Augh, the dreaded tariff charge. That I understand, because shipping to the USA is like juggling with dynamite right now. Even a single package could land someone with an $80 charge, the USA government is operating a racket at this point. Terrible times for everyone at every step of the way.

Bake in, or collect at point of purchase. I'm fine is a £25 tier also has VAT as part of that bundle, or it's super clear VAT will be collected later on a case by case basis. I mean, I use BackerKit to collect import VAT for EU orders, and I make that clear when possible. This was unexpected tho.

... nor is this creator large enough to be remitting VAT to the UK / EU for digital sales, ans I'm also pretty sure they're USA based.

My assumption is that the campaign operator hasn't collected any VAT during the campaign, but is now collecting it as part of collecting shipping. Digital goods are subject to VAT, though I'm 99% sure Kickstarter isn't remitting it on behalf of this creator ...

Covid made them really weird about it, and also super hostile to any push back about it. I feel like I'm in a 2000s skit when I tell them it's real money.

D'aww what a sweetie! Thanks!!

What's it for? 👀

Hey! Sure thing:
drive.google.com/file/d/1k1KC...

Funding platforms will never ask you "what's in your capacity to deliver?" They will only ever push you to Generate More Revenue, at any cost, especially if it's to yourself.

This is why Mausritter month and Mothership month(s), "back five projects to unlock a special bonus", and incessant demands for low funding goals and stretch goals and 3-5 tiers and all of that exists. Because each method is proven to extract revenue effectively; supporting projects is not relevant.

In other words, platforms past a certain critical mass will never be incentivised to ensure or support the success of the people using the platform, only that they continue to bring in revenue. Supporting sustainable work practices is anti-thetical to how they make revenue.

The people in charge of the platforms that small creators must rely on only need have a relationship with those creators for the length of the crowdfunding campaign; the moment the final pledge is charged and their cut has been siphoned off, it's onto the next project.

This is the brightest dark room I've yet seen. it's got the ambience of the alleyway besides a busy nightclub, but with the dimensions of a football pitch

Also I love Thought Bubble it's my favourite event, it's the first con I could comfortably gay kiss boys and not feel watched or out of place. You should go there and gay kiss boys too (or not if that's not your thing, maybe you could read comics I hear there'll be quite a lot of them there)

I'm not in any stamp rallies (need to save my social battery to talk about the Picts) BUT you should absolutely get those lovely gourd-related stampings from @toadlett.bsky.social et all while stamping around Harrogate

My usage of commas and single quotation marks is between me, my editor, and god, and if you think some ai-powered slop bucket gets a say then you're sorely mistaken.

Did you have to apply for a visa while you visited? And what was the airport situation like as you came into Germany? Thanks again for another comprehensive report, I always like reading through these when you post them :)