Indiegogo

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/11/10) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. As the contributor states in their complaint, contributing to a campaign on Indiegogo is not the same thing as making a...

purchase in a store. People can raise money for various things, and be at various stages of their project. Contributors are backing an idea, not purchasing a pre-made project. Like anyone contributing to an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project might experience delays, changes to their original vision, or may not come to fruition. We have tips on how to evaluate a campaign in our Help Center: http://support.indiegogo.com/entries/XXXXXXXX-how-to-evaluate-a-campaign.
Regarding this customer's refund request, our records show that this contributor's contribution has already been sent to the campaigner, which means that a refund can no longer be issued by Indiegogo. Learn more about our refund policy https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXX, and in our Terms of Use, www.indiegogo.com/about/terms.

Therefore, we recommend the contributor reach out directly to the campaign owner if they are interested in receiving a refund. Although we are unable to refund the contributor's contribution, we have been in touch with this contributor and have shared the campaign owner's contact information with this contributor in an effort to facilitate communication.
By creating a campaign on Indiegogo, the campaign owner agrees to use funds and fulfill all perks as stated in their campaign. If, for any reason, they are unable to use Contributions as described in their Campaign, they agree to work with the Contributors to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution, which may include refunding their Contributions.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/11/19) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
The owner of the campaign filed for bankruptcy, this was a fraud.
He never intended to deliver any perks. The money went to pay off debts not related to the campaign. Indiegogo was complicit in this fraud simply because they let him start a second campaign even after they received complaints from other contributors on the first one. They were very aware of this fraud. A total of 17 people were defrauded for a total of $71,000. Not one greenhouse was ever manufactured.
I have evidence from these 17 people of over 100 pages of messages and lies from the owner of the campaign.
I would work with the contributor if I could legally contact him, but I can't. This is something Indiegogo needs to address.
Copies of this complaint have been sent to the Attorney General of California to investigate larger fraud committed by Indiegogo.
I will not quit until I get my money back.
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2015/11/29) */
We understand this customer has additional points on this matter.
As has been previously outlined, Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. In turn, contributors have the opportunity to browse campaigns and may contribute to ideas they care about, would like to be a part of helping to make happen, or want to see come to fruition.
Campaign owners often offer perks (goods, services, activities etc.) in return for a contribution to their campaign, as a thank you to their earliest supporters. It is important to note that Indiegogo does not run or manage campaigns, offer or fulfill perks, or guarantee that the contributors will receive their perks. Instead, individual campaign owners run their campaigns and any perks offered therein are offers made solely by the campaign owner. The decision to contribute to any campaign is in the sole determination of the contributor and their evaluation of the campaign, not Indiegogo. We recommend that each contributor complete their own vetting process before they decide to contribute.
Our Terms of Use (http://www.indiegogo.com/about/terms) obligates campaign owners to fulfill any promised perks. Perk fulfillment is the full responsibility of the campaign owner. Our Terms of Use states,
"Indiegogo is an online crowdfunding venue for people and entities seeking to raise funds for their own Campaigns and to contribute to the Campaigns of others. Campaign Owners can offer gifts or rewards in the form of tangible items or intangible services (collectively, "Perks") to Contributors. Perks are not offered for sale. Indiegogo makes no representations about the quality, safety, morality or legality of any Campaign, Perk or Contribution or the truth or accuracy of your User Content (as defined below) posted on the Service. Indiegogo does not represent that Campaign Owners will deliver Perks or that Contributions will be used as described in the Campaign. Users use the Service at their own risk."
With that said, we have been in contact with this contributor to explain our Terms of Use and clarify any other questions. We have also shared the campaign owner's contact information with this contributor in an effort to facilitate communication between these two parties. We wish this contributor best of luck in resolving their dispute with the appropriate party- the campaign owner.
Final Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2015/12/03) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
This is another canned response. Like usual.
Legally I cannot contact the campaign owner due to the fact that he declared bankruptcy. This is fraud pure and simple.
I will not stop until Indiegogo takes responsibility for their fraud.
They are lying when they say they contacted the campaign owner .
He is unreachable.

