Complaint Review: Radiate Athletics

I have been emailing with info@radiateathletics.com on and off over the last couple years without success. Email are either replied to with false promises and usually responding with information unrelated to the specific order or questions asked.

Blame is constantly put on everyone except Kenny who has constantly lied to his consumers time and time again.

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From: Tim
Sent: July 30, 2015 12:46 PM
To: 'Radiate' <******************>
Cc: Tim
Subject: RE: Still waiting for a my shirts since April 16, 2013

A reply to my questions and a reasonable answer would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Tim

From: Tim
Sent: July 20, 2015 10:39 AM
To: Radiate <******************>
Cc: Tim
Subject: RE: Still waiting for a my shirts since April 16, 2013

Hello,

If you read the email or even the details relating to what was ordered and from where in the initial email below, I feel you should be able to provide a more specific answer of why the delay as well provide a reasonable time line /expectation (delay of 2 years IS NOT reasonable, considering you started selling items before making good on your Kickstarter campaign orders).

So when are "international" (Canada) for long sleeves men's shirts going to be shipped?

Thank you.
Tim

On July 20, 2015 9:42:07 AM PDT, Radiate <******************> wrote:

First, sorry for the multiple delays. I know this has been a frustrating ordeal, but let me try my best to help you now. The most common reason that a customer has not received their order is

because you either are an International Customer, Ordered at least 1 Radiate 2.0 item, or you Pre-Ordered an item after 9/27/2013.

We sincerely apologize for all the delays. We had many manufacturing delays due to our high expectations on the product.

a.       Radiate 1.0 items include Men’s, Women, and Youth; Short Sleeves, Long Sleeves, and

Sleeveless Shirts; Every Colorway and Every Size.

                                                               i.      All of these items have already shipped, except International Orders, and a few Domestic Orders that included at least 1 Radiate 2.0 item in their

list of ordered items.

b.      Radiate 2.0 items which includes; Racerback Tank Tops, Hoodies, Spacesuit X, Ambassador, Shooters Sleeves, and Cotton T-Shirts.

                                                               i.      The Radiate 2.0 items will begin shipping Mid-August 2015.

Thank you.

From: Tim
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2015 11:44 PM
To: ******************
Cc: Tim
Subject: Still waiting for a my shirts since April 16, 2013

Please provide an update, this is beyond ridiculous.

Thank you,

Tim

From: Tim
Sent: April 1, 2015 6:09 PM
To: i******************
Cc: Tim
Subject: RE: Radiate Athletics: The Future of Sports Apparel Pledge Confirmation

Hello,

Please provide an update -

Last response I received, "As of now, shirts will remain shipping and all orders should be fulfilled by the end of September. You will receive your tracking number(s) from our fulfillment center once your order is shipped"

That was early September, 2014 ... Have yet to receiving any product in Canada let alone accurate information on when something will be shipped or a tracking number.

It is getting to a point where I would be inclined to request a charge back from my credit card provider for not receiving goods/services.

Thank you,

Tim

From: ****************** [******************]
Sent: April 22, 2014 11:58 AM
To: Tim
Subject: Re: Radiate Athletics: The Future of Sports Apparel Pledge Confirmation

Good afternoon Tim,

  We sincerely apologize for the delay in communication and understand your frustrations. However, we also truly appreciate your concerns and cannot thank you enough for your patience. Your continued support means the world to us. Just to provide you with a quick update, all of the shirts are complete and are being readied to ship from the fulfillment center. Certain logistics had to be followed and applied before the shirts were shipped. For example, our legal advisors required us to add a disclaimer label to every shirt, just in case anyone injured themselves while trying to produce a color change, ie. too many bicep curls resulting in a torn bicep. This was not my call, but a protective measure that we needed to take. We have done everything in our power to expedite this process in order to satisfy our extremely patient customers. We are nearing the completion of the organization process and the vast majority of shirts will be shipped out over the next 2 weeks and tracking numbers will be provided once the shirts are shipped. I would like to also mention that thousands of shirts have already been shipped (view the images and videos posted via Facebook).

