Mon Jun 3 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Mon, Jun 03, 2019 at 09:01:24 PM
Hey guys :-)
Exact Shipping/Departure Dates for WAU SEA
All WAUs is estimated to leave from the 12th to 23rd of June (also including the returned container from the US). Please read till the end of the update to fully understand the estimated shipment schedule. The current schedule was given by our supplier.
Exact Shipping/Departure Dates for WAU AIR
Please keep an eye out for tracking code from this Thursday onward.
Delivery Time
Delivery time will be anywhere from only 10 days for WAU Air and just over 30 days for WAU Sea.
QC Panel of Current Issues
As you guys are aware we are waiting for panels from our supplier to finish the last step before shipping. When the supplier delivers the correct panels, they get sent to painting and fitted immediately to the 90% assembled WAU bikes on the assembly line.
2 weeks ago, panels were delivered with a defect causing a 2mm gap on the seal. This was immediately sent back to the supplier to fix, and they have given us 2 days lead time, but on the second day, they delayed it for another week.
The panels were finally done and shipped to the painting factory, where we then encountered more issues. Due to some internal disagreement about tight deadlines with our previous paint factory/supplier, in a short space of time, we have sourced a new paint supplier.
This new supplier is not familiar with painting our panels due to the large surface areas and various drying times, which have further caused more issues. The painting process carried out was a little rushed, the paint has pooled and covered some of the detailing on the new plastic panels. Because of this, we need to spend more time to strip all the paint off and respray each panel. Again pushing our deadline even further.
Here Is The Ugly Truth
Each time a delivery date/deadline was given to us, it was given directly from the suppliers. But we quickly learnt that due to WAU being a very small size company on their customer list, our suppliers would prioritise their much larger customer companies like Toyota, Mazda etc.
There have been multiple times, and confrontational discussion on how disrespectful they have been to our company and this is not the way business is done. However, due to cultural differences, it is always difficult to reach a mutual agreement. Even if that agreement is met, they can always go back on their words, and that is the main highlight of the business cultural difference in the west to east.
When promises are broken, set dates are missed and as a result, causing a knock-on effect to the delivery date. And we feel so deflated and upset because we deeply want to deliver all these bikes to you guys, which is why we try very hard, sitting next to those workers and force them to work. Tony and Linas fall asleep on the factory floor chair watching them, the time and effort we have endured to constantly push them are unimaginable.
We held this back from you guys before because we are truly embarrassed to be working with some of our key suppliers. The quality they are capable of is truly great, but as much as we have respect for them, in the suppliers' eyes whoever has the most money in their pockets always gets complete priority leaving us in the dust scrambling for survival.
Us three have devoted our lives to WAU, and we are very determined to delivery all these WAU bikes to you guys. We completely understand your frustrations in waiting for your sexy bike and it never gets delivered, and nowadays next day delivery is standard. Please have faith in us, we are trying our absolute best to get through the final hurdle, and we sincerely believe you guys will be truly blown away when you receive it.
Additionally, we know we have been very late at replying to your messages, however, please do not think we are ignoring you guys. We have to speak to suppliers and work with them every day (essentially forcing them to work) so we can get through this phase faster.
A great man once said - "to make a truly great product is by far one of the hardest things to do on this planet".
Believe in us, a little faith goes a very long way.
BIG LOVE
WAU Team
Mon May 20 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Mon, May 20, 2019 at 01:26:34 PM
It is currently 4.20am and now coming back from the factory. We have finally received the latest update from the US Customs, digested all the new information and now writing to you guys to keep you fully up to date on the craziness on our side.
US Customs Update
We have finally managed to push like crazy and get straight answers directly from the US Customs source this week. They have informed us that due to our brand new product/electric vehicle, the new technology that we made and packaged into our computer units which in their eyes includes hazardous materials such as the unusually large quantities of lithium within the C3 WAU Power packs, (in most cases more than 5 to 6 times more than any generic e-bike) has caused big draw of all their attention.
