A survey is something that Backerkit (the wonderful company we are using to facilitate this campaign) uses to collect your shipping and payment information. We send this out closer to the delivery date for a few reasons. One, since pre-orders take time, you might have changed addresses during the 5 months you were patiently waiting for your new Mashable. It also gives you the opportunity to add-on any additional fun things for your order like an extra plushie or another coloring book because who wants to share? Not us! If you have questions with how to fill out your survey, both Backerkit and us over at Meg's Mashables are here to help!

If you haven't received your survey there are a few reasons as to why. One, we haven't sent them out yet (we will be sending them out around Feb 25th). Two, we don't have the correct email address for you. Not a problem! Reach out to Backerkit or us over at Meg's Mashables with your name and order number (if you have access to it) and we will resend the survey to the correct email address. Or three, you backed the campaign and used Apple's secret purchase thing where it creates weird email (they do this so you don't get spammed by companies that you buy online). This is great in theory, but then we can't get a hold of you. :') So make sure we have the correct email address! If you need help please reach out to Backerkit and we'll help you out!

When you backed the campaign, you paid for whatever pledge tier and add-ons, the cost of shipping is charged when we send out surveys. We do this to help spread out the costs for you as a backer and it also helps us on the back end. You can see the full explanation of the shipping policies on the main campaign page under "Shipping"

There is a process with surveys that help with this. We send them out, then have a window of time where you can click the link we sent your to fill out your survey and edit it. Once we "lock" the surveys, you won't be able to change your address (you can still reach out to us and change the address as long as we haven't shipped out yet, we just have to do it on our end). After "locking" the surveys, we will then charge your card on file for the shipping/tax/additional add-ons. If your card is declined, we will send more emails notifying you and attempt to recharge the card every few days until it is resolved. If you have any further questions, reach out to Backerkit and we will help you there!

If the Snurtle & Cacthog Project is fully funded, once we receive the final funds from Backer Kit we will place the order with Squishable. Their production time is 4-6 months and once the plushies arrive at Mashables HQ, shipping and processing should take another few weeks or so. We're aiming to have orders shipped out in APRIL 2025 and will provide updated and transparency with everyone along the way!

Our main risk and challenge with this project is time, especially given the logistics of manufacturing and shipping during these global times. We will do our part to keep Backers informed on the Project Timeline and expectations. For this project, we have already completed the Planning & Prototype phases for the plushies. After we receive the final funds from Kickstarter, we will finalize the order with our manufacturer and begin production. The factory has a 4-6 month turnaround with production. Once complete, the freight will travel across the Pacific to Georgia where we will begin packaging and shipping individual orders, which will also take additional time.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS: Meg's Mashables is dedicated to being as eco-conscious as possible. Using companies like EcoEnclose for shipping materials, and noissue for paper goods, we strive to continue to find ways to limit our footprint on the planet. REUSABILITY & RECYCLABILITY: All materials these plushies will be shipped in are either post-consumer, compostable, reusable and/or recyclable, in most areas. LONG LASTING DESIGNS: Our plushies are well-made by a reputable manufacturer. They are durable and machine washable, increasing their lifespan significantly.

We work with SQUISHABLE to create our plushie products https://squishable.com/pages/about-us It is very important that we make sure we KNOW where our product is coming from and who's making them. We chose Squishable because they have very high standards for the factories they work with. "We purposely use factories with strict requirements and track records - it's one of the reasons our products are a bit more pricey than some others. We ourselves visit all of our factories on a regular basis (though I am so sad we haven't been in a year due to Covid :( ), and we also use a third party firm who does frequent unannounced checks to make sure that everyone is adhering to international labor and safety standards. Our checklist, which, among many other topics, includes any evidence of child labor, making sure there are fair overtime practices, and comfortable work conditions, is hundreds of items long. We've walked away from entire factories because it looked like there was a small chance they might fail even a single one of them. Many custom clients choose to work with us specifically because we care about the ethics and safety of our factory workers so much and have such good relationships with our teams in Asia. From a safety standpoint, all of our production runs are tested by independent, internationally recognized safety and quality assurance testing firms (primarily Intertek Group plc and UL Verification). Products are tested to ensure that they comply with or exceed standards set by state, federal and international safety regulations (e.g., ASTM Toy Safety Specifications, US CSPC Regulations, California Prop 65, Canada Product Safety Act, and many others). These tests include physical and mechanical assessments to ensure general safety under ASTM and other standards, flammability testing under various federal regulations, and chemical composition tests to ensure compliance with a number of national regulations and standards. I've seen some of these tests at work - it's pretty cool! Individual shipments from our production facilities undergo additional Quality Assurance testing by a second testing firm to ensure adherence to internal quality and safety standards. Quality Assurance testing includes steps such as metal detection and "pull" tests to ensure all parts are secured as required. All our factories are ICTI-certified to ensure safe and ethical working conditions for all employees. Thanks so much for caring about such an important topic and I hope this helps!" -Sam Director of Art & Design at Squishable.

Yes! Hand wash is recommended to prolong the lifespan, but these plushies are machine washable and come with proper care and washing instructions on the tag.

No. Shipping and package tracking are handled separately by Backerkit once the project is fully funded. You will receive an update and will be charged shipping separately before your pledge ships to you. We will be sure to keep you updated on this process!

If this Backerkit Project reaches its funding goal, you will be charged when the campaign ends for the tier/amount you pledged on that day. Once we are ready to process and ship orders, Backerkit will send out a survey to fulfill shipping and you will be charged shipping separately (this will happen closer to the expected shipping date, likely around April 2025).

OMGoodess you're so sweet!! The Meg's Mashables' Site has tons of merch: www.megsmashables.com Additionally, there's the Mashie Club on Patreon which includes monthly subscriptions with various tiers that deliver awesome merch to your door every month! WOW! www.patreon.com/megsmashables