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Post by dizzysaxophone on Aug 2, 2013 8:53:41 GMT -6
I'm sorry to hear some of that John. Much of that is absolutely awful, and I'm completely disgusted that someone would do something like that to another person. So of that I'm in the same boat as you. While Andrew Johnson is at least a relatively unknown president (was Lincoln's vice-president, so took over after his assassination, and I believe he was the first to be impeached), its still a horribly common name too. I've noticed some of the same issues with airports, USPS, DPS, etc... I'm just happy to hear from you! thanks John.
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Post by funkaoshi on Aug 2, 2013 9:33:12 GMT -6
I actually have a blog post about all of this that i've been sitting on, because it's hard to discuss this project and it being late without sounding like an not a very nice person. We are working very hard to make sure every remaining boxed set arrives at it's new home before the end of August so that I can ship the remaining DD materials in September. This line here is the what I think is has been your biggest issue with this project. You've done a poor job managing peoples expectations for the delivery of the project, and continue to do so. We've been told the project has been a couple months away from completely shipping since November. No one is setting unrealistic deadlines for you besides yourself. If it's going to take you 4 more months or 8 more months, you should just say so. I would add the following: you know how long it takes to make a box, and you hopefully know how long they take to leave your hands and end up at the post office. You should probably just have a running tally somewhere of how many boxes are outstanding, and just chart how long they should take to move. Then you could track your progress against that estimate, and both you and your customers could see how things are going. In software we call that a burndown chart. Good luck! I'm still really looking forward to my boxed set, x-plorers, a gaming box, and the DCC RPG adventures as well. I'm sure they'll all be great.
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Post by Haldo Bramwise on Aug 2, 2013 11:24:45 GMT -6
I actually have a blog post about all of this that i've been sitting on, because it's hard to discuss this project and it being late without sounding like an not a very nice person. We are working very hard to make sure every remaining boxed set arrives at it's new home before the end of August so that I can ship the remaining DD materials in September. This line here is the what I think is has been your biggest issue with this project. You've done a poor job managing peoples expectations for the delivery of the project, and continue to do so. We've been told the project has been a couple months away from completely shipping since November. No one is setting unrealistic deadlines for you besides yourself. If it's going to take you 4 more months or 8 more months, you should just say so. I would add the following: you know how long it takes to make a box, and you hopefully know how long they take to leave your hands and end up at the post office. You should probably just have a running tally somewhere of how many boxes are outstanding, and just chart how long they should take to move. Then you could track your progress against that estimate, and both you and your customers could see how things are going. In software we call that a burndown chart. Good luck! I'm still really looking forward to my boxed set, x-plorers, a gaming box, and the DCC RPG adventures as well. I'm sure they'll all be great. Yes, absolutely. I have managed this project very poorly from the beginning. There is very little about this project that I would do the same. It is all my fault and I deserve all condemnation for it, period. I guess folks cannot see my personal anguish over the project. It may not mean much to most folks, but the personal cost of this project to me (emotionally, physically, in friends and in reputation) is not something I ever care to repeat and I am looking forward to the day (very soon) when my connection to it is over. What I failed to mention in my former post is that I was recently (eight weeks ago) diagnosed with a serious, but treatable medical condition. After six weeks of treatment, I must confess, I feel TONS better. In the last year, I was unable to work more than 8-10 hours a day, but now I am getting back to my old self and easily work 14-16 hours most days.
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Post by Falconer on Aug 2, 2013 12:02:46 GMT -6
John, my sympathies. We just think you’re shooting yourself in the foot by saying the second DD shipment will be “in September.” Can’t you see that’s a promise you won’t be able to keep? No offense. Just don’t give yourself more trouble than you need.
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Post by Haldo Bramwise on Aug 2, 2013 12:10:49 GMT -6
John, my sympathies. We just think you’re shooting yourself in the foot by saying the second DD shipment will be “in September.” Can’t you see that’s a promise you won’t be able to keep? No offense. Just don’t give yourself more trouble than you need. Oh, yes, yes, I see what you mean now! While I do have almost everything ready to print for the second shipment, the second shipment is also dependent upon another writer as well and I cannot actually promise when he will be done with it. That's good advice. I haven't made any official announcement about the second shipment yet. My hope is to have it ready to ship in September. I will leave it at that.
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idrahil
Level 6 Magician
The Lighter The Rules, The Better The Game!
Posts: 398
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Post by idrahil on Aug 2, 2013 14:04:38 GMT -6
The PDFs have been enough to sustain me (I bought a Delving Deeper box, Appendix N Subscription and an X-Plorer's box), my fear is always the fact that the Delving Deeper box was bought using my friend's PayPal. He put my address in the email that you had sent John but we just haven't recieved the DD box or the Appendix N modules. I have the PDFs though and I REALLY enjoy the work.
