Is Gravitech still in business providing NANO32?

[ronkinoz]

Hi all,

I ordered a number of NANO32 boards from Gravitech.us in mid-Jan 2017.

They charged my credit card, and sent me an initial order confirmation email.

Since then, I have received nothing from them - no NANO32s, and no replies to my follow up emails.

Are they still in business?

Regards,
Ron.

[sintech]

Same story for me too. I sent a couple of emails to them without answer.
And eventually opened a case in PayPal resolution center to refund my money.
As nobody from gravitech answered to this case, I was refunded.

[madscientist_42]

There might be issues- from their website:

"*** ALL NANO32 order will be shipped directly from our manufacture in Thailand.***"

That sounds like they're in over their heads on at least a few things there. Why ship direct from Thailand? Most ODM's aren't geared for direct fulfillment.

[ESP_Angus]

That sounds like they're in over their heads on at least a few things there. Why ship direct from Thailand? Most ODM's aren't geared for direct fulfillment.

I don't have any non-public knowledge of them, but both Gravitech & MakerAsia (Nano32 partners) are based in Thailand. So it makes some sense that they would set up logistics locally.

[madscientist_42]

That sounds like they're in over their heads on at least a few things there. Why ship direct from Thailand? Most ODM's aren't geared for direct fulfillment.

I don't have any non-public knowledge of them, but both Gravitech & MakerAsia (Nano32 partners) are based in Thailand. So it makes some sense that they would set up logistics locally.

Indeed. But having worked with ODMs either as a customer or as a consultant, it's a bit unusual to have the ODM being the shipper for things. Most of them (Including the likes of Flextronics) aren't geared up to ship to individual customers like that. Their shipping departments usually are geared to bundle the lots up and ship them to the customer to handle the end fulfillment logistics themselves. It's a bit unusual, to be honest. Wasn't saying anything negative per-se, just that it's not the norm and it's...ODD.

[WiFive]

Think more like seeed studio and less like flextronics.

[madscientist_42]

Think more like seeed studio and less like flextronics.

Ah, got it. Well, you can only really relate with that which you've dealt with or worked with.

If my current (and SOLE experience) with SeeedStudio is any indicator, that DOESN'T do them any favors in my book. (Hint: I was an ESP32-S Pre-order customer that got everything refunded after 5+ months of waiting for that which doesn't appear to be forthcoming...)

I'll give them the benefit of doubt this once- as I will Gravitech. Just don't think it magically doesn't bring concern.

[ronkinoz]

Well, well, well - last thing I expected: my order of 4 NANO32s was finally fulfilled, and they arrived Monday - only 2 months and 11 days after the order was placed.

Over that 2 months of wait, I never got a single response from Gravitech to the multiple emails I sent them. I think the customer service department at MakerAsia/Gravitech is still to be established.

Anyway, the NANOs look good, but I've yet to power them up and test them out.

I was hoping to use the NANO32 in a low volume internal product (run of 60 or so), but am going to have to rethink that. Waiting over 2 months for supply just won't work...

[madscientist_42]

Well, well, well - last thing I expected: my order of 4 NANO32s was finally fulfilled, and they arrived Monday - only 2 months and 11 days after the order was placed.

Over that 2 months of wait, I never got a single response from Gravitech to the multiple emails I sent them. I think the customer service department at MakerAsia/Gravitech is still to be established.

Anyway, the NANOs look good, but I've yet to power them up and test them out.

I was hoping to use the NANO32 in a low volume internal product (run of 60 or so), but am going to have to rethink that. Waiting over 2 months for supply just won't work...

Nope, it won't. So far it looks like Adafruit and Olimex have a solid handle on supply that they're shipping for two day delivery in the States. Odds are good that they're good for definitely up for a short run like that in a lot less time.

[meowsqueak]

Same story for me too. I sent a couple of emails to them without answer.
And eventually opened a case in PayPal resolution center to refund my money.
As nobody from gravitech answered to this case, I was refunded.

I have the exact same story. I placed an order in December 2016, heard absolutely nothing from them, even after raising a PayPal dispute. I was eventually refunded 100% of the cost in February. I could have given them longer but they never replied so I assumed the worst.

It's a shame because I quite like their board design. But if you're going to offer something like this, then at a minimum you have to answer emails from paying customers!