I have always been satisfied with Advanced Circuits but I've always supplied files that were ready to go with nothing special needing to be done. The only thing they've done that I didn't like was increasing their prototype minimum. At this point, if I had 7 digits riding on these boards, I would be down at my local PCB maker looking over their shoulders as they were making them at whatever the cost! Good Luck and keep us posted... >From: Chris Loiacono >Reply-To: pic microcontroller discussion list >To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU >Subject: PCB Vendor put to the test.... >Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2002 17:07:46 -0400 > >I have previously touted the fine work and service I have received from >Advanced Circuits (4pcb.com) on this list. Today they have created a >situation that really puts them to the test. >Whether they do the right thing or not, I will report back with the >results. > >Here's the deal. I now use the full Eagle package for CAD & CAM. I had to, >however update an old board that was done a couple of years ago on Ivex >WinDraft & WinBoard and It was a much quicker. The Ivex tools are clunky, >but I was able to add the needed update quickly, and the job is a definite >rush. > >When discussing the fab job with my Sales Rep., I reminded him that my old >CAM system does not generate mask files, and that in the past they had >always inverted the pad stacks to produce masks. Lo & behold, my $400 - >order of boards arrived this AM w/o solder mask! There are too many >supporting details to list herein. > >UPS fouled up & held the package for pick-up, which delayed my receiving >the >package until nearly 1PM, (OK, not Advanced Circuit's fault). I immediately >phoned my rep, who isn't in today. His assistant said that they can re-run >them in one day, and that I would get an answer in 1 or 2 hours. 4 1/2 >hours >later I received a call from a customer service person who tried to blame >me >for the error in a number of ways. Then, 30 minutes later, an Engineer >called, started to blame me, then finally listened and is now setting out >to >re-run the boards. He admitted that they had changed their policy on solder >mask generation recently. (Thanks for telling me!) He says it's up to >someone else to decide how fast they will re-run them now. > >I told them that if I can't get them by Friday that they would be worth >nothing to me. > >I am livid because they have always done the right thing without even >arguing. >Do you think it's the pressure of the economy, are the wheels coming off at >Advanced Circuits, Inc.? Or is this just a fluke and it happened at the >worst possible time. (These are beta's for a 7-digit deal for my little >company.) > >The big question on my mind now is: Will Advanced Circuits as a whole come >through and do the right thing? I expect & hope so, I just didn't expect >the >argument- so I'm a bit frazzled by the response thus far. >So my input on the most >What's the consensus on this possibility? > >Chris > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads