RomRod - Portable Rod Mobility Fitness Device

RomRod 2021 Fall Update
over 2 years ago – Thu, Oct 28, 2021 at 04:37:52 AM

RomRod Backers,

Thank you for your patience since the past update. We have been working hard behind the scenes to get more information from our manufacturer and supply chain team, so that we can then share with everyone here. Sometimes information takes longer to gather than expected and unfortunately, prior to this week, we did not have much to share. 

First Production Order:

All devices from our first production order have been shipped out. This means, we currently have zero inventory. If you have not yet received your order it is because of one of a few reasons:

1. Your order was not within the first 1,000 devices (not orders). And, it will be fulfilled with the second production order.

2. Your order is currently in transit (And, this is if you have received a tracking number. We have experienced some customers not receiving a tracking number if it is being shipped outside of the U.S.) Please be patient with international orders as most know all shipping and logistics is currently in flux and we have no control over these variables.

3. If you ordered a Blacked Out RomRod, or mulitple devices including a Blacked Out, your order has not been fulfilled or shipped. Blacked Out is part of our second production order.

Second Production Order: 

Our Production Facility has been closed multiple times in the past month because of Covid as well as Holidays. But, we are happy to finally share, the second production order (including Blacked Out versions) has been completed. We are now in Shipping and Transit mode. It has been passed along to us, that these 2,500 units could be as long as 55 days to be sent to the port. Then the devices must pass through customs and to our location before we can ship to our customers. We are trying our best to expedite every part of the process along the supply chain to make sure this moves as quickly and smoothly as possible. To help with international orders in this next production order and moving forward, we will be working with a fulfillment center in Europe. 

If you have questions, please send us a Private Message through the Kickstarter platform or email to: i[email protected]. This is the best form of communication for us to quickly respond. 

Thanks 

Shane and Haley

Manufacturing and Shipment
over 2 years ago – Thu, Sep 30, 2021 at 03:01:15 AM

RomRod Supporters,

It's been a month since are last public update. But, We are trying to communicate to those that send us messages and make comments.  We hope this update will clear up some questions and concerns some may have. 

First production order (1,000 units):

We have successfully delivered over 750 devices. Yes, there are some people that live outside of the U.S. and Canada that have not yet received their devices. This could be for multiple reasons, but we are working on fulfilling the other 250 devices of our first production order as quickly as possible. We cannot apologize enough and appreciate your patience as there were many unexpected hurdles that we have had to overcome with this first run of devices.

Second Production Order (2,500 units):

Like many other projects and businesses, we are dealing with multiple delays from raw material acquisition by the manufacturing facility (especially magnets), shipping cost and delays of such materials, and then numerous unexpected factory shutdowns because of Covid among their employees. We promise we are working hard and communicating with our team often and regularly to help expedite the delivery of your RomRod device. The second production order was nearly finished before this last shutdown. An update from the manufacturing facility should be coming later this week as to the resumption.

Broken or Non-Functioning Devices:

A few people have commented on the Kickstarter page about having received a broken or non-functioning device. There are not many of these, but we know these reviews are always the ones that stand out the most. This is something we are very concerned about and are doing our best to resolve such issues by making accommodations to those owners but also troubleshooting the problems to find solutions for future devices. We want to make it clear that we have tested EVERY single device before shipping out to our customers because we want to deliver the highest quality possible. And, if we found a faulty device through our own Quality Control test, that device was not sent to a customer. Is there a chance that a very small number still were sent out... It's not impossible. But, please rest easy and be reassured all devices sent out were tested and were functioning before shipped. 

Its amazing to see all those great reviews, messages, and comments coming through from those of you that have received your device, made it part of your fitness routine, and love it. Thank you so much! Please keep them coming.

As a reminder, watch the YouTube demonstration videos on how to "assemble" RomRod and "use" correctly prior to use. 

RomRod Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeZEZOZk4u_ECl-DhD9XBfg

Warnings:

As mentioned in the RomRod Kickstarter page, it is not meant to be a weight bearing device. It is not meant to have steel plates put on the ends of the bar. This means, if you were also to put the extended device over your shoulders behind your neck and use a large amount of force at the ends, yes you could probably bend it and make it unusable. RomRod is made of aluminum and not steal. I (Shane) have been traveling with the same two RomRod devices for the past 5 months and I am happy to say both are functioning correctly and have zero issues. We hope yours will be the same. But if not, we will do our best to make it right!

To add to that note about traveling, I have successfully passed through TSA in 18 different airports so far with RomRod in my carry-on luggage this past spring and summer. (But no guarantees as one airport did make me check it.) I like our odds though. One TSA agent even wanted me to tell him about the device because he was just curious as a fitness enthusiast. 

Rubber End Caps:

Production and shipment of the Rubber End Caps has been complete and we should have more information on how we plan to sell/distribute these to RomRod supporters, soon. 

Other Accessories:

The production of the accessories are continued to be developed, prototyped, and tested. But our priority is obviously on fulfilling all Pre-Sold RomRod devices. So, we do not have too much information to include here, yet.

Thank you again for your continued patience and understanding,

Shane and Haley

Shipping and a little in-between
over 2 years ago – Wed, Sep 01, 2021 at 04:22:37 PM

Good afternoon supporters,

I wanted to hop on here and address a few things to everyone.

1. Welcome Email:

 A "Welcome" email was sent out to all backers. Yes, this was whether you have received your device or not. The purpose of the Welcome Email was to provide our backers with a "How to EBook" for those who have received their device, and those of you who your devices are on the way. This EBook gives you a run down of a few, but not limited to, exercises you can do with your RomRod.

