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Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#11

Post by tdavis »

waxman wrote: post #7

I owned and briefly used a very similar German-made device called the Axbo: http://www.axbo.com/axbo/CMS/CMS.aspx?Language=E In my experience, it actually didn't work at all. I suspect one main problem was that you could only set the alarm to wake you up within a 30-minute window, which meant there was a fairly high probability that the optimal point in your sleep cycle would occur before or after the alarm (given th…

> Is it ethical?

WakeMate never actually collected any money from the pre-sales, so I don't think there's anything that could be considered unethical about it. If we had, that'd probably be a different story.

> Is it advisable from a long-term strategic perspective...

That remains to be seen, but investors wanted to see actual pre-orders; since the investment was necessary to hire folks like me to finish the product, it was the only short-term strategy available.

Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#12

Post by brandon »

tdavis wrote: post #8
brandon wrote: post #3

Just a note: I pre-ordered a WakeMate on November 25th, 2009 with a ship date in January. After the ship date passed, I got a "we're sorry" email which said that they tentatively planned to ship them in February. No word until March when they said they'd go out in March. In April, they told me the following: "Based on your pre-order date (11/25/2009), you should expect your WakeMate no later than 07/30/2010." I've he…

Though biased (I wrote all of WakeMate's web-based software), I think the product is solid and works as described; Beta users have agreed. Release estimation and product management in general are clearly a different matter, but we have sent out multiple emails since April and the blog ( http://blog.wakemate.com ) is routinely updated.

The only thing that has kept me from pulling my pre-order was that I do have high hopes for the device once I eventually receive one. That's certainly not a basis upon which to recommend the device, though, and my negative experience so far has lead me to do the opposite for now.

As for the blog, it's great to see that progress is being made, but the company's communication strategy has been inconsistent at best. I had no idea that there were public updates outside of the emails I'd received, and I can confirm that the last communication I personally received was on April 1st. Even when I initially put $5 down on the device, the only confirmation I got was from PayPal, not WakeMate.

The fact that the endeavor was a start-up effort is not lost on me, though, and so I'm trying to be patient. I just hope that there are lessons learned around customer communication and commitment.

Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#13

Post by brandon »

tdavis wrote: post #11
waxman wrote: post #7

I owned and briefly used a very similar German-made device called the Axbo: http://www.axbo.com/axbo/CMS/CMS.aspx?Language=E In my experience, it actually didn't work at all. I suspect one main problem was that you could only set the alarm to wake you up within a 30-minute window, which meant there was a fairly high probability that the optimal point in your sleep cycle would occur before or after the alarm (given th…

> Is it ethical? WakeMate never actually collected any money from the pre-sales, so I don't think there's anything that could be considered unethical about it. If we had, that'd probably be a different story. > Is it advisable from a long-term strategic perspective... That remains to be seen, but investors wanted to see actual pre-orders; since the investment was necessary to hire folks like me to finish the product,…

To be fair, WakeMate did collect a $5 pre-order deposit from a number of customers which was later refunded.

I'm sure the money that came in this way was another vehicle towards finding investment, so I don't begrudge them at all.

Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#15

Post by cullenking »

logic wrote: post #6
brandon wrote: post #3

Just a note: I pre-ordered a WakeMate on November 25th, 2009 with a ship date in January. After the ship date passed, I got a "we're sorry" email which said that they tentatively planned to ship them in February. No word until March when they said they'd go out in March. In April, they told me the following: "Based on your pre-order date (11/25/2009), you should expect your WakeMate no later than 07/30/2010." I've he…

They're apparently hiring: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1757816 It doesn't appear that customer service is a role they're looking to fill.

Notice that thread has no comments, and comments cannot be left. I am assuming this is a HN tool - wakemate threads tend to devolve into criticism and bad feelings.

Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#16

Post by johnswamps »

cullenking wrote: post #15
logic wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're apparently hiring: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1757816 It doesn't appear that customer service is a role they're looking to fill.

Notice that thread has no comments, and comments cannot be left. I am assuming this is a HN tool - wakemate threads tend to devolve into criticism and bad feelings.

It isn't specific to wakemate, none of the YC job postings allow comments (unless it's just submitted as a regular story of course)

http://news.ycombinator.com/jobs

Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#17

Post by cullenking »

johnswamps wrote: post #16
cullenking wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Notice that thread has no comments, and comments cannot be left. I am assuming this is a HN tool - wakemate threads tend to devolve into criticism and bad feelings.

It isn't specific to wakemate, none of the YC job postings allow comments (unless it's just submitted as a regular story of course) http://news.ycombinator.com/jobs

This was just pointed out to me - I feel like an idiot now :)

Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#19

Post by zaatar »

brandon wrote: post #13
tdavis wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Is it ethical? WakeMate never actually collected any money from the pre-sales, so I don't think there's anything that could be considered unethical about it. If we had, that'd probably be a different story. > Is it advisable from a long-term strategic perspective... That remains to be seen, but investors wanted to see actual pre-orders; since the investment was necessary to hire folks like me to finish the product,…

To be fair, WakeMate did collect a $5 pre-order deposit from a number of customers which was later refunded. I'm sure the money that came in this way was another vehicle towards finding investment, so I don't begrudge them at all.

Was the refund automatic? I am quite sure I paid the $5 but don't recall seeing a refund. Maybe I got it but I'd love to know where to look ...

Re: Ask HN: Do things like WakeMate really work?

#20

Post by zaatar »

brandon wrote: post #3

Just a note: I pre-ordered a WakeMate on November 25th, 2009 with a ship date in January. After the ship date passed, I got a "we're sorry" email which said that they tentatively planned to ship them in February. No word until March when they said they'd go out in March. In April, they told me the following: "Based on your pre-order date (11/25/2009), you should expect your WakeMate no later than 07/30/2010." I've he…

My wakemate was meant to be a slightly delayed xmas gift ... ;) The recipient has even sold their iPhone now. Sigh.
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