ZANO Drone Sold by Kickstarter PBC

Product as advertised by Kickstarter PBC:

Autonomous, Intelligent, Developable.
Meet ZANO the worlds most sophisticated nano drone aerial photo and HD
video capture platform.

Product as purchased from Kickstarter PBC:

EARLY BIRD FIRST EDITION BLACK ZANO and Standard ZANO Carry Case. You will
receive 1x First Edition Black ZANO. 1x Charging Cable. 1x Spare Battery. 1x
Clam Shell, zipper ZANO branded carry case.
You will also receive FREE capability updates for 12 months after public launch.
RRP 184.95
Estimated Delivery June 2015

ZANO Product timeline of events:

All emails were received from no-reply@kickstarter.com

15/11/14

ZANO product advertised on Kickstarter PBC website

www.kickstarter.com
Product advertised as described above, further details @
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/torquing/zano-autonomousintelligent-swarming-nano-drone/description
Notable descriptions:
Our supply chain is 100% ready to go, from vital components that
make ZANO fly, to the very boxes that ZANO is packaged in are all
priced and sourced!
ZANO is up and flying, holding position, avoiding obstacles,
streaming live video back to a smart device, capturing video and
photos. However, with as much capability as we've packed into
ZANO, we are continuing to refine the flight, avoidance, video and
photo capturing and user interface, plus we have relentless testing
and refining procedures prior to us releasing ZANO to the market.
We will begin our BETA testing in March 2015. With a view to enter
production in May 2015!
The product was advertised as designed, tested and complete,
ready to be manufactured, videos were supplied showing footage
of the product in operation and images taken from the product.
The product was sold as a bulk purchase where many customers

could get a lower price for ordering together and helping the
subsidiary company (Torquing Group), with its first order. This later
transpired to be false and the product was not ready for
manufacture and required a large amount of design and testing,
eventually resulting in the subsidiary company folding.
06/01/15

Product ordered, email confirmation received

07/01/15

Email update #13 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group), email talks
about beta testers for mobile phone apps, various lottery prises for
customers, additional purchases etcetera

08/01/15

Email received confirming 12066 customers had joined for the bulk
purchase. Second email received confirming monies had been taken
from the credit card in question (closest we got to a receipt)

16/01/15

Email update #14 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) saying they are
waiting for monies from Kickstarter PBC. Link to new youtube video
with product design (now deleted)

30/01/15

Email update #15 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with carry case
renderings. Link to new youtube video video with product design
(now deleted)

02/02/15

Email update #16 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) regarding
additional products and shipping details survey and phone app beta
tester details

26/02/15

Email update #17 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) requesting
details from customers who had purchased additional products with
the standard product. Confirmation of 500 test units being
purchased Torquing Group at the end of March.

13/03/15

Email update #18 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) describing new
design specs for the inbuilt camera and different plastics for the
unit.

15/04/15

Email update #19 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) confirming final
electronics design is completed and the 500 test units were to be
ordered.
This is contrary to the initial product description where they
said they were ready to build and ship immediately. This is
also a delay as they originally said the 500 test units were
to be ordered before the end of March.

20/04/15

Email update #20 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) regarding
shipping details survey for all customers.

21/04/15

Email update #21 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with a link to a
new youtube video (now deleted) showing a prototype ZANO flying
in an indoor room between 2 people.

24/04/15

Email update #22 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with a link to a
new youtube video (now deleted) on the making of the product.

28/04/15

Email update #23 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with a link to a
new youtube video (now deleted) on the making of the product.

18/05/15

Email received from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with a

link to confirm my delivery address.

26/05/15

Email update #24 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) confirming
shipping still on schedule for the end of June subject to certification
from all government bodies regarding the use of drones in various
countries. Requests for all customers to complete shipping details
survey. Requests for customers who overpaid for additional items to
follow links to website and select items.

28/05/15

Email update #25 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with confirmation
that shipping is on track for the end of June. Technical details of
production. Note that government certificates are still outstanding.

