RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
I did the same, ordered as it showed up, and ordered status still "New".
I have contacted them several times and got the same answer "we will send next day"
I wanted to add that I ordered a Mk4 kit within two minutes of receiving the announcement email and still nothing. Order status is still "New".
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
That is fair.
I get frustrated with their business model sometimes, but in general, as long as they continue to deliver quality printers and provide the support they do, I will live with it.
I appreciate they didn’t have thousands, but you stated that they wouldn’t have many prebuilt printers available and that they only build to order. I was just pointing out this time round they did try to hit the floor running with some pre-built units, irrespective of numbers.
Started building and demand to meet orders are two different things. They have said many times that they do not have a lot of storage space for kits or assembled printers. Read my response. I am saying they do not have much storage space. Hundreds of printers build is not much when you get thousands of order in the first day.
Yes, they did.
From the MK4 release blog (when the MK4 was first announced and before shipping had even begun):
”We’re starting to ship the fully assembled Original Prusa MK4 now, and the orders are live. We have (had) a couple of hundred units in stock and we’re manufacturing several thousand printers every month. ”
They knew these units would sell, so they had several hundred in stock and ready to go. The remainder were assembled as orders rushed in.
I highly doubt they had many prebuilt printers sitting around waiting to ship. They have said many times in the Prusa Live and interviews that printers are built as they are ordered because they do not have the storage space for the volume of orders / preorders.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
I think that is precisely what it comes down to. The ordering process and business model have clear room for improvement, but there's no doubting the quality of their products, and if they keep delivering, people will keep returning. Sure, we'll have a moan about the long lead times and lack of communication/updates every time, but once received the quality of the printer speaks for itself and we end up forgiving and forgetting! lol
They need to be careful not to fall into the same trap as GoPro though. Fantastic cameras, but their support, which used to be fantastic, has taken a turn for the worst and is now appalling (ever since they went public and have shareholders to please). Not only are their camera firmware generally buggy, they're losing customers due to the poor after-sales support. As long as Prusa maintain their game here I'm hopeful of their benchmark position - just if only they'd refine that ordering process/comms!
That is fair.
I get frustrated with their business model sometimes, but in general, as long as they continue to deliver quality printers and provide the support they do, I will live with it.
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
I got the notice of shipment clearing customs here in the US, before I got a shipping notice from Prusa...
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
Update: my order number is 1681320456. I ordered Apr 12, 2023, 7:27:36 PM ("prusa time"). So I fall in the : "April 12th from 5.30 pm until midnight (CET)" - shipping period, what would result in the "Currently shipping - From Week 25 (starts June 19th) to Week 28 (starts July 10th)" which would end today I suppose cause I do not think they ship on weekends. And I do not think that that will happen. Otherwise they would have to ship all orders from 7:27:36 (and before that) till midnight today. But as expected I did not receive any confirmation of shipping nor did change the order status - it still says paid (over 3 months actually) and new. And although they wrote me that line: "Currently the production rate is steadily increasing, which will in effect shorten the leadtime as the backload is slowly processed." Well it did not obivously. On the contrary thay pruction rate slowed down - again. Promises, promises - all wrong promises. I also - of course - did not receive an answer for my email I wrote 2 days ago although they the add the line: "Do not hesitate to contact me in case you have any questions or doubts. I remain at your assistance and I wish you a great day" every time - its just a phrase. Well I will not cancel my order now - that would be stupid - but I highly doubt that I will order a printer here ever again. In case of business behaviour they have to learn so much. I cannot watch prusa videos (especially the live ones) anymore when they sit there laughing praising themselves what they accomplish and what good they do in correcting their faults which are mostly the "excuses" for their delays.
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
I sympathize with you It sucks waiting and not knowing how long. It was clear to everyone that it was a pre-order and that it would take some time. And the information at Prusa is always very optimistic. It would be better if the times were more realistic and then reliable. Most could live with it much better. But for consolation.....once it's there, the printer is great fun.
