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Orbino Padova Case, Anyone Place an Order??

Mr. Biggles said:
Who told you not till mid May ship?

I thought if you ordered before the extra strap charge change you were grandfathered in?

What changes were made to lower manufacturing costs?

I'm tired of the long wait myself, but realistically expecting the design to be finalized very quickly after the April 3 release of the iPad is asking a lot. And let's face it, customer suggestions at the Orbino forum and their willingness to make the changes has resulted in some production slowdown.

I ordered march 17th, so I do feel some of your pain.
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You are correct, Mr. Biggles. Those who pre-ordered the case some weeks ago were grandfathered for the shoulder strap. However, the fact that Orbino is now charging an unconscionable 20+% for that strap on newer orders is an attempt by them to discourage the use of the strap, lowering their manufacturing costs and improving manufacturing speed (i.e., no strap, no d-rings, no d-ring attachments). In addition, based on a recent post on the Orbino board, Orbino has apparently also eliminated the decorative design on the front of the case as well. This probably eliminated a significant step in the manufacturing process and reduced costs even more.

With regard to realistically expecting shipment of the product soon after Apr 3, I really don't think it's that unrealistic. After all, when Orbino initially suggested an Apr 3 ship date, Apple was planning to introduce the iPad on March 27. Since Apple delayed their shipment by one week to April 3, it should be reasonable to expect Orbino to have shipped by April 10. Yet we're still waiting.

With regard to customer recommendation affecting Orbino's design, I don't understand why they haven't begun shipment of their original design and shipped improvements as they are adopted at a later date. After all, that's exactly what will happen with the iPad and has happened with other products in the marketplace. Early adopters do provide the manufacturer with a means to make meaningful changes to their products. Despite this, however, I for one would have been delighted to receive Orbino's original case design with no modifications whatsoever (and no typing stand). After all, that's what I ordered based on their original Padova photos and advertising.

With regard to my "guesstimate" of a mid-May ship date, that's exactly what it is, a guess. Considering that Orbino just posted the photos of their "final" design today, and based on Orbino's performance to date, I would expect it will take them at least two weeks before they're ready to ship. After all, I was told three weeks ago that the product would be shipping in two weeks, which would have put the case in my hands last week. But, like you, I'm still waiting!

Sorry for the long winded reply. This has just been a major irritation.
 
iPad Cases Immediately Available

For those like me who have reached the end of their patience with Orbino, there are some very nice alternative cases available to protect our iPads. One is the Piel Frama magnetic case, which is made of high quality leather and comes as a book cover design that folds flat and incorporates a typing stand setting. Another is the WaterField Designs Ultimate Slip Case (http://sfbags.com/products/ipad-cases/sleevecases-ipad.php).

I purchased the WaterField Designs leather trimmed Ultimate Slip Case late last week and received it in the mail yesterday. What a great case! It is an extremely well made and a very attractive piece that should provide years of service and great protection for my iPad.

After the many unfortunate and frustrating delays and excuses from Orbino, it was a distinct pleasure to do business with a company that can actually deliver the product they are selling.
 
whoukidn said:
For those like me who have reached the end of their patience with Orbino, there are some very nice alternative cases available to protect our iPads. One is the Piel Frama magnetic case, which is made of high quality leather and comes as a book cover design that folds flat and incorporates a typing stand setting. Another is the WaterField Designs Ultimate Slip Case (http://sfbags.com/products/ipad-cases/sleevecases-ipad.php).

I purchased the WaterField Designs leather trimmed Ultimate Slip Case late last week and received it in the mail yesterday. What a great case! It is an extremely well made and a very attractive piece that should provide years of service and great protection for my iPad.

After the many unfortunate and frustrating delays and excuses from Orbino, it was a distinct pleasure to do business with a company that can actually deliver the product they are selling.
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I also went with a Waterfield Slip case as well as the 10" Muzetto. I have received both and they are very well made and are what I was looking for

Kenal0
 
Kenal0 said:
I also went with a Waterfield Slip case as well as the 10" Muzetto. I have received both and they are very well made and are what I was looking for

Kenal0
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Slightly off-topic, yet pertinent given Orbino's delays. Can you post thoughts or a review of the 10" Muzetto? I've been thinking about ordering one but would love to hear some feedback before dropping $200 on another case.
 
It really does exist

Got mine Friday.

It's a real nice case. Posted a mini review at Orbino forum.

