Blue Pocket Pro finish already coming off

[bookfanmd]

I just got my blue PEZ today and it does have a flaw in the finish. I followed this thread all day at work and was hoping I'd be spared but no such luck. I know that if I keep it as is I'll just rub and pick at that place until I make it worse so I've just emailed Astak support for a replacement.

That said, the unit is still charging but I tested it a little bit before pluggin it in and was really pleased with the page turn time in the user manual. It seemed much faster than my Sony 505. I love my Sony but kind of got caught up in the moment when the Pocket Pro was first announced here on MR and ordered one on impulse.

Overall my first impression is positive even allowing for the finish snafu. The case is nice and the unit just feels good in my hands. I appreciate Astak's responsiveness in addressing the issue so promptly.

Sheila

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Does anyone have a problem with his black or white? It doesn't look like it.

I don't thikn the black or white one have the extra coating

[brecklundin]

if anyone is considering doing their own paint mod, there is always a lot of good examples on this forum about notebook/laptops. Same concepts apply to a reader...nothing any idiot who can operate a spray can cannot do for themselves. worst you can do is need to start over again... Kinda no different from the factory job I suppose.

BTW, one step many leave out is that a high end clear coat needs to be added over your paint layer. Several thin coat with light sanding in between will do the trick.

Just match your paint to the job and off ya go...bummer there was deceptive/misleading representation before the fact (when pre-ordering you were told specifically the color was mixed in the case material not painted on) wrt the finish/color on the Pocket Pro.

This also begs the question WHY was this device required to be sealed with an outer layer of paint? Is the case material in any way toxic and the paint was a work around for US Customs? The exact reason should be forth coming in the spirit of full disclosure and consumer safety.

If you do order one of these readers I would stick to white or black, or is blue the only color that is painted?

Also from reading the original response it does not seem as if the color in some cases is homogeneous and throughout the case material, rather it is more like an external dye job. At least for the blue? I mean "the cuffs should match the collar so to speak...but read that post and see the wording is designed to give the illusion the plastic is a homogeneous colored plastic not a coated/dyed case material. This post backs up that the case material is only colored on the outward side.

[wayamauro]

Originally Posted by CrimsonCherries

I have a maroon/red one with coating issues on the back. The blue one I ordered for my sister-in-law has coating issues with the upper left corner on the front. I think it's really cool that Astak is letting us exchange the units for blemish-free ones with the shipping paid for. I'm taking advantage of the offer and exchanging both of our units. Also, support has been really responsive about letting us exchange our 256 MB SD cards with the Chinese eBooks for the 1 GB SD cards with the English eBooks.

Although there are issues with this initial launch of the product (which is not surprising given that we are purchasing the first release), I am still enthusiastic about the EZ Reader Pocket Pro, particularly because of the product features, great customer support and responsiveness to correct the issues.

It may be surprising but actually that's the least they should do, to pay for the shipping. That's what most companies do today if they want to be in the market. Also I would hope free shipping for any other issue, except refund.
Actually the ones that should be thankful are Astak for you guys not asking for a refund instead and still being able to trust them. But yeah, I am glad they are paying for the shipping.

[superstitious]

Mine is purple. I reported earlier in this thread that I got some wrinkles at the top right corner, in the back, one tiny chip in the back and some fingerprint looking ones in the back also. Regardless of the paint issue, I am in love with my PP. I even consider not sending it back so I don't have to wait more to read my books. Being anal with all my gadgets, I feel the need to send it back and Im bummed I have to wait some more to really use it. All in all, I think Astak handles this exceptionally well. I got a reply within 2 hours and another mass email today. Thanks for taking care of this promptly.

[brecklundin]

I still say people need to ask WHY would the original infused/dyed case not pass US customs? The explanation that that it was to ensure there were no materials that were banned in the US feels like doublespeak/spin for "it is toxic and not allowed in the use w/o being painted over/sealed". And that is sense I am sure Astak does not want customers to have...better to be clear about the matter now and in a definite statement than not.

All plastic out-gasses (gives off gas) could be the material or even the coloring used gave off some, possibly trivial, gas that the US considers unsafe. In this scenario the painted external layer makes sense. It could also explain the reason the painted layer would not cure (dry) properly, the out-gassing was still happening.

