What direction is VPI headed?


First let me state that I own a VPI Prime w/perifial ring, SDS, and a couple extra arm wands so I have invested some $ overall, this being my third VPI table, with that said I am a happy VPI customer but here recently have taken a few notes on their constantly coming up with the next iteration of what ever is moving well and I do believe the Prime is one of those. When they came out with the Prime Signature it was hard not to sell and replace with it but I didn't now the Prime Signature Rosewood is gorgeous but at $6,800.00, now when you get to that cost level I started looking used and have seen the prices dropping ridiculously low on a couple of HRX setups with all the extras for  a lot less than that and they still aren't moving. I know there are those that speak of VPIs marketing from time to time but what is going on.
tooblue
Bill at Phoenix is a engineer not a car salesman.  His products worked no upgrades needed.  For a lot less money you could plug in a rpm gauge and the controller and it would adjust itself.

Bill also got involved in multiple diy projects with controllers with multiple phases.  When we ran into some issues with the cheap Chinese frequency generators, Bill designed one and of course threw in some great features. Not only did he do all this for FREE he put links to all the parts and circuit boards. 

If Bill is a bad guy we need more of them around.  Try to find a used Phoenix controller around.  If Bill has a problem I may have the same one.  The problem is people who open there mouths without a clue of the real subject.  I remember people bad mouthing the Phoenix stuff not knowing how the features worked and of course never using one.

I guess if you are interested you can could read through forums and reach your own conclusions.

Enjoy the ride
Tom
Bill certainly is not a bad guy and had a great product. We ended up not be able to work together but it isn't a take away from either company.  In hindsight things probably could have been handled better on both sides. But if it doesn't work out at least it's a learning experience.  Bill, I have no idea where those units are but I'm not arguing you sent them and certainly holding them hostage.  I'll try to locate where they are and send the back and if I can't then I'll  buy them.  Our differences aside both of our companies have always tried to help the end user.
" Clearthink, you are entitled to your opinion. If you wish to believe that voluntarily ceasing operations means that an entrepreneur is non-trustworthy or somehow a lesser person-as you clearly state-that's your choice. I don't think most us see things that way "

I based what I said about Bill based on mostly my personal experience with him and to some slightly lesser extent his behavior in this very group which has been deploreable and not the words or actions of a man of honor or anyone I would ever want to conduct business with in any way. There is a reason he is out of business and there is a reason he did not make a deal with VPI and Mat was right to not make a deal with him VPI is a better company than that and treats it's customers well and again I say that based on personal experience.
@turntablemat,

I sent you a response today. I am busy with my regular job + my caring for my aged mother during the week. (Why did I feel the need to mention this?)
( You had my posts removed that could have explained to (late readers) the reason for your post, inquiring about "Why?".)

You seem to forget that after my thread late last year, and the conversations after, that I had issues with the S2P distance on my Classic 3. You said as long as it’s in the 2-3 mm range, all is ok. Not only do I not believe this, I find it highly offensive that after years of reading reviews that never once mention this issue, and after reading posts in which the OPs ask Harry to disclose his chosen alignment geometry, not once is this ever disclosed. So, I relied on VPI, the made in America company, to treat me right with my major purchase.

I read later that Bill Stevenson had these same issues and had apparently contacted you about his concern. He stated you offered him a fix. This was my rational for the posts you had deleted.

I don’t have a grudge against you or your company. I feel it is my duty to report, what is in my view, this outrageous lack of disclosure to your many hundreds of customers and what seems like an industry "kept" secret?
Getting the last 2-3mm is what cartridge alignment is all about! 2-3mm off is NOT okay---that's grossly out of alignment.