First, I hate to hear of any customers unit that has a problem or fails. If it is my customer, then I tend to take it personally. I remember quoting a unit to Gary for our entry level unit.
In fact, let's just put this out there. I just checked out emails and pm's. I counseled Gary against buying this type of unit and also told him that our entry level models were being discontinued. I did not feel comfortable recommending those units to him. Best I can remember, he did not buy direct from me, and insisted on buying it anyway and bought it elsewhere against my advice and explanation. I in fact made recommendations for other machines. When he had problems initially, I think I was the first he contacted though.
If anyone has followed my advice over the years. I've never recommended those type machines, especially for the average user. They are specific designed for a purpose. Regardless of what I say, There are still people that say people "no, this is what I want." I think I recommended against Gary buying one, but he did. Sure a lot of people do buy them. Most all are happy until something happens.
But lets look at this from a rational standpoint.
The warranty has been and always has been stated on our site, and is always available by clicking a VERY visible link at the top. No one is arm twisted into buying our units if they don't like the terms of the warranty.
Our warranty reads much like Miller and Lincoln You pay shipping to their facilities to and from as well! Now for someone living close to a repair center, that may seem like a minor issue. But if you are in the heart of Montana, that's the breaks. You pay shipping for blue and red as well.
A three year warranty is all they offer. If it had been on one of their machines (and yes, they do fail too, frequently enough just out of warranty) you would have had to pay many times more for parts and repair on a machine like this. Ask the guy who has had a Miller fail shortly after a warranty expired about their machine. You won't hear very nice words come out of their mouth. There is still roughly 2 years left on the unit if it wasn't our entry level mosfet unit. If it was, it is still a better value than paying 3 to 4 times the price, and still having to pay out 1200.00 for a board plus labor to fix another brand.
Look at the value you still have for what you have invested. You still cannot come close to touching a plasma cutter or a TIG welder individually for anywhere close to this amount. Now, I understand the issue of having to pay more for shipping. I'll deal with that in a moment.
I've stressed the fact don't buy one of these units if you plan to use it primarily as a plasma cutter!!! I've said it here and elsewhere, and counseled many. Plasma is a support function. It is made clear on the site as well in the notes and elsewhere in the documentation. But that does not keep you from buying it. I can only guide you.
As far as the boxing fee, the boxing fee isn't charged if the boxing is correct and prescribed when you send it in. They even have a detailed picture to show you how to ensure that it arrives safely and can be returned to you without damage. If a boxing fee is being charged, it is because your box was not in a returnable condition and likely the packaging instructions was not carefully followed in some way. You see if you we ship it back to you, and it was not properly packaged, the cost of the unit is on us if it gets damaged in shipping. So, we make sure it is packaged properly on return. We make the advice to the customer how to package it and greater than 99% of the time, we have no issues in shipping the box both ways if our pictures and information is followed.
For shipping to us, you can always call us and we can provide a 'discounted" label to return the unit, which takes advantage of our volume shipping discount.
Additionally, I have found that items under 70 lbs ship way better and faster USPS at a much cheaper price. My experience. It may not be everyone's.
Now some of you are going to say "Well if it were a Miller or Lincoln it wouldn't have broke anyway". Yeah, right.
Well, now, isn't it a good thing that Miller now has a star rating and comment section where you can find out what some people think about their machines and the problems they have.
So, before any of you comment about this very thing to my reply, then go over there and read about some of the dissatisfied customers. Yes, blue and red nightmares do exist.
) is still working fine. We just used it this weekend for about 3 hours (maybe a total of 30 minutes welding arc time max). However over the last 6 years I doubt it's been on for more than 20 hours total.