And do not forget a painted surface will wear off, usually sooner rather than later. It will scratch and not be near as durable as a homogeneous/infused colored case material will provide...meaning it will start to look crappy sooner simply because of the painted layer.

[RichyRich]

I actually see a lot more companies try and pass the buck. Look at all the laptops that had bad video chips and how long it took manufacturers to finally acknowledge it. I'm willing to support Astak because they're reader has the features I want and they have been very responsive and open about everything. It also doesn't hurt that Open Inkpot may eventually get ported over as well.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

Also from reading the original response it does not seem as if the color in some cases is homogeneous and throughout the case material, rather it is more like an external dye job. At least for the blue? I mean "the cuffs should match the collar so to speak...but read that post and see the wording is designed to give the illusion the plastic is a homogeneous colored plastic not a coated/dyed case material. This post backs up that the case material is only colored on the outward side.

Here's a pic of what I mentioned in that earlier post (it sounds like the blue ones are blue plastic with a layer of paint/rubberized coating on top)...

[brecklundin]

AnemicOak,

Great shot of what yours looks like. Sure looks as if your case simply has the color squirted on. On my calibrated display the color looks red (a cool red if ya ask me ) and a greyish body color under it.

And the back looks just awful (sorry ) To me this all deserves some sort of book credit ($20 or whatever) once the bookstore is in-place and online. I say that because there is no reason for such a CHEAP job. Not from a device touted for so freaking long as vastly superior to the competition.

It's s shame for so many people trusting in what they were told only to run into such an obviously cut corner like this. Better a Black or white case than one with blistering, flaking, thin, misapplied paint when you were all told it was NOT a painted case.

BTW, yours seems to show it's not only the blue case with the issue. And as for the shot above yours (NOTE: RichieRich apparently removed his image, wonder why?) with the well painted battery door. A simple scratch test of that door would show how deep the color is below the surface, but doing that might cause probs if returning/exchanging the device. So what would a person with a blue case do...sure would be great if that one was at least blue all the way through...

Astak lost a lot of business due to this fiasco, hopefully they get the next batch right. I mean the factor is building to Astak's spec, right? At least that was what BobbieB kept implying/stating in the "huge thread" for over a year.

[dmikov]

Yep, got the same problem with my blue, some unattached paint that chipped out and left bold spots around the light.

Have to assure all the haters though that the body IS blue underneath. No reason to fud about the toxic content, since it did passed custom tests in China and US. The paint for blue at least is nice touchie rubberized stuff not a cover up.

I love this device, it is so much faster and pleasenter then my current Sony 500.

However for a brand new device, I cannot accept this half a year old look, especially since I told everybody at work what a cutie I am getting this Friday.

My question is - do you cross ship. I waited long enough for Pocket Pro and quite an extra for blue one. Don't really want to part with it now. I know lots of companies cross ship with credit card reserve.

[Solicitous]

I wonder what they are going to do with the returned units with peeling paint? Will we see them offered at a discount price or shipped back to China for replacement? If they offered to sell one for 50% of the retail price I'd buy a second spare one without a thought of blemished paintwork.

[Morlac]

Originally Posted by dmikov

Y
Have to assure all the haters though that the body IS blue underneath. No reason to fud about the toxic content, since it did passed custom tests in China and US. The paint for blue at least is nice touchie rubberized stuff not a cover up.

Ditto. My blue is blue on the inside. I took off the battery door and saw the same parallel swipes of unpainted area that was shown in the photos above from Anemic Oak. I would bet that it is either a factory policy or customs requirement to leave some original surface unpainted in a relatively inconspicuous place for testing or inspection.

I would also bet -- though we will probably never know for sure -- that the factory was trying to meet deadline, didn't have enough of some of the plastic resin with color molded in, and cut a corner by painting neutral-colored plastic. I doubt it was a conscious decision meant to save pennies by buying less expensive raw materials. (For one thing, I doubt that the cost of the colored plastic is that much higher than black/white.)

