce, land, and ship was higher than funds brought in from campaign partly due to the inflation that happened in the mist of our campaign. All campaign funds and shipping donations have been exhausted and has required us to seek additional funds moving forward.

The Bad: We have received some feedback about some of the lids being wobbly. The samples we received had sturdy lids and the holes drilled for the hinge pins are not supposed to have that much movement in them. There was a little play in the hinge to allow for the Lid to auto adjust to the proper magnet location. All was verified to be working and after mass production this seems to be off on some units. Because of this, its probably best to make changes to hinge design to provide better consistency. Also we don't think we did a good job of explaining the use and the size of the SideKit Case as well as the use of the accessories. We never intended to have people think all items can be used at the same time. We should have done a better job with product explanation as well as the pictures we decided to use.

The Good: This is a molded product, which means we can go back and make adjustments. We will be looking at changes to exterior and interior regarding materials and anything related to making the SideKit more stable, more solid, and more appealing. We received a lot of positive feedback as well as well as repeat buyers that purchased again to help with shipping costs. We do believe we delivered the product that was in our design and was better than the prototype we used for campaign. But we also understand everyone has a right to their opinions and we want use feedback to improve the product. Both positive and negative feedback from backers will be returned to sourcing provider & manufacturer so that they can make the necessary changes to improve the product.  Feedback form here. 

Backers

Thank you for your support, thanks for helping out when needed and when asked, thanks for keeping the dream and the entrepreneurial spirit alive. Launching a product is a journey, it's hard, and its exhausting. We have learned a lot from this experience and still have a long way to go before we can call this product a success. We do hope we can make it there but have to take our time and build slowly and do things the right way. Once again thank you for helping us complete this journey of creating a product. Now our next step is to refine it. Future updates will be sent to our mailing list. 

Shipping Phases

• Phase 1.) Fulfillment of the VIP orders (Completed)
• Phase 2.) Fulfillment of Remaining Kickstarter Orders (Completed)
• Phase 3.) Fulfillment of Indiegogo Orders (Completed)
   

Shipping Status

If you haven't received a tracking number for your shipment please reach out to the email below.  Also double check to see if your order was actually charged. If the no payment was received than the survey wasn't completed and the order never went through. Thank you for your time and patience.

Other Issues detected:

• We have a courier issue with the 3 Puerto Rico orders (Currently trying to find another courier to complete shipment)
• Check email/search email from the email address below to see if we reached out to you regarding your order. We maybe waiting for your response.
   

For tracking information, please email [email protected]

Feedback survey linkhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZsMFcr4ZZW1FtGJYXHuRKb2TaaV8REHx2XNXj3juEfrBY-g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Fri Jul 21 '23 Announcement
over 2 years ago – Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 05:45:54 PM

Phase #3 Shipping to start in 3 Days on Monday 7/24/23. But we do face some shipping challenges as shipping prices and inflation changed since we started our surveys. Please email us at [email protected] for any address changes, please let us confirm your address change, (because we will change it in the shipping manager where the labels are printed). 

Shipping Phase 3:

Because shipping prices changed, we had to implement a complementary credit to all orders to get the orders to push over into the shipping manager. Please ignore that credit in your original order as we will remove it later. 

Shipping costs on average jumped up $1-$5 on most orders (We had over 1600 Total orders from both Crowfunding platforms) and some as high as $15 on some locations. If you can assist by purchasing a shipping donation of ($5) we will immediately pull your order and package for shipping. You also can purchase something to add to your order and we will ship together. Because of the current funds we will process these first than return to the normal order of the shipping manager has for the packages. The link to the  Backerkit store to purchase is here. 

We reached out to our KS community of a lot of people helped out, so definately help if you can, otherwise try we will continue fullfilling as much as we can until funds are exhausted. Then we will also start selling available inventory items through e-commcerce to help us finish fullfillment, which is our only goal right now (Finish Fulfillment).  

If you ordered more than one backpack we will reach out to see if you want to change the color of one of them. We are limited on colors, so by default one will stay black. But the color options are available from the Backerkit Store

Product Update:

As you receive inventory, please remember that we gave the dimensions of the main case inside of campaign and answered questions as they came in. We apologize if you were expecting certain items to fit that do not for you.  The Card Wallet was meant to be a quick access and slim activity wallet as noted on the campaign updates it was made larger to not expose the magnets (same with divider) because of that there is conflict between the two items when used together, if used with the divider tilted sideways it can only hold 2 cards (pictured below). If you using more cards its best that you place it at the bottom instead of the lid or remove the divider totally. Some setups may not work for everyone and the card wallet can definitely be used separately. (The goal is to make more items that fit directly inside and make them modular and interchangeable). We are including a few usage ideas below:

 

Feedback: This was the first version of the product, but we do see areas of improvement that can be made, such as a stronger/stiffer hinge, a change in the Divider to make it integrate better with the Card Wallet. We will be reaching back out with a Survey to collect what you do and don't like so far so we can get this worked on with our Sourcing and Manufacturing partner.

