Absolutely I appreciate the question specially by senior members or moderators such as yourself hopefully to make possible tweaks for future customers. But first little demographic about myself: Technologist, software architect, robotic hobbyist, internet sway, and reverse engineer, and of course a crypto currency fan as of 8 month ago.
I am dumb but not too dumb nevertheless fell in Butterfly Labs trap for following reasons:
1- I did research them for scam including most other big players. They all equally had several # of complaints, but I didnt find major law suites that I could pin point or they all had similar allegations.
2- BFL was located in US. I figured worse case scenario I be dealing with a company in US than China or Europe.
3- I noticed many good reviews on BFL Singles on youtube, and even saw ads such as this one that they being sold in retail such as Tigerdirect & Walmart. For example see this one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/34952957?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227023099684&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=36174013381&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=65388671101&veh=sem 4- They accept USD, in addition to Bitcoin. Most others would take bitcoin which I didnt have.
What I didn't know or just realized several weeks ago was the fact that they pocket 99% of funds received and allocate less than 1% to development, which is the reason for super late development. I used to think the complex technology was a contributing factor, and didnt know they under fund development. Also I didnt realize their board members are bunch of Jackass running ponzi scheme with hardware.
I even searched top 10 bitcoin miner in google and landed in PC Magazine or Toms Hardware and BFL was right on top.
I think what this forum or similar could do to help is a recommended manufacture link and rated by trusted senior members like your selves. I am sure such link probably exist but perhaps buried or crowded with many posts. I guess clean list of scam alerts for member and or manufacture, that is easy to locate would be very helpful and could reduce number of people falling in this trap.
I am also twitting some of my findings to reporters who apparently interviewing BFL and using appropriate # hashtag to help expose these jackasses whenever I get a chance. As you would see in Josh twitter. However I am doing it based on facts also copying FBI and KC police, in case they actually read the tweets.
Hope this help.
Thanks
Sean
Sean you are obviously newish here I'll assume by activity.
Did you choose BFL because all the posts/threads/everything on forum was hidden, moved or deleted.
Not being negative regarding you, It just would be good to get clear clarification that the forum could be doing alot more to assist people in not getting screwed by these people that have been running the same trick for what 1.5 years now ?
I know the forum doesnt hold peoples hands... but jeeesus christ. come on.. help a little...