A quick text-only one, with what's going on behind the scenes.
One, we have A-grade Lioness and Axolotl pins in. Opt-in/hold back backers will be receiving theirs in their pledge, even if they got full refunds or opted for another resolution.
I've been getting smacked behind the scenes (as usual) but I have a small set of C3-only packages that will also be going out this weekend with corrected critters. Unexpected resolution, but, glad I can get you guys your pins after all.
Two - we're in the home stretch for combined HYENA FAMILY shipping. Most of it, at least.
Me and Henrieke are figuring out the final logistics, costs, box sizes, and time windows we'll need to get stuff going. I am preparing European C3 orders to get out there in the next week. I don't have an exact timeframe for when Henrieke's pins will cross the Atlantic yet, and will update you guys when I have more info. Remember: not all designs are fulfilling yet, and if your order includes a delayed design, you may need to wait slightly longer.
Three - if you are in the combined bracket, and want to add more items, now is a good time. All CHALLENGE COINS designs and stickers are up on the HUSTLE store, sans A-grade Lioness and Axolotl which should be up this weekend. If you want those, or anything else included in your package, place an order and request combined shipping - I'll refund your fee on the site.
I'm off to go get a little work done on ARCHETYPES. I have to crunch some pins still - most of my focus will be going here. If you'd like to see some cool-ass video game tribute pins this November, check out TRIBUTES! We're launching November 7th. We have something for everyone.
There's photos of DOG CRIMES pins I'll be sharing in an update tomorrow. We're doing well, but, I'm saving the meaty update for when you guys are actually awake.
Brief, stupid, update: so, I was taking a piss at the morning shift today, doomscrolling, and I get an email from the Eyebrow Factory.
Despite leaving me on read for a month, and all affected customers for the Axolotl and Lioness pins being contacted and refunded, they apparently went ahead and did remakes. I was not consulted for this, I did not get a chance to approve fixes or go ahead on a batch of pins I'm being expected to pay shipping for, they just rolled up after 34 days with it. I wrote off any possible resolution with the factory and went for a bank chargeback after my last email didn't get anything out of them.
I guess we're getting Axolotl and Lioness A grades? Sure, man. Whatever. Sure.
I strongly suggest that this factory go into standup with their sense of comedic timing. Clearly, the pin thing isn't working for them. The difficult business side of refunds, apologies, and explanations went out last week - and, quick thank you, to everyone who took that well and was understanding about everything. This leaves me in a very annoying spot where, if this came any quicker, all of that could have been avoided.
While this might seem like a nice, happy ending, this is a concerning situation that reopens serious problems with communication, design/mold security, and usage of my money. I don't plan on going back to this mess.
How am I planning to handle this? Well, honestly, it's just gonna be A-stock. Affected reserve buyers that weren't already comped with B-grades got full refunds, on top of B's + a 25% off coupon for any A-stock they may want.
If the remakes get here by the time Henrieke's hyenas hit the USA, I'll put them in instead of the promised B-grade errored pins. Otherwise, the plan is the same, and these guys will get inventoried and listed at their A-grade price - if, big if, any of them are actually A-grade. And that's not looking great.
They have not addressed any other remakes, refunds, or compensation, and the email I got today was only asking to pay for postage and confirm my delivery address.
Whatever. Most of this update is venting. This is a wild fucking ride that never ends, this sucks, thanks for reading.
We're still waiting on HYENA FAMILY pins to send combined orders out.
Small good news, the HUSTLE store is open. All C3 inventory is up, including stickers and locking pinbacks... plus, big, discounted, B-grade mystery packs.
It's been too damn long, but, we've got photos, we've got prices, and we've got inventory in. If you'd like anything from the HUSTLE, and you're waiting on a C3 or DOG CRIMES order, you can purchase it now and leave a note to combine shipping.
That's all for now. I'm going to go scream into a pillow before the night shift.
Been a wild few weeks, and, some good news and some bad news. I've been working on getting that squared away with everyone affected first, so, I'm sorry for keeping you guys waiting.
I'll leave this unbolded so people can glaze over it: ultimately, we are not going to be doing remakes on the 2 fully defective designs for now. While Eyebrow Factory has their faults, their low unit prices and lower charges for antique enamel were a perk. I am having some issues getting either of the new factories to accurately mimic the style, colors, and sepia epoxy effect needed for C3.
This, and a very high unit cost for new molds and items, mean I have ultimately decided to refund affected buyers. You guys should have gotten an email from me, you'll be getting your B-grade critter as well as that full refund. I appreciate you guys holding out for things to be corrected, and with how things are shaking out, giving you all possible resolutions is the least I can do.
You don't need to contact me for this. If you opted to wait for A grades on the Axolotl and Lioness, you have been given an email with full context and your refund has already been sent - if it's not here yet, check Monday.
I am interested in running another CHALLENGE COINS project next year. You guys really loved them, they were a ton of fun to make. But, I need a little more time to find a factory that can recreate the unique feel and effects of these pins without a grade that'd get them failed out of the NY Regents. Little fluff poll down at the bottom, I'd like to keep the next one more focused in its designs. Let me know what you'd like. Re-upping mold costs and additional runs of more popular designs would be baked in here.
Ok, now, real information for people who need it: Some of THE HYENA FAMILY pins are in, and look amazing.
I recommend reading the linked update, Henrieke gives some wonderful photos and has some more detailed information about what is and isn't ready to go out.
