Arist coffee machine (Kickstarter) - Page 12

#111: Post by **Bob_McBob** » March 17th, 2015, 2:47 pm

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/ ... 722349.htm

This article claims they took 22,000 pre-orders for the machine before they stopped accepting them in February. That's $7.7 million at their initial $349 price.

#112: Post by **Paul_Pratt** » March 19th, 2015, 4:10 am

Finally a small comment from Arist, they are delaying the update again, surprise surprise, but even more funny is they want to take the discussion to their own forum rather than on the Kickstarter one. I think they set out to make a machine, are completely swamped now and have delusions of grandeur after all the media fawning and the gazillion pre-orders they have.

#113: Post by **Bob_McBob** » March 19th, 2015, 3:21 pm

I wonder if the updates will be public or even available to backers below the $299 level. I also wonder what Kickstarter thinks about a project creator bypassing their system.

#114: Post by **TomC** » March 19th, 2015, 5:11 pm

7.7 million dollars will attract plenty of class action lawyers. I wouldn't be surprised if they're spending as much or more money on accountants, and lawyer fees in order to protect any liquid capital.

#115: Post by **Bob_McBob** » April 4th, 2015, 11:55 pm

1 1/2 months since the last update. Backers are starting to get very nervous.

#116: Post by **jbr** » April 5th, 2015, 12:54 am

Well, yes, they are getting restless - I would be getting nervous too if I had laid down $300... I wonder how many are in for more than one? It's likely the next update (if there is a next update) deals mostly (or only) with software, doesn't show updated hardware (or only shows drawings of a new design), and doesn't show any tangible manufacturing progress (or shows someone standing in front of a factory or assembly line).

#117: Post by **TomC** » April 5th, 2015, 1:34 am

Profanity is not tolerated here, quoted elsewhere or not. Keep it civil.

#118: Post by **Bob_McBob** » April 5th, 2015, 1:36 am

Right on cue they posted another nothing message in the comments section, including this gem.

Arist wrote: As for my truly hard working and talented colleagues whose motivation is fueled by their passion for this project, it doesn't make sense for them to be treated this way. These negative comments are extremely demotivating and puts on toll on moral. To me, no other challenge could be worse than seeing our team lose momentum and their passion for their work. And this could very likely be the root cause of failure if this continues.

#119: Post by **jbr** » April 5th, 2015, 3:49 am

Bob - that quote of yours is similar to an earlier message from the creator that negatively hurts their morale and progress but what people are asking for is information, they're not being negative for the fun of it. When the creator told backers that he had brought on board a "communications specialist" he mentioned the guy had a psychology background with the implication that he used psychology as a tool in communications (which sounds like manipulation to me). So I suspect that the communications specialist has advised the creator that threatening failure if people aren't always positive will keep people in line. As you alluded, I agree that it's likely when they fail to deliver what was promised they will pull that out as an excuse as to why.

#120: Post by **Bob_McBob** » April 9th, 2015, 5:48 pm

Someone posted an email they received from Benson in the KS comments that confirms they took $7.7 million in pre-orders and will not divulge any further information about the machine. Arist replied within 10 minutes to say the backer comment is proof they can't share anything with backers in case it's made public and "jeopardizes the future of the company"

No update, no useful information since December, and a claimed $8.4 million in funding. They have been hard at work on their web site and are now accepting pre-orders again at the $600 mark, though.