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
I have made multiple attempts at contacting the campaign for a direct refund with no avail. There needs to be changes in the Indiegogo way; either better monetary security for backers, more vetting for campaigns, a system like kickstarter where the money goes to them, and then the campaign so kickstarter can give a refund and then it is them who deal with the absentee campaigner, a better way to give the money to campaigns that gives more security and garuntee to backers, or at the VERY least, make it much more obvious that the money is gone once the campaign gets it. I am NOT the only person with this problem. My money may be gone, but something needs to change to protect future contributors.
Sincerely,[redacted]

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2014/02/16) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform which empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. Our Terms of Use (http://www.indiegogo.com/about/terms) obligates campaign owners to fulfill any promised perks. Perk...

fulfillment is the full responsibility of the campaign owner.
''Perks offered to you are strictly between the Contributor and the Campaign Owner and Beneficiary. Indiegogo does not represent, warrant or guarantee:
Perks will be delivered;
Perks will be satisfactory to you; or
The use of any Contributions or the outcome of any Campaign. It is up to you, as the Contributor, to ask such questions and undertake such due diligence as you deem necessary before you make a Contribution. Indiegogo may, in its sole discretion and judgment but is under no obligation to, seek the refund of Contributions.''
With that said, we have gotten in contact with the contributor to explain our Terms of Use and clarify any other questions. We have also shared this contributor's perk questions and contact information with the campaign owner to get in touch with this contributor.
Because funds have already been disbursed to the campaign owner, and because contributions made through Indiegogo are transactions that take place between the campaign owner, contributor, and payment processor, we are unable to issue a refund to this contributor. However, we do suggest that the contributor feel free to reach out directly to the campaign owner to resolve any perk questions or request a refund and to respond directly to us if they have any other questions.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 11, 2014/03/17) */
And NO, the problem is NOT resolved!
Another one of the products, the BluTracker completed funding on 2-21-2013. It's marked on their site as ''Product will be shipped at the End of March''. Last update for them was a month ago saying ''finalizing mass production plans'' But 4 months ago they stated ''Mass production was under way''. The MeterPlug was completed funding 1.29, 2013, is noted on site as ''Product on Backorder'', last update was a month ago, same as 4 months ago and 8 months ago that they were doing final revision for UL, etc approval.
This company is stealing money from people and needs to be stopped
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/meterplug-lower-your-electricbill-measure-real...⇄ /> Final Business Response /* (4000, 13, 2014/03/18) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform which empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. Our Terms of Use (http://www.indiegogo.com/about/terms) obligates campaign owners to fulfill any promised perks. Perk fulfillment is the full responsibility of the campaign owner. Our Terms of Use states,
"Indiegogo is an online crowdfunding venue for people and entities seeking to raise funds for their own Campaigns and to contribute to the Campaigns of others. Campaign Owners can offer gifts in the form of tangible items or intangible services (collectively, "Perks") to Contributors. Perks are not offered for sale. Indiegogo makes no representations about the quality, safety, morality or legality of any Campaign, Perk or Contribution or the truth or accuracy of content posted on the website. Indiegogo does not represent that Campaign Owners will deliver Perks or that Contributions will be used as described in the Campaign. Users use the Service at their own risk."
With that said, we have been in contact with the this contributor to explain our Terms of Use and clarify any other questions. We have also shared this contributor's perk questions and contact information with the campaign owner to get in touch with this contributor.
Because funds have already been disbursed to the campaign owner, and because contributions made through Indiegogo are transactions that take place between the campaign owner, contributor, and payment processor, we are unable to issue a refund to this contributor. However, we do suggest that the contributor feel free to reach out directly to the campaign owner to resolve any perk questions or request a refund and to respond directly to us if they have any other questions.

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
Indigogo states the following in their response:
“By creating a campaign on Indiegogo, the campaign owner agrees to use funds and fulfill all perks as stated in their campaign. If, for any reason, they are unable to use Contributions as described in their Campaign, they agree to work with the Contributors to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution, which may include refusing their Contributions.”
However, this is exactly what is not happening. When the campaign was first created, [redacted]. (the creator) was in good standing with the Horror Writers Association. All the speakers (aka perks) and the Stanley Hotel (aka the location of the event--another perk) were in agreement that this would happen. It was not until after the campaign was fulfilled that [redacted]. fell out with the community, all the speakers pulled out from the event, and the Stanley Hotel began to cancel reservations. 
I find it very suspect, and highly repulsive, that Indiegogo wouldn't try to help the backers--who will have collectively lost over 18,000 dollars to this man--in this situation. So, Indiegogo just takes the money and doesn't care what happens to the backers when none of the perks are being fulfilled? Including the critiques and editorial support that were included in the more expensive pledge/tickets? 
Indiegogo says "If, for any reason, they are unable to use Contributions as described in their Campaign, they agree to work with the Contributors to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution, which may include refusing their Contributions.” I have yet to experience this personally. While working with the creator of the campaign, he refuses to assistant or do anything to help reach a mutually satisfactory resolution and all my dealings with Indiegogo's customer service have been more "tough luck, not our problem" than helpful. 
I think everyone should know that Indiegogo will not assist contributors or backers to campaigns when they go south. I plan to continue with this complaint until a "mutually satisfactory resolution" is resolved. As well as do whatever I can to spread the word on social media and in any other method that Indiegogo certainly is not the place to go. This would have never happened on [redacted]. 
Sincerely,[redacted]

We understand this customer has additional concerns on this matter, as they have not received a refund from the owner of this campaign.
As has previously outlined, Indiegogo is not able to issue this customer a refund for their contribution. Our Terms of Use outline:
"Refunds
Backers may request a refund from Indiegogo before the end of a Campaign here. For Campaigns that have entered the InDemand program, Backers may request a refund from Indiegogo within 10 days of the contribution, here. Contributions are eligible for a refund by Indiegogo unless (a) the contribution funds have already been transferred to the Campaigner, (b) the Perk associated with the contribution has been fulfilled, or (c) Indiegogo determines that there has been an abuse of these Terms of Use. Indiegogo reserves the right to terminate User Accounts and remove Campaigns for any abuse of this refund policy. For Campaigns that have ended, or in situations where the contribution funds have been transferred to the Campaigner, Backers should contact the Campaigner directly regarding refunds."
Campaigners are the party solely responsible for their campaigns, including fulfilling any perks they offered therein, and the decision to issue any refunds for transactions that fall outside of our refund policy is the sole discretion and business decision of the Camapaigner. As such, if this customer has questions about the campaign, when they can expect to receive their perks, or would like to receive a refund from this Campaigner, this customer will need to make inquires of the Campaigner, directly. We are unable to mediate this dispute, but have previously provided this customer with the Campaigner's contact information in an effort to facilitate communication.
We wish them the best of luck in arriving at a resolution to their dispute, with the Campaigner.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/12/20) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. As the contributor states in their complaint, contributing to a campaign on Indiegogo is not the same thing as making a...

purchase in a store. People can raise money for various things, and be at various stages of their project. Contributors are backing an idea, not purchasing a pre-made project. Like anyone contributing to an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project might experience delays, changes to their original vision, or may not come to fruition. We have tips on how to evaluate a campaign in our Help Center: http://support.indiegogo.com/entries/XXXXXXXX-how-to-evaluate-a-campaign.
Regarding this customer's refund request, our records show that this contributor's contribution has already been sent to the campaigner, which means that a refund can no longer be issued by Indiegogo. Learn more about our refund policy https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXX, and in our Terms of Use, www.indiegogo.com/about/terms.

Therefore, we recommend the contributor reach out directly to the campaign owner if they are interested in receiving a refund or has questions about the status of this project.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2016/01/02) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
Dear Sir or Madam,
I refuse the answer and the push back from Indiegogo.
Based on the recommendation of my lawyer I hereby set a final due date for refunding my contribution by Indiegogo.
Reason : Indiegogo failed to outline sufficiently the scope of their evaluation of the campaign owner or company on the campaign site as to the extend of due dilligence of the business which started the campaign Indiegogo has made.
In addition Indiegogo was found to have now evaluate the campaign owner based on their own policies.
Further observations of missed actions by Indiegogo according local laws or their own policies are currently under evaluation. According german law further informations might have been missing about the campaign starter which Indiegogo is obliged to provide and therefore force a campaign starter to provide in due course before a campaign is published.
We are further contacting other complainants in order to evaluate to file one common lawsuite in Germany together with my lawsuite insurance.
I expect your answer according given Revdex.com timelines. Before this due date has passed * will not inform press.
Yours sincerley
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2016/01/10) */
We understand this customer has additional points on this matter.
Regarding this customer's refund request, as we've outlined, our records show that this contributor's contribution has already been sent to the campaigner, which means that Indiegogo can no longer issue a refund. Our Terms of Use, (www.indiegogo.com/about/terms) outlines:
"Contributions are eligible for a refund by Indiegogo unless (a) the contribution funds have already been transferred to the Campaign Owner, (b) the Perk associated with the contribution has been fulfilled, or (c) Indiegogo determines that there has been an abuse of these Terms of Use. Indiegogo reserves the right to terminate User Accounts and remove Campaigns for any abuse of this refund policy. For Campaigns that have ended, or in situations where the contribution funds have been transferred to the Campaign Owner, Contributors should contact the Campaign Owner directly regarding refunds."
While Indiegogo is not able to issue a refund in this case, we do suggest that the contributor feel free to reach out directly to the campaign owner to request a refund.
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. Our Terms of Use (http://www.indiegogo.com/about/terms) obligates campaign owners to fulfill any promised perks. Our Terms of Use states,
"Indiegogo is an online crowdfunding venue for people and entities seeking to raise funds for their own Campaigns and to contribute to the Campaigns of others. Campaign Owners can offer gifts or rewards in the form of tangible items or intangible services (collectively, "Perks") to Contributors. Perks are not offered for sale. Indiegogo makes no representations about the quality, safety, morality or legality of any Campaign, Perk or Contribution or the truth or accuracy of your User Content (as defined below) posted on the Service. Indiegogo does not represent that Campaign Owners will deliver Perks or that Contributions will be used as described in the Campaign. Users use the Service at their own risk."
As is noted there, perk fulfillment is the full responsibility of the campaign owner. Furthermore, the decision to contribute to any campaign is the sole decision of the contributor. We do outline to contributors this fact- in our Help Center (https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXX-How-to-Evaluate-a-Campai...⇄ https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXXXXX, https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXXXXX-Does-Indiegogo-Guarant...⇄ etc.), in our Terms of Use, and in the contribution process. Before a contributor finalizes their payment contributors agree to the points we reiterate: that they are contributing to an in-progress project, not making a purchase, that the campaign owner offers perks, and that Indiegogo cannot guarantee perks, and that the contributor agrees to our Terms of Use.
We wish this user the best of luck in their refund request, from the campaign owner.
Final Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2016/01/19) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
This will be followed up officially now

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
 
neither indiegogo or betternet has issue a  refund as of today . Sincerely,[redacted]

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/09/08) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them.
Contributing to a campaign on Indiegogo is not the same thing as making a purchase in a store. People can raise money for...

various things, and be at various stages of their project. Contributors are backing an idea, not purchasing a pre-made project. Like anyone contributing to an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project might experience delays, changes to their original vision, or may not come to fruition. We have tips on how to evaluate a campaign in our Help Center: http://support.indiegogo.com/entries/XXXXXXXX-how-to-evaluate-a-campaign.
Contributions made through Indiegogo are transactions that take place between the campaign owner, contributor, and payment processor, and are non-refundable by Indiegogo, as stated in our Terms of Use (www.indiegogo.com/about/terms). Therefore, we recommend the contributor reach out directly to the campaign owner if they are interested in receiving a refund.

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
the terms of the business say that I can request a refund prior to the campaign ending. the business should not have sent the fund before the end of the campaign 
Sincerely,[redacted]

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
This is exactly what they said to me when I contacted them.  They have done nothing to facilitate communication.  I even suggested they look at this "campaigner's" page and see how many people are complaining of a lack of communication. Indiegogo said they are here to help us and help prevent fraud, yet they have done absolutely nothing in my (and by the looks of the page many others) situation.  IF this is how they "protect" backers they are not only condoning scams, but supporting it.
Sincerely,Kristen [redacted]

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
Indiegogo claims that I should contact the campaign owner to request a refund. I have tried, many times, but Indiegogo has not provided valid contact information for the owner. They must have access to that information, because they are the ones that transferred the funds to the campaign owner's bank account. But they have only served to obstruct my attempts to request a refund from the campaign owner. They are a dishonest and greedy company, profiting from others' use of the site for fraudulent purposes, even advertising those frauds, to the extent that it's difficult to differentiate between the dishonest campaign owners and Indiegogo itself.Sincerely,[redacted]

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
by any metric provided by indieagogo, this would be one of the better campaigns on the onset. If this would be a scam, then every campaign on their site is a scam. The site would then solely exist to scam unwitting consumers.
Sincerely,[redacted]

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/06/21) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. We understand that this campaign owner is concerned about the status of their campaign's disbursement of...

funds.
Campaign funds raised via Direct Credit Card are disbursed within 15 business days of a campaign's deadline, assuming that the bank account information is complete and accurate. This disbursement timeline is clearly outlined during the campaign creation process. Additionally, all disbursement information is outlined in our Help Center: https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXXXXX
Unfortunately, this campaign owner's bank account information was not added to the campaign until well after the campaign's deadline. As such, they can expect the funds to be disbursed within 15 business days of having added the bank account, on June 3, 2015.
While we are unable to waive the fees as per this customer's request, we are happy to let this campaign owner know that their funds have been triggered for disbursement. They should have received an email notification when the funds were disbursed and can also see the status on the Funds tab of their Campaigner Dashboard.
We have also been in contact with the campaign owner directly in order to clarify this process and to assist them in receiving the funds.

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted]. They contacted me and the issue has been resolved; my friend has received the funds in her account. I still find the initial lack of response baffling, and would encourage the business to have better communication with their users in the future.Sincerely, [redacted]

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/01/26) */
Indiegogo provides an open crowdfunding platform permitting funds to be raised for a wide range of projects in accordance with our Terms of Use posted at www.indiegogo.com. Campaigns are run by their individual campaign owner's and not by...

Indiegogo. Indiegogo does not manage campaigns, nor are perks offered by Indiegogo. Instead, all perks are offers made by Campaign Owners, and we recommend to any contributor who has questions about a campaign's offerings that make inquires of the campaign owner.

People can raise money for various things, and be at various stages of their project. Contributors are backing an idea, not purchasing a pre-made project. Like anyone contributing to an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project might not come to fruition. Again, Indiegogo does not make claims or verify that a "campaign owner will deliver perks or that contributions will be used as described on the campaign." The decision to contribute to any campaign is in the sole determination of the contributor and their evaluation of the campaign, not Indiegogo. We recommend that each contributor goes through their own vetting process before they decide to contribute. We have compiled a list of how to evaluate a campaing, as a good starting point: https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXX-How-to-Evaluate-a-Campaig...⇄ />
In order to maintain the openness of our platform while protecting the security of our users, Indiegogo uses a proprietary fraud detection algorithm to quickly catch violations or unwanted behavior on our platform. We also rely on our team of Trust and Safety experts to review and verify activity on our platform and take the appropriate action. Finally, we have a fantastic community of users who let us know about suspicious or inappropriate behavior that helps us keep our platform secure.

That said, we appreciate this customers thoughts on Indiegogo's position as an open platform, and for outlining what they'd like to see from Indiegogo. Indiegogo offers a space for innovation and discovery. Instead we provide a platform where people who are passionate [redacted] their ideas can connect with funders who believe in their vision. It's a core part of our ethos as a business and we vehemently stand by this belief. Our customers deserve the opportunity to fund ideas they believe in. The crowd is entitled to decide, eyes wide open, what concepts they want to have a part in trying to advance.

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
Your response is a form letter and DOES NOT address the issues I wrote about. 
If Indiegogo takes my money, and the charge on my credit is from Indiegogo, then INDIEGOGO needs to CREDIT my card. Hiding behind the fact you want me to write to the campaign manager is UNACCEPTABLE.
Furthermore, as I am sure you have reviewed the comments section, hundreds and hundreds of people have contacted the campaign manager, WITH NO RESPONSE, including me. 
** Also, I would like to address what you wrote about the campaign manager giving an update 2 days ago, on September 30th, 2016. It was BOGUS, further lengthening this scam. The original Shipping date was supposed to me LAST MONTH, September 2016, and the last update stated they are going with April 2017. This is UNACCEPTABLE. It is deceit. They gave the impression a prototype was already made and in working order, and that was not the case. 
INDIEGOGO is responsible for the actions of their own campaigns, and MUST accept responsibility and take action, just like they did with the company that tried to get away with $900,000 for saying they were making artificial gills that allowed you to breathe under water. INDIEGOGO took my money, and I want a refund from INDIEGOGO. 
[redacted]
 