How does this affect C3's combined US backers and European backers? Most, not all, HYENA FAMILY pins are in. I recommend checking if yours are ready.
Orders that do NOT contain these pins will be sent stateside first. From what I've heard, the aardwolf fullbody is the biggest limiter here. I'm waiting on exact numbers for how many of you will be going out, but, Henrieke will be sending this first batch shortly.
Likewise, I'll be sending 13 European orders overseas to be sent domestically soon. I know Henrieke will be travelling for a bit shortly, so it's worth (for the third time) checking on her project progress and seeing what her individual timeline is.
You will probably hear back from me next when I know exact arrival dates for combined THF pins. Our plans, on both sides, are to pack stuff so it's grab and go - so, once you get that timeframe, it'll be pretty quick.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for being here. Have a good weekend and remember: if you're in New York, do NOT take your damn window unit out yet.
Oh. November project finalized soon. Sorry that's taken forever.
That exclamation point is pulling a lot of weight here, so, if you want a fun time, enjoy riding that high. It's only downhill from here.
Last good news before we get into the messes: all combined shipping orders are squared away, with a couple exceptions for wholesale orders that need some more As than I have. I've got emails and Telegram messages out to these customers so we can figure out what to do next.
Your pins are waiting comfortably for Henrieke's hyenas (and hyena accessories) to hit stateside, in bins covering half my office. I would take photos, but, there's full names on there that the internet doesn't need to see. Doxxing is not one of the off-label services I offer, unfortunately.
If you ordered a full-run defective Axolotl or Lioness pin, you have 3 more days to contact me about substitutions, B-grade comps, or other options. Check your email!
So, into the bullshit.
Short answer, we've been denied remakes by the factory, and denied a chargeback by my bank on any defective stock.
This is not unexpected, but, it's definitely obnoxious and terrible. I'm debating going a little more public about the situation, which factory is involved, and the extent of issues they are refusing to fix, weighing what good it will do vs. the issues it may cause for other artists that use them. In the meantime, it's a loss but not a business ruining loss. It's money I will make up through retail sales, eventually.
I will be paying out of pocket to remake needed pins with a new factory.
We also had a truly magical situation earlier this week, realizing that I was shorted 5 pins from the antique blue NIGHT OWL. All affected backers were contacted, and offered A-grade pin swaps as compensation. This pin in both colorways was meant to be limited, and I am not planning to remake it at this time.
Bullshit or not, there's no use crying about it. My customers need the product that they paid for. The following pins are being remade with a new factory:
Axolotl 1.5"
Lioness 1.5"
Owlbear 1.5"
Snughoul 1.5"
I am assigning the new factory, handling DOG CRIMES, to take care of these guys for me. I'm expecting them in late 2026, since they need to have molds fully remade.
Affected backers have already been contacted with the even grittier shit of the situation.
The only silver lining here, is that there is a lot less A-grade stock to inventory. I'm still gunning for an early-mid September HUSTLE reopening, with C3's stock up. I'll let you guys know when that happens, in case you want to snag some bulk B-grades and empty the bin that weighs more than me.
Right now, as far as C3 goes, we are only waiting on THE HYENA FAMILY pins to get to Henrieke, and get to the states. After that, combined shipping backers will start seeing packages go out.
I'll keep you guys posted when we know dates on that. Until then, your shipping funds are sitting safely in a HYSA paying some of their own rent.
My regular backers are probably getting this in quick succession with the DOG CRIMES campaign wrap. It is, also, probably, pretty clear to my regulars that the lack of anything genuinely funny in that one means I am so, so, goddamn tired.
It's not a good month over here, and I don't have anything objectively good to report about C3.
A couple things do have, actual, objective updates: the payment deadline on C3 pledges is up. If you did not contact me for an extension, your unpaid pledge has been cancelled. I won't be honoring any freebies or campaign prices unless you reached out to me during the correction window.
Next, I'm hoping to have retail stock up by mid September. I'll see what I can do, it's gonna be a busy as hell month and a half, but shit's gotta happen. My next task this weekend is to get all of the bracket 2 orders set aside, so I have accurate numbers for what's hitting the HUSTLE.
Right now KEN'S PIN HUSTLE should be done with summer hiatus and reopen somewhere around September 15th. C3 pins should be up at $10 each and ready to ship, along with $7.50 B-grades. There will also be the ever-popular random B-grade bundles - and, this time, there's enough variety you can make some requests! Fun. Ask and you shall receive a cursed handful of defective creatures.
If you backed for a Lioness or Axolotl pin, you have until September 1st to tell me how you'd like the defective pin situation resolved on your end. Otherwise, I'll toss you the defective pin plus a random government-assigned B-grade based entirely on vibes.
Speaking of defective creatures: yeah, that's not going great.
I'll save most of the bullshit for when the whole situation is over, but, long story short, we've been denied remakes on most designs by the factory.
This is kind of my limit with this situation. The excuse I was given was, in my finest French, a load of steaming bullshit, and should have been disproven by the 650+ photos sent to the factory to prove fault with the product. If they don't believe it, well, the cataloguing's already done, and I'm going to see what my bank thinks about me being charged for a defective order.
No matter how this shakes out, I will probably need to pay out of pocket to get the Axolotl, Lioness, and Owlbear pins remade at one of the other bright-eyed, bushy tailed factories I'm sampling for DOG CRIMES and ARCHETYPES.
No more details or screenshots while the bank dispute is pending.
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