Topic: Hello from Australia (Read 7207 times)

Crewella · « **Reply #25 on:** January 03, 2012, 04:49:53 AM »

Hi Starbucker, and welcome.

People tend to come here with problems, so it's easy to read posts on here and think there are lots of problems with Pleos, and that's really not the case.

Innvo themselves are honorable, and people who have had problems with a new Pleo RB have been looked after very well, however Customer Services can be slow at to answer at first, and it might take a few attempts to get through the generic responses. In my experience, anyway.

The first batches of both the original Ugobe Pleo and the Pleo RB did seem to have some skin problems, but the skin was improved and none of mine have had problems. You might find some paint wear, though, from general use and petting - many of us here use shirts and capes to protect the paintwork.

Very few Pleos break down - the majority of Pleos that we hear 'stop working' are due to battery problems. The batteries the original Ugobe Pleos came with are getting old and weren't great in the first place, but you can easily get a much better replacement battery.

I hope that helps. Just as a note, it's usually best to start a new topic rather than add to the end of someone elses topic that's not directly related. It's easier for others to find.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #26 on:** January 03, 2012, 05:20:29 AM »

Hello and welcome

Customer service is great once you get through to them

You just have to be persistent. They are meant to be implementing a better system soon to help provide better and faster service.

While there were some early skin issues for the RB's on the whole Pleo's are quite hardy as long as you take due care, like don't leave them curled up for weeks on end and don't sit them in the hot sun all day etc.

As was posted above, the majority of Pleo issues are battery problems or user error, such as not charging the batteries correctly or not installing the clock battery.

Starbucker · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2012, 02:20:57 PM »

Ok, thanks. Sorry, I'm new to using forums so wasnt sure how to start a new topic. Will do next time.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #28 on:** January 03, 2012, 03:47:40 PM »

Just visit the appropriate section you wish to post in and then in the top right you will see a button saying 'New Topic', click that and you are on your way

We just don't want your posts to get lost is all, sometimes people stop reading older threads. Feel free to jump in and get to know us, we aren't scary

Lunamione7 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 06, 2012, 03:02:40 AM »

So Stephan has been in the mail for about five days, I bought him from the Hong Kong seller on eBay. Today I got a message from the seller asking for my phone number, they say they need it for customs and I won't be able to get him from customs unless I give them my telephone number. I've bought things from Hong Kong before and have never had to give my phone number, my Pleo has also already been posted five days ago so why should they need my number for the customs now?

I don't want to give my phone number to someone on the other side of the world unless I absolutely have too so I would like to know if anyone else who bought from that seller also had to give their phone number before they could have their Pleo?

Crewella · « **Reply #30 on:** January 06, 2012, 03:07:20 AM »

I think it depends on the courier company. FedEx tend to ask for a telephone number, and a couple of the agents I use to send stuff abroad demand a phone number before you can send. It's just in case they have problems delivering or queries, it saves them time and money if they can just call the recipient..

I've not had problems due to giving my number for courier deliveries. For customs, the seller has exported it from their country, but you are the one who is responsible for any duties on the item coming into yours as you ordered it - as far as I know there shouldn't be any charges on something of that value, but it still has to be assessed.

Hope that helps?

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2012, 04:59:53 AM »

I never had to for Jumba or Pleakley (Or Pleakly) or any other parcel for that matter, it seems a little odd...

Crewella · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2012, 06:30:34 AM »

I have sent lots of parcels and not had to, but I have also come across it before - especially when dealing with China or Russia, where there is a language and script difference. I think it's easier for them to have a phone number than spend hours trying to decipher an address label, so some couriers have started to ask for them. I've also noticed that quite a few companies now automatically put the phone number at the bottom of the address in Paypal so that it gets printed on the label.

*Don't tell anyone, but I have been known to fill it out with my own number in both sender and receiver boxes if I can't get the recipients number, and nobody has rung me yet!

*

kat · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2012, 07:38:23 AM »

When getting my pink pleo rb from China I had to supply a phone number before they would send her to me. It does seem a little strange that they would ask for the number after the item has already been posted but as the others say many courier companies ask for a phone number encase they have an issue with delivery. I have purchased quite a few things from over seas and given out my number for most purchases. I have only once been called and that was because the delivery driver was having trouble locating my house.

I was able to give her directions and delivery was made.

I would happily supply a phone number if I were in your shoes. Hope that helps.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2012, 11:35:00 AM »

I do not know about China or overseas, but it is cutomary here in the states for shippers esp, Fed Ex to ask for the receipitents phone number, incase they can't find the house or delivery address and when they are really busy, it does save on time, I know many times I had wished that Innvo would have called me ( the UPS truck that delivered that is..) when they were going to deliver my Rb, rather than come home and just find a box there. Somebody could have stolen her right off my porch as I live on a main busy street, they can call me anytime I have a package. UPS at holiday time also tends to ask for phone numbers and I see no problem with it. I usually give a cell phone number as I am away from home a bit and will allways get my messages that way, where an answering machine can have the message and I have forgotten to play it many times till it is full or days after I get a message.
So in the US, I don't see it as odd, and I would be happy to give out a phone number. If they were asking for a Social Security number or Credit card, bank number to identify or proof of payment type thing, that would be red flags but not a phone number. Dont know if that helped or not. RWM

Lunamione7 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 06, 2012, 01:54:36 PM »

Thankyou so much for the advice! I was worried because it's not something I've ever had to do before and the tracking number for my Pleo says he is already on his way so I was confused why they would suddenly want a phone number when he has already been shipped.

