Disappointed with my new Oberon Design cover - Page 2

Shadowplay · 08-17-2009, 04:25 PM

Oooooooh now you have my attention!

Keep us all informed about any new Sony Reader offerings and I'm sure you'll have lots of new sales!

rjfarrell · 08-18-2009, 08:16 AM

Most Excellent!

Good customer service will win every time.

Cant want to see what something special is

Penforhire · 08-18-2009, 01:04 PM

Make a better-fitting design and I could see myself pulling the trigger on one myself. The concept and art looks great.

Shadowplay · 08-18-2009, 01:21 PM

For what it's worth I just received the Oberon extra large classic journal that will be my wife's birthday present and it's gorgeous. Waterfall design in Saddle color.

Makes me really want an Oberon cover for my 505.

DrMoze · 08-19-2009, 08:07 PM

That is a lousy design. I too would find those corner straps unacceptable, especially for a "premium" product. If only Vaja made Reader cases..... *sigh* Those cases really do fit like a glove! I do not like the Oberon fit, even in pics from 'satisfied' customers online. (The cover design is nice, though.)

Why doesn't anyone make a "deluxe" cover based on the OEM cover design? I like the original cover for being thin and held on by little magnets. I don't like the stretchy-cord-and-button fastener (nor the leather strap and slot fastener on the M-Edge covers). And I personally loathe the slapped-on non-contoured corner straps.

Oberon Design · 08-21-2009, 12:07 PM

Nice to see the enthusiasm everyone - thanks so much - we appreciate it

Oberon Design · 08-21-2009, 03:36 PM

Hello Everyone, This is Becca Smith, I’m the Vice President of Oberon Design, makers of leather covers for the Sony and Kindle E Readers, refillable journals, etc.

Thanks to all of you that have purchased one of our E Reader covers or expressed interest in what we do. I wanted to directly address the issue of the loose corner straps a few of you have experienced when purchasing a cover for your 505 Sony Reader model. The beta testers for our covers felt that we could easily offer one cover for both models and didn’t feel the corner straps were an issue. Unfortunately some of you don’t agree and this has lead to the perception that we’ve ignored quality control at Oberon. Though we’re certainly perfectly capable of missing details at times, this was not one them!! Instead, we had beta test feedback that some folks would be engaged in cross usage between models or would want to upgrade to a 700 at some point, hence the same straps for both model covers. We’ve had about three people complain that, though they acknowledged that their 505 model wouldn’t fall out of the cover, they didn’t like the looser look of the straps and wanted to be completely confidant of the security of their expensive E Reader. We couldn’t agree more and have asked those customers to return their covers to us so that we can tighten the corner straps. We’ve also changed the buy pages of our website. Now when you order a Sony Reader cover it asks you to identify what model you’re ordering a cover for, 505 or 700. We are now making the 505 covers with a shorter strap length. If anyone else who purchased a cover for a 505 is unhappy with their fit, please contact us at Oberon (sales@oberondesign.com) and we’d be happy to tighten them for you. Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post and for supporting products made in the U.S.

Kind regards, Becca

Elfwreck · 08-21-2009, 03:55 PM

Becca,

FWIW, many of us don't consider the 700 to be an "upgrade" from the 505. The two models have different features--the 700's touchscreen is not always considered an advantage over buttons, and many people dislike the lighting feature that makes the screen blurry.

This will probably continue with Sony's new models, the 300 and 600. While the 600 offers obviously more features (memory card slot, dictionary, annotations), there will still be people who dislike the touchscreen, and prefer the smaller size. Some will prefer the 300, and not just because it's cheaper.

Shadowplay · 08-21-2009, 04:00 PM

Becca,

Thank you very much for not only the information, but showing that your company listens to it's customers! This just makes me even more likely to buy one of the Sony Reader covers from Oberon Design.

Awesome.

genegenie · 08-21-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon Design

Nice to see the enthusiasm everyone - thanks so much - we appreciate it

Oh dear!

I am sorry but this overtly sarcastic comment, (if you read the preceding posts), sums up to me the total lack of interest Oberon really has in their customers.

I for one emailled Becca and queried the looseness of the straps asking if I could order one specifically to suit the 505, (see my earlier post), only to be told that I could not as you knew better than me and it was satisfactory as is. I should have realised then and not ordered.

I note that you have since placed photo's on your site that show the straps as 'not loose' on the 505.They are 'very loose' on mine - you can insert a finger between the reader and the strap and my fingers ain't small - much too loose.

