Topic: [GUIDE] B's A More Ethical & Trustworthy Miner Sellers Trustworthiness Guide - page 5. (Read 29177 times)

Hello all...

Just wanted to add a few thoughts.  

I'm a small time miner that is running 6 sp20e and 2 sp10's.  I got rid of all my antminers to stick with SP-Tech after the success and ease I experienced with my first SP10.  

Lately one of my SP20e's developed a problem that baffled support@SP-Tech enough that Zvi had to get involved.  He spent a good 40 minutes working with me to resolve the problem, with a great attitude and the patience to explain what he was doing at each stage and answering my questions.  I don't think there are too many other lead engineers that would spend that kind of time and effort on a small customer!

So, I'm even more impressed and extremely satisfied with Sp-Tech and just wanted to share my experience.  With support like this, I'm sure I'll find space for the "industrial" class miner out next.

Thanks Zvi and SP-Tech

Look at the groupbuys subforum

Are they still selling?

If you are tackling sellers, not just manufacturers, how about CrazyGuy and ASICPuppy.net they seem pretty reputable reseller.

I'm kind of like Batman. See OP for amount.

.                                                                                                                                                                                                                .

Update: I spoke with a representative from Bitmain on the phone. I have three articles to share.

1) Advice for anyone in a similar situation
A. Don't invest more than you can afford to lose.
Okay, now the real stuff.
B. Document everything as I did above, especially, the timeline.
This will make things significantly simpler for everybody. I will admit that I presented this documentation in this thread before I shared it with Bitmain. I did this because I assumed that because they were the second party involved in this series of events, they understood it in the same light I did. This is not true. A big reason, being, I'm sure, that I spoke with multiple representatives throughout the 2+ months.
C. Share the documentation with the manufacturer before you publish it.
As soon such information enters the public domain, both parties are encumbered by public opinion. In a court of law, this can be potentially construed as blackmail or extortion. The manufacturer, in this case, is then precluded from further cooperation. The purchaser, is then vulnerable to legal action. This is extremely sensitive. Note that it is okay to publish, but if you do, expect nothing. Consider yourself effectively forfeiting any opportunity.

2) My impression of the process
My impression is that Bitmain is busy. This is not unethical nor malicious. It is a lean model, which is due for an iteration. The best I can think to do as consumers is to encourage RMA Process Development through positive feedback.
In speaking with the Bitmain USA Rep, I got the impression that they do want to help. We are all in a maturing industry, which requires patients from both organizations and individuals. Self disclosure: I also work in an immature industry and completely understand the difficulty of doing business in a rough industrial environment - it's still the wild west, as they say.

3) My concerns are addressed
As mentioned, the publication of documentation, as I have done, assumes an encumbrance. Thus, regardless of Bitmain policy, compensation is not an appropriate option. I am inclined to avoid further encumbrance, so I will simply say that my concerns were addressed. Sorry for the lack of narrative; I promise nothing extraordinary happened, only some well had communication... Nah! Just kidding, I'l provide some closure: they offered a fair sliding scale refund based on down time. The refund has been declined, but I think it is appropriate and am a happy Bitmain customer in the end.

I am not above posting a tip jar if you found this information helpful: 1CaWCw2tj5zmRdDDSNiT5NP3HDdzshiXs5

For: None Main land China Customers:

For faster warranty/tech support, please contact

+1-844-248-6246 option 2 via telephone

Support Ticket: [email protected]

Live Chat
https://v2.zopim.com/widget/livechat.html?key=2ZaJsbRPVUUFCqOE8MmgXgbFFdNYxOBP

Simply Return the defective item to the following address with a Tracking Number.
*90-days from the purchase from the manufacture (not when you purchase it from someone who is reselling it)

Bitmain Warranty
3700 Quebec Street
Unit 100-239
Denver, Colorado 80207
USA

Please include the printed Bitmaintech.com Order Confirmation Page and Printed Return Address and a Brief Description of what is not working for you and a way to reach you

Expired Warranty Item can be serviced for fees. (Cost varies)

…just kidding, the t-shirt is actually nice.

TL;DR Bitmain mailed me two broken miners in January. I sent them in for repairs 3 times, which took over a month. I lost out on ROI, asked for compensation, was send 20 mBTC, some stickers and a t-shirt.

Basic Narrative:
I received the miners on schedule. One wouldn’t turn on at all. The other turned on, but I was having a hard time finding the IP address to be able to log in and change settings (which was just my lack of familiarity with Antminers). I emailed Bitmain informing them of both problems. I was in contact with a technician in China which was a slow process (about 1 email a day).

After a few days and getting put in touch with Yoshi (locally, in the States), I was directed to mail in the controller board of Unit #1. I sent it in. While Unit #1 was getting replaced, I noticed that Unit #2 had been hashing at about ½ speed, implying that one of the chips wasn’t working. I checked in with Yoshi, who assured me that nothing was wrong.  While we were still going back and forth as to whether Unit #2 was functioning properly, Unit #1’s control board arrived.

