Kickstarter

Creator Jim Perfect on May 6

Well, I was finally able to check out my two Savinos this past weekend. I haven't been able to use them or check out the floats yet (I just found out about the float issue 2 minutes ago when I logged onto Kickstarter), but I will be sure to do so tonight.

Anyway, after opening the first box I would have to say, this thing is fugly. It instantly reminded me of some glass storage containers my fiancee recently brought home. I told her that they looked like they cost $3, she said, "they did". Fantastic, I now own $3 ugly glass containers with visible seams down the sides and crappy lids that don't seal. I won't mind them as much now since the Savino will make them look much better once I set it next to them. :/

Where was the QC? They look terrible. Seams all over it, the stamp on the bottom is barely on the bottom it's so off center. Made n the USA...ugh, how embarrassing. Anyone that has nice wine glasses or decanters would never place this in their display cabinet....nor would they be very excited to bring this out for guests to see. The silicone parts seem really good though, they look nice and fit well, but If I saw this product on the shelf I wouldn't have bought it. Not even for $10; it's just too ugly. I was planning on gifting the second one, but now I am reluctant to to do so...I have a hard time gifting something I personally don't like.

Like another backer stated below:
"I understand the changes. But I and many others would LOVED to have had that "Elegant" original SAVINO instead. Sure replace the float with a plastic one but keep the rest to the original clean smooth look of the original designed SAVINO."

I was one of the early backers, so I am not too upset about pledging $35 each. If the retail price of these is to be set at $50 each, you will have a hard time selling them...maybe $20, but that's pushing it. If you want to sell it for $50, you need to manufacture a really smooth clear glass with no visible seams.

Creator Amethyst on May 3

Yep, Scott responded quickly and I'll be getting a new float as well. Much appreciated!

Creator Jonathan H on May 3

I am looking forward to getting an email today about the racking info that you had informed some of us would be by today. Happy to hear that you are quickly resolving any customer service issues as they arise. Have a great day Scott!

Creator KRIS on May 2

I actually thought it was 'normal' that the float had moisture in it with wine, cause I figure since its plastic, the wine inside the float would keep it down. I thought it was designed that way.

Guess I also have 2 defective floats. Going to message Scott.

Creator Jasmine A. D. on May 2

@Amethyst - I contacted Scott the same way and he replied very quickly. He is sending me a new float. I hope that the replacement float doesn't have the same problem.

Creator Amethyst on May 2

@Jasmine: I'm having the same problem with my float, and honestly am at a bit of a loss how the wine got in there in the first place. I'm going to message Scott about it (via the "Contact Me" link on the right, by his profile).

Creator Jasmine A. D. on May 1

What is the email I should contact if I have a problem with my float? After a few days of storing half a bottle of wine, there is about a teaspoon of wine INSIDE the float. It looks like more than a pinhole would allow in.

Creator Hector Silva on April 30

Anyone getting water vapor under normal use?

Creator KRIS on April 16

HAL1800 - Wow, a 6 pack. I think I would of went crazy mad if I had open a 6 pack of these final production of SAVINO's.

Creator Dean on April 14

I got my SAVINO today in Australia. Reading earlier comments lowered my expectations and so i'm happy with my "purchase".
I haven't tried it yet but i totally understand the need for a plastic float.
I would have liked one that looked like the video but would have been more disappointed to get one of those and have it break within a week then getting the product I got.
Cheers

Creator HAL1800 on April 13

Yesterday I took delivery of my 6 Savinos. Yes 6! Am I dumb to order 6 Savinos? Nope... I was not. This thing was to compete with the Riedel stuff I have and would sit nicely right next to my 2$ Ikea water glass that are perfectly transparent.

First of all, the box. Yes... The box. Did any of you flattened it (before throwing it in the recycle bin)? Don't. This is a piece of art. he bottom plastic is stuck, the top one is free. There is a reason. Everything is folded to it can be rigid while holding the Savino. It's the first box I regret throwing away.

I opened the box. What? What the heck is that? This is a weapon. Drop it on your floor, and your floor dies of agony. The Savino can scratch concrete, I'm sure. I was hoping to get the piece of art we all saw in the video (or something almost like it). Just by looking at it, I was expecting the prototype to break apart. I thought the final product would not break just by holding it, but I thought it would not be as hard as an old Glass Bottle of Coke.