 
 
 
Sincerely,[redacted]

I just want to take back my money or goods

We appreciate this customer's response and their thoughts on this matter. We understand that, after filing a chargeback, it can be frustrating to wait for a full resolution on all sides.
Indiegogo outlines our chargeback process here: [redacted]s
Our Payment Processor, Stripe, outlines the following information on chargebacks when a credit card holder drops the chargeback [redacted]) and the timeline on this: 
My customer said the dispute was a mistake. How do I get the dispute reversed?
"If you’ve talked to your customer and they’ve agreed to drop the dispute, there are a couple next steps. First, have your customer call their bank and let them know. This is critical, since the bank won’t know your customer has dropped it unless your customer tells them.
Secondly, even though the customer has already agreed to withdraw the dispute through their bank, you must still submit evidence for the dispute. Your evidence should indicate to the bank that your customer wishes to drop the dispute, and must include any email evidence you have where the customer may say that. If your customer had specific complaints that led to the dispute, be sure to address those in the evidence. Failing to provide evidence even though the customer agreed to drop the dispute could still result in you losing the dispute.
Once you’ve done those two things, we need to wait for the bank to let us know that the dispute has been closed in your favor. As soon as they do that, we will return the full amount of the charge and the associated $15.00 fee to you.  Do note that this process can take quite a while—it’s not unusual for a bank to take up to 60 days to notify us of their decision. As soon as we know that the dispute is closed in your favor we will send you an email."
While Indiegogo cannot expedite this process with the banks. However, this customer will be updated when we receive the final resolution of this chargeback dispute from the financial institutions. At that point, the transaction's status will be updated to reflect the resolution decision, and both the backer and campaigner will be notified.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/05/10) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. It's important to note that contributing to a campaign on Indiegogo is not the same thing as making a purchase in a...

store. People can raise money for various things, and be at various stages of their project. Contributors are backing an idea, not purchasing a pre-made project. Like anyone contributing to an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project might not come to fruition. We have tips on how to evaluate a campaign in our Help Center, as a starting point: http://support.indiegogo.com/entries/XXXXXXXX-how-to-evaluate-a-campaign.
Contributions made through Indiegogo are transactions that take place between the campaign owner, contributor, and payment processor, and are non-refundable by Indiegogo, as stated in our Terms of Use (www.indiegogo.com/about/terms.) Therefore, we recommend the contributor reach out directly to the campaign owner if they are interested in receiving a refund. Although we are unable to refund the contributor's contribution, we have been in touch with this contributor and have shared the campaign owner's contact information with this contributor in an effort to facilitate communication.
By creating a campaign on Indiegogo, the campaign owner agrees to use funds and fulfill all perks as stated in their campaign. If, for any reason, they are unable to use Contributions as described in their Campaign, they agree to work with the Contributors to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution, which may include refunding their Contributions.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/05/15) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
In all my attempts to contact the campaign owner it was futile, never was contacted. Here the other day I got some cheapo hearing aids in the mail as I guess to make me feel better. It was not what I was to receive in the first place and that is my main protest. If your not going to deliver the product as advertised just give me the FULL refund as would be the right thing to do. Your fault, my fault, nobody's fault just do the right thing, just don't whiz down the back of my neck and try to convince its raining.
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2015/05/18) */
Indiegogo provides an open crowdfunding platform permitting funds to be raised for a wide range of projects in accordance with our Terms of Use (www.indiegogo.com/about/terms). Campaigns are run by their individual campaign owner's and not by Indiegogo. Indiegogo does not manage campaigns, nor does Indiegogo offer perks. Instead, all perks are offers made solely by Campaign Owners, and we recommend to any contributor who has questions about a campaign's offerings that make inquires of the campaign owner.
People can raise money for various things, and be at various stages of their project. Contributors are backing an idea, not purchasing a pre-made project. Like anyone contributing to an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project might not come to fruition. Again, Indiegogo does not make claims or verify that a "campaign owner will deliver perks or that contributions will be used as described on the campaign." The decision to contribute to any campaign is in the sole determination of the contributor and their evaluation of the campaign, not Indiegogo. We recommend that each contributor go through their own vetting process before they decide to contribute. We have compiled a list of how to evaluate a campaign, as a good starting point: https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXX-How-to-Evaluate-a-Campaig...⇄ /> That said, we appreciate this customers thoughts on Indiegogo's position as an open platform. Indiegogo offers a space for innovation and discovery. Instead we provide a platform where people who are passionate [redacted] their ideas can connect with funders who believe in their vision. It's a core part of our ethos as a business and we vehemently stand by this belief. Our customers deserve the opportunity to fund ideas they believe in. The crowd is entitled to decide, eyes wide open, what concepts they want to have a part in trying to advance.
Final Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2015/05/20) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
I just want my money back, as was duped by FALSE advertising, as they didn't deliver the advertised product as promised, end of story. If I had tried something like this I would be brought up on charges of theft by deception.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/10/13) */
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that empowers people to raise funds for the things that matter to them. Our Terms of Use (http://www.indiegogo.com/about/terms) obligates campaign owners to fulfill any promised perks. Perk fulfillment...

