[Elecraft] M0XDF: Re: What difference?

[Steve Sacco NN4X]

David -


I was watching a special about Pink Floyd last evening, and reference 
was made to the line "Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English 
way", and I thought of that as soon as I read your post.  :-)

WRT "Didn't the e-mail say why", would any reasonable person think it 
would be too terribly onerous of a task, just prior to jetting away 
to Japan, to zip off a quick shipping status update to customers who 
not only are customers, but many of whom are also extending Elecraft 
a rather substantial free loan?  Loyalty works both ways.  I find the 
"going to Japan" excuse to be specious.

David, here's the thing: I'm noticing a pattern of behavior where 
Elecraft has been less than forthcoming with respect to their 
shipping schedule.  The latest one is the SECOND TIME IN A ROW (so 
far, Elecraft is "2 for 2"), whereby the de facto notification of a 
highly anticipated ship date was announced by Beta testers who where 
sharing their impressions (I'd like to thank them for sharing those 
impressions, BTW - ESPECIALLY about the noise blanker!!).

I don't find that behavior to be especially above board or respectful 
of their customers.

Here's the next guess I have: Elecraft hasn't distributed the 
hardware NB to their Beta testers.  I will guess that the next delay 
will be because they want to make sure the NB is properly shaken down 
by the Beta testers (and note that I'm not against proper testing!), 
and will have to distribute those pieces, and await review by the testing crew.

WRT "what difference does it make", I don't consider that rude at 
all, and I'm glad you asked.  I believe that I'm in a somewhat 
special category.  I'm repairing my station from the damage of three 
hurricanes which struck within 6 weeks in 2004.  Until I get the 
antennas all fixed, I'll remain QRT, so for me, the answer is "not much".

That being said, I'm sure there are many folks who gave Elecraft a 
deposit, with the expectation that they'd have a K3 at approximately 
Elecraft's published shipping date.  They have a right to be informed 
of shipping status in a timely manner, because THEY may decide that 
they cannot wait.  That strikes me as entirely reasonable, and for 
the life of me, I cannot imagine how anyone could disagree with 
that.  You mention "trust", and I'll add that I subscribe to the 
Russion saying of "Trust, but verify" ( 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust,_but_Verify )

There is a profound difference between being willing to wait, and 
that being your choice, and being strung along.

Let's turn the question around: "How many people who have put down a 
deposit have done so if they knew that they radios would be shipped 
at least two months later than they originally thought?"  Maybe some, 
maybe most, but I'm fairly certain, not "all".

It's very important to understand the distinction in what I'm saying: 
I'm NOT advocating an accelerated, anything-less-than-100%-thorough 
testing and development schedule. I AM insisting on open and timely 
communications with their customers/bankers.  It seems the least that 
Elecraft can do.


Regards, and 73,

Steve  NN4X
Saint Cloud, Florida, USA





Didn't the email say why, they got busy and had to go to the Japan show.

I don't wish to be rude or negative, but what difference does it make to the
delivery date if you had known two weeks ago?
Would you have cancelled your order?

I'm waiting too, on the edge of my seat. This has messed up some of my
planning around building and learning the rig (so I'll revise my plans for
the next couple of months - there's always plenty to do). But like many
others, I have placed my trust in Elecraft and would much rather wait for
'The best of the best' to be ready to ship.

I'm not an Elecraft worshiper (yet), this will be my first Elecraft product.
A good few of my local club (there ought to be a Q code for that) have K2's,
including I think, some of the earliest. I am very impressed with their
receive capabilities, so that's why I purchased the K3.




  _.    _.   ...._   _.._   nn4x at embarqmail.com