Tue Jul 9 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Tue, Jul 09, 2019 at 07:50:03 AM
!! Hello Everyone !!
Thank you for everybody for holding on tightly to your seats. All your support flowing in through emails and messages has gotten us to this key point. This is a quick reminder for all backers to let you guys know we have an official update about to be finished and coming on this Thursday!
Stay tuned!!! :) THIS WILL BE DEFINITELY WORTH IT.
BIG LOVE,
WAU Team
Fri Jun 28 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 02:31:07 PM
Hey Guys,
Here is a quick update to let you guys know the current process.
Since the last update, we have reached a firm agreement with the tooling supplier and transported over 7 tonnes of steel tools 500+km to our new tooling manufacture right next to our assembly line plant.
To save time our new tooling manufacturer has already purchased all the material beforehand whilst waiting for the arrival of the incoming tools. Once arrived, it took 5 days to set the machine up, calibrate and run test trials to make sure that each of the 7 injection tools performs perfectly.
Bare in mind each panel tool requires a powerful crane to move it into place, and also takes a large amount of time to set up and make corrections where needed to ensure all parts are well fitted and are operation ready before high-temperature mass ABS plastic injections can take prompt place.
Setting up the machine took 5 days, and tomorrow is our first trial of the brand new panels. Once we received the final feedback on the panel we are having the issue of, we will be able to give all backers estimated dispatch dates. Please note, this date does not affect air freight WAU bikes.
Also, as the previous toolmaker has finally been removed of the supply chain, we finally as a team stand a good chance to be able to for the first time project exact arrival dates.
If the panel trial is successful, all panels will be injected, painted, checked and assembled right away. Then all preparation for mass shipment is finally finished. All remaining WAU bikes are already 95% assembled, the only main missing part is the outer WAU casing (fitted within the inside of the frame). We are working closely with the new manufacturer to ensure tomorrows test is good to go.
We completely understand you guys want your new WAUs extremely badly. Believe us, we really want to ship it to you as soon as we possibly can. We know it's not ideal to wait, but having any problems with the injection would only weaken your WAU bike thus, reducing its overall lifetime. The additional wait was definitely worth it when you see the all-new WAU machine.
We will make this happen for you guys, no matter what. <3
BIG BIG BIG Love
WAU Team
Fri Jun 21 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 02:58:01 AM
For those that have not recieved the link, please CLICK HERE to download all the documents required for you to set up your WAU bike.
Thu Jun 20 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 02:55:32 PM
Hello Backers,
Here is a quick update to let you guys know and keep you up to speed about the current situation both in the UK and Asia.
!! Now Delivering !!
We are SUPER HAPPY to see so many backers receiving their brand new C3 Power Cells in the post already. It appears that all paperwork is in place and passing with a green light without any delays in air freight.
Some shipments have arrived as soon as only 3 days after departure. We will keep working very hard on our side to keep up. Potentially even succeed to deliver in the same amount of (delivery) time for your brand new WAU bike.
More Upcoming Tracking Codes
Tracking codes for WAU bikes will be released very soon as we are correcting the final smaller issues. Based on the current schedule, you may receive your WAU bike in less than 7 days after departure. Please remember, all backers will receive their tracking code at different times, some will receive it before the others, however, please be patient and know that we are moving as fast as we possibly can and we will never forget about you.
Following up the previous painful update
As you guys are aware of the painting issue we are experiencing, we have requested all inner frame computer panels to be painted. When the panels were they were delivered to our assembly line, 90% of them had defects of paint pooling over.
Since then we have stripped all the paint off manually to avoid damaging the panels in the process, then we shipped a few samples away to test the painting once more. The result was the same, and the painting factory suggested us to remove all engraving on the outside of the panel to prevent this from ever happening again.
We have spent an incredible amount of time designing and making custom engraving marks outside of each panel, however, all injection tools were now subsequently modified to remove all external engravings to give way for paint finish.
The paint was stripped of the panels twice, but when new paint coats were sprayed on the result showed all the flaws including uneven patches of colour. You guys wouldn't be fully happy with that. What we did to completely solve this problem, was to fire-up the injection factory once more and remanufacture all plastic panels to give the best chance for the paint to finally adheres to an even finish.
