Is there an ETA already? I mean something more detailed other than "Q4"? And info on whether there are any delays or so which might push delivery past December?
All components are already on order, but the IC situation is getting ridiculous. We’ve had parts get delayed for months and have to scramble to buy stock on secondary markets (where we get price gouged 10x).
Things are very fluid and even more so as we increase our production capacity. We were late by about a month for the first two batches so don’t want to put in unrealistic expectations this round. With that being said we *should* be able to start shipping in November.
Even Apple is getting affected by this…the fact that we can produce anything with less than a year leadtime at this point is a miracle (and lots of fucking work).
Thanks for your updates John, its much appreciated for those of us that have followed you for quite some time. Having said that I have to raise an issue with your outgoing email regarding the announcement of Batch 3. I'm not a big investor, I have excretionary funds available once in a while, but being told that I can't order a unit because I may have ordered one from the last batch is completely and arbitrarily stupid.
If I want to buy one I will. If I can afford to buy one I will. Not everyone can and I understand that but -- and here's the big problem-- WHEN YOU ANNOUNCE THE NEW UNIT ON THE FORUM ITS THE FORUM MEMBERS THAT ARE GOING TO ORDER IT. All of us are big supporters and will continue to be so and as a result will continue to buy what you put out. Stop telling us that we can't order again because we've purchased in the past. What are you trying to do? Limiting orders is limiting your profit and production. If there is such a huge call for what you make then perhaps its time to consider raising the price to make them a premium. As it is your products are being sold after the fact on e-Bay for four times what they originally sold for. Doesn't that tell you something? Stop thinking small time and get going on what you are good at. We will continue to support you, that's not a question its a fact. You are the seemingly only bright light in this chaos of shit products and shady companies. Do more and get better suppliers as you go, its a no brainer from my end but then....... what the fuck do I know.
I highly suggest that any other forum members that are willing to show their support do so by sending a message and making sure this "shortage of supply" and "having to pre-order" doesn't continue for much longer. Anyone?? Anyone else want to chime in?
That was mostly to give people that have been trying to order a unit for months the ability to do so without competing with customers that have already purchased one. We sold out within a day the first two Batches so many people lost out on both Batches. Obviously we are not limiting ourselves on purpose, we are supply constrained so in this environment id rather units go to new people that want one than the same people buying them (and selling them on ebay as you mentioned to price gouge buyers).
The IC shortage is putting a huge dent in scaling plans, we have had to change designs/vendors/parts multiple times and you cant just place an order for 100k units in this environment.
With that being said at this point if you want to place another order go ahead. Everyone that wanted one has had plenty of time to place an order since tuesday. Only people we are actively blocking are the ones trying to place mutiple orders for 20 units and these guys are obvious scalpers which I will not tolerate.