The world might be attempting to get back to normal under the "new normal" label, but supply chains are still absolutely busted. As we head towards Christmas 2021, things show no sign of going back to normal in the world of logistics and supply chains.
Postal service providers like USPS and Australia post are struggling to deal with the large volumes of mail. USPS temporarily suspended postage to 21 countries, including Australia.
China is amid a power shortage. The cost of shipping has skyrocketed as much as 500% and still climbing. There is a global chip shortage. There is a raw materials shortage on plastics and other materials. The basic building blocks of modern civilisation have been fractured.
Right now, you can't even go into a car dealership and buy a car right off the floor anymore. Many retail stores have empty shelves, struggling to refill them to meet consumer demand. Not even Ikea is immune to the shortages.
Despite the stresses on these supply chains, creators are still creating Kickstarter campaigns. Most of these campaigns are physical products such as board games, miniatures and electronic gadgets.
The reality is that most of the projects on Kickstarter right now will not meet their projected delivery time frames. Despite what creators tell you, they will not meet their project timeframes (not that many projects ever do).
I've been waiting on some projects I backed at the start of the year. Projects that were already in the final design stages and mostly just needed to be manufactured. Some are shipping now, but only in limited batches.
Take the estimated delivery date of most projects on Kickstarter, and add at least six months. With Christmas coming up, already stressed supply chains are going to be pushed to the brink. Allegedly this Kickstarter project for a 4K dashcam will mass-produce units in October and then start shipping in November, which sounds like a complete fantasy.
If you are willing to wait, you will avoid disappointment. As much as I want to support creators in these trying times, the unprecedented global conditions mean I will be postponing any investment into Kickstarter projects until 2022.
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