Controversial Sondors eBike Crowdfunding Campaign Commences Shipping to Backers

First Production Bike Sondors eBikeThe second most funded crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo is reportedly shipping to backers meeting their aggressive schedule of delivering perks to early backers.  The Sondors eBike crowdfunding campaign became funded on April 2nd of this year and quickly shifted to Indiegogo’s InDemand program.  Today the project has generated over $5.8 million from more than 14,500 backers. According to a report from the marketing agency represented the project, the first round of supporters may now expect to receive their eBikes in the coming weeks.

 

“Shipping of the Sondors eBike to backers worldwide has begun this month, as scheduled and promised,” said Storm Sondors, creator of the Sondors eBike. “To sell, produce and ship in just a few short months double or triple the amount of electric bikes than large manufacturers sell in an entire year is an amazing feat. Importantly, this is proof of huge demand for an affordable electric bike in today’s market.”

Sondors eBike Most Funded IndiegogoThe crowdfunding project was rocky at best with many individuals questioning the validity of the project and the viability of the creators to deliver what was originally promised.

Originally titled the Storm eBike, the name was changed due to an existing eBike on the market with the same name.  Part way through the campaign co-creator Jon Hopp mysteriously was removed from the campaign page.  He spoke to Crowdfund Insider weeks later expressing his frustration and disappointment with his previous partner – Storm Sondors.

At the close of the official crowdfunding campaign, Storm (né Ivars) Sondors and his company, were sued by Agency 2.0 the marketing firm that managed much of the campaigns success.  The lawsuit was for contractual fraud as the agreed upon fee was not paid on the agreed upon date by the Sondor’s camp.

It also came to light that Sondor’s had been a subject of an earlier fraud lawsuit that saw a default judgment in the amount of $39,456.00 in its personal fraud suit against Sondors.  This fine has apparently never been paid.

The success of the eBike project was driven by the low price point of $499 (before shipping).  Questions regarding the viability were quelled when Agency 2.0 scheduled a demo day in Santa Monica during the campaign that was generally well received.

While backers signing up for a bike have slowed supporters continue to sign up for a ebike that has a delivery date towards the end of the year.

 

 


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