Look carefully at the refund amount. Due to currency fluctuations in HKD vs USD between backing and refund, the refund isn’t a full refund.
Early Bird 2x perk (backer #117) on May 17 was $283.01
Refund on July 12 was $282.88
Another argument against doing it in HKD.
I would have preferred they just keep the money to fund continued development of this awesome CORE.
That’s something to take up with your bank. As the credit card issuer has taken the conversion fee even though the transaction was reversed
Doesn’t look to me like the transaction was reversed. It was a separate refund transaction from Indiegogo.
Yeah. I figured I’d lose out due to all the currency and fee issues. I figure there might even be conversion fees on BOTH transactions (bank gets rich; I lose my lunch–typical).
And, yeah, it truly seems like an unfortunate choice to have marketed a device to North American and European markets–but made the campaign based in Hong Kong with HKD currency. I suppose, that makes it slightly easier to get the money to the (almost certainly) Chinese manufacturers–but it seems likely to have been a (if not THE) key reason the campaign got a significantly less-than-desired response.
It sure gave me pause. I nearly passed on the campaign because of it.
And yet xiaomi gear is so popular in the West? My take (as I mentioned previously) is that the marketing of the device appealed more to the hard core HA enthusiast than the average user who might be considering ST/HE etc.
But, you can buy that brand in USD on Amazon.
Sure - often at a hefty premium (of course you’ll get it in days rather than weeks if bought from China).
Over here in Australia we’re less spoilt for options so getting stuff from China (Aliexpress etc) is probably more commonplace. TBH I’m less concerned about exchange rate fluctuations than personal data security.
Thatvis th
+1
Hi all. I’ve been away for most of the summer and will be for the next few months. I’m sorry to hear that the campaign didn’t hit the goal. As much as I believe in Core, I declined to participate due to the project being based in Hong Kong and in HK currency. I understand that is where Markus lives but it was still a non-starter for me due to past experiences.
I am very eager to see what plan B is hope to be able to participate in good conscience. Wish you all the best of luck.
May be different for USA people, but for me as european HK or USA or Bulgaria does not make any difference. The difference is made by people. And I trust you guys
Personally I didn’t give a monkey’s where it’s based. It’s just a currency exchange as far as I’m concerned. Having lived in HK for years, it’s an awesome place and any way to support the people and economy there is all good for me. It’s also a common financial gateway for businesses operating in that region for obvious reasons compared with basing yourself on the mainland. Good luck to the team however they plan to move forward!
It WAS a common financial gateway for businesses…
FTFY
Uhm, no.
Etc.
Well… HK may be a little concerning for some… 
I’m happy so many of you, cosmopolitan guys, are evaluating if it worth subsidizing the HK/PRR economy or not buying a CORE or two while googling on your pcs, phones via a fiber modem “made in prc”… 
Exactly.
Washington? CNN? The laughing stocks of the whole world. Are there people who take them seriously?
To think it had no impact is naive. I had to try 3 times and call my bank for the transaction to go through.
Same and I would be lying if I said I didn’t have second thoughts on if it was worth the effort/risk.