Triple A-Pillar Guage Pods for auto-retracting seatbelts

[Ogimoj]

Sorry for the long time since last update. Really, not a lot to say at this point. I've sent the mock-up back to Lo-Tek, and now its a matter of waiting for them to get to this project. I'll have more info when it comes availabe.<p>P.S. Sorry I didn't send out an e-mail for this update to everyone... I recently switched to Linux and haven't had the time to look into getting my address book over to it yet.

[Ogimoj]

I just wanted to post something so that people know I'm still here. Unfortunately, still no new news. It should be pretty close to being our turn for production. I've tried calling a couple times to find out exactly, but I'm still waiting for a call back.
Maybe they're too busy making gauge pods to answer the phone? I hope so

[Ogimoj]

I finally got through to Lo-Tek. It seems they are in the process of moving their warehouse, and thus the delays in communication. I guess this has delayed their start of our pillars, too (they're a small operation), but at least we're not behind schedule (since they told us late Feb. or early March for delivery.) They weren't able to tell me if we're next on the list for production (there were 5 or 6 projects before us), since their files are in a box right now.
That's all I have for now. Stay tuned.

[Ogimoj]

Ok... Finally got some info back from Lo-Tek. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot to report:
We are number 2 on the list, which supposedly means within a month. They're blaming the delay on the extreme weather they've had in their area.
I'm just as anxious as everybody to get my pillars, but I'm in the same boat as all of you... stuck waiting. I'm hoping that they keep to their word of 1 month. (They originally told us late Feb. or Mar, so they're not all that far behind, I suppose)
That's all I've got right now....

[Ogimoj]

Well, as of about a month ago, they told me they'd be shipping in about a month - which means now. I've tried calling a couple of times this week, but have only left messages. If they've been doing what they said they were going to do and if they stop making the excuses, then we should expect the pillars any time now. Of course, I can't say that officially until I hear it from them, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Sorry for the lack of communications. I travel for work, but it looks like I have a couple of weeks at home, so I can concentrate on bugging them if they aren't already ready...

[Ogimoj]

All paid members of this group buy should have received an e-mail from me asking for verification of quantity, color, and shipping address. If you feel that you should have gotten this e-mail (ie. you paid), but didn't, please e-mail me right away at: the.ogimoj@verizon.net If you did get the e-mail, but there's wrong info on it, then obviously you need to drop me a note, too.<p>I did finally get ahold of somebody at Lo-Tek, but he says that he needs to get back to me. Since moving their production facilities to a new area (separate from the office), it seems like they never know what's going on when I call. I have confirmed that they recieved everybody's shipping address and other pertinent info, though. (I had to re-send it, since they're unable to open a .pdf or Word .doc, though. (?!?!))<p>They had originally told us late Feb./early Mar. When I called in early Mar, they said about 1 month. It's now been a month point 5, so I would expect their mold has been made and they're ready for production (is this too much to ask?), but I won't know officially until they call me back.<p>Sorry... just had to rant a bit. I did mention that we're getting a bit anxious to get the items that we have already paid for, but he says that they're behind because they've been having problems with molds cracking (in general - not necessarily our mold)<p>In summary, I can't say that our gauge pods are or are not ready - just that they should be, and I'll let everybody know what's up as soon as I do.<p>[ April 14, 2003: Message edited by: Ogimoj ]</p>

[Ogimoj]

Just got word from Lo-Tek:
The mold has been made. It needs to be finish sanded and sent to the Vacuum-Form shop. The final sanding is to be done this weekend and shipping to the vacuum formers will happen early next week. Typical turn-around time from the vacuum-form shop is two weeks. So, it looks like we're looking at 3 weeks, at least for final product.
(at least they've made some progress)

[Ogimoj]

I have given LoTek the time that they said it would take to get the pods completed. I called today to get an update of the status of the project and here is what I found out:
The parts have been made (by the vacuum forming shop) and have been shipped back to LoTek for final production (painting, drilling, etc.) They are due to arrive at LoTek tomorrow (5/16). LoTek intends to begin shipping the completed units by the middle-end of next week, so they should start arriving by the end of next week. The people that ordered the unpainted black pods will likely recieve theirs first, since they don't need to be painted. Only a couple of people had unpainted ones.<p>So, it looks like this group buy is (finally!) coming to an end. There will be a small amount of cutting required to install these (as I noted before). If anybody needs help with installation, I will come up with a brief "tutorial" for installation, once I recieve mine. Anybody that recieves theirs earlier is welcome to write up a procedure if you like.<p>That's all I have....

[Ogimoj]

Just a quick note:
I got a call from Lo-Tek today. Apparantly they're starting to ship out the completed parts. Please let me know when one of you receives your pillar so I can let the group know.
Thanks
Ogimoj

[Ogimoj]

Everybody probably should have received their pods by now. If for some reason you haven't, you'll need to get ahold of Lo-Tek (their contact info is available at [url=http://www.gaugepods.com).]www.gaugepods.com).[/url] Other than that, I guess this group buy is over. If anybody would like to put together installation instructions, please feel free. I just won't have time in the near future to even install my own, so I'll leave the creation of a "how-to" to whoever wants to do it.
Thank you to all the participants for making this group buy possible. Sorry I didn't have more control over how long it took...<p>Somebody gave me an idea that we should do a group by for gauges, now that we have the pods to hold them in. That person may be in contact with a distributor that will give us a discount if we buy as a group. I don't know what type of gauges, etc. If anybody is interested, drop me an email... if there's enough interest, I'll set up the group buy.<p>[ June 05, 2003: Message edited by: Ogimoj ]</p>