Your offer to correct covers returned to you may be satisfactory for your US customers but not for overseas with the high postage costs. It will be cheaper for me to get a local leatherworker to correct your mistake and bad design - writing it off as a 'bad job'.

With hindsight I very much regret buying from you.

sayhello · 08-21-2009, 10:36 PM

So I got my Oberon cover back. I must admit, I like the cover WAY better with the straps tightened. It feels solid, integrated, sturdy, where it did not before. I'm still a bit concerned about the inside portion of the bottom left strap pulling at the inside flap the way it does (I still think the stress-point it creates is probably going to tear.) But I'm hoping that if it ever did tear, Oberon would repair it.

But I have to say that Oberon made good on their promise to fix the straps, and make the cover actually fit my 505, and I am impressed with the service I got. I feel this is a beautiful, safe, fun cover that I *will* be carrying my 505 in. I feel a little bad for my M-edge cover, because it was such a good little work horse, but the Oberon is just so gorgeous.

Thanks, Oberon!
sayhello

DrMoze · 08-22-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

One of Oberon's reasons for their success has been the quality of their workmanship, both the leatherwork and finished product.

No, Oberon has pretty outside designs. Cases like those from Vaja have excellent workmanship and design, inside and out. Big difference. For example, the lower corner strap that is pulling up the edges of the leather it is affixed to (in a photo at the top of this thread) ois both poor design and poor workmanship. I would find this unacceptable in even a mid-level leather product. And the side views showing how the cover is warped, with the corners bulging outward, is also poor workmanship. Despite being a bit bulky for my tastes, the M-Edge covers show much better workmanship (even though they cost a fraction of the price).

JasonB · 09-02-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genegenie

I am sorry but this overtly sarcastic comment, (if you read the preceding posts), sums up to me the total lack of interest Oberon really has in their customers.

I don't get this comment at all. Prior to their post thanking people for their enthusiasm, this is what was said:

Quote:

Keep us all informed about any new Sony Reader offerings and I'm sure you'll have lots of new sales!
Most Excellent!
Good customer service will win every time.
Make a better-fitting design and I could see myself pulling the trigger on one myself. The concept and art looks great.
it's gorgeous...Makes me really want an Oberon cover for my 505.
That is a lousy design...(The cover design is nice, though.)

Aside from the one negative comment, everything prior to their post thanking people was positive. So there was no sarcasm at all - just honest gratitude.

I have to say that Oberon is one of the best customer-oriented companies I've dealt with, and you'd have to kill me to get my cover from them out of my hands. I will absolutely buy from them again if I need something, and I'll recommend them highly to anybody else. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience, but I've seen nothing to indicate that they are anything less than responsive and quick to do what they can to address problems.

junkml · 09-02-2009, 06:14 PM

I have to say I'm impressed by Oberon - both with the cover and their customer service.

They were wonderful working with me to make sure I would be happy with one of their covers for my prs-500 (not 505). They made sure that there would be no problem with me returning it if it didn't work with the older device. They were helpful, and courteous, and I'm thrilled my wife surprised me with one of their covers for my birthday.

I will absolutely be buying from them again (probably when I upgrade my wife from a 505 to a 600).

BookCat · 09-03-2009, 03:23 PM

Do they refund the postage costs if you have to return the covers for adjustment?

08-19-2009, 08:07 PM	#20
DrMoze Booknut Posts: 858 Karma: 2852 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida! Device: Sony Reader 500/505/300/350, Nook Glowlight Plus (6")	That is a lousy design. I too would find those corner straps unacceptable, especially for a "premium" product. If only Vaja made Reader cases..... sigh Those cases really do fit like a glove! I do not like the Oberon fit, even in pics from 'satisfied' customers online. (The cover design is nice, though.) Why doesn't anyone make a "deluxe" cover based on the OEM cover design? I like the original cover for being thin and held on by little magnets. I don't like the stretchy-cord-and-button fastener (nor the leather strap and slot fastener on the M-Edge covers). And I personally loathe the slapped-on non-contoured corner straps. Last edited by DrMoze; 08-19-2009 at 08:11 PM.

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08-17-2009, 04:25 PM	#16
Shadowplay Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 1096228 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Oasis	Oooooooh now you have my attention! Keep us all informed about any new Sony Reader offerings and I'm sure you'll have lots of new sales!

08-18-2009, 08:16 AM	#17
rjfarrell Zealot Posts: 111 Karma: 142 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Arizona (USA) Device: Sony PRS-505, Iphone, Ipad	Most Excellent! Good customer service will win every time. Cant want to see what something special is

08-18-2009, 01:04 PM	#18
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Make a better-fitting design and I could see myself pulling the trigger on one myself. The concept and art looks great.

