FAQ

  • What TheCreator.ME Does

    • What is TheCreator.ME?

      Great question! Rather than type it all up here, head to our About Us page to learn more: http://www.TheCreator.ME/about-us

    • How do I sign up?

      It’s easy to create an account. Join TheCreator.ME today here!

    • Is this all free?

      Yes, 100% free! Creating an account, uploading designs, and using our website is completely free.

    • Who works at TheCreator.ME and what is your experience?

      Learn more about the team at our About Us page: www.TheCreator.ME/about-us/.

    • What type of marketing do you do?

      We have a huge marketing plan - it’s important to us that we not only find new designers with great projects and ideas, but also consumers and businesses to BackIT and BuyIT. Without a solid marketing plan, we’d never be successful. To learn more, feel free to email our Marketing Manager Evan at evan yiddle thecreator.

    • Do you run contests?

      Of course! Head to our Blog or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to stay up-to-date on our contests.

    • How does TheCreator.ME take a design, manufacture it, and deliver it to consumers?

      This is what TheCreator.ME is all about! We’re not just an online community connecting all parties involved in bringing a design to life, we actually handle the entire creation and fulfillment process. How does it work exactly? Anyone can upload a design, and then we work with the designer and manufacturer to finalize costs. From materials, to creating a prototype and ensuring quality, to manufacturing and shipping, TheCreator.ME does all of the work to take your designs and creations and ship them to consumers around the world. We work with the designer of each piece to make sure we encompass everything the creator behind it was looking for. We have team members dedicated to this process and have successfully brought pieces from design to creation; we can’t wait to do the same for you, while generating buzz and interest throughout the public.

    • How does TheCreator.ME manage quality?

      Quality is a serious topic for us. We have a team dedicated to quality control - we want not just the designer, but also the purchaser to be entirely satisfied with the quality of each piece. If both parties aren’t happy, we haven’t done our job. We pride ourselves and thrive on high quality fulfillment and fortunately have established great relationships with our manufacturers to ensure our high quality standards are met.

  • How It Works

    Be sure to read How It Works at TheCreator.ME!

    • DesignIT

      • Who can upload a design?

        Anyone from anywhere in the world can upload a design. The design must be your original creation. Please refer to the Terms of Use for more information.

      • Who owns the designs?

        The designer does! By uploading the design to our website, that does not transfer ownership; the original designer still has 100% ownership over a design throughout the entire process.

      • What level of quality do designs need to be?

        Anything from a sketch on a napkin to a CAD rendering works - the more engaging examples (graphics, images, sketches) you have, the more clearly your ideas will presented.

      • How do I make my design attractive?

        First and foremost, design what you love. Don’t hold back! Share your inspiration for the piece and the story behind it. Be creative and be yourself. In addition, we suggest you focus on the market viability of the design - i.e.: how difficult is it to manufacture and ship? Before any product enters the BackIT stage, we work with the designer to establish the design’s market viability and use this to establish quantities and prices for the pieces.

      • How do I create a profile?

        In the upper right corner, click your name and you can edit your profile under "My Profile." Here you can add information about you and customize your profile, including background photo, avatar, copy/text, design, and layout. Don’t have an account yet? Request one at www.TheCreator.ME.

      • How do I upload a design?

        On the top of the homepage, click "Design It" then "Create your Own" in the center of the screen. You first enter the project information (name, description, URL you want). After you click save, click "Go to my design project" to upload images and additional info for the project.

      • What if I want to remove a design?

        That’s easy - just delete it in your portfolio. The design is 100% yours and you have 100% control over it.

      • Is there a limit to how many designs I can upload?

        There’s no limit at all! The more you upload the better - people want to see what you do best: design!

    • BackIT

      • What is BackIT?

        BackIT is when a design can be funded by anyone. Once a design enters the BackIT stage, individuals can help bring your design to life by purchasing a piece, or in some cases pledge money.

      • How does a design go from DesignIT to BackIT?

        Before a design enters the BackIT stage, TheCreator.ME team figures out the entire fulfillment cost - from materials to manufacturing to shipping. Based on the fulfillment cost, we then work with the designer to figure out an appropriate BackIT price and how many BackIT’s are needed to create the piece. Once the designer has agreed on the terms and contract, the piece enters the BackIT stage.

