Stories (Vanda Artists Series / Srdjan Vidakovic)

[davegk]

Backed ! I'm in for a 4-deck boxed set + 4 display decks.

I'm just wondering why 2 boxed sets + 4 display decks (12 decks total) cost double than 1 boxed set + 4 display decks (8 decks total)

The original plan didn't include the display decks in these tiers, but then I decided to add a set of display decks as a "free bonus" for the box set tiers as extra incentive over the $69 tier. I didn't really think that there was much value in multiple sets of the display decks, but I can see now why the math doesn't quite add up as a result. I may increase the $198 tier to 2 sets of display decks...maybe a stretch goal (I'm working on these at the moment).

Also, to note about the display decks, the current plan was for the display decks to be just the cards in the default blank white tuckbox (USPC) or cellowrap with no tuckbox (Cartamundi). I may consider getting printed standard tucks for these decks as a stretch goal upgrade but I'll have to look at the numbers. Another possibility would be to get stickers printed and applied to the white tuckboxes so they would at least be identifiable...will depend on cost. They won't be in the same foiled tuckboxes as the regular Stories decks though, since the tuckboxes generally cost more than the cards themselves and the whole point was to just provide backers the opportunity to see the card artwork without having the break their deck seals.

[theCapraAegagrus]

I demand a tuck for the display decks. No to tuck-less cello.

[Magic Tapp]

I would agree with the CA - a tuck (even a plain white one) would be nice for display decks.

[Strag]

Label on blank tucks is fine. Tuckless or blank tuck with no label and I would drop my pledge. Seriously. I have the ones from Motley Deck and the blank tuck is seriously annoying.


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[Strag]

Label on blank tucks is fine. Tuckless or blank tuck with no label and I would drop my pledge. Seriously. I have the ones from Motley Deck and the blank tuck is seriously annoying.


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Sorry, was unable to edit this, but also I see fulfilment by GW. Can you please confirm that they will NOT use UPS to ship these as I will incur at a minimum extra £12 charge from UPS which will cause me to unpledge if they are.

I will also message you on KS.


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[davegk]

Stretch reward unlocked: JUMBO deck (Volume V)

Now available as an add on... more info in the update:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/go ... ts/2685712

[theCapraAegagrus]

I kinda want to be bothered by the fact that Volume V doesn't match the rest of the set, but, Pluto also didn't match the rest of the series (and that didn't bother me).

So I'll give you a pass on this... I'll also be passing on the jumbo deck.

[vasta41]

I kinda want to be bothered by the fact that Volume V doesn't match the rest of the set, but, Pluto also didn't match the rest of the series (and that didn't bother me).

So I'll give you a pass on this... I'll also be passing on the jumbo deck.

I agree with everything you just said. Shocking?

[Strag]

Jumbo decks doesn’t really do it for me. Just a pass.


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[rousselle]

I like the Jumbo deck, and will likely go in on one, but I'm bummed that a decent tuck costs an extra $15. Not sure if I'll be springing for that. Yet, with just a plain white box and a sticker to identify that it's a Stories deck feels kinda cheap for a $20 deck, no?

[davegk]

I like the Jumbo deck, and will likely go in on one, but I'm bummed that a decent tuck costs an extra $15. Not sure if I'll be springing for that. Yet, with just a plain white box and a sticker to identify that it's a Stories deck feels kinda cheap for a $20 deck, no?

The small run (1000) jumbo decks with foil are remarkably expensive to produce...printing cost alone is around $12/deck. Add in the overseas shipping, label sticker and application costs, additional shipping cost for fulfillment (which is considerable given the larger size), kickstarter fees, payment processing fees, and other costs to run the project, and I'm actually breakeven at best on the jumbo display decks. For the standard jumbo decks, add in the custom sticker seals, foiled/embossed jumbo tuckbox, and assembly cost, and $35 is a bargain...with proper margins these should probably cost $60+/deck, but I don't think I can sell enough of them at that price to make it worthwhile.

Not to mention breakage costs (inevitably there will be some number of decks that get lost/damaged during the assembly or fulfillment process and need to be replaced at additional shipping cost as well)...

[Bradius]

Yeah, I didn't balk at the cost, I just wasn't sure I was wild about jumbo cards. I have some and don't like them, but they are more cardboard. I am sure these will be on very decent card stock compared to what I have. Even so, it is more of a novelty. I am in for a jumbo deck with the tuck case. I am worried though you will never be able to sell anything close to 1,000 decks though.

Thanks for your perspective of the costs. It always helps me to understand the costs producer's have to fund.

[brownsl]

I am in for a couple of the jumbo decks. I look forward to seeing how the details look on something this large.

[BaconWise]

With David re-surfacing on Kickstarter, I will be curious to see how things ended up with the jumbo tuck and Cartamundi. This was his update back in March:

Also, I've had some delays as a result of slow responses from Cartamundi...I understand they're going through some internal reorganization which is slowing down communication on their end. It seems that they in fact can't print the jumbo deck at the size we would like (5"x7") and we're considering a couple alternative options for that particular deck. Rest assured the result will still be amazing and I'll share news with you once I have it of the final details.