We are pushed over the edge working with this single supplier. We have protested many times about missing deadlines, time wasting and personal delays they have caused for all our customers. After all the meetings and complaints yet the quality results all of us are looking for as a team were still not there.
This supplier has protested, and refusing to fix anymore of their mistakes and demand us to make full payment or they will not release the tools to us (used to make all panels.
We are currently in negotiation in payment and releasing of the tool. The deal will be confirmed tomorrow.
When we say it is cultural differences, it is not blaming other suppliers. The truth is the majority of our suppliers are reliable, understanding and brilliant to work with. But as a startup with a tight budget, it is extremely likely to come across 'shark supplier' that operates on extremely questionable work ethics which are very different from those at the west. If we knew this in the past, we could have avoided 99% of delays if we never signed the contract with them. It is unimaginable for us to think one supplier can cause us this amount of brand damage.
Thu Jun 20 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 02:54:39 PM
Silver lining
The silver lining is that after such a crazy storm we are coming out the other end still in operation and can say that a few of the first WAUs (which are being finished by hand) will be sent as soon as the end of this week. As soon as the dispatches start we will do our best to keep it going until every single WAU bike is on its way directly to you guys.
C3 Power Cells
All C3 Power packs will also come in super fresh ice white. We did think at the beginning to use all different colour plastics, however, our painting factory advised that they would not perform complex injection colour changes under such low quantity production numbers. However, now all has successfully gone to plan and ALL Super Sexy WAU colours that you guys have ordered came out perfectly on ice white base. :-) Red, white, black or any other colour WAU will always be clean white on the inside of the battery compartment area.
Common Q&A
Why are backers baked later than me but receiving their tracking codes?
A - Some backers receiving tracking codes now is because they have opted in for Air Freight. So as soon as one WAU bike is fully safety checked and receives a green light, it then gets shipped immediately by air.
However, with Sea Freight, to save backers time and cut the overall delivery time down this summer, we ship WAUs in mass containers all at once with other new WAU bikes. Thus, all sea freight WAU bikes must be completed right before large mass shipping.
Why are batteries being shipped first? Does this apply for Sea Freight as well?
A - Due to Air Cargo applying very strict policies, hence it has to be shipped separately. They will not ship the complete WAU bike by plane and can only ship the bike and battery packs separately.
This WILL NOT APPLY to sea freight. You will receive both your new WAU bike and battery together on arrival.
Where is my tracking code?
All air freight customers receive their tracking codes at different time and date even if all air packages were shipped on the same day. Please do not worry if you see other backers posting their tracking codes and you have not received yours yet. We share codes with you as soon as the air shipment company issues them. :-)
I didn't order air freight, where do I get my tracking code?
All sea freight will receive a tracking number for the cargo ship. For last-mile UPS/FedEx will contact you directly with your personal tracking number once the sea cargoship reaches the port.
Can I change my address?
Please let us know any changes in addresses immediately. We have already printed ALL address labels out and numbers of WAU bikes are already packaged up for shipment. Remember, once the bike leaves the factories, and is in the hands of the carrier we are unable to change any further addresses. If this does happen and you must change your address whilst your WAU is in transit you can try to contact the courier, but we did hear that sometimes they might charge a fee for any address changes.
Why are some people getting manuals and I have not received mine yet?
We have sent the manual only to customers that are about to receive their WAU bikes. However, for those that wish to take a closer look now, please click on the link down below and download all the information available:
Why are you going radio silence?
Our radio is always on for you guys. Anyone that messages personally through FB message or email always gets a reply within 1-2 working days. We don't get a notification when someone leaves a message on Indiegogo, therefore sometimes with so much going on all the at once, some messages are left unanswered.
Fewer updates than before?
We are going through truly critical times indeed, however, every time we write the update it is equivalent to writing a short news article. It takes a minimum of 4 hours to gather all the latest information and structure it on Indiegogo. Linas and Tony are at the factory every day solving problems and I answer all emails and messages, air freight requests, arranging meetings and sorting out all sea freight logistics as well.
Always feel free to message us guys via FB or email for any questions you may have, and I'll be sure to answer it. :-)
