Monday's Update #4
Hi everyone,
This is a though update we have to write to you today. There will be a lot to say, it is gonna be a long one, but also necessary. Please read everything before adding comments.
So, first thing to say : We’ve everything to show you here. The report of the bailiff and the answers to the questions he couldn’t certify.
But we also have a sad, sad news : We’re not so sure anymore we’ll be able to deliver in November. We don’t talk about a long delay, at least not in months anymore, but probably countable in weeks. This won’t be a long one as it used to be. We promised you we’d be entirely honest with you, so we decided to accept the fact that we’re once again late on schedule. We’re close to the end and it’s only a matter of weeks or so. But it won’t be November, as we stated. When the bailiff visited us in August, we were truly honest with him, explaining everything in details, as we’ve promised it to you. That’s why we couldn’t certify to him we were 100% sure we’ll start delivering in November. That explains why he wrote that the delivery won’t be starting in November, as he couldn’t certify it.
From this time, we’ve worked harder and harder on the prototype, contacted the subtractors, put a lot into place, and it’s already a lot more advanced. Things are improving each day. And we do our best to deliver you the best product ever, the soonest we can.
We have to tell you something. We believe some of you think this is not important to us, that we’re fooling you. Absolutely not. This is the only thing we think about 14 hours a day. For Charlee & Thomas, this is the beginning of their careers, it’s even more important. The 3 of us are fully committed to this project.
Launching this Kickstarter campaign, we couldn’t imagine it would take proportions like these. It was a completely different setup at this time.
Now, with all the pre-orders and the retailers that we have to furnish, we’re talking about 100.000 units to produce in a month. Our production will consist in 63 workers assembling 1 unit every 6 minutes. Talking about 8 hours a day – 20 working days in a month. It will represent 150 units per pallet, so one semi-trailer each day. That’s a massive production that we had to plan. Massive orders to the subtractors, massive hiring, …
Another important thing to point out is that we want it to be close to us, here in Belgium. We want to hire here, we want to be able to control the production closely. We have to find a building, buy the amenities, and so on.
But our promise doesn’t change : you, dear backers, will be the first ones delivered. No one will have Slidenjoy before you. If this amazing adventure has been possible, it’s thanks to you. We’ll never forget that. We know we owe you everything.
We know words are nonsense at this point. You don’t want us to talk, you want us to act. And it asks a lot of bravery to confront you and say we’re not ready yet, after all this work we’ve already done, and all the time it took us. It’s disappointing, even more for us than for you, but our wish is to deliver to you a great product, truly, it takes time, more than we expected, and even our enthousiasm can’t cope with the work that still has to be done. We truly hope you’ll still wait a bit with us, even if we know we’re asking a lot from you.
At this point, we know that getting the product won’t even fully satisfy you. That’s why we wanted to add something, as a compensation, to thank you for the wait and apologise (once again) for the delay. We’ll upgrade every order : people who ordered the single will receive the Twins (same edition as they choose for the Single version), people who ordered a Twins ABS will receive a Twins Premium, and so on. We’ll make a survey to know which model of the upgraded category you’d wish to receive. And for the ones who already went for the Twins in Limited edition, please contact us in private, we’ll arrange something for you !
No more talking for now, let’s show you what we get here.
First, here’s a link to download the full FAQ, with our answers :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzNWi1-lE-PMTE1oNFU0RmQ5ekk/view?usp=sharing
(We’ve put it in a download platform because it is a bit long and will charge the update A LOT. Don’t hesitate to read it, a lot of your frequent questions has been answered by the team, and we hope it clarifies some things.)
We’d like to insist on the fact that our finances are good. We’ve already sold for 1.2 Millions of Euros since the end of the Kickstarter Campaign, and this money is blocked on PayPal and we won’t use it for anything else than the production.
Here’s the report of the bailiff (original in French) :
And here’s the translation in English : https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzNWi1-lE-PMX2RxcGxhZHl6Wnc/view?usp=sharing
(Again, trying not to charge the update too much.)
LAST POINT: We’ve read some of you wanted to come to meet us – and we’re truly open to that ! We have nothing to hide and maybe a face-to-face discussion will be more productive than written updates, at least with those we can meet. Just let us know – would be easier by PM – when you’d like to come and we’ll try to arrange something. We would love to see you soon, to show you that there are no reasons to worry, about this project, that this is late but still coming, and that there’s no scam behind that. Remember our team works in Acoz, in Belgium. This is not easily reachable by public transport, but we can also arrange something about that.
