The hunt for a case for my new iPad wasn't difficult. I already had a Devicewear Ridge model for my older iPad and was happy with it. But because I do a lot of reading on my iPad, I wanted a model that rotates into a vertical position.
Devicewear makes such a case, and when I saw it on Amazon for $30, with free shipping, I clicked on the "place your order" button. I did so without realizing the case is sold and shipped directly by Devicewear.
Amazon buying falls into several categories: "ships and sold by Amazon," "fulfilled by Amazon" and "ships and sold by (the merchant, but not by Amazon)."
"Ships and sold by Amazon" is the best way to buy as it includes Amazon's easy return policy. If the item is defective, Amazon will replace it or offer a refund. In most cases _ except when a buyer simply changes his mind _ Amazon will send a return shipping label. And in some cases, it will dispatch a UPS driver to pick up the item.
"Sold by (merchant), fulfilled by Amazon" is a bit trickier. In some instances, you'll have to deal with the seller directly. For the most part, though, Amazon will authorize a free return if the item isn't as advertised or is defective. I've never had a problem returning such an item to Amazon.
The last method, "ships and sold (by the seller)," is much trickier. If an item is defective or not as advertised, the buyer has to deal directly with the seller. Amazon comes into the picture only if a buyer isn't satisfied with the seller's response.
Enter the new Devicewear rotating iPad case I had ordered. The case's cover didn't close all the way, which meant the iPad's sleep function didn't work. Closing the cover should do the same thing as manually putting the iPad into sleep mode by pressing the power button. But it didn't.
So, I went to Devicewear's website, stated my case in a "contact us" form and, within 24 hours, I got a response by email. They wanted a picture of the case not closing and my Amazon order number. Within another 24 hours, Devicewear offered to replace the case (after testing it themselves). Wary of the rotating case, because of its bulk, I asked for another model. It arrived a few days later.
Now it's true that buying directly from Amazon would have been less of a hassle, but solving my predicament directly with the seller was a relatively positive experience.
The new case works as advertised. It closes all the way and puts my iPad into sleep mode when I close the cover, also waking it back up when I reopen the cover. Unlike the rotating case, it's slim and sleek. It gets 4.5 stars from more than 5,300 buyers on Amazon.
I've praised and savaged companies' support in past columns and meted out grades. Devicewear, which makes all kinds of cases for different devices, gets a solid A-plus for handling my problem quickly and efficiency. Amazon, by the way, also gets an A-plus for its return policy and free two-day shipping for Prime members.