is the full responsibility of the campaign owner.
With that said, we have been in contact with this contributor to explain our Terms of Use and clarify any other questions. Because contributions made through Indiegogo are transactions that take place between the campaign owner, contributor, and payment processor, we are unable to issue a refund to this contributor. However, we do suggest that the contributor feel free to reach out directly to the campaign owner to resolve any perk questions or request a refund.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/10/20) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
The Indiegogo needs to hold campaign owner responsible with perks and providing feedback to contributors.
The Indiegogo needs to atleast validate basic qualification of campaign owner.
In this situation lots of contributors have suffered. You can see the feedback available on Indiegogo site for this particular campaign.
Can anyone create scam or fake campaign and get the money Thru the Indiegogo platform.
I contributed because the campaign owner city was shown as [redacted], **. No other information about campaign owner is shown.
Atleast indiegogo should mandate all physical address details and campaign owner qualification is documented on the campaign.
Please share that information asap with campaign contributors so we can pusue the campaign owner with communication updates about delivery of the promised perks.
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2015/11/03) */
We understand that this customer has additional thoughts on this matter.
Indiegogo provides an open crowdfunding platform permitting funds to be raised for a wide range of projects in accordance with our Terms of Use (www.indiegogo.com/about/terms). Campaigns are run by their individual campaign owner's and not by Indiegogo. Indiegogo does not manage campaigns, nor does Indiegogo offer perks. Instead, all perks are offers made by Campaign Owners, and we recommend to any contributor who has questions about a campaign's offerings that make inquires of the campaign owner.
People can raise money for various things, and be at various stages of their project. Contributors are backing an idea, not purchasing a pre-made project. Like anyone contributing to an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project might not come to fruition. Again, Indiegogo does not make claims or verify that a "campaign owner will deliver perks or that contributions will be used as described on the campaign." The decision to contribute to any campaign is in the sole determination of the contributor and their evaluation of the campaign, not Indiegogo. We recommend that each contributor go through their own vetting process before they decide to contribute. We have compiled a list of how to evaluate a campaign, as a good starting point: https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXX-How-to-Evaluate-a-Campaig...⇄ /> Our Terms of Use (www.indiegogo.com/about/terms)states,
"Indiegogo is an online crowdfunding venue for people and entities seeking to raise funds for their own Campaigns and to contribute to the Campaigns of others. Campaign Owners can offer gifts or rewards in the form of tangible items or intangible services (collectively, "Perks") to Contributors. Perks are not offered for sale. Indiegogo makes no representations about the quality, safety, morality or legality of any Campaign, Perk or Contribution or the truth or accuracy of your User Content (as defined below) posted on the Service. Indiegogo does not represent that Campaign Owners will deliver Perks or that Contributions will be used as described in the Campaign. Users use the Service at their own risk."
With that said, we have been in contact with this contributor to explain our Terms of Use and clarify any other questions. We have also shared the campaign owner's contact information with this contributor in an effort to facilitate communication between these two parties.