WL makes it right after over a year

[StardustSprinkles]

Hello, I've had to take a break from the forum the past few months due to life being hectic , but I have now returned, with good things to say of everyone's favorite company Wicked Lasers.

So first the backstory: I was among the first few thousand in the everlasting list of undelivered "Arctic Impossible Superlasers" as the tr0llz would say. Everyone knows that nightmare, months and months of broken promises from WL, then one day it finally arrived, after months of waiting it was finally here!... Only to burn out with less than 5min of use on it... Needless to say I've felt bitter ever since towards WL, it was impossible to get an RMA, nobody even knew what that whole "29.99 2yr warranty" thing was.

Fast-forward to August of this year: I was lasering, admiring beams in the fog, smoke, mist, you know how we do, I dug the dusty case of the uselessly dysfunctional beast that was my initial arctic experience out of the back of the laser drawer, It saddened me, a beautiful specimen had it been assembled with a bit more care... So I decided in a last ditch effort to have a little faith in WL and send them a quick facebook message as I heard their facebook guy was an actual human who speaks english. I received a reply to the FB message in a few minutes, i was then forwarded through the necessary people to get me an RMA (replacement slip) and I had the old one shipped off by the first of September. Throughout the entire RMA process I dealt with very friendly staff, I was given a tracking number for the actual replacement package, which actually shipped one day after the broken one got there. A few SnailMail mishaps later and I had my new Arctic at the end of October.

The replacement unit: A quality laser indeed, the replacement was the newer G2 with the smartswitch which I think is a nice feature, the machining is so very well done it reminds me of a CNI. This laser's beam is amazing at night, and I attribute some of that amazing to the rectangular beam making it spread out a bit for fabulous visibility. I am all about the beam I've found lately, but I burn too, and this laser really shines in the burning department, it does everything it's supposed to do, it does it very well, and it looks very sexy doing it. Oh, and it came with a nice holster.

So in conclusion: I'd like to say that while I know there's lots of sore to go around about WL here at LPF, I think they've worked out the kinks they were having with their customer service department and that, based on my recent dealings with them, I would use them again, and I do plan on using them again, and I hope you'll give them another chance as well.

Thanks, for taking in the eyefull that is this post, sorry for the WALL 'O TEXT format, but I had lots to say.:beer:

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

So you're recommending a company based off of the fact that they;

1. Took forever to ship out your first laser.
2. First laser broke in minutes.
3. They did nothing, despite you having paid extra for a two year warranty.
4. A YEAR later they finally honored an exchange, and chances are you paid return shipping.

To sum up:

One year and at least $300 later you FINALLY have a working laser.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/33-reasons-not-buy-wicked-lasers-56289.html

Maybe this is number 34?

 

[StardustSprinkles]

I'm just saying that from what I've seen the days of broken lasers, taking forever to ship, etc. were in fact temporary.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

I'm just saying that from what I've seen the days of broken lasers, taking forever to ship, etc. were in fact temporary.

Maybe (and I highly doubt it) those days are over, but the company does continue to use questionable marketing tactics, and outright lies in order to turn a profit, all while bringing a lot of negative attention to the laser hobby.

 

[magmabeam]

They should've thrown in a freebie for your troubles. Then I'd be more convinced.

 

[StardustSprinkles]

I have no input about their marketing techniques, or effect on the hobby. To me they are just a company like any other I've bought from, they did me wrong and in this case, they resolved it nicely for me. I was surprised at the level of improvement and wanted to acknowledge that.

 

[lasersbee]

So.... what is the actual output power of that advertised 1Watt
445nm Laser....:thinking:

By what I read.... It still took 2 Months for you to get it replaced
by October...

Glad that you are OK with that ridiculous lengthy
shipping speed and lousy slow customer service.

I'm still skeptical and would never buy from them....

BTW... Welcome back...:wave:


Jerry

 

[bobhaha]

I think he has a valid point. Besides the fact that it took them forever to resolve the issue, once he brought up the issue it was dealt with and the RMA was honored.

I personally would be skeptical buying from them, but with such awesome hosts, guarantee of delivery and much better CS then before, I would buy one of the cheaper and less popular lasers such as the E.x. line or the Core line. As they are pretty decent priced and look quite good! The S3 line however I would never buy. They are underpowered (even admitted multiple times on their own forum) and in my opinion are a rip off.

 

[lasersbee]

Sorry F#ck me once "shame on you"
f@ck me twice... "Shame on me"

Still waiting for actual power output and tested
by what means...

Jerry

 

[StardustSprinkles]

My point is the twice-fuck is nonexistent here, therefore I am happy with my experience. Most of the time it took to deliver was simply a mishap with the post office, my mistake with postal incompetence, not anything to do with WL. It's just a bit of info, my personal account of them improving, take it or leave it.

 

[scopeguy20]

I do understand that WL has had serious issues... So have CNI and LG in my personal dealings at times as well, so my point is, They may get the deliver what a customer wants and in a reasonable time, (as a usual routine) thing together, given a chance... and I was very put out at the last WL GB myself, but I can say that, WL has since offered the E2's at a good make up deal in case you missed that GB unit you ordered in my GB, (contact me or WL if so)... (and I do believe they will eventually send me the 200 mW Green E3 they offered as well), but these companies all seem to disappoint some of the people some of the time, and cool heads, communication, and a lot of patience has served me well in the long run... -Glenn

 

[romogracie]

Wicked Lasers may have slightly improved their customer service since the Arctic fiasco, but they are still selling underspec POS lasers to this day.

Many members of the WL forum are receiving defective / underspec 1W Kraptons which cost over $1K. It's mind-boggling how most of them are too afraid to post LPM results or give detailed accounts of what's wrong with their lasers, yet they continue to kiss WL ass and claim WL is the best laser company in existence! :banghead:

 

[StardustSprinkles]

Some are just suckers for their flashy marketing I suppose. Everyone wants the one thing that was mistaken for a lightsaber by the guy who invented lightsabers. LOL. :crackup: