BackerKit FAQ
How does BackerKit crowdfunding work?
Crowdfunding is a collaborative way to bring ideas and projects to life. Project creators post their idea for a project, and backers pledge money to make the project possible. Backers get behind the scenes access and backer-only rewards, which can include exclusive products, special pricing, creative input, content, and more.
To become a backer, select a pledge level that features the reward(s) you would like to receive when the project is successfully completed and make your contribution.
All-or-nothing crowdfunding model: The creator sets a funding goal and a deadline to raise funds. If the project does not meet the goal by the deadline, backers credit cards are not charged and no money changes hands.
Crowdfunding projects can happen at various stages of the creative process. Make sure to check the estimated timeline of when rewards will be delivered. Project creators will keep you updated on the progress toward completion and delivery of your rewards.
Backing a crowdfunding campaign is not the same as purchasing an item from a store. When you back a campaign you are supporting the creation of something new. Rewards are almost always delivered, but are not guaranteed.
When will I be charged for my pledge?
Your payment method will not be charged right away. You will be charged for the amount of your pledge when the campaign ends and the project reaches its funding goal. You will not be charged if the campaign does not reach its funding goal.
What happens after the campaign is over?
The Creator will send out a survey that will ask you for more information about your pledge, your shipping information, additional items you may want to add to your pledge, and collect shipping fees if applicable.
The survey will be sent to the email address we have on file with your pledge.
Any additional payment will be charged when you complete your survey and confirm your order.
Project FAQ
How does this whole project work?
During the campaign, you choose a pledge level for the number of rewards you want. For example '1 pin' or '3 pins'. You will not pay anything just yet, or make your exact selections. Only once the campaign ends *and* I’ve hit my funding goal does your card get charged for your pledge reward(s). (If I don’t hit my goal, you will not be charged anything.) Then, post-campaign, here's what the steps look like: 1. You will receive a survey ~2 weeks after the campaign ends. This is your chance to select the design of your pin and/or sticker choice(s), as well as add-on any extras. Shipping charges will also be added at this stage so that you know what charge is coming. 2. I send the designs into production! 3. The cards on file will be charged for add-ons and/or shipping + last chance to update your address. 4. Rewards get shipped out and we all celebrate!
How does the sticker poll work?
We love audience participation over here! SO- the freebie sticker (for backers who pledge in the first 48 hours) will be chosen by the backer community! You can vote for the Beaver or the Sloth up until Saturday March 30th at 12pm PDT. At that point the winner will be chosen. The winning design will be both the freebie sticker AND the only unlocked design (so far!) available for purchase as an add-on. Which ever design is *not* chosen of the two becomes the first stretch goal! So if your top choice wasn't voted in, be sure to pledge anway. Once that first stretch goal is reached, you'll be able to choose from BOTH sticker designs later on in the survey.
What are stretch goals/ how do they work?
You can think of stretch goals as unlocking levels in a video game. The more money we raise together beyond the initial funding goal, the more fun stuff we can make happen. It’s like a big community thank you hug for collectively taking us to new heights and making it rain (i.e. paying for more production and stuff). There are two stretch goals: >> $575: Unlocks Sticker Design Two >> $650: Unlocks Sticker Design Three (a secret mystery design!) The first sticker design will be chosen by a community poll, and that design will be available no matter what. But if we hit the first stretch goal, you will have both animal designs (beaver and sloth) to choose from! And if we hit the second stretch goal, you will get to choose from both of those designs AND a third mystery design... which will be unveiled then!
Shipping
Shipping is NOT included in the price of your pledge and/or add-on item(s). I know we all live in the world of Amazon Prime but shipping is not inherently free my friends. To get these cute little goodies in your hands requires some trains, planes, and automobiles from across the globe. That said, I will do everything I can to get the cheapest possible rates. Note that shipping is NOT charged at the same time as your pledge! When the campaign ends, if I have hit my funding goal your card will be charged immediately for your initial pledge only. Later when you receive the survey to make your design choices and/or add any additional items, the shipping charge will be listed. Shortly after that, your card will be charged for shipping and/or any add-ons. This means you will end up with two (2) separate charges: 1. Your initial pledge 2. Your shipping and/or add-ons
When will I be charged?
When the campaign ends, if I have hit my funding goal your card will be charged immediately for your initial pledge only. Note that shipping is NOT charged at the same time as your pledge! Later when you receive the survey to make your design choices and/or add any additional items, the shipping charge will be listed. Shortly after that, your card will be charged for shipping and/or any add-ons. This means you will end up with two (2) separate charges: 1. Your initial pledge: within 24 hours of the campaign ending 2. Your shipping and/or add-ons: several weeks later For the charge #2, you will receive an email alerting you that cards will be charged in the next couple of days, both as a reminder, and in case you need to edit your card details.
Refund Policy
There are no refunds for initial campaign pledges, or add-ons selected during the campaign. My funding goal is based on order minimums, and canceled orders after the campaign has concluded could negatively impact production. I appreciate your understanding and willingness to commit!
What is the timeline / when will I get my rewards?
Below is an *estimated* timeline of the campaign and fulfillment: March 28th - Campaign Starts April 18th - Campaign Ends and backers are charged May 2nd - 5th - BackerKit surveys sent out May 16th - BackerKit surveys locked down and charged for shipping costs June 6th - Final quantities and drafts are sent to the manufacturer 6-10 Weeks - Pin and merchandise manufacturing period Late July - Early August - Fulfillment and shipping begins. While I will make every attempt to stick to this timeine, it IS subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. These include but are not limited to manufacturing delays, customs issues, acts of god, the government shutting down because adults can't cooperate, an occasinal ADHD spiral, or Mercury in Gatorade. Please note that while I expect (and hope!) to begin shipping by early August, this doesn't mean you will receive your package immediately at that time. I'm a one-human show, and depending on the total amount of backers (paired with my detail-obsessed Capricorn nature to triple-check everything), the fulfillment period can last several weeks. I appreciate your patience!
How do I find out what projects I’ve pledged to?
Check out this help doc on how to locate your pledges for Pintopia 2024: https://help.backerkit.com/article/824-how-do-i-find-out-what-projects-i-ve-pledged-to
How do I get free pins during Pintopia 2024?
Check out this help doc to find out how to receive FREE pins for Pintopia 2024: https://help.backerkit.com/article/821-how-do-i-get-free-pins-during-pintopia-2024
What do FREE Pintopia 2024 Pins look like?
Check out this help doc to find out what the FREE pins look like for Pintopia 2024: https://help.backerkit.com/article/822-what-do-free-pintopia-2024-pins-look-like