Hopefully we get an update regarding the jumbo deck and just production in general. This was due for a March fulfillment, so I am guessing August, assuming he is high in printing queues before the outbreak. Fingers crossed

[MaxPower]

I’d be happy to pledge for a standard size of the purple colorway, but the jumbo just doesn’t appeal to me at all. Overall, I feel like this campaign in general was more complicated that it needed to be. Still very excited about getting this series though, and extremely relieved to see that my faith in its creator was justified after all.

[jerichoholic]

So anyone else concerned about the lack of updates and communication with this one? Starting to sound like a few other infamous creators at this point.

[bdawg923]

Yep, i wrote this project off. Thankfully didn't pledge much. He keeps keep saying it will be fulfilled but I highly doubt it as he keeps disappearing

[BaconWise]

Similar story (lol, get it) to Centurio: all updates have been apologies for lack of communication with the promise for more information. What's different about Stories compared to Centurio, is that he hasn't mentioned a single word about production. The project funded nearly a year ago. We didn't find out until March that the Jumbo deck wouldn't be possible to print via Cartamundi. Four months after funding. That seems to be a pretty crucial component to have in place before you even launch a project....Updates since have been devoid of anything useful, aside from him offering a free deck, which backfired due to shipping costs.

I know delays are part of Kickstarter and I have defended David (Vanda) as a reputable and solid creator. He's obviously overwhelmed with life but each update is like a slap to the face when he apologizes and promises not to ghost the backers again. We are at two months now since the last update and still no clue when we will see these. I feel so foolish for defending David.

[Harvonsgard]

I feel so foolish for defending David.

Not your fault. He has delivered in the past. You'll never know when someone is about to throw the towel.

[BaconWise]

...You'll never know when someone is about to throw the towel.

That really is what it feels like. He got too overwhelmed and decided to just walk away from the problem. I can't think of many creators who have run simultaneous campaigns (and HUGELY successful ones, at that) and I was under the impression KS frowns upon that approach. Perhaps he takes the hit on Centurio and issues refunds. That way he can focus on getting Stories back on track and MAYBE salvage his reputation.

[Strag]

Finally updated only to say that he won’t even focus on this until he has finished Centurion, which is supposed to full fill demo next week. So I expect we are still months away from this one, if ever.

[rousselle]

He's pretty much following the plan proposed by BaconWise above. I think he (Dave) still intends to fulfill this, and given that he says fulfillment of the other project is just around the corner, I take that as a good sign that things are moving forward. If his plan was to give up and cut and run the way Natalia did (and Adam Clarkson did, etc.), he wouldn't be giving updates, let alone updates that indicate that we'll be able to see progress within the next couple weeks. He'd be stalling us for months, if he bothered to post updates at all.

This will be late, but I am inclined to think we'll get these decks in our hands before many more moons have passed.

[jerichoholic]

To be fair we've seen updates like that from Natalia and others, that she's working on it, fulfillment will be soon, etc etc.

[MaxPower]

To keep myself from getting angry in these situations, I think about the possible reasons a Kickstarter creator would ghost his/her backers. Some life events can radically reorganize priorities, or completely destroy the house of cards we know of as our life. A cancer diagnosis, an autistic child, a spouse’s betrayal, a stroke, a housefire, a drug addiction, a mental breakdown...none of us is immune to all of these or the devastating effects they would cause.

I still have faith in David, and hope he regains his footing and gets back on track. If not, I’ll be deeply disappointed, but sad rather than angry.

[TheGentlemanWake]

To keep myself from getting angry in these situations, I think about the possible reasons a Kickstarter creator would ghost his/her backers. Some life events can radically reorganize priorities, or completely destroy the house of cards we know of as our life. A cancer diagnosis, an autistic child, a spouse’s betrayal, a stroke, a housefire, a drug addiction, a mental breakdown...none of us is immune to all of these or the devastating effects they would cause.

I still have faith in David, and hope he regains his footing and gets back on track. If not, I’ll be deeply disappointed, but sad rather than angry.

You could in theory add pandemic and crippled economy. Although it would be a short term fix to that problem to use project funds to make ends meet with seriously damaging long term effects.

[MaxPower]

You could in theory add pandemic and crippled economy. Although it would be a short term fix to that problem to use project funds to make ends meet with seriously damaging long term effects.

That possible reason was almost too obvious to mention, but it *was* in March when the updates stopped. (Although he has posted a couple of new ones recently).

[BaconWise]

I just caught word Vanda has a sitewide sale - $7 decks - all of them.

This has me concerned as it feels more like a liquidation than a flash sale, considering the issues David has had with both of his Kickstarter campaigns. Perhaps he is trying to drum up some cash to fulfill Centurio or move forward on Stories? Sadly, I think this means Vanda will drop off the face of the earth. I hope I'm wrong.

On the other hand - $7 is a GREAT price for any of the Planets decks, so grab one while they are still in stock.

[bdawg923]

I'd be afraid to order from them. What if your order never ships

[Strag]

I emailed GW to ask them about Centurio, since he said it was a week away from shipping over two months ago. I got this response:

It is in assembly phase.

That is the response in full. Do with it what you will.

[bdawg923]

Can you ask about Stories too lol nobody has been able to reach them!