We’re here to answer all your questions.
Slidenjoy Creator 2 days ago
To everyone:
We're working on a truly complete update that will show everything that's asked by you, backers.
If it's our last chance to earn back some of your trust, we want to make it right.
We'll be back on our feet in a few days.
Mr P 2 days ago
@MIB -- hear hear. One of the questions for the bailiff was - is there a project plan? But no mention of that in his report. Many, many times backers have asked for the basic highlights and milestones to be shared- but we get nothing. Nor any plausible or sensible explanation. Such is the disdain for backers, they've known about the delay for at least a couple of months, and have said nothing. It is pathetic.
@Creator - Laurent's experience means the finished product will hopefully end up in a nice box. The manufacture of packaging does not give you the skills needed to manufacture consumer electronics. Nor, apparently, does it give you the skills required to manage a project. If you want proof that you cannot manage a project look at your results to date - there is still no working prototype.
Spin, spin and more spin. It is beyond pathetic.
MIB 2 days ago
The positive move from Slidenjoy for regular updates is now being filled with no real hardcore information. As mentioned in the last post, there is NO real explanation as to why there has been a delay. To say there will be a few weeks delay is just a nice way of saying there will be a 2-3 month delay. No mention of when the new delivery target will be, which is strange as other projects, not only say why there will be a delay in detail, but give us some idea when the new delivery date will likely happen.
Still no video, even though we've been told they've had it for some weeks. It only takes a few minutes to make a video with a smartphone! Patents/design leaks is in my opinion, is just an excuse and there are workarounds in any case.
And the defensive comments from the creator suggests that they don't want any negative comments. But, as an experienced Kickstarter backer, Slidenjoy IS the only project where they haven't shown their project plan, shown their product during the development stages and regular updates up until a few months ago. And then they wonder why people are criticising them.
Kickstarter is NOT a shop! It's a platform to raise money to get products/ideas from concept to production. The creator's responsibility is to provide detailed updates with project plans which have timelines and pictures/videos of the latest products at each stage. If Kickstarter was a shop, then yes, we give you money, you promise delivery and then we wait without a project plan detail etc etc, but it isn't
So please, stop being defensive and vague and do what other projects are doing on Kickstarter. We want to be involved. To see what is happening and updated on each step. At the moment, there are still too many questions and not enough answers. Again, I have NO issue with delays as long as a good reason is given and the rest as described above.
Kim Covil 3 days ago
So you are now *expecting* to deliver in early 2017? Another at least 3 month delay considering you will have the Christmas and New Year period in there.... and yet you still thought you were on track to start delivering in November when you posted a message on 12 September? Either something large and unexpected happened, or you have realised you have completely underestimated something you should have already known about.
As others have said, if you really mean that you want to be transparent with us (all evidence to the contrary) then show us your project plan with the remaining milestones to be met and dates, as well as dependencies that you haven't yet secured.
Ryan Crisp 4 days ago
@Rob - I may not be an investor but I am an ENGINEER. This project is being run completely off the rails from a credibility/capability standpoint with the complete lack of transparency with respect to technical progress and details. I honestly still think that this could likely be a scam as they've shown near nothing in terms of progress in actual, tangible technical progress.
I don't particularly care about the timeline or skipped deadlines, I do still have strong feelings that they aren't actually developing anything - and they certainly have not proven me otherwise. The "Baliff" report does nothing for me as they could likely have easily fooled a non technical person by ripping a few displays apart, a USB hub, and a few renderings of mechanical work.
It's fine to be lenient with respect to deadlines - it's an entirely different thing to be ignorant with respect to the actual progress and work demonstrated.
Adrian Wolf 4 days ago
How does the offered upgrade affect the "personalized" option? I remember submitting 3 separate pictures that was an option -- and not picking a colour at all in the survey. I hope that is still on track for inclusion.
vetea 5 days ago
Quelle mauvaise nouvelle d'apprendre que mon slidenjoy ne me sera pas livré pour Novembre !
Il est vrai que je m'impatiente à l'idée de le recevoir et c'est vrai que vous auriez dû nous faire part de vos doutes quant à la livraison improbable du mois de Novembre.
Je trouve par contre bien de votre part d'effectuer un upgrade de l'ensemble des commandes comme lot de compensation pour le désagrément, et je vous en remercie.
Bon courage pour la dernière ligne droite, continuez de nous donner des news régulièrement avec les bonnes mais avec les mauvaises nouvelles aussi car cela nous permettra de finir ce parcours avec vous, et non contre vous.
