REVIEW - Microchip Support Service

[kaz911]

Hi Guys,

this will be a multi part review :-)

Anyway - I am a bit of an eBay sucker... and I am working on some PIC16 and PIC18 designs for various products related to "clean water" in Marina's. Anyhow I bought a "used" C18 compiler on eBay for an okay price - and I lately bought 6 x ICD3's and 1 x ICD2 plus a PIC32 Startkit  in a "for parts auction".

Anyway - the ICD2 and 2 x ICD3's are working. The rest of the items are not. That made the eBay deal "reasonable"

But I thought - what the heck... So I wrote Microchip support and told them honestly about my situation - and that I have 4 broken ICD3's - and I bought them 2nd hand - and if I could pay to have them fixed.

And Microchip came back and said "As pr. company policy we replace defective development tools - you just have to pay shipping of the defective units to Dublin - then we will ship you new ones"

I was surprised - and amazed. This is great customer service. Now I asked if they will exchange the PIC32 Starter kit. And lets see what they say.

Anyhow - that kind of customer service deserves a praise - and made me feel a lot better about choosing Microchip PIC for my Marina Cleaner.

But I'll follow up on my "review" once I have the new items in hand. I don't really need 6 ICD3's but since I am working on a UAE Hackerspace project - some of them will be donated if things work out well.

Have a great day!

/Kaz

[Bored@Work]

For comparison, try the same with Atmel  Unless they have a very good day, or recognize you as a million dollar customer ...

[T4P]

Donating ? ... 

[wkb]

Good to hear that there are still companies out there that really care about their customers.  We (me included) tend to focus on whining about not-so-good companies, it is only just that kudo's are handed out to the professional companies out there!

[McMonster]

This story really made me think about trying some PICs, especially PIC32s really look interesting. I'm tired of Atmel's limited choice of 8-bit AVRs and not giving a rats ass about hobbyists.

[T4P]

This story really made me think about trying some PICs, especially PIC32s really look interesting. I'm tired of Atmel's limited choice of 8-bit AVRs and not giving a rats ass about hobbyists.

Yeah ... my thoughts .
But PIC's entire range is just ... i don't like them .
Sure they aren't ARMs but they are a huge company and they can stay afloat .

[kaz911]

And I am still impressed. This morning FedEx knocked on my door with 4 new ICD3's and a new PIC32 starter kit.  Now I just need to ship the defective items back (or it will impact future SAR requests)

That is so great support - thanks Microchip!