UGOBE post: International Availability

[MartinHitch]

Hello All,

This is Martin from Ugobe. I am responsible for the worldwide distribution of Pleo and note that many of you have questions about availability in your country. I expect I can help answer many of them or at least provide some background about specific markets.

I apologize in advance because I cannot constantly monitor this thread so please be patient with my respones. I'm going to leave this thread to populate and check back on friday morning to try and provide some answers to the most frequent questions.

Finally, a big thanks for embracing Ugobe and Pleo, your support is overwhelming.

Martin Hitch
UGOBE

[eric]

Do you know if pleo will be in ireland (irish stores) by the release date ?

I can no longer buy/preorder from amazon.co.uk due to new EU WEEE laws

[LADoc23]

Will there be First Hatch available for customers in Taiwan? Is there any difference?

[junkroxy]

I've seen the link to the pleo website on the e-motion page (italian distributor of pleo) but no news about the issue here! i recieved an answer via email from their customer service but no official date. Thank you Martin! Cant wait for your answers! :rolleyes:

[eric]

LAdoc first hatch pleos are limted editions first made pleo's


They WILL NOT be onsale in stores or online anywhere eles other than Ugobes website

[MartinHitch]

Thanks for keeping the enquiries to a minimum! I'll try and cover everything in this one post.

Eric - Yes Pleo will be sold in Ireland in 2007. Vivid Imaginations (Ugobe's UK&I distributor) will receive inventory in October at the latest. My understanding is that Smyths will carry Pleo (http://www.toys.ie/). I'm curious about your WEEE comment because we certainly meet this standard and I note we are still available on Amazon.co.uk

LADoc23 - First Hatch is currently only availbable in the USA however we are reviewing options for replicating this program internationally. The First Hatch Pleo's are guaranteed to reach their owners first in addition to having a gold registration card. (the registration card confirms Pleo's unique serial number). As Eric notes, they are only available through UGOBE.com

Junkroxy - We are working with e-motion to finalize an in market date for Italy. European regulations dictate that we have to make some electronic modifications to Pleo for sale in Europe hence a delay in Pleo's arrival. This is the reason why we only ship to North America from UGOBE.com. Keep an eye on the Get Pleo page for details of Pleo's arrival in any country.

That's all from me right now. I'll check back on this post Tuesday 7/3

Martin Hitch
UGOBE

[eric]

This is the reply i got from Amazon


Dear Customer

Thank you for contacting us at Amazon.co.uk with your concern.

We cannot dispatch this toy "Tech - Pleo" to Ireland.

We can confirm that, we are unable to dispatch Electronic Electrical
Equipment or toys to addresses in the Republic of Ireland.

Sales of these products are restricted as a result of the Irish
Governments' implementation of EU Electrical Waste Recycling
legislation and the difficulties caused by their interpretation of
the pricing obligations imposed on Distance Sellers such as
ourselves.

We do value your custom and sincerely apologise for any
inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you for shopping at Amazon.co.uk

[mark]

How about Canada? Unless you're not using a CSA approved power brick I can't see any reason for a holdup... luckily I have a friend in the US who will forward my FH Pleo on, but it would be much easier just ordering it directly.

Thx

[MartinHitch]

Hello again - my apologies for missing my planned Tuesday post.

Eric - I understand now. This is nothing to do with Pleo. Pleo passes all EU testing and so can and will be sold in Ireland. The issue your facing is who pays for the recycling of materials associated with Pleo when it is shipped cross border? The best I can suggest is wait for local supply - Smyths - and you should avoid the issue you're experiencing with Amazon.co.uk.

Mark - Currently this is a warranty issue and the fact that we have an english only pack. Pleo's warranty is only valid in the USA hence the USA only shipment and we are working on an English/French pack.

I'll check back on Monday of next week.

Thanks
Martin Hitch
UGOBE

[Babbler]

Ok, Im confused! UK Based...

www.play.com say that Pleo is available tomorrow! (7/7/07). Now, www.findmeagift.com say 31st July. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vivid-Imaginations-Tech-Pleo/dp/B000NI7XF4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/203-2485885-2907165?ie=UTF8&s=toys&qid=1183679991&sr=8-1 claim September!

Who do I believe. I have an order with play.com .Guess if it doesnt arrive in the next 2 days I will have my answer...

