Need advice, weird behavior from laser firm

Yesterday I contacted a company based near where I live in London who say they will demonstrate the power of each laser using a " state of the art optical power meter", and they will show you if you collect the laser, this was taken from their website. I asked them if they could demonstrate the laser for me and the woman on the phone said sure tell me when you are near.

So i called them back when I was near and she says sorry the person who tests the laser is not in right now, so I replied saying I want the laser tested as many sellers quote an output which in reality they do not have. I ended the call saying to call me back when you can test it and went back home, however not only have they not called back since yesterday morning, but they will no longer answer the phone from my number..

This is really annoying me now, they sell the laser i want (90mw) on the website for £50ish but if you collect it is £43. I live within 10 mins of the registered address.

Should I just buy from somewhere else?

Sounds fishy.

On the other hand, if someone kept calling me numerous times after I told them the tester was not in, I'd ignore it too.

:$ lol, what should i do she said yesterday that the guy WILL be in today. Maybe i should just rephone on a withheld number or another number and just collect it and forget testing it..

mrinsane said:

:$ lol, what should i do she said yesterday that the guy WILL be in today. Maybe i should just rephone on a withheld number or another number and just collect it and forget testing it..

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If you go with this place, make sure they test it right in front of you.
That is of course unless your more interested in getting a laser that they say is 90mw or one which really is.

Call them on your phone, if they avoid you then they probably don't have a power meter to begin with and are just ignoring you because you want them to test it for you.
In which case, you're better off not dealing with them.
If they do answer when calling from your phone, maybe they do have a meter and really are interested in your business, if so, schedule a time to go by and have them test it for you, it only takes a few minutes of their time.

Sounds a little paranoid after less than a day to assume they are avoiding calls from your number... relax, just try again in a day or 2. If after a few tries they don't accomadate you, then maybe the lasers aren't up to spec.

They emailed me back with another number to call today Im going round later to collect it, il let you know how it goes!

Sounds like they found someone with a meter to help them out. If you do buy the lasers, make sure its the laser they meter. Dont let it out of your site. If for some reason they need to take it, for whatever reasons, dont buy it.

This also brings up an interesting question - you want to watch the laser get tested so you're sure the 90mw laser you're buying truly is 90mw.

That's totally understandable from an objective point of view; but realistically, what happens if your 90mw laser turns out to be 72mw?

You would never notice the difference with your eye, and unless you have some specific scientific purpose that requires 90mw, how would it ever effect your enjoyment? You'll still get to shine a bright dot on the wall and impress your friends with it.

Naturally I think people should get what they pay for, but you're driving yourself nuts to make sure that your 90mw pointer is really 90mw.... when, in all likelihood, whatever they sent you was probably going to be in the ballpark.

If I ordered a 90mw laser, got it home, measured it and saw it was 72mw, I'd be pissed too, trust me - but it's only about principle, not about any real world issue.

Anyway, the point is, I don't think people should get so caught up in the numbers game. I doubt anyone would notice the difference between a 90mw and 80mw laser, especially when, for most people, the life cycle of a laser is:

- Buy a laser
- Show off to friends for a few days
- Look at dot and beam a few times a day (if over 150mw: try and burn a few things)
- Put laser in drawer
- A year later, sell laser

This is probably true for 90% of the lasers that get sold. So why drive yourself crazy over a few mw? You'll get the same enjoyment out of it.

Anyway, just playing devil's advocate. I'm sure i'd do the same thing, even while realizing there was no real point to it

^ It's completely his decision on what power he wants. Just because you have this new idea in your head that high power is unecessary, (I'd like to know how you define high power... In fact, no I couldn't care less how you'd define it), lots of posts with you bringing this up is just bating so kindly stop. Other people are here for the science and challenge of high power.

No point in having high power lasers? You'd better cancel that Arctic order of yours then.


Anyway, back to the topic...

@ mrinsane - Can you let us know the company name or give us a link? We might already know of them. I hope all goes well though.

[EDIT: Where in London are you?]

M

MojoLA said:

Anyway, the point is, I don't think people should get so caught up in the numbers game. I doubt anyone would notice the difference between a 90mw and 80mw laser, especially when, for most people, the life cycle of a laser is:

- Buy a laser
- Show off to friends for a few days
- Look at dot and beam a few times a day (if over 150mw: try and burn a few things)
- Put laser in drawer
- A year later, sell laser

This is probably true for 90% of the lasers that get sold. So why drive yourself crazy over a few mw? You'll get the same enjoyment out of it.

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This is a total mute point. You are correct, but not in this situation. Most people come here to lean about lasers, and how to obtain the exact laser they want. Either through buying, or DIY. He cares, thats the whole point. He is making an effort to get what he is paying for, and good for him. So your point is worthless in this situation.

Tech_Junkie said:

This is a total mute point.

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Did you mean moot point T_J? Or are you just implying that you are ignoring it :na:

Both actually.

Ok now this is pissing me off, I call them and they say the lab tester is broken and won't be fixed for a few weeks. Like I believe that..

To the guys above- I'm from NW London.

This is the website and the page where it says they will test lasers on collection-
megalaseruk high power green laser pen. Laser pen so powerful it can burst balloons and light cigarettes. High quality laser devices from the UK.

Is it not possible for you to just go and find them and talk to someone there?
By the looks of this you'd be better off going to another company.

Specs from one of their violets:

This is the most powerful blue - Violet laser available. It's extreme power, 120mW can pop balloons in a fraction of a second. This laser comes complete with executive case, batteries and instructions and is housed in a beautiful chrome plated brass casing.

Specification:
Range: 50 miles
Continuous output power: 120mW class 3B

Price is £169 thats way overpriced and they claim its the most powerful blue-violet available, it's clearly not because you can get roughly 300mW from rayfoss. Doesn't mention if it's IR filtered or not but I reckon not.

They also list a 500mW vio right below it >.>

reverno said:

Is it not possible for you to just go and find them and talk to someone there?
By the looks of this you'd be better off going to another company.

Specs from one of their violets:

This is the most powerful blue - Violet laser available. It's extreme power, 120mW can pop balloons in a fraction of a second. This laser comes complete with executive case, batteries and instructions and is housed in a beautiful chrome plated brass casing.

Specification:
Range: 50 miles
Continuous output power: 120mW class 3B

Price is £169 thats way overpriced and they claim its the most powerful blue-violet available, it's clearly not because you can get roughly 300mW from rayfoss. Doesn't mention if it's IR filtered or not but I reckon not.

They also list a 500mW vio right below it >.>

Click to expand...

The business is from someones house, I believe it is just the owner (luke I believe his name is) and his wife, so no one else really to talk to.
On that link I posted on my previous reply it does say they have the IR filter in red writing but I'm not sure, I don't trust anything they say anymore lol

It does not look reputable to me.
If you want to buy from an UK company you could try this one. Green (532nm) Lasers - Items - OdicForce Lasers Online Shop

I have not bought a laser from them, but have good experience with Odicforce's other products and customer service.