LaserPro / Pinnacle users?

[Chuck Stone]

Hey, all..

I'm wondering who people are using for service / support and how they
rate them. I haven't called anyone yet and need some help but the websites
I've visited seem to either keep info behind a pay wall or billable phone
support. Like anyone else who has used billable phone support for computers,
I'm leery of that. I'd rather not spend the first half hour at $1.50 a minute
to have someone in another country try to walk me through turning on the
power switch or plugging in the cables.

I understand that they don't know me or what I am capable of, but at
the same time I know Help Desk is often full of people who know much less
than the operator. (except for what it says on their screen)

I haven't gone to a vendor for parts yet and I'm not looking forward to
the costs. I know that many techs are 'parts changers' and that can be
costly, especially since troubleshooting a little further can often yield a
better solution. I'd rather not spend a few grand for a board when $25
worth of chips might solve the problem. And if possible, I'd rather change
out parts myself.

I'm not exactly cheap, but not stupid with money either. I can't be..
I don't have any!

ps . .I've been searching here for days and I see a lot of knowledgeable
people.. just wondering what your good/bad experiences have been.

Thanks for reading

[Mike Null]

If you have a Pinnacle machine I believe that is a private label brand sold by Sign Warehouse. One of their tech people used to be a member but I haven't seen any posts from him in some time. I would give them a call.

[Richard Rumancik]

GCC divides territories for specific distributors/dealers, and they discourage buyers from going outside the territory. But sounds like you bought the laser used so don't have a "local" rep.

You should be able to get some advice from the LaserPro NA office without having to pay. Or you could try Jorlink - I have not dealt with them but some people have given them good reviews. They may be willing to adopt you.

I think the Calif. office is really the technical center for NA and are the liaison with Taiwan. The rest of the distributors, as you suggest, will probably only stock some limited parts for swapping. Otherwise the parts come from Calif. or Taiwan.

But troubleshooting to the board level will be a problem, as you will probably not be able to get any schematics. Then you may have a lot of difficulty identifying and obtaining replacement chips. If it is a MB you need, maybe you could see if one of the dealers has a refurbished/repaired board at a reduced price.

[Chuck Stone]

Thanks for the replies..
You're right, I don't have a rep. I'm reading here before I decide if I even
want one..
I've dealt with similar equipment for years, but always had access to the
schematics, wiring diagrams, error remedy charts, I/O checks etc. so I'm
a bit dismayed at the secrecy. If it were a guidance system for a missle
I could see it.. but a laser engraver? :p

Anyway.. once I have free time during business hours I can get a phone call
into one of them and find out what's what..

have a good holiday!

[Kevin Huffman]

If you have a Pinnacle machine I believe that is a private label brand sold by Sign Warehouse. One of their tech people used to be a member but I haven't seen any posts from him in some time. I would give them a call.

I'm still here. I haven't left yet.

[Kevin Huffman]

Thanks for the replies..
You're right, I don't have a rep. I'm reading here before I decide if I even
want one..
I've dealt with similar equipment for years, but always had access to the
schematics, wiring diagrams, error remedy charts, I/O checks etc. so I'm
a bit dismayed at the secrecy. If it were a guidance system for a missle
I could see it.. but a laser engraver? :p

Anyway.. once I have free time during business hours I can get a phone call
into one of them and find out what's what..

have a good holiday!

If you have any questions about the machines, feel free to give me a call, my direct extension is at the bottom.