The Campaign is Over, but the Project is just Beginning!
over 2 years ago – Fri, Aug 19, 2022 at 06:44:52 AM

Hello everyone!

Thank you for making this project such a success. Now, it's our turn. But before we get into all that, let's talk about what to expect moving forward. Typically, I would do this in the form of a video update, but there's a ton of information here, and it being spelled out clearly is really a better way to go - and it will allow me to get it out to you faster. So, a word of warning: buckle in, this is a long one. But it's all important info, so please read it.

This update will cover the following topics:

• Fulfillment timeline
• Shipping costs and methods
• Customs fees and taxes for international backers
• Cancellations and refunds
• Important deadlines
• BackerKit survey process
• Wyrmwood gift certificates
• Update schedule

So, lots of stuff to go over. Here we go!

Fulfillment Timeline

Here again is the estimated fulfillment timeline, beginning with the survey/charge dates and continuing through fulfillment. It includes a break for December (things always get really busy for us around then, for some reason). Your assigned wave depends on your Kickstarter backer number - the order in which you backed the project. Roughly the first 500 backers will be shipped first, the next 800 after that, etc. You'll know for sure which wave you're in soon - I'll be sending out an email today or tomorrow to all backers with their specific wave. Your fulfillment wave will also be clearly shown in BackerKit.

Note: these fulfillment dates are estimates on when your order should ship by - that is, if you are in March 2023, your order should ship out by end of day on March 31st, 2023. However, it could ship earlier. More on this below.

Shipping

We released the final shipping figures towards the end of the campaign, which hopefully you've all had time to check out. Here they are, for those of you that just joined the project at the end:

SHIPPING PRICES

United States shipping starts at $28, typically ranges $32-$48

Canada shipping starts at $50, typically ranges $58-$75

UK/Europe shipping starts at $65, typically ranges $70-$85

Australia/New Zealand shipping starts at $95, typically ranges $105-$130

Everywhere Else, shipping starts at $110, typically ranges $120-$150

While nobody likes paying for shipping, there is certainly an element of "getting what you pay for" - we're focusing on UPS services with this project. UPS has been our primary shipping partner for some time, and they offered us the best rates on this project - national postal carriers would have cost a lot more in many cases. In the US, we'll be shipping via UPS Ground, and internationally we're mostly using UPS Worldwide Expedited, which means you won't have to wait very long for your package once it ships, wherever you are.

International Backers: Customs Fees

IMPORTANT: Shipping charges we assess will not include customs fees, Value-Added Tax, brokerate fees or other charges your order may be subject to. One exception to this is the UK, which does require us to collect a 20% VAT charge on their behalf. You'll see this charge clearly marked in BackerKit if it applies to you. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean there can't be other fees.

When importing an item sent from another country, your shipment will be subject to taxes and fees imposed by carriers or your government, generally based on the price of the items in the order, which we are required to accurately list. These taxes and fees are not something we can predict, nor do we have access to them, so it's on you as the importer to be aware of them, since you will be responsible for paying them. I strongly recommend you look into this before your order is shipped. If you refuse to accept the delivery because of the customs fees attached, we will then have to pay to have your order sent back to us. Any refund you request will be reduced to cover that cost, so please, be aware of your nation's policies regarding customs, duties and taxes - these charges can be significant, especially on higher priced items.

Cancellations and Refunds

We know it's a volatile time, and some people have had to cancel for monetary reasons, including due to costs such as the ones I just mentioned. This is understandable, and totally fine! If you need to back out of the project, we'll be happy to give you a full refund of your pledge, as long as you let us know by August 25th (just over a week from now). Just reach out and let us know why you're cancelling, and we'll process the refund right away. After August 25th, refunds to your original payment method will be given, but are subject to a 10% fee. This covers the fees we'll have paid to Kickstarter, Stripe (credit card processing), etc. - fees we cannot recoup. However, if you'd like your refund on a WyrmwoodGaming.com Gift Certificate instead of cash, we'll issue you one reflecting the full amount of your pledge.

