Thanks for making this video/ update! I think honest and polite criticism helps the BattleTech community grow. I think CGL is getting their house in order now (yesterday's KS update). I locked in late May and I got my shipping notification today (24 JUL 24). I am not sure which wave I was in, but CGL is getting things moving.
Thanks. Yes, it's important we hold CGL to account given the amount of money on the line, but it can be done in a reasonable way, as they are good people, who have made huge improvements to the quality of the product.
6:15 This is how you know just how small a niche in the world Battletech really is. For games like D&D and 40K, Multiple TH-camrs review the Hasbro and GW quarterly financial calls and mine every little piece of info they can get and then disseminate until there is widespread knowledge of the facts. Catalyst gets so few views on their streams that any loudmouth can spin what was said any way they want and it becomes the dominant message.
I have to agree . Communication is key, and they would help reduce a lot of anxiety if the shippers would post a better timeline. I contacted QML through FB, and looks like i'll be batch 5 in Wave 1, but they are just NOW wrapping up batch 3. IIWIS. I also agree about CGL's information gap. I LOVE the idea of the Tuesday News Day, but once TDND wraps, a summary should be blasted out on social media, for the folks who cannot (or refuse) to watch. I think it should be done after, to try and encourage people to watch/participate, but there should be a follow up 30 minutes or so later with the updates. Cheers
I've been transcribing the BattleTech news and posting it to the forum, and have expanded as of this week to transcribing everything. It might not get blasted everywhere yet but it up on the CGL Discord and the social media mods are aware of it so it'll get spread around more.
To my understanding; QML is handling the US and Canadian shipping and everywhere else is getting it done by local distribution hubs. Right now according to the KS post CGL posted today was that they have not shipped anything international yet as they are trying to give all their distributors stocked up before shipping. QML seems to have been given the priority by CGL for most of the stock they had initially and QML is handling it in waves to not over-stress supply. While the waves is a good idea the fact they straight up wont give any indication of where your at in the Queue is still really concerning and just “we will let you know when its shipped” isn’t really gonna cut it if we are going to still have to wait for months just to even know its shipped.
CGL cancelled local distribution hubs. Part way through the KS. Hence why shipping for us in UK was so expensive! Note my postage bill was same as my shipping 20' shipping container from Portsmouth to Baltimore.
Jesus Christ y’all. I want my new mechs as much as the next person but just fucking wait and enjoy your life. They will show up. You will get your plastic robots. Just wait. The sky isn’t falling, the world isn’t ending if your minis take a month to arrive.
Completely agree that CGL and QML should also get a better handle on comms for transparency. I can't be bothered to sit through their live steam news for the week myself, and so the only way that I'm getting the news from the live stream is through BT forums were some folks create the transcript/breakdown of the stream. Is what they're posting 100percent accurate? maybe or maybe not. The last KS update makes some since, but at the same time also confusing. CGL posted that if you were locked before May17th then your order is in one bracket, after another bracket. At least for the US orders. Sounds like they have mentioned (apprehensively) GamesQuest for the UK/EU, but would rather have QML be the ones to confirm that or not. I live here in the US and haven't even gotten an email about shipping happening at all yet, it is a sorry state that they didn't have something set up (at least let us know what's going on) with the countries outside the US/Canada area...Still hoping that I might get my order before the end of August, but that hope is slowly dying out. I would really love to see CGL/QML get together and give us the news on what's going on, and also would love to hear their fixes for the many, many defects that have been discovered.
Yes, it's a messy process. I can forgive it, as these projects are so unbelievably complex. If they want to do projects on this size and scope though, they are in desperate need of logistics specialists and enhanced software to manage things more effectively.
4:46 you’re definitely right about Australia. I’ve had no notification about any shipping yet. I’m not too fussed about that though, and in the current environment you kinda have to expect it. Hell, we’re still sorting out the fallout from the bridge collapse in Baltimore. 7:55 this, you’re spot on. I’m not a hater but the sparsity of updates on the kickstarter and the need to go and find stuff is a downer. If you want to keep up-to-date with the news, it has been a source of frustration. Not existential or end of the world level, just annoying.
Great video. Catalyst put out an update on shipping through Kickstarter today. I am in the US. I ordered a regiment and couple of battalions. No notification, yet.
I think the same about the communication, if i see regular updates that are not contradicting each other then i don't care if its coming in december. (My worry is that i receive it without any notifications or warnings like the clan invasion one, it just showed up one day.)
