Element Vapor Case

Not only are they not refunding order cancellations, they are not responding to PayPal disputes -- they don't answer the inquiries. This I have never seen, from any company. I imagine if it continues PayPal will drop them -- at least I hope so.

Who would have though that placing an order would lead to so much drama. All we wanted was a good looking attractive bumper to protect our IPhones. It's sad to see a company wrecking itself buy forgetting the golden rules of salesmanship. They don't seem capable of doing anything right. Production, handling orders, shipping and now returns. On the other hand they have become quite adept at leaving a bitter taste in peoples mouths.
I hope you get this sorted out soon and get your dough back.
 
Hi guys,

5. Other cons: I chose to buy the Black/Silver one and I feel like if I was to drop it on say, asphalt, maybe some of the decals that say "vapor" or "element" would come off... I don't know though.

Would you mind posting pics of the Black/Silver combo? That's the scheme that I was initially interested in but I'm finding that I like some of the other colors too...
 
Just got an email from EC after filing an eBay claim and then escalating it to a dispute. Goodluck with everyone sending their's back.

Me:
I am writing to let you know for the 5th time that I do not one the Vapor case sent to me. There are too many issues with the case. I put in a refund with Paypal and am expecting you to not send me the case as your email indicated as well as refund my money. Thanks.

Vapor:
If your order hasn't shipped out already, I will remove it from shipment and get your refund processed. If it has already shipped out, please send it back.

Feel free to contact me with any other questions.

Adam


Me:
I have not received, nor does the item show as shipped per USPS. Thank you for the response and hopefully your company resolve some of the Vapor's short comings.


Vapor:
I've canceled your order and you will not receive the case. The refund is in process and should be taken care of shortly.

Feel free to contact us with any further questions.

Adam
ElementCASE Customer Service
 
The horror stories just made me skiddish about receiving my refund directly from Element (like everyone else they won't respond to my emails), so I called my CC issuer and they immediately refunded my money and they will take care of the rest. It was quite painless this way. It is too bad that we feel we have to do this just to get our refunds because there is so much potential from Element. Potential doesn't win customers over though. They definitely are in way over their heads. Oh well, on to try to find "the perfect case" somewhere else.
 
Not only are they not refunding order cancellations, they are not responding to PayPal disputes -- they don't answer the inquiries. This I have never seen, from any company. I imagine if it continues PayPal will drop them -- at least I hope so.

Who would have though that placing an order would lead to so much drama. All we wanted was a good looking attractive bumper to protect our IPhones. It's sad to see a company wrecking itself buy forgetting the golden rules of salesmanship. They don't seem capable of doing anything right. Production, handling orders, shipping and now returns. On the other hand they have become quite adept at leaving a bitter taste in peoples mouths.
I hope you get this sorted out soon and get your dough back.

Thanks White/Rhino! Happily American Express refunds your money immediately and then handles the dispute on your behalf, so it is all quite painless!

The only good thing about Element has been he entertainment value of these various threads!!!!;)

Have you received yours yet? I will be very interested to hear your thoughts about it!!
 
I better get mine in the next 12 days (before my wedding), I'll keep it regardless of any "antenna issues" I'll modify it if need be. I waited this long already so I might as well keep the damn thing
 
I better get mine in the next 12 days (before my wedding), I'll keep it regardless of any "antenna issues" I'll modify it if need be. I waited this long already so I might as well keep the damn thing

You wont be saying that if you cant connect your 3rd party (non-Apple) accessories or get crappy BT, GPS, wifi reception issues. Be afraid, be VERY afraid.
 
You wont be saying that if you cant connect your 3rd party (non-Apple) accessories or get crappy BT, GPS, wifi reception issues. Be afraid, be VERY afraid.

I may get pissed at it (possibly)...but I'll still keep the damn thing...that 100bux is beyond spent anyways...if I didn't waste it on this thing I woulda wasted it on beer, women or other vices
 
It is amazing how things work. I sent another email this AM asking where my refund was. No answer. Got the refund through my CC company. 2 hrs later I get a refund notification that Paypal is sending me a refund for the total price of my purchase. I am glad to be getting off this not-so merry-go-round. It is still by far the coolest looking case. I do wish it had worked out.
 
Thanks White/Rhino! Happily American Express refunds your money immediately and then handles the dispute on your behalf, so it is all quite painless!

