Storm shipping on schedule

[Ronny Cox]

IF my bike ever shows up I am donating it to a local chap who has a few health problems, he could benefit from it. The more I hear about the Sondors product the more I realize I made a mistake. Oh well, only money. Maybe I will go to this Court picnic and he can hold a charity raffle, he can have mine. It would be an honor to donate it to a worthwhile cause, at least it can do some good to a worthy cause, if it works and lasts more than a day..

 

[PowerMe]

Tell Court to bring his along on that "Top 5 Best Cities in the World to Cycle" EBR Tour!

 

[stevenast]

IF my bike ever shows up I am donating it to a local chap who has a few health problems, he could benefit from it.

If one of those health problems is high blood pressure, a Sondors bike could make it worse!

 

[wa5]

No need to give your bike to charity Ronny, Storm already has a comprehensive portfolio of charities to which he is "gonna" donate.

 

[wa5]

Just on the whole conspiracy theory thing.. storm shipping boxes not bikes.... I just went back and reread the last update..

emailembedLinkFollowingStory Updates 41 Comments 8,775 Funders 14,661

8 days ago
Hi Sondors eBike Backers!

I wanted to check in with everyone and give you a few updates. First, production is going strong with boxes continuing to be shipped out every day.

END QUOTE...

Note well, he said BOXES not BIKES

 

[flymeaway]

Ocean Freight transit time from Shanghai to LA is 17 days. Assuming that the 1st group of containers included bikes destined for California, they should have arrived or are arriving in LA. Delivery of the 1st bikes in California should happen before July 4th....assuming the bikes did leave the port in Shanghai by the end of the 1st week in June.

Court J.

PS....hope someone gets a bike soon so we can get a report.

 

[George S.]

So you figure he would fill a container, a truck would take it to a dock, and it would be shipped... If it's 17 days something should be getting here, with the flood in Mid-July. Anyone know how long it takes to get from the dock to a container ship, generally? I bought one of those ocean freight battery packs, the LiFePo, and the CP tracker says On Route (en route?). So maybe it won't take the 3 months the seller said. (Thanks for the info, CJ).

We might know, by the end of July, if any of these value priced ebikes have much value. I hope so. Get some ebikes out there, get some volume. Crazy Len says his top seller is a $1000 EG, and it seems to be OK. People do have options other than the dicier CF campaigns.

From GoSondors site:


June 6, 2015/in Manufacturing Update, Production, Upgrades /by Go Sondors


Hi Sondors eBike Backers!

I wanted to check in with everyone and give you a few updates. First, production is going strong with boxes continuing to be shipped out every day.

We are producing bikes by color and in order of quantity and here is where we stand as of this week:

• Black/Yellow: Production is on schedule to be complete by end of next week.
• Black/Black: Production is complete on all components and bikes to start shipping in next 12-14 days.
• Yellow/Orange: Production is complete on all components and bikes to start shipping in next 22-24 days.
• Blue/Black: Production is complete on all components and bikes to start shipping in next 24-26 days.

We’ll be sharing photos throughout p

 

[wa5]

How's that "we'll be sharing photos throughout" going for them

 

[PowerMe]

So now it's a ShipStorm.

At this point, unless Storm & co. were to take a picture of every single bike being packed into a box, with a live video feed inside each box showing there's a bike inside, and then a live video feed of these boxes containing actual bikes being put into shipping containers and then a live video of each shipping container being followed on every nautical mile of the journey from China, there will still be people who insist there aren't really bikes being shipped and it's all a hoax.

 

[wa5]

Given Storms "ahem" "aversion to honest trading practices"... I think a dose of healthy scepticism and a desire to see proof of production is understandable. Storm track record makes giving him the benefit of the doubt very difficult. Were the boxes in the ONE container empty? probably not. Has that container even made it to the wharf yet, or is it still parked in Stormcos yard? How many more containers have shipped? ... Storm must know that he has a credibility issue. The best way to try and get past that is to be honest and open in his dealings.. in fact he should go further than anybody else, because of the trust issues. some pictures of the bikes going into the boxes, there are hundreds of them, it wouldn't be hard, and as somebody else suggested, A shipping number for the container, so enthusiasts can track its journey.. would I expect other campaigners to do this? No, probably not, BUT, most of them havnt had two separate cases of Fraud bought against them.

