[Elecraft] K3 - Can't ship them out the door?

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> Almost every ham rig is released and publicized long before 
> the radio hits the market.

That's true to some extent but other than the Icom 7700 and 
perhaps the TenTec Orion, I don't know of any that received 
such extensive promotion so far in advance of delivery in 
real quantity.  In particular, I can't think of any where the 
manufacturer encouraged significant deposits or full payment 
up-front and then missed the first delivery target for those 
pre-paid orders by more than 90 days.  

I understand the temptation to announce a product at a large 
trade show (hamfest) even though deliveries are "in the 
future."  I understand the desire to provide an attractive 
"availability" date.  I even understand problems involved in 
ramping up production when the initial prototype is complete 
and working.  However, to accept orders (particularly with 
payment at the time of order or with significant deposits) 
for products that are not in production and can not possibly 
be delivered in a timely manner and then fail to provide 
realistic schedule updates is questionable - and a sure way 
to alienate potential customers.    

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike 
> Fatchett W0MU
> Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 2:47 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 - Can't ship them out the door?
> 
> 
> Whoohoo moving up in the queue!!!
> 
> Almost every ham rig is released and publicized long before 
> the radio hits the market.
>