Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Science Madness Mug

Science Madness Mug

Syn the Sizer - 14-7-2021 at 18:48

Hey everybody, I have received permission to use the Science Madness logo on products, here is the store page.

https://www.gearbubble.com/gbstore/sciencemadnessmerch

Syn'

SWIM - 14-7-2021 at 22:52

What's your profit per mug?

j_sum1 - 15-7-2021 at 02:23

Looking forward to when mine arrives.

Cheers everyone!

[Edited on 15-7-2021 by j_sum1]

Kobold vor NH4 - 15-7-2021 at 03:03

I'm not really a fan of mugs with stuff written on them,
however this is a mug that I would want to own! And I will own soon!

Very nice! So how long will these be available for?

karlos³ - 15-7-2021 at 05:31

Please hit me up if someone imports a heap of those into europe, otherwise nah...
But they definitely look cool!

I guess Arky has his one already ordered

violet sin - 15-7-2021 at 07:00

Well hello, that's a product I can get behind. ok, I just ordered mine, thank you

Syn the Sizer - 16-7-2021 at 02:50

Quote: Originally posted by SWIM

What's your profit per mug?

That is between me and Polverone

Quote: Originally posted by Kobold vor NH4

I'm not really a fan of mugs with stuff written on them,
however this is a mug that I would want to own! And I will own soon!

Very nice! So how long will these be available for?

For the foreseeable future unless something comes up.

Texium - 16-7-2021 at 05:28

When I made t-shirts with the Sciencemadness logo, I would give them away with Secret Santa, or sell them at cost. I didn’t feel it was right for me to profit from it, and I don’t think it is right for you to profit from this regardless of what Polverone said. I’m not gonna be buying one, and if I ever decide I want one I’ll just have one made myself. Getting the logo slapped on any item you want is very easy.

Belowzero - 16-7-2021 at 05:42

Not a very interesting discussion overall but it would help if at least a percentage would go to sciencemadness.org to cover costs.

Oxy - 16-7-2021 at 07:40

Quote: Originally posted by Texium

When I made t-shirts with the Sciencemadness logo, I would give them away with Secret Santa, or sell them at cost. I didn’t feel it was right for me to profit from it, and I don’t think it is right for you to profit from this regardless of what Polverone said. I’m not gonna be buying one, and if I ever decide I want one I’ll just have one made myself. Getting the logo slapped on any item you want is very easy.

I am also against monetizing ScienceMadness.
If it will be used as a way to get funds for maintenance (like IT infrastructure) I would definitely buy it. But it's not the case here.

I know it's not my decision but just wanted to state my opinion.

Tsjerk - 16-7-2021 at 10:27

Quote: Originally posted by Oxy

If it will be used as a way to get funds for maintenance (like IT infrastructure) I would definitely buy it. But it's not the case here.

How do you know? As far as I know Polverone knows about this and as far as I know Polverone has always, with or without donations, paid for all infrastructure needed to run SM.

If you doubt what is going on here, maybe you should ask Polverone?

[Edited on 16-7-2021 by Tsjerk]

Oxy - 16-7-2021 at 11:28

I am pretty sure it will be mentioned in the first post, I am also pretty sure that many of them will be sold immediately

Anyway, not my business.
However, the board is the place where anyone can state his opinion. No need for any aggressive posture.

karlos³ - 16-7-2021 at 12:30

I was drinking cocoa today... and I looked at my mug and I was like... "mhmm SM mug..."

Can we organise the import of a batch of those for us poor yuropeans, who do not have any supplier for SM mugs around here?

Man, two dozen or so of them, if we ask around those are gone in a half day!

One of the greatest things is, that you can show them off at work... its like some sort of fetish signals for sex, only for chemistry and nothing to be ashamed off

Those who recognize it, will know and approvingly nod and grin when they notice it

Thats cool, like a secret handshake or such :cool:

E: now I desire one.
I rarely use mugs at all, but damn.
Secret handshake mug, how cool is that... we're like freemasons of some sort with that mug

[Edited on 16-7-2021 by karlos³]

Oxy - 16-7-2021 at 12:37

Your post looks like probably it was not the cocoa, karlos³

Syn the Sizer - 16-7-2021 at 13:26

Hello everybody, thanks for all your input.

