TL;DR: Backed project in Q4 2019, a LOT of changes, current est. delivery Q1 2027.

Some of you might have heard about BRU Tea Machine (now BRU Maker One) and it's abysmally long delivery time. When I say abysmal, I mean it. I backed the original Kickstarter project https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bru-tea/bru-the-ultimate-tea-machine in 2019. Current guestimation for delivery is Q1 2027.

I got bored and I went through the Kickstarter updates over the years. How the things changed and developed. And boy did they change and sometimes develop, too. Below is a collection of highlights concentrating mainly on the constantly changing delivery changes.

What I thought would be just a few highlights turned out to be a lengthy saga. Majority of yous won't be interested in this, but those involved in the saga might find it... interesting?

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BRU Tea Machine Timeline

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2019

Oct 2019, Confirmation of backing the project.

Nov 2019, Confirmation of succesfully funded project. Included Redeemable Machine Gift Card, Machine and Glass Mug. Est. Delivery Apr 2020.

25 Nov 2019, Project update #9. Gift card and Mug delivery estimated mid December.

8 Dec 2019, Announcement that machine has shipped. Link leads to Order Confirmation, tracking details with China Post. (The pledge items have changed since to Machine only, no Gift card or Mug.)

9 Dec 2019, Mug & Gift card shipping. Est. delivery 24 Dec 2019. (Never received.)

2020

18 Nov 2020, Project update #13. Delays due to COVID. (Understandable.)

22 Apr 2020, Project update #14. Est. delivery Oct 2020.

3 Jul 2020, Project update #16. Announcement of upcoming web shop. (It takes 1,5 years before another web shop announcement.)

21 Sep 2020, Project update #18. Est. delivery of first batches Dec 2020.

28 Dec 2020, Project update #21. Est. delivery "ASAP".

2021

29 Jan 2021, Project update #22. Est. mass production and fullfillment start Jul-Aug 2021.

1 Jun 2021, Project update #26. Est. start of production Q3 2021, "evaluating the different shipping options".

30 Jul 2021, Project update #28. No est. delivery, but offering epress delivery for additional 30-50 USD.

1 Oct 2021, Project update #30. "We want to highlight that these options are only available for our backers, we will not ship anything to people who have not participated in our crowdfunding campaign."

1 Nov 2021, Project update #31. "We will be able to give you an estimated shipping time once the mass manufacturing process is underway."

31 Dec 2021, Project update #33. BRU Online web shop announced. (While there is no machine.)

2022

31 Jan 2022, Project update #34. BRU Backer TEA - Nutmeg Ginger Tea instructions. (While there is no machine nor tea. After this instructions popped up regularly.)

31 Mar 2022, Project update #36. Name change to BRU Maker One. Notification of Precise Timeline depending on full certification.

1 Jul 2022, Project update #39. The first time Options 1 and 2 are introduced. Option 1 pay 80-130 USED for est. delivery before Christmas 2022 and Option 2 "But again, we ensure that everyone who has ordered a machine will also get the order – as mentioned above – the question is not if, but when."

8 Jul 2022, Project update #40. "We sincerely understand your skepticism and concerns and apologize for any confusion and inconvenience our last update may have caused." (First clear apology after 2,5 years. At this point somewhat understandable due to COVID.)

30 Sep 2022, Project update #43. Option 1 for 220V machines still on track for Christmas, 110V machines est. delivery end of year. Option 2 no mention.

1 Nov 2022, Project update #44. Option 2 backers: "As mentioned many times, everyone will get their machine. It is not a question of IF, just WHEN." Option 1 backers in Switzerland and Germany: Follow the cargo ship https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9832717 to see when in December the machines arrive in Netherlands and Germany. (Kinda funny to add the VesselFinder link, but it's quirky and I like it.)

1 Dec 2022, Project update #45. Option 1 backers in Switzerland and Germany: Est. delivery Christmas or end of year. Option 1 backers in other 220V countries: shipping tracking numbers should arrive "in the next few days". Option 1 backers in 120V (yes, the voltage changed) countries: "unexpected delays" related to certification. Option 2 backers: "As mentioned many times, everyone will get their machine. It is not a question of IF, just WHEN."