[Morlac]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I wonder what they are going to do with the returned units with peeling paint? Will we see them offered at a discount price or shipped back to China for replacement? If they offered to sell one for 50% of the retail price I'd buy a second spare one without a thought of blemished paintwork.

My guess is that won't happen.

(a) Assuming that it was actually a factory mistake, they may require the faulty units be returned to China in order to verify the number of affected units to determine how they compensate Astak.

(b) Given that image counts for quite a bit, Astak would be very ill-served by selling those flaking units at any price. Out in the wild, they will represent the line badly when showing them to others. Alternatively, the owners may be embarassed by how shoddy they look and be less likely to show them off or evangelize about them.

(c) Assuming that the fix is labor intensive but relatively straightforward (disassemble, strip the bad paint, repaint properly), it would still most likely be more profitable to do that and be able to sell them as "refurbished" at a 15% discount than just drop the price by 50% and sell as is. And that's assuming they chose to sell as refurb instead of simply saying they're new. (Especially any that legitimately never shipped to a customer but were caught at Astak after the story broke and they started inspecting their inventory.)

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by Morlac

My guess is that won't happen.

(a) Assuming that it was actually a factory mistake, they may require the faulty units be returned to China in order to verify the number of affected units to determine how they compensate Astak.

(b) Given that image counts for quite a bit, Astak would be very ill-served by selling those flaking units at any price. Out in the wild, they will represent the line badly when showing them to others. Alternatively, the owners may be embarassed by how shoddy they look and be less likely to show them off or evangelize about them.

(c) Assuming that the fix is labor intensive but relatively straightforward (disassemble, strip the bad paint, repaint properly), it would still most likely be more profitable to do that and be able to sell them as "refurbished" at a 15% discount than just drop the price by 50% and sell as is. And that's assuming they chose to sell as refurb instead of simply saying they're new. (Especially any that legitimately never shipped to a customer but were caught at Astak after the story broke and they started inspecting their inventory.)

You're probably right. I just checked their website to verify shipping costs and all the coloured PP's are "Out of Stock". Seems like they might have issues with every colour except white and black (I would not expect an issue with the black considering the hanlin v5 is black).

Edit: Before I commit to my purchase can someone provide some confirmation about the black PP please. Does it have a painted cover like the coloured PP's? It does appear all the blistering issues is with the coloured units, but with the black (and white perhaps) it might not be as obvious.

[Morlac]

OK -- to summarize my status -- I have the blue Pocket Pro. It does not have the level of surface cracking and peeling or wrinkling that others have described or shown. It does, however, have something going on with the paint.

Best way to describe it is to refer you to the photos of Anemic Oak's maroon PEZ in this thread. You can see the streaky swaths that look like a different tone of red -- just imagine that in blue and not as pronounced.

In addition, I'd previously mentioned a sort of alligator-skin effect pebbling the surface of the PEZ in certain areas. You can see a little bit of that in Anemic Oak's picture, near the battery below the "CE" mark on the battery. It seems obvious to me now that this is a transferred impression left in the cover by the interior of the PEZ's case, which has exactly that surface. Last night I had rubbed my finger across the pebbled effect on my Pez, which left it smudgy but not pebbled. This morning when I took the Pez out of it's clips again, the pebbled marks were back -- and most strongly so where the pressure from the magnetic clasp and the plastic clips would be felt most.

So long as the pebbling effect doesn't actually become cracking or peeling, it is -- for me -- just a minor cosmetic thing.

I will, however, raise an issue that has started to worry me. Other owners have commented on how the plastic clips hold the Pez pretty securely and how it can be a bit tricky to finesse out. You might not be able to tell, but the two clips on the sides push into little slots indented in the PEZ. Since you have to take the PEZ out of the clips to hit the reset button on the back, some amount of in-and-out is unavoidable even if you intend to keep it clipped in most of the time. I can see a *very* tiny nick in one of the PEZ's tab indents where the harder plastic of the clip has dinged the softer surface of the PEZ as it torques in/out. That wouldn't bother me if the surface was all solid plastic. But since the surface is a single rubberized paint-skin, I'm worried that once the skin is nicked or torn in one spot, the damage will simply spread rapidly.