A Motley Pack-Transformation Playing Cards (+ AR app)

[montenzi]

€16.40(!!!) to nearby Europe. In Australia it looks like small packages start around AU$8.50. Point is, us Americans are really spoiled when it comes to postage costs.

WOW! Here in New Zealand I pay NZ$3.17 (US$2.11) to send a signature required overnight Courier parcel (up to 3Kg DLE - 6 decks). That''s why it is $2-3 cheaper for me to deliver one deck to NZ backers than to US backers.

@GURU, why do you offer a Heritage edition display deck printed by WJPC? Black and Red lineart is so good to print by USPCC! Add pips (2-A) and make a simple black and white box. What about black and white back design with borders?

[ALR]

Guru wrote:

Looking at how other charge shipping....seems like I should just follow their trail. I don't think shipping cost has been important to backers. If they are happy paying through their nose and not ask any question, then so be it.

I am fairly new to this hobby, so I cannot claim to speak definitively for anyone but myself, but surely I am not alone in considering the whole cost of a deck (deck plus shipping plus customs and tax) when deciding which projects to back ? How that total cost is broken down is not that relevant - and it can be irksome that US backers almost always get their decks cheaper than other nationals, but them's the breaks.

It is a shame that someone like Guru feels the need to issue a cris de coeur as quoted above, because even to my untrained eye, he is obviously an excellent creator who is not just in it for the benjamins. The project is well executed, has a great deal of merit (not just artistically), and when a mistake was made, he acknowledged it publicly, and quickly remedied it. That all has value, whether recognised by some, all, or none of his backers, actual or potential.

Perhaps one way to judge a creator is by how much money he or she leaves on the table, or how much perceived excess value he provides versus the price charged. A Motley Pack had sufficient perceived excess value to cover an "extra" shipping charge, which is to be commended, not regretted.

This project was worth it to me even with the mistakenly inflated shipping cost, as it must have been to all the other backers, but who knows about next time - an artificially inflated price may be enough to tip the balance the other way. And at least for me, any suspicion that the creator was doing the inflating on purpose definitely would.

[guru]

@GURU, why do you offer a Heritage edition display deck printed by WJPC? Black and Red lineart is so good to print by USPCC! Add pips (2-A) and make a simple black and white box. What about black and white back design with borders?

Well, I was not looking to offer another version of the original heritage deck by adding pips, and the display deck was a request from one of the first backers of mine who has been with me since Guru Ganjifa, the first KS, and who hasn't been keeping well lately. He wasn't looking to open the deck but wanted to still enjoy the cards. When the design was in progress, it didn't look well with the addition of pips which is understandable given it is a classic transformation deck.



Thanks for the comments everyone.

On the shipping front, yes I'm taking some hit but it is still okay. It also makes sure the offer on Kickstarter remains better than any post kickstarter pricing. And whenever this playing card bubble bursts, these decks will still hold better value for collectors than inflated or hyped ones.

[theCapraAegagrus]

...whenever this playing card bubble bursts, these decks will still hold better value for collectors than inflated or hyped ones.

Exactly.

[Jocu]

Lots of complaints about shipping costs lately, here and in the Invocation thread. I'm well aware I'm spoiled being in the US but I'm not sure what the other options would be - shipping consolidators could work, but then you've got storage costs and a waiting period. Problem is that shipping is just going to get more expensive - where's the breaking point?

Also about free US shipping: because playing cards are paper, they can be sent with special 'media mail' rates in the US - anything under 1 lb is $2.75 between any two points in the country. (I don't know anything about commercial rates but they're even cheaper.) Now let's compare with Bpost in Belgium where Cartamundi is - the cheapest prices I see on their website are €4.70 within Belgium and €16.40(!!!) to nearby Europe. In Australia it looks like small packages start around AU$8.50. Point is, us Americans are really spoiled when it comes to postage costs.

The thing is with shipping is that it's all psychological, so I lean on the side of including it (for more than a couple of decks, at least).

It boils down simply, even if rather illogically, to this - I'd rather pay €20 for a deck with free shipping, like I did for Guru's (yay!) than pay €10 + €10 shipping. Hell, many people won't even bother to do the math - just that initial pang of 'ooh, christ, that's a lot for shipping' will be enough for them not to follow through with their pledge.

I would even go as far to suggest that in the same example, I'd probably not proceed if it were €10 + €8 shipping even though the final amount is less. It's purely psychological but it's how people feel. Any barrier you give people to completing their transaction needs to be considered.

There'll be studies on it somewhere. It's why, for example, Amazon has '1 click' buying. It's because even that extra page where they have to input their details is a psychological barrier to proceeding, and it gives them another chance to rethink their purchase.

[STLBluesNut]

That is interesting Jocu and I don't think very far from the mark.

I really need to pare down some of my KS pledges right now. I keep going to one deck that is on the fence. It has embossed and foiled tucks. I like the theme and even the courts but there is something about the coloring.

It is the main candidate for cancelling and thinking I could do without. I look at the pledge price and I'm thinking yeah I should get rid of this one.... oh wait, free shipping!

Sent from my Galaxy 8 using Tapatalk

[Jocu]

That is interesting Jocu and I don't think very far from the mark.

I really need to pare down some of my KS pledges right now. I keep going to one deck that is on the fence. It has embossed and foiled tucks. I like the theme and even the courts but there is something about the coloring.

It is the main candidate for cancelling and thinking I could do without. I look at the pledge price and I'm thinking yeah I should get rid of this one.... oh wait, free shipping!

Sent from my Galaxy 8 using Tapatalk

Exactly!

I haven't done the research myself but I follow a few blogs on mailing lists and website design when it comes to driving sales and there's a lot on these 'barriers' between the customer seeing a product and paying for it. The fewer steps they have to take, the fewer things they have to think about, the more likely they are to complete the transaction.