PS : Bon rétablissement à Laurent
Slidenjoy Creator 5 days ago
@Kim Covil: We keep most of the information (technical mostly) secret because we know that when it will be outed, a lot of people will copy Slidenjoy, and we'd like to keep a bit of advance here. Regarding the bailiff, see my answer to @MIB right under your comment.
Kim Covil 5 days ago
Good to finally see this update. Disappointing to have been lied to again when you had told the bailiff in August that you would not be able to deliver in November yet were still telling us that all was on track still. Also, disappointing to still not have the video of the final prototype. Your answers to the questions are still evasive. I do not understand why you need secrecy around which DisplayLink choose you are using.
Slidenjoy Creator 5 days ago
@MIB: As said in the update, we weren't sure in August, but we were still trying to deliver in November. We've told the bailiff about the uncertainty, that's why he wrote this. But we were still optimistic. Until now, when we had to admit it became impossible. We still do our best to make this delay as short as possible. And expect it early 2017. Delivering the retailers in April is still a target we have to reach, and we want you to have it (way) before them.
@Patrick Woehl: Believe us, you wouldn't have been happy with our original plan. We don't delay this product by pleasure, we have good reasons to keep working on it.
@Michael Winter: Just send us a PM, I'll make the change!
@Rob Holbrook: Thank you. Of course delays shouldn't be the norm. But we know it is for the best. Thanks again for your support!
Rob Holbrook
Superbacker
5 days ago
People are so childish living like millennials thinking that things on here backed are to be delivered on expectation dates for instant gratification. I have backed over 50 projects and only 1 has been delivered on time. Some as long as 3 years delayed. You are giving money to an idea that is grown and developed in front of you. Don't you understand this before you invest your monies? Not real smart if not. I appreciate the transparency and when it arrives it will be appreciated. Some people just are not entrepreneurs and simply don't understand. Thanks guys!
Michael Winter 5 days ago
What if our laptop/screen size changed?
Patrick Woehl 5 days ago
Honestly I don't really know why I bother checking the updates on this project anymore. I backed it over a year ago, This is the third deadline that has been given without there being any real physical evidence of a working product. In your campaign you claimed to have everything worked out, a working prototype, manufacturer, but simply needed the funds to get it off the ground. Then you got too big for your shoes and began expanding and trying to promote your product everywhere and anywhere, not to mention all of the changes that have happened to the product. I don't know what the hell happened in between then and now, but you really should have just went with your original plan, produced the slidenjoys based on your prototype and fulfilled the original orders. At least then the people would have had a product they could actually use and review on. If it was a solid (not perfect, just solid) then people would be more enticed to purchase a the next generation slidenjoy with all the new bells and whistles that you are doing now. At least then you would have real consumer feedback on the model along with actual word of mouth to promote the brand. I'm a pretty patient individual, but a bloody year is my limit!
MIB 5 days ago
I would say that the report from the bailiff was dated August 17th and clearly stated then that the delivery target of November was not possible, yet up until September 12th, we were told everything was on track. So, it doesn't give confidence when your update is contradicted by the bailiff.
Anyway, what is the target delivery month as it stands today? December, January or February?
Marco Rossi 5 days ago
Good luck! You have one patient backer here.
Slidenjoy Creator 5 days ago
To everyone: we do understand your concerns. You already have some proofs that the product is real: the bailiff reports clearly that we are working on it, first. We'll post soon other evidences.
Thanks to everyone for your patience and kind words!
Harold berens 5 days ago
Great update and stay focused through the process
LSP 5 days ago
That was a good update. Thank you for the honesty.
Like many backers, I found the earlier silence off-putting. But it was the updates of "hey, we're on TV / here's our interview / more promotion" that made it annoying. While that's nice for the guys as it's part of the experience and growing the business as a whole, as a backer it's like 'hey, shouldn't you be busy either communicating with me or figuring the project out'?
That felt like a highly preventable comms disaster. I would like to think/hope that the Kickstarter community could take the setbacks, when founders are more upfront.
Anyhow, long-winded way of saying thanks, for just coming out with it.
Also, I very much appreciate the decision about upgrades. Thank you.
And, for what it's worth, I'd rather get more updates like this one (about delays) than get a wonky product.
Keep going, guys. And please, no more promo work updates ;-) Ever.