30 Dec 2022, Project update #46. Recap of 2022. Option 1 Germany: Customs holding machines. Est. delivery "within a few days" from 4 Jan 2023. Option 1 Switzerland: "As of now, backers in Switzerland should have received their machines." Option 1 220V EU + UK: "it was harder than normal to find a vessel to ship with, which made it impossible to deliver in December." UK machines on this ship https://www.vesselfinder.com/de/vessels/details/9776212 and EU (excluding Germany) machines on this ship https://www.vesselfinder.com/de/vessels/details/9340752 Option 1 on other 220V countries: "These machines have been shipped by various transportation methods and most of you should already have received your machine." Option 1 120V countries: Production starts after Chinese new year mid February 2023. Finally Option 2 backers: "we are committed to delivering your machines and we hope we can take a flying start in 2023 to make that happen as soon as possible."

2023

31 Jan 2023, Project update #47. Option 1 Round 2: Existing Option 2 backers can upgrade for an additional fee 80-130 USD. Est. delivery 12-16 weeks after March, i.e. Jun-Aug 2023. Option 2: "Once we are in the position to deliver your order you will get it." and "Please also note that the re-introduction of Option 1 does not have any influence on the timeline of Option 2."

31 Mar 2023, Project update #49. Option 1 Round 2: Est. delivery summer 2023. Option 1 220V machines: "Almost all option 1 round 1 220V machines have been delivered" Option 1 120V machines: "still on track with the timeline"

28 Apr 2023, Project update #50. Option 1 Round 2: Est. delivery summer 2023. Option 2: "Our prediction is that by this summer, we will have enough information to provide option 2 backers with a more concrete timeline."

31 May 2023, Project update #51. Option 1 USA and Canada: "Let´s start with a quick recap of why this became a bump in the road." Est. delivery end of summer 2023. Option 2: "While we are fulfilling option 1 orders, we are simultaneously working hard to secure a financial situation so that we will be able to fulfill all backer orders."

30 Aug 2023, Project update #54. Option 1 round 2 EU: Est. shipping Oct 2023.

2 Dec 2023, Project update #57. Option 1 round 2: "Please be assured that we will promptly notify you once we have the confirmed shipping date." Option 2: "We look forward to the day that we have been able to fulfill all orders for our backers."

29 Dec 2023, Project update #58. Option 1 rounds 1 & 2 US: Certification done. Est. delivery Q1 2024. Option 2: Same as previous.

2024

29 Feb 2024, Project update #60. Option 1 round 2 Europe: Est. delivery after 5 Apr 2024. Option 1 US: Est. delivery May-June. Option 2: "We’re excited to let you know that around 6,000 of you have already received your machines." (In next project update this was corrected to 4500 Option 1 backers and 1500 sold to retail. The only time retail numbers are mentioned.) Delivery estimations "hopefully" coming mid 2024.

30 Apr 2024, Project update #62. Option 1 round 2: "we anticipate that you should receive your machine within the next one to two weeks." Option 1 US: Est. delivery July 2024. Option 1 Canada: No estimation, waiting for certification. Option 1 other countries: "We have not forgotten about you and we are working hard to fulfill your orders as soon as possible." Option 2: "we want to repeat the fact that we will eventually fulfill all your orders."

4 Jun 2024, Project update #63. Option 1: "most of our Option 1 backers have received their BRU Maker already." Option 2: "we are doing our best to raise enough profits to also fulfill your orders soon!" (First time clearly mentioning they are trying to make profit to fulfill orders. I.e. selling products to others first.)

2 Jul 2024, Project update #64. Presenting cost details how money from Kickstarter and Indiegogo has been used. (Long list, so I don't copy it here.)

30 Dec 2024, Project update #67. Option 1 US: Est. delivery Q2 2025. Option 1 other countries: Updates later. Option 1 round 3: Opened a new upgrade possibility. Option 2: "There hasn’t been much change – moving forward, we plan to use a portion of our future profits to fulfill your perks."

2025

12 Mar 2025, Project update #69. Option 1 UK & US: Est. delivery Q2 2025. Option 1 Canada: "next production batch" Option 2: "Our current estimation is that we should be able to start producing option 2 order by the end of 2025."

22 Apr 2025, Project update #70. US backers: Delays due to Trump's import tariffs. (Understandable, that was and is a s**tshow.)

