Endangered Orphans of Condyle Cove

DON'T RULE US OUT!
over 6 years ago – Sat, Aug 26, 2017 at 01:48:40 AM

SFC told me everything would ship out this week, and I'm still hopeful. They have shipped about 1200 packages over the last 48 hours, which is better than nothing. Still lacking about 500 packages, but I keep refreshing the site and it actually appears they may still be working, even though it's Saturday there.  Fingers crossed.  I've been trying to update the tracking in Backerkit as I see evidence of new tracking numbers appearing, so please bear with me. If you haven't received tracking, please look in Backerkit under shipping. If it's not there, I don't have the information yet. I would like to think the remaining packages will be on their way by the end of their Saturday (It's 8:00am in China now).  

Once we are officially done with SFC, I will fix any issues with damages or missing items from GamesQuest or from my warehouse in Mississippi.  I have hesitated jumping on it prematurely due to the possibility of crossing paths with what SFC is doing.  

For those of you that have game in hand, Jesse and the guys put some revised rules (in English) for your READING pleasure.  www.endangeredorphans.com/rules/ 

 

And if that doesn't clear up some of the confusion, we also put together a HOW TO playlist on YouTube for your VIEWING pleasure.  

 

Thank you for working through this with us. Now it's time to start having fun, right? Have a great weekend! 

- Rick 

STUCK IN KIDDIE CORNER
over 6 years ago – Wed, Aug 23, 2017 at 01:50:38 AM

I held off on this update in hopes to have wonderful news, but there have been too many requests for information to ignore. Instead of being the fulfillment house I was promised on countless occasions, it appears my Send From China rep is now acting as my therapist?

Me: Why have the remaining packages not moved? I just can't catch a break.
SFC: Take care. Here have plenty things worth to have a look when we finished the work every day
Me: What!? What is that supposed to mean?
SFC: I mean we can take a relax even the situation not too good :)
It would make you feel better
Me: Seriously? It's taken you over two months already.  What would make me feel better is honored promises! 

So...why were we having this conversation?  Well, it's simple. They sent some, but not all the packages they promised to send last week.  They did not calculate the weight of the packaging when giving me my quote, so I had to send them an additional $15,000 beyond what was budgeted to get everything else out the door. I wired the money yesterday morning, but they are saying they haven't received it yet.  All the remaining packages were supposed to be shipped already, but they are being held hostage until they count the money, I guess? This "should" be remedied tonight. Who the hell knows? I sure don't. 

I also got confirmation that they are only giving me credit for 15 of the more than 200 damaged packages we have reported.  At this point, I don't even care. I just want to get the last of the packages moved from SFC so I can officially be done with them and fix everything myself, which I am now starting to do. 

All non-EU orders should be completed this week. Some additional EU orders will as well, but we are having to replenish their stock which may take a little time. I am getting my arms around it now, but need to ship to GamesQuest to keep the EU Friendly badge going. Please note, GamesQuest only handled EU shipments. If you are not in the EU, they won't have any information for you, so you'll have to contact me. 

One additional issue I am dealing with is the BENEATH THE COVE boosters. As a Kickstarter Exclusive, I didn't order much more than was originally requested by our backers. Rookie mistake. I should have padded my numbers more, but didn't account for loss and damage. I now have to order some more. This won't slow anything else down, but will cause a delay for some. 

Lastly, Jesse and the guys are putting the final touches on some simplified rules for those of you that are finding the current rules a bit unclear.  I hope to have this posted soon.  

And for those of you that are still convinced I'm "taking a relax" and not trying hard enough to get your packages to you, I'm turning over as many ACTS OF DESPERATION  as I can. 

Perhaps facing the Boogeyman wouldn't be so bad after all.

- Rick

I FEEL LIKE I'M THE ONE IN A BOX
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 17, 2017 at 01:03:57 AM

Sorry for not updating you sooner, but I've been continuing my trek down fulfillment lane with a hop, skip, jump, trip, stumble, and face plant. If you could see my text, Skype and e-mail threads, I believe you would understand why I have taken residence in the house of confusion. So...here is what I know (or think I know).

Contrary to the words that were spoken to me from SFC, the boxes were not delivered last week which would have allowed them to continue shipping.  I was told on several occasions that shipping was continuing, but when I would beg for evidence, none existed.  Even when they said they were sending a hundred or so each night, I honestly don't think that was the case. They were buying time while they got the better box (which I was told they already had). Fast forward to yesterday, and "the boxes have arrived". Wait..what? You said you already had them? Guess not. They are now "working overtime" getting everything packaged and will send all remaining orders by the end of the week.  I've heard this before...multiple times. This time, though, we have tracking numbers. If they weren't on the other side of the world with my inventory and money, I would have fired them long ago. But instead, I have to strategically play my hand in hopes that they still want to help in the end. 