Ok... let's try it. Huh? It drips? How come? I tested, and tested, and tested with water to see if I could find a way to "not have a drip". I tested with water from the faucet. I tested with water with the shower. I tested with water from a bottle. I even tested with colored water. I guess the QA test was not made with the same kind of water I have. You will say water is water... Oh no, I think not!

I lifted my Savino. Huh? I really need new glasses. The bottom logo is not in the centered. In fact, it's so off center that I think the "stamper" honestly need glasses (for this one, I'm serious!). I checked the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Savino I have. Gee, they were stamped by the same guy,.

After my tests, I have to remove the water from it. I'll use water to clean it! Time to remove the float. What? The silicon ring decides that it doesn't want to come out. That little thing is nasty. Everytime I manage to get it out, put it back around the float and throw the float back inside the Savino, this little white silicone ring always decides to stay in...leaving the float in my hand.

Everything I wrote above is true...except maybe the multiple water testing part!

What I don't understand is nobody was informed of the changes. Please, I don't want to brag or anything, but if you look at my profile, I backed tons or projects. A lot of these projects changed their design along the way. Some of them even throw every think in the basket and started over.

Am I disappointed with these project that changed their design (but not the scope)? No
Am I angry to receive a completely *different* product? Not at all.
Do I think I made a mistake pledging for them changing the product? Nope.

Now let's rewind:

Am I disappointed with the design changes of Savino? Yes... I would have liked to be updated. It could have been something like:

"Update #23 - The float...hey guys, after numerous tests, we decided to create a float out of plastic. We tested different kind of glass float and it is not safe. The float could go straight to the bottom and this could break it...bla bla bla bla bla...."

Am I angry to receive a completely *different* product? Hell yeah... I never though when I opened it that it would be so different.

Do I think I made a mistake pledging for them changing the product? Yes and No. I regret ordering 6. 2 for me, 4 as gifts. I don't think I made a mistake ordering more than 1. I should've ordered only 2.

Scott, please, next time you create a project, feed your backer. Normally, Kickstarter is not a store and backers pledge for a project, not a product. In your case, you have 1,326 backers with pledges between 1$ and 4,500$. That's great, that's what you want. What WE, the BACKERS wanted, is simple updates of the production. Not disclose trade secrets or whatever, just design and production updates.

Also, when I'm in a group and I make a mistake, I apologize and learn from my mistake. Perfection is not a straight line... Not talking freely about the differences is a major SNAFU.

Even though I'm not entirely satisfied with the product, I don't want a refund and count me in for your next project.

Finally, I'd like to know where you found the 5 human hairs used to measure the gap between the float and the carafe. The hair must have been quite thick! Are you sure they didn't come from an animal such as a Yak or a Buffalo?

Creator Roy Brouwer on April 12

My package was shipped 2nd of April. Anyone an idea how long shpping tot The Netherlands takes, because the state didn't change after april 3rd. This is the last state from USPS tracking code:
Depart USPS Sort Facility
April 03, 2013
NASHVILLE, TN 37227
International Letter

Creator cyclejones on April 12

I think my biggest complaint is that I expected the float gasket to actually form a seal with the inside wall of the savino. Mine has about a 1mm gap around the entire thing which makes me think it's not getting the seal I was expecting. after day 2 of letting about half of a bottle sit in the savino I noticed a great deal of condensation beginning to form in the upper part of the savino above the float (not inside the float itself, but in the savino. After day 3 I tried the wine and found that while it wasn't vinegar yet, it had definitely oxidized...

Creator Lynsey Warren on April 12

I just got mine the other day, and WOW am I happy with them.....glad I ordered 2 :) I for one like the thicker glass, I know I would eventually knock it on something and break it. This gives it a bit sturdier feel. Plastic float is also nice, because I am not worried about breaking it. Most of all I love it because it works so well. I even put a sparkling wine in there just to see what would happen.....Can't believe the carbonation is still great after 3 days!! I like the white edging, but thought it would stain....nope I was wrong, just rinsed and no stain at all. Love it. As far and the elegance and wow factor.....it has it because IT WORKS!!

Creator Hector Silva on April 12

What Kris H. said once again sums it up. It was the 'surprise' factor that seemed to be the reason why people were a bit upset about it. Scott, your comments make complete sense and I completely agree that the plastic float would be better than a glass one. I appreciate the fact that the glass is thicker and more durable (I wondered about the longevity of the thin glass in the original video/photos, but I didn't want to seem like I was a party pooper so I didn't say anything), but we did back based on the nicer looking design so it would appear to a situation where it feels worse than it seems because these things weren't explained along the way in the process rather than 45 minutes ago.