2. The comments about scuffs and scratches:

We have all seen the comments coming through about devices received that have minor scratches and scuffs. Unfortunately, the corrections that had to be made before we could begin shipping have left a few scratches, yes. However, they are very minor! It is NOT an eye sore added to your device, and it surely does not prevent the device from functioning properly. It will be something addressed with our factory moving forward for sure. From hearing the feedback from our backers, it sounds like shipping was an issue and we have decided to change it up and add another layer of protection when shipping, by adding foam in-between the device. We hope that this will eliminate any scratch or scuff that was may be added during shipping. I have attached a few pictures to this update so you can see what I am talking about with both the minor scratches and new protection for shipping. 

3. Defective devices:

We have also received a couple comments about "defective devices," which we are investigating further, as that is never the intent to deliver something defective. While we had to undergo the corrections and changes to this first production order, I have personally assembled and unassembled every device 2 or more times, testing to make sure each device assembles and functions properly. There are pieces to our product that are not meant to come out. It is just the way it is designed. So when we receive these comments/messages, it is alarming to how this could have happened. Please know that we are doing our best to ensure that all product shipped is functioning top notch. And we hope that you have or will take to time to read the packaging directions/watch the YouTube tutorial so that you are assembling the device correctly.

4. Shipping:

We continue to get a lot of the same questions about shipping. First off, we still do not know why BackerKit sent an email to most backers on July 15th regarding shipping. That is not something we can control or undue. If your original email still shows no movement, that is because your order has not shipped. If you have not received an email about shipping, that is because your order has not shipped yet. The first 1,000 backers who ordered only silver RomRods will receive their device from this first production order. We began shipping with US and Canada first, which we are continuing to ship out daily, and will begin international shipping here soon. Again, if you are within backer number 1-1,000 you will receive your order from this production order. All orders beyond that will be completed with our second order, which is underway!

Please know that we are hard at work to fulfill orders. We have orders picked up or dropped of daily. It is a slow process that I wish I could speed up. Some weeks are more than others, so it is hard for me to give you a "this amount goes out weekly" update like some have asked. Your support is forever grateful, and your patience means more than you can imagine. RomRods are coming.

Thank you,

Shane and Haley

Thank you for your patience... Update!
over 2 years ago – Sun, Aug 15, 2021 at 12:37:05 AM

We have come so far, yet we still have so much ground to makeup. We appreciate you all for being patient during these trying times. Our goal of delivering the first 1,000 RomRod devices shortly after our Kickstarter campaign was completed, has turned into a 6 month battle of overcoming so many obstacles that we would like to clarify with everyone.

RomRod is a two person business: Shane and Haley. Thankfully we have had our friends and family step up and help us in so many ways. It would be difficult to explain but we are forever in their debt.

Shortly after our Amazing RomRod Kickstarter campaign ended, we received many pieces of sobering news. Both production and shipment delays occurred because of issues out of our hands with Covid 19. 

When we finally received the1,000 units from our first production order, we realized the devices were not in a condition we were comfortable in sending out to all our wonderful backers. Some "minor" adjustments needed to be made to improve the functionality of the RomRod device to make it better suited for use. 

So began the adventure to have make all these alterations in Jacksonville, FL. We do not own a production/manufacturing facility or tool and die shop, but were lucky enough to find some people to help us locally in short notice. These alterations included the following:

   A) Every unit had to be taken out of his packaging and prepared for the alterations

   B) Every unit required two holes drilled and tapped.

   C) Every unit required two set screws placed in these holes.

   D) Every unit required adjustment to the center tube so the telescopic functionality worked correctly.

   E) Every unit required cleanup and re-packaging.

Because we chose not to use a fulfillment center, each of these units then had to be placed into separate shipment boxes to be prepared to ship. Shipment has started as we have mentioned before. We are making every attempt to get orders shipped and out to those in which ordered the first 1,000 units but also in as close of a sequential order as possible. This has not always occurred perfectly because some orders include multiple devices, a Blacked Out RomRod, or other issue. But, we are proud to say almost 300 orders have been shipped and fulfilled. We are sorry for some of you that may have not received your order yet, but may have been within the first 300 orders. Please be patient as yours is to follow very soon. 

Shipping Labels:

If you received a printed shipping label and tracking notification, but your order has not been received by USPS, it is because your device is literally on our "Home Made" assembly line being prepared to ship. We created a routine for the fulfillment process and purchasing bulk shipment labels was more efficient and cost effective. This is why you received a notification but USPS has yet to process your order.

We needed to be transparent in why there has been a delay in your receipt of RomRod. This delay is not something we are proud of, but we want you to know we are working hard every day to get your device to you. And, we are excited to be able to help each and everyone of you improve your stretching, flexibility, and mobility because of RomRod. We have learned so many things in our first business venture. It is exciting to see our dream of entrepreneurship come true. So again, we Thank You for your patience and understanding. 

Forever Grateful,

Shane and Haley

Shipment Update
almost 3 years ago – Wed, Jul 28, 2021 at 10:37:41 PM

Good evening RomRod supporters!

I am happy to hop on here and let everyone know that we have now delivered and/or shipped roughly 200-300 RomRod devices! We are hard at work making sure more and more go out as quickly as possible.

I also wanted to give out a few reminders:

1. In this first production order we received 1,000 silver RomRods. Therefore, if your backer number falls between 1-1,000 AND you ordered only silver RomRods, your order will be processed through this first production order. If you ordered blacked out devices or your backer number is 1,000+ your order will be filled by our second production order- and of course will be notified when that begins as well.

2. Everyone received the "update/tracking" email. However, until I have personally packaged your order, printed your label, and scanned the order in with our carrier, your email will not update with an estimated date. Once all of that is complete, then your email will update with an estimated date of delivery. 

If you have any questions, comments, address changes, etc. please feel free to send us a personal message either on here or social media and we will be happy to help. We are grateful for your support and patience. 

Thank you,

Shane and Haley