[Elecraft] [PO] My $ 0.02 WAS: Lot's of other misleading Subject lines ;-)

[Kurt Kiesow (Home)]

[PO] = Personal Opinion (for your new mail filter HI)

Earl and my other respected colleagues:

This is one of maybe five times in 15 years internet/Usenet participation
that I have felt compelled to type, and then actually send, a purely
reactionary, opinion oriented post...

Earl wrote:

>As far as technical support goes, Elecratft is great. <clipped for brevity>

I can't agree more.

Then Earl wrote:

>However, I have a gripe when it comes to parts support.  My K2 had an IC
>missing from it. <more clipped for brevity>

My K2 had a few extra parts - washers, screws etc. Helped build the junk
box...

More from Earl:

>Another instance is that my KSB2 kit had one part missing -- the PC
>board!!!  Another one week delay.

My KSB2 came complete. I broke one of the blue caps in the filter section
when I was trying to de-solder a mis-placement, (my mistake). One call to
Elecraft - the part arrived the next day - free -  and I mean "no cost"
shipping included... Mail from Aptos to San Jose takes one day...I know, I
know... :-)

And more from Earl:

>My KPA100 kit was missing two 68-ohm 2-watt resistors and the plastic
>inserts for the ribbon cable plugs (and some cabinet screws).  <again
clipped for brevity>

Well - here again, I ended up with more parts in my junk box when I was
finished - And the KPA100 worked as advertised, actually better.

Earl states:

>I insisted that he send the resistors immediately by
>some overnight delivery service, because by this time the kit was near
>completion and further assembly was held up while awaiting the resistors.
>He sent them out Thursday via FedEx one-day service and they arrived
>(including the inserts and screws!) here Friday morning.  Attached was a
>receipt for the $15 they charged me for the delivery service!

This sounds like you asked him to expedite "at all costs".  Obviously I
wasn't there but I can tell you unequivocally: Elecraft has NEVER charged me
for shipping method or otherwise without my explicit authorization.

Earl writes:

>I don't feel that delay was my fault by any means, but I didn't complain
>about the $15 they charged me for a delivery <clipped here too>

Yes you did - just now... ;-)

Earl gripes:

>Support???  And I'll bet that I'm not alone when it comes to missing
>parts in an Elecraft kit.

I'm sure you are right - but: this is the _First_Time_ that I have seen it
mentioned on this reflector, or anywhere, in such a negative tone. It is
unfortunate that you have had the bad luck with parts missing, but this
whole discussion started with your concern over filter blow-by and the
appropriate mods to include with the kit...

Earl closes:

>Maybe you can understand why I have a bad taste in my mouth about
>Elecraft's strange ways of handling some of the things.
>
>Make that  a "2" on my K2 rating on Eham.net.

Earl:  I can understand the bad taste regarding missing parts - but I
believe you've just thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

This is a $1300.00 - $1400.00 radio that compares favorably with radios
upwards of 150% of that price.

I won't go into any comparisons with other manufacturer's products or
support, I'll just say that I am 100% satisfied with my Elecraft products
and that EVERY interaction with the Elecraft staff has continued to
"support" that satisfaction.

I sincerely hope that the next Elecraft product you receive has all of the
parts... And I'm assuming that you'll at least need the KAT100 ;-)

73
kk
KF6QNC