Ok this is a long one but stick with me.

This is how it went down for me.
8/04 Ordered xpod
11/04 received xpod
6/05 sent email about getting extra screws
8/05 posted here about extra screws
9/05 got extra screws.

Now as bad as that can look, its really not. During the time between ordering and receiving my xpod, I would get an email from xport1 every other week, explaining the hold up. Having the xpod for almost a year now, I come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t have minded waiting longer, this thing is more than I could hoped for. I can fit FOUR hard drives in this thing, and it is nowhere as ugly as the xtender.

Now a bit of economics 101
Xport1 is a small company. They specialize in etching windows for computers. When they came up with xpod and soon realized it was a very demanded product. From there they had three choices:
1. Sell the idea to a larger company
2. heavily invest in equipment for a production line business
3. continue making them using there current equipment

Now 1 is a bit out there most likely ending with the least amount of profit for xport. 2 seems like the right choice at first but inevitably could bankrupt xport1, so they went with three.
The xpod, although heavily demanded right now, is a limited product. When the xbox360 takes over the market, people will lose interest in the xpod, and orders will dwindle to nothing. There best bet was use the equipment they already own to produce the xpod. Although it severely slows the production of the xpod, it maximizes the profit for xport1. Not to mention the delays attributed to other companies ignoring xport1 because of their size. I know they had a problem with the company that made the cubes in the corners.

So what does this all mean?
The xpod is a great product, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Be patient, It will take a while for you to get your order, and trust me, it is worth the wait.

Ok, its been a while since I placed my order with xport1, my unit is now built so feedback time..

The initial ordering got a bit hairy for a while, I did not recieve my xpod and bits for nearly 2 months due to the order going missing in the post and then a backlog, to make it up to me they actually sent some extra bits free which were cool - one was a jewel that is not on sale.

The xpod itself is awesome, easy to put together and precision cut, the finished product has had more than its fair share of comments (all good) with people wanting me to build similar units. Anyone wanting the dogs bollox of xboxes should order one. Here are a few pics of my machine.











you might have to wait for delivery but it is well worth the wait...

Nice one xport1, look forward to placing my next order with you

cheers

leigh

xport.. wonders what is going on with my order #2525

i've emailed you but no responds

Your Order Number Is: 2525

Date Of Order: 9/26/2005 2:58:00 PM

thanks

does anyone know whats up w/ xport1? i ordered a jewel from him on 10/27 and have heard nothing from him since. I've emailed two or three times and have also called the # in the Contact section of the website to no avail.

My customer is waiting paitently for his xbox, but I feel this is making me look like a douchebag. Anyone know whats up? I read his site saying he was behind a few days, but thats about all I know.


Thanks

order #2536

ydgmms I have pmed you....I know some people are trying to place xpods orders. There is a glitch with the software, the shopping cart company switched over their software and some order info was lost as well. We have to reset the xpod amount limit each day so please bair with us. If you are missing an order please PM me and I will look into it. Please include all info on the order and your address with it. We will get your orders out to you right away.

order # 2542 date of order 11/30/2005 The Xpod, 3D Half-Life2 Add RED Lid lights Add RED underglow lights (Qty: 1 x $92.90)


just wandering wtf is taking so long and when it will prolly show up at my door?i hope it isnt going to take as long as some of the replys i have read so far....i have sent a few emails, but no responses (just like everyone else) i feel that i can wait, but my dad(the person that is paying)doesnt, so im trying to convince him to wait so plz tell me whats going on, thnx

Order Number Is: 2551
Date Of Order: 1/2/2006 1:40:00 AM

The Xpod, 3D
Dragon
Add GREEN Lid lights
Add GREEN underglow lights

(Qty: 1 x $92.90)



Ok, I currently have a big issue with Xport1 and my XPod order.

Look, I can understand delays and what not, but you do not answer any of my emails and I have no idea what is going on with my order. I also see you can't be too busy since my order number (2551) is only 9 orders away from an order number posted here from November. (2542)

I ordered an XPod with all the trimmings on Dec 2nd 2005. At the time I tried to order a XDrive to go with it but your shopping system would not let me. I have sent two emails to you couple days apart with basic questions about why I couldnt order the XDrive. No response from you whatsoever !!

The emails I sent you are below... my order info is below.
If I don't hear something soon I am sorry but I am initiating a chargeback. I am not waiting in Limbo in hopes something arrives and I am not waiting 2 months. Seems to me you have been pulling this same sort of behavior the entire time you have sold these units from what I read here. I wish I read this thread 1st.

