New 250EX owner, a few problems

[Adambomb]

What a disappointment! I contacted Alex last night to see if 250EX's were in stock, and they were. I called this morning to start the exchange process, but a local transformer was down and their office had no power. I called back this afternoon and there were no more 250EX's in stock Now I have to wait until the next shipment comes in to get a replacement. Alex offered to downgrade me to an instock 225LX and a refund, but I declined. I have a 250 and I'd like to keep my 250 :wink:

[Rugar]

So why didn't he hold one for you? Thats not right!

[Adambomb]

I'm not sure Ruger..... Alex said he had one, or he thought he did, but then the last one got sold that morning or something. No matter what, I have to wait until the end of next week at the earliest; and if the last shipment is any indication I'll be lucky to get a replacement unit before the new year. At least I can still use the torch switch and set the power by trial and error (the HF constant on stopped by itself...no idea why, but now the panel simply shows 33 amps). I can make it work well enough to finish the aluminum welding cart I'm bulding, so I'll put the cover back on and use it as i can until the replacement shows up :o

[everlastsupport]

If you were offered a 225LX, why not just use that for a week or two? That's the unit I personally own. The extra features on the EX are nice, but not required for most.

[sschefer]

If you were offered a 225LX, why not just use that for a week or two? That's the unit I personally own. The extra features on the EX are nice, but not required for most.

I agree with Mike, sounds like they're doing everything they can to get you up and running. It took me a lot more than two weeks to even understand what half the stuff on my 250EX did. You won't miss the extra features until later on when you actually understand what they do.

[Adambomb]

If you were offered a 225LX, why not just use that for a week or two? That's the unit I personally own. The extra features on the EX are nice, but not required for most.

I didn't think Alex was offering me a loaner for a week or two, I believed it was a permanant downgrade. If he was offering a loaner, SURE! I'll take it. THe 225LX does have enough of the features I need, I got the 250 for the extra power. Do I normally need that extra? No, probably not. But that time I do need it for some 1/2" aluminum on a custom bracket, I've got it.

[Adambomb]

My 250EX finally gave up today. I was trying to weld some aluminum and it just wasn't working right, like I wasn't giving it enough power. I kept turning the amp knob further and further to the right until it was maxed out, and still wasn't hot enough to melt 1/8" angle. I tried it on DC with some 18ga mild steel at full power, and it barely left a mark. I suppose I'll pack it up and call UPS tomorrow. When's the next shippment supposed to arrive?

[performance]

Did you try it with the torch switch? It could be the foot pedal slipped some cogs.

[Adambomb]

Thanks for stopping by Mark, but I haven't been able to use the foot pedal for almost a month. I have been getting by using the torch switch, but the problem isn't the switch, it's something wrong with the unit. The amp displayed doesn't go any higher than 35 amps at full power, and I'm thinking that its an accurate representation of the output. I had planned to keep this unit until the new welders came in, but now that it's not working, I might as well send it in. I am still a little peeved that Alex didn't hold a replacement welder for me.........

[Adambomb]

I shipped my 250EX back to San Francisco yesterday.......She is officially dead in my inexperienced hands. Does it show good judgment or lack of confidence that I kept all the original packaging for the return shipment?

[performance]

I'd say neither. I know a lot people who save boxes, including me. I always find a use for them, and after 6 months to a year, they go on to the trash, because the humidity eats them up.

[Adambomb]

I too save boxes for future use Mark, but in this case the question was a tad rhetorical. I saved the packaging for the welder specifically hedging against the possibility that I would have to ship it back. This sucks, I have some cool projects that I need a tig for. Hurry up and wait!

[Adambomb]

Katya just emailed me the proposed next shipment date as the 17th of this month. So if things go well (weather, dock logistics, customs) then all of us waiting for new or replacement machines should see them by the end of the month......maybe a little sooner.

[zipnz]

I hope this date is correct adam. I thought this shippment was first projected to be in just before Christmas. I have been checking the forum every day hoping to see that the latest shipment has arrived, have been waiting since the beginning November for a pp256

[Adambomb]

I hope it is too zip. Their last shipment came in later than expected, but since we are already past the originally projected delivery date, I am hopefull that this date is an accurate estimation. Probably as accurate as Everlast could give or speculate on.

[ASE_MasterTech]

I hope this date is correct adam. I thought this shippment was first projected to be in just before Christmas. I have been checking the forum every day hoping to see that the latest shipment has arrived, have been waiting since the beginning November for a pp256

Well if it's any consolation to you, been waiting here in NJ for a (new) PP256 since Sept..
Wonder what happened to the December shipment? I was told it would be in around 12/21.
Perhaps someone from Everlast could clarify, or update us regarding this 'new' shipping situation..