My Kickstarter Update email yesterday said that about 6000 orders have been shipped at that time. That is about 1/3 of the orders turned over to QML so far.
After a pretty lousy week, I finally got my KS (company Level) on Saturday July 27th in Idaho(USA). Now I really have a big pile of shame to paint. I am trying to decide if I want to film a unboxing video. I honestly don't remember seeing an email from QML, so it was a happy surprise for me. I am probably going to eBay my 100mm Timberwolf and maybe the challenge coin I received since I really try to limit some of my clutter. I do hope everyone will see their product soon.
On the issue of comms. They are dire. The experience so far has been enough for me to put me off ever backing another one of theirs. Communication is simple to do. Be honest. Even if there isn't anything to say. At least we know. And now to hear the cook book is just pirated recipes from cooking websites with lax copyright. That is shocking! Especially for a publishing company. CGL should hand their heads in shame on that.
Given the update by KS today that UK vat still hasn't been paid and they haven't sorted the importation paperwork. Given CGL lack of competence in shipping/organisation i fear getting charged VAT twice. To get our parcels released having them stuffed up the payments and paperwork. The mention of shortages means those of us whis orders are going to be shipped later are going to be even more impacted and delayed. So right now i am expecting my ks, if it lands, in January
Loved your last video. One point I wanted to make is they shouldn’t be focusing on small or big orders. They should do a mix and say that a computer has randomly selected orders. I think assuming you understand the consumers behind big or small orders and can trade on that is a bad idea. Their comms are atrocious. Finally got an update as an aussie and it implies no aussie order will ship for 4.5 weeks while they wait on anything they are short on. That is (frankly) moronic, plus they should give us an indicative timeline. How hard is it to say late aug to early oct. just say it if that’s right, don’t tell me details and delays and leave me to guess. An unknown wait, is the longest wait!
Same for UK orders if they haven't even paid the vat and sorted the postage importation paper work. I am half expecting to hear it's shipped then get a tax letter saying I have to pay VAT and tax again! Because they have stuffed up the paperwork.
I stopped in my LGS, there was a pile of KS product behind the counter with post it notes (with names) all over them. Seems the owner "pre-sold" a very large KS order. What I dont know if it's his personal stuff or a retail backing. Either way, every box was accounted for.
One of my friends received his Kickstarter of two battalions, backed on seperate pledges. We are both in Canada but i don't expect my shipment until later. Mine included a couple mats and extras, so I'm assuming it will be picked and packed later. I'm not complaining as I'm sure everything will get done in due time, but it's valid to criticize the avenues of communication. I understand that at CGL doesn't want to pass on information before verifying with QML as well, but some updates on the livestreams and Discord should be replicated out to the Kickstarter backer posts. Most people would be expecting this to be the primary source of news.
hmm... guess my last Post didn't make the cut? Anyways here is roughly what I wrote: I wholeheartily agree with the lacking communication. I thought/heard there was a confirmation of Gamesquest as shipping partner for UK/EU, but I couldn't find the original source. On the Gamesquest Blog howere there were other guys asking for news about the Mercs kickstarter (July 2nd update) though Gamesquest pointed to kickstarter updates or QML for questions, they didn't explicitly deny being the shipping partner. On the other hand there has been no mention of the Mercs KS on any of their channels, which has been the case for the Clan Invasion KS. So again quite some confusion here, which could've easily been avoided by just saying: ok guys shipping partner for EU/UK is xyz... but ok... (edit: in the original version I had the link to the gamesquest blog, assuming that might have led to the post being removed I dropped the link this time)
saw a comment on the kickstarter regarding the possibility of Porch Pirates, i commented that they must be taking from the ye-ard. Lucky i think i can redirect my parcel in Australia to nearest Post Office or Parcel Centre.
If it was not for the savings i´d stay away entierly. But damm... The savings are very good. Esp as i have only one LGS that carry BT stuff in the entire country. Supplies are not guarantee. the KS is a good way to get a nice pile of stuff for a good price. But i am also Scandinavian.. so i expect my KS box to come in october or november. =P I was fortunate enough to get a rogue SLDF command box recently. But my retailer still do not have them in stock. Might slow down and make some dioramas while i wait.
Yes, the KS are very cost effective. It's not just the product you save on, it's the ability too flip things you don;t want on eBay. I sat down and worked out that I'll probably make back about 500-700 quid back on things I don't want need, which really makes getting the KS a viable financial endeavour.
Two Battalion plus extra. USA address. Not shipped at this time. Trying to track via BackerKit; Three of the four lit. No phantom packages at this time.
