makerbot 350$ service plan

[Avandss]

ok i am getting a little worried with everyone having difficulties with the rep 2... its my first machine and i have zero experience in this field ( i am extremely computer savy ) and very good with electronics, just no experience in this field 

so should i get it before it to late ? ( i can add it before they ship the machine ) 

or am i ok with this group?

[Martin Galese]

I have a fair amount of concern about this.  Makerbot is targeting a very different audience with the Replicator 2, but it doesn't seem like the hardware is fundamentally that different from -- or more reliable than -- the Replicator 1.  The extruder will jam with PLA, the hardware will fail in odd ways, prints will fail for no obvious reason, etc., particularly once the new wears off the machine.  I think the Replicator 2 is  still for people who like to, and have some skill at, tinkering and troubleshooting.

Unfortunately, the optional $350 "support" plan will leave large numbers of users reliant on the very same community that, at least for some people, has been abandoned, or at the very least "deemphasized," by Makerbot with the launch of the Replicator 2.  I've found the people on these lists to be incredibly generous, helpful people, but I can't imagine there will be much appetite for providing a large and constant volume of relatively "basic" Replicator 2 support -- for free -- to solve the problems with Makerbot's marketing decision.

Just my rambling speculations.

On Tue, Nov 6, 2012 at 5:25 AM, pR <p3t...@gmail.com> wrote:

I am in the same boat, except i am not in the US so i can't sign up for the service plan.

Reading the group it would seem everyone are impressed with the first demo print from the sd card, only the next day to have makerbot break down, either by somehow getting clogged, magically out of lined etc.

Obviously i am new to the 3d printing, but i didn't have to loose/tight screws on any of my 2d printers. This is disappointing, makerbot marketing their printers as home use friendly, and charging 2-4 times of their competitors for that. 

Also I didn't notice any official makerbot representatives in the group, which is kinda weird.

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Martin Galese

[PropellerScience]

I don't see any reason to get the service contract. They're not going
to send someone to your house to fix it, and I'm sure you don't want
to box it up and ship it back to them. After having my Replicator for
awhile I can't see anything here that's very complicated.

[Martin Galese]

I think that's a matter of perspective PropellerScience.  

Let's take a blown MightyBoard as an example.  Many people on this list (and this includes me) have blown at least one, or more than one, due to issues with the Replicator 1 design.  MakerBot Support has been both great, and awful, depending on your skill level.  Great, because each time they quickly send a replacement board for you to swap out.  Awful, because they send you a lose circuit board in a bag and a diagram for the wiring.

Thing-o-matic customers would probably have no issue connecting the dozen or so wires up, using multiple types of connectors and with many important polarities.  But that isn't who Makerbot wants to sell to anymore.  Do you think that an average graphic designer is going to find that to be a comfortable option?  I don't.

And that's for something actually "wrong."  What about something more along tightening grub screws on the extruder drive gear?  Many people have had to do that--and it doesn't sound like the Rep 2 will be different.  I'm concerned.

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Martin Galese

[Big-E]

I know I can't speak for anyone else, but when I ordered my replicator 2, I opted to include the service plan. I debated it for a bit, but in the long run, it's cheap insurance. Here's my reasoning:

1) This printer, although based on a replicator 1, is a new product, and like most, first run products, are prone to have problems. they need to have them in the wild for a few years to figure out where all the new bugs are before they can work them out of the design.

2) The replacement parts: seeing that I'm new to working on 3d printers, it's a big benefit for them to just ship replacement parts if something goes on this bot. At least I know I'll get the correct parts. seeing that something is likely to fritz out in the first year of operation if it's going to happen because of a faulty component.

Granted, if they stand behind their product, and it's as reliable as they claim, they should just offer a 1 year warranty on it form the factory. I'm not deluding myself by thinking this printer will be hassle-free. As for the cost for the service plan, My guess is they're factoring it by the annual cost to maintain the thing. $350 seems to be the average annual maintenance expense for a reprap/repstrap type printer based on my research to date. So, either way, maintaining the thing, and replacing parts would cost me around that much anyway.

I may be a designer by trade, but I've worked in IT for a good chunk of my life to make ends meet. I build all my PC's from barebones kits, I've got some experience with robotics as well. I've built tons of projects over the years, so honestly, unless I have to pad-solder all the boards myself, self-maintaining isn't all that daunting, especially if there are schematics and instructions, which there is an abundance of here and elsewhere. I may be the exception, though.

For the other professionals out there, they will either have an IT guy working for their firm to do the repairs and upgrades, or they will go with a Stratasys printer or something, where they have on-site service by trained professionals. The big outfits would likely go with a "Throw money at it" solution instead. I feel they call it a Prosumer device because it's geared to the niche end-users like myself, who want to use it in a more professional setting, but have the know-how to keep it up and running.

[John Biehler]

2-4 times their competitors? Who would those be with a similar machine?

[Michael Moskie]

Cube

[John Biehler]

I look at MakerBot's service plan to something similar to Apple's AppleCare. Me personally, I've never needed to buy it or utilize it with Apple stuff. It's more of a piece of mind insurance (Apple & MakerBot) for those that just be able to get it fixed asap. Whether it's worth the price is up to the individual/company buying the machine.

Hopefully, those that don't purchase it can still buy replacement parts if needed but those haven't been offered formally yet.

[John Biehler]

I wouldn't consider the Cube a similar machine to the Rep2. It's half the price because it's half the size.

[Big-E]

On Tuesday, November 6, 2012 11:05:19 AM UTC-6, John Biehler wrote:

I wouldn't consider the Cube a similar machine to the Rep2. It's half the price because it's half the size.

...Not to mention they use proprietary filament cartridges. Can't get filament for it from just anyone, unless someone has figured out how to refill them from a spool.
 

[Moby Disk]

Is the plan transferrable?  A lot of user replicators are coming up.  Maybe replicator 2's in a year or two.