Texium, there is an agreement between me and Polverone, as Tsjerk said, if you are curious you can ask him about it. The reason will be explained in the next paragraph.

Oxy, you are absolutely right, this is a public forum and opinions are expected, I knew I was going to face some backlash even with the agreement, but this forum is not the place for me to discuss business agreements, in fact the only reason I shared the store here is because is it Science Madness. I do have other products I sell that are not SM based so have not been shared here.

karlos³ they do ship to Europe but shipping is $2 more than shipping to US, they ship almost everywhere.

Thanks
Syn'

karlos³ - 16-7-2021 at 13:32

Oh, so cheap, I haven't checked because its usually not two dollars more, but twice as much more...

Thats great!

Quote: Originally posted by Oxy

Your post looks like probably it was not the cocoa, karlos³

Someone's envy

[Edited on 16-7-2021 by karlos³]

Syn the Sizer - 16-7-2021 at 13:39

I know, one place I looked into was 4.99 shipping to US and 29.99 shipping anywhere else including Canada. I passed on them for obvious reasons

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 00:44

So I have personally chosen to discontinue this product due to controversy.

After reading the opinions of people on this forum it has been decided that people can make their own merchandise.

Sorry

Syn'

Fulmen - 17-7-2021 at 00:51

Christ. Controversy from a coffee mug? Some people really need to grow up...

BTW, the site has timed out for me since this thread started.

[Edited on 17-7-21 by Fulmen]

karlos³ - 17-7-2021 at 01:00

Crap.

Those few who have already ordered one, have an ultra-rare SM-mug now

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 01:03

Quote: Originally posted by Fulmen

Christ. Controversy from a coffee mug? Some people really need to grow up...

[Edited on 17-7-21 by Fulmen]

Such as life, royalties are going to their proper place and I am no longer offering it, no problem with me.

Congrats to those who purchased it before I chose to shut it down.

Quote: Originally posted by Fulmen

BTW, the site has timed out for me since this thread started.

[Edited on 17-7-21 by Fulmen]

Strange, sounds like an admin issue

Kobold vor NH4 - 17-7-2021 at 01:12

awwww man, just as I was gonna buy one.

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 01:16

Sorry man

Oxy - 17-7-2021 at 01:50

Quote: Originally posted by Fulmen

Christ. Controversy from a coffee mug? Some people really need to grow up...
[Edited on 17-7-21 by Fulmen]

This is indeed a strange situation when somebody thinks that an opinion of 2 or 3 people can be considered as a controversy.
I wouldn't do that personally, that's a business

j_sum1 - 17-7-2021 at 06:25

Well, this is a strange turn of events. I did not think it was that big a deal -- especially if Polverone is ok with it.
I get the argument about profiteering, but I expect that it is such a niche product with such low volumes that the profit is prety insignificant.

Never mind, Syn. Do what you think is best.

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 07:27

I do understand the concern with profit, I have no issues with selling it not for profit or donating all profits to a science/education foundation of some sort. I am planning on adjusting the settings this evening.

Syn'

violet sin - 17-7-2021 at 09:24

Well, enjoy the profit from my mug purchase, as it's supposedly already boxed up and on its way. You earned it. Specifically by getting off your ass and setting it up so someone else can just order one from their dining room table before work while perusing the board with a cup of coffee in ... a suddenly less attractive mug. Click, click, click I mean my new mug is on the way. (True story)

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 13:11

Quote: Originally posted by violet sin

Well, enjoy the profit from my mug purchase, as it's supposedly already boxed up and on its way. You earned it. Specifically by getting off your ass and setting it up so someone else can just order one from their dining room table before work while perusing the board with a cup of coffee in ... a suddenly less attractive mug. Click, click, click I mean my new mug is on the way. (True story)

I am sending all the previous profits which are minimal as of right now to Polverone or a charity/foundation of his choice.

Also I will be rerunning the campaign for a short time and will share here when it is back up and for how long.

Syn'

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 13:48

The store is up and mugs are available at cost, I will be running it until July 19th at 4pm CST. After that I will take it down.