One hour after you upload this, Catalyst release an update. Not saying that you are causing it, but if you were to upload more videos on this, I expect we might get more info? Although from what they said, I expect that we Aussies will not see it before September, late August if we are really lucky
Ha! Yes, I saw this as well ;) almost certain it has nothing to do with me, as their message was clearly well thought out and detailed, and was probably in the pipeline for several days before they published it. I really hope the Aussies get it about the same time as we do in Europe, as you guys get so badly stiffed on the hobby bill!
I would say cats updates is maybe a bit worse than Clan invasion, although at that time there was a lot of world wide problems with covid, shipping problems. Last time I got a confirmation email to say yeah we have shipped your order expect it in 2 days, except that was on the day it was delivered. Lucky I was in at that time but yeah not knowing even roughly where things are does make people anxious. Yeah checking email clan invasion we had 186 updates, mercenaries 95
I didnt have a chance to check Amazon & see how many different KS items I can find for sell. That is probably the most dissapointing factor for me despite having already receives my order. The fact CGL said all backers woukd receive theirs before retailers do, & to see that likely not being the case for even American backers is justbwrong.
Hi! German backer here. Lack of communication is big error from CGL. It is summer holiday season. I hope wr get it after august. I change my address to my sister but she is going too a 3 week holiday. With such a high premium shipping cost we should choose where/when we get our boxes!
Thanks for making this video/ update! I think honest and polite criticism helps the BattleTech community grow. I think CGL is getting their house in order now (yesterday's KS update). I locked in late May and I got my shipping notification today (24 JUL 24). I am not sure which wave I was in, but CGL is getting things moving.
Thanks. Yes, it's important we hold CGL to account given the amount of money on the line, but it can be done in a reasonable way, as they are good people, who have made huge improvements to the quality of the product.
6:15 This is how you know just how small a niche in the world Battletech really is. For games like D&D and 40K, Multiple TH-camrs review the Hasbro and GW quarterly financial calls and mine every little piece of info they can get and then disseminate until there is widespread knowledge of the facts. Catalyst gets so few views on their streams that any loudmouth can spin what was said any way they want and it becomes the dominant message.
Yes, BT is tiny by comparison. GW just posted profits of £95mil...that's profits...PROFITS :P
I have to agree . Communication is key, and they would help reduce a lot of anxiety if the shippers would post a better timeline. I contacted QML through FB, and looks like i'll be batch 5 in Wave 1, but they are just NOW wrapping up batch 3. IIWIS.
I also agree about CGL's information gap. I LOVE the idea of the Tuesday News Day, but once TDND wraps, a summary should be blasted out on social media, for the folks who cannot (or refuse) to watch. I think it should be done after, to try and encourage people to watch/participate, but there should be a follow up 30 minutes or so later with the updates.
Cheers
I've been transcribing the BattleTech news and posting it to the forum, and have expanded as of this week to transcribing everything. It might not get blasted everywhere yet but it up on the CGL Discord and the social media mods are aware of it so it'll get spread around more.
@@lorcannagle You do good work then! Thank you
This is good, thanks for posting.
And we got an ks update today
Which I'm taking all the credit for by the way :P
Only joking ;)
Good to see them put that message out!
To my understanding; QML is handling the US and Canadian shipping and everywhere else is getting it done by local distribution hubs. Right now according to the KS post CGL posted today was that they have not shipped anything international yet as they are trying to give all their distributors stocked up before shipping. QML seems to have been given the priority by CGL for most of the stock they had initially and QML is handling it in waves to not over-stress supply. While the waves is a good idea the fact they straight up wont give any indication of where your at in the Queue is still really concerning and just “we will let you know when its shipped” isn’t really gonna cut it if we are going to still have to wait for months just to even know its shipped.
CGL cancelled local distribution hubs. Part way through the KS. Hence why shipping for us in UK was so expensive!
Note my postage bill was same as my shipping 20' shipping container from Portsmouth to Baltimore.
Jesus Christ y’all. I want my new mechs as much as the next person but just fucking wait and enjoy your life. They will show up. You will get your plastic robots. Just wait. The sky isn’t falling, the world isn’t ending if your minis take a month to arrive.
Completely agree that CGL and QML should also get a better handle on comms for transparency. I can't be bothered to sit through their live steam news for the week myself, and so the only way that I'm getting the news from the live stream is through BT forums were some folks create the transcript/breakdown of the stream. Is what they're posting 100percent accurate? maybe or maybe not.
