LURING OFFERS ON EBAY, AMAZON ETC.
THESE ARE THE DISADVANTAGES
The laser market is flooded with bait offers on eBay and Amazon.
The suppliers of these lasers mainly come from the Far East and offer their goods from warehouses within the EU.
As a customer, why shouldn't you opt for such a cost-effective device?
Especially when the devices are often visually similar ?
There is a simple answer to this, because after all, cars all look like cars .....
but it depends on what's "under the hood".
This comparison is simple but not necessarily satisfactory for most readers, so we would like to take a closer look at the following points as objectively as possible.
- Counterfeit CE markings
- Inadequate components instead of high-quality laser sources
- Importing lasers yourself and problems with customs
- Technically unsafe / poor workmanship
- Inadequate interference immunity (EMC)
- Lack of support / no real contact person
- False guarantee promises
COUNTERFEIT CE LABELING
AND THEREFORE NO CONFORMITY
Almost all of the devices are advertised with the CE mark, a crucial point that should be checked urgently so that the devices can also be used commercially.
Explanation: A CE mark is merely a declaration of conformity by the manufacturer, who thereby promises that all applicable directives and standards have been complied with.
In other words, a kind of confirmation from the manufacturer that its devices are compliant and safe.
This applies in particular to the Machinery Directive and other additional standards and directives such as the EMC Directive.
The associated documentation for these devices is often falsified, incorrect or incomplete. A risk assessment, which is the basis of a conformity procedure, is not available or is unusable.
As a rule, interested parties only receive a so-called CE certificate as proof. This certificate looks important but is not a declaration of conformity and has no status within the EU.
Such a certificate would therefore be useless in a market surveillance inspection.
A declaration of conformity is mandatory in order to be allowed to affix a CE marking!
In the meantime, every manufacturer from a third country (e.g. China) requires an authorized representative within the EU in order to legally import such devices into the EU. This authorized representative must also be named in the declaration of conformity.
DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS
INSTEAD OF HIGH-QUALITY AND TESTED PARTS
Some laser source manufacturers from the East sell their laser sources, which have not passed the internal quality check due to technical defects, to other sub-dealers. These install the "partially defective" laser sources (or laser sources that do not deliver the advertised performance) in the machines on offer.
Anyone who knows the usual market prices will quickly realize that some machines are even offered for less than the cost of a single laser source from a reputable source.
Manufacturers often also make differences, particularly in terms of quality, between the local and western markets.
IMPORT LASER YOURSELF
PROBLEMS WITH CUSTOMS / MARKET SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY
An expensive risk without a guarantee that the device will be maintained.
In general, it can be assumed that every laser imported into Germany from outside the EU will be subject to a customs inspection. This means that customs experts inspect and assess the device and the associated documents.
The corresponding customs findings are then made.
All documents, such as operating instructions, must be submitted in the official language (i.e. German) without exception.
This customs inspection entails additional costs on top of the high shipping costs already paid beforehand.
The bonded warehouse, where the devices are initially stored, also pays for the temporary storage of the devices on a daily basis.
In the event of dubious CE markings, incorrect or missing documents, customs will involve the market surveillance authorities.
They will then request further documents from you (e.g. circuit diagrams, technical drawings, EMC certificates, etc.) to confirm the conformity of the machine.
This is where the fun stops and immense costs can be incurred.
At this point, almost all appliances are detained by market surveillance until all required documents have been submitted and checked. If the device is declared non-compliant, the buyer now has the option of having the device destroyed or returning it to the sender.
The chances of approval by the market surveillance authorities are soberingly low, as almost no manufacturer from the Far East is able to submit all documentation in full. In addition, there is often no authorized representative within the EU who for a release is also absolutely essential.
TECHNICALLY UNSAFE
POOR WORKMANSHIP
These lasers are often unsafe not only because important safety functions or safety components are missing, but also because the devices are often technically and electrically inadequate.
Even a simple back-up fuse is usually out of place; an overvoltage in the power supply can quickly destroy the device or cause partial defects.
Incorrect or even missing earthing of devices, cables and lines with incorrect cross-sections and cheap push-buttons that stop working after just a few weeks are often the rule rather than the exception.
The controllers are usually so-called cheap clone boards (circuit boards), these cheap copies of the original can only run with a certain software version. This denies the user access to software updates.
Inadequate DISTURBANCE
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMV)
Upon request, a falsified EMC report (EMC = electromagnetic compatibility) is often handed over to the customer.
This report is intended to indicate how resistant the devices are to interference from the power grid - but also how much the devices themselves can interfere with their surroundings.
Both of these values are regulated over a wide frequency spectrum and should be checked in an approved test laboratory.
These measurements and the associated interference suppression measures are extremely expensive but essential to ensure that the laser and other devices or machines in the vicinity continue to function properly and safely.
These laser machines often do not have any interference suppression measures in place.
In case of doubt, so much interference can flow into the network from these devices that other devices in the vicinity are significantly impaired in their function.
Lack of SUPPORT
NO REAL CONTACT PERSON
Many of these providers have little to do with lasers themselves; they are often simple middlemen.
As a result, they are usually unable to offer any service or support.
Modern lasers are very extensive and can raise many questions.
Even experienced operators are regularly dependent on appropriate support.
What good is such a device if you don't have someone who deals with it on a daily basis?
Who can help you with the maintenance / servicing of the devices?
What do you do if the device suddenly stops working, but you have a large order to process?
We are always there for you and can quickly provide you with a suitable replacement device.
We also have the right know-how to be able to help you in any situation.
FALSE WARRANTY PROMISES
NO WARRANTY
It is often difficult to make guarantee or warranty claims, especially with dealers abroad.
Especially if the retailer is based outside the EU.
This results in a lot of paperwork and expensive shipping costs back abroad, where the guarantee or warranty claim can only then be checked. There is a risk of a long machine downtime.
Companies with a high workload or start-ups often cannot afford such a standstill without losing valuable customers.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
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I am completely satisfied Top advice and great customer support, all my questions and wishes were answered by Sebastian. ... Read more Sebastian was on site with me twice and that on the same day, unfortunately you don't find such top customer support everywhere.you can only recommend it, keep it up.greetings from Hammdas myGreta team -
Everything is great, perfect price/performance ratio, super purchase advice and the service is TOP! ... Read more I can really only recommend it to others!
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I received detailed advice and the ideal device was built for my purposes. ... Read more Of course, the topic requires some training, but even after the purchase, questions or problems are solved quickly and unbureaucratically on the phone or via remote maintenance. Many thanks for the 1A support!
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