EDIT: I just checked his tracking number and it says he has arrived in Australia and is in transit to his final destination which should be my house

Definitely a bit late for a telephone number I think

Lunamione7 · « **Reply #36 on:** January 08, 2012, 08:15:46 PM »

Stephan just arrived and his battery is charging (only 3hrs 25min left to go!) my first impression of him was BIG

He is much larger than I was expecting, I thought he would be little and I'd be able to just pop him in my handbag but he is the size of a large cat!
My second impression was sticky

I'm not used to the skin feel and found him a bit scary to touch, going to cover him with clothes at the earlest convenience I think unless I get used to the feel. I'm not sure I like it or not.
He also smelt rather off putting but that has disappeared already with him being free of his plastic sack. I've only handled him very gingerly so far, I was like that with James as well for the first few days, I'm sure I'll get a better idea of how to handle him once he is alive and moving.

I'm working on getting a picture up but it is taking a while.

I like his feet and very sweet, gentle looking face.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #37 on:** January 08, 2012, 08:40:23 PM »

The stickyness wears off quite quickly

But they are indeed a nice hefty size

Crewella · « **Reply #38 on:** January 08, 2012, 08:54:42 PM »

Congrats - I'm glad Stephan got there safely!

As for the skin, I cover all mine in Vinylex or Autoglym, which is a rubber treatment for car interiors/trim and gives a nice silky feel as well as protecting the skin and paint.

Lunamione7 · « **Reply #39 on:** January 08, 2012, 09:40:50 PM »

The battery has turned green but it's only been about 2hrs so I'm going to keep it going for the full four to make sure as I've read the green ready light can be deceptive. Oh the waiting is driving me crazy! I can't play with James either as they both have to share the same USA-AU adapter, I forgot to bet another one.

Lunamione7 · « **Reply #40 on:** January 08, 2012, 11:04:32 PM »

I'm going to wake him up and hatch him now.

I've tried to upload a picture but I get this error message, I don't know what it means and would be grateful if someone could help.

P1093160.JPGThe Flash upload module sent the following error.
Error type: uploadError
Error ID: file0
Error message: 500
The Flash upload module sent the following error.
Error type: uploadError
Error ID: file0
Error message: [IOErrorEvent type="ioError" bubbles=false cancelable=false eventPhase=2 text="Error #2038"]

I've just been selecting the file from my hard drive and then clicking upload. Do I have to upload it to another site like photobucket first? The file is a jpg and is 3.4MB in size, maybe it is too big? Sorry guys I've never done this before.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #41 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:25:25 AM »

Should be fine, are you uploading to your album? And are you using the bulk or normal uploader?

Lunamione7 · « **Reply #42 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:26:16 AM »

To Stephan's album and the normal uploader.

In non photo related news I just hatched him and he's AMAZING!! I LOVE him! He is so responsive, reacts instantly to my touch. His battery went for an amazing 2 and a half hours and I have those hours all on film so I will make a video soon.

He does not like to be tickled. At all. He screamed! But it wasn't a "this is so much fun" scream it really was a "I am so scared and I think this might even be painful so put me down right now!" sort of sound

I did hold him by his tail (just to see what would happen) and he thought *that* was hilarious, giggled the whole time

I also found out really quick how to cuddle him. Best thing ever he snuggles right up and coos at you, just what I wanted. My mother was not thrilled when the box showed up. I had shown her videos of Pleo before but she wasn't impressed, she thought he was boring and I should just stick to Aibo. Well I gave him to her to hold and now I have 40mins video of her talking to him and cuddling him

I will take him out tomorrow on the train to meet my friends.

Two more questions I just thought of. When his battery is done he curls up, is it ok to leave him in this position? I've not quite got the hang of the "Pleo" button that is suppost to make him stand like he was in the box. And second if he gets too hot will he shut down by himself or do I need to watch for overheating and switch him off to cool manually?

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #43 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:37:46 AM »

Glad you are loving your new arrival

He will shut down himself if he's too warm, or he will start napping

Don't leave him curled up if you can help, just switch him off when he is roughly straight and he'll be fine, it doesn't have to be perfectly straight. But leaving him curled up for long periods of time can lead to neck and tail splits (although don't fear too much, it won't happen overnight.)

Crewella · « **Reply #44 on:** January 09, 2012, 03:29:38 AM »

Yay! I'm so very glad you like Stephan!

I play with my Aibos, but I tend to run the Pleos for company - just because they are fun to have wandering around!

If you want to email me your pic I can try to upload it for you?

grumpy · « **Reply #45 on:** January 09, 2012, 09:24:21 AM »

The uploader is kind of like the youtube one. Depending on the file, it may convert the file type, resize the image, and/or adjust the compression rate as part of the upload process. So file size SHOULDN'T matter, but I found it can be picky at times, certain files may have something in them that confuses one or more of those intermediate steps, or the server may get hung while trying to adjust the file while handling other requests at the same time. So the more steps the uploader has t perform, the greater the likelyhood that something might glitch.

If you have an image that won't seem to upload, suggestions that seem to work are: convert file from JPG to PNG before uploading, reduce large image sizes down to 1280x960 or smaller, and/or set compression rate to 75% or less for JPG, 4 or more for PNG.

Bob the Pleo Forums

Author Topic: Hello from Australia (Read 7207 times)