The only good thing about Element has been he entertainment value of these various threads!!!!;)

Have you received yours yet? I will be very interested to hear your thoughts about it!!

I got a shipping notice last Wednesday but no tracking info. The last time that happened to me was 3 years ago and it was because the company was a fraud. Strange no tracking. Something is up. I'm gonna review it and take some pics when it gets here. I'd hate, hate , hate to have to send them back.
I cancelled the 2 orders I had for the back
plate last week. I don't have a credit on my
paypal as of yet. I ordered new back plates
from SPG. I like how the Apple Logo shows
through. Yes, I know that sounds vain. Lol.
 
I asked about reception issues and received this back:

We are always working to improve our case, but to be honest, we have not seen a large number of people complaining about the loss of reception.* We've had a small number of people who have complained, but to be honest, we've had more people who have had no issues and no complaints.* I guess its just one of those things where you never hear people happy, you only hear people who are complaining or upset.

Feel free to contact me with any other questions.

Adam
ElementCASE Customer Service
 
I better get mine in the next 12 days (before my wedding), I'll keep it regardless of any "antenna issues" I'll modify it if need be. I waited this long already so I might as well keep the damn thing

CONGRAT'S on your wedding. Sympathy on Less beer, less women and spending more now on
Permanent girlfriend.:D
We have a rule here in Canada. If something doesn't work for you, you just beat and hammer it till it does.............. I'm talking about the Vapor!
 
CONGRAT'S on your wedding. Sympathy on Less beer, less women and spending more now on
Permanent girlfriend.:D
We have a rule here in Canada. If something doesn't work for you, you just beat and hammer it till it does.............. I'm talking about the Vapor!

My main man Red Green has a special tool for fixing things...Duct Tape...and if the women don't find ya handsome, at least they find ya handy
 
I think there is no tracking info at all.

Online Tracking - Put our delivery information to work for you. Track PMI package shipments. Note: Tracking is not available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes.

;)
 
CONGRAT'S on your wedding. Sympathy on Less beer, less women and spending more now on
Permanent girlfriend.:D
We have a rule here in Canada. If something doesn't work for you, you just beat and hammer it till it does.............. I'm talking about the Vapor!

I think there is no tracking info at all.

Online Tracking - Put our delivery information to work for you. Track PMI package shipments. Note: Tracking is not available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes.

;)
Hey Alex. I order a lot from the US. I live in a small oil town 5 hours drive from anywhere. When I get something shipped via USPS I always can track the package until it hits Canada and then it drops off the radar until it hits my door. I would think 25 bucks for a small package can get you tracking info.
Not arguing with you, just sharing my personial experiences.
 
Element Case Fiasco

I was so burnt out on the whole fiasco with this Element Vapor case I felt the need to post the entire story on here. One of the worst experiences I have ever encountered with any business.

July 3rd - Received an e-mail for the pre-order that I signed up for a few days prior.

July 5th - I placed an order for the Element Vapor case. I was pretty excited to get on this pre-order as I thought this was an amazing case. It seemed sleek, well designed, and well built.

July 14th - Received an E-mail from Element Case that they would be halting production for a week to get production set up. No big deal I figured this is normal and due to the overwhelming success and popularity of the case.

July 23rd - Received an e-mail about them re-tooling their shop and not accepting any more orders because they were waiting to see if Apple was going to recall the phones due to the reception/antenna issues. At this time they claimed all pre-orders would be shipped by the next week.

July 29th - Another e-mail stating that they are running behind schedule and had more orders than they anticipated but they would be shipping as much as humanly possible in the next couple of days.

A week or so has gone by and I had no response from them or any shipping updates. I went on their site and sent them an e-mail asking for an update.

Aug 5th - I sent another E-mail with no response

Aug 7th - Another E-mail sent with no reply

Aug 8th - Set up a dispute with Paypal to get some sort of communication from the seller.

Aug 10th - Seller responded and said the order would ship tomorrow.

Aug 11th - Got a tracking number and shipping notification from Element that my order was shipped via US Postal Service priority mail. The status was "electronic label information received" which means the label was generated but the package had not been picked up or scanned by the postal service yet. It remained on this status for several days. I am in California as well as Element Case and this should take no longer than 2 business days to receive. 3 in the worst case possible.

Aug 16th - I finally was fed up with the lack of communication, horrible customer service, and ridiculous lead times and promises so I filed a dispute with Paypal.