      • How do I back a design?

        It’s easy to back a design! Head to the BackIT (http://www.thecreator.me/back-it) and choose the design you want to back, select the number of pieces you would like to reserve and purchase.

      • Who backs designs and why?

        From individual consumers to other designers, to anyone who loves your piece - they back your design. Everyone has different incentives; some want to own the piece, others back to help turn a creation into a reality. All in all though, everyone who backs and purchases a design get a limited first edition piece shipped directly to them.

      • As a designer, how do I know pieces will be created to my specifications?

        We want your piece to be made to your specifications - there’s no incentive for us to change anything. In fact, we’ll work with the designers to ensure each piece is made exactly how it was designed. We want to bring your designs to life, not change them!

      • When am I charged? Right away or once it is fully backed?

        Once you have backed a design product, you will be charged the full amount for the number of pieces acquired including the delivery fee for shipping your order to the address provided. In the case of a BackIT not being successful (not reaching the goal of minimum number of pieces), you will be notified and your payment will be refunded in full.

      • What are my payment options?

        TheCreator.ME currently accepts VISA, Master Card, and PayPal payments. You can safely enter your credit card number via our secure server, which encrypts all submitted information via SSL.

      • How is the designer paid in the BackIT stage?

        Designers are given a higher-than-industry-average percentage of every piece sold in the BackIT stage. We only ask that you create a great design and then we take care of the rest. Each piece will have a different percentage based on its fulfillment cost, however in all cases the designer will get a high percentage of the final sales price. We’re confident the designer will be happy with this percentage (which is worked out and agreed with the designer before a piece enters the BackIT stage) as we want designers to continue working with us and pleased with the service and experience we provide.

      • If I back an item but other people don’t, am I still charged?

        Yes. TheCreator.ME operates a crowd-funding model in which a design idea is brought to life and funded with your financial contribution towards a specific designer piece. Your payment is therefore the necessary indication of your support and commitment to the chosen design and its designer. In the case of a BackIT not being successful (not reaching the goal of minimum number of pieces), you will be notified and your payment will be refunded in full.

      • Who decides the price for each piece?

        Price is determined by what the fulfillment cost is (which is calculated by TheCreator.ME team) and what the designer feels appropriate. While TheCreator.ME team will make sure each piece is viable, we will of course work with the designer to agree on a selling price.

      • How many people need to back an item?

        This entirely depends on the piece - it’s hard to give a straight answer to this. Overall, this number will be decided based on the fulfillment cost and how many people TheCreator.ME and the designer feel are needed to bring the design to life. Of course, this will all be determined before a product is available in the BackIT stage.

    • BuyIT

      • When will I be able to sell my design in your online store?

        After a design has been successfully Backed, we’ll work with the designer on entering it in our online store.

      • Do designs, after being Backed, automatically enter the BuyIT stage?

        No, we work with the designer before this happens - pieces do not automatically enter the BuyIT stage.

      • How does a designer get paid in the BuyIT stage?

        Designers get paid on a regular basis, receiving royalty payments from each piece at regular intervals, which are dependent on the amount of pieces sold and the selling price of each piece.

  • Manufacturing and Packaging

    • Who pays for the manufacturing?

      TheCreator.ME covers all of the expenses! All the designer needs to do is come up with great designs and we take care of the fulfillment.

    • What materials are used?

      With our wide range of manufacturing options, we can work with any material requested by the designer to bring their product to life. There are simply no limitations.

    • What are the different types of manufacturing options?

      Just like our wide range of materials used, working with our manufacturing partners we have every options available to bring your piece from design to life. There are simply no limitations... we encourage you to challenge us, while keeping in mind the goal is to bring your designs to life; easier manufacturing can lead to quicker turnaround.

    • Are prototypes made of each product?

      Yes, we create prototypes and samples of nearly every piece before we manufacture any products. This way we can ensure the piece is high quality and exactly how the designer requested before any orders are actually placed.

    • Where is the manufacturing done?

      Manufacturing is done all around the world. Before a piece is manufactured, we figure out the fulfillment costs to get the piece from the factory floor to the consumer’s door. Depending on the piece, if we get several orders from California and several orders from Buenos Aires, we’ll manufacture the pieces close to the purchaser to eliminate high shipping costs and excess pollution from getting the piece to the consumer. We’ve established excellent relationships with manufacturers around the world to ensure all pieces are of highest quality.