What is weird is I got my X-Plorer's Box almost right away. lol.
As long as you remember my weird order with the address change and I eventually get the box, I'll be satisfied. It's been a while but at least with the PDFs, I've been able to play.
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Post by strangebrew on Aug 2, 2013 21:33:42 GMT -6
While a shock blogger (YDIS himself I am told) has posted his thought that I am waiting for the money to ship the remaining boxed sets (an idea repeated in this thread), that is just not true. The real reason the boxed sets are taking so long to finish shipping is a perfect storm of conditions. That blog may have been the original source, but I don't read it, somewhat ironically due to its past treatment of people such as yourself. To be honest, if the above was true I actually wouldn't be too upset since family comes first, but I'm glad to know it isn't the case. I guess this wasn't the most appropriate venue for such speculation, and for that I apologize John. I think everyone is very frustrated about the situation, and that obviously includes you. I think you built up a good reputation with the S&W set (my only regret being I only ordered one) and I hate seeing that reputation in jeopardy. For what it's worth, I have yet to regret placing my order, because I know it will be an exceptional product once its delivered.
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busman
Level 6 Magician
Playing OD&D, once again. Since 2008!
Posts: 448
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Post by busman on Aug 4, 2013 18:23:44 GMT -6
Hey John,
Thanks for the updates.
I can be indefinitely delayed on receiving shipment on DD, as long as information continues to come forth of where you are at.
I'll echo others in this thread and say, we aren't setting expectations on receiving the products, we are going off the expectations you are setting. When you say last batch and talk about international issues and that the last orders are going out in the next few weeks, and then a couple of months go by, I get nervous. Add to that, non-responsiveness to email, and it adds to the concern. Also, announcements of additional products, B versions, Dagger, etc. add to the concern that DD is a product that is not receiving focus.
If it makes you feel any better, Steve Jackson is over a year late on shipping his Ogre Designer edition and he's been in the business forever as you well know. The difference? Regular updates.
You have been more than open in sharing your situation, and it sounds like a herculean effort to continue forward. Now that you have a full time job have you considered engaging other volunteers to help out? If fulfillment is the major problem, which it seems it is, that is usually something that other local enthusiasts are more than happy to help with. Also, filling the house with other to have conversation and engage in lighter topics may be a welcome change also. Purely speculation on my part, obviously.
It also seems like, rather than spending time processing orders, which is certainly necessary, it might be wiser to take some time and get organized fully so that you can say X/Y orders are left, and when someone emails, you can reply to them and say, your order hasn't shipped yet, you're X in line from shipping. Measure how many boxes you can get done a week, and plot out how long it will take to do those. Don't hope. Measure. I don't need DD by the end of August, but I would *love* to know about when I am actually going to receive it, whenever that may be. The more I contemplate what you and others have posted, organization/promises is what's tanking your rep right now.
Again, thanks for the update, it helps to understand where the project is at. I hope you take the posts from people as the excitement for the awesome product you have put together. Really, I'm still anxious to receive it, I've been using it for most of planning lately and am trying to get a group together to play it; I think the physical materials will seal the deal.
Thanks, Chris
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Post by andreasdavour on Aug 15, 2013 8:17:14 GMT -6
John,
I started this thread some time ago, and you have posted some updates. One of those even included a picture of a box you claimed was supposed to be shipping my way. Could you please give me an update on how that went? I want some information, and I think that is the key at this moment.
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Post by legopaidi on Aug 19, 2013 4:11:50 GMT -6
I would also like an update from you John in case you missed my email (legopaidi@gmail.com).
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Post by andreasdavour on Aug 19, 2013 13:33:25 GMT -6
Please, if someone sees John online, direct him back here.
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Post by Haldo Bramwise on Aug 20, 2013 8:26:32 GMT -6
So sorry guys! I took your advice and I have been busy offline making sure we have all of the last DD orders packed and shipped. I did an update a few weeks ago on my website, but I did not copy it here. Here is it: legopaidi: I have fixed what was wrong with my shipment to you and emailed you about it. andreasdavour: I am trying to find out what the USPS did with your order and I will email you asap. *I do have plenty of DD boxes, so if some of them get damaged or lost in shipment, I can easily replace them.
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Post by andreasdavour on Aug 20, 2013 11:51:19 GMT -6
Thanks for the update, John. I will monitor my inbox, and holler here if I don't hear anything.
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busman
Level 6 Magician
Playing OD&D, once again. Since 2008!
Posts: 448
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Post by busman on Aug 22, 2013 13:17:25 GMT -6
I can't wait to get mine!
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Post by snorri on Aug 22, 2013 13:33:12 GMT -6
The same...
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Post by andreasdavour on Aug 23, 2013 12:29:51 GMT -6
John, I have not gotten any email from you. Please, if you intend to email me, do so. I've yet to receive any emails from you. Will you please start now, or post here instead?