Syn'

Tsjerk - 17-7-2021 at 14:12

I didn't post it, but while posting last time I typed a long story about not asking people about the margins they make or not make, because often they can't explain for whatever reason. I don't know if there was something fishy going on here, but asking about margins publicly can only make someone look bad when things can't be explained publicly, even if there were the best intentions in the world.

You buy or you don't, obviously there was a profit being made. Now a select few have mugs, congratulations.

And don't be an ass and get one now.

[Edited on 17-7-2021 by Tsjerk]

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 14:31

No, I had nothing fishy going on. It was all discussed with Polverone long before I even started looking for a place to print them. Btw, thanks for the support on this post.

Of course I was looking to make a small profit. My profit per mug after administrative fees and before paying the royalty fees was $5.65USD.

I did learn something though, do not ever let anybody know that you are selling shit. What I should have done was lie and bullshit, tell everybody "Hey I found this site selling Science Madness merch" posted the link and left it at that.

I need to remember the climate we are living in where everybodys goal is to make themselves feel better by bitching about EVERY little thing people do without getting the whole story.

Cheers
Syn'

[Edited on 17-7-2021 by Syn the Sizer]

Tsjerk - 17-7-2021 at 14:37

You could have just said you were making a profit, and if there was anyone who thought they could do it for less or thought it should be done for free, they could contact Polverone. No need to lie, just tell people to stick it and get on with business.

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 14:39

You do have a point

karlos³ - 17-7-2021 at 14:47

Syn, why did you have let this got to you so much?
Tsjerk is totally right.

This is a nice product and a nice idea, and you should continue carrying it.
Its such a niche product anyways, those guys who wondered about the profit margin should have a grip to their own nose and ask themselves how many items would have been sold ever.
Two hundred?
And thats how much, considered an unlikely 50% profit margin?
Still not even a half months pay for most people working in our profession!

So please keep it realistic guys, thats just a nice item and the few dollars might go or not into someones pocket or get donated or not, I don't care.
I actually think the person putting that all on its feet deserves a small obulus for that idea and for making it all work and so on.

Syn had a great idea and made it work, I don't get it why anyone can be against that.
And talking about the profit in public... I'll be honest, there is no way there isn't a certain undertone in this that just doesn't sound nice.

@Syn: please continue this product.
The idea is great and the product looks nice and why shouldn't you deserve a little bit of every mug sold?
Thats just natural, after all, you made this all work.
Effort should be paid off.
After all, we're not a several ten thousands large community, I would be suprised if you would sell more than the 200 I claimed would be realistic...
So put those few dollars in your pocket where they rightfully belong.

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 15:29

You know karlos³, that is a good question, I am not sure why I let it affect me like I did.

That was my thought too when originally thinking of the idea. I was never planning on getting rich, I have other projects for that. On the 19th I will determine if I keep the store up or not.

I do have other items I am planning, they will be my designs and will absolutely be for profit.

CharlieA - 17-7-2021 at 16:49

How is selling a coffee mug any different than selling chemicals or glassware?
If the deal was worked out with Polverone in advance, why is this somehow a black deal?

Texium - 17-7-2021 at 22:07

Look, to be clear, when I posted earlier, I wasn’t trying to stop Syn from selling mugs. If Polverone approved him using the logo for personal profit, obviously I can’t and wouldn’t do anything about it. I was just trying to say that if I was in his position, I would sell them at cost, and not take any profit, because the goal would be to get the product out to as many members as possible, and keeping the price really low would help with that. Additionally, I know from making the shirts in the past that it takes very little effort to slap the logo on an item and order as many copies as you wish, so the fact that the logo was already ready made means very little actually needs to be done.

All I was doing was stating my opinion, so I was surprised when Syn sent me a message saying that he decided to stop selling them specifically because of my post. My apologies for inadvertently instigating the interruption in sales.

PS: if anyone is interested in one of the Sciencemadness t-shirts that I’ve given out to several secret santa recipients over the years, I’d be happy to drop-ship one to you at cost (which will vary depending on whether VistaPrint is doing a sale or something). Just send me a U2U if you’re interested in one.

