Post Campaign Update #30: Australian Entry
The time has come. After successfully importing sample BUG-A-SALT®s with Australian Custom’s approval as imitation firearms, we are confident in sending a large enough quantity to fulfill all outstanding orders in Australia and New Zealand! In addition, we will be re-opening sales via www.bugasalt.com to Australia/NZ when the first shipment arrives. We’re looking into the best warehousing options to deliver successfully and quickly, and the guns are being produced as we speak. Our next update will include a realistic schedule. You can also stay tuned at www.facebook.com/bugasalt, where Lorenzo shares his newest creative content.
As for Europe, we are expecting an update from the lab in Italy with detailed instructions for legal entry and distribution by the end of March. Our next steps will be reiterated here on Indiegogo—we are inspired by your anticipation, and fueled by your trust in our small team.
We can be reached at (310) 392 3288 or support@bugasalt.com. Refunds are available via PayPal if you no longer wish to wait, or would prefer to order online once BUG-A-SALT® becomes readily available worldwide.
-Taylor and The BUG-A-SALT® Team
Post Campaign Update #29: Non-European International Customers
After a successful set of test shipments to different regions all over the globe, we have FINALLY decided to ship to our international certified customers using a FedEx service called FIMS (FedEx International Mail Service). This air shipping service delivers packages to local post offices from a FedEx aircraft, which can then be sorted and dispersed. FIMS is a tracked service for most of the countries we are shipping to, depending on whether the country’s postal service complies with the newest FIMS tracking technology called MailView.
The level of detail for FIMS tracking varies widely, and it may be just over three weeks before a package is delivered. We were drawn to this service because it will minimize duty and customs fees that may be applied to your package.
We will send email notifications as packages are shipped. If MailView is available in the country of destination, a tracking number will be provided in the email. Please contact us if your package doesn’t arrive within 30-days of shipment. We hope you will all have a positive experience with FIMS.
Australia and New Zealand:
The response and overall enthusiasm of our Australian customers has been phenomenal, and the amount of guns we owe to the Southeast Pacific is paralleled only by Europe. One of our supporters has been generous enough to fast track a permit to legally import a BUG-A-SALT and present the product to Australian Customs directly. Based on information from Customs officials, we do not foresee any major roadblocks with shipping to Australia on a large scale. We are entering with caution because of Australia’s distinctive consciousness of the effects of imported products on the ecosystem. We will know within a month whether we can ship to Australia and New Zealand using FIMS or another method. More updates on the way!
Thank you,
Taylor and The BUG-A-SALT Team
(310) 392 3288
support@bugasalt.com
Post Campaign Update #28 PART 2
…After coming to this conclusion, we were redirected to a classification that embodies all products that do not fit the European Directives: The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Within the first week of February we are expecting a proposal from a government lab in Italy that will conduct a different set of tests to see how we can best fit into the European market. Whether other markings will be required on our guns or packaging is to be determined, and updates will follow our progress in detail.
Our factory will be out of production for three weeks on behalf of the Chinese New Year, which begins February 10th. As a result, our next run will begin in March. Immediately after the Chinese New Year, we plan to make the necessary mold injection and/or packaging adjustments to appropriately import a container of BUG-A-SALTs to Europe.
In the meantime, we have connected ourselves with fulfillment experts that are helping us establish SKELL Inc. in Europe. We will soon have a sustainable means of shipping throughout the EEA! Whether or not this process is complete, we are set up to effectively ship worldwide when we are legally approved.
To all of you who have held on up to this point, your support is forever appreciated. As always, refunds are available to anybody who no longer feels comfortable waiting for their BUG-A-SALT. We can be reached at the Lorenzo Hotline, (310) 392 3288, or by email at support@bugasalt.com. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or comments.
Thanks again,
Taylor and the BUG-A-SALT Team
Post Campaign Update #28 PART 1
To our Age/Safety Certified European supporters:
Happy New Year!
As many of you know, we have been working rigorously to successfully fulfill our orders around the world. There is still work in front of us, but the complexity and overall size of this project is a constant reminder of the success you have brought us. We grow more appreciative of that every day.
Europe is the greatest challenge we face at the moment. Representatives from EU Customs first explained that we must have a CE Marking affixed to the plastic of each gun that is sent to Europe, which would require an addition to our mold before our next production run. The CE Marking is verification that our product is safe for entry into the EEA (European Economic Area). For us, that means the concentration of any hazardous materials in our plastic does not exceed the limitations of EU Customs. The CE Marking would enable free reign between the borders of each European member state, which would greatly simplify our distribution.
The ultimate factor that prevented us from obtaining a CE Marking is that we would be required to have the BUG-A-SALT classified as a toy by European Customs. By the European Directives (a document that underlines product classification by law in detail), a toy is specifically intended for children under the age of 14. Despite our drive to reach a sustainable fulfillment solution in Europe, compliance with the toy directive would be false and could be challenged by a number of organizations at any time. The truth is, the BUG-A-SALT was never intended for children as a primary market… (please see next update)
Post Campaign Update #27:
Dear Uncertified USA Supporters,
Today is the first day of shipping to our uncertified customers. The packages will be sent with a tracked FedEx service that requires a signature upon delivery from an individual that is at least 21 years of age. FedEx will make three attempts to complete this delivery; if nobody is available to sign for the package, it will be sent back to our shipping warehouse. We will make another attempt to ship with a contribution of $15.00 to cover part of our shipping costs.
Attached to each gun’s trigger is a tag, which reads as follows:
TREAT GUN AS A LOADED FIREARM AT ALL TIMES!
The improper use of this gun can result in serious bodily injury to you and/or others. By removing this tag and using the BUG-A-SALT you are assuming full responsibility and liability for any direct, consequential, and indirect damages—whether foreseen or unforeseen—that may arise. Prior to using this gun, view the instructional video detailing how to operate the BUG-A-SALT at www.bugasalt.com/videos
In addition, please read and abide by the directions provided in our Safety Policy and Code of Conduct if you wish to operate the BUG-A-SALT. This policy can be found at http://store.bugasalt.com/Safety_Policy_and_Cod....
To anyone who has made unsuccessful attempts to certify using the directions that were previously provided, we apologize for the somewhat convoluted process we arranged to protect our company and every one of its supporters. We hope this final attempt to deliver reaches you well, and that the BUG-A-SALT is all that you anticipated it would be.
Again, we thank you for your support and patience.
Happy New Year,
The BUG-A-SALT Team
(310) 392 3288
support@bugasalt.com