  As you all may know, this process has taken much longer than we originally anticipated. Please keep in mind that the Radiate shirt incorporates a new process that has never been done before. Mass producing an item for the first time has its’ hurdles and we definitely encountered our share. We thank you all for being apart of this journey with us. We will be sending everyone a free Radiate 2.0 shirt in the future as a “thank you" for your support. Also, we are currently working on the logistics of a lifetime rewards program for our original backers to show our appreciation for all of your efforts and continued patience. Our ultimate goal is to restore faith in all of our supporters once the shirts are received, because we know that you all will truly be impressed with our technology and we are excited to hear your feedback! As always, thank you for your patience and consideration. Have a wonderful day!

Best,
Radiate Customer Relations
Radiate Athletics
p. (855) 328-8393
e. i******************
www.RadiateAthletics.com

From: Tim
Sent: ‎Tuesday‎, ‎April‎ ‎22‎, ‎2014 ‎12‎:‎26‎ ‎AM
To: ******************
Cc: Tim

Hello,

Could you please provide a status of my Kickstarter order? I have not received a tracking number or notification of any kind since receiving the “confirm address” email on Feb 24^th.44

Cheers,

Tim

From: ****************** [******************]
Sent: June 13, 2013 4:19 PM
To: Tim
Subject: Radiate Athletics: The Future of Sports Apparel Pledge Confirmation

Hi Tim Whitehead,

This is a confirmation for your Radiate Athletics: The Future of Sports Apparel pledge information, updated on 06/13/13. You do not need to respond to this email unless you you have a question about your order.

Remember You can always log back in to http://radiate-athletics.backerkit.com/ to update your shipping address and manage your add-ons.

You pledged for: $39 - UNLOCKED! The NAVY-TO-WHITE Radiate Shirt - (long sleeve) Our Kickstarter community brought us to $120k and we are now able to unleash a colorway that has never been seen before! To celebrate our milestone achievement, we wanted to release this Limited Edition navy-to-white colorway: the shirt begins as a dark navy and then changes to a blueish gray; as you continue to push yourself, the shirt goes to pure white! Logo changes from gray to pure white, creating a "vanishing" effect. LIMITED EDITION--get these "true blue" shirts while you still can, before they are all gone!

--Kickstarter Survey Summary-- Choices Men's - LG

Shipping Address:
*****************

---Add-Ons Selected---

Long Sleeve Shirt - Milky Way Galaxy - 3. Men's - Large Qty: 1 x $29.00
Grayish Blue to White

-- Reward Tier Follow-up Questions--
STRETCH GOAL FREEBIE: Every customer who has spent $100 or more gets a free Limited Edition Radiate Cotton T-Shirt! What size shirt do you want? I did not pledge over $100 or do not want one. Thanks!

Thanks again,
The Radiate Athletics: The Future of Sports Apparel Team

Just called H&H in Il and they do not even do fabrics. Bob tells me he has never heard of Radiate and no fabrics are done there.

 Im also a costumer that believed on that company. I´m from Brazil and they got my money two. Almost two years since the purchase. I demand my money back.

I just received word that Radiate Athletic's "supplier" is a silk screen company called H&H Graphics at 6850 N Central Park Ave, Lincolnwood, IL.  Evidently this is the company Radiate Athletics is using to print the substandard shirts they are peddling. their telephone number is 847-933-9470.

Every time you turn around Radiate is coming up with a different excuse as to why the shirts haven't been shipped yet, their "ground breaking technology", their distribution center, etc.

Perhaps calling H&H Graphics directly will help you get to the bottom of what's going on with your shirts?

I forced Radiate to issue me a refund (See Radiate's Response to www.ripoffreport.com with reference to my refund) and you can too.