Syn the Sizer - 17-7-2021 at 22:42

I didn't say it was because of your comment, I said out of respect for you I took the store down. You were not the only one who voiced distaste at the idea of profiting. I messaged you voicing that and asking your additional opinion of how you felt I should proceed with the future profits.

It was my choice to take it down and ultimately my choice to lower the price. I am not blaming anybody, I do agree that the idea is to get the product out to as many people as possible.

One point however, when a company uses a logo it is usually with permission from the owner or creator, not reinvented everytime a new product with the licence is produced. If I licenced the use of a Disney character and logo, it would be the official logo and probably original studio art created by somebody else.

I am fine with selling it at cost, as you said it is easy to slap a logo on anything.

Syn'

ShotBored - 19-7-2021 at 05:16

Nothing innately wrong with "profiteering". It's a small gesture that required some work and design and the person who puts in the work to design and then get approval deserves a little overhead. Just my opinion. I'll be ordering one, I hope you keep the $5.65 in overhead Syn and thanks for doing the work.

woelen - 19-7-2021 at 05:48

I just see this thread now and I must say that I like this initiative. If you make any profit with this, that's perfectly fine to me. Just to show that I support this kind of initiatives I ordered one, now that it still is possible.

Syn the Sizer - 19-7-2021 at 06:26

Thanks guys,

I did however drop the price to cost and after some discussion I have decided to keep the store up and even with the support of those who were fine with me profiting it will remain at cost. Sorry to the few who paid the inflated price before hand.

Syn'

Tsjerk - 19-7-2021 at 12:53

Well, for next time; in capitalistic economies all prices are inflated. Otherwise there would be no economy. And no SM mugs.

Syn the Sizer - 20-7-2021 at 09:09

That is very true. Any products I sell aside from this one will be for profit.

I get the concern that this forum is non-profit. Polverone does not ask for money, he does not have adds on the forum to help cover costs, there is no paid section or paid advantages for members. It is a not for profit community.

Again thanks for the support on this.

Syn'

Tsjerk - 20-7-2021 at 09:33

Running a forum as this isn't expensive, you just have to pay for the server to run. If Polverone needed he could ask for donations any time, I think he did in the past, maybe he has a better paying job nowadays?

But of course, the time spent by the moderators is priceless.

[Edited on 20-7-2021 by Tsjerk]

Syn the Sizer - 20-7-2021 at 10:56

Very true, if I wanted I could setup a forum on my paid host and my hosting is still paid for over a year and it goes from there. Maintaining your URL is cheap and yearly hosting these days for a simple forum is nothing.

You are also correct that time spent by mods is priceless. I run a Discord Chemistry server for PoorMans Chemist, similar situation, 100%. It takes a lot of effort to police the trolls while also trying to allow peoples freedoms.

Though the difference is with Discord you need to be extra careful, they will delete without warning. Some topics discussed here would get a person or server banned.

Bezaleel - 21-7-2021 at 15:48

What a nice initiative to make these mugs

I was just wondering: did I miscalculate something or are they just huge?
The website says 11oz or 15oz, which would be 325ml or 444ml, according to the Wiki.

Obviously, for me this almost is a must-have, since a number of my friends call me "the mad scientist". Apparently my answer to "Marten, what's that nice pink stuff over there on your cupboard?" scared the hell out of them - "That's a solution of caesium manganese sulphate.", which made them think I had a beaker of Cs-137 irradiating the room. LOL

violet sin - 21-7-2021 at 18:52

Waiting to hear from gearbubble, but they said it was shipped 5 days ago and yet USPS said it's not received the parcel to deliver. I wonder if there's some kind of hiccup from the start stop issues. No worries, it will get sorted, I don't expect anyone here to field questions, just more of a heads up for others perhaps in the first run boat.

Syn the Sizer - 22-7-2021 at 05:35

That is possible, keep me posted, if you have any more concerns, I will contact gearbubble and see what's up.

Syn'

CharlieA - 24-7-2021 at 14:49

Received my mug today (the large size). Now I won't have to refill my coffee cup so often...which is a real nuisance!

So, what does "RG" stand for?

