Impatience; or, "How I wound up ordering a Piel Frama Case."

I ordered a black leather one from them myself, I placed the order on 10/15.
On 10/17 I sent them an email and changed my order to an Ostrich skin one.
I was told it should ship in 10 days - still waiting for a confirmation of shipping as of 10/26.
Hopefully it will ship/arrive next week - I am getting pretty anxious to get this one...

I brainwashed myself into thinking it was $60, but that's Euros! It's actually about $86...a chunk of change for a case. I really like it, I just wish there were something as good and less expensive.

Yep - not cheap but I hope the quality will be worth it.
(Don't even ask what the Ostrich is going to cost me... :eek: )

Here's why they use Ostrich: when you get the credit card bill, you want to hide your head in the sand!

:D :D
Ain't that the truth.

I just got an email from them - it will probably ship next week....
I will try to post a pic when I receive it.

Oooh! They take Paypal and I have a PP balance. Everyone knows that's not real money, right?! Sold!

BTW, what IS cowskin/crocodile or cowskin/ostrich? Are they doing some weird animal husbandry experiments in Spain?

It would not a pretty sight to see a croc mating with a cow..... or an ostrich and a cow for that matter.

I think they should have said Ostrich Skin AND Cow Leather - a more accurate description.

I brainwashed myself into thinking it was $60, but that's Euros! It's actually about $86...a chunk of change for a case. I really like it, I just wish there were something as good and less expensive.

i got the DLO Hipcase at Best Buy for $29.99. I'm very happy with it. I can't imagine any similar case being worth $86.

http://www.amazon.com/DLO-HipCase-Leather-Folio-Touch/dp/B000WOIFO2/ref=sr_1_5/104-1790889-4099159?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193425210&sr=8-5

Cow inside, other animals outside? That's what it looks like.

That's what I am seeing as well..

Vectran, I'm really sounding like a shill on this site (which I'm not) but check out the leather cases on www.fortte.com. They're 30 bucks and you can get them either side or top opening. Not quite PF in quality, but the one I have for my Treo has worked and lasted really well.

Granted, any case you buy at Bestbuy is not of the same caliber as these Piel Frama appear to be. I just can't see spending that much on an Ipod case. I have bought custom made gun holsters for less money. Maybe it takes more hand-crafting though.

Thanks for the link. I am just a bit concerned about the lack of protection on the corners...
Maybe I am too fussy :-p

I think I am probably going to get a Marware Sportsuit, its not quite leather, but it should protect 'my precious'.
http://www.marware.com/PRODUCTS/iPhone-Products/Sportsuit-Sleeve-for-iPhone

Granted, any case you buy at Bestbuy is not of the same caliber as these Piel Frama appear to be. I just can't see spending that much on an Ipod case. I have bought custom made gun holsters for less money. Maybe it takes more hand-crafting though.

I also don't think comparing HQ cases like these to gun holsters is necessarily a fair analogy to make.

If you've ever held a Vaja case in your hands, you know the kind of quality they are and that it's far more than just a small leather case. I'm hoping the same will be true of PF.

:)

RJT, this is interesting. I just got an email saying the black case (which I'd ordered) is out of stock and a new batch being made now. I guess you must have gotten one of the last ones! She said craftsmen are busy with needle and thread right now.

Lol, looks like I got lucky. Did you get that email from Angelica?

In any event, I hope it's not going to take them too long to make more. :)

Yes, Angelica wrote. Said they'd send one out within 10 days. No prob.

I saw someone mentioned on another thread this guy before
http://cgi.ebay.com/Piel-Frama-Black-Leather-Case-for-Apple-iPod-Touch_W0QQitemZ300160610345QQihZ020QQcategoryZ1503 6QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
itsreally good price but do you think hes trust able?

Yeah, I posted that and after dealing with the fellow I'd feel pretty confident in saying it's a very, very sketchy situation and I wouldn't recommend you or anyone else buy from there.

Essentially it seems as though he's claiming (though I have no reason to believe he's lying) he has a "deal" or something with Piel Frama where he gets them at a wholesale price, but the email he sent me in response to questions regarding when it would ship led me to believe it was a situation where:

1. You pay him.
2. He orders case.
3. They ship the case to him.
4. He ships it to you.

And there was no guarantee he'd get it out within three weeks - that was just his "approximation."

I wish I hadn't deleted the email, I'd post it up here. But needless to say, I'd recommend not doing business with "cellsuperauctions" on eBay. Just seems dicey.

Also, it took him what I would consider a bit too much time to communicate. Ordering direct from Piel Frama, I've gotten email response turnaround time of about 12 hours, max. Took him about 5 days to answer some really, really basic questions.

So there's my $0.02 on that situation.

In summary: Buyer beware.

What about this? http://www.mobileplanet.com/p.aspx?i=158008

I agree again. It's not worth the risks for the little you might save.

You'd probably have to pay more for a Vaja.

yeah i geuss.. but i like the look/feel of vaja but any other suggestions?

I also like the look and feel of Vaja, which is why I ordered from PF - because of all the reviews read, pretty much all of them say they feel exactly the same, if not of higher quality, than the Vaja cases.

