Final Update
Thank you for your patience over the last few months, and we sincerely apologize for the delay between updates. We wanted to make sure we exhausted all of our options before we delivered you any news.
We have been working to raise funds from outside investors to fulfill backer rewards, but we were unsuccessful. It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce that Hex Boards will close effective March 9, 2017. This is our final update.
For a limited time, our plastics manufacturer has agreed to directly fulfill orders from backers at an additional cost sufficient to cover shipping and material costs. This offer will be available to backers for the next 30 days only.
We wanted to also offer this option for our wooden products. But, earlier this week, Catan requested royalties for the liquidation, control over pricing, and shipping oversight from our manufacturer. Rather than risk running afoul of Catan Studios, our wooden manufacturer made the hard decision to destroy the remaining inventory. We’re all gutted by this turn of events and we worked hard to avoid it. But we completely understand our manufacturer’s decision—we were in a similar position with Mayfair Games a few years ago, and it almost bankrupted us.
To say we’re disappointed by this outcome would be an understatement of the highest order. We’re certain that you are as disappointed as we are, but we want you to know that our highest priority has always been delivering you a final product. Unfortunately, we underestimated the costs of bringing these products to market and are unable to finish this project. We feel that bringing this chapter to a close is the best resolution for all.
We realize that this is unfair to the backers who supported us throughout the years. While we know it’s not enough, we do have some production options available to you.
Here is the current status by product category:
- Resource Card Banks are ready for shipping.
- Seafarers board mold is ready, though funding is needed to start production. There is no minimum order quantity to begin a production run.
- Catan Bags were paid for in December and need to be shipped to the US. These are the only products we don’t have in-hand. There is a very low risk that these products will get lost at sea, but if that occurs, you will be issued a full refund since we won’t incur any shipping costs.
Instructions for obtaining these options are below.
Limited Time Offer - Details & Instructions:
Below is a table showing how to pay for the cost of getting each product to you. All costs are flat rate, and combined shipping is not available.
Orders are open until April 9, 2017. Orders received after 11:59pm April 9, 2017 will not be shipped.
NOTE: Every Seafarers Board paid for will include one Resource Card Bank set (two banks/set). This is what we originally promised and we’re trying to make right as best we can. This applies to both 5-6 player Seafarers Boards and 3-4 player Seafarers Boards.
To get a product shipped to you, click here:
If the image doesn't show up, here is the text link: https://www.paypal.me/uniboxenclosures
1. To place the order, input the total amount you’re paying. Add up the cost of each product you’d like to receive. If you’re an international backer, include the International fee for each individual product in the total. Combined shipping is not available, and if the correct total is not paid for, the order will not be shipped.
2. In the section marked “Add a Note”, list each product you’re paying to receive.
3. Input the best shipping address.
4. Click "Continue" and choose the best payment method (Debit Card / Credit Card / PayPal).
5. Click "Send Money Now"
6. Your order is now placed. Orders will be fulfilled in the order they are received. Production updates and shipment tracking information will be provided by our manufacturer via the email used to place the order. If you have any questions regarding your order, please email info@uniboxinfo.com.
Example Order: US-Based Backer
One 5-6 Player Seafarers Board and one Catan Bag: $50 + $30 = $80
Example Order: International Backer
One 5-6 Player Seafarers Board: $50 + $25 = $75
One Catan Bag: $30 + $20 = $50
Total = $125
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A note from Bill Trammel, Hex Boards founder:
Hi everyone,
As we went through the process of shutting down our company, it’s been nice for me to look back and reflect on what was made possible because of your support.
Because of you, we were able to:
1. Create an affordable, attractive and organized game board for Settlers of Catan. No more Catan-quakes and having to take photos of a game board before making room for pizza.
2. Create card banks to keep resource, commodity and other Catan game cards organized during a game. No more hay stacks and resource card wastelands.
3. Make high-end wooden versions of both of these for the Catan aficionado.
4. Create an affordable, attractive and organized game board for Seafarers of Catan that makes setting up a game go from a 30-60 minute process to a less than 5 minute process. More games, more fun.
5. Create a carrying bag for Catan Boards and Catan games to make travel to and from game night easy and stylish.
None of these products would exist today if you hadn’t taken a chance on us early on. Although we ran into a lot of hiccups, about as many as I imagined physically possible for such simple products, most of you have continued to encourage me through all of them.
After we were unable to raise investment capital, I took a roll call of our resources and my personal health and realized I didn’t have enough of either to fulfill the Kickstarter. I accept responsibility for failing to deliver what I promised to you, and wish there was more that I could do.
Fortunately, our manufacturer has been very understanding, and has agreed to produce products at heavily discounted prices for those who would still like to receive them. I’ve been unable to pay them, and in order to make right as best I can, have given over all product design rights, assets and tooling to them.
This next paragraph is very important and I ask you to please take this very seriously.
