Date
1 - 8 of 8
Actual delivery time?
|
lenny@lenny-shaffer.com <lenny@...>
This is aimed at those who have placed orders for the 8' observatory in the past 18 months. I'd like to know the time it took from placing your order to delivery on site. I have an order placed for a NexDome which is now way behind schedule and projected to get even further behind schedule. I am considering cancelling it and going with the Exploradome but not if the problems NexDome is having are basically the same with the Exploradome. The difference in cost between the two isn't a driver at this point in time.
|
|
|
|
BILL@...
I ordered on April 27, 2020. On June 3rd, after many calls, they added an additional shipping fee of $1200. I finally received the dome on August 10th.
|
|
|
|
Dave Menzer
I ordered 7/20 and received on 2/21. Issue was getting a truck from the midwest to new england. Exploradome eventually kicked in to hire a truck to do so.
Dave |
|
|
|
I placed my order for an 8' Explora-Dome with full automation kit on January 13, 2021 and it has not yet been delivered (August 5, 2021). When I ordered I was told delivery would be in 8 to 10 weeks, so about April 1st. I have since called about once a month, talking to Dustin each time. I have been told the delays have been due to COVID, lack of parts (specifically motor brackets), and difficulties in scheduling delivery. I was told they have four domes going to my state, New Mexico. Meanwhile, I completed the building for the dome months ago and have had to keep the roof tarped while waiting for the dome to arrive. The most frustrating thing is the lack of communication. If I don't call periodically, I won't hear anything about my order status.
So I have gone almost 7 months now with no delivery in sight. I suspect you are better off staying where you are in the queue with NexDome than starting over with Explora-Dome. Maybe someone from Explora-Dom |
|
|
|
lenny@lenny-shaffer.com <lenny@...>
Well we're in the same boat. I've heard nothing
from NexDome either. The
8-10 weeks is the standard BS. Last communication I had
with them my observatory is scheduled to be fabricated out of
materials delivered late-September...."assuming" their supplier is
on time with the ABS according to them. Supposedly he has a a ton
of orders backed up. Meanwhile he's designed and built a totally
aluminum 10' dome. Cancelling it doesn't bother me because I'm not
fond of trying to assembly the thing in the dead of winter. I
could order the Exploradome in October and be perfectly happy
assembling it next April or May. I have an existing roll off roof
observatory that need to be disassembled and disposed of.
On 8/5/2021 5:38 PM, El Kabong wrote:
I placed my order for an 8' Explora-Dome with full automation kit on January 13, 2021 and it has not yet been delivered (August 5, 2021). When I ordered I was told delivery would be in 8 to 10 weeks, so about April 1st. I have since called about once a month, talking to Dustin each time. I have been told the delays have been due to COVID, lack of parts (specifically motor brackets), and difficulties in scheduling delivery. I was told they have four domes going to my state, New Mexico. Meanwhile, I completed the building for the dome months ago and have had to keep the roof tarped while waiting for the dome to arrive. The most frustrating thing is the lack of communication. If I don't call periodically, I won't hear anything about my order status. --
Murphy's Law of the Week: "If a dish is dropped while removing it from the cupboard, it will hit the sink, breaking the dish and chipping or denting the sink in the process" |
|
|
|
John Cimo
Not sure if this is any help to you guys, but these are very trying times now. Covid has devistated the supply chain across the board. I go through this several times a day at work trying to get items for customers. You are not alone. Getting anything these days (including truck drivers) is next to impossible. The lead times are not in days or weeks either, usually months for some of the simplest items. We bought the floor demo ExploraDome from the NEAF show several years ago and it took months to get it from NJ (where they took it after the show) to Long Island, and that was in normal times with a floor model that was bought as is. Just the logistics of transporting the dome economically is a big problem no less in Covid times. Remember, the widest thing you can put on the road without permits is 8 ft, which is what the dome itself is, so that brings its own challenges. Dan and the folks are good people and make a good product. I know it stinks waiting, but your patience will be rewarded when you do get the dome. They weren’t the greatest at keeping me informed either, but I’m in industrial supplies and know a lot of what goes on to make what they do happen and the complications involved in it, so I just cut them some slack because I knew they had nothing to tell me and I understood that. They were always straight with me, no BS, which I liked and respected about them. Once they got everything worked out, I received my dome in a few days. Just my two cents worth. On Thu, Aug 5, 2021 at 5:38 PM El Kabong <barry@...> wrote: I placed my order for an 8' Explora-Dome with full automation kit on January 13, 2021 and it has not yet been delivered (August 5, 2021). When I ordered I was told delivery would be in 8 to 10 weeks, so about April 1st. I have since called about once a month, talking to Dustin each time. I have been told the delays have been due to COVID, lack of parts (specifically motor brackets), and difficulties in scheduling delivery. I was told they have four domes going to my state, New Mexico. Meanwhile, I completed the building for the dome months ago and have had to keep the roof tarped while waiting for the dome to arrive. The most frustrating thing is the lack of communication. If I don't call periodically, I won't hear anything about my order status. |
|
|
|
John,
Yes, COVID has disrupted the supply chains for many industries putting many items on backorder. But, it doesn't disrupt the ability to communicate with your customers. To me, it would seem obvious to send out a single monthly e-mail to all customers waiting on domes with the latest information on supply issues and likely delivery dates. That would seem preferable to taking multiple phone calls to provide the same information. Also, it may be that some customers would prefer to receive a partial order sooner rather than a complete order later. For example, the dome would be useful to have even if it doesn't include all of the automation kit such as the motor mount I was told was on backorder. Small items can be shipped later by normal means (UPS, FEDEX, USPS, etc.). If transportation of the domes is a problem, how about offering the customer the option to pick up the dome and transport it himself? I would have to rent a truck or trailer to do that, but I'm sure I would get very creative if it would mean I would have my dome months sooner. El |
|
|
|
John Cimo
Hi El, All of your complaints are very legitimate and I do agree with them. I just wanted to let you know that even in what was normal times, my experiences were similar with the delays and lack of communications. I was also trying to let you know you are dealing with good people who will take care of you, just not quickly. Not sure of your exact situation with them, but when we bought our dome, they were all about me picking it up. I chose not to because I purchased 3 of the add on bays which they did not have with them, so they were going to store it at an employee’s house until the bays came in, then they were going to deliver everything in one shot. That was my mistake, I should’ve taken it that weekend as is. It would’ve saved me months of waiting. If you purchased the automation installed, that might be what’s holding everything up. I would call them and discuss what they have ready and where it is (could be in multiple states). I’m sure they would be more than happy if you could pick it up (I know they were when I bought mine). Whenever I spoke with them, they were always willing to try to make things work for us, but with all the logistics involved, there were always issues getting in the way. If you are planning on picking it up, the dome is very flexible by itself and will easily fit on a trailer. I was overthinking things when I was considering doing it. The 8ft diameter had me very concerned, but after actually handling one on a trailer, it’s no big deal. Just bring lots of straps and some cribbing. Good luck and I hope you see your dome soon. John On Fri, Aug 6, 2021 at 2:19 PM El Kabong <barry@...> wrote: John, |
|
|