Take this for example, shapeways is quoting it at $4 amd this site is quoting it at $13 to random customers. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:946933. So where in the hell is the 3X shapeways blind quote price coming from?
In addition, it appears one of my customers got confused on how to pay a quick invoice and they ended up paying for some pop up sponsored product, by mistake, instead of paying me. Nathan refunded it but it smells bad.
8 years, 9 months ago
If you're using Shapeways' pricing as being a fair market price, I can only think you aren't thinking very deeply.
Suggest you research the definition of price gouging before scattering accusations around...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging
As you'll see, the term is usually used in reference to essential goods or services at times of emergency or instances of rapid changes of supply or demand. 3D printing demand has followed supply for at least the last 5 years and although supply has constantly increased, demand has lagged supply throughout this period. At no time have either fluctuated quickly or erratically.
I have a day job I don't think being a glorified machine (3D printer) operator will ever pay more than it does. It is more of a hobby for me, I am more into it to evangelize it and make it accessible to the masses than to make a buck. I can't say I have paid off all my 3D printer related hobby costs selling parts, yet, but I have made enough to pay off a printer. I like the local (geo proximity) and personal aspect of this site. Not sure I like the idea of turning it into a bot farm where faceless nerds in basements run off batches of parts for you. That's what 3D hubs is for;) And I feel bad for those customers, if only they had found me on here first, they would have saved some money, but still, I take the money.
Just one further point, if you'll permit me. It may surprise you to know that there are very few people in this world who have the luxury of having a hobby. It's a decidedly First-World concept and 3D printing has the potential to influence the lives of us all. If your hobby pays for itself you should consider yourself extremely fortunate and if you want to evangelise, perhaps you should do it somewhere it will change lives and not simply make camping less fiddly.
Wow man, that is where you and I diverge philosophically.
It is neighborly to utilize, appreciate and enjoy the time and goodwill of people in your area. You always pay it forward, even when, or even more so when, you owe nothing to begin with.
I was not doing that, just saying their prices are expensive is all.
On both sites, printers have the opportunity to charge whatever they wish.
Are you kidding me? Did you engineer the arduino board and the ramps shield? Did you write the firmware? With any new technology there are snobs who think they are in the know and treat everyone else with disdain. It happens over and over again. You are one. Basically you can program a VCR or run a microwave oven.
Read a book.
http://www.amazon.com/When-Old-Technologies-Were-Communication/dp/0195063414
Yeah. I guess 6 years studying Electronic Engineering, Physical Electronics and Microelectronics and 25 years in embedded control systems should qualify me to operate a VCR but mastering the intricacies of Arduino code would be well beyond my ken.
Don't think I'm any more a technology snob than anyone else who's spent decades learning about technology. Or a law snob about the law. But you're entitled to your opinion, however misguided it may be.
From the way you keep changing your tack, I can only assume you have a beef with me for pointing out your erroneous twaddle. That's fine. Some people rail at the world and wish it was another way. Some just get on with it. Twas ever thus.
Is that you, Mother?
Aaaaghh! ( bonk! )
Tosspot!
You are a daft twat and a poof!
It is legacy c code is all. It is not is all that intricate but more so convoluted.