Anyone able to fill me in? :)

[beautifulday]

I have a question I hope someone can
answer for me. I am in Australia and
plan to buy a Pleo when they come to Australia which won't be till
2008. I have also preordered a First Batch Pleo using a US Global
Mail mail forwarding and realise that I will void my warranty etc... but did this
as I'm desperate to give this as a gift for this coming Christmas.
What I wish to know is what exactly do I need to run the Pleo from
where I am in Australia with 240 Volts compared to the US 110 volts
in terms of the charger? I am not technically minded and so really
need to know exactly what I need so that I can purchase a decent
one. Do I need a step down transformer? If so, how many watts? Or
do I just need a plug adaptor or what? I'm sorry for all the
questions, but I didn't know who else to ask and I thoughtsomeone in this forum
would help me out. Thankyou so much...Melinda

[coachrachelc]

Can you please tell me which countries will not be getting it in 2007?????

[PleoWorldHostCami]

Can you please tell me which countries will not be getting it in 2007?????

Hi coachrachelc, and welcome to the boards.

If you keep an eye on the "Get Pleo" page http://www.pleoworld.com/getpleo UGOBE will keep you up to date as to when Pleo will be available in any country. :)

[pleoguy101]

Ok, Im confused! UK Based...

www.play.com say that Pleo is available tomorrow! (7/7/07). Now, www.findmeagift.com say 31st July. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vivid-Imaginations-Tech-Pleo/dp/B000NI7XF4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/203-2485885-2907165?ie=UTF8&s=toys&qid=1183679991&sr=8-1 claim September!

Who do I believe. I have an order with play.com .Guess if it doesnt arrive in the next 2 days I will have my answer...

Anyone able to fill me in? :)
i t depends where you live , in usa pleo comes in october:)

[pleoguy101]

I have a question I hope someone can
answer for me. I am in Australia and
plan to buy a Pleo when they come to Australia which won't be till
2008. I have also preordered a First Batch Pleo using a US Global
Mail mail forwarding and realise that I will void my warranty etc... but did this
as I'm desperate to give this as a gift for this coming Christmas.
What I wish to know is what exactly do I need to run the Pleo from
where I am in Australia with 240 Volts compared to the US 110 volts
in terms of the charger? I am not technically minded and so really
need to know exactly what I need so that I can purchase a decent
one. Do I need a step down transformer? If so, how many watts? Or
do I just need a plug adaptor or what? I'm sorry for all the
questions, but I didn't know who else to ask and I thoughtsomeone in this forum
would help me out. Thankyou so much...Melinda

i would like to help you but I dont know the answer, for me charging pleo is just plugging him in with the charger he comes with. is this even have anything to do with your question at all?

[coachrachelc]

My problem is that I can't read all the different languages.

[Camarasaurus3000]

this really is great, a new Life Form, but why is the pack USA only ? cant there be a pack for Wales?

[Camarasaurus3000]

same here, there should be a Forum Translator, or something.

[June03]

Any news on availability in Scandinavia - since amazon.co.uk will not sell electronics outside England (even though we're within the same EU)?

To someone asking about electrical current: I hope someone here from Ugobe could tell us if the power supply is universal (input 100-240V) then we'd only have to change the plug/get a plug converter if buying overseas. Also info about the power supply's wattage etc could be useful. If the US power supply is 110V then we'd have to get a transformer. Not one of those travel-type electronic adaptors/converters, for long time use one would need to get a true transformer (240V to 110V) for the appropriate Watt. A transformer truly changes the current, while a converter doesn't - I've been told....

[trinity076]

I know there has been a delay in the shipping times for Pleo in the US, but I was wondering if there was any update as to when Pleo might become available in Canada, and if there will be a "first hatch" version here as well?

Thanks,
Nicole

[barrym]

The plug for the 120V-only charger outputs 12V / 800mA / 9.6W -- and the back of the charger itself indicates it requires 800mA.

I'll be bringing my Pleo to the UK and Ireland in two weeks. Has anyone in Europe tried purchasing a step-down transformer? I have an old switchable-voltage adapter with a compatible plug that can output 12V but it's only rated at 500mA so I don't want to try it.

Cheers,

Barry.

PS priority overnight shipping from Shenzhen was FAST! Had mine at 9am on Wednesday.

