Shipping Tools

After reading a lot of Kickstarter creator blogs, I was dreading the task of shipping rewards. Many people recommended a dedicated shipping service or at least using a subscription service like Endicia. Even though shipping is still a ways off, I wanted to tackle how I could get it done early.

The most consistent advice was to purchase a thermal label printer. They are fast, easy, and the labels are much cheaper than wasting toner in a laser printer. I got a lightly used Zebra ZP450 off ebay. Even though it was designed for UPS, it readily prints labels for USPS or FedEx. The 4x6 labels have enough room for customs declarations on international shipments. I even got it working on my Linux computer!

Here was the real find though, Shippo. Shippo is a shipping API for organizing, buying, and printing shipping labels. They have a straightforward web-based interface or you can work the API into your website using a variety of scripting languages. 

Unlike Endicia, you pay per shipment rather than a monthly subscription. You also get to take advantage of heavy commercial shipping discounts. Even after the nominal 5 cent Shippo fee, it is still going to be much cheaper than the post office, upwards of 50% cheaper in many cases. If you have a Kickstarter campaign or if you just have a package to send to your grandkids, check out Shippo.

Kickstarter Sponsors Posted

The Sponsors page has been updated to include the Kickstarter backers. Thanks again for the support.

Thunderclap Sponsors Posted

We have posted the names of people that supported us in our Thunderclap crowdspeaking campaign last May. There were actually over 100 supporters, but most people did not want their names posted. Thanks to all of you.

Visit the Sponsors Page

The Kickstarter backer section is still a work in progress as people are still submitting their backer surveys.

Surveys Going Out

Now that the Kickstarter pledges have been processed and transferred, we are sending out the backers surveys. Our backers must fill out the survey so that we can deliver the rewards.

"Survey Says"

For those who are interested in the funding breakdown:

Pledged:                 $7531
Kickstarter Fees:      $377
Credit Card Fees:     $254
Funding Received: $6900

We are funded!

Thanks to all the backers, Burnt Weapons is now funded through Kickstarter!

Now the real project begins...

We're back online

After a brief hiatus thanks to Blogger accidentally shutting down burntweapons.com, we are back. We fixed, the glitch.

Bye Bye Funding Goal

Our rubber band gun project has broken through the funding goal! ...and there was great rejoicing throughout the land.