Has anyone received their iKit.com leather folio case yet?

[focalplane]

I ordered an iKit.com leather folio case on 10th May when I pre-ordered my iPad. I now have the iPad (I'm typing on it now) but no sign of the case other than an email to say it had been dispatched which I only received yesterday.

Has anybody received theirs? And whats it like?

Thanks

 

[zoman504]

Looks like a nice folio case, esp for the price! Keep us updated when you receive it. I'm looking to pick up a folio design case soon. Did you order the model shown with the flap (allows it to be set up for typing)? The website shows the new design.

 

[focalplane]

Looks like a nice folio case, esp for the price! Keep us updated when you receive it. I'm looking to pick up a folio design case soon. Did you order the model shown with the flap (allows it to be set up for typing)? The website shows the new design.

I placed the order based on the original design, which was a bit of a gamble given that it was computer generated, and not a real photo. But I've just had a look at the web site and I guess I'm going to be getting that one. Doesn't look as nice as the other image here but the original design didn't allow for typing while the new one does appear to.

I'll update as soon as I receive it.

 

[jeremy3721]

Got mine yesterday. Will post review and photos soon.

 

[calderone]

Ugh. That is hideous. And poor QA based on the look of the metal strip. Did you receive all marked up like that?

 

[Hammie]

Not a big fan of the look. I also do not care for the dual flap design.

I hope scratches are from the protective coating that was on the metal strip and not scratches in the case already.

 

[jeremy3721]

Yep, it showed up scratched right out of the box. I emailed them with photos and I'm waiting on a response. Their support hasn't been very good as there was no notification of a delay when they missed their first shipping date (end of April) and I sent at least 3 emails that were ignored. I finally got a response when I posted my dissapointment on their facebook page and someone in managment noticed my post. We'll see if they make it right.

As for the case itself, I actually like the look and overall design but my main issues are functional problems. The iPad slides out very easily when it's setup for landscape typing; so much so that it's not really usable for that out of the box. The magnets on the cover flap are also super weak so it will not stay closed. Just holding the case up is enough to make it open right up. I'm also unable to prop it up in portrait mode unless it happens to be sitting on a surface that naturally keeps it from sliding open and falling flat. There is no way to secure the case itself into a portrait standing position, however it will (thanks to a happy coincidence of the metail strip) sort of secure itself into a landscape position as seen in the picture below. I'm not real happy, especially after the weeks of shipping delays and getting a product with scratches right out of the box. I even spent time to add a fair review to the ikit website and give them feedback and that didn't even show up. I really had high hopes for this case and I think they were really close to having a winner; just a few design tweaks and it would have been great. If they won't take it back (probably more trouble than it's worth sending it back to China) I'm thinking about adding my own "stronger" magnets to the cover flap via gorilla glue as well as some type of flap to secure the ipad when it's setup in landscape typing mode.

Here are a few additonal photos: The first sort of shows how easily the ipad will slide out when propped up for landcape typing.

 

[jeremy3721]

One last photo:

 

[Hammie]

Sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction.

Hopefully, they will right this.

BTW, you can get some of that rubbery shelf paper to try to keep it in place. There was talk about using it for the Yooboa (SP?) case.

 

[jeremy3721]

Just a quick update. I used some rubber non-slip material we had lying around for rugs and so far that has helped a lot with slipping in landscape typing position. (great, simple and effective fix)

Ive been using the case tonight and it's I have to say it's serving the purposes I needed it for quite well. I still want a replacement that isn't damaged though. I'll probably still likely try to add better magnets to the cover flap.

 

[focalplane]

Just a quick update. I used some rubber non-slip material we had lying around for rugs and so far that has helped a lot with slipping in landscape typing position. (great fix)

Ive been using the case in bed tonight and it's actually serving the purposes i needed It for quite well. I still want a replacement that isn't damaged though. Will still likely add better magnets to the cover flap but if those two issues are I'll be quite happy.

I'm surprised just how different it looks to the pictures that encouraged me to place the order.

Mine has arrived but I wasn't in to receive the parcel. Will pick it up in the morning and report back

 

[focalplane]

Yep, it showed up scratched right out of the box. I emailed them with photos and I'm waiting on a response. Their support hasn't been very good as there was no notification of a delay when they missed their first shipping date (end of April) and I sent at least 3 emails that were ignored. I finally got a response when I posted my dissapointment on their facebook page and someone in managment noticed my post. We'll see if they make it right.

I never received any replies to any of my support mails (ive been waiting 3 weeks for this case).

However you will get a reply if you mention them on Twitter @ikitdotcom.

 

[focalplane]

Mine has arrived but I wasn't in to receive the parcel. Will pick it up in the morning and report back

I have posted a review, with photos on my blog, here

 

[Daedilas]

I have posted a review, with photos on my blog, here

Ya Focal I agree with your review 100%. I had the same apprehension seeing "Sample Case" on the box. I also had the issue with the top and bottom folding up, however I used a tight elastic around the case vertically and horizontally (like forming a baseball glove) overnight and now it's suitable. Biggest concern is that it doesn't stay upright while in landscape, unless its propped up against something.

Overall the case will do for now. Still looking at the Quirky Cloak, so we'll see

 

[jeremy3721]

Thought I'd follow up on my experiences with the iKit case and their customer service regarding my issues.

Also, here's a quick video I shot of the iPad folio case

Let me start by saying I hate to be so negative about a company in a forum such as this but iKit's customer service has been nothing short of terrible. Not only can I not recommend the product I would never personally order anything from this company again. If you see my posts above that include photos, the first case I received from them has scratches and a ding on the metal plate of the case. Another huge issue that I don't think I mentioned yet is that I received a second case a few days later; not a replacement case but a second order I did not place which I was charged for. At least the metal plate wasn't scratched but other design issues such as the case not closing securely have prevented me from using it. Now it just looks like I'm out about $90.

I've contacted several employees of iKit along with customer service by email and even sent messages to their twitter account. The twitter person promised to refund me for the second order I never placed but they never did. I'd estimate altogether I've contacted them at least 9 or 10 times trying to return the damaged case or get a refund. Even though the product was a dissapointment I never attempted to return the one I actually placed an order for but it looks that would have been a waste of time anyway. I've tried and tried to resolve my isues with them and I've been more than patient. Based on these issues and the 4 week delay in shipping the case to me I definately DO NOT recommend ikit to anyone.

It's a shame because their design concept really looked promsing and with a few tweaks could be a really nice case. In an earlier post and in my little video I said I still thought the case was okay for the price but really, the fact that it won't close securely makes it rather unusable. I ended up purchasing the Noreve case and I really like the rail system they used to secure the ipad much better and their case can be closed more securely.