Contact your credit card company and let them know you never received your product and they will initiate an investigation.  Don't be deterred based on the amount of time that's went by and let the bank use this against you.  The bottom line is you never received your product and the bank can reverse the charges.

• 
  
  
  
  •  Hello, I ordered for shirts and tee shirt in April 2013. Pledge Summary Amount pledged: $159.00 Reward. This pledge supplies you with two (2) of the Radiate shirts (long sleeve), two (2) of the Radiate shirts (short sleeve), and one (1) untlra-soft Radiate T-Shirt. Estimated delivery: Aug 2013 SHIPPING Outside the US . I'm French.
    
    
    
    • I received nothing since this date. Please help me.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

As you can see from Radiate Athletic's response to www.RipOffReport.com, they PROMISED the delivery of backers shirts beginning in November of 2013.  It is now April of 2014 and they are receiving more negative reviews now than ever before because like in the past, they continue to promise and not deliver!

The CEO of Radiate Athletics, Kenny Crockett, continues to use social media such as Facebook to ask people to be patient with the company even though many of the people ordered shirts from them over a year ago.  Radiate Athletics has made one claim after the other concerning everything from where the shirts are made (they were supposed to be American Made), to the type of equipment being used to the deliver date of the shirts.  Everything so far seems to be without truth or merit.

Radiate Athletics lack of customer service, delivery of product and management are a joke and their business ethics shock the conscience.

The game is up Radiate.  No more lies, no more stretching of the truth and no more broken promises.  For those of you who are tired of the games simply file a complaint with YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY, not PayPal.  File the complaint based on the product was never received.  Also file a complaint at www.RipOffReport.com and The Better Business Bureau.

Your bank will get involved and issue a refund to your account and by filing online complaints you will protect people from falling into the same trap you did.

I received a FULL REFUND from Radiate as they admit to in their rebuttal.  Their rebuttal also states that shirts were going to start shipping last year which we all know is a LIE.

Protect yourself.

According to Radiate Athletics rebuttel, all shirts were shipping in November.  As of April 1st only a handful of the 8500+ backers have received product, I have not.  Consistently all reviews state the feel of the shirt is great, but the color bleeds out after initial hand wash.

I submitted this to the BBB (not that Radiate is concerned as there are 8 other complaints all closed with no response from company). I am supportive and understanding of delays when there is transparency and authenticity. My issues are the manipulation, lies and lack of ownership.:

Radiate Athletics project was successfully funded on 04/16/2013 for $579,599 ( $549,599 over their goal of $30,000); estimated delivery August 2013. The project creator and CEO, Kenny Crockett claimed that he had:

1.) "dedicated the past three years to research and development" 
2.) from "dying prototype shirts on the stove top at home" now "operates small, professional dying equipment and have perfected the formula for thermochromic inks and dyes"; 
3.) "The Radiate shirt is extremely durable and is engineered to surpass even the most grueling training or all-out competition. Our apparel's color-changing technology will not fade through general use as intended. However, we recommend that you turn the garment inside-out before washing and wash your garment in cold water, drying on a low heat setting. This will preserve the garment's longevity for years to come."

Additional claims made by CEO Kenny Crockett were:

1.) "American for America: Radiate refuses to outsource an part of its printing, dying or research" stating that "with the help of Kickstarter, we will be able to afford bringing even this (the blank canvas fabric) component of manufacturing home to America, where it belongs"; 
2.) "We have everything lined up in America for our Kickstarter orders to be produced. We just have to surpass our goal of $30,000 to make the numbers work.".

September 23,2013 Kenny Crockett posted an update on FB which stated "The shirts will arrive in the US this November and then immediately to you our dedicated supporters."; a short 5 months after collecting over $500,000 over the goal of $30,000 and repeated claims of all American manufacturing.

This statement appears to be a complete contradiction and evidence of deceptive marketing.  Further indications that this product was not manufactured in the US comes via Sim Gulati of the Gulati Group (overseas clothing manufacturers).  In his Kickstarter bio for his project Barley and Britches, Sim states "I also produce apparel for Kickstarter brands like Radiate and Ministry of Supply".  Given that Radiate only sells thermochromic apparel it leads me to believe that the shirts were indeed manufactured outside the US.

