ragboy wrote:Ceronomus wrote:Fritz, I hope they deliver. I also hope they have come to realize that a year and a half late doesn't even begin to approach acceptable. Seeing the PDFs up for sale on RPG Now, and still no hard copies after all this time is pretty frustrating, bordering on infuriating. It is great that they are still adding adventures as rewards for tardiness, but just shipping out what is due would probably satisfy most folks.
John will make good on his obligations. In the grand scheme of things, though, does it really matter all that much if it's a bit late? We have the PDFs, the hard copies are making their way out to folks. If I had gone through what he has over the last year, I think I would still be in bed with the covers over my head. I don't know... maybe I have a different perspective.
It was a horrible year. No doubt about it. Had he been telling people that things were delayed and weren't going out, that would be one thing. Instead though, he has repeatedly said things were shipping, when they weren't, has put hard copies out for sale in stores, and has the PDFs up for sale online. So, the people who funded everything? 18 months late... let's let that sink in for a minute.
I don't think anyone here doesn't feel sorry for the tragedies that have befallen John. They are terrible, horrific, things that nobody should ever have to confront. However, when the person involved continues to LIE and intentionally deceive his backers, one has to wonder what else is going on.
*The first rewards shipment was "going out" in November 2012 (as per John on Nov 4, 2012)
*The first TWO modules were to begin shipping "next week" (as per John on May 30, 2013) - 6 MONTHS after the initial shipment was reported to be going out.
*All shipments down to the $20 level to be completed in two weeks (as per John on June 15, 2013)
*Apologizes for print versions being in stores before backers have them, shipping now "on track" (As per John on Oct 8, 2013)
*Sending out the FIRST shipment (as per John on Oct 25, 2013), nearly a YEAR after first reporting that it was shipped, 5 months after the second reporting of shipping, 4 months after all shipments were to have been completed, and three weeks after they were "on track"
*First shipment still "going out" (as per Jon on Nov 12, 2013)
*Should have 50% of orders shipped by "next week" (as per John on Dec 5th, 2013)
*Should have 150 more shipments out next week (as per John on Dec 26, 2013) - Final Update
John is not a good businessman. He may be a really nice guy, and is certainly a man who has had more of his share of troubles over the past year. However, what I see is his friends enabling and excusing his behavior. This business model of taking money, repeatedly lying, and never shipping is not a solid one. It reflects poorly on him and, by proximity, those associated with the project. That isn't wholly fair, but that's how it works. It makes me leery of ALL DCC third party publishers. Keep lying to your customers and they get REALLY pissed off.
I run my own business. If I ran it like this? I'd be flipping burgers. If you cannot meet shipping deadlines? You TELL your customers what has come up and why. One does NOT simply keep ignoring those promises while piling on new ones later. Treat your customers well and you build up loyalty. Treat your customers poorly and, no matter how good the product is, you will have less support and vocal critics.
Take a look at Goodman Games. Joseph Goodman offered to issue refunds to John's customers, out of his own pocket. Goodman Games, again, goes above and beyond to support its fanbase, players, customers, third party publishers, and friends. Goodman Games goes to the other extreme of things, treating people better than anyone could expect. Goodman? They get my money as fast as I can shovel it to them. Goodman Games doesn't take the "High Road" because, quite frankly, where they are going "they don't need roads". They blaze a trail.
The difference between how these two entities communicate and treat their customers could not be any more stark. One repeatedly lies to its customers, one bends over backwards. Only one of these is a model for long term success.
So yes, people are angry, and they have every right to be angry. Perhaps people should stop enabling John by trying to cover for him. When someone takes extra money to help defray additional and unexpected shipping costs, they are rather expected to ship something.