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
The MK4 Kit shipping table has been updated (7/14) with updated delivery dates for 4/12 after 5:30 pm orders.
April 12th from 5.30 pm until midnight (CET) Currently shipping - From Week 25 (starts June 19th)to Week 30 (starts July 24th)
RE:
So a 2 day holiday has resulted in an extra 2 weeks into shipping schedules, and no explanation at all. Complete BS.
so much for increasing production rates.
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
At least they updated the shipping schedule LOL
I'm hoping I have received mine before I leave for the winter months (12/27/23)
Order 168133xxxx
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
I guess the shipping table will be updated quietly now. I suppose we have to check daily to "keep being updated", cause nothing comes from prusa directly anymore besides giving themselves a pat on the back. Its kind of arrogant in my eyes. Maybe they should merge with a company that knows logistics, or they invent and another reliable firm produces and delivers. They obivously cant.
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
Are you kidding me they pushed back the shipping dates again....what the actually hell. I'm out....order cancelled. done and done. I'll put my money somewhere else. I really wanted the prusa but this is ridiculous.
The MK4 Kit shipping table has been updated (7/14) with updated delivery dates for 4/12 after 5:30 pm orders.
April 12th from 5.30 pm until midnight (CET) Currently shipping - From Week 25 (starts June 19th)to Week 30 (starts July 24th)
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
Are you kidding me they pushed back the shipping dates again....what the actually hell. I'm out....order cancelled. done and done. I'll put my money somewhere else. I really wanted the prusa but this is ridiculous.
The MK4 Kit shipping table has been updated (7/14) with updated delivery dates for 4/12 after 5:30 pm orders.
April 12th from 5.30 pm until midnight (CET) Currently shipping - From Week 25 (starts June 19th)to Week 30 (starts July 24th)
Sad to see you go, but it probably wont make a difference.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
If you can’t or do not want to wait, there are two MK4 printers on eBay:
MK4 assembled - bidding at $1225 USD plus $125 shipping
or
MK4 kit - Buy it now for$1500 uSD plus $60 shipping.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
You are wrong. I will make difference in the future.
I have placed an order 12.04.2023 13:00 Warsaw timezone. I am still waiting, contacted Prusa every 2 weeks and the answer is „we will send you the printer next week” every single time.
Next time, I can assure you that I will order Prusa’s competition. Prusa is waisting my time. Sorry
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
... MK4 kit - Buy it now for$1500 uSD plus $60 shipping.
Prices for rarities are high 😉
RE:
My concern is when a company starts to push back dates, similar to kickstarter projects, and I know Prusa is not a kickstarter far from it, thinks are not stable and the company has over extended. Should they cut back on the number of products that sell and bring the surplus into the MK4 kits? Dates getting missed can means a shortage of part which and that can lead to faulty parts being shipped or poor quality parts being used as a stop back. All in all the next few weeks will tall when people starting getting the kits.
I'm not sure if i should cancel or ride the wave. Their are a lot of other brands to consider and I'm just confused what to do?
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
Or it's just that a lot of people want to have an MK4. Although, according to internet experts, Prusa is dead and anyone who doesn't buy Bambulab is a fool. It's always been a bit bumpy when Prusa launches a new model. But that shouldn't be an excuse. They have to work on that.
RE:
contacted Prusa every 2 weeks and the answer is „we will send you the printer next week” every single time.
lol I always got this response too!
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
Sadly they see that they can do whatever they want, and the orders are still coming in. So nothing will change - ever. They just dont see the necessity for it. But there are other, new companies with bigger ideas and faster (much much much faster) delivering service. So maybe the "Prusa bonus" will run out in the near future, and there will be no coming back from that.
RE: Mk4 Kit Availability
They clearly do not learn from past mistakes I hear as this is nothing new with Prusa.
Or it's just that a lot of people want to have an MK4. Although, according to internet experts, Prusa is dead and anyone who doesn't buy Bambulab is a fool. It's always been a bit bumpy when Prusa launches a new model. But that shouldn't be an excuse. They have to work on that.