01/06/15

Email received from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with

incorrect delivery address

02/06/15

Email received from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with

correct delivery address

02/06/15

Email update #26 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with apologies
and notification that shipping details were received correctly.

09/06/15

Email update #27 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) congratulating 3
customers who won a glow in the dark version of ZANO in a lottery.
Link to new youtube video with details of the winners (now deleted).

19/06/15

Email update #28 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) describing long
working hours and new requirements for government certificates.
Technical details on the chosen camera for the product. Technical
details on a High Processing Computer (HPC) to be used for
processing videos taken by customers.

25/06/15

Email update #29 for customers:

Link from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) to a new youtube
video (now deleted) that confirmed shipping was not going to be
achieved by the end of June as originally promissed.

07/07/15

Email update #30 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) saying the
product has passed the US and Canadian government requirements
and certificates are due. Nearly all European tests have been
passed bar one with the final test to be completed in the coming
week. More technical details and description of bulk parts ordering.
Picture included supposedly taken from the product.

09/07/15

Email update #31 for customers:

Link from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) to new youtube
video (now deleted) showing a demonstration of stability control.

10/07/15

Email update #32 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) about additional
limited edition units available and a photo of the end product.

22/07/15

Email update #33 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) saying all
government compliance certificates have been received and
production and shipping will start.
Shipping schedule as follows:
Production Shipping Schedule
We are on target to ship the first 2,000 ZANOs the week of the 10th
of August.
All Kickstarter ZANO rewards will be shipped/fulfilled by the
first week in September, 2015. (12,000+ units), At which point
we will begin shipping to our pre-orders. (Pre-orders placed through
our website www.flyzano.com)
ZANO's will be shipped based on location.
The order of fulfilment is as follows:
UK - Begining week of the 10th August
Europe - Begining week of the 17th August
APAC/North America - Begining week of the 24th August
Rest of the world - Begining first week of September

11/08/15

Email update #34 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) saying the first
deliveries are due that week. New shipping details saying
delivery will now be by colour rather than location. First
colour to be shipped is black.

17/08/15

Email update #35 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) regarding a new
testing rig being developed for quality control. Problems expressed
about the new testing rig and deliveries cannot commence until
this is solved,
Rest assured, however, that we're working our tails off to make
sure this is rectified in days, not weeks.

18/08/15

Email update #36 for customers:

Links from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) to new youtube
videos (now deleted) showing the testing rig and android
application.

19/08/15

Email update #37 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) with technical
details of the product and details of troubleshooting of testing rig
problems. Link included to new youtube video (now deleted)
showing free flight mode experience of the product.

20/08/15

Email update #38 for customers:

Links from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) to new youtube
videos (now deleted) showing the free flight mode. Links for app
developers to access.

21/08/15

Email update #39 for customers:

Link from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) to new youtube
video (now deleted) showing the android application.

04/09/15

Email update #40 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) saying their
testing rig is functional. Notice that The first few units will be
leaving today (already packed and delivery booked), and another
10 will follow suit. Detail of another 100 units being tested and
confirmation that bulk production will begin.
Details of new propellers being designed. Picture of 7 units that
passed testing. Notice that Android application will be available in 7
days.

09/09/15

Email update #41 for customers:

Link from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) to a new youtube
video (now deleted) showing warehouse works. Confirmation that
8 units were delivered.

10/09/15

Email update #42 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) that bulk
deliveries will now start on the 18th of September, with ZANO
black being delivered to the UK, EU, APAC and the rest of the world
by the end of the following week. Other details about US and
Canadian government certificates not being received yet and more
details required for those. This is contrary to what was said in the
email of 07/07/15 where it was confirmed they had passed, and the
email of 22/07/15 where it was said all certificates were received.

Link to new youtube video (now deleted) showing take off and
landing of product on a hand.
11/09/15

Email update #43 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) that US
governmental approval was granted but Canadian approval was still
outstanding.