Unfortunately, Unit #1’s control board arrived still broken (not being able to turn on). I asked Yoshi if I could just send both miners in. He said yes, again assuring me that nothing was wrong with Unit #2. I respectfully disagreed and asked for compensation for all the downtime/lost ROI. He agreed that he would consider it. I sent both in. Just over a week later, both units arrived along with 2x 10 mBTC paper wallets and some stickers.

Unit #1 was working and the control board was replaced. Unit #2, however, was still hashing at ½ speed. I called in this time and spoke with Billy. I asked if he would cover shipping costs this time and he agreed (I had paid for shipping the previous two times). I asked Billy about “more” appropriate compensation for all the issues and he agreed to look into it.

About a week and a half later Unit #2 arrived in working condition, along with a couple more stickers and a Bitmain black t-shirt. I spoke with Billy and Yoshi multiple times since and I have been declined further compensation.

Timeline:
12.27.2014    Placed order for 2x Bitmain Antminer S5s; scheduled ship date for 01.04.2015
01.04.2015    Units arrived
01.09.2015   Emailed Bitmain in China asking how to change settings
01.10.2015   Informed Bitmain that one miner was DOA; broken controller board
01.14.2015   Transferred to Yoshi
01.15.2015   Unit #1 controller board shipped to Bitmain; ~$25 shipping cost
01.20.2015   Unit #1 arrived at Bitmain
01.21.2015   Recognized unit #2 was hashing at ~600 Gh/s; emailed Yoshi
01.22.2015   Unit #1 controller board shipped from Bitmain
01.23.2015   Unit #1 controller board arrived; it still does not work; email Yoshi
01.26.2015   Units #1 and #2 shipped to Bitmain (not just controller board); ~$25 shipping cost
01.30.2015   Unit #1 and #2 arrived at Bitmain
02.XX.2015   Units #1 and #2 shipped from Bitmain
02.04.2015   Units #1 and #2 arrive; Unit #1 is fixed; Unit #2 is still hashing at ~600 Gh/s; Bitmain included 2x 10 mBTC paper wallets and stickers;  emailed Yoshi
02.05.2015   Unit #2 shipped to Bitmain; $0 (shipping covered by Bitmain)
02.11.2015   Unit #2 arrives at Bitmain
02.12.2015   Unit #2 shipped from Bitmain
02.16.2015   Unit #2 arrives from Bitmain; Unit #2 is fixed; Bitmain included stickers and a Bitmain t-shirt

02.17.2015   Began proper compensation request emails; multiple dropped emails by Bitmain and follow ups by myself
03.12.2015   Yoshi confirmed that no further compensation will be offered.

Narrative Part II:
When I received these in working condition, I began posting them for sale. I sold them in two separate sales, both to PokeyJones. He was made aware of everything above, in real time. He just received Unit #2 and has noticed that when comparing it to Unit #1 and an additional S5 he purchased, it is not running up to par. Issue can be found in this thread:

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.10794078

He is currently emailing with Bitmain. We are also discussing where to go from here. I have offered him a full refund. However, we would both like to find proper resolution from Bitmain, so I can keep the sale and he can keep the miner.

Personal Debrief:
Obviously, I’m disappointed. I mined ~BTC.15 from the day I received the miners to the last day they were returned to me. By my estimation I would have generated ~BTC.86. Granted ~BTC.3 would have gone to electricity costs. But I also incurred ~$50 in shipping charges, which is more than I mined. And, no disrespect to PokeyJones, the circumstances pushed me into a position of having to sell the miners at a loss, which I did not plan on doing.

I’ve never heard of Antminers having such issues. Maybe it’s a fluke that both of these arrived defective. I have no idea. I hope that if anyone else has experienced any similar issues, they post about it. If I had seen anyone post anything similar, I would have started writing about this earlier. Even now I’m hesitant posting this, because it is far from my intention to post some victimization piece on my experience and I wouldn’t be happy for it to come off that way.

I tried working with Bitmain to sort this out as best I could. So now I’m turning it over to the forum. Thoughts and suggestions welcomed.

Cheers!
BLC

Special thanks to PokeyJones for being patient and proof-reading.

We are still getting contacted from the customers of Minersource.net and Miner Hosting LLC... so let us repost this!

Also, we are getting inquires from minersource.net customers regarding hosted miners went offline for weeks and missing. We are NOT affiliated with minersource.net or Miner Hosting LLC and we DO NOT have information regarding their business status.

We have nothing to do with any miners being hosted by Minersource.net or bobsag3 or Thomas_s.  They were either hosted in their Aurora, Colorado facility or some at various locations.  Some users posted that Minersource.net was hosting miners at other facilities as well.  Please look at the trust feedback related to bobsag3 or Thomas_s for additional information.

According to some customers, some miners were sent to MinerSource's Facility in State of Oregon in USA. (We never verified that but it appeared the facility belonged to other company.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=976172.20
OregonMines.com

Is Matt Carson working for Oregon Mines or part of the DG Rollins LLC?

