Parallax sometimes deeply discounts older versions of products to move them out of inventory, making room for the newer versions. So it might be a rev. behind on the BoE, or an older manual, etc., but it will still be new, and I'm certain Parallax will still support it.
I recently purchased three from Geeks, they are all marked with Radio Shack price tags for $149. They appear to be no different than the current Boe-Bots. They have the BS2s and the encoder compatible wheels.
Unfortunately one of the kits I received was not new. It had been assembled then disassembled and returned. I was a little disappointed but for $59 I was willing to accept it. Then, I discovered that two of the pins had been broken off the stamp.
I have emailed Geeks and am currently waiting for a response.
W9GFO, very good info to know. I was considering picking one up.... The boeboard alone makes it worth it... Of course I want it all in working order..... lol
I suspect that Geeks is just purchasing these from the Shack...and the Shack is selling them their returns...which RS is not qualified to evaluate as "good and complete". But I've generally been pleased with Geeks' service on other purchases I've made from them.
FWIW
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Truly Understand the Fundamentals and the Path will be so much easier...
Geeks support did not reply to my email inquiry so I had to call them. They are supposed to be sending me a shipping label which I will use to get the kit back to them. One of their techs will then evaluate the problem then they will send a replacement. I tried to make it easy for them and wrote in Sharpie on the box that it was used and that the Stamp module has broken pins. It'll probably take a couple weeks before I get a replacement.
I got one of the kits from the Geeks and it looked like new and works great. I've been ordering stuff from the Geeks for a while now and I had a pretty good experience so far - I am sure they will replace any kit that was send out defective or not new. Computer Geeks is a liquidator and they probably did purchase the overstock from Radio Shack.
Well it has been over a week and I still have not received the Fedex shipping label that they said would arrive within 24 hrs. I called agian on Thursday and they said Fedex was having problems so they issued another one. Still haven't got it. They are closed on the weekends so I will have to call them again on Monday.
I ordered one Friday in a heart beat when I saw it was on sale for only $59.00. FedEx has it marked to be shipped to me by Wednesday. I hope that it is in working condition whether its new or used. For that price you can’t argue.
Ordered one, got it today - $68 including shipping. Box of parts - while not inventoried all the bags are sealed and mint - chip and all. I've ordered from geeks for years - no problems at all.
I received mine yesterday and have to see for what I got in the box, I can't believe it cost me only $77.00 including S&H. I played around with the BOE, BS2, and servos and from what I can tell they all are in working order. So I am happy with the purchase.
I ordered one of these and am waiting for it myself as well. i hope (pray) i get a new one.
i have a question though.. Does it come with the power distribution pack (4AA bat case) or will I need to purchase this seperate. i know I need the batteries, but the box that houses them.
Keep in mind I am a newbie to this and got it for me and my sons to mess with an learn.
Post Edited (PureGrain) : 8/25/2006 5:35:24 PM GMT
I should get mine on Monday. I am going to order some extra parts tonight. I liked the Sonar and braket for it and the tank treads. I can see me getting some use out of them. [noparse];)[/noparse]
Ok, I just got mine today and it is brand new in the box. They have since upped the price back to 79.99 but the one I got was brand new. Now to find time to start on it.
I ordered one of these last night and was just tickled that the over-night shipping was only 11.99. I got my confirmation email this morning telling me my item will not ship until 9-20-06.
Anyways, thank for this link.
Now I got to figure out which extra parts I want to order. Sensors and what not. I kinda got my eyes on the sonar and it's bracket along with some tank treads or something. I ordered the extra bots for 2 of my 5 kids to play with and an electronic sensor lab as well for them to learn on.
Yeah, they are good people there though. I called and the lady said it would be another 2-3 weeks because they were out of stock but she could not be sure. So I cancelled the order. Geeks.com has a labor day sale going on this weekend and has them for 59.00 again so I ordered two more.
Does anyone know where the purchased BOE Bots originate. Would anyone be willing to give a description of any stickers, labels or indications of where the units may come from before you are purchasing from Geeks or other suppliers. An earlier post indicates Radio Shack. Is this consistent with most orders? Parallax strives to provide the highest level of customer support and we fully understand customers buying our products for the best price possible. We have however received a few calls and inquiries regarding some of these units with missing components, damaged pieces etc.. We are limited in what we can or will do given the uncertain nature of the kits however we are trying to assist these customers resolve their issues but need to understand better the origin of the kits as they are certainly not coming directly from us. Anyone willing to help out it would be apprecaited and Parallax will attempt to do what it can (although limited) to insure the units you are purchasing at these lower rates are up to Parallax standards. Thanks in advance.
Post Edited (Paul Bouchard) : 9/25/2006 6:25:56 PM GMT
My understanding was that Radio Shack had acquired quite a few BOE-Bots, then tried to transition to the VEX Bots (which were $300 instead of $200 list). Neither went anywhere. Radio Shack subsequently decided that being a 'component' store was too low-margin, and has in the last six months sold off or remaindered or put on clearance ALL their Parallax and Vex parts.
