1) Evidently due to the number of people having this problem
You mean a grand total of 2?
I know every single problem sucks, especially if it's a 80$ UltiController that is not working properly. But I can personally guarantee you that every UltiController is checked if it works (LCD, Button and beeper) before it's shipped. Seeing the shipping numbers (that I cannot disclose) then we would be flooded with support email if there was really a major production problem.
Our current electronics producer is sub-standard, and we are working to change that. But changing this is not as easy as it sounds. Having electronics produced is not the same as baking a bread. The previous company I worked at made the stupid mistake of saying one day "Well, from now on, all electronics need to be produced at company X". Hilarity ensured and tons (100k) of money where lost due to lost in sales, extra support and lack of stock.
Most of the electronic problems (I've checked out a few of the "bad" boards we have here) seem to be down to bad soldering. This can be on the UltiController side but also on the UltimakerPCB side. It kinda sucks if you need to check it, but it's not "unfixable"
The Ulticontroller cost me more like $150 with the crap exchange rate and insane shipping prices to the U.S.
The only reason I haven't contacted Ultimaker to ask for a replacement is because I don't want to pay the insane shipping AGAIN for a "free" replacement. So, I have a $150 paperweight.
The shipping and exchange rate are also the main reasons I haven't ordered a second printer. With the part failure rate, their "blame the customer" support policies, useless warranty, poor exchange rate, time zone difference, frequently out-of-date documentation, and crazy shipping costs, the pains of owning an Ultimaker are just too high for people in the U.S. I've been warning friends to stay away from buying an Ultimaker by telling them my own expensive experiences.
Ultimaker really needs a U.S. distribution/manufacturing office. Until they get one, they should really just stop taking orders from the U.S. They're going to have a horrible reputation in the U.S. before they even get a U.S. office at this rate.
Recommended Posts
snowygrouch 1
Ok thanks Daid, I will pass that on to my friend in the UK.
C.
Link to post
Share on other sites