Couple of pictures of the Orbino Padova, the Duluth Shooters Haversack I carry it in and then the Padova, keyboard and general view of the storage capacity of the Haversack.

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I Give UP on Orbino

This is the WORST customer service I've ever experienced. I have been quite patient since placing my order on April 1, 2010.

I woke up this morning to an email from them, thinking it was a shipment notification. Instead, it was

"Updated Order Status: Card Authorization Expired"

I tried going into my account on their website to update the payment method or to assure that they could charge the card I submitted, but all I could do was change my contact info! :mad:

They have beautiful cases, but maybe it's best that the card authorization has expired because with such HORRIBLE customer service, meaning NONE, I am going to go with another like Vaja (http://www.vajacases.com/). I just wish I'd known April first because a new order with a new company extends my wait for an alternative case. I'm very angry at Orbino right now.

----

Update: Email from Orbino

"Thank you for your message. We will contact you when your case is ready for shipment and you can provide us with the charge information.
Thank you for your patience and kindest regards,

Orbino"

---

But since I live near Apple stores, I'm going to shop around today for some temporary cases since the Apple case is too obvious.
 
Based on everyones experience thus far I would stay away from this but also I dont want a flip, I don't think it will stand correctly or be practical on its side, which is the way I use it most of the time.
 
3goldens said:
Based on everyones experience thus far I would stay away from this but also I dont want a flip, I don't think it will stand correctly or be practical on its side, which is the way I use it most of the time.
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I'm second-guessing the flip style also, and am starting to shop for a book open style. Maybe this delayed delivery and frustration will force me to get something better.
 
Zepaw said:
Seconded. Worst case I have seen yet, IMO of course.
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Both of you are entitled to your opinions of course, but based on the order back log of the case, the majority don't agree with you, myself included.

How either of you can determine it's the "worst" without either seeing it in person and using it is, well, ignorant actually.

But hey, I'm sure your both case experts.:confused:
 
Orbino is Gorgeous

I think this case is the best looking one on the market...it is what Vaja should be making but strangely, is sticking to a different design. I would get one, but I really need a case that holds my MiFI card. Please let us know how this case holds up over a few weeks or months.
 
The Waiting Game

They sent me an email stating it would be shipped last week. I was excited, and waited, and waited, and waited...no Orbino case, no follow-up. Nothing.

So on that note, I ordered the new Vaja Leather Agenda case.

Vaja communicates swiftly with their customers. Their wait is long also, but they C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-E with you. That's the key to me.

If this arrives before the Orbino case, I'll be shipping the Orbino back or selling it for a pretty penny.
 
ChocolateApple said:
They sent me an email stating it would be shipped last week. I was excited, and waited, and waited, and waited...no Orbino case, no follow-up. Nothing.

So on that note, I ordered the new Vaja Leather Agenda case.

Vaja communicates swiftly with their customers. Their wait is long also, but they C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-E with you. That's the key to me.

If this arrives before the Orbino case, I'll be shipping the Orbino back or selling it for a pretty penny.
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Apparently you have not read the 'poor Vaja customer service' thread yet. It mirrors Orbino's customer service sadly.

Both make fantastic cases, are overwhelmed with orders, and neither has a clue on how to deal with it properly.
 
OK COME ON, there is no customer service

I've ordered both an iPhone case and an iPad case
Before ordering I got an email saying the iPhone case would go out immediately but the iPad case would take 7+ weeks.

It's a ruse. Once you order, customer service disappears. I've emailed three time and called twice asking for a status on the iPhone case, and no reply. I looked up Orbino's address on google maps and it's a private home.

This is ridiculous.

The site and voice mail say they will respond within 24 hours, but unless they are trying to sucker you into ordering, you won't hear from them at all.

Don't believe the hype. Both here and on the Orbino forums you'll see postings from hundreds of unsatisfied customers saying Orbino is a deadbeat company.







OrbinoCases said:
Hello. Orbino here. Just a word of apology for the lack of responsiveness during this sudden spike in orders of our new Padova iPad case.

We realize that it is frustrating to not receive timely responses to inquiries. Every time Apple does one of its launches in grand fashion without providing prior access to the new model, we are left scrambling to fine tune case design, get production going, and field all the orders and inquiries that come pouring in.

This is not a justification for the poor service some of you have received from us. We are a small workshop of artisans. Though our focus is on creating a beautiful product, we realize we have to be better prepared for these regular spikes in demand when we launch a case for a new Apple product.