It works well with google analytics which can show you metrics that show people putting things in their cart and then abandoning it (which mailchimp then allows you to send a reminder email to which has great sales results).

The general rule of thumb is that the more things your customer has to do or think about, the more chance of them backing out of the transaction. KS is super functional like this - pledge, confirm, pay. But between pledge and confirm, if the price changes for shipping, you've put up another barrier.

It also works very simply with mailing list subscribers. If you ask for their first name and email address, that's fine. If you ask them to insert their surname too, that's less likely to convert and also seen as more of a security risk. If you then ask for their phone number, you'll kill your subscription numbers, but may just increase their quality.

How many times have you gone to sign up for something for free, but then been asked for credit card details just in case you overstay your free trial, and backed out? How many times have you been asked to add your phone number as well as email address to get something for free and decided against it?

It's interesting and I wish there was a way of comparing it. But it's definitely something KS creators should consider!

[theCapraAegagrus]

How many times have you gone to sign up for something for free, but then been asked for credit card details just in case you overstay your free trial, and backed out?..

8907164837056129836192634187324630174586 times.

[guru]

Previous decks (Kalevala limited edition, Bharata v2 & Bharata tarot) available as an add-on now.

Check latest update to know more.....

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ying-cards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[guru]

Prototype decks available now...first come first serve...10 of each edition available.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/2418974" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[guru]

Feel free to download the article on transformation playing cards written by playing card expert Judy Dawson (co-author of The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards) which she was kind enough to give permission to share.

Info in the latest update.....

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/2419760" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[guru]

USPCC's newer requirement could have resulted into uncuts not looking good when last two cards show as double backer or I'd have to go with modern cut rather than traditional cut. Glad that I have been given an exception & they will change the layouts.

If you are going to do Face Down/Traditional cut punch we need to have the last card on the back of the sheet be a different card than the back card so that our finishing dept can find the end of the deck quickly when on the finishing line. If this is not different then if the decks can get out of order the workers can’t see it right away and fix it.

Screen Shot 2019-02-19 at 10.53.13 PM.png (863.82 KiB) Viewed 4050 times

Screen Shot 2019-02-19 at 10.53.01 PM.png (934.32 KiB) Viewed 4051 times

[STLBluesNut]

I did not get a sheet, but looking at the last sheet of the faces of the cards, the colors look just amazing and the sheet looks great. I cannot wait to get these.

Sent from my Galaxy 8 using Tapatalk

[CupcakeBaron]

Received my heritage prototype deck from the contest and it is awesome. It's different from any other deck in my collection and I absolutely love it. Excellent work, Sunish. Thanks again!

[guru]

Thanks @CupcakeBaron.

@All - Don't forget to check the latest update (for backers only) and get the bonus summary of the book

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/2429329" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoy!!!

[guru]

Production has commenced finally @ all printers......

Check the latest update here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/2456484" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[robcan0630]

Will there be any extras, and if so, where will they be sold? Thanks.

[theCapraAegagrus]

REALLY looking forward to this one. I'm always looking forward to receiving my pledges, but this one is particularly high on my list of anticipated decks.

[guru]

Things are going well with the Production. Shipping may start by May first week (or even earlier) if the pending work goes well & finishes smoothly.

I'd been busy after the house move and work. A sidenote, I'd been working on Organization Design (consulting) lately, doing some workshops and even came up with a poker game used in facilitating workshops related to re-organization or org structures specific tasks and Org designs. It has been fun seeing leaders play a card game in meetings/workshops. Anyone who understands Org Design knows how complex it is, and this is just a try to make it easy, logical and rational.

Screen Shot 2019-04-12 at 10.17.56 PM.png (103.84 KiB) Viewed 3775 times

Getting back to the topic, here are a few in progress pics of the book in production.

Regards,
Sunish

[guru]

Latest update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/2484403" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Very close to the finish line now & hope shipping will commence in May

Here are the pictures of Heritage gilded edition after the tucks were assembled and cellophaned yesterday. I hope a no. of you will appreciate the hand-numbering on the tucks, yes we did it........it is more costly in the end as compared to a seal sticker but a number of collectors are not fond of the latter and I am not a fan either of a seal sticker.

[STLBluesNut]

Nice! I didn't get that edition but I definitely appreciate the hand numbering in lieu of the sticky seal. Can't wait for my standard editions though!

Sent from my Galaxy 8 using Tapatalk

[chicken_ql]

WOW, that looks great :O. If only i was there to back it .

[Räpylätassu]

WOW, that looks great :O. If only i was there to back it .

I think that should have no problem on finding these in the aftermarket. Especially the Royal Edition which is printed by the USPCC, Sunish most likely will have a bunch of them to sell in his store.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Me likely. I am SO looking forward to receiving these.

[guru]

Thanks guys...Just waiting for an update from USPCC now, and once it is there, hoping shipping will start soon with an update to backers. Pre-orders can be done through the store now & the AR app (android) will be coming as another gift for all backers to start with.


https://www.instagram.com/p/BwmRhDgl0g0/

[guru]

Augmented Reality app is out now. Check the latest update on the app as well as fulfillment below.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/2495037" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[guru]

All packages have been shipped by Gamblers Warehouse & SFC

Latest update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/su ... ts/2504970" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[theCapraAegagrus]

[Räpylätassu]

My Heritage Edition deck has arrived to a postal office nearby today. I will pick it up tomorrow, would have done so today already if it wasn't for the fact that my early afternoon nap ended up lasting until 10 pm.

[PipChick]

I will pick it up tomorrow, would have done so today already if it wasn't for the fact that my early afternoon nap ended up lasting until 10 pm.

damn Roope, you really gotta get a job... #GetRoopeAJob2019

I'm totally just playin'