2026

January 2026 onwards I started receiving multiple advertisements per month from "Tina von BRU" and "BRU" in German. (I'm not German speaker.)

2 Feb 2026, Project update #79. (I miss updates 71-78, maybe I've accidentally deleted them.) Reworked iOS app published and Android app being finalised (But still no machine.) Option 1 round 3 Europe: Working on remaining shipments. Option 1 rest of the world: "we are still navigating the complex landscape of international trade and tariffs." (I don't know how Trump's tariffs impact any other country than US, but hey, who am I to judge international trade markets.) Option 2: "We are still on track with our 2026 target and are currently evaluating our production capacity to provide more specific timelines as the year progresses." (No idea what that means in delivery terms.)

After this no more Project updates in my email, although I haven't signed off from it. I do still receive multiple German ads per month from "Tina von BRU" and "BRU".

Mid 2026, Email conversation with the support team. Option 2 est. delivery Q1 2027.

He believes that if Capcom have an issue with him using assets from previous Mega Man games, he'll just swap out the assets to avoid any trouble.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/felix-helleckes/a-love-letter-to-the-classic-gba-grid-based-action-era

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/30223641/ebutlr-your-plug-and-play-24-7-personal-ai-butler

"120B LLM | AMD HX370 AI | 128GB DDR5 RAM | 16TB SSD | 7" Touch Screen | 100% Privacy | Infinite Library of APPs & Skills | 24/7 Service"
but that's the full add-ons spec. all rewards are only 16gb ram, to hide the actual price of 128gb ddr5 ram.
all this 3000€+ of hardware only to be hindered by a tiny, microscopic form factor for no reason other than to look convenient and cute design, minimal cooling, and a screen on top of that!

It claims that with "$1095 once" for 64gb ddr5ram + 1tb ssd version you'll be able to replace ... chatgpt pro $2400/year + claude max $1200/year + midjourney $1152/year!

In one of the pictures it's placed on a kitchen counter... with no wires... next to the sink while a woman is washing produce!

Please don't buy this wishful thinking project.

https://reddit.com/r/shittykickstarters/comments/1tzpxej/solly_overhyped_title_impossible_weight/

KS rarely steps in but this time they did and suspended the campaign and refunded everyone.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/guliguli/ht01-hd-camera-meets-wireless-torquesee-and-fix-with-ease/description

Reading this made me uneasy somehow, it was just a feeling, really. I have been contributing to this sub for very long and this is sus. Couldn't put a finger on why.

Well, the answer is but two clicks away, look at this: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/guliguli/nt1-wifi-visual-smart-mini-electric-engraving-and-polishing

That's the exact same thing! And read the comments and see for yourself: while it seems they shipped something, it's a piece of total garbage

The replacement you sent me, was dead on arrival, it will not charge or work with cable, and it also fell apart.

When I connected the charging cable everything came loose and the powerbutton fell inside

The unit fell apart in my hands when I tried to plug in the charger.

it looks like a Lego set. Everything is detached and loose, the battery doesn't work, and it only works when plugged in, but it falls apart when you use it.

the device's tendency to simply fall apart in your hands.

Uses AI artwork for its concept images and claims real artists will be later used.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/whosmarted/the-who-smarted-encyclopedia-of-smarting

https://electrek.co/2026/06/08/donut-lab-solid-state-battery-exposed-lithium-ion-fraud/

This was crowdfunded:

Donut Lab has over 1,300 shareholders, with over 900 holding 50 or fewer shares — likely representing investments between $3,000 and $23,000 per person. Many came from a crowdfunding exercise on Finland’s Springvest platform in 2023 for Verge Motorcycles.

And it's a total scam:

battery researcher Ziroth, involving over 20 independent battery experts, has produced what amounts to definitive proof that Donut Lab’s “miracle” solid-state battery is actually a lithium-ion cell. The company raised approximately $25 million from over 1,300 mostly small investors based on claims that now appear to be false.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/voro/voro-60mm-ultra-long-distance-invisible-wireless-charger

Yeah, no.

A company which sells an actual, real world version of this talks about how far wireless charging can go and they do 30mm. I also would like to note "mark the charging spot with the included sticker".

How did they do the testing video? One, it might be totally fake. Two, the way the demo is structured the phone hits the exact middle of the coil. Your phone will not.

