The following is an update for anyone who backed FinalWipe and what to expect.

In case you haven’t received the items you were getting for backing the project, know that what you are getting is what is being offered on the site. I also discussed, in length, the products I received and my opinion, which you can read here. I feel bad for anyone who backed the project expecting quality, antimicrobial cloths, just to get cheap organic cotton washcloths. The washcloths could have contained, or not contained, the antimicrobial properties and still been quality– they’re not. In my original post, I had mentioned a few times that I wasn’t sure whether backers were getting the same product that went live. For those who have received their orders, they did. Many have yet to get them. My box was received before most of the backers’. Several comments noted that they would not have backed the product had they known the changes that were made. One backer stated, ” If the version of the “finished product” was what was featured in the campaign I wouldn’t have backed this either. I’m disappointed in all of it. Definitely not what we were being sold.” FinalCo did not disclose major changes, and feedback from the company either (1) Did little or nothing to address concerns, (2) Did not respond at all, and/or (3) Only responded to whatever amount of positivity was in comments. In all honesty, I thought that they had changed to cotton, but still infused the fabric so that it was antimicrobial, but not listed in the description.

I understand that changes can happen, but misleading people who are funding your product or service is unethical and unprofessional. You’re probably thinking that I’m harping too much on this, and that it really doesn’t matter–after all, there is a lot going on in the world right now. You may also be thinking that “that’s what people get for backing a project”. Yes, there is a lot going on, but that is no excuse. Also, the company has an obligation to be upfront. It’s no different than stakeholders. If you have invested in something, whether it is a project like this or a company, investors have the right to know what is happening. FinalCo, more or less, duped their backers. They should have been very forthcoming. Even though I am part of their ambassador program, I don’t support everything they create, but I like their overall mission. Now, their mission statement seems great, but I’m starting to have far more questions. For instance, the response to one backer who noted the quality of the organic cotton wipes was that, “…our team was not impressed with the bamboo fabric. We made the decision to go with organic cotton as it is not only better quality but also an environmentally friendly fabric.” What does that translate to? More likely than not, they went with the less expensive option, at the cost of swindling backers and creating an inferior product. Perhaps their decisions won’t affect them as much as it should. They have to learn from this, do something about it, and live up to their own supposed standards. Two words: Damage control. I hope their future endeavors don’t go awry, and they adhere to the integrity and ethics they discuss.

Companies do this kind of thing often– making changes along the way. That being said, unless you are on the testing panel, consumers don’t actually see that process because the final product that makes it on the shelves is all that they come in contact with. Every company has its setbacks. These were absolutely preventable and inexcusable. Hopefully this is not a trend that continues with them.

Peace & Love, always!

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