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Post by funkaoshi on Aug 23, 2013 13:45:13 GMT -6
Still a big nope here in Toronto. Anyone else in Canada get anything?
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busman
Level 6 Magician
Playing OD&D, once again. Since 2008!
Posts: 448
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Post by busman on Aug 26, 2013 15:01:13 GMT -6
I'm in California, nothing yet.
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Post by bestialwarlust on Aug 27, 2013 11:18:09 GMT -6
So sorry guys! I took your advice and I have been busy offline making sure we have all of the last DD orders packed and shipped. I did an update a few weeks ago on my website, but I did not copy it here. Here is it: legopaidi: I have fixed what was wrong with my shipment to you and emailed you about it. andreasdavour: I am trying to find out what the USPS did with your order and I will email you asap. *I do have plenty of DD boxes, so if some of them get damaged or lost in shipment, I can easily replace them. Ok I haven't received mine by the 25th so I've sent an email also
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Post by funkaoshi on Aug 27, 2013 13:13:54 GMT -6
Yeah, I sent an email as well.
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Post by Haldo Bramwise on Aug 27, 2013 19:00:14 GMT -6
I am sorry guys. I had to take some time off since my last post. I had a stress-induced heart issue that really scared me, but it is under control now (no damage or anything). I have had to change some of my work habits. Apparently, I ain't as young as I was just five years ago.
I will have a full update tomorrow here, on my blog and my website.
I have been fooling myself for over a year now thinking that I could do everything in BHP myself.
So I have rented plenty of work space from a local business and hired two reliable workers. Both have families and need the extra money. James is focused upon packing and shipping and Libby is focused upon rescuing and replacing our failed index card order system. James and Libby will stay with BHP until all the DD orders (1st and 2nd shipments) as well as all of the Appendix N Adventures Kickstarter rewards and Annual subscriptions have shipped.
Some of your orders are being posted from a 3rd party shipper as a way of trying to avoid any more USPS problems.
We hope to have all remaining DD orders out asap with confirmation emails. The second DD shipment will benefit from a team effort and a modern fulfillment system.
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Post by funkaoshi on Aug 27, 2013 20:18:43 GMT -6
Hope you're feeling better. Thanks for the update.
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machpants
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Supersonic Underwear!
Posts: 259
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Post by machpants on Aug 28, 2013 1:43:36 GMT -6
So is the "haven't received your order by the 25th August" Still relevant? I haven't received my DD box set or Pete Mullen box, which I think are coming together before my App N stuff (you mentioned it before that this was the case)
Thanks
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Post by andreasdavour on Aug 28, 2013 14:14:57 GMT -6
Thanks for the update John. I hope you're feeling better now.
Also, a piece of advice. Please don't say that you're going to do this or that, making up and mailing info and all that. It just looks really bad, because you never do. When I see it, I just get annoyed. Instead, just tell what's happened and what the next step is, without waving any dates about. Never say anything about an update coming up, unless it's going out the very next day. Otherwise just do a state of the nation without promises every fortnight or something. I hope that does not come across too bad. I intend to hold you to the promise of the product I've ordered, but I'm not out to kill you or to raise my own blood pressure.
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Post by funkaoshi on Aug 28, 2013 15:03:01 GMT -6
Agreed. You shouldn't kill yourself trying to mail these things out! I don't think anyone wants that. That said, you're very good at over promising and under delivering. You want to switch that around.
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Post by Haldo Bramwise on Aug 28, 2013 19:32:30 GMT -6
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Post by andreasdavour on Sept 4, 2013 8:00:42 GMT -6
Tue Feb 12 16:34:06 2013 was the last time I got an email from you John. I'm still waiting.
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Post by legopaidi on Sept 5, 2013 7:17:40 GMT -6
Well, I'm still waiting on my bix box full of BHP stuff if that makes you feel any better. The post office assured John that my order would leave the country this time and arrive within 10 days. It's been 14 days since then and still nothing...I must say that my desire to play DD has waned considerably after these delays. I didn't start a game thinking I would like to have the physical product at hand but I think that was a mistake. I have actually ordered WotC OD&D reprint and I think I'll be playing that instead of DD.
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Post by andreasdavour on Sept 5, 2013 13:21:03 GMT -6
I feel your pain. Today I actually got an email telling me they had not forgotten us, and included a link to the "wake-up call" page. At least that's something. I don't think we need to suffer together, but it seems like John needs some prodding to deliver updates so that's what I do.
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Post by funkaoshi on Sept 5, 2013 14:56:23 GMT -6
I've also ordered the OD&D reprints. I ordered Delving Deeper a little bit over a year ago, now. I think if I had known they were on the horizon and that this would ship so late i'd have skipped my order in the first place.
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