Johnny Cappone - 24-7-2021 at 18:12

Quote: Originally posted by CharlieA

So, what does "RG" stand for?

I know the question wasn't for me, but if you look closely, you'll see "sciencemadness" written inside the circle that makes up the forum logo. This element rests on a line (which can be interpreted as a text box) and, together with the "RG", forms the "org" of the forum's full online address. As Karlos said, it's a kind of "message for the initiates"

.
Interestingly, I hadn't paid attention to these details until I saw your question and decided to take a closer look at the image. I thought it was just the SM logo applied, but I see it's actually a really nice design.

CharlieA - 25-7-2021 at 13:21

Johnny Cappone: Thanks for the explanation. Now it is obvious to me, but it was too subtle for this old fart.

[Edited on 7-25-2021 by CharlieA]

j_sum1 - 25-7-2021 at 13:46

Quote: Originally posted by CharlieA

Johnny Cappone: Thanks for the explanation. Now it is obvious to me, but it was too subtle for this old fart.

[Edited on 7-25-2021 by CharlieA]

If it is any consolation, I made exactly the same mistake when we had patches made a few years back.

ShotBored - 26-7-2021 at 04:45

Got my big mug today! It's my new work mug, thanks again for doin this Syn.

Syn the Sizer - 26-7-2021 at 05:45

Quote: Originally posted by ShotBored

Got my big mug today! It's my new work mug, thanks again for doin this Syn.

Np man, I am happy you like it.

Johnny Capone - thanks, I was away for a couple days and didn't get on to explain.

CharlieA - 26-7-2021 at 13:32

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

Quote: Originally posted by CharlieA

Johnny Cappone: Thanks for the explanation. Now it is obvious to me, but it was too subtle for this old fart.

[Edited on 7-25-2021 by CharlieA]

If it is any consolation, I made exactly the same mistake when we had patches made a few years back.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone! I think that the only computers around when I was born, were women that calculated by hand the data for artillery firing tables.

violet sin - 26-7-2021 at 20:14

I see that mine is scheduled to go out for delivery tomorrow. Said it was shipped 7-16... Nothing for a while untill just shows up in California 7-23 and is finally tendered to usps, lol, now that tracking number for USPS shows something. Apparently 17track.net I've been using to track stuff saw nothing because the carrier was stated to be USPS. However if you click the link taking you to DHL in the email, you can see the carrier progress prior to California. I just thought that was for overseas orders, as mine was stated to be USPS.

I never heard back from gearbubble support. Then again my default mail out is different than the receipt was sent to. Still it had screenshots of my pertinent purchase information.

I'm looking forward to the mug.

All the shipping nonsense is pointless to bitch about, it's not a life saving medicine, it's a coffee cup right. Personally, I think Amazon has everyone spoiled and ready to talk shit when something isn't at the door in 4 days or less. But Im used to waiting 3+ weeks min. used to order a LOT of my hobby stuff from eBay via china, and then from AliExpress after booting eBay to the curb. Amazon finally got some science stuff, although quite limited, it's quicker. I prefer dealing with the locals here on SM any day.

Hopefully I'll have a pic or two tomorrow. Now my poor old SM shirt is going to look all dinghy next to a bright white cup... Might have to order one of them too.

16274405411479141168989969715683.jpg - 2MB

It made it home, safe and sound.

[Edited on 28-7-2021 by violet sin]

yobbo II - 28-7-2021 at 15:21

Just thought I'd mention it.
Yiz are way behind the curve on this one.

http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=29342#...

Yob

woelen - 11-8-2021 at 00:32

My mug arrived in good order, already some time ago.
It's a really nice and big one, capable of holding a lot of tea. I, however, have another purpose for it. It is perfectly suitable as a tankard for 500 ml cans of beer

j_sum1 - 11-8-2021 at 00:43

Mine arrived a couple of days ago too.
Delighted with it.
My usual mugs are the same size, but so old the glaze is cracking. The SM mug is an ideal replacement and has already gone into frequent use.

CharlieA - 11-8-2021 at 13:44

Quote: Originally posted by woelen

My mug arrived in good order, already some time ago.
It's a really nice and big one, capable of holding a lot of tea. I, however, have another purpose for it. It is perfectly suitable as a tankard for 500 ml cans of beer

I guess I'll have to order another mug for beer. I don't want to risk cross-contaminating my coffee and beer.

