Bastiaan K.
Swimmo = Vaporware hype
I am an avid swimmer, swimming between 1-3 miles a day (open water and pool). I bought a swimmo ''watch'' to track my mileage. I was so hyped and excited (and even supported their Kickstarter campaign). So, there I was, with a 200$ watch and looking like a complete fool trying to activate the thing in the water. I had to tap so hard for it to activate, and even then the watch is confused. During swimming, it would stop itself and after swimming, it would not stop. Occasionally it did not track at all which is especially distressing after a big swim or an Alcatraz swim! I tested it for 4-5 days but the watch was clearly defective at the most basic level. I contacted swimmo and they were instantly rude and hostile. They told me I was wrong and was using it improperly (even though I had made no comment about how I was using it). I contacted Mateusz Heleniak, the CEO directly (looking for some sanity) to tell him how much of a fan I was, how I admire and support thier mission but felt that the watch was not ready for launch and was putting his company at risk. I could see that he read it (on facebook messanger) but he chose not to reply. I went back to Swimo support while still well within my return period and warranty but they completely froze me out. I tried to contact them via e-mail, facebook, linkedin, calling and even Angellist. I was being super resonable and polite with them, I couldn't believe how they were treating me... especially someone from such a niche community. I knew they were getting my messages, so I guess they made a conscious choice to avoid my messages. All I was asking for was a refund to a clearly defective product (well withing my warrantly/return policy!) Perhaps if they admitted one fault, there would be a domino effect? Anyway, I never heard from them again, and I'm starting to beleive that swimmo (as a company) had good intentions initially but it's essentially a scam now. It is a start-up after all. Very very disappointed. I was really rooting for them. Unconvinced? I was too. Check out thier unboxing video... the comments are disabled. Not a good sign. The watch is also not to be found on amazon, the comments would be too scathing. They only advertise their own in house 'customer reviews', which is essentially lying. Super sad. I feel totally robbed and moreover, it creates a distrust market wide between customer and grass roots start-ups. You launched too early guys. EDIT: The watch took way longer than 14 days to even arrive let alone test. The fact remains that it doesn’t work. Daylight robbery.
Response from SwimmingSep 4, 2019
Hello Bastiaan. We have just reviewed your case from the end of 2018 and the conversation is about you wishing to return the watch beyond the 14 day return period due to misreading the specification. We can also see that the last reply in the Facebook conversation was ours, so your claim about us ignoring your messages is simply untrue, as is the core of the review. We will gladly provide screenshots or transcripts if you need evidence for this. We understand that you are dissatisfied that we did not make an exception for you, but we consider writing a review composed entierly of false information dishonest and unfair.