MIB 5 days ago
Okay, you say several weeks delay. So do you have a target when you expect to start delivery i.e. January, February etc
Also, when will a video be released of the prototype that you received 1 to 2 weeks ago? This will show us proof of the product and for me is the most important part. Delays, I'm used to on Kickstarter, but not seeing any evidence of the product in some detail is NOT normal, especially at this stage of projects.
Thomas 5 days ago
@creator just one thing, show us footage of the prototype. Now.
Slidenjoy Creator 5 days ago
@Olivier G. : Merci, ces mots nous font chaud au coeur. Nous sommes certains qu'à terme, cette expérience ne sera que positive. Nous mettons tout en oeuvre pour!
@MrP: We're already surrounded by the best engineers we've found, and they do a great job - it just takes time. Regarding the production, this is something Laurent has quite a lot of experience into, and also a lot of contacts in the field. We have a whole team working full time on the project, and launching the production is our top priority!
@nathanrutherfordphoto: It's coming. (We know we've been saying that for a while now). New meeting with the engineers on Wednesday. Hopefully we'll be able to record a great video.
nathanrutherfordphoto 5 days ago
@creator so where is the photos and video of the final, complete and working prototype?
Mr P 5 days ago
Please, please, please get PROFESSIONAL HELP. You are out of your depth, and it is only going to get worse. Before you run out of money, invest in the proper PM and production support that you need. There is no shame in in-filling the skills you don't have. If you want this to work out, you MUST buy in the expertise you lack: if you don't, you WILL fail.
Slidenjoy Creator 5 days ago
@nathanrutherfordphoto:
You're right on a point: we started walking thanks to you backers and started running thanks to all the craziness behind our product. We had to learn how to run pretty fast. Probably still learning, but it gets better and we're sure at the end, we'll be able to enjoy all this running and work!
Our production will be controlled for quality, don't worry. If we've spent so much time working on the product in order to be satisfied, we certainly won't check this last step.
@Jimmy: We'll publish a survey soon, you'll be able to choose your new model there.
If you have to change your shipping address, just send us a private message and we'll make the change!
Olivier G. 5 days ago
Rien n'est simple dans ce genre de projet....
En attendant, bon courage à vous pour finaliser au mieux ce produit qui permettra aux plus mauvaises langues, de prouver qu'un projet de cette envergure peut sortir de Kickstarter la tête haute tout en donnant un produit d'excellente qualité!
Bon courage à vous!
Un Français qui supporte nos voisins les Belges!
Jimmy 5 days ago
Thanks for the upgrade guys ! Can't wait to have it ! How we can choose colors of the upgrade ? Also I move into a new house next month how can I modify the address ?
Keep up the good work (but speed up a little more :p lol)
nathanrutherfordphoto 5 days ago
This is so predictable and exactly what I was promised in PMs would not happen...
You will not make a perfect product; such a thing does not exist. When I hear:
"100.000 units to produce in a month. Our production will consist in 63 workers assembling 1 unit every 6 minutes. Talking about 8 hours a day – 20 working days in a month. It will represent 150 units per pallet, so one semi-trailer each day. That’s a massive production"
I feel two things.
1 - you should not have over sold your product. Walk before you can run.
and 2- I sense I will encounter only issues and no support or help from you when the product breaks. 1 unit every 6 minutes does not sound like it will be checked and tested thoroughly before being shipped.
And where in the hell is this picture of the REAL WORKING, FINAL PROTOTYPE??? Seriously! Show us something real, that we can not say is a lie or 'conceptual'. If you really dont have the final prototype now I will be getting legal advice on recouping my funds and compensation for the time wasted chasing you, because over 1 year of delays and counting, and your product is still only a concept with no final prototype or design, this is unacceptable regardless of issues faced and circumstances. 1 year of work should produce fruit. SO SHOW US THE PRODUCT!!!!!!!
Slidenjoy Creator 5 days ago
@Chris Bensch: We WILL deliver, that's something we can assure you. We never let this project down and this isn't our intention at all - we believe in it!
@Timothy Hare: Thanks ! It means a lot for us.
Peter Reeve 5 days ago
Yet more delays and excuses, what a surprise! I've waited so long I don't even have a laptop I want to use with this anymore. Hopefully I can make my money back on eBay!
Timothy Hare 5 days ago
Thank you for the update. I try to patiently await the final result.
Chris Bensch 5 days ago
This is turning out to be another project that people have and will lose money on. Projects like this are why I no longer back projects on kickstarter. If I could, I would take my money back and never back anything here. I've lost money on 50% of projects on this site, you had better deliver...or you'll be sorry.