Portenzo iPad 2 Case: Now a Smart Cover

[bxm83]

Oh that SeventySix it's a beautiful case! I wouldn't even put a camera hole on that one. I hope you do get it, this is my first Portenzo case so if the quality and craftsmanship holds to it's reputation, I might get something more exotic later on

Where have you seem this seventy-six? I've never seen pictures of it.

 

[civla]

Where have you seem this seventy-six? I've never seen pictures of it.

There is a (not so) secret link in this forum to the old one for the 1st iPad:
https://shop.portenzo.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NB-seventy-six

Yeah now not sure if I want to ruin it with a camera hole. The dilemma continues!

 

[Mikesus]

Haters bring it on...

Ok the fanboys will probably get upset, but Portenzo is handling this badly.

1st They have email addresses, why haven't they sent an email saying, "hey we really appreciate your business, but orders exceeded our expectations, and if you ordered case style X it will be delayed."

2nd they need to go out of stock on the style that is not available. It is better to be out of stock and be notified when it's back in stock, than to think there is an order actually being worked on.

3rd fix the inconvenience. split an upgrade, throw in an option for free, something. Making lemonade out of lemons is always better.

I shouldn't have to look on a forum or Facebook to find an update, they have an order status page, USE IT...


This is an opportunity to shine, and instead they are losing business to their competition...

 

[ASakai]

Stylus Cut-out or Not

Been following this thread for some time and based on opinions and photos, I've decided to order two Portenzo cases instead of a Dodo, and wait the lengthy time period for it. Going back and forth with the spouse about getting the camera hole cut (it could be hidden with the strap when closed anyway) as well as the stylus cut-out.

Has anyone tried carrying their stylus like this guy instead of getting the frame cut? http://youtu.be/9GgYqGhax4c


Thanks!

 

[Domdog31]

ok the fanboys will probably get upset, but portenzo is handling this badly.

1st they have email addresses, why haven't they sent an email saying, "hey we really appreciate your business, but orders exceeded our expectations, and if you ordered case style x it will be delayed."

2nd they need to go out of stock on the style that is not available. It is better to be out of stock and be notified when it's back in stock, than to think there is an order actually being worked on.

3rd fix the inconvenience. Split an upgrade, throw in an option for free, something. Making lemonade out of lemons is always better.

I shouldn't have to look on a forum or facebook to find an update, they have an order status page, use it...


This is an opportunity to shine, and instead they are losing business to their competition...

+1000

 

[MrMac'n'Cheese]

Ok the fanboys will probably get upset, but Portenzo is handling this badly.

1st They have email addresses, why haven't they sent an email saying, "hey we really appreciate your business, but orders exceeded our expectations, and if you ordered case style X it will be delayed."

2nd they need to go out of stock on the style that is not available. It is better to be out of stock and be notified when it's back in stock, than to think there is an order actually being worked on.

3rd fix the inconvenience. split an upgrade, throw in an option for free, something. Making lemonade out of lemons is always better.

I shouldn't have to look on a forum or Facebook to find an update, they have an order status page, USE IT...


This is an opportunity to shine, and instead they are losing business to their competition...

If you said this a week or two ago, I'd beg to differ.

Currently, I must agree......

 

[mysterygirl]

Ok the fanboys will probably get upset, but Portenzo is handling this badly.

1st They have email addresses, why haven't they sent an email saying, "hey we really appreciate your business, but orders exceeded our expectations, and if you ordered case style X it will be delayed."

2nd they need to go out of stock on the style that is not available. It is better to be out of stock and be notified when it's back in stock, than to think there is an order actually being worked on.

3rd fix the inconvenience. split an upgrade, throw in an option for free, something. Making lemonade out of lemons is always better.

I shouldn't have to look on a forum or Facebook to find an update, they have an order status page, USE IT...


This is an opportunity to shine, and instead they are losing business to their competition...

I think most would agree with you, even those (including myself) who have stuck by Portenzo. I think there's a lot they could have done, including everything you mentioned, that would have made this situation a million times better for themselves and their customers. My hope (and belief) is that these are just the growing pains of a small company that got hit very rapidly with a great deal of demand. So I'm very much hoping that they right the ship in the next couple weeks and that this experience serves as a lesson learned in how to launch a new product and manage growing demand (especially when demand exceeds resources).

 

[biosci]

I haven't made an official opinion yet but I'll say this much: the camera hole is much bigger than I expected. Mine's not PERFECTLY aligned but maybe it's how I put my iPad in...

Haven't used the camera enough for it to be a worthwhile decision but the hole is there anyway, so might as well... Right?

Thanks! I didn't order one with it but was 'thinking' about it again just recently. I keep thinking about how I'd hold the whole thing up there with the case open to keep the hole unobstructed while taking a video or folded awkwardly. Still on the fence...