We are a traditional kickstarter campaign that just came here with an Idea and physical prototype and made into a product. Currently we are 2 loans and 2 credit lines in, quickly running out of funds. There has been no income made to distribute or profit obtained so far, as this was a very expensive journey and campaign. So there is no leaving full time work anytime soon but we will continue working on this product and journey to try to get everything they way it is desired as well as create the integrated products like the phone stand, key case, and coin chest. So we are still a work in progress.

Tracking:

You will receive a tracking number when we print your shipping label. The Box will have the main SideKit Case at the Top, and bottom will contain your other accessories. A package slip will be included showing the item list from your pledge. 

Shipping Phases

Phase 1.) Fulfillment of the VIP orders (Completed)

Phase 2.) Fulfillment of Remaining Kickstarter Orders (Almost Complete)

Phase 3.) Fulfillment of Indiegogo Orders (Starting Monday 7/24)

Next Update

Progress/Shipping update in two weeks. We would like to be finish in 7-10 days, but it will likely depend on the shipping donations or sales we receive. Either way we will update in 2 weeks.

Reminder for any address changes, please email [email protected]

Sat Jul 8 '23 Announcement
over 2 years ago – Sat, Jul 08, 2023 at 12:38:49 PM

Update Summary

We are halfway almost through Phase #2, and plan to finish in 15 days. Our Phase #2 had the bulk of our orders with about 1500 coming from kickstarter, After this weekend we will have about 600 left to fulfill and complete. The good news is when we do start Phase 3, we should be able to complete in 7-10 days. 

Shipments:

You will receive a tracking number when we print your shipping label. The Box will have the main SideKit Case at the Top, and bottom will contain your other accessories. A package slip will be included showing the item list from your pledge. 

Shipping Phases

Phase 1.) Fulfillment of the VIP orders (Completed)

Phase 2.) Fulfillment of Remaining Kickstarter Orders (Completing in 15 Days) Currently processing 300-350 orders a week.

Phase 3.) Fulfillment of Indiegogo Orders

Phase 4.) Launching into e-commerce is being analyzed as far as best approach to take.

Next Update

Progress/Shipping update in two weeks on July 22 Plan is to Start Phase #3 on July 24th. Once again we apologize for the long wait, as soon as we get to your order it will be shipped. However it doesn't come prepackaged and some parts include some assembly but we will be working as quickly as possible. Thank you for your time and patience.

Reminder for any address changes, please email [email protected]

Sun Jun 25 '23 Announcement
almost 3 years ago – Sun, Jun 25, 2023 at 08:17:51 AM

Update Summary

Phase#2 Shipping has started which includes the rest of the first campaign orders from Kickstarter. As soon as we finish or we will be moving to our final phase of crowdfunding fulfilment with our Indiegogo campaign. 

Shipments:

You will receive a tracking number when we print your shipping label. The Box will have the main SideKit Case at the Top, and bottom will contain your other accessories. A package slip will be included showing the item list from your pledge. 

Shipping Phases

Phase 1.) Fulfillment of the VIP orders (Completed)

Phase 2.) Fulfillment of Remaining Kickstarter Orders (Started)

Phase 3.) Fulfillment of Indiegogo Orders

Phase 4.) Launch of Website and Direct to Consumer options after Crowdfunding Fulfillment has completed.

Next Update

Progress/Shipping update in two weeks. Once again we apologize for the long wait, as soon as we get to your order it will be shipped. However it doesn't come prepackaged and some parts include some assembly but we will be working as quickly as possible. Thank you for your time and patience.

Reminder for any address changes, please email [email protected]

Tue Jun 13 '23 Announcement
almost 3 years ago – Tue, Jun 13, 2023 at 05:20:24 PM

Update Summary

Products cleared customs and have arrived at our location. We have now entered shipping phase #1.

Product Update:

We have received inventory today and excited to start shipping. This is the very first version and iteration of this product. We will use feedback to make improvements where we can and look forward to continuing our goals of making a community of products that integrate with the SideKit.

Shipments:

You will receive a tracking number when we print your shipping label. As pictured below each SideKit Box will contain the case at the top with your divider and mini storage inside. The bottom will contain your other accessories. Inside your package will be a package slip showing the item list from your pledge. 

Product Notes:

• The divider can be used vertically or turned sideways to fit with card wallet, this was mentioned in a manufacturing update in which card wallet thickness was increased. 

• Backpacks will be compressed for shipping purposes, a quick online search will provide many options to make backpack take back its form, stuffing a regular size pillow in it for a day or two usually works.

Shipping Phases.

• Phase 1.) Fulfillment of the VIP orders (Starting Now)
• Phase 2.) Fulfillment of Remaining Kickstarter Orders
• Phase 3.) Fulfillment of Indiegogo Orders
• Phase 4.) Launch of Website and Direct to Consumer options after Crowdfunding Fulfillment has completed.

Next Update

Progress/Shipping update in two weeks. Once again we apologize for the long wait, as soon as we get to your order it will be shipped. However it doesn't come prepackaged and some parts include some assembly but we will be working as quickly as possible. Thank you for your time and patience.

Reminder for any address changes, please email [email protected]