[PleoWorldHostSauri]

The plug for the 120V-only charger outputs 12V / 800mA / 9.6W -- and the back of the charger itself indicates it requires 800mA.

I'll be bringing my Pleo to the UK and Ireland in two weeks. Has anyone in Europe tried purchasing a step-down transformer? I have an old switchable-voltage adapter with a compatible plug that can output 12V but it's only rated at 500mA so I don't want to try it.

Cheers,

Barry.

PS priority overnight shipping from Shenzhen was FAST! Had mine at 9am on Wednesday.

Hi barrym,

You will need to purchase a step down transformer to convert the voltage supply and avoid fusing the power adapter. You should be able to purchase the transformer in the UK from most major electronics stores, such as Curry’s, Dixons or PC World alternatively you could purchase in the US before you travel. :)

[chaptui]

Hopfully to sold in Asia nearly soon...
I stay at THAILAND & very interesting IN PLEO.
Do you have plan (date launch) in Asia.?
Or If I suppose to register Dealer in Thailand ? How to ?.. :)

[eric]

Just to let people know

IRELAND UPDATE

Smyths toys (toys.ie)

only got 25 pleos in total ! (for the whole of ireland)

dixions may have got a small number too

most stores will not stock him until the new year

[PleoWorldHostCami]

Hopfully to sold in Asia nearly soon...
I stay at THAILAND & very interesting IN PLEO.
Do you have plan (date launch) in Asia.?
Or If I suppose to register Dealer in Thailand ? How to ?.. :)

Hi chaptui

Please check out the Get Pleo page at http://pleoworld.com/getpleo. Click on the "Choose Region" and pick Asia. This will give you a list of contacts in Asia. :D

[langballe]

Until some time last week toptyes was listed as the danish distributer (all of scandinavia) but as of today it is no longer listed, what have appned and will they be reinstaed or should i just give up hope ?
Have been waiting for so long by now and deadlines have passed, they had been told that thould have it by 3 nov, but obviosly this did not happen.
So who and when will have it in denmark ?

[PleoWorldHostCami]

Until some time last week toptyes was listed as the danish distributer (all of scandinavia) but as of today it is no longer listed, what have appned and will they be reinstaed or should i just give up hope ?
Have been waiting for so long by now and deadlines have passed, they had been told that thould have it by 3 nov, but obviosly this did not happen.
So who and when will have it in denmark ?

Hi langballe,

Please keep your eye on http://pleoworld.com/getpleo for the most up to date information on international availability. :)

[reaktor]

Happy new years and thanks for PLEO.;)
My question : When PLEO will be available in France Please ?
Have you got a date ?

Thanks

[seanmcdona121]

But MARK" I went into Smyths and they said that there not selling Pleos anymore! like i asked when or they coming in and they said there not gettin them in again!

[pleoman]

Happy new years and thanks for PLEO.;)
My question : When PLEO will be available in France Please ?
Have you got a date ?

Thanks

Sometime in 2008 but no definite date has been set.

[Caaahl]

I got mail today from Amazon Germany saying my Pleo has been shipped. First i was scpetical, but now i have DHL tracking and it says the package is on its way to the delivery station.
The email says my pleo should be here on January 4th. :p

[junkroxy]

I got mail today from Amazon Germany saying my Pleo has been shipped. First i was scpetical, but now i have DHL tracking and it says the package is on its way to the delivery station.
The email says my pleo should be here on January 4th. :p

wOw;) Congrat for your Pleo! Post some video on your plogs asap!

[Caaahl]

wOw;) Congrat for your Pleo! Post some video on your plogs asap!

I'll wait with the celebration till he is actually here. ;)

[degers]

Good Luck Caaahl, hopefully it will be a production model this time and not a prototype. ;)

[Rae]

Hi, Bought my Pleo from the US and had it imported into the UK. All ok but need a UK spec charger as of course the one that came with Pleo is a two pin 12v 800mA and we use 240V through the mains. Can you suggest where I can purchase a charger that doesn't void the warranty I would be grateful for your ideas or thoughts. Many thanks. Best Regards Rae.

[DigiTalk]

Hello!

