Reddit roundup: has Kickstarter become a pre-order store?
Campaign Discussion · PledgeRadar Editorial ·
u/Big-Fly-3920 noticed that many of the most successful campaigns launch with a finished product and manufacturing already lined up, and asked whether Kickstarter is still about starting ideas or is now mainly a pre-order platform.
Creators largely agreed it has shifted, but several argued that is good for backers because finished designs mean more reliable costs and delivery.
What Reddit users said
Doesn't mind products being development-ready, because that's how a creator knows true costs. Thinks many past failures came from good ideas whose costs were underestimated.
Original commentAgrees it has become a pre-order site, especially for large companies and big IPs. Still, Kickstarter's own promotion found most of their backers, with only 10–20% coming from their small existing audience.
Original commentHad the product essentially done and a manufacturer lined up to know the budget. Says more than 80% of backers came from Kickstarter's own promotion, with almost no ad spend.
Original commentLaunched with a finished, prototyped product on purpose to earn trust, because so many backers have a story about something they never received. The campaign brought traffic their own website couldn't, plus social proof for retailers.
Original commentThinks it's now both: the campaigns that succeed are mostly finished products, and backers want proof of concept rather than promises.
Original commentRunning a campaign to fund a prototype and has only a couple of backers. Says Kickstarter asked for a physical demonstration before approving it, which was hard without money to build one.
Original commentPoints to Kickstarter's own changes: with late pledges and a built-in pledge manager, the original campaign deadline matters less and less.
Original commentSource: Is Kickstarter basically a pre-order store now? (r/kickstarter)
Replies in this roundup summarize public comments posted on Reddit and are credited to their original authors, with links to the source. They are third-party opinions, not statements by PledgeRadar or its members. PledgeRadar does not verify these claims and accepts no legal responsibility for the content of community discussions.