Greg2600 wrote:
Here's an answer Prof. A. gave on Patreon to the whole cost thing...
Quote:
I'll do a bit of a FAQ on this announcement in the coming days, but in the mean time, some exposition. Exact costs aside, the markup is needed in part to cover the production ramp. I've diligently saved every dollar from Patreon - separate bank accounts and everything - and it's not nearly enough to make a big batch. Right now I'm putting in orders for the longer lead time items, and then I need sales to buy parts, sort out manufacture, pay the logistics people... If the Satiators were priced at cost, I'd be stuck doing them in series, and it'd take 6 months to a year to cover the Patreon orders. As it is I am looking at dipping into my personal savings to complete the next batch promptly.
In terms of the discount, he did $15 as an average because his web store wouldn't allow multiple values. Apparently he spent a day coming up with a personalized value instead dependent on length of support. Look folks the price is what it is. He gave up the idea of assembling these himself a long time ago. COVID has thrown a wrench in his plans, making it likely that he has to put a lot of money up front now. Patreon is a tip platform, it is not kickstarter, which is why I did not participate. Had he put up product rewards up front, I would have.
Soooo...Patreon supporters foot the bill for future production? Patreons "donate" to helped get it started, in return for whatever the creator decides to trickle down. In this case, they pay to read a BLOG, overpay for the prestige to buy it first and subsidize a lower price for everyone else later (assuming He ever does lower the price)?
If so, I can see why creators love Patreon. A side project that would never get made otherwise can receive funding by crowdsourcing many everyday people willing to make a small donation to in order to fund a niche maker. The creator can retain 100% equity! Democratize the investment process through crowdsourced donations, instead of forfeiting equity to venture capitalists.
I don't mean to paint a negative picture here. If you like a creator and want to help them retain complete freedom and control of their product, without having any strings attached to your (non-caritable) donation, them by all means "support" them on patreon. This must be why Patreon is so popular, it's the option with the fewest strings attached, and many creators are able to keep creating because of it. Basically, Patreon is the online equivalent of a cardboard sign. At least that's what it feels like every time someone on youtube says, "If you like my videos, please like, comment, subscribe...and consider supporting me on Patreon, which really helps me out."