Creator KRIS on April 12

Hi Scott,

You know I'm a big supporter and fan of the SAVINO. There is nothing like this on the market. Your the first.

I too, like yourself have bought all kinds of gadgets to try and extend the life of the wine, from vacuum hand pumps w/ valves etc. Because there are days that I just don't want to finish a $50 bottle of wine in one day.

I like the many backers here who backed SAVINO has seen the video of this "Elegant" device. That is what we all backed for.

I think the most important mistake that prompt our disappointment in SAVINO, was when we all opened the box and saw the glass and float. It really is a shame to see what we back is sightly different than what we received.

I think that if you had an "Update" that disclosed information of the quality and design changes of the final production of SAVINO will be. Then at least we know what to expect.

Scott, you have been very active with us backers and we all really appreciate it very much.

I wish you had disclosed the changes to us before you had shipped out the SAVINO. This would of ease our tension and frustrations as to why we got what we got and not what was originally displayed.

Now with the newest update, I can understand all the changes that you had made from the original SAVINO to the SAVINO that we all have received.

Does it make us happy? For me personally, I understand the changes. But I and many others would LOVED to have had that "Elegant" original SAVINO instead. Sure replace the float with a plastic one but keep the rest to the original clean smooth look of the original designed SAVINO.

I for one will NOT be asking for a refund because....

1) You cannot find a better device than SAVINO.

2) It DOES what it said it will do. Open a bottle on Tuesday and still be able to drink it on Saturday.

I'm one of the super early backers so I'm still glad I backed this project, but I hope that if you really want SAVINO to compete with the rest on the market. You really need to manufacture a really smooth clear glass, keep the wider upper lip. That I would be willing to easily spend $50 on, but would never pay $50 for the current production.

I hope you understand why we feel what we feel when we open our SAVINO's.

I still LOVE my SAVINO's, just don't how it looks and always have to wipe the tip after every single pour.

No refund needed for me. It does what it suppose to do, just looks cheap that's all. :)

Creator Daniel Lieber on April 11

I've been excited about this project since it started and now that mine have arrived and I've had some time to test and reflect on the Savino.

First, it accomplishes the goal of effectively keeping wine fresh for several days and being easy to use. It will also make a practical gift.

The glass itself looks ok, but is of a much heavier grade than was expected as I was expecting something that appeared to be more like crystal (thinner and without any apparent seam). In this respect, it is not the "elegant" gift I was hoping to give to people and would not justify a price point of $50/each.

The drip issue is prevalent and it might be fixed with a drip-limiting spout.
Also, having a space to write the name of the wine would be nice (I'm thinking a small area for use with a dry-erase marker).

This project has been a success -- the end product can also be further improved.

Creator Dustin Harley Davidson on April 10

Personally, I think we need a gesture here on the part of the Savino Crew. We helped fund this and were delivered an inferior product to the one advertised. They couldn't even give us a proper discount on a future purchase as the discount code only lasted 1 day after the product arrived. This is a very bad start for what could be a great product. But the people who helped you fund it should get more than what we got.

Creator Ian M on April 10

Well on day 4 the wine tasted just about the same as on day one, so that's a good thing. I'm actually pleased with the plastic float, mainly because I suspect if it was glass it would've broke fairly easily (I've dropped my inside a couple times).

Creator Hector Silva on April 10

Hello Scott, is there a suggested way to check for the float pinhole defect?

Creator Justin Leong on April 10

All the way from Malaysia, I just got my Savino and I have to agree with the rest because the glass quality is really poor, I think that it wasn't up to the standard that was shown in Kickstarters, a shame indeed

Creator jcip on April 9

Kris - I've open everything up, I've checked inside out, the box and the jar, I do not see the float. All I see is that plastic thing I think that's suppose to hold the float in place, but nothing on it. I was like, huh? I must be missing something. So I looked everywhere. Still don't see it, so I commented here.
Scott did send me a message, so I guess he's going to take care of it.

Creator Richard Kuan on April 9

Are you still sending out your stretch goal gifts?

Creator Blonigen on April 9

I don't mind the glass, but if I had bought it in a store based on the pictures on the box, I would probably be returning it. I think it is coming down to a case of expectations vs. what was delivered. It isn't that the delivered product is "bad", it's that it isn't what backers were lead to believe that they were backing. It's rustic vs. elegant. Neither is good nor bad in and of itself, but you can't substitute one for the other without people being a little upset.

