UPDATE! PLEASE READ - A Discussion about $20+ Merch Tier Pricing (Patreon)

Edit! Thank you everyone for your feedback and support, I was very touched by all of the encouragement. I am truly so lucky to have such understanding and wonderful patrons!

After much consideration, I realized I was undervaluing myself. I won't lie, any idea of a price change scares me not only as a creator but as a consumer. But the costs really are unsustainable even at an extra dollar, and I didn't want to scare my patrons away and I recognize that times are tough everywhere. But after all of your wonderful words of support, I decided to change it to a $2 increase instead (I know, so radical. But I am taking baby steps). This will be a much more realistic increase that I can work with. So current $20 --> $22 and International $28 --> $30. (fyi, shipping internationally already costs on average $20 a package ;_;)Once again, this change will not be made until March 30th which will give everyone ample time to decide. I don't intend to have any further increases in the future And not without discussing it with you guys first of course.

And to read my original post and reasoning, just scroll below!

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Hey guys, this is a tough conversation I didn't want to have but given how things have changed, I don't think I can put it off any longer. Please read carefully especially if you are in a $20+ tier.

For as long as I've been on Patreon, the pricing for the tiers (especially the merch tiers) have been consistent. They have been set to include the cost of producing and shipping products and it's been working for the most part.

However, over the past year with the rise of Tariffs as well as increased shipping costs, I can no longer ignore the financial stresses. I don't think it's viable to continue shipping at the current rate as it now costs me several more hundreds of dollars to do so and I already ship at a loss to international countries. It wasn't a big deal before since I had a full time job and any Patreon funds I received was a nice bonus. And of course, I love you guys and want you to receive the perks you pay for. However, Patreon is now my sole source of income and I simply cannot afford to operate at a loss.

So my proposed solution is to increase the $20+ merch tiers by $1. This would affect the Hanyo (Domestic)tier to $21, and Hanyo (Internationl) tier to $29. This would be just enough to cover the current shipping costs.

Again, this is for Hanyo+ tiers only. All other tiers will be unaffected. Of course, I wanted to get your thoughts on this first before implementing. But the plan is to have this go into effect the end of the month (March 30th). Which means that anyone who has a billing cycle after the 30th of each month will be charged the new amount the next billing cycle. Please note that if you have already been charged this month for March, or have not been charged for March yet, you will not be charged the new amount until AFTER March 30th on your next billing cycle.

I wanted to let you guys know and share your thoughts early enough in the month so you will have ample time to decide to stay, downgrade, or cancel if you wish. And know that I do not make this decision lightly.

As always I appreciate your support, especially to long-term patrons who have been with me through thick and thin.