Project Survey and Payment Deadlines

We have a pretty aggressive timeline with this project. The survey will go out two weeks after the campaign closes - when the funds are final and transmitted to us - and then backers will have another two weeks to modify their order, add whatever items they like, then have their orders completely locked down. Why so fast, when we're months from fulfillment? Well, unfortunately we have to deal with certain realities as a manufacturer, and we need all the time we can get to ensure this fulfillment remains on track. All the magnets, acrylic and other components we need to manufacture these items, as well as the products we're having made for us - the markers and turn tracker, for instance - all take time to make, and lots of time to ship. We need to get final numbers and place those orders ASAP to be able to get orders to you starting in November - which is a lot closer than it might seem! Thank you for your cooperation in getting us this information fast, so that we can ensure a timely fulfillment for everyone!

One important note: we fulfill using software that tracks our inventory, and compares it to outstanding orders, always prioritizing inventory for the earliest orders. For example, let's say we've got 2,000 Black Walnut Solid Panels built on November 1st. If we only need 1,500 to fulfill every order in the November wave, that means we have 500 Black Walnut Solid Panels that can go to future orders... so the system will let us know. If someone in the January wave orders only 3 Black Walnut Solid Panels... their order will ship early.

For this reason, it's vital that you always provide us your up-to-date shipping address! If you are moving during the fulfillment period, let us know as soon as you know. That way, we can flag your order and be sure to ship it to the right place! Failure to notify us of an address change can result in extra shipping charges, if we need to re-ship or re-direct your order.

LATE RESPONSES

What happens if you miss the two week window and don't fill out your survey on time? Well, at that point you won't have lost your chance to get an item... but you will have lost your spot in line. Late surveys will still be honored and filled, but they'll be effectively bumped to the end of the fulfillment period, alongside the pre-orders, which will remain open until near the end of fulfillment. Basically, there are two kinds of orders - ones we have full information for by our deadline, and can plan for... and the rest. They'll all get filled, but the ones we don't plan for will likely have to wait longer.

BackerKit Walkthrough Video

We'll be getting together a BackerKit walkthrough video shortly to show you how the survey and order confirmation process works. It's pretty simple, but it always helps to get a preview, especially if you've never backed one of our projects before. Expect that to come out next week, prior to the survey release.

Using Wyrmwood Gift Certificates

If you have a WyrmwoodGaming.com Gift Certificate, you will be able to use it to supplement your pledge. Simply answer the survey question in BackerKit in the affirmative, provide your code, and we'll apply the balance to your order prior to charging it. Please understand that we can only apply credit to a balance due (meaning that if you pledged the full amount of your order on Kickstarter, you can't use a certificate to get a partial refund). More details on this will be provided in the walkthrough video.

Update Schedule

Lastly, I wanted to let you know what to expect as far as communication moving forward. You can expect, at the very least, an update on or around the 1st of each month, letting you know how the project is going, typically through a brief video update. We may have more frequent updates - especially right now, since there's a lot of time sensitive stuff to talk about - but, once we settle in, you should get an update at the top of each month. Once we enter the fulfillment phase, in November, that will double, with a mid-month check in around the 15th of each month, to let you know how that month's ship-out is looking. That schedule will remain in place until the end of fulfillment.

Up, Up and Away

This was a lot! Thanks for sticking it out and bearing with me through this. I'll be back next week with the BackerKit video. At this point, I'll be overseeing the project: Bobby had the fun of launching this thing and keeping the train rolling... but now it's my job to bring it into the station. So from here on out, it'll be me running these updates solo, maybe with the occasional special guest. And with that, we're off. I can't wait to see what you're all going to be choosing for your GM Screen... and getting them to you. Thanks for reading, and thanks again for your support.

~ Ed Maranville, VP Crowdfunding for Wyrmwood

What to expect when the campaign ends & shipping prices!
over 2 years ago – Sat, Aug 13, 2022 at 11:15:45 PM

Hello all! We are officially under 48 hours to go and we have some shipping updates!

