Tipjoy: are they still around?

Posted by strawmann on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @04:15PM
from the self-post dept.

What's the inside scoop on Tipjoy (YC'08)? They haven't Tweeted in 3 weeks (since they spammed their userbase). Their payment system isn't cooperating (users can't pay in and are getting long delays in payouts). And I've heard from a few folks that now, they aren't even responding to emails. Are they moving in with Madoff, or what? If they're done, it's OK. But, there's a proper way to fail and a way not to fail.

( 18 comments | 41 points | on HN )

Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by ivankirigin on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @07:03PM (#706804)

Some parts of our site need some maintenance. That's been slowed by the logistics of moving across the country to California. Things will be back to normal soon.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by aberman on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @08:22PM (#706914)

Ivan, I genuinely respect your ability to keep a cool head. With a post like that, my first instinct would be to show the same lack of impatience and respect as the OP.

Anyways, welcome (back) to CA. I hope to run into you in Mountain View.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by kortina on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @08:59PM (#706962)

Good luck with the move! I'll visit next time I'm out there.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by ivankirigin on Saturday July 18, 2009 @12:04AM (#711330)

Thanks!

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by rjurney on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @08:54PM (#706953)

I hate to be negative, but when you are dealing with people's money, you don't have the option of going dark for a month. It's unprofessional and possibly illegal.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by ivankirigin on Thursday July 16, 2009 @11:11PM (#709214)

We haven't "gone dark". We answer support emails.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by rjurney on Friday July 17, 2009 @09:42AM (#709824)

Weak, weak sauce. How can you have time to post on hacker news but you can't get a server back up to allow withdrawls?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by ivankirigin on Friday July 17, 2009 @04:10PM (#710678)

Withdrawls never went down, but only get delayed if it isn't obvious you're a real person. Investigating a social graph is hard from my iPhone. I'm in the middle of nowhere right now. That I'm posting at all is pretty hot sauce.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by jrockway on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @05:42PM (#706653)

But, there's a proper way to fail and a way not to fail.

I guess you can start your own company and make it fail however you like.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by strawmann on Thursday July 16, 2009 @09:03PM (#709104)

Been there, done that. Licked the wounds, learned the lessons. (grin)

Look, I hope Ivan is wildly successful in his venture and that this relocation works wonders for everyone. Honest.

But the bottom line is this. When you are the Leader of a company that is taking other people's money... You. Don't. Go. Dark.

Tell your users what is going on. If you have to go dark, let them know how long and setup autoresponders (my mom even knows how to use them & she's 66). If there are any problems, state your plan to rectify them. And if you're really on the ball, have a Plan B, too.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by kirubakaran on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @05:52PM (#706676)

Are they moving in with Madoff, or what?

Why would you even say such a thing? Have you made attempts to contact them? If you have, please tell us about it. If this is your first attempt to find out, isn't it too harsh? Trash talking first and apologizing later is not cool. (I am assuming you'll apologize after you find out that there is nothing wrong, a likely scenario)

Isn't there enough strife in the world already?

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by strawmann on Thursday July 16, 2009 @08:53PM (#709088)

The bottom line is this... if you're going to operate a busines in the financial services sector, you don't go dark. Period.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by rms on Thursday July 16, 2009 @09:18PM (#709122)

Yeah, fine, we agree, but comparing someone to Madoff is one step short of a comparison to Hitler. It's a little too much and makes people not take you seriously.

(the thread is now officially over, btw!)

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by tptacek on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @05:15PM (#706591)

IvanKirigin posted here not just two days ago. All his contact information is in his HN profile. You could ask him.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by tdavis on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @05:59PM (#706687)

They are otherwise indisposed at the moment. I'd cut 'em some slack for the next couple weeks when it comes to responding to emails and such.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by strawmann on Thursday July 16, 2009 @09:19PM (#709123)

He's putting in a lot of hours. He's moving cross-country and it's taking him longer than expected. Those are excuses.

Ivan is a smart, hard-working guy. I think he will emerge from this experience scarred, but smarter. And I truly wish him all the success in the world -- Honest Injun. (someone will probably get all bent out of shape b/c of that!).

Problem is, you're missing the point. He's not working the grill at In'N'Out. He is the leader of a company that is operating in the financial services sector. And that company is taking other people's money, while making commitments to those people. As the leader, he does not have the luxury of going dark.

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by koos on Wednesday July 15, 2009 @05:34PM (#706638)

Maybe they are having technical issues?

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Re:Tipjoy: are they still around? by jodrellblank on Thursday July 16, 2009 @07:05AM (#707655)

Maybe they could tweet "having technical issues"

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