Crowdfunding and pre-order fulfilment

Crowdfunding and pre-orders can validate demand and help fund tooling, but they create obligations with fixed prices and expected dates. Fulfilment needs everything production needs (EVT through PVT, certification for every destination country, packaging, international shipping, duties and taxes, returns and support), often from a first-time team.

Common causes of delay are underestimated engineering and certification time, tooling and supply-chain lead times, and shipping costs and duties that weren't priced in. In the US, the FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule requires sellers to ship within the time they state, or within 30 days if no time is stated, and to notify buyers of delays with an option to cancel; check how it applies to the way you take orders.