Our manufacturer has been extraordinarily understanding through all this. They are providing this production out of their desire to get you the products you pledged for and will not be making very much, if any, money from this production. Please show them your appreciation for this by being kind to them. This is not their fault, and they deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of what you think of me.
As of today, I will no longer be involved, financially or operationally, in any of these products or these Kickstarter pages. I will be taking a long break from the start-up life while I recuperate and focus on getting my physical health back up.
Thank you for everything you’ve made possible.
Sincerely,
Bill Trammel
Eric Manchakowsky about 3 hours ago
So after paying $175 for a bag & board, I'm supposed to pay another $125 to get it? With no stated guarantees to it actually being shipped? If Bill is stepping away from this, who is looking after it from this point forward?
Devlin Norris about 8 hours ago
Is he serious?
Does he actually expect any of us to send him MORE money after jerking us around for almost 3 years!!!
I wouldn't trust him to buy my lunch, let alone suck more $$$ out of me for something I ALREADY PAID FOR...
I just reported the campaign to Kickstarter.
Whoever is taking emails, I'm in for legal action:
$540 usd is too much to walk away from...
Derick Rodriguez
Superbacker
about 14 hours ago
So the Seafarers board that I paid for in the first campaign cannot be delivered.
Fool me once.....
Then I paid you $370 for the Collector's Box and Bag which you also fail to deliver.
Fool me twice....
You say that for an extra $80 you can ship me just the Board and the Bag which would bring my total to $450.
Are you kidding me?
You say if the bags are lost at sea you will issue a refund. How about you refund me right now?
Amie L.
Superbacker
about 14 hours ago
I'm so confused. This doesn't make sense to me at all. Could someone please confirm that we won't be getting a refund whatsoever? We can only add more money to get the items mentioned in the updates, as for other items like the wooden box we are totally out of luck?
Peter Dorney about 16 hours ago
Check out the main Comments section if you're unhappy. We need to do more than leave comments. We need to take action.
Jim about 16 hours ago
So you want 500 bucks to give me something originally priced at 100. As i would never get other pieces. Plus what was missing from original project.
And from what I remember, things changed in that product too.
Jim about 16 hours ago
50 bucks more for international delivery of my bag, which I already paid the first time. You are crazy. And you are saying there is STILL a risk of it going missing. Did you smoke too much of your boards?
Phillip Vogel about 17 hours ago
is it not extortion to make you pay again and again for the same product that was already paid in full?
Pete Sellers about 17 hours ago
Where is the proof that the materials were destroyed? I highly doubt they were ever made. You're a thief and a liar and trying to our sympathies does nothing. You deserve everything that happens to you...
Jim Wise about 18 hours ago
At least as far back as September 2015 there was notice that talks covering Bill's use of the Catan logo had fallen through with Mayfair, but that he was continuing on with it anyway. When Asmodee took over the Catan licensing for North America Bill kept claiming talks were on good footing with them but gave no evidence, and there was no word from Asmodee on the subject when several of us inquired with them.
There were NUMEROUS points when Bill could have corrected course. I am also surprised that if the wood box, dice tower, etc production were well under way that Bill would not have happily given a large, picture-filled update covering this. If production truly had been done, there should still have been a way to salvage much of it and just remove any logos vs destroy it all.
I have already paid for the production and shipping costs of the Deluxe Box, bag, and two sets of 5-6 player boards and have yet to receive anything. What did my $540 go towards? You are already keeping the money I paid for the Deluxe box without giving anything in return, and you don't have the decency to at least use that portion of my funding to pay for the shipping of the bag and boards that I have already paid for?
And from the very start the bags were put forth as an extremely low-risk item, with known, set costs, manufactured by a company that actually makes such items. Funds for the production and shipping of the bags should have been able to be dedicated to that process all the way through, so at least part of the project could have been salvaged.
Jeremy A Earl about 19 hours ago
So, as I understand it....these bags were completed when you posted the last update over five months ago, but never shipped to the US and now you're holding them hostage for another $30?
Is that correct? Because that's what I'm reading makes it sound like.
Fuuuuuuuck yooouuu, asshole.
MannyLaMancha about 19 hours ago
This is tough - I received my 5-6 Catan board from the first Kickstarter, but went in on the Seafarer 5-6 for $85, and now it's $50 additional if I want it. I feel terrible for the people that were in for more, or apparently were the wooden board backers.
Tim McCloud about 19 hours ago
Disappointed, but I still want my products. Does the 5-6 player board include the 3-4 player board, or do I have to fork out for both? Both of your examples only show one 5-6 player board without a 3-4 player board, but i want this spelled out perfectly clear so I don't end up with just an expansion and not the entire board, since this will be the one and only time this will be available.
Greir Flynn about 20 hours ago
Well I can't say that I didn't see this coming. I'm just surprised that this lasted as long as it did. I'm also perplexed, and highly skeptical that there is truth to most of your comments, Bill. Why would the box manufacturers destroy their supplies while the bag suppliers did not? To my knowledge, they both contain trademarked logos.