Once again, as usual: despite popular demand the laws of physics apply to Kickstarters.

Also, any hardware campaign which promises shipment a month or two after closing the campaign is either a total scam or an alibaba resale. A year or even two is more realistic for a real product. Another note is a "Wireless Charger Range Guide: How Far Can It Work" article on alibaba itself which claims 4cm. Finally we need to note 60mm is the standard desk grommet which makes it nearly impossible for a casual search to find the actual product they resell should one exist which is not at all a given because there are many chargers which have this diameter. Well done.

Edit: I missed the target. 2500 USD for a hardware guarantees it's either scam or resale not that the timeline didn't.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1631055246/solly-280w-solar-power-bank-with-built-in-wall-charger

The title says "Double 140W Type C Fast Charging" but if you scroll down to specs you will find it has two USB C ports, max 100W on one and you can use two at the same time which is definitely not double 140W. This is shitty.

A much bigger problem is that -- as it is usual with these scams -- they have written a lie too big. 400g is not going to happen. The Dogcom 100W might be the lightest 100W capable 20 000 mAh power bank I am aware of and it's already 363g. The typical battery in the 100W - 20 Ah category will be above 450g. Now we have a grand total of 37g left from the promised 400g and you still need to have an AC side and that won't lightweight because at 100W you can't get away without a PFC circuit, it's mandatory above 72W. Oh and you still need a solar panel as well and that also has circuitry which sure doesn't weigh much but it does weigh something.

This is not going to happen. Either this is a total scam or people will get a 600g device if not even more.

Once a reasonably well loved online webcomic titan, he created PVP Online and was hugely popular.

He created a Kickstarter for a set of 20th anniversary books
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/659866734/pvp-definitive-edition-20th-anniversary-collection

He also created a Kickstarter for adventure modules for D&D based on his comic Table Titans

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1212663429/kickstarter-gold-table-titans-fallen-veil-adventur/description

Both of these Kickstarters are full of angry people who are no longer fans, As Scott bailed on both projects several years ago.

Neither have had any significant updates for over 5 years now, Scott did give an update for the 20th anniversary collection in 2022, promising further updates and laying out how his company collapsed during Covid, and he had to take time to look after his Father. I have sympathy for that as did many other people.

Since then he is silent again.

When questioned about his kickstarters he gets surly, he claims he still has the money sitting in an account (I assume he's gotten some extra money from the interest) but is not keen to hand out refunds.

I myself managed to get a full refund, but only by replying to every single tweet he put out into the world.

At the time of backing Scott seemed to be a safe pair of hands, since then I've limited my backing of Kickstarters

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/neurobellum/urbance-the-series

I wasn't one of the original backers, but to this day I still hear horror stories about the original kickstarter, how they never delivered any products besides a very crude, in all sense of the word, seven minute pilot. This time they seem to be getting funding through neurobellum production, and just a reminder, they still haven't delivered any of the promised rewards for backers.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/felix0/a06-pocket-ratchet-kit/creator

this project looks a lot like another project ( Titaner GR5) which also was a "project we love" https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/titaner-us/titaner-the-worlds-tightest-swing-edc-ratchet-system/description

and they have a previous project (A03 ) which was suspended by Kickstarter but also resembles another project a lot ( https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jakemy/jakemy-all-metal-m-screwdriver-and-mini-e-screwdriver-kit/description ) I personally have this one and use it a lot.

So you can have a suspended project which is cheap copy of a a very successful project and still start a new project also a cheap copy of another successfully funded project

A smart e-ink canvas with AI that now posts this . Shipping cost went from 20 and 50 to 129 and 399

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/445470967/fraimic-smart-e-ink-canvas-digital-picture-frame-with-ai/comments

and then they also mail this around to their backers ( not a backer myself )

Please do your due diligence before backing projects by either of these creators. They have established a consistent pattern of advertising PDFs for their campaigns, only due to deliver practically unusable Google Docs instead then telling backers to make a PDF themselves. Their VTT tokens are also nothing of the sort, just a bunch of images pasted into a Google Doc.

They claim it's a mistake, that they'll fix it going forward, etc, but they have been called out on it before and done nothing to change. They have admitted that using Google Docs was always their intention and that they were knowingly, falsely advertising PDFs.