I have also logged into your website to check the status of the order but there is nothing there either.

This is no way to run a busines.. At least answer my emails ?
What is going on ?



Thank You For Your Order Christopher Williams

Your Order Number Is: 2551

Date Of Order: 1/2/2006 1:40:00 AM

The Xpod, 3D
Dragon
Add GREEN Lid lights
Add GREEN underglow lights

(Qty: 1 x $92.90)


Sent: Mon 1/2/2006 2:55 PM
Hi,

What’s up with the xdrive?… I really wanted to order one with the xport I purchased last night but every combination I picked said it was not available or something?

Out of stock confused me because I thought you made them ?

Thanks,

Chris Williams



Sent Wed: 1/4/2006 1:49 PM
Please answer my previous inquiry.

I did after all just spend 92.00 with you?

Hi,

What’s up with the xdrive?… I really wanted to order one with the xport I purchased last night but every combination I picked said it was not available or something?

Out of stock confused me because I thought you made them ?

Thanks,
Chris Williams

Thank You For Your Order
Your Order Number Is: 2554

Date Of Order: 1/6/2006 4:10:00 PM

The Xpod
No, I Want a Plain Xpod Top
Standard Clear 1/8 inch top
Add RED underglow lights

(Qty: 1 x $62.95)

I have sent 5 emails and 3 PMs. I would certainly like to know why it is this is taking so long when he said right when I ordered it that he was getting more acrylic material the next day. I am building this for a customer and this is giving me a terrible reputation. His website says 2-3 days along with the confirmation email. I just want to know whats up so I can tell the person who has already paid for something. And I live by myself in the city and the UPS man will not leave a package on my door step, someone has to be there to sign. So I need to know when it shipped and if there is a tracking number so I can arrange to either pick the package up or have someone there to recieve it. Ive done my end, you have your money. Now will you please keep up your end?

Thanks.

all orders are out

Christopher Williams
Order Number Is: 2551
Date Of Order: 1/2/2006 1:40:00 AM
The Xpod, 3D
Dragon


hello xport1,

1st off, I am posting this here because you are again not answering any emails I sent you and I can't even send you a pm here because you either disabled it or your inbox is full.

I NEED HELP - AN IMPORTANT PIECE ARRIVED BROKEN


the package arrived yesterday.. it is really nice stuff.. you do a very nice job

sorry to be a pain.... but I got a problem

I had if half together when I noticed this when peeling off the film

the big piece/layer in the middle that holds the hard drive and dvd drive is cracked and two places and broken in another place.. pretty bad shape really and ready to completely split apart if not really careful.. looks like stress cracks and a break from the cutting process not going perfectly or maybe shipping stress

the package itself arrived in nice shape and didnt looked like ups banged it up or anything

I can take pictures of the piece if needed

I am also missing one motherboard riser thingie but I can live with that or find one somewhere

I checked everything else out and as far as I can tell the rest of the pieces are ok

please advise.. I have no problem paying for shipping even as long as I can get a replacement piece fairly quickly.. ground shipping is fine

Thanks for the update xport just wondering if you ever got a chance to find my tracking number

While I am satisfied with my XPod that I received, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. I just wanted to share my experience.

First of all, my wait period was very short. I received my XPod about 2 weeks after I placed my order.

When I opened the box, this is what I saw:



See that big scratch in the paper backing? Yeah, that went all the way through the paper and scratched the plastic. The culprit, I believe, is that the kerfs were not removed before being packaged and shipped. There were several free-floating kerfs in the box when I opened it. You can see how the kerfs on the left side of the fan cut-out are gone in this pic, and the ones on the right are still (mostly) in-tact.



Another panel ... scratched again. This one only went through the paper and did not scratch the plastic.



Another shot of the last one, this time you can see again how 2 of the kerfs are still there, 2 of them are missing.



Another scratch, this time on the base panel. You can vaguely see a big boot footprint on the top half of it. Someone has clearly stepped on this piece. No damage was done after removing the backing ... but it was a little distressing to see this.




And finally ... I received 9 stand-offs. The XPod ships with no instructions or packing list, so I can't verify that this is intentional or not. The PDF instructions in XPort1's sig indicates 10 standoffs. So, there is a discrepency somewhere .. but what do I know? The XBox mobo and power supply use 10 standoffs in the stock case.

So 9 standoffs, and I only received 8 screws.

In the end, it's not a big deal, and everything works and looks great. However, these are all oversights that could easilly have been prevented and relieved a great deal of frustration in my XPod experience!