I live in Germany and I would love to have a Pleo (not sure if my cat would love it, too, but if she doesn't - so be it).
Now I've not that much money to buy it via Amazon here (399€), and I considered buying via eBay from USA (would be ca. 270€ inc. shipping).

Now, if I would do this, what about my Warrenty, and is the charger switchable between 230V and 110V?
Or would I have to get a new charger (thus ruining the price-advantage)?

A fast answer would be appreaciated ;-)
Thank you in advance!

Greetings,
DigiTalk

[eric]

you will not get a warranty by buying a pleo from the USA or UK

you must by pleo near you to get a warranty.

if it breaks you have no come back

[Caaahl]

Hello!

I live in Germany and I would love to have a Pleo (not sure if my cat would love it, too, but if she doesn't - so be it).
Now I've not that much money to buy it via Amazon here (399€), and I considered buying via eBay from USA (would be ca. 270€ inc. shipping).

Now, if I would do this, what about my Warrenty, and is the charger switchable between 230V and 110V?
Or would I have to get a new charger (thus ruining the price-advantage)?

A fast answer would be appreaciated ;-)
Thank you in advance!

Greetings,
DigiTalk

in german:
Und vergiss nich, dass meines Wissens noch 19% raufkommen (Zoll). ICh hatte damals auch mit dem Gedanken gespielt, aber letzen Endes war es nicht wirklich billiger + das Risiko, dass man keine Garantie hat. Und den Transformator von 2- zu 3-Plug-Stecker und von 220 zu 110 V muss man ja auch mit dazurechnen.

Spare lieber noch ein wenig und hol ihn dir direkt hier in Deutschland. :)

[DigiTalk]

Thank you for your quick answers.
I'm already considering buying it here.

Caaahl, Ich hab mir das schon dazugerechnet und kam auf einen gesamtpreis von 345€.
Allerdings ist mir die Garantie schon die 55 Euro wert.
Leider gibt es ihn hier in D momentan nicht.
Für weitere Diskussion, siehe pleo-web.de forum (hab gesehen, dass du da auch angemeldet bist) :-)

[eric]

INSTOCK AT FIREBOX http://www.firebox.com/product/1867?video_id=1320#yourvideos

[DigiTalk]

Do you know if there will be a shipment to Joker AG/SA in the near future?
It seems as if most Pleos in germany are simply sold out...

I never had a Pleo and I miss it already...

[sarusani]

I just talked to a guy at JokerAG, he told me that Pleo and additional battery packs will be available in February for Germany & Switzerland... Is this true?

Greetings
Saru

[DigiTalk]

@sarusani: That would be great!

@eric: Can you confirm this? Will it be a new series, with some bugfixes (like the color of the teeth which tends to rub off)? Or will it be the very same series?

Edit:
I just called Joker myself and I got the information that they will receive a new shipment of Pleos in march or april this year.
He couldn't tell me it it will be the same series or a new series that the last time.
They will be availeble at Amazon at least.

I'll try to keep you informed.
Greetings

[edufix]

Hi, I like Pleo but what I do not understand is why we are forced to pay 399 Euro in Europe while converted (latest price amazon.com when writing this) is approx. 200 Euro. Why do we Europeans have to pay twice as much while the americans can get if for half? I feel somehow cheated...

Anyone a thought on this?

Regards,

Edufix

[DigiTalk]

A thought, yes.
My last converted price was 240euro.
Plus tax (19%) makes 285,60eur
Plus shipping across the big lake is about 335,60eur.
Then Joker wants to earn something, and the dealer (like Amazon), too.

Plus it might be more expensive to build the european version, as we have 230VAC instead of 110VAC.
Then the warranty has to cover shipping etc. as well.

So I can understand the price.

[Jem]

Plus it might be more expensive to build the european version, as we have 230VAC instead of 110VAC.


I don't see why it would be more expensive to build them in 230VAC than in 110, if they build them for all Europe, they would build a lot of Pleos, so I don't see why it would be more expensive.:)

[tachyon]

a lot of things (books, DVDs/CDs,Electronic equipment) are about half the prize in the states compared to Europe. I know of one UK based CD producer who has just started selling downloads & has said they are charging US customers half as much as European customers because they have to to be competitive in the US market. Some people order products like Pleo from the states because even when they've paid for shipping it works out a lot cheaper (see http://forums.pleoworld.com/showthread.php?t=1731)