THE 2 biggest hindrances to 3D printing going mainstream will surprise you. It is customer service and supply chain. The differences in desktop 3D printing are very small at this time and I have yet to find a company that answers emails, keeps their customers informed, and delivers on time.
If you’re even thinking of starting a company, do yourself a favor and make your third hire a customer relations leader. Make your 4th hire in operations management.
When 3D Systems can’t estimate or inform within 2 iterations and 2 weeks delivery of a product, you know you have a systemic problem. Why do you think 3D printing companies, large and small, continue to fail to deliver on established systems?
I don’t think this problem is unique to 3d printing, it’s actually a very common problem in early-stage software startups when they are working with truly new technology, or biomedical, etc.
I think what we’re seeing exacerbate this effect is a “when worlds collide” scenario where consumer electronics (and it’s associated expectations) are mixing with the early-adopter/experimental audience.
This isn’t an accident, the faster you can target the mass consumer market the faster you can start recovering investments and paying investors (and yourself), but there’s definitely a breakdown in expectations on both sides which is causing a lot of friction, especially in the 3d printing space.
I know it’s a cliche to compare 3d printing to the personal computer industry but this is another case that echoes the personal computer situation in the late 1970’s. I think most analogies like this focus on the Apple II and IBM PC, but when it comes to 3d printing at home, we’re still in the ALTAIR age, especially when it comes to the way that printer companies and customers interact (and I’m not saying this is bad, personally, I prefer it :).
Go find a copy of Dr. Dobbs or Information Age from 1978-1982 and look at the advertisements, they will look very familiar 
Really every company ive contacted bar 1 have got back to me.
So is this USA only or world wide you view point.
Told 10 days maximum for delivery turned up after 8 days and a follow up e mail to make sure everything is right.
Sounds like your experience is different to mine perhaps you need to be more selective on the firms you choose and the expectations you want from them.
A one man company isn’t able to give the same service or feed back as a 10 person company.
3d printer companies tend to be a part time of three quarter time run.
As for the big guys they tend to want you to read their forums or Q+A sections before you pester them.
My Sense came quick and works great! I don’t need customer service for products that just work!