14/09/15

Email update #44 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) of email address
for shipping address changes

22/09/15

Email update #45 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) saying
distribution had begun and 250 units were tested and being
packaged. Once they were finished, production was to be increased.
Technical details on the android application. Details on a flight
school project for customers.

08/10/15

Email update #46 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) that android
application was released and iphone application was being
developed. Link to flight school.
Notice that 500 ZANO black units had been shipped.

13/10/15

Email update #47 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) that they are
aware of issues with the products delivered and will continue
to improve the software to maximise the potential. Troubleshooting
of common faults from customers using the product.

15/10/15

Email update #48 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) regarding
production and delivery. Details on new components being used.
Breakdown of complete revised shipping schedule:
ZANO Black: 7,165
ZANO White: 5,427
ZANO GITD: 767
ZANO RED: 1,191
ZANO CAMOUFLAGE: 813
Total ZANOs: 15,363
*Please note, to date we have shipped approximately 600
Black ZANOs.
2nd November: Receive new lighter plastics. Begin assembling
stockpiled 2,400 ZANOs.

13th November: Complete dispatch of 3,000 ZANO Blacks (Including

600 already dispatched)
20th November: Complete dispatch of 4,000 ZANO Blacks (Including
3000 already dispatched)
27th November: Complete dispatch of 5,000 ZANO Blacks (Including
4000 already dispatched)
4th December: Complete dispatch of 6,000 ZANO Blacks (Including
5000 already dispatched)
11th December: Complete dispatch of 7,000 ZANO Blacks (Including
6000 already dispatched)
14th December: Complete dispatch of 7,165 ZANO Blacks (Including
7000 already dispatched)
14th December BLACK ZANOs FINISHED SHIPPING
18/11/15

Email update #49 for customers:

Official Statement from subsidiary company (Torquing Group)
stating they were going into liquidation.

23/11/15

Email from Kickstarter PBC confirming the delivery will not be

forthcoming and that the subsidiary company (Torquing Group) had
failed to meet its obligations

24/11/15

Email update #50 for customers:

Details from liquidator of subsidiary company (Torquing Group) to all
customers advising that entry to the creditors meeting is not
available.

25/11/15

Email update #51 for customers:

Details from subsidiary company (Torquing Group) detailing where
monies collected for products was used. Closing statement.

01/12/15

Email update #52 for customers:

Details regarding the liquidator Gary Stones and a link to view the
creditors meeting.

08/12/15

Email received from Kickstarter PBC saying they and appointed an

independent journalist to examine the failure of Kickstarter PBC and
Torquing Group.

18/01/16

Email update #53 for customers:

Details from liquidator of a link to the companys statement of
affairs together with a report of the creditors meeting:
www.thecreditorgateway.co.uk The documents can be accessed
using the following password: tr53wu86tb

20/01/15

Email from Kickstarter PBC with a link to the independent journalists

report:
https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/3wA/VCw/t.1tz/aYFHKh0JSS6O
fK22xIOAOw/h1/xU8j-2FjXGdvXQkOEAoNNoVEvt5rVTp-2B6y22Z2FLG7Z4JVsnjreN-2FRipq7dVd-2BEtyrsAucl8Aoyv-

2FlSgvoqUqE1sOnfeqt8b6tTx7pPyDzhDz18AgTyqFLkoUb1mklAiIuZ4
vI9bdWTOjqB5w42FPT92VJx6RoeSKO4fP4fNgy7Omt0Ho4Nhnh16ZC40FenJyrZP
24/01/16

Email sent to Kickstarter PBC requesting refund for the product

ZANO. Details given on Kickstarter PBCs failure to assess their
partner and their capabilities before promoting their product.
Details on Kickstarter PBCs failure to abide by their own rules and
regulations regarding products offered. Request for 228.28 to be
returned due to product not delivered

24/01/16

Confirmation receipt of email received by Kickstarter PBC.

25/01/16

Email received saying refund was not going to be actioned.