    • How are pieces packaged? Do they come with anything besides the design?

      Of course, this entirely depends on the type of piece - however, every piece successfully Backed is packaged uniquely and 1st Edition owner's book, which includes the history of the product from idea to creation, profile and bio of the designer, list of backers (unless they wish to remain anonymous) and the set number (IE 5/100). Pieces also come with a certificate of authenticity which includes the name of the buyer, the 1st edition set number, product and designer info, and creation date.

    • How do I know each design will be manufactured in the highest quality possible?

      We have a team dedicated to quality control - we want not just the designer, but also the purchaser to be super happy with the quality of each piece. If both parties aren’t happy, we’ve done an awful job. We pride ourselves and thrive on high quality fulfillment and fortunately have established great relationships with our manufacturers to ensure our high quality standards are met.

  • Shipping and Duties

    • Is shipping included in the prices?

      If the product description includes 'free shipping', you will not need to pay any shipping costs for this item. Free shipping will only apply to the countries listed as available for shipping.

      For products without ‘free shipping’ in its product description: you need to use the shipping cost estimate at checkout to generate a shipping quote for your order and your country.

      Select the desired number of items in your shopping cart. Go to your cart and click on Checkout

      In the section, ‘Estimate Shipping ' link, choose your country and click on ‘Calculate’ to preview shipping prices for different shipping services; then click on ‘Update Total’ to get the total cost of your order.

    • Are taxes on imported goods included in the price?

      No. Import duties, sales taxes or VAT, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

      TheCreator.ME is a Hong-Kong based company with the mission to bring designer pieces to market at the best affordable price by selecting the best manufacturers and being able to ship these designer goods to as many people around the world as possible.

      Therefore anything you buy at TheCreator.ME is going to be imported into your country and, in some cases, may be subject to customs or import duties on delivery. The buyers are responsible for any additional charges for customs clearance.

      For that reason, TheCreator.ME has no control over the imposition of these customs or import duties and cannot predict what (if any) duties there will be for your order in your country.

      Since customs policies vary widely from country to country, we encourage you to check with your country's customs office, post office or shipping carrier to determine what these additional costs might be prior to buying.

      If customs or import duties are levied, you are responsible for paying them to receive your package. We hope that this is a small price to pay in order for you to receive these unique design pieces.

      Note that we are required to write the full product information including the purchase price on all customs forms. If you believe we could help you avoid or minimize import taxes/duties, contact us for enquiry and we will do what we can to assist you. However, we cannot ensure a final amount or that you won't be charged on receipt of your order and you will still be responsible for import taxes/duties.

    • Will I be charged import or customs duties?

      The majority of our designer items are shipped to you directly from the country where they are manufactured. In some cases, customs or import duties, also known as import taxes, may be applied once a package reaches its destination country. This tax is a set percentage of the value of the good that is being imported. Recipients are responsible for any additional charges for customs clearance. TheCreator.ME has no control over the imposition of these customs or import duties and cannot predict what (if any) duties there will be.

      If customs or import duties are levied, you are responsible for paying them to receive your package. Because customs policies vary widely from country to country, if you have concerns that you may be subject to customs duties on the goods imported, please contact your local post office or shipping carrier.

  • Terms Of Use

  • General Website Questions

    • I forgot my password - how do I get it back?

      Click the "Forgot Password" link located under the "Log in" link in the upper right.

    • I forgot my username/login email - how do I get it back?

      Please email us at info yiddle thecreator.

    • Can I change my username?

      Yes, after you are logged in you can change this in your account settings. Click on your name in the upper right hand corner and then click Edit to change your Account Info.

    • Can I delete my account?

      Yes, of course! Email us at info yiddle thecreator and we’ll remove it immediately.

    • How do I get featured on TheCreator.ME blog and homepage?

      That’s easy: be a Creator! Members that create, contribute, collaborate and consume all help shape TheCreator.ME and we love to embrace our active members. We’re constantly monitoring our website for unique pieces and the designers behind them, as well as the feedback designs and designers receive from our active members.

  • support yiddle thecreator to the team (we’ll answer it ASAP!)