iMakr to Remove Latest MakerBot 3D Printers From Store Shelves Due to Dissatisfied Customers

Customers speak — and iMakr not only listens, but takes action. While the 3D printing retailer is adding a list of new 3D printers and equipment to their stores, they are also making a bold statement in discontinuing sales of MakerBot’s latest generation of 3D printers, the Replicator Fifth Generation and Replicator Z18, due to negative feedback.

iMakr is clearly acting on their promises ‘to leave no stone unturned in order meet and surpass  customers’ expectations.’ Existing customers who have purchased the recent MakerBot 3D printers from iMakr will be grandfathered in for support. Stating that the MakerBot Replicator 2X ‘proves to be one of the best dual extrusion 3D Printers on the market,’ they will continue to make that available in their stores.

While MakerBot touts the Replicator Fifth Generation as technology ‘that defines the new standard for ease of use, quality, and reliability,’ apparently iMakr customers, and many others, did not concur. The 3D printer retails at around $2,900 and has had a great deal of customer discontent regarding defective extruders, overall low quality, and poor customer service. Many customer reviews were brutal in their discontent with reliability of the printers and response from MakerBot in fixing major problems.

Offering both a big workspace and a big price point of $6,500, the MakerBot Z18 — said to be ‘ideal for large projects and regularly enhanced with software improvements’ — did not make the cut either at iMakr. There have been murmurs regarding the product being delivered on a large scale while still being too limited, creating stumbling blocks for commercial customers, rather than ease.

While iMakr did not go into any more details regarding customer feedback, this is a serious comment coming from a company that is a worldwide leading retailer in 3D printing equipment, and which also has rigorous standards for customer service and support. Coming from a company that is so serious about pleasing their customers, the move is obviously necessary to keep their client base happy and intact.

This news came entwined with the announcement that iMakr will be offering four new 3D printers for sale in their stores, located in London and Manhattan:

• PrintrBot Simple Metal – an entry level printer
• Zortrax M200 – a precise, accurate printer for engineers and designers
• Ultimaker Original+  – a fast, user-friendly open source printer, offering heating bed
• B9Creator – an open DLP printer offering affordability and high resolution

iMakr also announced to their customers that they will be offering an expanded selection of materials with:

• bronzeFill and copperFill from colorFabb
• flexible filament by NinjaFlex
• EasyFil by Formfutura
• Proto-pasta Carbon Fiber
• a wide range of resins from MakerJuice

The newly available 3D printers products will be launched at the iMakr London store, with registration now available. See here for more information.

iMakr, founded in 2013, operates the world ‘s largest 3D printing store in a two-story building in Central London, and they opened another iMakr store, in Manhattan, this past June. The iMakr stores operate 3D scan-yourself services and 3D printing-on-demand, as well as training, classes, workshops and demonstrations. At iMakr.com, they provide a wide range of 3D printers and materials, 3D art, and 3D scanners.

iMakr stays heavily connected to their customer base, attending many shows and events, sponsoring hack-a-thons, and staying in close contact with the 3D printing community they have fostered. They offer classes, workshops, demonstrations, and training.

The iMakr team also works closely with their many designers at sister company MyMiniFactory.com, which is a free online 3D object download platform.

Tell us what you think about iMakr’s move to stop selling the latest generation of MakerBot printers, as well as the new 3D printers they will be selling, at the MakerBot forum on 3DPB.com.