Update at RoBo 3D Headquarters!

The only thing I want is more communication. They could of told us sooner that the plastic parts where not going to be in on time, they probably knew at the beginning to mid of april that it was not going to happen by the end of april. Lack of communication on kickstarter projects drive me nuts, it's the only thing most people ask for after the main campaign is over but yet very few project creators communicate well. I'm not saying team RoBo is doing a horrible job, I'd give them a 7 out of 10 for communication.

 

Ben, I agree in principal with what you are saying, but…..

I think they should be focused on the “now” since they don’t have a product out yet. Yes, people should have an eye to the future, but how good is that eye with no current product/sales in the marketplace? How much time should you take planning for the future when you have current backers/customers asking for info/communication and not getting it?

And I’ll admit that companied like Dell and Gateway have had ups and downs, but that’s an issue around management of those companies. All of the ones I mentioned are/were multi-million/billion dollar industries, so yes, I’d advocate that for Robo3d.

My comments around the consultant are because I have seen that kind of thing before with other companies that I’ve worked with. Just because a consultant has a good track record with one company does not mean that their knowledge will apply to a different company, especially if it’s in a different industry. I’ve watched companies blow tens of thousands of dollars and months of time following “recommendations” from consultants for zero improvements. Robo may have gotten someone who is highly recommended, but based around software and not hardware, and that could be an issue. I don’t know if it IS an issue, but since the Robo team is new to things, I felt it was worth pointing out that one size/type consultant does not “fit all.”

As far as being “backseat drivers”…. obviously they are going to run their company their own way…… but I think they DO need us to be backseat drivers. All of the Robo team are new at this, while many of us backers have been around for quite a while. We (backers) have experience dealing with customers, shipping delays, project deadlines, global/mass communication, production issues, PR, and various other things. We can easily help the Robo team understand what we need from them. We can help make them a better company by letting them know what kinds of communication we need from them, and teach them about how to handle customers outside of Kickstarter once they grow. WE can be part of that “eye to the future” and help them grow before they have to deal with the “general public.”

 

Micheal, so.. Do you know what issues they are facing? I certainly don't as they didn't explain what is happening. Which is my issue with your comment. It is effectively "drive-by advice" which isn't useful and a lot of time harmful for moral.

There are a lot of good (and I'll agree lot of bad) reasons to call in an external subject mater expert. A few (which I doubt any of us can really help them with):

- They were having bargaining issues to get better buying power.
- They were having general parts supply chain issues (or see that they will later this year).
- They were facing internal employee benefits issues.
- They needed an outside review of their business plan to ensure that their plan is in the same direction as their goal.
.. The list goes on.

These are all VERY GOOD reasons to call in outside help. And since they didn't go into the nuts and bolts this is why your advice isn't useful. It is again "drive-by useless advice."

I'm sorry to be blunt. But it is random drive-by advice like this that really torques me off. As I've been on the receiving end of getting such advice from "experts" tell me what to do without knowing what was trying to be solved. And trust me it doesn't endear you to people that are working hard to build you a product/service.

That pretty much is the last I'll say on this topic. *shrug*

 

This discussion is interesting on several counts but I think Matt and Jeff have been getting to the crux of things. "This forum is for development of and exchange of ideas tips and processes." Yes. The founders asked for feedback and the core for most of us is: more information more often. Yes.
It seems to be that when we take things personally that the bickering and dissension cranks up. I hope we can all try a bit harder to separate our personal peeves from the basic discussions. Rants and slams will do far more to alienate participants than any lack of info from the RoBo team.
By the way, Harry - Great Job on the whole forum format and function!

 

I want my printer!!! *lays on stomach and pounds the ground with feet and fists* For us "early bird" backers does this mean we will get ours along with everyone else that had printers during the months that were delayed? Not impatient, but just wondering how "molded parts" became a mechanism for a screeching halt to production.

 

LMAO... I picture my 4yr old throwing a fit.

 

what is the new shipping dates ?
you must have a schedule to when you're suppose to start shipping ?

 

I don't think they will have a schedule because they do not have delivery of all the parts yet.

I am pretty sure that we will be the first to know when they receive the moulded parts and will then be ready to complete the build.

 

there should be a rough estimate of when all the parts are expected.
if you order anything from anyone he gives you a delivery date or a duration for production
personally i would wanna know if I'm waiting for a month or two or six

 

Getting estimated dates with from China is a joke, they always tell you what you want to hear.

 

yea this is the problem with dealing with China, you need some experience or "your gonna have a bad time"..

When i deal with chinese suppliers, we always have to put in holdback clauses and penalties for missed deadlines, otherwise your work constantly gets pushed to the bottom of the pile for anything that either pays more, or larger quantity.

Based on bast nightmares, I've seen parts delayed 6 months before we learned this trick and started insisting on performance clauses. Remember its a different mentality there. There is no work pride unless you pay for it, or insist on it in writing.

I really hope the Robo3d team hasn't payed them 100% upfront, otherwise this could get really bad before its over.

Could Harry or Coby please let us know the state of the contract? please tell me you guys have something in writing to ensure we actually get parts this year? otherwise I can tell you from 20+ years experience, excuses are China's biggest export. I hope to hell you have some holdback on those jokers, otherwise i think we are forked..

Would you be willing to send me the design files? I can probably CNC/Vacuum form the parts and ship them to you for my printer well before you ever see the chinese parts.

 

So the delay was not about a week or so after all.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't just log in to start moaning. I fully understand it's a new project made by inexperienced(in mass production) people.

I'm just saying it's more frustrating to keep underestimating the delay(over and over) than give a realistic(revised) estimated delivery date(even if it's for a month or two late).

 

Like I said earlier in the thread, the week delay wasn't going to be true. Since they where almost already a week behind. And even if it was a week delay from when they updated that means the molds would of had to be done already and they parts where about to ship. I still wish they gave us a update on the other molds, I really hope I get my printer before the end of June, I want to print some stuff to use on a camping trip D: