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ZNAPS Now Falsely Claims They Lost User Orders, Offers 20% Discount on Full Retail Price On Reorder (self.shittykickstarters)

InSOmnlaC が 投稿

I, along with other backers, got an email today from Znaps. Thinking that it's the long awaited shipping notice, I was not happy to read this instead:

Dear [Customer]

We apologize for our administration disorganization

We are sorry to inform you that your order details are lost during a huge system transition. We are arranging refund for those lost orders, including yours.

We appreciate and value your patience and support very much, we understand it has been frustrating to wait for Znaps to be shipped. With your support, we have finally overcome most of the problems we have been experiencing.

Now, everything is ready, and we are about to ship the products to our pre-order customers.However, we disappointingly discovered that part of the order data were lost. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience created.

We wholeheartedly want to share our success with you. We will be grateful if you are willing to order Znaps again through znaps.net. We are totally ready to ship our products, if you decide to reorder Znaps, your order will be given high priority, we promise.

As a token of appreciation, we would like to offer you:

20% discount on all purchase before [Date] Please enjoy the discount with Discount Code: [Code] Reorder

Again we are refunding your previous order as of speaking. Thank you for your consideration.

We look forward to serve you again.

Znaps Store

To put this in perspective, the amount I backed was for $25CAD(which was about $18-$19) for 2x Znaps Connectors and 2x Znaps Adapters. On their site, however, the total is $37.98 for the same thing. With that "generous" 20% discount, it comes out to $30.38.

What that all boils down to, is backers now have to pay 65% more to get the exact same items they should have been receiving, over a year later than when they should have gotten them.

And their claim that they "lost" our order information(3rd time btw) is a blatant lie. You can still go on their myshopify site and find your order information right there.

Steer clear of this scumbag company.

edit:

Took this from the Kickstarter comments -

  1. Pledge a refund through cs@znaps.net or https://znaps.net/pages/contact-us with your order number included.
  2. Join the lawsuit group https://www.facebook.com/znapsclassaction/
  3. Promote the petition https://www.change.org/p/kickstarter-refund-for-znaps
  4. Help spread the word across all social media.
  5. If you can find out more information about the creators and store, please share with us here!
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[–]bloggie2 86 ポイント87 ポイント  (4子コメント)

wait, so they "lost" your order information but know your name and email? isn't this something they can just request back from kickstarter or whatever platform...?

have there been any reports of ANYONE getting anything that actually worked?

... thanks for the loan, we invested it and got some nice returns, see ya.

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 53 ポイント54 ポイント  (3子コメント)

They lost it last year the first time around October(I got the email late so I dont know exact date). They created a storefront on myshopify to have us all redo our orders. Then they lost it again and we had to put our addresses on another site.

And now, they're claiming they lost it again. Even though you can login to the myshopify site and see the entire order.

So yeah, they're full of shit.

As for anyone receiving them, I've only seen a handful of people actually ever receiver one. I have heard of distributors getting their hands on them though.

What it looks like they're doing, is pretending they lost all these pledge orders so they can sell that inventory at twice the cost.

[–]justincase_2008 23 ポイント24 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I got the same email and i can see both my orders and all the info on the shopify site just like you.

[–]fyreNL 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Perhaps you and the others that were scammed could threaten to file a lawsuit? I mean, the evidence is pretty clear...

[–]jcpb 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

They'd have to file the lawsuit in Hong Kong, as that's where the Arist folks reside and can be compelled to defend themselves in court at. Filing this in Canada or US won't do anything as neither courts hold legal jurisdiction/authority over civil matters in HK (unless required by extraordinary circumstances).

[–]dimnakorr 23 ポイント24 ポイント  (1子コメント)

We are totally ready to ship our products,

Is there any situation where saying the above doesn't make a company look sketchy?

[–]939319 22 ポイント23 ポイント  (4子コメント)

But you get a refund? That sounds better than anything they can deliver anyway.

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 41 ポイント42 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I havent received a refund as of yet, only a promise of one. And considering they also promised to send me a product over a year ago...I won't hold my breath.

[–]TWiThead 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (1子コメント)

They probably spent most or all of the money and couldn't issue refunds if they wanted to, at least until enough new orders are placed to cover them.

They might even intend to refund your CA$19 directly from the CA$40 that they hope you'll spend, assuming that they don't simply give you nothing and hope you'll go away quietly.

I've heard of robbing Peter to pay Paul, but not robbing Peter to pay Peter. Thanks for the warning.

[–]AbjectFailureAtLife 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Kickstarter needs to be sued. If there is fraud on their platform at least they should return the money they made from it. That might at least compel them to take steps to root out scammers.

[–]Sara_Solo 19 ポイント20 ポイント  (1子コメント)

How will they know how much to refund if they lost the orders? Just kidding we know they're not going to. Unsecured creditors ftw.

[–]mehrabrym 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Or the method of payment by which to refund. If they're simply taking the email address and putting it in PayPal then what if I don't have a PayPal account?

[–]powsm 18 ポイント19 ポイント  (2子コメント)

What a joke supposedly a 20% Off because they are "sorry" but you have to pay more.

[–]MaXiMuS501 11 ポイント12 ポイント  (0子コメント)

From the company perspective, this is an ideal KS scenario for a scam because each backer is pledging a relatively low amount. They are far less likely to care too much or take action when the promises go sideways. You can still generate a large sum of capital off these scampaigns and have very little worry of retribution.

[–]KnashDavis 8 ポイント9 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Fuck Znaps. I'd be happy to just get my god damn money back from these bastards.

They wouldn't change me to USB C at first and then they finally said they would but it would take EVEN longer to get them.

[–]NICESfyn 6 ポイント7 ポイント  (6子コメント)

I ask this as someone who has recently backed 3 campaigns on KS. Looking back were there any signs that perhaps you should have stayed away from this company? 2 of the campaigns I backed just ended recently, I hope it goes well. Hoping the third one will go well too..

[–]portol 10 ポイント11 ポイント  (2子コメント)

maybe their overly aggressive production timeline? Looking back that's about the only thing I see that might stand out. The thing is you can't ask questions or comment until you back them so that's annoying.

[–]SoLongSidekick 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

I just back for $1 then cancel the pledge once I ask my questions.

There really isn't any way to tell. I've backed a few projects that seemed ridiculously optimistic with their shipping time estimates, only for them to actually beat them.

[–]IronMew 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I've backed a few projects that seemed ridiculously optimistic with their shipping time estimates, only for them to actually beat them.

Mind sharing which they were? Just for a much-needed breath of optimism...

[–]HuTheFinnMan 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (1子コメント)

I'm not sure how much info was available about the people behind this when the campaign launched so I would have to say it would have been a bit harder to notice the warning signs back then. I think the only real sign was that there was zero information about who was running the campaign. It is quite common among scam crowdfunders to pretend they are a North American business when they are really in Asia or Eastern Europe. They usually pretend to be somewhere in California because you know that's where all the cool startups are.

In this case they chose Canada because one of the scammers behind Znaps is a guy from Hong Kong who actually did spend some time in Canada studying at one point. It is of course now known that Znaps is run by the same guys behind the notorious Arist coffee machine scam.

So I would say if there is no actual address, phone numbers or any evidence that the person behind the campaign actually lives where they say they do then that is the first warning. If there is a name of a person attached to the campaign then do a quick google search and look for any social media accounts. This may show someone who isn't who they claim to be or in the case of there being zero information then it is likely a fake name or someone who has gone out of their way to hide who they are. Anyone who is a legit "I'm just a small time person with a big idea" will not have anything to hide.

If you can't confirm that it is a real business run by real people who are who they claim to be then avoid it if you are seriously concerned about losing your money.

After this campaign had started to receive some scrutiny it did come out that the people running it are notorious scam artists living in Hong Kong.

Some other general things:

No physical prototype only renders. Anonymous campaigners with no address (as mentioned above). Preselling on their own website before being crowdfunded. Endless delay tactics including the classic "beta testing program", arbitrary surveys, mistakes/holdups that are out of their control (always some unspecified manufacturer used as an excuse).

Just depends how skeptical you want to be. Some people don't mind taking a risk on things (or at least they say they do but then complain when it doesn't work out). But honestly for something like this, if it is a really great idea and the campaign is a success then it will be available for public sale once all this bullshit of raising initial funds is completed. Even better, some chinese company will make a copy of it for half the price.

[–]knulltobak 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yeah, I have given up on all hopes of recieving any reward. I don't even remember what adapters I ordered, but I have since changed from micro-usb to USB-C to lightning so I guess I wont have much use from them anyway.

[–]crowdfunding_ 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Have any backers got their products delivered?

[–]TribeWars 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I have a friend in a business that paid the distributors pack. They got one sample so far. It works, but the magnet connection is pretty bad. It doesn't snap conveniently and often gets stuck on the rim when you try to insert the cable. Also it feels very cheap and plasticky.

[–]RedHillian 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Also a backer, not received a copy of this from them; was on USB connectors if that makes a difference.

I've long since written off the cost, and am assuming I'll never see the product or my money again; but I am following to see what the next set of inventive lies they come up with is.

[–]radiocaf 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Also a backer, also written off the (off the top of my head) ~$110CAD across two orders I made with them, would like to see some sort of reward but after months of several updates, only for them to go quiet since September, I've lost hope.

[–]2sticks 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (2子コメント)

So how do I get my refund? I don't even have that account anymore.

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

The only thing I can suggest is to go contact them here and reference your info from your Kickstarter. Unless that's the account you dont have anymore?

[–]2sticks 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Thanks for the reply. I've tried that - many times. No reply. Surprise. It's the credit card I used that I no longer have.

[–]mmusser 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Weird. I backed this project on KS but I don't have that email. Actually, an update seems a bit overdue; the last one I see is from September 25. Did you also back on KS or was this a preorder through their site or something?

Either way, very unfortunate. This project has been plagued with troubles since the end of the campaign. It's been so long since I backed it that I've switched phone platforms since then and my order will be useless (if I even get it at all).

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Backed on Kickstarter during the initial funding campaign.

[–]mmusser 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

So you lose out on the KS backer prices altogether?? That seriously blows.

[–]motocykal 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I've not received any such emails at all. If they end up shipping the items to me, good. If I get refunded, even better.

[–]NightFelix 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

dam, they can send me an email but I can't login with my email because doesn't exists. Great way to wipe off the users info and pretend never happen before.

[–]SHADOW6 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I backed around $70 Ive had no email like this though. This is interesting

[–]khaled 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I did not even getting that email. anyone else?

[–]dell90wattac 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Hmm... I never received this update from them. And it seems very poorly worded compared to their previous update. Do you have a screenshot of the update you could provide?

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (2子コメント)

Here's a screenshot with my name and code blocked out(dont want to give them business) from three screenshots I stitched together.

You can also see other people posting the same email text on the comment section on the original Kickstarter page I linked in the OP.

[–]dell90wattac 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

That's such a weird email. It's worded incredibly poorly; I just went through the majority of their previous updates and none of them are this grammatically poor. I'm honestly not trying to defend them, because we're way past doing so, but could this have been a hack?

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Could have just been different people writing the emails/updates. And IIRC, english isn't their first language.

edit:

Just realized I screwed up on the stitch job. They didn't say the first line "we are sorry to inform you" twice.

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Updated OP

[–]VeryHappyDude69 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Geez, this campaign sure has been a cluster fuck huh?

[–]brodie7838 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I tagged ZNAPS on Facebook a few months ago expressing myself on this whole situation and some FB account by the name of "Znaps" responded with this earlier today. What the heck?

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

I believe some of the sellers are actually authorized redistributors. They use the name, but they aren't the real company.

[–]brodie7838 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Interesting, yeah that appears to be the case after clicking around their website. How strange.

[–]Daan_M 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

And I thought I was the only one with problems. I didn't even get this email you're talking about...

[–]Doakungfu 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

https://www.change.org/p/kickstarter-refund-for-znaps

158 signatures left

[–]lxndr93 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Is it possible to buy the product and just dont pay for it? I mean to get the money back from paypal or creditcard. It should be legal because i got my backed item. Can someone confirm?

[–]InSOmnlaC[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

It's definitely possible to do a chargeback after you get your stuff. Is it legal? Probably not.

[–]theawesomemt 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

The luckiest thing is that you still have information from ZNAPS. Some lose their orders, the others lose their hope on this project. LOL

[–]brandonmarcus 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

this is a scam. They are trying to steal more money from backers who are not organizing and filing a lawsuit.