The project was part of Kickstarter's Technology category and subject to the Hardware and Product Design guidelines which require project creator's to:

1.) Show your work - Projects must be clear about their state of development, and cannot be presented as preorders of finished products. Projects must show details (photos, videos, sketches) of their progress so far, along with a prototype demonstrating the product's current functionality. Projects must explain how the final design is likely to differ from the prototype, and include a production plan (i.e., how you're going to make it) and an estimated timeline.;

2.) No product simulations or photorealistic renderings - Technical drawings, CAD designs, sketches, and other parts of the design process are awesome and encouraged. Photorealistic renderings and simulations that could be mistaken for finished products or real events, however, are not allowed.

Several pictures of the various color ways were provided on the project page, however based on the few pictures that have surfaced of the actual product, it is clear that the images provided were digitally manipulated and enhanced photos.

Immediately after funding, Kenny continued to sell pre-order shirts via his website and based on several posts spent extensive time vacationing and traveling to promotional events with his partner Jared Casey everywhere from Ft. Lauderdale to Vegas to NYC; with the only 2 Radiate employees focused on marketing (including the application submitted by Radiate to WSJ Startup of the Year and requests for votes) and not production the delays and subsequent excuses which followed lack credibility.

As of March 20, 2014 (seven months past estimated delivery) a negligible number of backers have actually received the shirts contrary to the following updates:

04/28/13 "We are ahead of schedule and should be able to ship everyone's shirts in July"

06/14/13 "No one has received their shirts yet. All orders up to this point have been pre orders and will not be delivered until mid to end of July"

07/04/13 Every Radiate shirt will be shipped 08/21 - 09/15

07/10/13 "As of today we are 1 month behind...This will move our delivery dates to August and September." 

07/22/13 Shirts will be shipped 08/15 - 08/31

08/20/13 We are currently expecting to begin fulfilling orders in September, with all orders fulfilled by November

11/14/13 We are now in the process of shipping shirts 

12/03/13 First round of shirts coming this week

12/05/13 "If you order today you can expect your shirt late spring"

01/10/14 "Shirts are still on schedule to be shipped by our fulfillment center by the end of January" 

01/21/14 "Shirts are already done and being packaged now. They will ship in the next 2 weeks"

02/04/14 "All Radiate shirts are complete and will be shipped late February!!!" - There is a fairly comprehensive listing of misrepresentations here: radiscussion.freeforums.net/attachment/download/5

The shirts are not machine washable or colorfast as promised as evidenced by photographs provided by a backer earlier today  imgur.com/a/KFyLQ; Here is an example of the variance in color from expected Red Nova s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/000/491/672/a12a6ebd793cf08675b4a987ea57abfb_large.png… to actual Red Nova ttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php….

Additionally, it is relevant to note that Kenny Crockett filed for a patent claiming ownership of the invention on 03/15/2013 google.com/patents/US20130263352 using technology invented by NASA over 50 years ago and an almost identical process used by several manufacturers including but not limited to Generra Sportswear (manufacturers of Hypercolor shirts) in the 1990's, American Apparel and PUMA in 2008.

A Michigan company Global Technacolour owned by Karl Clayton has been manufacturing colour changing tshirts for years, and is knowledgable of the processes involved.  Their dye facility happens to be in PA, residence of Radiate Athletics.

globaltechnacolour.com

news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/workout-shirt-reveals-inner-hulk-154744522.html 
http://mslk.com/reactions/hypercolor-is-the-new-old-fashion-trend/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/…

File regulatory complaints here:

org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/business-reviews/clothing-retail/radiate-athletics-in-west-chester-pa-235996843

PA Atty General attorneygeneral.gov/theoffice.aspx

Radiate Athletics is a ripoff, plain and simple. The company has implemented a no refunds or exchanges policy policy and still has not delivered products ordered a year ago. I asked to have my purchase refunded and was told flat out NO. I expected shipment last October and6 months later I have still recieved nothing. The only update I recieved on my order says it will ship sometime in late spring. When I recieved this update I asked for the refund, as I have no need for a sweat shirt in the end of spring/begining of summer...