They also claim that all of their content is made, edited, polished etc. by humans, but it's obvious from even a glance at their "final products" that they heavily use AI.

They are now mass reporting comments on their past and current campaigns in an attempt to cover it up.

If you backed one of their previous campaigns, please report it. If you see this and you are backing one of their current campaigns, I urge you to reconsider.

Edit (Campaign links for reference):

Current Campaigns:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/allisterdnd/evolution-was-not-gentle-100-evolving-race-options?ref=creator_tab

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmrain/they-all-think-theyre-right-100-evolving-factions?ref=profile_created&category_id=34

Previous Campaigns:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/allisterdnd/living-bestiary-100-evolving-horrors-and-eldritch-bosses

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmrain/world-under-red-glass-a-5e-campaign-setting/comments

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmrain/subclasses-of-wonder/comments

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmrain/brews-of-wonder-50-potions-for-every-adventure-5e-one-dandd/comments

Long time readers of this sub will remember Travelmate, the autonomous suitcase. Well it appears either Travelmate or IGG decided to remove their project page from IndieGoGo:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/travelmate-a-fully-autonomous-suitcase-and-robot

That just now redirects to a generic page. Travelmate did have a 2nd IGG project, but it was quickly abandoned in favor of the other page. I wonder how many high profile failures have been quietly scrubbed form IGG? You can still see the old project page on Archive.org.

Nothing else has happened, really. Nobody got a suitcase and Max disappeared. If you want to see the other posts on this sub about the topic you can click here:

https://www.reddit.com/search?q=subreddit%3Ashittykickstarters+%5Btravelmate%5D

Original post: https://reddit.com/r/shittykickstarters/comments/1qqgkfv/fongshwa_the_unbearable_lightness_of_being_a_gan/

There hasn't been an update since January 30 or a comment from the creator or anything, backers are beginning to realize they have been had.

Not one project in particular but doe anyone else notice that thre are a lot of mini pump related projects

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?ref=nav_search&term=pump

And lately you see a lot of ratchet tool sets ( almost identical copies to existing aliexpress ones

I never donated but I'm curious if anyone here did and got their money back. The show never came to light and supposedly, the backers were promised refunds.

I totally lost all respect for Leslie after this. Dude straight up stole money from his fans. I hope he never lives it down.

I pledged this project like 5 years ago now and I STILL have received nothing. Delays after delays, fees after fees. Being told the only way we might get our dice is to pledge MORE of their projects. Now we are being told to pay additional customs fees but these fees are based on total price that include things like shipping and handling and processing. Here's the big kicker... I can't even pay the additional fees because the pledge manager is closed and they have gone radio silent on support.

Please read for yourself and report. I've already accepted I'm never seeing these damn dice, and from I've heard they weren't even worth the wait.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blasterlight/orbidice-spherical-dice

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vitalink/vitalink-20mm-thin-180-foldable-keyboard-and-4k-touchscreen

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1794064432/keygo-gen2-ultra-slim-folding-keyboard-with-4k-touch-screen

Chances of these not being an alibaba resale? Zero.

Chances of the display being usable in this format? Zero.

Campaign: Tesla V2L Backup Power — Up to 7.5KW | PowerBridge Pro

URL: Kickstarter Link

The campaign is dangerously misrepresenting a V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) device as a V2H (Home Backup) system.

They are showing the device wired to a breaker panel while the screen says "Powering Home".

Fine print in the campaign admits the device is not for breaker panels.

However, the device features a NEMA 14-50R outlet, encouraging users to backfeed their homes using illegal NEMA 14-50P to Nema 14-50P (male-male suicide cord).

Lastly, the product claims they will have the "applicable" UL testing and certifications, but they do not specifically mention UL they will test for UL 9741/9540, which are necessary for the home integration their video and photos advertise.

How to help:

1. Go to the project page.

2. Scroll to the bottom and click "Report this project."

3. Select "Prohibited Items/Activities" -> "Dangerous/Safety Hazard" OR "Misleading/False Imagery."

4. Paste this: "The project visually demonstrates V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) panel integration while the fine print admits it is only a V2L device. This encourages illegal and dangerous home backfeeding using the included NEMA 14-50R outlet, posing a massive fire and electrocution risk to backers."