Septimus- What happened to the Pre-order Money

[The Game Guy]

This has been asked and I really am curious what happened to the pre-order money.

People who pre-ordered have asked about it but have never gotten a stright answer from Hellsreach.

I wonder why he is being so secretive about it?

[asmkm22]

It's probably been spent, which isn't nearly as uncommon or nefarious as it sounds. I'm not saying he spent it on personal stuff, which would be messed up, but spending pre-order money on production-level stuff does happen.

[The Game Guy]

It's probably been spent, which isn't nearly as uncommon or nefarious as it sounds. I'm not saying he spent it on personal stuff, which would be messed up, but spending pre-order money on production-level stuff does happen.

Well the "it's spent" part we know. But what was it spent on and why didnt he have money set aside in case the project was canceled, etc.

[asmkm22]

Best case scenario is wasn't planning for failure, and honestly thought he could get the project off the ground. Rose-tinted glasses and all that.

Worst case scenario is he knew it wasn't going to pan out, but spent the money on it anyway, in denial.

I don't mean to state the obvious, so to speak, but it's really all I can think of. People do dumb and unexplainable things all the time in business, lol. There are valid reasons for the money not being available, though, as I mentioned in my first post.

[hellsreach]

There were a number of things that the preorder money was spent on. It difficlut to pin to down to a set list, since the preorder money was simply brought in as an encumbered revenue.

A good amount of art was purchased for Septimus. The plan was to produce some of the material in-house, for which I bought some equipment. Actually, I purchased capital goods far in excess of the preorder funds... printers, paper cutter, low-volume binder, etc.

The money was spent on numerous things.

[The Game Guy]

There were a number of things that the preorder money was spent on. It difficlut to pin to down to a set list, since the preorder money was simply brought in as an encumbered revenue.

A good amount of art was purchased for Septimus. The plan was to produce some of the material in-house, for which I bought some equipment. Actually, I purchased capital goods far in excess of the preorder funds... printers, paper cutter, low-volume binder, etc.

The money was spent on numerous things.

Ok, so on these capital goods, are these things that you could perhaps sell of? Would you can a decent amount of money back from selling these things?

[Arbor_Productions]

Ok, so on these capital goods, are these things that you could perhaps sell of? Would you can a decent amount of money back from selling these things?

I know it's rare to break even with one's purchase price when selling such equipment. I've never gone into that type of business, myself, but know enough that have tried and lost their shirts.

But it would at least be a start. Ebay, perhaps?

My question would be when that equipment was bought? Was it bought after the pre-order money came in (in which case, the low number of pre-orders should have been a red flag), or before- and the money was used to off-set some of that debt.

Now, WEG is a closed corporate structure and Eric is not obligated to answer that (and I am not sure that I would, were I in a similar position). But this is like when I learned what caused TSR to fold . . . it boggles my mind how such a mess came to be.

Don't get me wrong . . . companies fold everyday. Hell, Arbor Productions could release our first two Savage Worlds settings and take a loss on investment. I love RPGs, but as a businessman I would just close the doors and move on.

There just comes a point.

Regards,

[hellsreach]

Ok, so on these capital goods, are these things that you could perhaps sell of? Would you can a decent amount of money back from selling these things?

A lot of it was purchased used, some of which I've had some mechanical issues with (printers). The most valuable machine is a paper cutter that retails for $6-7k

[hellsreach]

I know it's rare to break even with one's purchase price when selling such equipment. I've never gone into that type of business, myself, but know enough that have tried and lost their shirts.

But it would at least be a start. Ebay, perhaps?

My question would be when that equipment was bought? Was it bought after the pre-order money came in (in which case, the low number of pre-orders should have been a red flag), or before- and the money was used to off-set some of that debt.

Now, WEG is a closed corporate structure and Eric is not obligated to answer that (and I am not sure that I would, were I in a similar position). But this is like when I learned what caused TSR to fold . . . it boggles my mind how such a mess came to be.

Don't get me wrong . . . companies fold everyday. Hell, Arbor Productions could release our first two Savage Worlds settings and take a loss on investment. I love RPGs, but as a businessman I would just close the doors and move on.

There just comes a point.

Regards,


The pre-order period happened over a long time. I was not wowed by the response, but was hoping it would increase as we neared release. I do not remember if I bought most of the machines before or after the preorders. It ws before, I think. It was after Septimus was planned, but well before the manuscript was in the can.

I have put the cutter on ebay a couple times, but it didn't get the reserve I was looking for (I believe I was looking for $3000). I know I need to do so again but have not, yet.

[The Game Guy]

A lot of it was purchased used, some of which I've had some mechanical issues with (printers). The most valuable machine is a paper cutter that retails for $6-7k

Ok but that $6-7K would get all of the pre-orders paid back and put you in a little better spot.

I would think it would be worth it to help pay off the pre-orders and generate the good will you are looking for.

And any money left over could be put into D6 Open

[imported_Magman]

I am not saying this rudely or to disrespect anyone, but can we put the whole refund deboggle to rest until Eric decides to make good on those payments. He has been through enough beatens on the net to know that it is on everyone's mind and it isn't going to go away until he resolves it. Ever angle has been talked about, the who's what's when's and how's discussed until people were blue in the face. When he is able, he will pay those refunds.

The only thing that got accomplished was Eric decided to sell WEG and nobody got their refunds yet. It is pointless. :eek:

[hellsreach]

Ok but that $6-7K would get all of the pre-orders paid back and put you in a little better spot.

I would think it would be worth it to help pay off the pre-orders and generate the good will you are looking for.

And any money left over could be put into D6 Open

I never said I'm not going to sell the cutter. Just because I don't run it by the public forum does not mean I'm doing it.

That said, you cannot sell a used machine For $6k for a machine that retails for $6k.

[The Game Guy]

I never said I'm not going to sell the cutter. Just because I don't run it by the public forum does not mean I'm doing it.

That said, you cannot sell a used machine For $6k for a machine that retails for $6k.

I realize there are some things you aren't going to talk about on a forum.

Please don't misunderstand. I am not telling you how to run your business, I am simply making friendly suggestions. That is all.