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
I'm new to Backerkit. What is going on here?
Backerkit is a 'crowdfunding' site - a place that allows artists and creative people to pre-sell items that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to fund having made otherwise. In case of detailed custom pins like ours, they need to be ordered in large quantities, costing 10s of 1000s of dollars. This format lets us figure out what people want in advance and order pins to fill those orders. By helping us get the items made, we offer you a nice discount off the normal retail price per pin ($25-35 each). When you purchase something from us on Backerkit (by choosing a tier in the 'Pledge Levels' campaign tab or on the right side scrolling list, you are agreeing to buy an item (or items) and we will make them, update you about their progress (via email), and mail them when they are finished, along with some thank you freebies for your patience and support. You're basically an earlybird and patron of the arts, allowing for creative work to be made by being an early funder, and getting some special perks and discounts from us in return.
How do I pick which pins (or stickers, earrings, etc.) I want? I don't see the option here.
Don't worry, you will be asked for your exact choices later. When the campaign ends on closes on June 5th, then your card will be charged for your pledge. Soon after (it takes about 2 weeks for me to get the final data about pledges), we will send out a survey via email and there you get to pick which pins or items you want! That way you get a choice from anything that gets unlocked/becomes available all in one place at the end of the project.
Can I pick pins from the previous campaigns for my pledge?
The pledges here are for the current project only, but all backers will get access to an add-on shop (which lets you pick from a wider variety of items with combined shipping) which will offer all of last year's pins, pendants, and earrings at a discount, so if there are any you are missing or want more of you'll have that chance to add them after this campaign closes!
For the 5 pin sets, can I choose my own pins/substitute pins?
The 5 pin sets come packaged together as a group, so substitutions are not allowed. Individual replacements would be way to hard for us to track and make sure there were no mistakes during fulfillment at this scale, and we want to make sure your order is exactly right! There are 10 and 20 pin tiers where you can choose all the individual pins and make your own set if you like. Thank you for understanding.
Are all the pins available as earrings or pendants? What are those choices?
There are four potential pendant options that can unlock if they meet their funding goals ("stretch goals") - Blue Jay, Red-Tailed Hawk, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, and Red-Crowned Crane. They are shown on the campaign with necklace chains and are described as pendants. The same goes for earrings - the available options are shown as earrings and labeled as such. With some creativity and crafting skill, people have previously converted pins into pendants on their own but they don't come that way as an option here unless specifically listed as a pendant or earrings.