Do we have a space for pre-order/signup threads?

[dartamon]

It so happened that I needed a Rainmaker Galeforce board for a project of mine. Naturally they're impossible to find. So I contacted Curt from KM2 and was able to source his original assets for the boards he used to make (Gabriel, Glacier, Galeforce, original Morlock, unfinished Morlock II) in exchange for a fee.

I'm now at a crossroads - if there is only demand for like 20 boards from friends off the forum, I'll just make them by hand, sell them at a small markup and that will be that. If the demand for the boards is on the order of 100-200 boards, I'd subcontract them to a PCB shop to be made professionally. Either way, I'm only going to do ONE new run of KM2 boards, once they are done, they are done. I'm not ready to take money yet, I just need to gauge the demand with a signup thread. Where do I do that on the new MCB?

[MAr]

Do you want failed airsmiths and angry members? Because that’s how you get failed airsmiths and angry members.

[dartamon]

...what?

[moving_target]

...what?

before the wipe, there was a significant amount of history of failed airsmiths and angry members (a lot of those angry members are still here)

And they all had one thing in common, running preorders.

I am sure you mean well and have every intention of fulfilling these preorders in a timely manner, as did most of them. However life manages to always find a way to start inserting delays and other assorted things, and before you know it, it's been 12 years and five lawsuits later...

[dartamon]

Interesting. So does that mean that pre-orders are no longer a thing on MCB?

[glaman5266]

These guys aren't saying these things to be jerks. They're saying it out of genuine concern. Something like custom work is a huge undertaking- sometimes more than what many think they're signing up for. A lot of people have been burned in the past.
I'm not trying to be a dick (apologies if you think I am) & I'm not telling you to not do it, as I have no stake in this matter, so I'll just leave it at that.

[Number six]

I've got a similar situation. I have products to be made, but I'm gambling on how well they'll sell. As has been stated, preorders usually hit the Wall of Murphy. Something delays production, someone gets into a life situation, not enough people send money to get it rolling, et cetera.
I've decided on a price for my things, and I'll have to get as many made as it takes to turn a profit at that price. The end has to justify the means, after all.

[Danny72]

I've got a similar situation. I have products to be made, but I'm gambling on how well they'll sell. As has been stated, preorders usually hit the Wall of Murphy. Something delays production, someone gets into a life situation, not enough people send money to get it rolling, et cetera.
I've decided on a price for my things, and I'll have to get as many made as it takes to turn a profit at that price. The end has to justify the means, after all.

What sort of product??.....maybe this thread can now be the spit ball tread

[Jordan]

I'd buy a Galeforce board, depending on price and time frame.

You'll find a lot of interest depends on price, and if you have 30 people interested, maybe 8 will follow through.

Everybody has been right about pre order history on here, though... usually doesn't end well. Punisher, Noxx55, the guy with the H8R, Scarecrow, even Mad Customs... I'm sure there's stuff around on the 'Net about them.

[dartamon]

Ok, so it sounds like this is going to be "hand-make for myself and friends" scale.

[Jordan]

I think a Mini Morlock would be in higher demand, personally... especially for Rainmakers, the **** battery might actually fit in the frame finally.

[Number six]

What sort of product??.....maybe this thread can now be the spit ball tread

I'm keeping it under wraps until I have something in my hands to sell, just in case it comes to naught.

OP, I suggest making as many as you feel like making, take care of your friends, keep however many you want, post some leftovers up for sale, and see how they do.

[Nish]

From the BST rules:

11) Nobody may post a preorder that requires money down by the customers with out approval by the Admin. You may post interest threads but not actually sell something you do not posses or cannot ship in a week. This is against Paypals TOS and now against MCB rules.

To get or apply for approval send your proposal to any mod and we'll put it up in the Mods only section for discussion. Please include pricing information, a time line for completion, and a method for refunds in the case of a failure to complete in a timely manner. If you have completed past projects please include links to them in your proposal.


Amplifying details,

Mod approved means the staff has been asked by an airsmith or manufacturer or to allow a pre-order of a certain item. We look at recent projects and feedback for the individual and try to determine if they can manage the job in a timely manner. With that being said there is still no protection or guarantee of completion of the job, it is up to you as the consumer to decide if it is worth the risk of your money. The staff at MCB is not responsible if an approved pre-order doesn't work out, it means at the time of application the requested order appeared to be a feasible project.

MCB 's policy with all sales has always been "caveat emptor" let the buyer beware.


That said my suggestion would be to feel free to talk here about your wants, needs and projects but in todays day and age the best way to do this seems to be one of the crowd funding platforms.

[Grendel]

Yup, if you do not have the resources of your own to do a larger build without potential buyers ponying up I would recommend looking into a crowd funding platform. Then you can use your MCB contacts/posts to talk about the work....etc but point them to the crowd funding platform.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Ok, so it sounds like this is going to be "hand-make for myself and friends" scale.

yeah no problem at all doing it that way, keeps it simpler. thats got to be way better than trying to arrange pre orders and money and shipping and all the BS.

[BenoitOWN]

Make the pre-order money go to Painthappy, he will put it toward a funds with dividends so if you fail to make the product in a timely manner he refunds and then there a money pot. :P