I have to chime in here as well. I have 2 overlords in the queue, and was really hoping to get them for a 4th of July event. OK, that isn't going to happen. I have been as patient as anyone here, and have been among the first to stand by DT in his defense, and still do, but only to an extent. To use a well known quote, I have a bad feeling about this. I, too have had heard many things about shipping dates, semi-conflicting excuses, and unfulfilled promises. I, to have asked for both of my Overlords to be sent to me without the US 2.1 installed, so I can do it myself. That request was an attempt to help get a couple off his plate, as much as it was to just have the sabers in hand. I have given him UPS shipping account numbers, so he could ship the parts at no cost. I've done everything but bring a box to his house, pack them up, and call UPS myself. I've been told they'd be sent. Still nothing.
I understand the health issues. I understand there were delays. I understand the boards took a while to get sent in and then sent back for installation. I understand the DT needs to recover. I don't see any of that as excuses, but as facts to consider. There are two major factors here:
1- I think DT just got in way too deep. Too much to do, and not enough time to do it. He does have a life, and to expect him to spend every waking hour working on sabers is ridiculous. Then he had the medical issues, and things went from bad to worse.
2 - Ultrasabers didn't step in and get it fixed. this has dragged on for this long because no one in charge said "Hmm, something's wrong, let's fix it" To wait for over a year to think of a contingency plan is not just bad business, it shows a lack of concern for the customer. Something I never figured to see coming from the people we're discussing now.
When it comes down to it, we're talking about business. Me building sabers at home, that's a hobby. Someone paying me to build them one, that's a business. Whether the business is making Pet Rocks or Plasma TVs, you still need to run it with concern for the customer. If you can't meet a timeframe, don't say you can. If one of your contractors isn't doing their job, get a new one. I, too was really excited about the progress in the community here. It felt like we were moving into a time when you could not only get sabers from someone other than Lucas, but could get an endless variety of them, in higher quality, from people you trust. I think a lot of that trust is crumbling now, and it's a sad thing. People are pulling out of the ORA forums like rats when a ship is sinking to avoid being tarnished by what's happening.
This needs to get fixed. For Ultrasabers, I say this needs to be the number one priority. It needs to be fixed, and those of us still waiting need to get CONSTANT and HONEST updates about timeframes, and where our sabers are. This sitting in the dark is going to hurt the trust factor even more. This many people, waiting for product they've paid for, being deceived (intentionally or not) about where things are and what is happening, leads down a dark path. And often to Class Action Suits.
What's happening is a shame. What happens to fix the situation is going to be what makes or breaks to future of the business, and how comfortable people are with purchasing future offerings. I'm hoping for the best, but so far...