So I recently went to order the print head lens - $75 for the item, but $100 for shipping. After adding a new crumb tray and a bunch of timber shipping was still only $110.
Anyway, this got me to thinking - is anybody interested in some kind of bulk buy of spare parts, materials and what-not for shared shipping?
I was particular thinking that a group could buy a bunch of spare parts - especially the “black cable” to be kept somewhere in the UK so they were available for overnight shipping to the UK or EU
Hi @sqw Simon, just saw this post - I think we’d need a big group of people to stockpile replacement parts here in the UK, but I’d be open to it. I am currently fighting with Glowforge to send me a replacement white ribbon cable (the one that connects to the laser head without which the machine doesn’t work at all) and they’re refusing. I think they’re reluctant to set up any sort of support network/spare parts supply outside the US as they want to keep control and charge for access to their own support team.
HI, yes I saw your post about the cable. I’m not so sure its about money and keeping control more that they just don’t know how to handle these sorts of queries - especially non-US ones. It looks like US users who complain about this sort of spare part do seem to get resolved.
I have emailed Dan about this before, that UK and EU users need a cheaper - and crucially QUICKER - shipment on spares, and they need all the possible spares too. I wouldn’t even mind if you had to get GF approval before they could be sent out.
It’s the days arguing, then the days waiting to ship that are the killer.
I don’t know if this will help, but I am located in the U.S., and if there are parts that you can’t get there for whatever reason, maybe I can help acquire a “care package” to send over. I don’t know if this is realistic or not, or if it would even reduce costs, but I am happy to help if I can.
Thank you for the offer. I’ve looked at this with another GF user. For something as silly as a little lens it was possible to reduce the shipping hugely. As soon as weight adds up then GF shipping isn’t that out of line.
Trouble is though there is a much longer delay in gettings parts in case of an emergency, when your machine is down and you need it you’ll spend anything to get going again quickly.
Right, if you were ordering an item you needed for an immediate repair, the extra relay in shipping would probably be a killer.
Still, if there are basic items that you want to stockpile and can’t get shipped directly to you, let me know. I’d be happy to help if I can. Arbitrary geographical restrictions are a PITA.