[shaneprrlt]

I feel horrible for the people who had to scrape together the $700 for a Christmas present for their kids, who won't be getting their scooter (like the person in the article). For most middle class people, that's a lot of money. I second the comments about successful chargebacks, because this will probably be ruining some kids Christmases out there otherwise. :(

[SubuSS]

I am probably missing something here - but,

- who is scraping together their life on one hand and buying $800 gifts?

- if you're really doing the above, why would you take a gamble instead of buying something currently available?

IOW as much as it is painful to read this, it seems pretty designed for an article rather than real world (am talking averages I guess). If it is real, that's the learning I'd take away more than someone defrauding their customers - which happens everyday :)

[wp381640]

> who is scraping together their life on one hand and buying $800 gifts?

Having grown up poor I know it's not uncommon for parents to save during the year for that one big annual gift. This customer of Unicorn is one example:

> “I am upset he basically robbed everyone of his customers and is closing without delivering any scooters,” Rebecca Buchholtz wrote in an email to The Verge. “This was my daughters Christmas gift and now I cannot get her any gift.”

https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/7/21000094/unicorn-electric...

> if you're really doing the above, why would you take a gamble instead of buying something currently available?

It wasn't sold as a gamble or a risk, it was sold as a product on an online store from a company founder who was reputable.

I have no idea why HN users tend to degenerate into victim blaming in these situations - the bad party here is the company and the founders

[SubuSS]

I was 50-50 on the victim blaming comment to show up since this was HN and not reddit, lost that bet :)

As much as blaming is wrong, I do believe in personal responsibility as well. I do not agree with the broad brush that's being used widely around victim blaming being 100% bad. I think it is a spectrum and in this case it definitely tilts towards the buyer.

And no - pre-order from this site is not the same as PS4 pre order. There is a huge difference between a big company that has something to lose and will stand behind its product Vs a random company that goes bust after a facebook spend - that's what makes it a gamble.

[sjs18]

When I ordered in September, it was not being advertised as a pre order. I fully expected my scooters to be shipped immediately.

[imtringued]

>- who is scraping together their life on one hand and buying $800 gifts?

You're lacking reading comprehension. Nobody is scraping together their life.

People are scraping together money for a Christmas gift. If you have $300 left over every month you still have have to scrape together 3 months worth of savings.

Also Christmas will be ruined regardless of how much money you spend on the gift if it never arrives.

[foolfoolz]

this is a fabricated scenario.

you could have bought a xiaomi scooter on amazon for $300 - $400 anytime this year. who would ever buy into some maybe-scooter kickstarter if they were low on cash? and who low on cash is buying $700 christmas presents?

[wp381640]

> this is a fabricated scenario.

Not sure why you would jump to such a dismissive conclusion without at least doing some reading - media reporting has first-hand accounts from customers[0]:

> “I am upset he basically robbed everyone of his customers and is closing without delivering any scooters,” Rebecca Buchholtz wrote in an email to The Verge. “This was my daughters Christmas gift and now I cannot get her any gift.”

[0] https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/7/21000094/unicorn-electric...

[shaneprrlt]

If you think that's a "fabricated scenario" I suggest you get out more and gain some perspective on how people actually live.

[sjs18]

Pal, it wasn’t a Kickstarter. And I liked what was being offered. Stop victim blaming.

[megablast]

> who had to scrape together the $700 for a Christmas present for their kids

Maybe people who scrape money together should not be on kickstarter? Is that not obvious?

[detaro]

Why do people keep talking about kickstarter here?! This company did not run a kickstarter.

[sjs18]

THANK YOU. It wasn’t even a pre order when I placed my order.

[gilboise]

scrape? $700 scooter? erm.