Mike

 

[Mikesus]

the fact is, it's not too late. Send everyone a 10% off coupon towards next purchase, or something.

But they really need to fix their offering of replacing Morocco with Levant. Those orders are AHEAD of new orders. From all accounts, this isn't happening.

sadly, the best case company is making what could be fatal errors in business that will not easily be forgotten...

 

[biosci]

Ok the fanboys will probably get upset, but Portenzo is handling this badly.

1st They have email addresses, why haven't they sent an email saying, "hey we really appreciate your business, but orders exceeded our expectations, and if you ordered case style X it will be delayed."

2nd they need to go out of stock on the style that is not available. It is better to be out of stock and be notified when it's back in stock, than to think there is an order actually being worked on.

3rd fix the inconvenience. split an upgrade, throw in an option for free, something. Making lemonade out of lemons is always better.

I shouldn't have to look on a forum or Facebook to find an update, they have an order status page, USE IT...


This is an opportunity to shine, and instead they are losing business to their competition...

Not upset at all as it's basically the truth. I did Dodo for iPad 1 and am looking forward to trying Portenzo for my iPad2... BUT... it's tough seeing tweets like this from the makers who are NOT making mine!

https://twitter.com/#!/dodosays/status/56073808838275072

Argh!

 

[jeremy3721]

I feel everyone's pain having to wait. These case companies always seem to announce plans that are too aggressive when trying to release a new product. This happens to me almost every time I pre-order something. At least the delay here doesn't sound as bad as the one for the Grove Bamboo case. I'm sure glad I didn't rely on getting that one for my new ipad.

As a side note, I went with the DODO case and although it took 3 weeks I finally received it as advertised and it's a great quality product if anyone is considering jumping ship. Got a lot of comments about how great the DODO looks today when I took it to the office. I made a quick and simple video but the Limited Edition looks awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0En2lGlfoA

 

[mysterygirl]

the fact is, it's not too late. Send everyone a 10% off coupon towards next purchase, or something.
.

I guess to be fair, they have upgraded all late orders to two day shipping. Whether or not that's sufficient is, I suppose, up to each customer. But I'm guessing the value is about the same as a 10% coupon.

 

[Mikesus]

I guess to be fair, they have upgraded all late orders to two day shipping. Whether or not that's sufficient is, I suppose, up to each customer. But I'm guessing the value is about the same as a 10% coupon.

Possibly, but make a point of it...

Front of website/email should read "We know how excited you are to get our case, and we are sorry for the delays. we are upgrading all shipping to get them into your hands as quickly as possible! "

Or the like... spin control is needed...

 

[Apollo231]

I guess to be fair, they have upgraded all late orders to two day shipping. Whether or not that's sufficient is, I suppose, up to each customer. But I'm guessing the value is about the same as a 10% coupon.

And don't forget the fact that if the case is damage, they have fix it before free of charge, as long as there is proof of the damage on the case...

 

[mysterygirl]

Possibly, but make a point of it...

Front of website/email should read "We know how excited you are to get our case, and we are sorry for the delays. we are upgrading all shipping to get them into your hands as quickly as possible! "

Or the like... spin control is needed...

I agree 100%

 

[Mikesus]

And don't forget the fact that if the case is damage, they have fix it before free of charge, as long as there is proof of the damage on the case...

and that is their good side, the one they can reinforce with good communication. Seriously, I don't hold any ill will towards them, and hope that they get this resolved sooner rather than later.

Their next steps will determine if they are a small company that will get abad rep that they might not recover from, or a small company that will adapt to their success.

My advice? skip the temp for answering emails, and get someone who is good at email to help them, ie constant contact or the like...

 

[mysterygirl]

And don't forget the fact that if the case is damage, they have fix it before free of charge, as long as there is proof of the damage on the case...

Yes it's little things like this that keep me excited for my case and rooting for the company. It's unfortunate that a strong history of excellent customer service could be ruined by one very bad month. I'm cheering for them and waiting patiently for my case, but I also realize they could have handled things differently and had better PR throughout this process.

I'm still a fan!!

 

[Apollo231]

and that is their good side, the one they can reinforce with good communication. Seriously, I don't hold any ill will towards them, and hope that they get this resolved sooner rather than later.

Their next steps will determine if they are a small company that will get abad rep that they might not recover from, or a small company that will adapt to their success.

My advice? skip the temp for answering emails, and get someone who is good at email to help them, ie constant contact or the like...

The next step will be the crowd control of the people that would want to buy the premium cases. The first step will be to let everybody know how many cases they can do and follow up with everybody.

