Suvechha Sarkar
Dealing with everyday charger-related frustrations like missing cords, tangled wires, and unplugged devices has become a common annoyance at home, offices, and shared spaces. Although many have attempted to address these issues, few individuals have provided a practical solution. This is where the Permaplug steps in because their product is designed to lock the charging cables securely. It is a simple yet smart device that eliminates cable theft and prevents accidental unplugs. Its appearance on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 16 episode 18 gave the founder, Zechariah Jones, AKA Zak, a prominent platform to present his innovative solution in the hope of reaching more customers.
Permaplug: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Before Permaplug came into the picture, the founder, Zechariah Jones, AKA Zak, pursued his higher studies at Texas State University. He completed his General Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management from the university. He finally started his professional trajectory in February 2013 at Direct Source Media, where he joined as the Regional Sales Director. Zak left behind the position in January 2016 to begin his role as Managing Partner of Channel Sales at Advice Local. It was around this time that the idea of developing a practical solution to get relief from everyday problems like misplaced chargers began to take shape in his mind. Zak also considered the fact that the integrated power adapters that are used in the offices are quite easily replaceable.
With help from Nicholas Gartside, an Executive Vice President of Mentor and Protege at the American Marketing Association Dallas-Fort Worth, Zak invented the Permaplug charger. The latter filed for its official patent alongside Nicholas on October 18, 2019. While waiting for the patent to be developed entirely, Zak left his position at Advice Local in December of the same year. He moved on to his role as the Sales Director of Consumer Direct at AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation in January 2020. To his absolute delight, during his time at this organization, he received the patent for his product on April 20, 2021, and continued in this position until April 2023. Ultimately, Zak became the CEO and founder of Permaplug and launched the product for the public.
Permaplug is not just another phone charger accessory, but has been touted as somewhat of a revolution in charge security. The product is designed with everyday frustration in mind and ensures that once the charger is plugged in, it stays exactly where it belongs. It has a specially designed outlet for a plate charger system. The Permaplug consists of a wall plate with two main sections: a lower portion that attaches to the wall and has an opening for the original outlet, and an upper portion that sticks out and provides a cavity inside to hold the charger. The upper part has a top surface with at least two slots to organize the charging cords.
The user can place the charger neatly into the upper section, which includes two plug blades to connect to the outlet. On top of the charger, there are one or more ports for inserting cables. In the end, the wall plate has to be fixed with a screw. The customer will find the Permaplug to be very convenient since the charger cable will not be unplugged even by mistake. When needed, they can easily remove the charger from the wall plate after opening the single screw. Furthermore, the product has features like dual fast charging and anti-theft locking. It has also kept in mind the needs of the users and made sure that the cable remains tangle-proof and damage-free in the process.
Permaplug: Where Are They Now?
Since its launch in April 2023, Permaplug has been successfully catching the attention of users from different walks of life. The product successfully received funding of $10,155 from Kickstarter on August 15, 2023, and it was backed by 150 pledgers. It is beneficial not only in homes and apartments where parents are tired of their children stealing phone chargers but also in airports where travelers need a secure charging station. Additionally, Permaplug can be used in hotels, offices, restaurants, and hospitals. Following its wide range of support, the product is now available to customers on its official website and the Amazon marketplace. Permaplug is now available for purchase in Canada and Mexico, aside from the United States.
Customers can choose the cable type and cable size based on their preferences while ordering the product. There are a total of three options for cable length : 3 feet, 6 feet, and 10 feet. In addition to this, individuals can also buy a single back, two-pack, and even five-pack Permaplug charger lock, depending on their needs. Not only do they provide a 60-day risk-free trial and a one-year unlimited warranty, but they also offer free shipping on orders above $60. The product prices differ based on the number of packs one is purchasing and whether it is for the standard outlets or the Decora outlets. For the first one, the price ranges from $34.99 for one pack to $64.46 for a two-pack. If an individual is looking for a five-pack of the system, the price is $145.39.
For the Decora outlet, the pricing starts from $36.99 for one pack, $68.14 for the double ones, and $153.70 for five. Customers can buy cables and accessories and select them according to their choice. The list of the five types of available cables includes USB-A to lightning cable, USB-A to USB-C cable, USB-C to lightning cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, and USB-A to Micro-USB cable. While the first two cables are available for just $2.99, the next two cost $3.99. The last Micro-USB cable starts from $7.99. Over the years, Permplug has gained over 50,000 customers, with delighted reviews and popularity on TikTok. Besides this, it is also endorsed by platforms like Fox, MarketWatch, and many more. The Texas-based brand often takes pride in its values of unmatched customer satisfaction and transparency, which has further become the reason for its success.
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