An Apology for Everyone

[LordJameh]

I just want to say, despite this thread and all of the issues that Eitan has caused, it hasn't stopped me, a new member from signing up to this site. I can see why the banner is still up, and am sorry for those that got scammed by this guy (though I see some of you have your money back now, which is fortunate).

Thanks to you people's recommendations, I have ordered a pocket series laser (my first real laser, besides from some cheap <5mw pointers) from Podo and am awaiting delivery. Thanks guys, I look forward to getting into lasers proper.

 

[EllyEnthusiastic]

I just want to say, despite this thread and all of the issues that Eitan has caused, it hasn't stopped me, a new member from signing up to this site. I can see why the banner is still up, and am sorry for those that got scammed by this guy (though I see some of you have your money back now, which is fortunate).

Thanks to you people's recommendations, I have ordered a pocket series laser (my first real laser, besides from some cheap <5mw pointers) from Podo and am awaiting delivery. Thanks guys, I look forward to getting into lasers proper.

Awesome! Make sure to be careful with the laser! Eye exposure concerns aside, those little pocket hosts can heat up pretty quick!

 

[LordJameh]

Awesome! Make sure to be careful with the laser! Eye exposure concerns aside, those little pocket hosts can heat up pretty quick!

Noted. Thanks

 

[LEDbeam]

Just as many others, I ordered a laser from Eitan half a year ago, he constantly reassured me it'll arrive soon. He gave me multiple wrong tracking numbers BUT I actually received it! However, the laser wasn't working, there were no power certificate or manual, and the host didn't bear any Sci-fi logo. I contacted Eitan and he promised to replace it, then stopped responding.
Then I found this thread and claimed a refund, which I got successfully. So, now I have both the money and non-working laser. Do you think it could be repaired? It's 501b 520 nm 700mW. I have no experience in building or repairing lasers myself.
Also, I read the whole thread but my English isn't that good. What's the deal with customers' personal info, what did he do with it?

Your story sounds exactly like mine. As for what to do now, there are a couple members here who are offering to repair lasers bought from SciFi for only the cost of shipping both ways and the parts. Although I don't know if these guys have actually done anything yet, so I can't tell you how the process is going, here is the link to the thread about it: http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/scifi-repair-help-ex-scifi-customers-only-97279.html

 

[grainde]

Not sure about Pete, but I don't think that a warranty repair would ever be honoured on an already refunded product. Our offer was for those who would have otherwise been entitled to a repair from SciFi...:beer:

 

[LEDbeam]

Not sure about Pete, but I don't think that a warranty repair would ever be honoured on an already refunded product. Our offer was for those who would have otherwise been entitled to a repair from SciFi...:beer:

I'm assuming they would have been if within the first 6 months.

 

[grainde]

Not if they had already received a refund and kept the broken laser.:beer:

 

[LEDbeam]

Not if they had already received a refund and kept the broken laser.:beer:

What would you advise him to do with his laser now?

 

[grainde]

I haven't heard from Pman yet, so I don't know his take on this. I suppose if someone had already been refunded, but still wanted to have their broken Scifi laser repaired, I could do it. I would however suggest an additional fee for the repair, which would be donated directly to the forum. :beer:

 

[Pman]

I just repaired a single person who contacted me about his that was also outside of the requirements and will be sending it out tomorrow.
If you want to send it to me for inspection let me know and we will go from there but I would prefer to know some things about it first such as what diode it is and why you think it failed. Once I assess the situation we can go from there. I basically told the other person how much the actual pieces/parts cost to repair and told them it's up to them how much my services are worth above the exact cost since his also didn't meet our specific requirements. In his case he got lucky and it was just a blown driver although I basically completely rebuilt it better plus made him a dummy 26650 cell as he didn't need 2 batteries anymore.

 

[Wooski]

There's no justice until people have their damn items or money back. Some of us are out $400+ right now.

This guy has done grievous harm to the reputation of LPF and our hobby. Probably a lot of newer members or lurkers who ordered from him will just swear off lasers entirely thinking the community is full of scammers. Not to mention the nonstop drama which has driven people away.

I mean he was the god damn top site sponsor. When I ordered I didn't think I was buying from a poorly managed 1-2 man operation. I patiently waited over a month without starting any drama. I only jumped into the fray when I was given phony tracking # and shipping info.

Eitan I suggest you make this right somehow or you're gonna go down as the top scammer in the HISTORY of this forum and hobby. The very name of your company will be used as an insult when talking about non-reputable companies. Freaking known ripoff companies like biglasers/Warnlaser etc are more reputable than this. At least they actually send you something, or you get your money back.

Figures...This is what we get for trusting a guy named after a batman villain.

EXACTLY my thoughts, I think you read my post, where I said my intrest in the hoby was restored I was serious. Being new to this hobby and all the trouble to get a decent laser... Well I was about to just give up once I got my $$$ back, and now after reading this I realise Im really lucky and am probally one of the last ppl to get a refund. Before seing thiss thread I was cool, but now Im so pissed off at the shit the joke wrote I probly should just go cool off.

 

[Pman]

OK, after discussing this more with Grainde for this particular case all parts would have to be paid for plus shipping and then there has to be a donation to LPF for the repair work. The amount will need to be discussed between Grainde and I depending upon what the actual repair costs. Normally you wouldn't get to keep an expensive laser and all your money back. I want to know the story behind how that happened. Why does the laser not work? Did it initially work?
I know it sounds personal but it isnt. It's tough for someone reading this that got nothing in comparison. If you got both its not like I'm not happy for you. You still went through a lot of grief.
What is actually quite dissapointing the most is how much outcry there was for all of this and not a single person who has actually met the requirements has stepped forward for a repair. There were certainly enough members who didn't actually have any skin in the game and a few trolls who kept the threads going on and on about the whole thing that brought the forum more grief than help. Hopefully most of that is out of members system now as we DON'T need any more drama.

If the person who is looking for their laser repaired is in the states then contact me and if out of country Grainde unless you really want to pay a lot more for shipping both ways.

 

[Andrey Garkusha]

Your story sounds exactly like mine. As for what to do now, there are a couple members here who are offering to repair lasers bought from SciFi for only the cost of shipping both ways and the parts. Although I don't know if these guys have actually done anything yet, so I can't tell you how the process is going, here is the link to the thread about it: http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/scifi-repair-help-ex-scifi-customers-only-97279.html

Thanks for the link, I'll post in that thread then

 

[grainde]

^^^ Hmm guess you haven't seen who's offering the repairs...Please read the above posts and if you are still interested, feel free to contact either Pman or myself directly via PM.:beer:

 

[volunteer]

Since i didnt get my laser from scifi lasers im planning to but a 501b build. Anyone doing it instead of blord? He is not responding i did try to send email via lpf. Or anyone know his email?

 

[iop]

Lol, he forgot to delete a link on his facebook profile.. https://www.facebook.com/eitan.atias.1