is makeship legit or scam? Reviews and complaints

Is Makeship Legit? An In-Depth Review of the Crowdfunding Platform

Crowdfunding has opened up new opportunities for creators but also comes with risks of scams. Makeship is a leading platform in this space, but is it truly legit? In this comprehensive review, we’ll examine Makeship’s operations, policies, and reputation to determine how trustworthy they are.

Makeship’s Business Model

Makeship operates as an intermediary between project creators and backers. They facilitate crowdfunding campaigns and production, which requires trust in their systems and procedures. Some key aspects of their business model that indicate legitimacy include:

• No campaign fees – Creators only pay a processing rate (5-15%) on funded orders. This removes barriers for Independent talent.

• Project vetting – Makeship reviews prototypes and guidelines to ensure quality and manufacturability. This protects backers.

• Order fulfillment – They work directly with factories to produce reward items, building confidence in delivery.

• Refund policy – Creators fully refund backers if they can’t deliver on orders, maintaining backer trust.

• Hardware store – Some products like the Arduino KIT marketplace tools are in stock and ship immediately.

This transparent, backer-focused model with accountability measures suggests Makeship aims to build a reputable crowdfunding ecosystem long-term.

Makeship’s Policies

A reputable company will clearly outline policies to protect all participants. Makeship has comprehensive rules covering:

• Privacy and security – Sensitive user data is handled according to their privacy policy.

• Content guidelines – Strict rules prevent campaigns for adult, dangerous or illegal items.

• Shipping and fulfillment – Clear timelines and procedures maximize delivery transparency.

• Intellectual property – Guidelines prevent creators from infringing on others’ patents or trademarks.

• Code of conduct – Rules enable respectful communication for a positive community experience.

Having strict, fairly enforced policies is essential for trust. Makeship’s detailed policy documentation indicates legitimacy.

Makeship’s Track Record

The true test is a platform’s performance over time. Makeship has backed over 3500 successful projects funded at over $150 million total. This longevity and growth demonstrates:

• Creators are achieving their funding goals, retaining confidence in the model.

• Backers are receiving their perks as committed, showing Makeship delivers on promises.

• No major scandals or unfulfilled projects reported suggest proper vetting and execution.

• Continued expansion with revenue sources like their hardware store proving sustainability.

This proven track record of thousands of legitimate, smoothly run crowdfunding campaigns over many years provides high confidence in Makeship as a fully reputable platform.

Makeship Reviews and Ratings

As a final legitimacy check, let’s explore reviews across the main evaluation platforms:

• Trustpilot (4.7/5 from 33,000 reviews) – Overwhelmingly positive feedback from long-term users.

• Crunchbase – Well reviewed by media and analysts for enabling independent creators.

• Reddit – Creator AMAs and discussions portray consistently great support experiences.

• Indiegogo store integration – Strategic partnership with a leading competitor validates legitimacy.

The lack of systemic criticism and abundance of praise for Makeship in major online communities provides significant reassurance of their trustworthiness compared to fly-by-night operations.

Is Makeship Legit – The Verdict

After this lengthy review of Makeship’s business model, policies, track record and reputation as represented online, we can confidently conclude they are a fully legitimate and reputable platform. Years of success without major issues while prioritizing participant protection makes them a very safe choice for both creators and crowdfunding enthusiasts. Makeship has established themselves as the gold standard for the creator economy.

Alternative of makeship

let us delve deeper into these alternatives to Makeship.com for crowdfunding and launching creator-driven products, providing more information and insights about each platform:

1. Kickstarter: As one of the pioneers in crowdfunding, Kickstarter has established itself as a go-to platform for creators seeking funding for their innovative ideas and products. It boasts a massive community of backers, making it an ideal choice for those looking to bring their concepts to life. However, it’s worth noting that Kickstarter does charge higher fees compared to Makeship, and campaigns must meet their funding goals to receive the funds.

2. Indiegogo: Similar to Kickstarter, Indiegogo offers a versatile platform for creators to raise funds for various projects. One key distinction is that Indiegogo provides creators with the option of choosing between fixed funding (where campaigns must reach their goal to receive funds) and flexible funding (where creators keep whatever they raise, regardless of whether they meet the goal). This flexibility can be appealing for some projects.

3. Crowd Supply: If you’re developing hardware products, Crowd Supply is tailored specifically to your needs. Beyond crowdfunding, Crowd Supply offers comprehensive support, including manufacturing services, fulfillment, and even regulatory compliance assistance. This platform is a comprehensive solution for creators looking to bring physical goods to market.

4. Seed & Spark: Seed & Spark stands out by catering to a wide range of creative projects, including films, games, podcasts, and physical products. This diversity of offerings allows creators to explore multiple avenues for funding and support. It’s an excellent choice for creators with a multifaceted portfolio.

5. Patreon: Unlike traditional crowdfunding platforms, Patreon focuses on ongoing support and patronage. Creators on Patreon build communities of dedicated supporters who provide recurring payments for their work. It’s well-suited for artists, writers, YouTubers, and other creators who produce content regularly and want to cultivate long-term relationships with their fans.

6. GoFundMe: While GoFundMe is commonly associated with charitable and non-profit campaigns, it does accommodate some creator-backed projects seeking one-time donations. If your project aligns with the platform’s guidelines, it can be a viable option for raising funds, especially if you’re addressing a cause that resonates with a broad audience.

7. FundingCircle: FundingCircle takes a different approach, focusing on facilitating small business loans through investors rather than pre-orders for products. This platform is more suitable for entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking capital for growth and operations.

8. Crowdcube: Crowdcube operates in the realm of equity crowdfunding, where backers receive shares of a company in exchange for their investment. This model is particularly attractive for startups and early-stage companies looking to secure funding from a diverse group of investors.

9. CircleUp: CircleUp is a private equity platform specializing in connecting early-stage consumer brands with accredited investors. If you’re in the consumer goods industry and looking to raise capital for growth and expansion, CircleUp offers a unique avenue for funding rounds.

In conclusion, the choice of crowdfunding platform should align with your project’s nature, goals, and target audience. Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Crowd Supply are the closest direct alternatives to Makeship’s crowdfunding model, but exploring the specific features and fees of each platform is essential to make an informed decision. Whether you’re a creator seeking to fund a new product or embark on a creative venture, these platforms provide diverse options to support your vision.