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

Could you make x kind of meat?

If it isn't already on here it isn't in the plans for the scope of this campaign, sorry! We already have so many goals to meet as it is that if we end up blowing past them all I'll be putting it in to inventory of the current bags, not making even more designs. Maybe some other time!

What happens with extra funds?

I plan to put EVERYTHING made on the backerkit in to making plush. That means increasing the order size for unlocked designs, developing more plush and bags, and keeping Lairbrew operating.

What is campaign exclusive?

At this time there are no campaign exclusive items. Getting anything manufactured requires certain minimums to be met, and more than what was ordered needs to be acquired to account for damaged items, which means I'll be left with a lot of inventory that I can't sell taking up valuable room. Throwing it out would be super wasteful, and giving it away takes a long time and can upset backers who paid for their's. That said the majority of these smaller items (stickers, buttons, pins,) will not be made again so getting them during the campaign is still your best bet to not miss out.

How do I wash and dry these bags?

Ideally by hand, in cold water, and using a mild, bleach-free detergent! Most of these bags are sewn around a porous, foam-like material. Try to submerge as little as possible and only scrub the area that needs it (spot cleaning.) Let them dry in a place with actively moving air and ideally low humidity. I use floor fans for this purpose, and have them set up in a room with a dehumidifier running. The goal is to prevent moisture from being trapped deep in the foam which could lead to all sorts of problems.

What's the general shipping information?

All shipping charges will be calculated based on your address and pledge items. It will be collected in addition to your total pledge amount during pledge management. Shipping materials and handling are both free, and I make no profit on shipping! International backers are responsible for additional fees associated with location/importation. We are not shipping to the EU at this time. General Package Information: Most bags will be shipped in an appropriately sized polymailer. Particularly large orders will be shipped boxed. Packages with only buttons, stickers, or keychains will ship in a padded envelope. All packages ship from IL in the US. Packages will come with tracking. In case of trouble: If you have a problem with your shipment, contact [email protected] and it'll be taken care of! If you got the wrong package, have a missing item, or accidentally received a b-grade item, it will be made right with replacement. I'm happy to fix mistakes with no fuss so please don't be nervous about reaching out! While I often replace missing or damaged packages at my expense, please do not expect me to do so by default. I pack items with sufficient protection and send them out with tracking, which is the best I can do. Beyond that it is out of my control and I'd be taking the hit for someone else. Please consider insurance for your package if you are concerned with these possibilities!

The item I want is not prototyped?

All unlocked items will go in to prototyping nearly immediately at my own expense even before the end of the campaign. I will be selecting from multiple manufacturers for each bag to get an item as close to the concept art as possible. With that said, there is no way to guarantee a bag will not need some changes to be viable for manufacturing. Unprototyped items also will have an impossible to judge timeline. Refunds will not be given based on wait times or differences from concept art (within reason- if a design must be entirely abandoned it will be refunded.) Please only sign on for one of these items if you're willing to see the whole process through!

What are your replacement, return, and refund policies for the campaign?

In general, a charged pledge is final. I won't issue refunds for things outside of my control (ex: your financial situation changing before fulfillment starts, impatience with provided fulfillment timeline within reason, etc.) I'm not a bank to deposit in to and withdraw from at will. The money you give me is going to be spent to make this project happen, not held on to. If there is a problem that I am at fault for, such as goods arriving damaged due to poor packaging or the wrong items being sent, I will replace or refund the item depending on your preference! Generally this is at my expense (unless we're talking very expensive international shipping.) I do often replace missing mail if I'm able to as well, despite that being outside my control. I want people to get their items and be happy with what they receive! Returns are accepted at backer expense for 1 to 1 exchanges, such as deciding you wanted a neon dinosaur 2-bone but you ordered a zebra 2-bone. I'm willing to make that swap with you if you're willing to pay the shipping and there hasn't been a loss of value to the bag you're sending back (ex: sending it back with stains, cut off tags, or with clear signs of use.)

So about those tariffs and all that...?

If something happens to the general cost of manufacturing/import I'll make everything that I actually can afford to with the amount raised. If there's something I can't make that someone has paid money for because it was expected to be unlocked, I'll be providing credit that can be used for produced designs. Baking these potential (and ultimately unpredictable) costs in isn't really reasonable. I'm gonna do everything I can with what I'm given and that's the best any of us can do, really.

What are the rewards to unlock?

Goals are unlocked in the following order: Campaign funds at $4000, Neon Dinosaur 2-Bone Meat Bag unlocks - Met! Neon Dinosaur Haunch Bag unlocks at $7000 - Funded! Zebra Haunch Meat Bag unlocks at $11,000 First Premium Cut Bag unlocks at $15,000 Second Premium Cut Bag unlocks at $19,000 Third Premium Cut Bag unlocks at $23,000 Zebra 2-Bone Meat Bag unlocks at $26,000 T-Bone Steak Mini Bag unlocks at $29,000 Salmon Cut Mini Bag unlocks at $32,000 Fried Egg Mini Bag unlocks at $35,000 Final Premium Cut Bag unlocks at $39,000 If funding continues past the $39K mark all additional money will be going toward Lairbrew plush efforts in a variety of ways, such as increasing the order size for these bags so I can have more stock to get to people at conventions.

Can't find an answer to your questions?