[Zoomie]

I talked to Oleg yesterday about a water cooler purchase I was considering. He indicated they didn't have the coolers in stock because of delays experienced in receiving certain componentry for their welder line. Apparently they receive systems shipped via container, and needless to say they want to pay for containers filled with product. I know it is a pain in the wazoo to would-be purchasers but it is also puts Everlast's management in a tough position when they provide a delivery by a date that is not met because of delays experienced at the other end of the pipeline, specifically the assembler/manufacturer or component manufacturer. It is even more aggravating when buyers/depositors have been given dates that seem to be moving targets. So, what am I trying to say? Just this, that I believe that Everlast is small company trying to get all its logistics bugs worked out, that I think Oleg is a straight shooter, and that if you like your welder as well as I like mine, it'll be well worth the wait!

[ASE_MasterTech]

I talked to Oleg yesterday about a water cooler purchase I was considering. He indicated they didn't have the coolers in stock because of delays experienced in receiving certain componentry for their welder line. Apparently they receive systems shipped via container, and needless to say they want to pay for containers filled with product. I know it is a pain in the wazoo to would-be purchasers but it is also puts Everlast's management in a tough position when they provide a delivery by a date that is not met because of delays experienced at the other end of the pipeline, specifically the assembler/manufacturer or component manufacturer. It is even more aggravating when buyers/depositors have been given dates that seem to be moving targets. So, what am I trying to say? Just this, that I believe that Everlast is small company trying to get all its logistics bugs worked out, that I think Oleg is a straight shooter, and that if you like your welder as well as I like mine, it'll be well worth the wait!

Everlast Management puts Everlast in a tough position.
Suks that I have to hear on this site from another customer that shipment/delivery is not expected until Jan 17th, considering I just e-mailed Everlast yesterday & was told "The units did not arrive to us yet. Once it is in stock you will be contacted"
Simply having a decent product is not a formula for continued success.
I've said it before & I'll say it again, it doesn't take much to keep customers informed. Almost everybody can understand some shipping delays or inventory shortages due to warranty issues.
20yrs of owning 2 Amoco Service stations & I can tell you that the rule was; 1 dissatisfied customer will tell at least 10x as many people (& this is now probably magnified now by the Internet) about their bad experience then a satisfied customer will tell about a good one. You do the math, it's really not a good strategy for success.
IMHO, quality customer service requires STAYING INVOLVED thru the entire process (good, bad, on time, delayed, or whatever). Sales, Warranty, Tech Support, etc..
It would only be proper for Everlast to inform (in some way) the few long outstanding pre-paid customers & those waiting for warranty fulfillment's, the status of the product they are patiently wait for.

So.. still waiting to hear from Everlast regarding the December 21st, now January (maybe??) shipment....

[GWD]

Everlast Management puts Everlast in a tough position.
Suks that I have to hear on this site from another customer that shipment/delivery is not expected until Jan 17th, considering I just e-mailed Everlast yesterday & was told "The units did not arrive to us yet. Once it is in stock you will be contacted"
Simply having a decent product is not a formula for continued success.
I've said it before & I'll say it again, it doesn't take much to keep customers informed. Almost everybody can understand some shipping delays or inventory shortages due to warranty issues.
20yrs of owning 2 Amoco Service stations & I can tell you that the rule was; 1 dissatisfied customer will tell at least 10x as many people (& this is now probably magnified now by the Internet) about their bad experience then a satisfied customer will tell about a good one. You do the math, it's really not a good strategy for success.
IMHO, quality customer service requires STAYING INVOLVED thru the entire process (good, bad, on time, delayed, or whatever). Sales, Warranty, Tech Support, etc..
It would only be proper for Everlast to inform (in some way) the few long outstanding pre-paid customers & those waiting for warranty fulfillment's, the status of the product they are patiently wait for.

So.. still waiting to hear from Everlast regarding the December 21st, now January (maybe??) shipment....

Quite a reasonable and well thought out request. When a company has your money and you have nothing there is a certain sense of urgency.

Good customer service would strive to actions that would mollify the situation. Perhaps your patience should be rewarded with consumables or the like.

But mine is a third party view that really has no relevance.

[everlastsupport]

Had "Tech Support" not been in the comment. I would not respond. And on the tech support forum no less.

If you do not have a welder/cutter we can not help you here in tech support. We can only try.