26/08/2022
Offering apologies is too little too late at this point, I understand that. Leaving everyone in the dark and going silent was never the intention.
The sad reality is, this product will not go into mass production due to component shortages and increasing costs. The main chip I used (which included the “brain” as well as the cellular modem) has been nearly impossible to acquire for over a year. And not just that, the cost increased by nearly 100%. Being fully transparent, when I started building the first prototype in 2020, that chip cost approximately $35 each. As of when I last tried to get this fully off the ground, they were $67 each if ordering in quantities of 500. Plus the lead time was over a year (56 weeks is what I was quoted). Not only would I need to pay for 500 chips up front, I’d also need to prepay for 1 year of data for all 500. All other components as well as packaging and shipping rates increased as well. I would lose money per unit. And with no subscription revenue for the first batch of customers, I’d be bankrupt before getting started.
Prior to Shopify removing my account, I refunded every person that asked. I also sent out an email to all customers before they shut it down, but if they failed to send it, I wasn’t aware. I am unable to issue refunds. Shopify will not let me. Your best option is to request a chargeback from your credit card. I know a few people have done that. Otherwise, I recommend contacting Shopify support and see what they suggest as the next steps for you.
I assure you, I did not take your money and run. I didn’t make a cent off these preorders. In fact, I’m out more money than I brought in. I have 4 boxes of cases (1,000 total) sitting in a basement. In addition to getting them made, I had to pay for the mold to get machined. I have hundreds of batteries, cables, and chargers. I have a professional grade PCB soldering machine, still shrink wrapped because I was never able to get all of the parts to fully assemble the board.
I had high hopes for this product. I spent over a year testing components, sensors, tweaking settings until I thought I had it just right. I had people scattered across the US using 3D printed prototype versions. I can assure you, this was a real product.
I do apologize for the last year, not that those words mean much or give you your product or money. I do suggest you contact your card issuer or bank for a chargeback. I am unable to access my store, my account, etc.
And finally, please do not harass other people or companies. They have nothing to do with this company or product. Most people some of you are contacting don’t even know who I am. Feel free to badmouth me all you’d like. You are hurting other companies that have nothing to do with CrateMate. You are bulk messaging random people that don’t even know who I am. Please stop.
