peripherals-misc

02/09/2004, 2:40pm, EST

Monday, February 9th

Willow Design shuts down, offers final close out sale

Carrying case manufacturer Willow Design is shutting down and will no longer be producing its wide range of carrying cases for laptops and other Macs due to competition by overseas labor costs. A "final closeout sale" runs through the end of February: "All our cases are hand sewn in small batches by individual seamstresses so with all of them, you can count on superb protection, functional ergonomic designs and meticulous craftsmanship. This is an expensive way to make the cases though, and with increased competition of offshore, manufactured cases run through with labor rates of 22¢ - 25¢ per hour, we found we just couldn't compete. Two options would have been to drop our standards or ship our production offshore -- neither of which was acceptable. So we have decided to stop making the cases."


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end of era
0
02/09, 3:12pm, EST


...they were just ripe to be bankrupt.

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well,
0
02/09, 3:18pm, EST
one more weeping willow
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What
0
02/09, 3:22pm, EST
"with labor rates of 22¢ - 25¢ per hour, we found we just couldn't compete."

I think it's more like...

"People didn't buy our cases because they were overpriced, and not stylish"

Maybe if they were 50% of what they are now, then it would be a good deal.
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yuck
0
02/09, 3:23pm, EST
is there any style to those bags?

am i the only one that need more than a neoprene sleeve for my rather costly laptop in order to feel secure? no wonder they are out of business.
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could it be...
0
02/09, 3:31pm, EST
...that their bags simply weren't as cool as the many other choices out there? everyone knows us macDorks are willing to pay a premium for something that's really cool, unique and high quality (like acmemade or zero-halliburton, etc).

i've never been that impressed with their designs – and i must not be the only one. the design of the logo alone gives a bad first impression.

oh well, i feel bad for them because i'm sure they worked hard. but it takes more than hard work to be successful.
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Too Bad
0
02/09, 3:33pm, EST
Yes, they DID make cases for Macs. And it's too bad when any Mac-centric company bites the dust.

I TRIED to convince myself to buy one, or at least try one, but couldn't bring myself to do it. The cases look practical, but dull. Actually, rather Dell-ish.

Really, their designs come straight out of 1970's backpack style. Been there, done that.

Ta Ta. Ciao Ciao.
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where else
0
02/09, 3:33pm, EST
So other than them, where else can I get a case for my 23" cinema display? I like the idea, but dont' want to shell out $200
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Hey unfortunately
0
02/09, 3:37pm, EST
The Flat Panel iMac won't have a custom designed case anymore.
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I *like* my WD case!
0
02/09, 3:51pm, EST
I've got a case for my 17" Powerbook, and am very happy with all aspects, including the style. I'm not sure what all the gripes about style are based on (what...they don't glow in the dark?!?), but I was recommending them to others who needed cases.

For the record, my case is http://www.willowdesign.com/SC-21.html

Sorry to see them go.
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Ripe
0
02/09, 4:04pm, EST
Willow Design was just RIPE to be defeated by 10-15 Bavmorta spells.
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