08-18-2009, 01:21 PM	#19
Shadowplay Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 1096228 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Oasis	For what it's worth I just received the Oberon extra large classic journal that will be my wife's birthday present and it's gorgeous. Waterfall design in Saddle color. Makes me really want an Oberon cover for my 505.

08-21-2009, 12:07 PM	#21
Oberon Design Member Posts: 12 Karma: 242 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: none	Nice to see the enthusiasm everyone - thanks so much - we appreciate it

08-21-2009, 03:36 PM	#22
Oberon Design Member Posts: 12 Karma: 242 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: none	Hello Everyone, This is Becca Smith, I’m the Vice President of Oberon Design, makers of leather covers for the Sony and Kindle E Readers, refillable journals, etc. Thanks to all of you that have purchased one of our E Reader covers or expressed interest in what we do. I wanted to directly address the issue of the loose corner straps a few of you have experienced when purchasing a cover for your 505 Sony Reader model. The beta testers for our covers felt that we could easily offer one cover for both models and didn’t feel the corner straps were an issue. Unfortunately some of you don’t agree and this has lead to the perception that we’ve ignored quality control at Oberon. Though we’re certainly perfectly capable of missing details at times, this was not one them!! Instead, we had beta test feedback that some folks would be engaged in cross usage between models or would want to upgrade to a 700 at some point, hence the same straps for both model covers. We’ve had about three people complain that, though they acknowledged that their 505 model wouldn’t fall out of the cover, they didn’t like the looser look of the straps and wanted to be completely confidant of the security of their expensive E Reader. We couldn’t agree more and have asked those customers to return their covers to us so that we can tighten the corner straps. We’ve also changed the buy pages of our website. Now when you order a Sony Reader cover it asks you to identify what model you’re ordering a cover for, 505 or 700. We are now making the 505 covers with a shorter strap length. If anyone else who purchased a cover for a 505 is unhappy with their fit, please contact us at Oberon (sales@oberondesign.com) and we’d be happy to tighten them for you. Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post and for supporting products made in the U.S. Kind regards, Becca

08-21-2009, 03:55 PM	#23
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,185 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	Becca, FWIW, many of us don't consider the 700 to be an "upgrade" from the 505. The two models have different features--the 700's touchscreen is not always considered an advantage over buttons, and many people dislike the lighting feature that makes the screen blurry. This will probably continue with Sony's new models, the 300 and 600. While the 600 offers obviously more features (memory card slot, dictionary, annotations), there will still be people who dislike the touchscreen, and prefer the smaller size. Some will prefer the 300, and not just because it's cheaper.

08-21-2009, 04:00 PM	#24
Shadowplay Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 1096228 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Oasis	Becca, Thank you very much for not only the information, but showing that your company listens to it's customers! This just makes me even more likely to buy one of the Sony Reader covers from Oberon Design. Awesome.

08-21-2009, 10:36 PM	#26
sayhello Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 373 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505 (Blue!), PRS-650 (Black), iPad, iPod Touch	So I got my Oberon cover back. I must admit, I like the cover WAY better with the straps tightened. It feels solid, integrated, sturdy, where it did not before. I'm still a bit concerned about the inside portion of the bottom left strap pulling at the inside flap the way it does (I still think the stress-point it creates is probably going to tear.) But I'm hoping that if it ever did tear, Oberon would repair it. But I have to say that Oberon made good on their promise to fix the straps, and make the cover actually fit my 505, and I am impressed with the service I got. I feel this is a beautiful, safe, fun cover that I will be carrying my 505 in. I feel a little bad for my M-edge cover, because it was such a good little work horse, but the Oberon is just so gorgeous. Thanks, Oberon! sayhello

09-02-2009, 06:14 PM	#29
junkml Addict Posts: 277 Karma: 1004969 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: Sony Reader	I have to say I'm impressed by Oberon - both with the cover and their customer service. They were wonderful working with me to make sure I would be happy with one of their covers for my prs-500 (not 505). They made sure that there would be no problem with me returning it if it didn't work with the older device. They were helpful, and courteous, and I'm thrilled my wife surprised me with one of their covers for my birthday. I will absolutely be buying from them again (probably when I upgrade my wife from a 505 to a 600).

09-03-2009, 03:23 PM	#30
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Do they refund the postage costs if you have to return the covers for adjustment?