We want to reassure all of our customers that we are hard at work at producing this new case. The case itself looks stunning and we hope that when you have it in your hands, you will forget about the difficulties we have had during the launch. We want to help you in every way we can and are in the process of improving our customer service both by phone and by email.

For now, we would simply ask that you do not use Orbino's corporate phone number cited above. We realize that phone service is important and we will be getting a dedicated person for this shortly. For now, we are simply not in a position to receive the hundreds of phone calls!

As mentioned in a previous post, we have set up an online forum to field all messages, requests, and suggestions from our customers for the new Padova case:

Orbino Padova Case Forum

You will find updates on the production progress of the new Padova case, and you can also feel free to post inquiries and requests.

In a closing note, we'd just like to say that we are extremely appreciative of all the customers who have shown support for the new Padova case. We want to get your cases to you as soon as possible. Quality is our first priority, which is why it has taken a couple of weeks to perfect the fitting of the case. Of course, quality on the customer service side has suffered. We are here to tell you that we do care about your concerns and will do our best to improve our responses.

The customer who started this thread can expect a personal phone call of apology from us.

Best regards,
The Orbino Team
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Orbino = scam

Same with me.
Almost 30 mails and 3 months waiting.
Suddenly, mails of apology are flooding from them, then nothing,
then again mails to say I'm a valued customer and they will fast lane
my order and they will bump up my complaint to some ghost customer service.
An utter joke.
These guys deserve the axe.
 
How Have They Bilked You?

We established that customer service is non existent But did you know there is a law that states if a company cannot fulfill an order in 30 days they need to contact the customer and give them the opportunity to cancel?

Did you further know that it is illegal to bill a credit card before the merchandise is sent?

Orbino has not given me the opportunity to cancel and they have billed my credit card without shipping.

In other words, they have broken the law not once, but twice.
 
ARTPF said:
We established that customer service is non existent But did you know there is a law that states if a company cannot fulfill an order in 30 days they need to contact the customer and give them the opportunity to cancel?

Did you further know that it is illegal to bill a credit card before the merchandise is sent?

Orbino has not given me the opportunity to cancel and they have billed my credit card without shipping.

In other words, they have broken the law not once, but twice.
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What you state is true for the most part, but most merchants have a "terms and conditions of the sale" clause that you agree to when purchasing. It's usually fine print that most don't bother to read, myself included.
 
Delivered...Finally!

After a 9-week wait, my Orbino case arrived. It's cool, but due to the wait and poor communication, I won't order from them again. Here are the unboxing pics:

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Mr. Biggles said:
Apparently you have not read the 'poor Vaja customer service' thread yet. It mirrors Orbino's customer service sadly.

Both make fantastic cases, are overwhelmed with orders, and neither has a clue on how to deal with it properly.
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Actually, I've ordered from Vaja several times and have been pleased. I haven't had a bad experience with them yet (3 iPhone cases ordered). One case, the one with Crystals, arrived later than the expected date, but not much later like the Orbino case. And each time I email them, I get a pretty swift response.

Now that I finally have the Orbino case, I have more patience for Vaja IF they're delayed in sending the iPad case.
 
Mr. Biggles said:
I've suffered thru the same deplorable service, and in the end got my case.

I'm not trying to excuse the lack of customer service, but how have they scammed anyone? Have they tried to cheat or defraud anyone? Have they swindled anyone? I don't think so.
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Agreed. I wouldn't consider Orbino a scam either. The customer service needs much work -- basically just communication.

It's kind of like a Flash website. If the site takes a long time to load, people are more patient if there's a pre-loader bar indicating the load time.
 
Order with No Expectations

The Orbino case rocks. I'm calmer now that I have it. Too many people recognized the black Apple case in public, and hopefully this will help disguise it. Plus it looks more professional when I take it to business events/interviews.

My suggestion to anyone ordering from Orbino (or maybe any other handcrafted manufacturer) is to order and forget it.

If I had zero expectations, I wouldn't have been so anxious. That's not to excuse Orbino, rather just to say that the case is nice and unique.

If you can wait, order and expect a very very long wait with little to no communication until it ships. Get another case while you wait, forget it, and one day (hopefully within the same calendar year -- sarcasm) you'll be surprised when your Orbino case is delivered to you.

That's what I should have done to save myself the stress.
 
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