I assumed (that's ASSUMED, mind you) that Geeks.com either got returns, or good deals on BOE-Bot packages that were never shipped to the stores. I would assume that pipe-line has now mostly dried up -- although my local Greenbelt Maryland Radio Shack still has 5 Parallax "Homework" boards, a few VEX wheel sets and a few VEX gear sets.
Incorrect on one point, for certain. RadioShack continues to buy and sell very many of the "BASIC Stamp What's a Microcontroller Kits". This kit consists of the "What's a Microcontroller?" Parts and Text along with a BASIC Stamp Homework Board, and sells for $79.95. It's a winner by any standard of measurement - theirs or ours. In fact, the Boe-Bot was a winner in RadioShack, too, but not as much as a cell phone plan. Many success stories in RadioShack are measured against such consumer products.
RadioShack has no plan at all to discontinue their What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit from Parallax.
Your assumption about geeks.com is nearly correct. Any RadioShack company-owned store could return unsold Boe-Bots to RadioShack corporate distribution centers, but private dealers are often stuck with their inventory. It's my guess that geeks.com rounded up some excess inventory from dealers, one store at a time.
Their low-cost supply is nearly exhausted, and we advise you don't buy them (not because of price, but because we believe they are RadioShack returns). Having processed many RadioShack returns at Parallax, a geeks.com customer may find that they're missing the BASIC Stamp, BOE or other core components.·If you're okay with this risk, get a Boe-Bot from them.
If you've·bought a geeks.com·Boe-Bot, please tell us how the box is marked.·Does it seem like a RadioShack box? Does it have their "276" part number?
Comments
Kenny
Parallax sometimes deeply discounts older versions of products to move them out of inventory, making room for the newer versions. So it might be a rev. behind on the BoE, or an older manual, etc., but it will still be new, and I'm certain Parallax will still support it.
And you get a Boe-Bot for $59.
Unfortunately one of the kits I received was not new. It had been assembled then disassembled and returned. I was a little disappointed but for $59 I was willing to accept it. Then, I discovered that two of the pins had been broken off the stamp.
I have emailed Geeks and am currently waiting for a response.
Post Edited By Moderator (Chris Savage (Parallax)) : 7/27/2006 4:14:55 PM GMT
FWIW
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Truly Understand the Fundamentals and the Path will be so much easier...
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~okonisfree
"When life gives you lemons...
SUCK IT UP!"
lol jk
-Sky
-Matt
-Matt
i have a question though.. Does it come with the power distribution pack (4AA bat case) or will I need to purchase this seperate. i know I need the batteries, but the box that houses them.
Keep in mind I am a newbie to this and got it for me and my sons to mess with an learn.
Post Edited (PureGrain) : 8/25/2006 5:35:24 PM GMT
PureGrain, the kit comes with·the 4AA battery pack.
I should get mine on Monday. I am going to order some extra parts tonight. I liked the Sonar and braket for it and the tank treads. I can see me getting some use out of them. [noparse];)[/noparse]
·
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=244196
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Ron
Anyways, thank for this link.
Now I got to figure out which extra parts I want to order. Sensors and what not. I kinda got my eyes on the sonar and it's bracket along with some tank treads or something. I ordered the extra bots for 2 of my 5 kids to play with and an electronic sensor lab as well for them to learn on.
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Ron
Post Edited (Paul Bouchard) : 9/25/2006 6:25:56 PM GMT
I assumed (that's ASSUMED, mind you) that Geeks.com either got returns, or good deals on BOE-Bot packages that were never shipped to the stores. I would assume that pipe-line has now mostly dried up -- although my local Greenbelt Maryland Radio Shack still has 5 Parallax "Homework" boards, a few VEX wheel sets and a few VEX gear sets.
Incorrect on one point, for certain. RadioShack continues to buy and sell very many of the "BASIC Stamp What's a Microcontroller Kits". This kit consists of the "What's a Microcontroller?" Parts and Text along with a BASIC Stamp Homework Board, and sells for $79.95. It's a winner by any standard of measurement - theirs or ours. In fact, the Boe-Bot was a winner in RadioShack, too, but not as much as a cell phone plan. Many success stories in RadioShack are measured against such consumer products.
RadioShack has no plan at all to discontinue their What's a Microcontroller BASIC Stamp Kit from Parallax.
Your assumption about geeks.com is nearly correct. Any RadioShack company-owned store could return unsold Boe-Bots to RadioShack corporate distribution centers, but private dealers are often stuck with their inventory. It's my guess that geeks.com rounded up some excess inventory from dealers, one store at a time.
Their low-cost supply is nearly exhausted, and we advise you don't buy them (not because of price, but because we believe they are RadioShack returns). Having processed many RadioShack returns at Parallax, a geeks.com customer may find that they're missing the BASIC Stamp, BOE or other core components.·If you're okay with this risk, get a Boe-Bot from them.
If you've·bought a geeks.com·Boe-Bot, please tell us how the box is marked.·Does it seem like a RadioShack box? Does it have their "276" part number?
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.