The last KS update makes some since, but at the same time also confusing. CGL posted that if you were locked before May17th then your order is in one bracket, after another bracket. At least for the US orders.
Sounds like they have mentioned (apprehensively) GamesQuest for the UK/EU, but would rather have QML be the ones to confirm that or not.
I live here in the US and haven't even gotten an email about shipping happening at all yet, it is a sorry state that they didn't have something set up (at least let us know what's going on) with the countries outside the US/Canada area...Still hoping that I might get my order before the end of August, but that hope is slowly dying out.
I would really love to see CGL/QML get together and give us the news on what's going on, and also would love to hear their fixes for the many, many defects that have been discovered.
Yes, it's a messy process. I can forgive it, as these projects are so unbelievably complex. If they want to do projects on this size and scope though, they are in desperate need of logistics specialists and enhanced software to manage things more effectively.
4:46 you’re definitely right about Australia. I’ve had no notification about any shipping yet. I’m not too fussed about that though, and in the current environment you kinda have to expect it. Hell, we’re still sorting out the fallout from the bridge collapse in Baltimore.
7:55 this, you’re spot on. I’m not a hater but the sparsity of updates on the kickstarter and the need to go and find stuff is a downer. If you want to keep up-to-date with the news, it has been a source of frustration. Not existential or end of the world level, just annoying.
I got my shipping notification yesterday and received it today. I live in the US.
Great video. Catalyst put out an update on shipping through Kickstarter today. I am in the US. I ordered a regiment and couple of battalions. No notification, yet.
Thanks!
I got mine last Friday.
Just got my shipping email this morning
Congrats
I think the same about the communication, if i see regular updates that are not contradicting each other then i don't care if its coming in december.
(My worry is that i receive it without any notifications or warnings like the clan invasion one, it just showed up one day.)
It is always nice to see the congregation of the fan base when KS pops up and keeps itself informed.
Indeed, I think several content creators do it, like the MechBay Podcast, as it reminds people we are all in this together ;)
My Kickstarter Update email yesterday said that about 6000 orders have been shipped at that time. That is about 1/3 of the orders turned over to QML so far.
After a pretty lousy week, I finally got my KS (company Level) on Saturday July 27th in Idaho(USA). Now I really have a big pile of shame to paint. I am trying to decide if I want to film a unboxing video. I honestly don't remember seeing an email from QML, so it was a happy surprise for me. I am probably going to eBay my 100mm Timberwolf and maybe the challenge coin I received since I really try to limit some of my clutter. I do hope everyone will see their product soon.
I’m in sw Florida. Regiment plus company order. Shipping paid and locked early May. Pledge was on second day. No notification
Don’t worry. They’re coming. Be patient. Battalion and backer 1125, I have only received address notification.
On the issue of comms. They are dire. The experience so far has been enough for me to put me off ever backing another one of theirs.
Communication is simple to do. Be honest. Even if there isn't anything to say. At least we know.
And now to hear the cook book is just pirated recipes from cooking websites with lax copyright. That is shocking! Especially for a publishing company. CGL should hand their heads in shame on that.
Given the update by KS today that UK vat still hasn't been paid and they haven't sorted the importation paperwork. Given CGL lack of competence in shipping/organisation i fear getting charged VAT twice. To get our parcels released having them stuffed up the payments and paperwork.
The mention of shortages means those of us whis orders are going to be shipped later are going to be even more impacted and delayed.
So right now i am expecting my ks, if it lands, in January
Im in New York usa and have no info sofar
but kick just posted an update on things!!😮
Loved your last video. One point I wanted to make is they shouldn’t be focusing on small or big orders. They should do a mix and say that a computer has randomly selected orders. I think assuming you understand the consumers behind big or small orders and can trade on that is a bad idea.
Their comms are atrocious. Finally got an update as an aussie and it implies no aussie order will ship for 4.5 weeks while they wait on anything they are short on. That is (frankly) moronic, plus they should give us an indicative timeline. How hard is it to say late aug to early oct. just say it if that’s right, don’t tell me details and delays and leave me to guess. An unknown wait, is the longest wait!
Same for UK orders if they haven't even paid the vat and sorted the postage importation paper work. I am half expecting to hear it's shipped then get a tax letter saying I have to pay VAT and tax again! Because they have stuffed up the paperwork.
Important to say we don; t know what the issue is though with the UK VAT, hopefully won; t be something too difficult to solve.
Yes, I really hope they get better on the comms front. It fixes so many dramas if they get it right.
