[Elecraft] RE: not about technical issues (was Shipping Status Page)

[G3SJJ]

Don, the long wait is not a problem, even though they have had $1372 of 
my money for 7 months and not even a personal thank you or apology.

*The real problem is the constant lies and broken promises coming out of 
Aptos, together with the lack of explanation, in fact, virtual silence*.

Those of us who placed early orders did so on the basis of the trust 
built up between Elecraft and its customer base.

That trust has been severly damaged, not by the delays but by the 
breakdown of communication.

Many of us had planned various activities involving our K3s. For me 
initially it was a small Low Power Field Day in July, then it was IARU 
Region SSB Field Day in September, then it was an SO2R effort in RSGB 
21/28MHz Contest in October, then it was lending it to our G5W effort in 
CQWW, and this weekend it was supposed to be a dual mode, multi op 
effort in ARRL 10m contest. Each event was planned on the basis of what 
proved to be mis-information from Aptos. Mid January sees an RSGB 
contest that I have excelled in over the years. As early as May 14 this 
year, when I placed my order for a K3/100 plus sub receiver, I began 
planning for the 2008 event. Even at this this stage I cannot be sure of 
having my K3, and only in the past week have I had to accept I won't 
have the sub-rx. The way I found out was an un-announced change on the 
shipping date.

Again going on the scant information, I have delayed arranging a 
pre-Christmas trip out of the country to be around if or when my K3 is 
delivered. I am still not sure whether it will be shipped. One person 
was recently told that his order placed 6 July would be delivered by the 
end of this year!! Numerous people have been told two weeks for several 
times. The way I view it at the moment is that shipping came to a halt a 
week ago, yet not a word.

This is not the efficient, honest and friendly service we have become to 
expect from Elecraft. They have produced a really fantastic product and 
our hearts go out to the team struggling to meet the rightful demand, 
but lies and unbroken promises are not helping them or us.

Many years ago whilst in sales and marketing of thick film hybrid 
modules into the defence industry I received a telephone call late one 
evening from the manufacturing director of a very major defence 
contractor. His modules were 3 weeks late and no warning or expalanation 
had been given. If we had told him he could have re-scheduled. I was 
given huge roasting and needless to say didn't sleep much that night. I 
did however keep my customers well informed after that.

Some honest and realistic information would have prevented this email 
and most of the preceeding ones


Chris G3SJJ





Don Wilhelm wrote:
> By my count, it does look like there are now at least 30 K3s being 
> shipped per week over the past 2 week period, judging from the serial 
> numbers that have been posted on the wiki.
>
> That means that Don Rasmussen's projections are overly pessimistic.  
> By my estimate (again judging only from the serial numbers accounted 
> for), serial number 225 should ship well before Christmas, and they 
> should have shipped SN 250 before the first of the year.  I don't know 
> how many are in the 1st batch, but most have figured it is less than 250.
>
> The folks at Aptos are working hard to hone their production 
> capabilities and get these first orders shipped.  It has been a long 
> period of overtime for all of them.  I will get my K3 in due time I am 
> certain, and I am certainly not going to bug them about it - whining 
> about it will not hurry the process and may even slow it down.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Dave Yarnes wrote:
>> I think it's just that a few folks need to vent a little after the 
>> long wait.  But if you look at the "wiki" list of K3's received, 
>> output is picking up nicely.  I think over 50 K3's are going out now 
>> each week--maybe more.  So everyone needs to hook up their Valium 
>> drip and take a deep breath.  Things will settle down soon.
>>
>> Dave W7AQK