But first, take a look at this sweet custom screen we made for Death Saves. This screen features a double inlay, including genuine bone 😳. Just experimenting on what future customizations could possibly look like for this system 🤔 

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChIecZIFvBj/?hl=en

Let's talk about shipping. Specifically, shipping prices, now that we've had time to really dig in and gather all the rates.

Shipping Costs

US shipping starts at $28, with typical orders ranging from $32 - $48

Canada shipping starts at $50, with typical orders ranging from $58-$75

UK/Europe - starts at $65, with typical orders ranging from $70-$85

Australia/NZ - starts at $95, with typical orders ranging from $105-$130

Everywhere else - starts at $110, with typical orders ranging from $120-$150

These are where most orders will probably land, but it's important to note that these are not upper limits. Ultimately the cost will depend on weight, so more items means higher shipping. We're sure some of you aren't exactly thrilled by these figures. No one likes paying for shipping... and we hate having to charge it.

But here's the honest truth: the logistics industry was hammered during the pandemic and has never recovered, at least in terms of costs and pricing. It is fundamentally a different world now than it was, and prices reflect that. There is no getting around the fact that shipping has become very expensive. On the plus side, we're using UPS for solid, fast service: UPS Ground in the states, UPS Worldwide expedited elsewhere. We have some good discounted rates, but even at that, these are very heavy, large boxes and it's fundamentally very expensive to ship these around the world. Boxes measure 16" x 14", and some orders will weigh 20 lbs or more. In short, these are big boxes full of solid hardwood.

Our shipping charges reflect our real costs of shipping, labor and materials. Many vendors and stores hide shipping costs in product prices, though Wyrmwood does not. Still, we can see why they do it; consumers have been trained to devalue shipping and expect to pay little or even nothing for it. But the reality is that shipping always costs something - it's never actually free. But we understand that it isn't fun, and may be a hardship for some.

If shipping costs make backing cost-prohibitive, backers can message us on Kickstarter with a request to cancel their pledge for a full refund to their method of payment, anytime between the end of the campaign and end of day August 25th.

Past that point, backers can cancel and receive a gift certificate for their full pledge amount. If they want a refund to their method of payment it will be issued in accordance with our policy, subject to fees to cover our non-refundable Kickstarter and Stripe fees.

I know we already covered the post campaign timeline in the last update, but I'll include it again here for any new backers that haven't looked back at prior updates. Here is what to expect:

Post-campaign Timeline

• First things first: The campaign closes on Monday, August 15th. 
• Pre-orders will open immediately once the campaign ends. Note: pre-orders are NOT for backers, only non-backers. Backers will have the opportunity to order anything and everything they want when... 
•  The Backerkit surveys will be emailed out on August 29th. (two weeks after the campaign closes). There, you'll indicate what products you pledged for, and add to your pledge, if desired.
•  All BackerKit surveys will be LOCKED on September 12th (two weeks after surveys are sent). After this point, no further items can be added to your order.
•  NOTE: It is critical that everyone finalizes their pledge by this deadline! If your order is finalized late, your fulfillment date will be impacted. 
•  All backers with an outstanding balance in BackerKit will be charged September 12th (the same day pledges are locked). This will allow us to have complete production information quickly, so that we can order all necessary materials well ahead of time. More on this soon, in our fulfillment updates.

NOTE: When the campaign ends the "Pledge Now" button will turn into a "Pre-Order Now" button. This is NOT FOR EXISTING BACKERS. This is exclusively for anyone who would like to pledge post-campaign - if you're a backer, you'll get a personal invitation to BackerKit in your email in a couple of weeks. The pre-orders are solely for those that missed it.

In Closing

It has been so much fun bringing a Wyrmwood GM Screen back to life after so many years! Thank you so much to everyone for the overwhelming support 🤯.  From here on out, Ed, the VP of Fulfillment, will be updating you all on a regular basis on the production and fulfillment of everyone's new Game Master Screens! Expect to hear from us again early next week after the campaign closes, when the next phase of the project begins.

Thanks again everyone!

- Ed & Bobby

P.S.

The Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt is an awesome campaign that's in its final few days! It's a book for 5th-edition, with lots of cool peripherals. It's basically Bloodborne, Dark Souls, and Lovecraft meets D&D 😱 . Check it out below if you haven't already.

