とうとうキャンセルされてしまいました。”Audiotroll” 数ヶ月前からElkのラインナップからは外れていたし、製品化はもうないだろうと放置していました。製造元の製造元のGESのサイトを見ると、手にしている手にしている人もいるような書き込みもありましたが、ようわかりません、、この会社。Eｌｋからメールは以下の通りです。
Elkparts
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Order Number: 23337
Detailed Invoice:
Date Ordered: Monday 22 January, 2007
GES Trollpod / Audiotroll - AN UPDATE
Long time customers of Elkparts will be familiar with our quest to seek out the most interesting and innovative of products that builds the Elkparts online offering into something like no other.
Some 18 months ago, at the beginning of August 2006, we were amongst the first to place orders for Granite embedded Systems' (GES) TrollPod (latterly Audiotroll) for connecting your Ipod to your Saab. We committed our own money depite the knowledge that the product was still in development.
Some 14 months ago, in January 2007, we were advised that the product was ready and would start shipping - we were advised that deliveries would be made to us within two weeks. Excited at the prospect of a product that we were sure our customers would embrace, we announced that we would commence taking pre-orders (but NOT taking any money at this stage) for the TrollPod/Audiotroll product.
We were inundated with orders.
Nothing arrived.
Our customers were excited by the prospect of what the Trollpod/Audiotroll had to offer and soon we were fielding all sorts of questions on specification and availability. No product was forthcoming from GES and no support or information was forthcoming either.
Over the following months, we put in occasional requests for updates - on each occasion we were advised that our products were due to ship that very week. Nothing ever arrived.
It was scheduled for the owner of GES to meet us in Sweden in June 2007, and for him to bring our products with him, but he cancelled only after we had arrived in Sweden.
Further communications over subsequent months were largely ignored, but when we did receive responses they blamed everyone except GES. We noted that the GES forums were becoming full of people anxious that products they had paid for had not arrived.
Indeed, some had received products - but they did not work and threw problems like illuminating the SRS (Supplementary Restraint System) light. This means that they were causing a problem that triggered the airbag warning light meaning that your airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision - this has serious safety implications.
Furthermore, we noted that the people who had received (faulty products had ordered them many months after Elkparts had committed money to GES. Subsequent requests for product were ignored or stalled and it became apparent that GES was unwilling to fulfil the order obligation with faulty products.
We asked for our money back. These requests were either ignored or met with responses blaming the GES supply chain ...some 15 months after we had paid our money.
Early this year, we succeeded in obtaining a refund of our monies on the basis that we would be willing to promote the GES Trollpod/Audiotroll once we had received a properly working example. By this time Elkparts had hundreds of pre-orders for the GES Trollpod/Audiotroll product that we were waiting to place with GES.
Yesterday we learned of a unilateral statement on the GES website, a statement on which we were not consulted, a statement on which GES did not even have the professionalism to advise us of. This statement states that Elkparts is no longer a representative for GES and makes an false allegation that we have taken money from our customers.
We reiterate: we have NOT taken any monies in respect of the GES Trollpod/Audiotroll product at any time. All customers who have placed such orders have not paid any money to Elkparts whilst we can not deliver this product. Only Granite embedded Systems (GES) has been taking customers' money in advance without any prospect of product being shipped.)
Here at Elkparts we are keen to champion excellent products, interesting products and even to champion the underdog where we believe that it is merited.
It is with deep regret that we must inform our customers that we are unable to supply the GES Trollpod/Audiotroll product. We are extremely disappointed that GES has been unable to show any professionalism or business aptitude to either Elkparts or its overseas customers.
Any customers that wish to obtain this product may do so directly from GES, but please do not do so without first viewing the GES forums to read the experiences of other GES customers who have not seen their money or products for anything up to a year and a half.
Elkparts is not willing to retail a product that is unproven, displays many faults and risks the triggering of your airbag warning light on your Saab. Elkparts is not willing to retail any products that may be subject to a claim on our product liability insurance, therefore we urge you to check that any product that you purchase is backed by the supplier's or the manufacturer's own product liability insurance.
The last thing that we wish for if for you to purchase a product that compromises the safety of your Saab, yourself and your passengers, regardless of whom you purchase that product from.
If you are still looking for a product that allows you to listen to your Ipod in your Saab, we have installed the following products in our Saabs:
1. Dension ICElink>FM - available from many retailers - just Google for Dension ICElink
2. IPOD-RDS - available from Elkparts:
http://www.elkparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/3403
The IPOD-RDS has the additional feature of being able to display artist, title and track information on the SID display in your Saab, and this product is able to be fitted to all RDS-equipped radios in all Saab models be they Saab radios or aftermarket radios - giving you greater flexibility.
Once again, Elkparts regrets that it has been unable to fulfil orders that our customers have placed with us. We do not like being let down by our suppliers as it only lets down our customers.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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In respect of this pre-order that you have placed with us, we are very sorry for being unable to fulfil this order and it is with regret that we have cancelled your order requirement for the TROLLPOD/AUDIOTROLL only. We can assure you that your card has NOT been charged by Elkparts for this product that we have been unable to supply.
If you wish to order an IPOD-RDS instead, you may do so at: http://www.elkparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/3403 ensuring that your credit card details are up to date.
Your order has been updated to the following status.
New status: Order Cancelled
Please reply to this email if you have any questions.
とまあ、メチャメチャ長文で来た訳です（笑）。欲しいならGESから直接買いなさいって事ですが、製品的に問題がたくさんあるみたいですね。彼らが薦めるようにIPOD-RDS にしようかな。ヤスヤスさん、、レポート楽しみにしてます。それともいっそのことヘッドの交換ですかねぇ・・・