Creator Michael J Dunleavy on April 9

Hi Scott, I have a few e-mail addresses and I don't check my Gmail too often. i just saw your request for my address. I answered the questionnaire. I ordered two units please send them both to my house. If you have any questions or issues please let me know. I will be checking gmail. Thanks, Mike

Creator Tish Ramirez on April 9

I received mine yesterday.....I have to agree with everyone....the glass quality is poor. You can definitely see all the imperfections....what a shame!

Creator KRIS on April 9

jcip - at 1st I thought the float wasn't there either but it's there once you open up everything.

For now I'm still testing out my 2 SAVINO's.

One thing I do notice is since the float is plastic and its design is different than originally designed (float shape is different).

After pouring the float will not stay flat as a drop of wine has landed on its plastic seal causing the unbalance. Being a plastic float, it's just to light. Why they choose a plastic float with a plastic seal and a different shape, must be a cost cutting decision, hoping we would not care or notice, in the end, it's not appealing or pleasing.

With the Upper lip being shorter and narrower than the original designed SAVINO, I have tried different methods of pouring and every single pour, there is always going to be wine dripping down the outside of the glass. So have a towel ready backers.

Will see in the next few days how well the wine will still taste.

Myself and many backers here are just wondering WHY, WHY, WHY? Why take an *Elegant* design SAVINO with high grade materials that we backed for and produce a low grade version for us kickerstarts. There was so much potential in the original design and material.

We are not just backers, but we are also your Consumers Reports. If what we are stating about the quality of the materials and the design changes doesn't make you worry enough to go back and create the originally design SAVINO.

Then let it hit the shelves and the feedbacks will continue to worsen from the public, driving the SAVINO brand down as a low end device with its high price tag.

It's like buying a new Corvette online dealership, but was delivered a repainted car , under the hood is a ford escape engine, Instead of leather seats as originally selected, we got plastic seats.

I'm just trying to understand Why. Scott has a great ideal, created the Original SAVINO with quality, but in the end has decided to manufactured a lower end version with flaws.

Creator jcip on April 9

I've received my package of 2 today
I have to say, like others, I'm a little disappointed about the glass.
But the main problem is....
I DO NOT see the float, what I received is just a glass jar.
Where's my float?
I bought two because I was thinking of giving one as a gift. But now...
Please fix this
Thanks

Creator Hector Silva on April 8

Like the others, I think what is/was disappointing is the change in design of the float and the glass makes it look a bit more "run of the mill" than what was expected (something more high end).
What I am getting from others is that the functionality is there, but they do not feel that it is worth X amount of dollars, so an outright refund may not work because I think everyone likes that it functions.

Creator Kyle Ingrelli ™ on April 6

Update: The preservation works great, as advertised. Opened bottle still tastes great about a week later, amazingly.

The only REAL issue that I notice is that the lip makes a huge drip when finished pouring, which then runs down the size and drops down into the silicone band around the top. Not a huge fan of the huge drip on the lip when pouring.

Also, the silicone band around the float tends to separate from the float a bit, and sometimes does not remain even when sliding in and out of the Savino.

Finally, the "quality" of the glass is no huge deal to me. I happen to enjoy "jar glass" or slightly imperfect glass, it lends character. But comparing with the original KS images, I can see why others would be upset. The images on KS are WAY nicer than the end product, but all in all it was a good effort. I have a feeling that had Savino been made of the glass in the original images, I'd have already broken it!

Creator Dan Rosenberg on April 6

I had intended to give my Savino as a gift, but reading the comments I decided to open it first. Kris Hinh stated my opinions better than I could have written them myself. I agree with his and all the other similar recent comments. I will try it out myself, but would not give this Savino as a gift; it is not "gift quality."

Creator Julian Chan on April 5

I just received two Savinos today. I would have to agree with what others have been saying about the lower quality of glass than expected from the advertised pictures and video. Also, a little disappointed to find that float is plastic with a rubber gasket around it. It looks nothing like what was shown in the pictures or videos. I don't know if this was all intentional and hope no one will notice, or it was truly an oversight of the QA team.

Overall, my initial impression of this product so far is...cheap. I am sorry, but it doesn't feel 'elegant'. I will be putting it to use this weekend and chime back here on how it performs.