They updated us that recently they have had electric vehicle US import cases like this before and they always strictly monitor their import control procedures. Especially in some cases with brand new powerful electric goods, they pay extremely close attention. After receiving this news we immediately wanted to know what exactly can we do about this and fix it right away. The customs agents then told us that due to this elongated process, we are personally facing high fines and local storage fees until all the paperwork is completely up to date. All fines must be paid, paperwork resolved and systemized for them to give WAU the full green light of import to US soil.
Solution
We all had a team meeting today and looking closely so many extra costs mounting up such as redesigning, full manufacturing and safety testing we simply cannot afford any more additional US fines or prolonged high-cost whole container storage. Which leaves us the only good solution to put this right, which is to load the container back onto the next prompt ship to Shanghai and fix/reissue the paperwork and send it right back by fast track back to the US soil.
Learning Curve
We are of course greatly disappointed by their news to us and even further overcharged driving us even deeper into debt. But looking at the bigger scale, we have very quickly learned from this US unusual trade sensitivity and picked up all the tricks of the trade that we need to successfully clear customs for all WAU containers that are being sent out this month to all US, EU and smaller destinations. As I am writing this update Crystal is currently accordingly readjusting the rest of all the paperwork to prevent any customs delays ever happening again for the next 5 WAU containers. Greenlight is the only option at customs from now on as we are working very quickly to remove every obstacle customs has placed on us.
At NO Cost
We will, of course, cover the full cost of additional shipment both ways. No backers will be charged any extra cost at all, everything remains as normal and covered on the house. To also show our best gesture of goodwill further, we will try our absolute best to use the final capital we have left to manufacturer a slight surplus of WAU to give us the chance to send it to you guys without needing to wait for the express US shipment to come back to us.
Quality Control
In the assembly line, the last panel to go on is this
However, we have received our latest batch of 150 hardened plastic panels all the way from the manufacturing supplier (1000 kilometres away from our final assembly line) and our assembly engineers quickly realised that the gap for the second, third, fourth and fifth round of WAUs is not closing properly and is simply not forming a perfect seal.
As we promised you guys incredible quality from the beginning of the campaign we have to stick to our word and work our asses completely off to fix every small detail likes this before shipping everything to you. Good news is that we again pushed like crazy the factory to deliver brand new fixed panels this week, which puts us right on track to fit the new reinforced panels and repackage all WAUs to be packed on the containers ready for the seaport all within this month.
Shipping Dates
+++ estimated arrival time for SEA freight remain the same. Air freight will start to receive tracking codes from this week to the end of next week.
Unboxing Video
By the way, as you can imagine with 3 of us working on import as crazy as this leaves virtually no time to do the editing, we are pushing as much as we can and the official Unboxing Video is now going through the last few parts of re-editing by Crystal and will be posted shortly a little later this week.
P.S These are the behind the scenes images from everyday gruelling work
...sometimes even skipping whole nights of sleep altogether to get more work done and getting only half an hour naps in the suppliers offices or taxi on the way there
...and even taking the 1000 km train & coach back to the toolmaker again to check and push them again and again and again to perform
Have Strong Faith
After assessing the entire process we have now gone through without a single day off in more than a year, we can clearly see that we are in all honestly on the last 2% of the round and we will do EVERYTHING in our power and more to get this done and delivered!
Stay tuned because things can only get BETTER from here for the upcoming Summer!!!
This Summer = WAU SUMMER
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BIG BIG BIG Love Guys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Linas, Crystal, Tony and WAU Team
Mon May 6 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago
– Mon, May 06, 2019 at 09:47:05 AM
Hey Awesome Backers! :-)
First WAU US Sea Shipment
We wanted to update you about the overall progress and the last steps taken to get all first WAUs to you guys in America. The whole WAU container will be successfully reaching California, Los Angeles port on the 9th of May! :-)
We have been updated earlier today (Monday morning Shanghai time). Los Angeles seaport safety staff/customs team due to their strict import policies our container will be pulled aside for additional safety checks due to the high volume of unusually large-sized lithium battery packs (WAU C3 cells, there are quite a lot of you guys ordered 200 miles range in that container). We are literally packing too much power in the container for Los Angeles.