 

[pxpaulx]

So now it's a ShipStorm.

At this point, unless Storm & co. were to take a picture of every single bike being packed into a box, with a live video feed inside each box showing there's a bike inside, and then a live video feed of these boxes containing actual bikes being put into shipping containers and then a live video of each shipping container being followed on every nautical mile of the journey from China, there will still be people who insist there aren't really bikes being shipped and it's all a hoax.

Even then, he still won't be able to ship all those bikes, right!?

 

[wa5]

I really have doubts that he will meet all of his obligations.

 

[pxpaulx]

I really have doubts that he will meet all of his obligations.

I'll wait and see, this isn't an expensive bike to build, would be surprised if total cost was under $300/unit at this volume. If the ad agency doesn't get paid, would those who funded the bike really care? Nobody knows anything at this point anyway. I do think bikes should start arriving already though, kinda surprised there haven't at least been some shipping notices at this point.

 

[PowerMe]

If the ad agency doesn't get paid, would those who funded the bike really care?

I asked the same question a couple months ago and asserted that the individual funders would not care as it's not theirs to worry about and I was told 'YES YES' they will and should care.

 

[George S.]

http://www.chinaimportal.com/blog/sea-freight-shipping-from-china-guide/

This guy says it takes a while, the average crossing. There are delays at each end. The Sondo packaging is minimal.

Looking at the production vid, a very small factory.

 

[pxpaulx]

http://www.chinaimportal.com/blog/sea-freight-shipping-from-china-guide/

This guy says it takes a while, the average crossing. There are delays at each end. The Sondo packaging is minimal.

Looking at the production vid, a very small factory.

Informative article! Sounds like and end of May shipment from the factory could take between 36 and 42 days to arrive at port, add another week to unload and ship domestically most likely. I guess Sondors buyers are looking at mid-july at the earliest?

#gladiboughtaradrover...?

 

[wa5]

I don't know that funders would care whether A2.0 was paid or not. I think they should, but that doesn't mean they will. I don't like dealing with rouges. If they are prepared to stiff somebody else, they are probably prepared to rip me off too. whether that ripping off is by providing no product, a low quality product or not support, doesn't matter. once a fraud, always a fraud.

 

[wa5]

I might have to take some of that back ... (thanks for the great timing Storm )

1 hour ago
The first few containers have arrived!

We've just been notified from the freight company that the first few containers of Black Frame/Yellow Rim Sondors electric bicycles have arrived at the port! Once they've been cleared by customs they'll be delivered to UPS and then will start shipping to backers' doorsteps! UPS will be emailing tracking numbers to backers as they're processed.In the mean time, here are photos from the actual step-by-step production process:

In the mean time, here are photos from the actual step-by-step production process: CLICK HERE to go to the Sondors Blog. END

 

[wa5]

not sure that anybody has put these pictures up...

Hi Sondors eBike backers, we wanted to share the full production process with you. Here’s how the bikes were put together:


Test battery and controller connection:

Attach controller to battery box:

Attach battery box to frame:
Attach battery mount through box to frame:

Attach crank cup:

Attach back brake:Attach front brake to fork:
Attach fork and stem to frame:

Run wires and attach crank:

Put on back tire and chain:

Attach handle bars:

Adjust back chain and check tire alignment:

Test battery and wheel rotation:

Test ride:

Package:

Put in box:

Put straps on box:

Bicycle is ready for shipment!

Tags: ebike, production

 

[George S.]

I was at Walmart an hour ago, looking at the bikes outside. Most prices around $120US, but some higher and lower. The quality is OK. You know, for sure, it is not a serious bike. Very basic frames and parts and I wouldn't trust the tires for much. Kind of a speed thing. The Sondo is slow. I wonder more about the Wave, due in July, whether it is hefty enough for all the rear weight and the 28 mph top speed with the 'big' motor. The Sondors bike motor may be the last 'major' unknown. The spokes seem pretty thin.

If they started filling containers a few days before the 'production' video, maybe May 20th, the timing seems about right, 35 days. So a flood should hit over the next 3 weeks. But a few people should have a bike, on the Left Coast, by next week.

Anyway, nice job Storm. Hope you are sending 90% of the orders. When you come back, Hope Chris picks you up at the airport.