I stopped in my LGS, there was a pile of KS product behind the counter with post it notes (with names) all over them. Seems the owner "pre-sold" a very large KS order. What I dont know if it's his personal stuff or a retail backing.
Either way, every box was accounted for.
One of my friends received his Kickstarter of two battalions, backed on seperate pledges. We are both in Canada but i don't expect my shipment until later. Mine included a couple mats and extras, so I'm assuming it will be picked and packed later.
I'm not complaining as I'm sure everything will get done in due time, but it's valid to criticize the avenues of communication. I understand that at CGL doesn't want to pass on information before verifying with QML as well, but some updates on the livestreams and Discord should be replicated out to the Kickstarter backer posts. Most people would be expecting this to be the primary source of news.
hmm... guess my last Post didn't make the cut? Anyways here is roughly what I wrote: I wholeheartily agree with the lacking communication. I thought/heard there was a confirmation of Gamesquest as shipping partner for UK/EU, but I couldn't find the original source. On the Gamesquest Blog howere there were other guys asking for news about the Mercs kickstarter (July 2nd update) though Gamesquest pointed to kickstarter updates or QML for questions, they didn't explicitly deny being the shipping partner. On the other hand there has been no mention of the Mercs KS on any of their channels, which has been the case for the Clan Invasion KS.
So again quite some confusion here, which could've easily been avoided by just saying: ok guys shipping partner for EU/UK is xyz... but ok...
(edit: in the original version I had the link to the gamesquest blog, assuming that might have led to the post being removed I dropped the link this time)
I've given up trying to understand YT comments...it's chaos ;)
Interesting, thanks! Yes, the comms is key.
saw a comment on the kickstarter regarding the possibility of Porch Pirates, i commented that they must be taking from the ye-ard.
Lucky i think i can redirect my parcel in Australia to nearest Post Office or Parcel Centre.
If it was not for the savings i´d stay away entierly. But damm... The savings are very good. Esp as i have only one LGS that carry BT stuff in the entire country. Supplies are not guarantee. the KS is a good way to get a nice pile of stuff for a good price. But i am also Scandinavian.. so i expect my KS box to come in october or november. =P I was fortunate enough to get a rogue SLDF command box recently. But my retailer still do not have them in stock. Might slow down and make some dioramas while i wait.
Yes, the KS are very cost effective. It's not just the product you save on, it's the ability too flip things you don;t want on eBay. I sat down and worked out that I'll probably make back about 500-700 quid back on things I don't want need, which really makes getting the KS a viable financial endeavour.
oh just got my tracking email today!
I just got my address verification from QML, so one step closer. Considering I'm in VA, USA, and prolly shipped through CA, USA, timeline makes sense.
Two Battalion plus extra. USA address. Not shipped at this time. Trying to track via BackerKit; Three of the four lit. No phantom packages at this time.
Just received Address Verification request!
One hour after you upload this, Catalyst release an update. Not saying that you are causing it, but if you were to upload more videos on this, I expect we might get more info?
Although from what they said, I expect that we Aussies will not see it before September, late August if we are really lucky
Ha! Yes, I saw this as well ;) almost certain it has nothing to do with me, as their message was clearly well thought out and detailed, and was probably in the pipeline for several days before they published it.
I really hope the Aussies get it about the same time as we do in Europe, as you guys get so badly stiffed on the hobby bill!
I would say cats updates is maybe a bit worse than Clan invasion, although at that time there was a lot of world wide problems with covid, shipping problems. Last time I got a confirmation email to say yeah we have shipped your order expect it in 2 days, except that was on the day it was delivered. Lucky I was in at that time but yeah not knowing even roughly where things are does make people anxious.
Yeah checking email clan invasion we had 186 updates, mercenaries 95
I didnt have a chance to check Amazon & see how many different KS items I can find for sell.
That is probably the most dissapointing factor for me despite having already receives my order. The fact CGL said all backers woukd receive theirs before retailers do, & to see that likely not being the case for even American backers is justbwrong.
Hi!
German backer here.
Lack of communication is big error from CGL.
It is summer holiday season.
I hope wr get it after august.
I change my address to my sister but she is going too a 3 week holiday.
With such a high premium shipping cost we should choose where/when we get our boxes!
I will never do a Kickstarter again. CGL and QML are not to be trusted. The items are already on shelves in places before pledges even hit.
I hear people saying this, but I'm yet to see any KS items on sales outside of Ebay, which is the secondary market, and doesn’t count.