I just got an email from Shapeways this morning, some sort of pricing change occurring 1st of October.

Here's the blog post:

Shapeways | blog: An Update to the Shapeways Pricing Structure

I just want some discussion from the people here, on how this changes things, I know it throws a wrench in my plans, as the shipping to Australia is in itself $20 (which is insane). It means I'm going to have to cut back on designing and ordering, and buy everything i want before October 1st.

Anyone else getting charged more due to the new system? Anyone benefit from it?

Discuss.

Meanwhile, i'm signing up on Ponoko. Don't know whether that's permanent or not.
EDIT: Still struggling. Argh.  

EDIT 2: Nope, back to Shapeways. At least they have a decent (read: manageable) UI and uploader. Guess I'm going to need to save up more money. Or move to USA/EU countries.


*I'm not affiliated with Shapeways, and if the mods don't like this they can delete it. I'm just slightly pissed off that I'm going to have to find another way to print stuff.  

 

I just placed an $85 order a while ago. I wonder how much it would cost now to get the exact same order?

 

It is worth taking note though. Folks on TFW aren't all from the US, so it affects them. Also, the blog says that small items will increase in price, whereas larger items will decrease. Seeing as A LOT of Shapeways projects here are weapons, minicon/targetmasters, and heads... there's a good chance of the prices being more prohibitive for some.

As it were... I was holding out to grab stuff at a later date... now I may have to grab less stuff for more money. =(

Here's an example someone calculated as a response:

I read something about some WSF discount in other posts tho... so we'll see what happens.

 

XCDM, if I were you, I'd be buying that stuff now, unless you're waiting on a paycheque or something. As long as you order (and presumably pay as well) before October 1st, you'll still be charged under the old scheme.

Also, I know for me, my Arqueste (like Deka) are going to need to be shipped in lots of 4 to be able to reach old prices again, so if you're like me and weren't planning to buy $80 worth of goods in one go, I'd get them before October.

 

And looks like time is up!

It's October 1st, SW has already implemented their new pricing scheme. I just went in to order what I thought would be $33 worth of models, and now it costs me $53. I didnt order, that ridiculous for two models compared to what I usually pay. The extra 20 is because I'm not in the USA or the EU. If you are, you only need to add 6.50 or 10 dollars respectively.

So yeah, I can say goodbye to buying Shapeways goods for the time being. Wait till I get more money at Christmas (I hope, lol).

 

Well it looks like th price of raw plastics has finally driven up the cost.

This does indeed suck but that's economics for you. Just the same as I pay more money for the fuel in my car and groceries these days   it sucks but not a lot really to be done is there?

Or is there an alternative to shapeways in regards to quality and service etc?

 

There is no need for an alternative if you're in the USA or the EU, as 6.50 and 10 respectively are still acceptable. It's the $20 for those of us not in those countries that get screwed.

Note, Canada counts as 10 as well, and so do some other countries, check the blog post I linked to for a full list.

 

It sorta sucks, but as far as I know, Shapeways is still the cheapest and most innovative service provider. It would take a lot to pry me awake from Polish White, Strong and Flexible.