Almost There! Just FIVE DAYS LEFT!
over 2 years ago – Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 07:55:42 PM

Hello all! We only have a few days left in the campaign - let's talk about what to expect the once the Kickstarter closes!

Post-campaign Timeline

• First things first: The campaign closes on Monday, August 15th. 
• Pre-orders will open immediately once the campaign ends. Note: pre-orders are NOT for backers, only non-backers. Backers will have the opportunity to order anything and everything they want when... 
•  The Backerkit surveys will be emailed out on August 29th. (two weeks after the campaign closes). There, you'll indicate what products you pledged for, and add to your pledge, if desired.
•  All BackerKit surveys will be LOCKED on September 12th (two weeks after surveys are sent). After this point, no further items can be added to your order.
•  NOTE: It is critical that everyone finalizes their pledge by this deadline! If your order is finalized late, your fulfillment date will be impacted. 
•  All backers with an outstanding balance in BackerKit will be charged September 12th (the same day pledges are locked). This will allow us to have complete production information quickly, so that we can order all necessary materials well ahead of time. More on this soon, in our fulfillment updates.

Speaking of Updates... 

I apologize for the lack of excitement in the GM Screen updates. If I can level with you, most of the exciting add-ons I had planned for each week fell through - which is a real bummer. These add-ons most notably included a new and improved Chest of Holding (storage chest of drawers), which we were prototyping. Unfortunately, it didn't come together in time, and we don't want to rush it, or delay things further just to shoehorn it in. So it will have to wait - for now. However, there will be a few other items you'll see in Backerkit that were not on the page... read on (pricing on these items coming soon).

The GM Screen Carrying Case

This canvas bag can hold up to four panels and also features a side pocket for other accessories such as initiative trackers, writing utensils, dice, etc.

Gemstone Dice

We will be offering Gemstone dice in the following stones:

Hex Trays

 Our Hex Trays make the perfect companion for your two way dice tower!

Thanks for all of your support during this campaign, and bearing with us as we adapt to the situation. That's what Kickstarter is all about! While I wish we had more to release, the fact is we don't want to put something in front of you unless a) it's awesome, and b) it's ready for primetime, and we know we can execute it well. I'll check in soon to talk more about the next steps. Until then, keep using our visualizer and planning that dream screen... we're only a few days away from wrapping the campaign, and moving into the next phase of the project! Thanks for joining us.

- Bobby

We are half way there!
over 2 years ago – Sat, Jul 30, 2022 at 09:52:53 PM

Hello all!

We are officially at the half way point of this campaign and we have some add ons and panel options available! I go over everything in the video below:

Cliffnotes

1) Gemstone Display Inserts are available and in the visualizer

2) Michael Alm's Patterned Ply Panels are available and in the visualizer

3) All Final Gemstone Display Inserts will feature an engraved and inked Wyrmwood logo

4) All engravings and inkings on Gemstone Inserts will be consistent with their Dice counterparts

If you want an even closer look at the gems we are using, we reveal them in yesterdays episode of Wyrm Lyfe!

That's all I have for this week! Until the next update :) Thanks everyone!

- Bobby

Gemstone Inserts, Michael Alm, & a Server Crash... 😞
over 2 years ago – Mon, Jul 25, 2022 at 03:33:55 AM

Happy Saturday GM Screen Backers!

I was so pumped to share an update video going over some new insert options and a collab with Michael Alm. Unfortunately, the Wyrmwood Media Server suffered a crash this week and the video was all but lost 😞 .

But fear not! This week we will be able to re-capture and edit everything! Excited for everyone to see, the gemstone inserts came out even better than I imagined! We also get to see the finished version of the Michael Alm Screen. In case you missed it, we made our first veneered version of the Alm screen last week in Wyrm Lyfe - it starts off... rocky lol

In case you haven't checked out Alms technique, how the patterened plywood is created is very interesting. Here are some great videos covering the process!

Apologies for the light content this week, but there will be plenty to jump into before the campaign ends :). 

Hope everyone has a great weekend,

- Bobby