I would like to also point out that the owners rebuttal on this page to the original post says their products would arrive and ship by Novermber. It is funny to see this in writing, as it is March and nothing has been recieved.

Anyone considering purchasing products from this company, please think twice. I am working with my credit card provider trying to cancel the charge to this company for non-delivery, and I recomend anyone else who has been put off by them to do the same.

Radiate Athletics created a rebuttal that the shirts would ship in November.  This was a lie, and I demand a refund.  It is now February 23, 2014.  Here is a timeline of when they were supposed to ship shirts, and each delay that came with each promised due date:

(2013)

Update #21 on April 16th said "we are eager to be getting each of your orders to you in July!" 
Update #24 on May 8th "Thank you for the support, and we hope to deliver everyone's shirts in July 2013!!" 
Update #31 on May 21st "Shirts will be underway in only 6 short days." 
Update #35 on Jul 3rd "Every Radiate order will be shipped by August 21st to September 15th. " 
I find this hilarious... 
Update #36 Jul 10th "As of today we are 1 month behind on our estimated delivery date of the end of July. This will move our delivery dates to August and September.......We will not be over a year late, like the Pebble watch.........." 
Update #38 August 19th "We are currently expecting to begin fulfilling orders in September, with all orders fulfilled by the end of November" 
Update #39 August 31st "We are currently expecting to have our shipments fulfilled during November" 
Update #40 September 30th "Reward items will be mailed beginning in mid-November, with some items being mailed in the beginning of December." 
Update #41 November 12th "Production is still on track, with most of our apparel being mailed to your door for the holiday season" 
Update #43 December 4th "The 1st round of shirts are being shipped by us and not the fulfillment company, as they are still completing their logistics process." 
Update #44 December 20th "The rest of the colorways, sleeve types, and sizes will ship in January. We will inform you if anything changes." 

(2014)

Update #45 January 7th "All of the other colorways, genders, styles, and sleeve lengths will be shipped to our fulfillment center by the end of January."
Update #47 February 4th "All Radiate Shirts Are Complete and Will Be Shipped Late February"
Update #48 February 22nd "There still is a possibility that you will receive your tracking number by the end of this month. The shirts will be sent out over the next few weeks."

It has now been almost an entire year, my two shirts never arrived.  The delays and lies are disgusting and I have lost all faith I had for this startup/company.  I funded Radiate on Kickstarter in April initially ($25 for an Aquarius colorway) and then I purchased a shirt in May using the Backerkit ($25 for a Neptune colorway)

That comes out to a $50 dollar refund that I am now demanding at this point.

Radiate Athletics would have you believe they issued me a refund before I filed a complaint with www.RipOffReport.com and that simply doesn't ring true!

After being strung along like so many other people waiting on the merchandise I ordered in April 2013, I gave them a final ultimatum, either issue a refund immediately or I was going to file a complaint with PayPal and ask for a refund.  Radiate Athletics informed me that it would do no good to file a complaint because it had been more than 45 days since I placed the order and PayPal couldn't do anything about it. 

Not believing how arrogant they were being with me, I contacted PayPal and PayPal agreed that there was little they could do except "ask" Radiate Athletics to issue a refund. PayPal did suggest that I contact my credit card company and file a DISPUTE because the merchandise was never delivered and they could force a refund.

Not wanting to wait another 30 days I filed a complaing with www.RipOffReport.com and within hours Radiate Athletics issued a refund.

From reading online posts and Radiate's Facebook Page it seems that a lot of people are in the same boat I "was."  Every time you turn around Radiate Athletics is changing the delivery dates and asking customers to "be patient with them."