We are currently waiting for customs staff check update when the container reach the port , confirm the tax and duty payment and the full green light for clearance. and last mile delivery all over America! <3
We did ask them personally what would be the normal process and customs team have given us 2 ways:
a/ They carry out all the checks they need and give a green light after all tax and duty have been paid.
b/ They would request us to split the delivery and send the battery pack separately from the WAU bike itself.
HOWEVER, we always guarantee you guys will never be charged extra for any crazy logistics, trade war, or clearance fees. It is our first time making our shipments so a little delay at customs is understandable, but we are EXTREMELY determined to push through and we will push until all paths for WAU are open and every backer receives their own WAU bike.
If any extra costs do come from delivery separation (battery shipping separately than the WAU bike) we will personally take the hit and cover anything extra on the house for you guys.
First WAU Air Shipment
The first round of WAUs has already left Shanghai and has landed in California. It is currently making its way to backers already. We have requested one of our US backers to record their ride and experience with their new WAU Bike, the footage will be released as soon as they forward it to us :)
Finishing Assembly Touches
The amazing colour coats are done, all tech packed, software updated and sexy packing boxes are all delivered to the final stage factory, all shipment was scheduled to leave this week however due to some bikes have failed QC, we have stopped shipment, currently triple-checking all WAU Bikes and waiting for additional parts to fix those key issues before packaging them.
We are super happy because now the only thing standing in between you and your sexy new WAU bike is the QC. We will keep everybody updated with the progress, our team are fully aware of the urgency and we are working full speed ahead.
Behind the Scene
Here is a quick behind the scene video of the footage we shot but have not had time to show you guys. All tools together weight over 8 tonnes. We have put every hour of the day into production to make sure every part of your WAU bike is perfect. You guys backed this project because you loved the way WAU bike looks, it's unique, the functionality is great and it has interactive sexy Superlights at the back. Innovation takes time to achieve, and we are super happy you guys are part of this amazing journey. We are not only building an electric bike, but we are also building our brand, our journey does not stop here.
Estimate Time of Arrival (ETA)
Please note, all backers that have purchased via Indiegogo will be shipped under the following schedule:
WAU next Sea shipment will reach the US port at/around - 22nd JUNE
WAU next Sea shipment will reach the EU port at/around - 29th JUNE (because EU takes longer to ship)
WAU Air shipment will reach the US (No custom delay) at/ around - 25th MAY
WAU Air shipment will reach the EU (No custom delay) at/around -26th MAY
Please note, all WAU batteries casing (within the WAU box) will be WHITE. However, the outer casing of the WAU box will be your selected colour, Cheery Pop Red, Matte Black, Matte Army Green, or Deep Ocean Blue. We picked white because it is the cleanest and easiest for those who wish to design and paint their own WAU battery pack to any colour and pattern they want.
WAU Manual
All WAU manual will be provided in PDF format, this includes assembly of your WAU bike, display and controls, battery maintenance. This will be sent out via email and you guys can also download it from our website. In addition, Linas and Tony will provide video format for those that are not familiar in setting up your WAU bike. Please do not worry if you have not received your manual yet, this will be sent out incrementally by next week
UNBOXING VIDEO "Under Construction"
We have got the footage for the unboxing video, however, our full team is required at the manufacturer and assembly, we need some time to edit the footage before posting it, this will be on our next update.
GPS & APP "Under Construction"
We will be recording on how to activate and use the GPS features. We will walk you through from downloading the app, creating your own login (which is the IMEI number behind your GPS for login. Each GPS is unique). We are currently fixing some bugs on vibration alarm (this alarm sends you a notification if your bike was moved and it was not you). As soon as we hear back from the supplier, we will shoot this video immediately with no further delay.
We understand we are slightly late for shipment but hang in there guys. We are all here with you every step of the way.
Stay tuned for the next update guys.
BIG LOVE
Linas, Crystal, Tony and WAU Team