You seem to have avoided that question.

The only person pushing this thread down a rabbit hole is Loshia. Typically off topic and has nothing to do the with the thread.

Simple questions being asked and answered. The only person that is being impolite is Loshia here, which doesn't surprise anyone given his defense of Martin and Technobit and their scams right up to present times. His personal and sustained attacks on me is well documented. Even though he was warned not to do this by forum moderators he continues to harass me in countless threads.

It is fair to ask what Matt Carson's involvement in this is, given the mess he has left behind with a number of deals here in these forums. Any potential customers of DG Rollins LLC should rightly know if he is involved. If he is why isn't Matt coming clean and resolving the countless problems he has with former Minersource customers? Does DG Rollins LLC have contact with Matt Carson? If they do can they not persuade Matt Carson to resolve issues he has with his customers?

Given those trips to Black Arrow and Spondoolies involved DG Rollins LLC and Matt Carson together there is certainly a reason to question the current standing and relationship of DG Rollins LLC and Matt Carson. The fact the "Loshia" is involved should also give any customer pause on anything related to a company, he seems only to post in an attempt to defame others and away from the specific question being asked. Smoke screens seem to be unnecessary here given that the principals are willing and able to respond to polite questions about who is involved in their business without resorting to name calling like Martin and Loshia did when questioned about their less than reputable business practices.

Clearly there is a "relationship" with Minersource and that might give at least former customers worry if not the whole community. That is why I asked the question so that consumers at least know a relationship did / does exist with these companies. The consumers who might be interested in what is being offered can now measure that information and weigh the risks involved. Without asking that question it was clearly never going to be brought up voluntarily by Oregon Mines.


Sample complaints from Loshia favorite company Technobit:

I share your hopes. I really like him.
I also hope that all will be resolved in a way that will make AMHash customers whole.

Guy

It is not ongoing.  The sample chips were ordered on a shared wafer last year.  However, production chips were NEVER ordered, so nothing is ongoing Phasebird.
Even if some board members finally decide to do their job, the first order of business is to get rid of Dave.  Then if they put together funds and order the chips, how many months before a working product can begin to ship? By that time it's irrelevant.  Whatever monies would be spent, would again be a complete waste.
It's over for AM.  Maybe something can be rebuilt with new real management and a proper sales team but it won't be AM anymore and would be a gamble bigger than AM.

I certainly hope FC is fine and safe somewhere it is all fun and games until someone kidnaps you and steals all your bitcoins.

Regarding AM:
Five different Chinese friends told me that FC really disappeared. Four of them has no connection to AM/RM.
I don't really know, but I find the coins movement very strange. I can think of three reasons: coercion, AM decided to TO and disappear (e.g. do self mine for their benefit only), AM decided to disappear/hibernate and split the coins betweens the various Chinese stakeholders.
I don't have any other explanation. It's all un-based speculations by me.

Regarding BMT price hike, I will refer you the following: https://twitter.com/bitfurygeorge/status/575164367370461184

Disclaimer: Un-based speculation, no source behind it, just me thinking.
Someone should check if the coins that were moved from the various AM wallets ended up in known exchanges addresses.
TO cost + initial wafer ordering will be anything between $2.5M and $10M
Again, disclaimer: Un-based speculation, no source behind it, just me thinking.

If I understand you correctly, you're saying bitcoin chip designers should be working toward a FinFET 14-16 nm chip.  I've read that there are two companies getting close.... and one company has reached tapeout saying the chip is 0.07 W/GHS???:

http://techcrunch.com/2014/11/02/bitcoin-brothers-aim-to-disrupt-bitcoin-mining-with-new-more-powerful-supercomputers/

http://cryptomining-blog.com/3854-kncminer-solar-new-16nm-asic-chips-coming-in-2015/

http://www.creandum.com/accel-partners-invests-in-kncminer-16nm-tape-out-completed/

Maybe we won't see these 2 manufacturers with the super efficient mining rigs using the FinFET16 chip for a few or several months?:

http://wccftech.com/tsmcs-16nm-finfet-faces-delays-qualcomm-jumps-ship-samsung/

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/nvidia-moving-to-tsmc-16nm-finfet-process.html

All in all, it looks like a new "chip efficiency race" is ready to begin??

or

Is it all hype???

Bottomline:

Most miners love what Bitmain has done for the industry. If these new super efficient chips are close to becoming a reality, then Bitmain is likely exploring/developing them too.... so that they can maintain their share of the market.

Asicminer chips on hold rumor has it.

As little information seems to be officially coming out on the ASICMINER / FriedCat front we all are left wondering about the companies future.

I can verify I heard this too from an inside source...the project is on hold until FC reappears

after chinese new year. amhash announced they didn't get cloud mining bitcoin from asicminer.
we found that:
1, friedcast lost contact from 2 month ago.
2, asicminer moved from their shenzhen office to some place in early of Feb.
3, other member of asicminer kept silence.
wtf happened in china, company corrupted one by one.