The bottom line is this.  If it weren't for www.ripoffreport.com I would still be without my shirts and money.  Radiate Athletics can attempt to spin the reason they issued my refund the same day I filed the report any way they want.  The bottom line is I have my refund and you don't!

Radiate Athletics FINALLY forward me a refund on the same day I was forced to file a complaint with www.ripoffreport.com.  Until this complaint was file, Radiate had one excuse after the other as to why the shirts had not shipped yet.

I ordered my shirts on April 6, 2013 and when they had not arrived by July 15th I contacted the company and they said I would have them no later than August.  When August came and went I contacted them in September and was given another excuse and told the shirts would ship sometime in November.

I told the owner, Kenneth Crockett Jr. that I was not going to wait any longer and wanted a refund.  He refused a refund and when I told him I would dispute the charge with PayPal he said "go ahead - there's nothing PayPal can do because the order was placed more than 45 days ago."

Since the owner chose to play the above game and refuse a refund, I contacted PayPal and was told the owner was partially right.  Since it had been more than 45 days since I placed the order they may have problems getting them to release the funds but that they would "note" a dispute.  Not getting anywhere with PayPal I contacted the State Attorney General in PA (the state where Radiate Athletics operates out of a house) and was told to send them a letter outlining the problem and they would investigate.

Knowing an investigation would take FOREVER, I decided to file a complaint with www.ripoffreport.com and post my experiences with Radiate Athletics on Facebook.  When Radiate Athletics saw that I posted a complaint with www.ripoffreport.com they IMMEDIATELY initiated a refund that day.

Before I ordered the shirts I should have checked out Radiate Athletics Facebook page and I would have seen the dozens of other people that have asked for refunds and have received nothing but the run around.

I want to thank www.ripoffreport.com for their assistance in helping me to recover my refund.

Radiate Supporters,

Below is the refund given to the person who filed the complaint, Troy Lusk. The moment Troy contacted me on the phone I notified him of the delay and told him that we WILL SHIP the Radiate shirts THIS NOVEMBER. Then after refunding him his money, he filed this complaint. This article is completely false, and we have included below Troy's refund receipt, as well as one of our latest updates that are being sent out every 2 weeks via our KickStarter page. 

Hi Radiate Nation! 

Each of you has been a huge help in getting Radiate off of the ground, and we wanted to thank you for all that you have brought to us. By backing us through Kickstarter and pledging your support, you have become an intimate part of the Radiate story.

Each of you has given your support, not simply because of the Radiate rewards that we offered during our campaign, but because you wanted to see Radiate take on the current sports apparel market...and make it better. You wanted to see Radiate become a real brand, a solidified company, a protectorate of what technology-enhanced performance apparel should mean. And we, at Radiate, are keeping our promise--to not put Radiate apparel in the mail and fizzle out, but instead, to build a company that will continue to thrive for many years to come. We understand that it may be frustrating as you wait for your reward items, but your continued patience is allowing Radiate to become the company you want it to be...and the wait is coming to a close!   

In making our apparel on a large scale, we have had to pioneer the development of new equipment--machinery that has never existed before. This has been exciting, and our revolutionary approach to manufacturing will yield an incredible product for each of our backers. We simply need to be patient while the machine is being completed.  

We know that your Kickstarter support was never just about the Radiate rewards. Still, fulfilling each of your reward orders is our highest priority. We are currently expecting to begin fulfilling orders in October, with all orders fulfilled by the end of November. There may be additional delays, however, we are not expecting any. We will continue to keep you posted throughout the process.  

Be sure to check out the attached message from our CEO, Kenny, as he provides more insight into where we are today. Thank you for being part of our continuing story, and allowing Radiate the time to properly develop and scale.  

Thank you, 

Team Radiate 

Here is the link to all of our past and future updates on manufacturing and estimated delivery dates:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/radiate/radiate-athletics-the-future-of-sports-apparel/posts