Bullstrap Ocean for iPhone 12 Mini

[Knowlege Bomb]

I was on the fence about keeping it, but honestly the customer service response struck me as condescending. I’m pretty well aware of how leather ages and have a friend who’s worked with leather for a number of years. I’m not looking for a perfect case after some usage, but I am looking for it to be perfect out of the box. Especially at that price. Great customer service is apologizing for a compromised experience and then taking the initiative to make it right. Middling customer service is neutrally accepting a replacement request. Poor customer service is patronizing the customer and suggesting the product might not be for them.

That's a real shame. I'm right there with ya when it comes to customer service. It can really sour my opinion on a company/individual when they treat you like a number rather than a person *cough Apple cough*.

Do you have any plan on what you're going to use instead?

 

[shr631]

That's a real shame. I'm right there with ya when it comes to customer service. It can really sour my opinion on a company/individual when they treat you like a number rather than a person *cough Apple cough*.

Do you have any plan on what you're going to use instead?

Exactly. I’m loving the Burkley case and will happily use that instead. In fact, despite there being no manufacturing defect, Burkley offered to replace my case due to the magsafe damage. Now that is excellent customer service.

 

[DLyman]

I received a tracking number on Monday. Tracking it now still says label printed and no movement through USPS.
This order was placed using USPS Priority. I'd hate to see how long it finally takes them to send it if I would have chose Frist Class USPS shipping.
ETA: I sent them an email to cancel the order. Their site says they will respond within 24 hours. I will see if that happens.

 

[the-seeker]

I was on the fence about keeping it, but honestly the customer service response struck me as condescending. I’m pretty well aware of how leather ages and have a friend who’s worked with leather for a number of years. I’m not looking for a perfect case after some usage, but I am looking for it to be perfect out of the box. Especially at that price. Great customer service is apologizing for a compromised experience and then taking the initiative to make it right. Middling customer service is neutrally accepting a replacement request. Poor customer service is patronizing the customer and suggesting the product might not be for them.

Well, I had a *miserable* experience with BullStrap CS (repeated false promises and miscommunication). And honestly, I got my Burkley case at nearly half the price as BullStrap. (I think with their 25% off Holiday sale). And to me, when I looked at them side by side, the Burkley leather was better, and it accentuates the iPhone Pro finish better with the button cutouts. Yes, it is a tad heavier and bulkier than the BullStrap, but I've gotten used to it. I've the burnished red for my silver iPhone, and maybe later this year, will get a pebble black.

 

[shr631]

Well, I had a *miserable* experience with BullStrap CS (repeated false promises and miscommunication). And honestly, I got my Burkley case at nearly half the price as BullStrap. (I think with their 25% off Holiday sale). And to me, when I looked at them side by side, the Burkley leather was better, and it accentuates the iPhone Pro finish better with the button cutouts. Yes, it is a tad heavier and bulkier than the BullStrap, but I've gotten used to it. I've the burnished red for my silver iPhone, and maybe later this year, will get a pebble black.

Oh wow, what happened in your ‘case’? Yep side by side the Burkley leather just feels more premium, but still heavy duty. I have the antique coffee and will be replacing it with the burnished tan. I might get the ostrich blue later. I was going to get it now but I wanted something without too much other info and minimal correction. How’s your burnished red? I was 50/50 ran vs red? Would love to see some pics.

 

[WAhusky]

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[the-seeker]

Oh wow, what happened in your ‘case’? Yep side by side the Burkley leather just feels more premium, but still heavy duty. I have the antique coffee and will be replacing it with the burnished tan. I might get the ostrich blue later. I was going to get it now but I wanted something without too much other info and minimal correction. How’s your burnished red? I was 50/50 ran vs red? Would love to see some pics.

It looks like by mistake i ordered for Mini. As soon as I got the order confirmation, I contacted them, and they "fixed" the order. Then, the next day I checked with them again to be sure, and another rep said the order is for Pro. Few days later, I get an email saying that the order is still for Mini, and "fulfillment" department could not change it. I asked them to cancel. Same day, I get another email saying they were wrong and the order was indeed for Pro, asking me if I want to proceed. I confirmed again, and asked them to proceed *if* they are sure they are sending me a Pro case. And voila, I received a Mini case. I was done with this company, and anyway, I liked my Burkley burnished red more than the Bullstrap Bourbon.

 

[shr631]

It looks like by mistake i ordered for Mini. As soon as I got the order confirmation, I contacted them, and they "fixed" the order. Then, the next day I checked with them again to be sure, and another rep said the order is for Pro. Few days later, I get an email saying that the order is still for Mini, and "fulfillment" department could not change it. I asked them to cancel. Same day, I get another email saying they were wrong and the order was indeed for Pro, asking me if I want to proceed. I confirmed again, and asked them to proceed *if* they are sure they are sending me a Pro case. And voila, I received a Mini case. I was done with this company, and anyway, I liked my Burkley burnished red more than the Bullstrap Bourbon.

That’s frustrating. After expressing dismay about bullstrap’s customer service, they replied simply saying they’ve emailed me the return label (which I did ask for). No mention of trying to make it right etc. It seems they’re growing now, so they’re ok with some sub-par customer experiences. I have to say my experience with Burkley’s customer service, on the other hand, has been excellent.

 

[the-seeker]

That’s frustrating. After expressing dismay about bullstrap’s customer service, they replied simply saying they’ve emailed me the return label (which I did ask for). No mention of trying to make it right etc. It seems they’re growing now, so they’re ok with some sub-par customer experiences. I have to say my experience with Burkley’s customer service, on the other hand, has been excellent.

Yes. Good for them Apple's leather case offering is a bit disappointing this year.

 

[DLyman]

FWIW, an update to my situation. The ocean case for my phone went from shipping label created Monday to out for delivery today. Those are the only things showing when tracked, so all week there were no updates which had me thinking it never actually shipped to it will be here today. Hopefully this one looks as good as I am seeing in all of the pictures here.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Just opened my bullstrap black edition. I’m surprised to say it isn’t as impressive as I’d hoped. I posted some pics and noted some issues over in the “which case did you get” thread. Too bad, I’ll see how I feel about keeping or returning it tomorrow. Did anybody have the mark, shown in the picture, on their case from the packaging strap? If so, does it go away? Also how secure are the corners? Mine seems prone to popping out without much force.
View attachment 1707063

The corners popping off seems to be a problem for many cases including Apple's own cases.

 

[RRC]

Well my bourbon case arrived today for my 12 mini.

It’s actually better than I expected! As others have said, it has a strong smell of leather and feels very high quality.

Expensive, but much nicer than the Apple case I have, and others I’ve also tried too.