Quoted from Wolfmarsh:

It seems like a weird, questionable business decision to pass up a loan at lower points than offering this investment, just to try to make other unknown people money?
That just seems like a pretty thin veil over something else. Managing the investments this way feels like a way for the pinball company to dodge certain things about having investors, with no real benefit or protection to the investor.
Was there another round of funding done through wefunder in 2015?

Quoted from Methos:

I have dealt with Nic in the past, and it literally has been some of the smoothest transactions ever.

Quoted from TigerLaw:

While I personally feel there are some significant concerns and questions with capital raising in the manner the OP is doing, his customer service reputation has always been positive as far as I know (though granted, I know little about this group). Your accusations to the contrary seem out of place unless either you personally or someone you can identify can substantiate them in some meaningful way. As a rout operator yourself I’m sure you understand how statements such as these you have made here can be negative to someone’s business.
Anyway, a couple random thoughts, it’s an interesting idea the OP has to set a valuation formula for a larger transaction via this sale. That wouldn’t work for any institutional investors (they would give no consideration to a transaction such as this one for value, in fact, they likely would frown upon it because it is outside of normal and possibly complicated their deal by introducing potential dissenters). It might pass muster as a valuation tool for other individuals or possibly even the IRS for gift tax calculations...
If I had to proffer a quick speculative theory id say the absence of a personal guarantee by going this rout over a traditional lender is possibly viewed as a positive. Perhaps they have a larger debt deal lined up but the lender wanted to see more equity in the company, who knows.

Quoted from ZEN:

I agree as well. If I had taken that dudes advice I would "own" a predator and an alien... I'm not smart enough to participate here, but throwing flames at this is silly, if you are interested pick up the phone and deal in person, instead of typing in a tank top in your aunt's basement.

Quoted from iceman44:

45% paying back existing loans