My reaction to the 10/29 Update

[Sandro]

I feel that I'm in a strange position at the moment, and I want put all my cards on the table.

I backed XMachines because I am an alumni of the University of Maryland, College Park, same as the creators of the Lorei.  In the very early days of the Kickstarter, some of us from the region went out of our way to meet and talk with Josue and Jaime.  I believed then (and still believe today) that they genuinely wanted to succeed in this venture, but I also worried that they had little manufacturing or business experience.  Over the month of the Kickstarter and the following couple, I tried to help them in small ways, mainly trying to provide some advice here and there.  With the birth of my youngest child in July 2015, I disengaged out of a need to focus on work and family.

I funded the Kickstarter for a  Lorei Duo from the August 2015 batch.  But I think I have received my printer out of turn because Josue has met me, and believes I can promote the Lorei and possibly drive some sales.  Furthermore, I never paid shipping, by agreement with Jaime I was supposed to drive 1 mile to their office and pick it up.  But instead letting me know when it was ready, I got a shipping notice instead.  I have offered to reimburse XMachines the shipping fees I should have paid, but they have not responded to this offer.

I am extremely uncomfortable with the situation and now I want some advice from the community.  I have considered the following possibilities:

1. Identify the backer that *should* have received the printer I currently possess, and ship it to them on my dime.  Then wash my hands of the whole thing.

2. Keep the printer, shut-up,  and stay out of this.

3. Try to post about the printer without any commentary on the company.  Let the printer speak for its creator

4. Be an advocate for XMachines and hope that I can help everything work out for the other backers.

5. Post about the printer and be as transparent about the situation as I can.  Warning everyone about the situation

I'm truly at odds about which course to follow:

#1 seems easiest -- I'd be out my own pledge+shipping just like most of the other who backed the project.

#2 seems unappealing -- I'd be better off than most, and not doing anything to improve the situation

#3 seems like I'd be drawing new people into this drama without giving them any warning

#4 feels like I'd be a shill -- complicit in the situation, but might actually help more backers getting their printers

#5 feels honest, but might make things much worse for everyone else in the situation -- XMachines and the backers.

So I am asking the community, what should I do?  What would you do?

 

[Sandro]

I forgot to add that this is what I would like to see from XMachines:

1. Refund any and all shipping fees paid on unshipped rewards.  This is only fair, and Paypal/Credit card companies are probably going to force this anyway
2. I thought XMachines finances were not necessarily the backers business.  But in light of the intention to use backer machines as stock for retail sales, XMachines at least owes the backers a (private!) breakdown of how the money from retail sales will result in reward shipments.  Will it be 3 retail sales = 1 reward shipment?  Some other ratio?  What's the plan, at least as far as converting retail sales to shipped rewards.  Obviously this could/should be in a "backers-only" update.
3. Release the firmware for the existing printer.  There's no cost here, and since Marlin is under GPL v3 license, it's basically required by XMachines use of the software.

[Jon]

I think the correct action on your part (and anyone who receives the printer) is to use it, honestly report what you find, and not lie about the state of the company.   You are one of very few people who have been able to verify that the printer works and that is what people want to know from you.  

[Joseph Cole]

I like what the printer can do also, I'm going to buy it anyway...do I trust them...NO...do I understand what's happened...yes...after year's of managing projects, this is more common then many would expect...it happens in government and large organizations...right now I would just sit tight, and let things take their own course... Joseph

[Scott Ebersole]

Sandro,your honesty is refreshing but, I do not see a need for you to do anything but use the printer and continue reporting your findings. It is inevitable that Xmachines will use up the parts they have producing printers and they will end up in the hands of people, whether they are backers, retail sales, or both. Either way a community will be formed and will need to work together on printer troubleshooting, improvements,etc. You have part of this from the beginning and it is greatly appreciated!

[John Kocurek]

I agree. Keep on doing what you are doing. None of this is your fault.

Although, I admit that I have a queasy feeling that yours is the only printer out there.

[Roy Hamm]

You got my support Sandro. Keep the printer. Use it. Educate us. I am very glad you got it and the YouTube videos gave some highly needed positive vibes to this mess :-)

[John Brewer]

I agree with Roy 100%.

[3NG1N33R]

I agree with Roy & John too. Of course, you do not have to do anything. You paid and received your printer. You don't owe anyone. The company seems to lack business experience/skills to produce. Likely, the kickstarter succeeded far more than they though it would.

If you want to help us and xmachines, posting "true" videos is best. If a video or feedback is 100% positive, it is usually untrue, especially for a new product. Likely, it will take a while to work out many kinks from the printers. 

[Mark R]

I agree with the others in saying that you should keep using the printer and posting about your experience. I would say one of the few smart decisions made by XMachines was to send you a printer, since others have supposedly received a printer and we haven't heard anything from them. I appreciate all of your printer related posts and especially your YouTube videos.  Keep up the good work!

[Jared Eldredge]

in your shoes I would seek either option 1 or 5 (ship to the 'proper' recipient, or go for full transparency and report as much info as possible about the printer itself).

i suggest the later is actually better: the printer isn't new anymore - if it has issues in the near future it would be unclear who is responsible for them, etc. option 5 gives you the cleanest approach to be useful to the community as a whole, and causes the least potential harm (in my opinion).