I just got burned by Allpcb. What i foolishly did was trust them with a time critical board. yes, i know its CNY, but i checked with them and it was in the allocated windows.
today, ( nearly 48 hours later ) they inform me that they can't do it, and delivery is pushed out 3 weeks. just a
Maybe i got lucky over the previous orders, and things have gone well.. This one ( which was really important ) has burned me badly, and i'm left with no sensible options but to order somethign at US prices.
Product / Price is just part of the equation. they have to deliver on time when its critical.
Shame on them, this time. However shame on me if i allowed it to happen again, so After a year of great results, i'm going to have to find someone else for doing my proto and small volume boards.
Upshot. Allpcb are probably ok, if you are not time sensitive, and can allow a bit of 'slop' in delivery, ideal for hobbyists. If you need guaranteed delivery, then they are not an option. the risk is too high.
a $200 order going wrong may not seem like much but the kick on down the track is just trouble.
I am not looking forward to having to tell my customers why i have not delivered on time. They wont' be interestd in what happende, they will just be grumpy at me. We'll just have to magicllly time compress this all up.
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