I still think this company is very young, they still have a lot to learn, it's all a learning experience for them. I remember how Apple use to charge for updating the iOS on some devices... Do they do that any more, nope lol

 

[JEF1]

SeventySix

When did you send your email? If they will take an order I may place one. I'm a somewhat patient person too (my DODOcase order just shipped, its been three weeks; took two weeks for the iPad 2 and I ordered about 3 hours after it went live online). Portenzo!'s first post about the seventysix being released in the next week was almost three weeks ago now. I understand the backlog and whatnot, I'm just very anxious. So now I have to decide if I use the DODOcase, or send back and order a Portenzo. It's going to be very tempting not to use.

I sent an email about the SeventySix on April 5 and received a response 14 hours later. Liz recommended the 76 despite the slightly longer production time for custom orders (she guessed that delivery was likely for late April/early May - not much longer than my wait for a Morocco if you think about it!), but as I mentioned, they don't offer the stylus with the 76, so I'll have to pass (or at least pretend for a little while that I won't order a 2nd case).

I don't think changing an existing order restarts the clock. I thought I read earlier in this thread that you simply get slotted within a different queue based on your pre-order date.

 

[blueridge]

mysterygirl.. i agree with you too.. i did a lot of research before i chose to go with the portenzo.. but after all of this mess.. the customer service part.. i went ahead and ordered a few other cases to try.. i ordered my octavo end of last week and got it today.. i really like it.. posted pics over on the P&Q thread.. im still waiting for shipping confirmation from darin.. i upgraded one of mine to the 23.5 and the other to levant and he said would ship today or tomorrow.. i hope so.. i know their quality is top notch.. so im excited to see them both.. time will tell.. im really trying to keep a positive attitude.. especially since right before i preordered i emailed darin back and forth a few times.. he was very quick with his responses.. this was BEFORE the masses started ordering and they got swamped.. with over 100K hits on this thread someone is watching this go down lol..

 

[Steviejobz]

\

I don't think changing an existing order restarts the clock. I thought I read earlier in this thread that you simply get slotted within a different queue based on your pre-order date.

That is what Darin told me - updating an order does not send you to the back of the line. I ordered a case on 3/20, made change on 4/2 (added stylus) and now I have a fedex tracking number.

 

[Xultar]

I could not agree with you more...

I have the black leather Portenzo Alano for the original iPad and I am very satisfied with the case. My iPad does not come out of it. The quality, fit, and finish of my Portenzo case is superb.

For those of you waiting for a case, be patient. Remember that Portenzo is a small company trying to meet a growing demand that comes from creating and selling a great product.

By the way, several months ago while I was getting out of my car I lost my balance. I was holding my daughter and my Portenzo / iPad was in my other hand. I knew I was going to fall and I had a decision to make... drop my daughter or drop the iPad. Well, I dropped the Portenzo / iPad on my concrete driveway. The iPad suffered no damage but the Portenzo case cracked severely.

I sent Darin an e-mail about purchasing another leather Alano. I also told him why I was buying another one. Guess what, he told me to send the case to him. In less than ten days he returned it to me... fixed, free of charge.

Based on my customer service experience with the company and based on the quality product they sell, I for one will continue to purchase Portenzo products for every iPad I buy.

Michael

DId you follow this thread? What did you think?

 

[Ryukami]

That is what Darin told me - updating an order does not send you to the back of the line. I ordered a case on 3/20, made change on 4/2 (added stylus) and now I have a fedex tracking number.

I ordered a Levant on 15th March, and I have nothing to show for it at all

 

[kschles]

I feel everyone's pain having to wait. These case companies always seem to announce plans that are too aggressive when trying to release a new product. This happens to me almost every time I pre-order something. At least the delay here doesn't sound as bad as the one for the Grove Bamboo case. I'm sure glad I didn't rely on getting that one for my new ipad.

As a side note, I went with the DODO case and although it took 3 weeks I finally received it as advertised and it's a great quality product if anyone is considering jumping ship. Got a lot of comments about how great the DODO looks today when I took it to the office. I made a quick and simple video but the Limited Edition looks awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0En2lGlfoA

Glad you like your DODO case. Watched your video review and had a few thoughts. 1) Don't like the fact that you had to add your own magnet to get the sleep/wake function. 2) The DODO branding on their cases is a bit over the top, and would bother me. Poretnzo, Pad and Quill, and Treegloo have much more subtle branding. I also think I caught site of the infamous DODO "Big Space" that is evident once the case is closed. Not good.

 

[jeremy3721]

Glad you like your DODO case. Watched your video review and had a few thoughts. 1) Don't like the fact that you had to add your own magnet to get the sleep/wake function. 2) The DODO branding on their cases is a bit over the top, and would bother me. Poretnzo, Pad and Quill, and Treegloo have much more subtle branding. I also think I caught site of the infamous DODO "Big Space" that is evident once the case is closed. Not good.

Yeah, the logo could be an issue for some but I like the DODO name/logo and for me it doesn't bother me. I love the black and white color scheme of this case in particular. There is a small space but not to the degree I've seen in other photos. I expect it will settle quite quickly.