Don't forget to factor in expenses such as shipping costs (remember, they gave free shipping upgrades), materials, and case remakes.
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Portenzo iPad 2 Case: Now a Smart Cover
- Thread starter Jeff5i
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I haven't participated in this thread for a while, but continue to lurk. I've been a big supporter of Portenzo and still am, from the perspective that I think they are making the best product out there and are simply a small company that has been overrun by its own success. However, I'm increasingly disappointed in the lack of accurate information and the lack of providing that information at a location where most will see it (a post of Facebook and macrumors doesn't, for me, count as good measures to keep ALL customers informed).
I won't go into details about my personal situation, since I think I am at least partially to blame (with order changes, etc.). But, I am essentially giving them until 4/26 to ship my Levant notebook. If it doesn't ship by then, then sadly, I feel compelled to cancel and get a Dodocase instead. It's unfortunate because I do believe Portenzo makes the best case out there and I really believe they are a good company that is being swallowed by their own success. But my primary frustration is the lack of accurate information. Unlike many in this thread, I'm not even looking for a lot of detail. But a simple message posted on their website or emailed to customers that provided an accurate picture of how shipping will proceed to deal with the backorders, etc would have been sufficient.
I won't go into details about my personal situation, since I think I am at least partially to blame (with order changes, etc.). But, I am essentially giving them until 4/26 to ship my Levant notebook. If it doesn't ship by then, then sadly, I feel compelled to cancel and get a Dodocase instead. It's unfortunate because I do believe Portenzo makes the best case out there and I really believe they are a good company that is being swallowed by their own success. But my primary frustration is the lack of accurate information. Unlike many in this thread, I'm not even looking for a lot of detail. But a simple message posted on their website or emailed to customers that provided an accurate picture of how shipping will proceed to deal with the backorders, etc would have been sufficient.
To the individual who suggested they hire new help, they did that A WHILE back(way earlier in the thread Darin mentioned this) when they realized how hard the tsunami of new orders that followed the iPad2 release had hit them.
Liz and a few others are the "new help/hires" people are suggesting, as many say, I'm sure they are at their fiscally reasonable limit, they probably can't afford to hire any more help for the time being....
Liz and a few others are the "new help/hires" people are suggesting, as many say, I'm sure they are at their fiscally reasonable limit, they probably can't afford to hire any more help for the time being....
I am more concerned that they will not be able to sustain orders period. I agree, they're probably most likely a VERY small business. I'm all for entrepreneurship, but if they're making these things in their basement after a full work day somewhere else, it's not likely they're realistically going to be able to churn these out in an acceptable time frame that will allow them to keep up with existing orders without extra help.
I think this is most people's issue. Some form of standard, regular communication, most preferably in a central location such as their website, would go a long way. I can tell you that I probably would not have emailed them more than once if that was the case. But seeing various different communications in different places prompted me to go straight to the source more than once.
Doesn't this thread make anyone want to design their own well made case and sell it online? The market is huge for this and I'm sure by the time this wave dies down Protenzo will have probably $1M plus in sales.
Not easy by any means, but the though keeps crossing my mind. If I were unemployed I'd already have a website up for it
Not easy by any means, but the though keeps crossing my mind. If I were unemployed I'd already have a website up for it
Coming up on limit to be able to file dispute with paypal... If they are going to blow past shipping dates, not answer emails, or anything else, it's time to ensure that a refund is possible if they continue to be unresponsive...
(note, I said dispute, not claim. By doing this it freezes the funds, and will potentially allow a claim later if necessary.).
All of this could be avoided by accurate and timely communication.
(note, I said dispute, not claim. By doing this it freezes the funds, and will potentially allow a claim later if necessary.).
All of this could be avoided by accurate and timely communication.
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I agree. Kinda annoyed they didn't even update the shipping times on their order page to reflect the current situation. My Composition II definitely is not going to get shipped in 1 to two weeks...
Any responses????
I know people have probably seen this question posted numerous times throughout this thread.... but has anyone gotten an email reply from Darin/TP recently?? I'm a 3/13 orderer that upgraded to 23.5 when it came out...and I've been really patient with the delays and such, but I'm leaving the country next week, so the lack of communication has gotten me anxious.
Where oh where art thou portenzo?????
I know people have probably seen this question posted numerous times throughout this thread.... but has anyone gotten an email reply from Darin/TP recently?? I'm a 3/13 orderer that upgraded to 23.5 when it came out...and I've been really patient with the delays and such, but I'm leaving the country next week, so the lack of communication has gotten me anxious.