Creator 528 on April 5

While the product seems to work as a wine preservation system, I have to agree with others that the quality of the product is far below what I was expecting. The seams and ridges in the glass make it *not* a display item and there is no way I can pour a glass of wine without wiping the rim to clean it up.

Creator KRIS on April 5

Hi Scott and the SAVINO Team,

I am one of the 1st backers of this wonderful elegant project. BUT... I will have to express my true expressions regarding the actual final production of SAVINO. Sorry Scott, someone in your team really mess this up and possibility the future of SAVINO. Once bloggers get their hands on it, it can end SAVINO future.

Like many that have recently received their SAVINO's, they are not blind nor due any of us have vision problems. The GLASS is disappointing, no... its really disappointing. It's more like a pickle JAR type quality, its THICK, HEAVY. You can see all of the imperfections of the glass. The glass material is NOT High Quality, but more of lower quality. The Upper Pour Lip is much Shorter than pictured in here (Kickstarter), the Float is made of Plastic.

Those that have pouring problems are correct as the final production run of SAVINO is different in design slightly. Material used and thickness of pour lip plays a factor. Is it "Elegant"? No... it WAS Elegant in kickstarter, but what we receive is not elegant, but it is nice.

Someone at SAVINO's production team has to be responsible for taking this Elegant Design that was produce somewhere in the 1st place with REAL High Quality Glass materials and then went out and found a company that produces JAR glasses. Cutting corners and thinking that people won't notice the difference is wrong.

We backers believe in this project and I'm sure it will function as promise, but the Quality is truly disappointing. Even the inside FLOAT is made of PLASTIC and not Glass. There seems to be more plastic in the final production of the SAVINO then what we are seeing in the photos and video in this project.

In the end, SAVINO is still a great ideal, it will serve its functions. I have 2 SAVINO's sitting here, just to make sure I didn't get a bad one, but both have the same disappointing glass materials. I'm still glad I back this project, but I would never pay $49 in a retail store becuase the material use and how it no longer looks elegant. I can put it next to many other JARs in the kitchen counter and you cannot find the SAVINO, it just blends in with the rest of my jars.

If were to see this on the Shelves and open up the box, I would be sad to see such a great ideal gone bad with poor quality materials used.

Sorry Scott, hearing bad comments from backers isn't good, but its also a WAKE UP call, to see who on the SAVINO's team mess up and selected a manufacture who doesn't produce High Quality glass, but produce jar like materials instead.

I was going to get more for gifts, but I cannot see myself giving them to my friends or family. I hope you will produce a REAL High Quality Glass SAVINO and stick to the original design and not the final design where the Upper lip is shorter.

See images...... Good Luck & Thanks! for creating this.

http://s23.postimg.org/er6jbq3wr/SAVINO_After.jpg

Creator Jim on April 5

The unit appears to maintain wine reasonably well as advertised. Like others, however, I am very disappointed in the glass quality. The photos on KS still show the elegant Savino I pledged for made of thin, clear glass with what appears to be a very sharp lip to provide the "drip free rim." What you shipped is made of very heavy, thick, uneven glass that reminds me more of a pint glass or mason jar. One result of the thick lip is that it drips after each and every pour. Are you working on a remedy?

Creator Steven Elayda on April 5

I tried out the Savino the past few days, and according to my brother-in-law who is big on wine, it works wonderfully. No deterioration of flavor due to exposure to air. Great product!
I do have one minor complaints/observations: the floating device does not stay within the carafe when pouring the final glass of wine. I was perusing through your facebook page and one post (Feb 8) said, "The glass float in each Savino is designed to block oxygen when storing, slide up to the seal without falling out when you pour, and then slide back into place to protect the remaining wine." Is this a known issue and fixed in recent production? Thanks.

Creator Ian M on April 4

Ditto on the glass quality, though my logo is stamped in the center. Since I won't have my time to test it out before that coupon code expires, any chance extending it?

Creator WeirdBal on April 4

I agree with what others are saying, the quality of the glass is definitely lacking, with obvious seems, uneven thickness and an extremely off center logo stamp on the bottom. A bit disappointing after hearing all of the talk of making the highest quality product possible. That being said, we have not had a change to test it yet and hopefully the looks do not affect the functionality.

Creator Kevin Mibb on April 3

I have to echo the comments of Jean and Steve- the glass quality is very low. It's not smooth, has large seams that stick out, and has a lot of flaws that make it more difficult to see through.

That being said, I am excited to use it. However, I would prefer it look a lot better if I were going to give it out as a gift.