Dark Fable | 12 Mar 2015 2:32 a.m. PST |
Maybe this topic has already been posted – but I was wondering if anyone had any information on the state of Center Stage Miniatures? I've heard they have filed for bankruptcy after running three successful kick-starters – I guess they were unable to fulfil their orders to contributors – which I find surprising considering the large amounts they made. The Center Stage Miniatures website is still up but a large number of their miniatures are no longer available – are these being bought up by other miniature companies? Any info would be welcome |
MajorB | 12 Mar 2015 2:51 a.m. PST |
Never heard of Center Stage Miniatures until seeing this post! |
Huscarle | 12 Mar 2015 3:14 a.m. PST |
That's sad to hear although I don't see anything on their website; they had some very nice looking fantasy miniatures that were on my radar. Oops, just discovered this snippet link |
Editor in Chief Bill | 12 Mar 2015 3:17 a.m. PST |
Poor or inethical businessmen, in my opinion |
jpattern2 | 12 Mar 2015 5:20 a.m. PST |
Shame. I had my eye on some of their minis, but there was no way I was going to invest in their kickstarters. I think one of the worst things a company can do is begin a second (or third or fourth) kickstarter before the first is *completely* fulfilled. Smells like Ponzi to me. |
Doctor X | 12 Mar 2015 8:13 a.m. PST |
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Mikasa | 13 Mar 2015 2:48 a.m. PST |
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Huscarle | 14 Mar 2015 2:24 a.m. PST |
Ouch Mikasa, that's a fair bit of dosh to wave farewell to. I think I'll be a little more wary of KS in the future too. |
Dark Fable | 15 Mar 2015 3:44 a.m. PST |
That is harsh Mikasa I hope you have some recourse to recover some of your investment. I suppose it depends how you paid |
altfritz | 15 Mar 2015 9:26 a.m. PST |
I backed the first one and received my stuff eventually. Even received replacements for the stuff that was short-shipped. I don't think going to GenCon was the brightest thing to do (needless expense)and that dragon probably hurt things as well. |
TheKing30 | 15 Mar 2015 1:07 p.m. PST |
Another example of why I'll never back another Kickstarter. |
Zephyr1 | 15 Mar 2015 2:31 p.m. PST |
Okay, that explains why I haven't gotten a KS update from them in a while. Only out 75$ for the dragon, though. *shrugs* oh well… |
Rudysnelson | 17 Mar 2015 7:25 a.m. PST |
I too will never participate in a kickstarter. |
Rogzombie | 18 Mar 2015 8:13 p.m. PST |
I believe he pulled in over $200,000. USD No small change. Sadly I was involved along the way. I got most of the Demons and devils except the giant dragon. Really sad-the quality on the stuff was mostly incredible. The evidence out there doesnt shine well on him at all. I know some painters and other industry people he ripped off. The worst story and they claim he said it himself was that he bought a new car and wrecked it…. |
Rogzombie | 18 Mar 2015 8:18 p.m. PST |
Okay guys, remember this guy was a small timer, a bug under the rug. Reaper, Dwarven Forge and CMON as well as others continue to put out great, professional kickstarters. Zombicide is on its third round and is very popular. Dwarven Forge is now selling tiles to build a city! Conan the kickstarter just made 3.5 million. The problem lies with small timers who have no sense unless its to rip you off. There are good small companies doing kickstarters. Fractured Dimensions came thru on their devils kickstarter. Stonehaven ran about 4 and all done on time. |
The Angry Piper | 19 Mar 2015 4:24 p.m. PST |
I've only ever backed one Kickstarter: Aftermath Modular Terrain. And I couldn't be happier. That stuff is great, and they delivered their product before schedule despite some problems with their laser-cutter. Great communication along the way, too. I would back them again if they had another product I liked. Since then, I've been tempted here and there (Rise of the Kage almost got my money) but the many TMP threads of defaulted KS campaigns makes me wary. |
wminsing | 23 Mar 2015 8:32 a.m. PST |
Yes, I'm at the point where I'm only backing stuff that's either a) someone I know and have confidence in, or b) someone who I've backed before and I'm confident will deliver. I've also been lucky in that I haven't been stiffed yet (though there's one or two projects I'm still not sure on), but at this point I feel like my luck is liable to run out…. -Will |
wminsing | 23 Mar 2015 8:39 a.m. PST |
As for Center Stage itself, it looks like the classic case of the 'didn't run the numbers accurately'; wanted a little money, got a ton, but the costs to fulfill the KS exploded, so run another KS to help cover the costs of the first one, and so forth…. Though I've also heard there was some downright shady stuff going on (business partners stiffed, new car bought with KS funds) as well. -Will |
Dark Fable | 23 Mar 2015 10:32 a.m. PST |
I know from experience that running a crowd-funding project can be difficult and unless you keep a tight control on things you could easily fritter away any profits made. Plus there are always unexpected expenses you should make allowances for. Considering the large amounts CS received things might have got out of hand and it was not apparent until it was too late. It is too bad, they were a cool company with a lot of nice models it would have been great to see the kick-starter miniatures reach general sale. |
Dark Fable | 11 Apr 2015 6:08 a.m. PST |
Wow, no more Center Stage website. I guess the game is finally over . . . |
Zephyr1 | 27 Apr 2015 2:26 p.m. PST |
Received a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy letter today, so now to wait to see what happens… |
Weasel | 27 Apr 2015 6:20 p.m. PST |
Quite a few kickstarters in the tech fields end up succeeding themselves into failure. Production doesn't always scale easily. I mostly use kickstarter for artsy hippie stuff that I don't expect to see a return or product for. |
Rogzombie | 28 Apr 2015 9:14 p.m. PST |
Matt played to the obessive nature of collectors. He made it too good to pass up. For me and some others he came thru on the Demons and devils which gave me a level of confidence that the monty haul Tome of horror kickstarters would be done eventually and we would have cool stuff never seen before. Its truly a shame he didnt come thru as most of the D&D figs were excellent. Its one of my fav kickstarters ever. Well it looks like we will never know how the TOH minis would have been and I doubt we even see a handful of change from his bankruptcies. Looks like he owes 20 or so big banks and other institutions, there wont be anything left for us. I already have it out of my system. Its not worth getting an ulcer over. |
Zephyr1 | 17 Dec 2015 3:34 p.m. PST |
Anybody else receive a "proof of claim" notice? I'm sending one in, just on the offchance that I might get something back (figure it'll at least be worth a stamp to try. ;-) |
YogiBearMinis | 24 Dec 2015 1:54 p.m. PST |
You should always file a proof of claim just to be safe, or just to document any loss you may be able to take on taxes. |
Lfseeney | 05 Jan 2016 2:26 p.m. PST |
CMON is not a good company ask anyone who backed Sedition Wars. |
Editor in Chief Bill | 07 Jan 2016 5:58 p.m. PST |
Anybody else receive a "proof of claim" notice? Not me. |