Where oh where art thou portenzo?????
Doesn't this thread make anyone want to design their own well made case and sell it online? The market is huge for this and I'm sure by the time this wave dies down Protenzo will have probably $1M plus in sales.
Not easy by any means, but the though keeps crossing my mind. If I were unemployed I'd already have a website up for it
Finding the proper materials is what would be a difficult find from my perspective. Creating the system with the resources would be the easy part. Make sure customers knew where their product is and communicate, communicate, communicate.
So Darin is out of commission again? Not answering emails or posting on FB?
Somehow that's a bit reassuring... That might be they are busy doing their work.
I agree with Mysterygirl, the lack of communication is affecting the even hardcore followers. It's a bit sad of reading the post on FB saying they don't mind waiting, but let them say that in a month+ of waiting.
Somehow that's a bit reassuring... That might be they are busy doing their work.
I agree with Mysterygirl, the lack of communication is affecting the even hardcore followers. It's a bit sad of reading the post on FB saying they don't mind waiting, but let them say that in a month+ of waiting.
The last email I got was from Liz on the 14th saying that my case will ship "sometime next week".... I guess since this week isn't technically over, it's somewhat understandable, but with no replies to 2 emails sent I can't help but wonder exactly where in the production line my case really is...
I think they've gone to ground again. They're in denial about the scope of the problem they face with backorders.
I just wish they would come out with a bit of honesty and tell us how bad the problem is at least, and hopefully how they intend to fix it.
The earliest ipad2 case order numbers seem to be in the late 3000 range. My order from 3/21 is in the 6000 range. They have already broken the 10000 mark. I'm over a month waiting. Unless they change something radically, the wait times are just going to keep getting longer. I would estimate new orders will be over 2 months!
Ordered on 3/7 and after I was given three shipping dates that have come and passed, I've cancelled my order.
I am quite happy with my smart cover and BSE skins.
Will look at P&Q and Treegloo.
I am quite happy with my smart cover and BSE skins.
Will look at P&Q and Treegloo.
I got a response to my email sent yesterday from Liz today.
My order is 52xx placed on 3/19. I also received multiple promises about when it would go out. An email last week said that levant orders would go out in a huge wave earlier this week with them finishing levant orders by today. My credit card was also charged last week.
The response I got from Liz:
It doesn't sound like their intra-office communication is very good either. I've heard the "soon" line before. I've waited ages for the case, so I might as well stick it out since they seem to have the best product at this time. However, I likely won't order from them again and I'll share my experience with others.
My order is 52xx placed on 3/19. I also received multiple promises about when it would go out. An email last week said that levant orders would go out in a huge wave earlier this week with them finishing levant orders by today. My credit card was also charged last week.
The response I got from Liz:
Liz said:
It doesn't sound like their intra-office communication is very good either. I've heard the "soon" line before. I've waited ages for the case, so I might as well stick it out since they seem to have the best product at this time. However, I likely won't order from them again and I'll share my experience with others.
I ordered mine on 3/22. Changed to Levant. Mine is fairly stock with the magnetic closure no strap. I received mine last week. I sent several emails asking for updates and they were answered for the most part. I also have the pad and quill (nice case) and the Dodocase (also nice). But the Portenzo is perfect or as perfect can be for these types of cases. You can tell a difference. My friend looked at all three. He does not have an iPad but he picked out the Portenzo as the best really quickly. So they all seem to be good and if you can wait stick it out with Portenzo. I am glad I did.
You must've missed my post yesterday... Received shipping notice on Wednesday, Comp2 arriving today.
Finally got a reply from TP, stating that my 23.5 is awaiting it's interior color and is expected to ship within the next few business days....lets hope they keep their word...
Someone posted a reply they got from Portenzo on facebook.
"Our Morocco supply shipment was lost in transit for about 2 weeks. We just got it Thursday, so Moroccos began production last Thursday. That said, we make different cases every day, so it could be another 2 weeks or so."
So all you morocco people who are expecting shipment monday....I don't think thats going to happen....
"Our Morocco supply shipment was lost in transit for about 2 weeks. We just got it Thursday, so Moroccos began production last Thursday. That said, we make different cases every day, so it could be another 2 weeks or so."
So all you morocco people who are expecting shipment monday....I don't think thats going to happen....
But most of these notices are for everything but the Moroccos, which have the longest production lag of all the other cases. They had good communications last week and I send them an email on Monday of "how soon is soon enough" and as of yet nothing. In my openion, they are just answering general questions...