My rating: 8/10!

-a

Hi howheels, Im sorry about the acrylic but thats how we get it. I dont like seeing the footprints or scratchs on the backing either, its just something I have no control over. As for the screws its easy for me to screw that up when Im making the packages. I try and make sure there are not any scratches on the acrylic usally its just through the paper and any smudges can be wiped off. As for the instructions they are in my sig. Sorry for the frustration.

Hey Xport It says my order was shipped But I still havnt got it could I get a tracking number? 2550 is the order number.

Please update me on this order, here on this thread, thanks...

Your Order Number Is: 2566
Date Of Order: 1/21/2006 10:24:00 AM

The Xpod
No, I Want a Plain Xpod Top
Standard Clear 1/8 inch top
No underglow lights

(Qty: 1 x $55.00)

ORDER NUMBER:2550 DATE ORDER WAS PLACED: 12\31\05 ITEM(S):Xpod


Hey xport need tracking number please, you said orders were out But I aint got nothin yet. Just want to know if there was a shipping delay. Who do you ship with so I can reem someone.

never ordered yet but I asked a simple question by pm on here their website and their email and no response to 1 question after 2-3 week's?

can you make a custom top 1/4" with the grim etching I need the top only can I order a top only?

please gimme a simple yes or no or I am not going to bother at ordering any top or complete one's ever simple as that if you cannot answer 1 question it is just plain ignorant to do what your doing .

Thanks Xport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shipment took a little longer than I was expecting, but I have to say it was worth it. The clear case looks outstanding.

Hello. I would like an order update, considering it has been over a month....

Your Order Number Is: 2555
Date Of Order: 1/7/2006 10:34:00 PM
The Xpod
add a custom etch for $30( pls. submit your image to info@xport1.com)
Standard Clear 1/8 inch top
No underglow lights
(Qty: 1 x $85.00)

Custom image was sent twice. Let me know if you have received it, or what the delay is....

Rhino

Just got my xpod, quality work. I have a few questions though, Why dont the 3rd and 4th player controller ports quite reach the mobo? I mean its a modders case so I figured you would have to mod something, mostly just curious.
Anyway thnks, overall it was a frustrating expieriance but worth it. I cant complain much because it works and is sexy. Although I was mislead into thinking it was coming with cold cathode lights not leds, no biggie but leds are nicer

I finally got my Xpod order placed over a month ago installed and is totally satisfied with the product except for a few issues that I want to address--if they haven't been already.

#1. It seems the cut for the DVD drive tray is not perfect for all brands of DVD drives. My Samsung drive had trouble opening because the hole would put pressure on top of the tray, preventing it from ejecting. I had to remove the bottom aluminum enclosure of the DVD drive in order for the tray to fit within the hole.

#2. Controller ports 3 & 4 was not long enough to reach the motherboard in their respective locations. Eventually, I extended the wires by cutting them in the middle and reattaching them with gauge wire. Very tedious process I must say.

#3. The optional hole for a switch is located all the way to the left side, next to the NIC port . I would of preferred it to the right, where the optional second drive lies anyway.

#4. Minor issue, but my power and eject buttons didn't have adhesive on it. Very minor, I just put hot glue and it's on quite well.


How can you cut acrylic panels without damaging it? Is dremel a good idea? (Or the only idea?)

Xport1,

My Order #: 2569
Date: 01/30/2006 7:51:00 pm

Product Description: Price Per Item Quanity Total

Laser LEDs $3.00 2 $6.00
customizations:
The Xpod, 3D $77.00 1 $77.00
customizations: Bio No Lid Lights No underglow lights

Product Total $83.00
Shipping & Handling $10.12

Final Total $93.12


I talked to you on one accasion and discussed a smoked case even though my order had been already made, since then have been trying to call and email but no answer and no responce. Have given home # for you to get in contact with me but you have yet to use it. Again, I can understand your frustration with multiple orders and the process it takes for you to get these out the those who have placed them. But I am still waitting. You told me that you would get back in touch with me pretaining to the smoked xpod case. But i am still waiting.

My area code has not changed but i have given you my new contact #'s and my new email address since i have lost the password to your site with my hyDro_40@yahoo.com address I used to order, again bacic_40@hotmail.com (***)509-6489

Also i kneed to if you plan on making up for my frustration and remember it has been leaning more towards 3 months since I ordered the product.

Look forward to hearing from you, even though everyone else has something seemingly bad to say but ends up telling it good in the end.

bacicx