I understand that people span a web to try and get what they can get.
I find it quite sad how poorly these services also vet those who use it - and how many people fall for the crap that is posted there.
When I was gathering up money to save up for a new system, it is hard to explain the motivation behind it - or feel like I owe an explanation to those who might consider helping. But I am glad I did it myself. I got my own domain, my own site, disclosed the costs and the personal gifts I got from people. And when there were those who asked why not GoFundMe, I had two answers: Because I am not begging for money, I am sharing a project. And because I see no reason why I would pay a % to services that don't support what I do.
A third and important reason why I went my own route over YouCaring or IndieGoGo and such, is because I am not in a terrible situation as some people are. I do not have a dying kid, I am not fighting for cancer or am in some unresolvable situation where I need the help of others. If those services are there for those in need, and while I might personally feel I needed to do this to better my life and all the reasons I have for it.. I couldn't compare it.
If I end up having to sell everything to get out of debt, end up on the street and get diagnosed with something far worse than my eyes and I don't wish to die because my choices are taken away even further: I'd reach out to a broader community that can pay it forward.
It would in that case also include GoFundMe, because the situation is dire, .. not because I want to. And it would be let's say a fourth or fifth option that I'd push forward.