Slow Bags FAQ

Bag Details

Which bike baskets and crates does the Slow Computer fit in?

It fits standing up in a Wald 137, 133, or 198 bike basket, or diagonally across a 12" x 12" milk crate. It fits lying flat in a 12" x 18.25" milk crate, or in a Pelago Rasket.

Could the magnets damage my laptop or other items?

A laptop, no. Modern phones and computers have magnets inside with similar power density (albeit smaller size) as those in a Slow Bag. These attach magnetic chargers, hold a laptop’s lid closed, and in some laptops (but not in newer Macbooks) sense whether the lid is closed. So, these devices produce their own strong magnetic fields and exist happily near other magnets.

The one thing that could happen with a laptop is an external magnet tricks the lid sensor to believing the lid is open, which wakes up the computer from standby. This isn’t likely to happen because the laptop’s own magnet is closest to the sensor when the lid is closed (i.e. most difficult to disturb with an external field). You can test this with your own laptop and a neodymium magnet.

Be careful with magnetic recording media such as cassette tapes, floppy disks, and magnetic stripe cards which are susceptible to disruption by magnetic fields. Same with the cathode ray tubes in very old televisions. These items are not part of most people’s lives anymore, but I suppose they could be in yours.

Can I see a bag in-person before I order one?

If you are in Portland, yes. Send an email and we’ll meet up. If you’re not local we’ll get on a video call with you if you want to see any particular part of the bag.

We also have sample swatches of the canvas colors. For $20 we will mail you a set of swatches, fully refundable if you return them with payment for your bag order.

I want a custom bag, can you make it?

Maybe? Write your wishes in an email to order at slowbags dot net. We may agree to minor adjustments that keep the overall design. We are less likely to do major design changes or a totally different kind of bag as a one-off order. That said, we are developing additional bags, and if your request aligns with one of our products in development, we may want to work with you!

Do you make any bags other than the Slow Computer?

We expect to, yes, but not quite yet.

Ordering, Shipping, Returns

Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash, check, or US postal money order. You can send payment via snail mail, or if you’re in Portland you can pay us in person. Slow Bags does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payments.

No sales tax? Are you cheating?

Nope! We’re based in a state that does not charge sales tax, and per South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., we are not deputized to collect any other state’s sales tax until we meet an “economic nexus threshold” of sales volume to that state. (We have not met this threshold yet for any state.)

How long does it take to make my bag?

We build bags to order. They take somewhere between a few days and a few weeks to ship. We update you with emails when we receive your payment, when we start making your bag, and when we ship it.

Do you have anything in-stock and ready to ship?

Not at this time. If we do in the future, this website will show it.

What shipping methods do you offer, and what does it cost?

We ship domestically at no cost to you via USPS Ground Advantage. This takes 2-5 business days and includes tracking. Or, if you’re in Portland we’ll deliver your bag for free on the day we finish it.

If you want a faster shipping method.. come on, it’s Slow Bags! But okay. We’ll ship via USPS Priority Mail (1-3 business days) for $20 added to your order. Realize that it still might take us a few weeks to build your bag.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, but not for free. Email us your address and we’ll send a shipping quote. At this time, we only accept payments in US dollars as detailed on the Buy page.

What is your return policy?

We accept returns in new, unused condition, less a 10% restocking fee, if you mail it back within 30 days of delivery. Send an email to returns at slowbags dot net. When we receive the bag, we’ll send a refund via the same payment method that you originally used.

Care, Warranty, Repairs

How do I care for the bag?

If the bag gets dirty, wipe or spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. The wax will help keep spills from penetrating the fabric.

If the waxed canvas isn’t beading water as well as you wish, you can add more. Melt some beeswax, brush it on the canvas, and heat gently with a hair dryer until it wicks in. Do not wax the interior of the bag.

Care for the leather sections like any other leather good. Wipe down with a damp cloth and apply your favorite conditioner.

Do not soak the whole bag or attempt to machine-wash it. This will degrade the wax and leather.

If it’s a hot sunny day, maybe don’t leave your bag in a car with the windows up. If the temperature reaches the mid-140s°F, the wax will melt and flow where you wishn’t. (These temps also quickly degrade your devices’ lithium batteries, so it’s not a good idea with any kind of bag.)

What is your warranty?

If the bag fails at any time due to a problem with the materials or workmanship, that’s on us! Send an email to support at slowbags dot net. This does not cover normal wear and tear or abuse, but we repair all of our bags for a reasonable price. Feel free to send photos and we’ll provide a repair estimate.

Provenance

Are the bags actually made in Portland, Oregon?

100% yes. We receive rolls of bulk fabric, webbing, and hardware from our vendors in Indiana, Oregon, and Connecticut. We cut, sew, and finish everything here in Portland.

Who are you?

I’m Chris Martin, a.k.a. cmart.blog. When I say “we” here, it’s actually just me. Sorry!

I have a different question.

Send an email to info at slowbags dot net.