Can anyone confirm that they received anything? Even from the first campaign?
What about those pictures of Bill driving some random packages to the post office 2 years ago?
Juan Saenz about 20 hours ago
You tried and gave what at least I believe was your best effort, you did fail but that happens to bunches of people.
Thanks for providing us options to get stuff some of us really want.
Good luck in the future, and if I were you I'd stay away from Kickstarter.
Donna Egbert about 20 hours ago
So much for my dice tower. I'm forking out the $50 to get the board. Can anyone point in direction of a good dice tower?
John F. DeMuth about 21 hours ago
Just so I understand.
If I want the seafarers board that I backed years ago, I need to pay more money?
John Smyrski about 21 hours ago
I for 1 will be contacting the CA AG asap. Asked Bill to provide refund or an accounting of how the money was spent (one of the two has to happen for a failed kickstarter according to their terms) and he immediately blocked me on twitter. You don't get to lie to and steal from this many people and just walk away and hide.
Peter Dorney about 21 hours ago
Despite everything I really believed that Bill would deliver because he was so persistent. Guess I was wrong. I'm going to take some action. Check out the comment section.
Ben Nickles about 21 hours ago
You have so much of my money, this sucks
Nick Nelson about 22 hours ago
I would have paid for the box but your not getting a dime for the bag. Thanks for nothing. What a scam.
James Rudd about 22 hours ago
Before paying even more, could we at least see a photo of the bags in warehouse or the RCBs to show they exist?
mouselet about 23 hours ago
Like many others, I see no purpose whatsoever in paying even more money just to have things I have theoretically paid for shipped to me. Instead, I would like to know what kind of refunds are available, which I notice you have neglected to discuss.
Brian Schenck 1 day ago
Unsurprised by this. You got a healthy investment via two Kickstarter campaigns to get your company started. Enough that, spending it wisely and focusing on the core components, you probably could have started a successful product line. Which is precisely what Kickstarter is for; starting and creating products for market, not just selling stuff.
Over the years of the projects, there were setbacks and problems. Whether with the molds, the feasibility of certain things didn't work out, or even just random delays. Still, some of that could have been weathered in the short term, especially when you did start selling boards via Amazon. But even then, the word was "We need sales to pay for all this stuff." Like you were so short on cash that you had to sell a product before you made it.
In hindsight, so much evidence of a pyramid scheme. Sad that I bought into it with both campaigns, pledging extra funds to support the endeavor.
Still, after the latest update when there was all the evidence to suggest that the remaining parts of the campaign were never going to be completed... I pledged money for RCHs. RCHs that I'd already pledged money for in the first campaign, and added in money to help via the second campaign. And the last update, I stated that I doubted that the extra money I sent in would never result in the fruition of RCHs. For me, at that point, it was a lost cause.
It seems highly suspect that the manufacturers of the game suddenly need a "licensing fee". Or that you had to destroy the inventory, because I doubt there was any inventory. Because this strikes me as a buyout of this product by Mayfair so that they can do it right. Both to protect their own brand, but also to offer an attractive product at a reasonable cost for their customers.
You'll not get another dollar from me. I already gave up on the RCHs with the last update, hopeful they might arrive, but doubting it all the while. Especially based on the responses I got from customer service. I feel so badly for everyone else who got nothing from you... Because you're asking for money to deliver what should have been delivered years ago. I've no idea if you took the money and ran, or you just were so spectacularly bad at managing this company... But either way, I say that it is best to see you go.
I truly hope that Mayfair will pick up these concepts and run with it. Because it is clear to me that there is a market, and someone with the appropriate skillset and focus could truly make this product into an exceptionally successful line of products. I look forward to the day that Mayfair comes out with their own line.
Nian 1 day ago
I don't mind putting US$75 towards postage. But what guarantee do we have?
Eric Schwartz 1 day ago
I doubt this will get a response, but oh well.
For those of us entirely screwed by the wood manufacturer destroying the products, is there anything we can get? Maybe the plans for the Catan Box (and Ultimate Box) so that we can make it on our own or pay someone else to make it for us?
John Drinkwater 1 day ago
Bye
Nic 1 day ago
Classic. I don't believe a word of this, but I am sure that the $167K you stole will go a long way to getting your physical health back up.
This update should certainly make for entertaining reading tomorrow though.
John Smyrski 1 day ago
So half a mil squandered away and all anyone has to show for it is a box that was made out of spec and a "sorry I give up". Now we must give someone else even more money to get what we backed in the first place? There should be some accountability and money returned to the backers, if there is no money, accounting for every penny should be provided to the backers. Completely unacceptable!
Elanor 1 day ago
I'm a bit confused. If the resource card holders are already made, how come we have to pay for them again since we have already paid for them?
Kent Bunn 1 day ago
Hey Bill
How does it feel to be the gaming equivalent of Bernie Madoff?
How fucking stupid was I to give you a penny for the second campaign.