Aug 17th - After Ebay investigated the claim and possibly Element Case finalyl responding they decided to give me a full refund. I am glad I got the refund but what a complete waste of time and effort that was. Truth be told I would have preferred receiving the case that I had ordered. I stuck up for the company and the case even when my friends thought I was nuts spending over $100 ($117 with shipping) for a stupid iPhone case. It's too bad they couldn't get their whole situation ironed out and cases shipped out. This has left a pretty bad taste in my mouth and I'm sure plenty others that have had bad experiences with them as well. If anyone wants any further details about this incident feel free to ask me but I hope everyone either gets their cases or gets their refunds.
 
Just got back in town. I have a email that say my order has been shipped. Well that was August 11. I put in the tracking number for the USPS and get this message:

"The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on August 12, 2010 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later."

I never in my life received a tracking number before and four to five days later the post office still doesn't know where it is or even if it was received, something seems weird to me..
 
I was so burnt out on the whole fiasco with this Element Vapor case I felt the need to post the entire story on here. One of the worst experiences I have ever encountered with any business.

July 3rd - Received an e-mail for the pre-order that I signed up for a few days prior.

July 5th - I placed an order for the Element Vapor case. I was pretty excited to get on this pre-order as I thought this was an amazing case. It seemed sleek, well designed, and well built.

July 14th - Received an E-mail from Element Case that they would be halting production for a week to get production set up. No big deal I figured this is normal and due to the overwhelming success and popularity of the case.

July 23rd - Received an e-mail about them re-tooling their shop and not accepting any more orders because they were waiting to see if Apple was going to recall the phones due to the reception/antenna issues. At this time they claimed all pre-orders would be shipped by the next week.

July 29th - Another e-mail stating that they are running behind schedule and had more orders than they anticipated but they would be shipping as much as humanly possible in the next couple of days.

A week or so has gone by and I had no response from them or any shipping updates. I went on their site and sent them an e-mail asking for an update.

Aug 5th - I sent another E-mail with no response

Aug 7th - Another E-mail sent with no reply

Aug 8th - Set up a dispute with Paypal to get some sort of communication from the seller.

Aug 10th - Seller responded and said the order would ship tomorrow.

Aug 11th - Got a tracking number and shipping notification from Element that my order was shipped via US Postal Service priority mail. The status was "electronic label information received" which means the label was generated but the package had not been picked up or scanned by the postal service yet. It remained on this status for several days. I am in California as well as Element Case and this should take no longer than 2 business days to receive. 3 in the worst case possible.

Aug 16th - I finally was fed up with the lack of communication, horrible customer service, and ridiculous lead times and promises so I filed a dispute with Paypal.

Aug 17th - After Ebay investigated the claim and possibly Element Case finalyl responding they decided to give me a full refund. I am glad I got the refund but what a complete waste of time and effort that was. Truth be told I would have preferred receiving the case that I had ordered. I stuck up for the company and the case even when my friends thought I was nuts spending over $100 ($117 with shipping) for a stupid iPhone case. It's too bad they couldn't get their whole situation ironed out and cases shipped out. This has left a pretty bad taste in my mouth and I'm sure plenty others that have had bad experiences with them as well. If anyone wants any further details about this incident feel free to ask me but I hope everyone either gets their cases or gets their refunds.

After reading story after story (and posting my own!) I am astounded that people are still placing orders with Element Case. Has everyone gone insane? What other company treats customers as badly as this one?
 
Just got back in town. I have a email that say my order has been shipped. Well that was August 11. I put in the tracking number for the USPS and get this message:

"The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on August 12, 2010 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later."

I never in my life received a tracking number before and four to five days later the post office still doesn't know where it is or even if it was received, something seems weird to me..

In my extensive experience with online ordering, USPS tracking is horrible. I often get the package and still there is no tracking info beyond they have been notified. Not at all like UPS.

Not all Elements fault.
 
In my extensive experience with online ordering, USPS tracking is horrible. I often get the package and still there is no tracking info beyond they have been notified. Not at all like UPS.

Not all Elements fault.

It is their fault for not updating customers and also for shoddy customer service. I gave them numerous opportunities to respond. I am in California just like they are and also got the shipping info on Aug 11th. Ample time to receive my shipment via USPS priority mail. It's the 17th today. Any reason why I haven't received this yet? THIS IS THEIR FAULT!
 
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