Gearchip Poker Case Surveys

Just a few questions on potential cases for the poker-chip sized Gearchips, now rolling on Kickstarter thisaway:

Wood or Aluminum?

(Wood cases would be laser engraved, aluminum cases would be printed right on the metal.)

How Big?

Fancy U.S. Based or Bulk Chinese Order?

This one requires a little bit of explanation.  We could get custom cases here in the States (lower shipping to us, since we’re in the States, likely high quality, can order only as many as we need… but more costly per unit), or we can get a bulk order from a Chinese manufacturer (unknown quality, more costly shipping to us, must order 100 units minimum, but should be a lower price per unit… if we can get enough orders together).  Of course, we’re certainly open to other sources, if you happen to have a lead on a great deal.

I’m afraid that I don’t have hard numbers yet, we’re still researching… but as a guesstimate, for the U.S. Based cases (just the custom case, with a Tinker logo… though we’ll throw in a pair of decks and a pair of Tinker dice since there’s room for them), a 100 chip case should run around $100, 200 chips around $120, 300 chips around $140 and 500 chips around $160, end costs to you.  The Chinese numbers are up in the air a bit, but I’d hazard an estimate at $25 less in each case.  We’d also have to have enough orders to make it a sensible proposition, or else getting the minimum order quantity put together would probably put the project in the red.  Yes, we’re overfunded so far (thanks, everyone!), but there’s really not a big profit margin on the Gearchips, so it’s not like we’re dealing with a big slush fund to go crazy with.

For all cases, it would be an additional $30 to ship to Canada and an additional $50 to ship pretty much anywhere else (shipping in the U.S. is part of the base cost noted above).

So… it’s almost as if the cases should really be their own project, unless we’re going to go with the U.S. based ones, where we can just get as many as we need for those who are interested.  The prices are… high.  There’s no disguising that.  This is why we’re seriously considering just offering a graphic for you to use to put on your own case.

Anyway, thanks for your time, and we welcome your feedback!

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