Syn the Sizer - 11-8-2021 at 15:39

I am very happy everybody has been enjoying the mug.

karlos³ - 11-8-2021 at 16:33

Syn, I'll get back to you soon, lets wait for the letter first, alright?
Not that I need to have too sendings in limbo, since in the worst case I could just repack

Write you till the WE for now

What? There are beer-sized mugs?!
Great

You know when I drink coffee, I usually just take a half cup full(smallest cups possible, my mum-in-law knows me

) and fill it up with milk....
Still, caffeine is one of the worst drugs to me... because either, it puts me quickly to sleep, or it overstimulates me and I have cold hands, are a bit shakey and absolutely unrelaxed

I don't know who legalised caffeine but not amphetamine....

Using it for cocoa is one solution!
Using it for beer the other!

Great!

[Edited on 12-8-2021 by karlos³]

Syn the Sizer - 11-8-2021 at 20:47

I am cool with that, once I receive the letter I will prepare the mugs. Though to be honest, I getting them sent prior too.

Yep, the large mug 15oz Yanky measurement is 443.6mL, which is actually larger than our average North American beer which is 355mL. Those are the ones I am sending you.

Caffeine does nothing for me, I drink 4 energy drinks with 160mg of caffeine in each and nothing.

Syn the Sizer - 13-8-2021 at 13:56

Quote: Originally posted by karlos³

Syn, I'll get back to you soon, lets wait for the letter first, alright?
[Edited on 12-8-2021 by karlos³]

Recieved in good order. I will get the mugs shipped on Monday.

Syn'

karlos³ - 13-8-2021 at 16:27

Great!

And those idiots at the post office said it wouldn't get through, since items in a letter aren't allowed anymore for ~1,5 years

They still gave me the stamp and said to try it anyways, that I should drop it simply into the mailbox in front of the post office

Great, I spared ~16€ bucks with this

E: wow.
The speed was amazing

[Edited on 14-8-2021 by karlos³]

Syn the Sizer - 13-8-2021 at 18:29

It is probably because some countries are turning mail away due to wuflu, but Canada has more or less remained open. I recieved a few packages in the mail over the 1.5 years.

So return address is good to send to?

karlos³ - 14-8-2021 at 12:16

Of course, I already expected it to come back, so I had to put a viable one on it

karlos³ - 14-8-2021 at 14:01

Guess it was fine because none of the powders smelled like anthrax

Syn the Sizer - 14-8-2021 at 16:53

Lol, I am super happy man, thank you so much. Well worth the trade.

karlos³ - 14-8-2021 at 17:40

Great

I would never let a friend down(i.e. keep my promises), and every friend of mine will confirm

Syn the Sizer - 20-10-2021 at 10:45

I have created some more Science Madness merch.

I took the time to scale the 180x1** pixel png to 7600x7409 pixel png and sharpened the image.

There are all sorts of items mug, mouse pads, notebooks, shirts and more.
I am attaching a picture of the Science Madness clock as an example.

https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/92528531

clkf,black,red,1000x1000-bg,f8f8f8.jpg - 74kB

Syn the Sizer - 20-10-2021 at 16:19

Eventually the store will migrate to it's own store front, but for now, this is the store. More items including patches will be available.

Plunkett - 20-10-2021 at 18:05

Quote: Originally posted by Syn the Sizer

I took the time to scale the 180x1** pixel png to 7600x7409 pixel png and sharpened the image.

A while back I made a SVG of the logo. You can scale it infinitely and it never gets pixelated.

Attachment: SM Logo.svg (34kB)
This file has been downloaded 318 times

[Edited on 10/21/2021 by Plunkett]

Syn the Sizer - 20-10-2021 at 18:30

Awesome, that is great

karlos³ - 23-11-2021 at 07:44

You can fit six normal sized oranges, freshly pressed, into the large SM mug.
And thats a whole lot of vitamins :cool:

I just tried it and I think I will repeat that until I'm through that bag of oranges(just a few kilos).