I haven't found anything other than PF that compares to Vaja, and as I said - I got so tired of effectively not even using my Touch that I'd rather try a new company than wait for Vaja.

RJT, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've never owned a Vaja, but you've bought the only high-end case that offers any real protection. The only alternative would be an unannounced, future Vaja that's a REAL case. (I bet Vaja is losing a lot of sales to PF right now.)

I definitely feel confident in my purchase, the only thing I'm really, really waiting to see is just how much actual bulk it adds to the machine. I'm obviously expecting some, but if I can still get it comfortably in my pocket, I'll be thrilled.

What kind of pocket? Shirt, pants, coat, etc? How snug is the fit w/o case?

Pants pocket probably. It fits fine without any case, but obviously that's a bit of a damage risk.

Welp, should be all good then since I'm not "Mr. Tight Pants" :p

I don't know that I've ever before read something so wise on the internet-tubes.

Bless your cotton socks, powerdog. http://ampprod.com/forum/Smileys/default/smileylaugh.gif

Just got an email from Angelica - looks like my Ostrich Skin one is on the way :D
11 Business Days to make and ship.

I haven't gotten my shipping email yet, but will post once I do and then once it arrives to see how my speed compares to miacasellas :)

My hard work has failed. I've ordered the crocodile one. :D

Ed.

UPS Tracking says it will be here tomorrow - Monday 11/5/07 - :D
I will post my comments and some pics in the next couple of days.

M, do they automatically send tracking info when it ships?

Congrats ED - nice one.

Let us know when it arrives and how you like it..

Will do! I'll post some pics as well, if people are interested in seeing them.

I'll have to tell my other half it's imitation or something. I don't think I've been forgiven for the impulse purchase of the Touch yet. :D

Ed.

My Piel Frama Ostrich case arrived today :D ;) :D ;)

All I can say is WOW - it is beautiful.
Outstanding quality materials and workmanship - well worth the Big $$$

It includes a wrench to remove the Belt Clip Stud, extra inserts to plug the Belt Clip Stud hole , bottle for screen cleaner and a little cleaning cloth.

All cutouts for sync cable, earphones, home button and on/off switch align perfectly.

The only thing I would ding them on is there is not a cutout to expose the light sensor at the top left of the Touch - no big deal for me.

I am very happy with it !!!

http://www.fototime.com/852ABA4D2F08000/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/9AF9296FE646A84/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/77BD9D0CE2692A5/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/83AE1D80D0817DA/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/CF57CA7C962E099/standard.jpg

Awesome, Mia! A few questions:

1. How much bulk does it add?

2. Does the leather fit snugly, or is it a bit loose on there?

3. The magnetic closure; what's your opinion on it?

4. Access to the touch screen, is it easy and full?

Thanks for posting up some pics - looks gorgeous, and I'm glad to see you're initial response is to be happy. Can't wait for mine to get here. :)

1. Nice and slim - not much bulk at all.
2. Very nice fit - not too tight or too loose.
3. I like the magnetic closure a lot - works very well and it is secure.
4. Full and easy access to the screen.

I hope you will like yours as much as I like mine.....

Mike

the magnets look like they stick out alot. Do they push on the area of the iPod below them at all?

the magnets look like they stick out alot. Do they push on the area of the iPod below them at all?

The magnets protrude a little bit - no much however, and the case maintains a nice slim profile when closed.
I can barely feel them between the bottom of the leather and the surface of the iPod - the magnets are very thin in that section - they may even be small metal disks with the actual magnets in the folding flap.

Hey mlacasella would you mind taking some more photos of it? I just ordered a case yesterday, partially due to this thread too lol, and I would love to see some more pics of it. I also had one question about the case as well. Is it comfortable using the ipod touch horizontally while in the case? Anyways thanks a lot for the help.

Hey mlacasella would you mind taking some more photos of it? I just ordered a case yesterday, partially due to this thread too lol, and I would love to see some more pics of it. I also had one question about the case as well. Is it comfortable using the ipod touch horizontally while in the case? Anyways thanks a lot for the help.

007snake,

Forgot to answer your question.
I find it comfortable to use with the case on on the horizontal position. But that doesn't mean everyone will, I certainly find the Touch easier to hold in any postion with a case on it - more friction and more to hang on to.

Mike

Wow! It really does look amazing. Thanks so much for all the help man.

My pleasure - glad I could help.

Thanks for all the pics Mia - I can't wait to get mine now (still waiting for it to ship, but it should get out soon).

The inside of the case is leather lined so no part of the Clip Stud or Insert contacts the back of the case.
See my post of 11/05 on the previous page - Pic number 3 shows the inside of the case.

Whoops must've missed that pic. :o

Thanks for the info! Only thing that is holding me back from buying this case (other than the $$$$) is the lack of an opening for the ambient light sensor. How well does the light sensor work while in the case?

Oooh nice find mlacasella. I never heard of the web site, do you think it is legit?

You might wait a long while. PF can't even keep up with its full price orders right now. I'd make sure cases.com doesn't charge the credit card until it ships.