Accessory lead times - Note 3

[Simon_Gardner]

I've been wondering about lead times for cases and for accessories on the Note 3. It took me three weeks to get any kind of temporary case for my Note 3 despite placing several orders. I'm still waiting for the case I actually wanted. And where's the Otterbox? I've only recently tracked down a Micro USB 9-Pin Male to USB 3.0 Female OTG cable - that's the one with the actual right plug. Sourcing *flexible* Micro B USB to USB 3 cables is a nightmare though finding the stiff versions is OK as they've been available for external drives for a while.

So I'm a bit mystified - as with certain other phones, accessory manufacturers get specs maybe a month or two before launch so cases and stuff are released at the launch of the actual phone.

This clearly hasn't happened at all with the Note 3. Why?

 

[Deleted User]

I think they waited until near launch time to release design specs to third party manufacturers for two reasons I can think of-
First, Sammy had a few oem cases available at launch time, so they probably wanted to grab those sales before we had a chance to get preferable products from Otterbox, Seidio, etc.
They also probably learned a lesson from previous iFruit launches... many of the 'leaks' that precede new Apple products come from case makers and such.

Where did you find a 3.0 OTG cable? Do you know if the old one will work? (more slowly, I assume) I have one of the old style OTG micros, but can't find it- would like to know if it'll work, or should I get a new one.

 

[Simon_Gardner]

I think they waited until near launch time to release design specs to third party manufacturers for two reasons I can think of-
First, Sammy had a few oem cases available at launch time, so they probably wanted to grab those sales before we had a chance to get preferable products from Otterbox, Seidio, etc.
They also probably learned a lesson from previous iFruit launches... many of the 'leaks' that precede new Apple products come from case makers and such.

I figured it must be something like that. A friend used to be in the case business. She was astonished I couldn't get a case for weeks. And indeed didn't quite believe me. Then three arrived at once.

It has taught me that next time, I won't be getting a new phone on launch day again. (This is my first smart phone).

[Also it turns out she was wrong about something else. The price of the Note 3 has already come down.]

Where did you find a 3.0 OTG cable? Do you know if the old one will work? (more slowly, I assume) I have one of the old style OTG micros, but can't find it- would like to know if it'll work, or should I get a new one.

I don't know about speed but I find just physically locating the plug in the socket each time way easier with a proper size and shape plug. The old ones definitely work.

Link to product at DX.com

 

[Grimlock1973]

If it isn't a crapple tablet or ijunk the case makers aren't chomping at the bit to produce cases or screen protectors ASAP. Case makers know that isheep like to buy a TON of accessories as soon as they get their device so it's all about making money. Case makers probably assume not that many people are going to buy the note 3 or phablets like they do the 4 inch crapple so they aren't in a hurry to push out the cases as quick. Personally, I am patiently waiting for the zerolemon 10,000 mah extended battery and zeroshock case that is supposedly going to be released at the end of November.

 

[jwither]

... they aren't in a hurry to push out the cases as quick.

Incorrect. Otterbox has much more competition than they used to, and want their line of products available asap, or they stand to lose millions to the companies that beat them to the punch.

 

[Grimlock1973]

Incorrect. Otterbox has much more competition than they used to, and want their line of products available asap, or they stand to lose millions to the companies that beat them to the punch.

You didn't get my point. The reason why most case makers take a longer time to release note 3 accessories is because they are assuming that not as many people are going to be buying phablets vs the icrapple phone. Smaller # of people buying the note 3 = less profit for the company making the accessories and cases.

Case makers will eventually release cases and accessories for the note 3 but most will not be available at launch day or even a month after launch because companies are trying to release as many icrapple cases and accessories as possible.

My very large extended family owns mostly icrapple phones and tablets and each individual owns at least 5 different cases. When I ask them why they buy so many cases they just shrug their shoulders and say they get bored of the case for whatever reason and they just have to buy something at the crapple store when they go in! The isheep mentality of buying whatever crapple spews out is astonishing to me! Wish Samsung fans would do the same so that we can have a TON of accessories ready to be bought up!

 

[jwither]

... because companies are trying to release as many icrapple cases and accessories as possible.

Believe it or not, big companies like Otterbox CAN do more than one thing at a time.

 

[Grimlock1973]

If that's the case how come otterbox didn't release the defender and commuter for the note 3 on launch day?! It takes a certain amount of $$ to make molds and castings for cases and I personally don't think otterbox or any other case maker has put in as much $$ in developing note 3 cases as they do with crapple ones. Tons of cases and accessories were available for the icrap 5s and 5c on launch day via crapple stores, amazon, ebay, etc. How do you explain that??

 

[Simon_Gardner]

If that's the case how come otterbox didn't release the defender and commuter for the note 3 on launch day?! It takes a certain amount of $$ to make molds and castings for cases and I personally don't think otterbox or any other case maker has put in as much $$ in developing note 3 cases as they do with crapple ones. Tons of cases and accessories were available for the icrap 5s and 5c on launch day via crapple stores, amazon, ebay, etc. How do you explain that??

Because Apple give out pre-release specs and Samsung doesn't?

 

[Methos1979]

While I understand and can accept the withholding of specs (dimensions) from aftermarket case makers, this doesn't explain the nearly non-existent availability of the actual Samsung cases. You would think those would have been plenty available by now! Especially seeing how stupid expensive they are! I would think they would sell many more right away as people would want them for their phone while they waited for better and cheaper options to arrive. Instead, they seem to be losing this race. I just don't get that at all.

 

[Grimlock1973]

There are serious rumors about Samsung aggressively getting into the accessories game next year. They finally realize that accessories are a lucrative business and the profit margins are immense. I do believe Samsung releases their phone dimensions to accessory makers so I think it's up to case makers to develop cases for their phones. Again, it is all about profit and $$ and Samsung phablets just don't sell enough units for case makers to get all excited about them. Just my 2 cents..

 

[Note3man]

I find it extremely annoying that I have not been able to spend $35 on a case to protect my Note 3, AT&T had 2 cases when I bought it crappy and crappier and when I call Otterbox they cannot or will not even give me a ballpark on when the cases will be available, I finally told them that I will not be buying their product since they have no idea when it will be available.

 

[Grimlock1973]

Why haven't you checked amazon and ebay for some cases? There are several threads on this forum that talk about cases in nauseum. If you need a case ASAP do what I did and have it delivered in 1 day.

 

[jwither]

Just a note to follow up on a previous post of mine in another thread, the availability date for the Otterbox Defender has been pushed back from "around 11/8" to "around 11/22".

OtterBox Defender Series Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Android Case & Holster Combos - ShopAndroid

Not to be inflammatory, but prior comments about Otterbox's cost of "casts and moldings" and a priority given to Apple products being the reason for delays in producing Note 3 cases are rubbish, and most certainly spoken by someone who has never owned, run, or worked for a large business.

I will not be drawn into an argument over the matter.

Govern yourself accordingly.

 

[olbriar]

It's time to take a deep breath and cool down. Discuss accessory lead times for the Note 3 and not each other. Thanks

 

[Slug]

Okay, seven posts made after my colleague asked nicely to refrain from making it personal have been deleted.

Please regard this as a first and final warning - we only "do nice" once.

p.s. Here in the UK retail market, cases for the Note 3 are definitely rare, unlike those for the S4 (and S4 Mini) at launch.