Once all orders have shipped, then we move back to address damages and pre-orders. I still don't know what accountability SFC is taking until I hear from their manager. I'm hopeful, but not counting on anything. In the end, it doesn't really matter. All damages will be fixed. I just want their help doing it. If not, I'll do it myself. 

For those of you that are waiting on coasters or books, they are coming directly from Certifiable Studios. Also, some of you are receiving the Tournament Deck that was part of the Twice as Tragic Tier. These are the early decks that were used, and they are signed and came directly from our office as well.  It is NOT your entire order. The rest is coming from China.  I hope. 

In contrast to everything else, GamesQuest has seemingly done a great job in fulfilling their end.  Some of you may still have issues, but we'll get them fixed. Please start with sending GamesQuest an e-mail at [email protected].  From there, I'll help follow up. 

I'm at GenCon for the next couple of days meeting with fulfillment houses, manufacturers and vendors for future games, so please be patient if I'm slow to return a message or get you the information you want.  I hope to have lots of tracking numbers uploaded tomorrow as we finally put this stage of EO to bed. 

Best, 

Rick

ORPHANS ON THE MOVE
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 12:59:02 AM

Things are moving.  

NON-EU
I received a video from China showing me an insert they are using on the rest of the packages, along with the extra sturdy boxes and corner protection to protect the contents.

I approved the new packaging and have requested they start moving the rest of the shipments as soon as they possibly can.  They said they will ship out the next wave tomorrow.  Fingers crossed this does the trick.

EU
We are starting to hear from EU backers their Orphans are arriving safely. This is great news, and I am hopeful this is a trend. 

DAMAGES OR INCOMPLETE ORDERS
For those of you that have sent pictures of damaged packages, we will be using our pieces and parts inventory to make this right. (As a reminder, please send pictures of damaged boxes to [email protected])  I just got word that the shipment has arrived at our fulfillment center in Mississippi, so we will start on that process first of next week.  This will also be when we send out the non EU shipments of coasters and books that we did not send to China for fulfillment. 

LACKING INFORMATION
If you have not received your package or tracking information, please don't get upset or freak out.  We did not segregate orders based on regions, but only by what can get out quickest. Given a little more time, this will all be remedied soon.  If you find yourself without enough information by the end of next week, I will personally address it  One thing I can promise you with all the confidence in the world is you will not be left without. You will get your orphans one way or another. I just haven't given up on the first way yet.

RULES
We are working on a new and improved rules sheet with images for you.  We recognize that the rules are lacking, and we are fixing this.  In the meantime, we are also working on an FAQ to help narrow the gap of understanding, as well as straight forward videos for those that prefer that method. 

Looking forward to having everything taken care of so we can all protect our orphans with hugs around the world.  

Rick 

TRYING NOT TO ENDANGER YOUR ORPHANS
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 03, 2017 at 12:38:29 AM

For as much whining as I've been doing about SFC, I do believe they are trying.  The main issue I've been fighting them about is their understanding about what the game actually is. I have been sending them any evidence we receive showing damaged goods, and that's where the fighting starts. We are simply not on the same page about what is considered an acceptable delivery, and I have stated my stance more emphatically than they would have liked... "The game box is part of the game! Why would we spend all this money on the box quality, spot UV coating and art direction, and not want and expect it to be perfect?"  I won't bore you with the rest of the conversation, but this is what they sent me this morning..."Regarding for the rest orders, we have ordered harder outer box for you, we would like to change into 5 layers. Also, we will add corner and wrap more bubble wrap for you. Will show you pictures once everything well."  The good news is I feel I've been heard, but I have not received a response to indicate if this is a one day thing or a few.  I hope to hear a confirmation of when everything will continue shipping tonight. If you haven't received confirmation your shipment has been sent, please bear with me. 

In contrast, GamesQuest is moving much more smoothly, and we expect the EU deliveries to start tomorrow. I will update the tracking information in the Backerkit system as soon as I get it. 

In the meantime, we are thrilled to hear about those of you that have successfully adopted your orphans and are having fun. Thank you for all the nice notes and positive confirmations. And for those that received damaged goods, you will be put in the system to go out with the more sturdy shipments.  But we have also heard some rules questions and comments about what goes with what.  For a quick visual reference, take a look at this breakdown how the cards are organized.  As you may remember, we requested Panda re-sort the cards in to different packs, but that may not have been handled as cleanly as we requested in all cases. 

 

Also, we plan to make a series of "how to" videos soon, but wanted to address some of the more frequently asked questions here.  Please note, if you are already enjoying the game and understand how it plays, there's no reason for you to watch this. But here is Jesse and Brian in a "not so quick" rules guide.

We hope you enjoy your orphans (when they arrive, of course)!

- Rick