Anatol Volt

[alan802]

Am I the only one who saw a strange sentence in TCT's post?  I mean WOW!!!  I sure wouldn't put it past them to do something like that because silencing the vocal is a lot easier than fixing the reason why people are talking in the first place.  That's the reason why there is little to no respect for some manufacturers.  They obviously don't do things for the right reasons, it's almost like they've learned how to operate by copying our dirty politicians.

I'd like to spend a few pages talking about this. 

[tonypep]

I saw it

[inkman996]

Am I the only one who saw a strange sentence in TCT's post?  I mean WOW!!!  I sure wouldn't put it past them to do something like that because silencing the vocal is a lot easier than fixing the reason why people are talking in the first place.  That's the reason why there is little to no respect for some manufacturers.  They obviously don't do things for the right reasons, it's almost like they've learned how to operate by copying our dirty politicians.

I'd like to spend a few pages talking about this.

I saw it. Hell I was not even put in that type of situation by you know who, surprising isn't it.

[bimmridder]

Seems like someone not being able to speak is SCREAMING a lot louder than everything everyone is is actually saying. Just my two bits.

[alan802]

I was told to shutup or I'd be the one paying and others who have much more info and details than I do were given money?  I got a raw deal. 

[TCT]

Here's my point. Don't come out here or anywhere and say buy my product it's awesome and not back it up whith why it's awesome. If you make a statement explain why you think it's a great product even go as far as discussing its possible shortcomings and why the benefits outweigh the shortcomings. Have persons who use the product maybe chime in. Comments and discussion will only improve the product and if the mfg looks at the data and willing to make some changes everyone is better off.

If it was as easy as saying buy my product it's awesome and everyone did we would all be rolling in it.

I'm not saying the press is scrap and sure there are uses for it but honestly can only see flaws in the whole concept on many levels. Show me I'm wrong, not the first time not the last.

Yet again someone expresses my thoughts more clearly and in fewer words! Man Bink, if I just had you write my post this morning I could of had breakfast at home!!

Am I the only one who saw a strange sentence in TCT's post?  I mean WOW!!!  I sure wouldn't put it past them to do something like that because silencing the vocal is a lot easier than fixing the reason why people are talking in the first place.  That's the reason why there is little to no respect for some manufacturers.  They obviously don't do things for the right reasons, it's almost like they've learned how to operate by copying our dirty politicians.

I'd like to spend a few pages talking about this.

Alan I'm not sure how much detail I can go into, there was never any "official" contract. But I am not to talk about my past issues negatively, and while I told them I could not sleep with myself if I became "pro anatol" like they wanted, we agreed on me remaining "neutral".

[GraphicDisorder]

Wait, people are being paid and/or told to shut up or remain neutral?  Do what?

NOW IM GETTING MY POPCORN.

[TCT]

I wasn't paid cash, there was a "service" and repair bill to the time of like $6k I believe that was "forgiven" if I remain neutral and stop bashing their product.

[alan802]

Once again, it's a backwards approach that just seems dirty to try and silence a voice that you don't like what they're saying rather than DO THE RIGHT THING and have people say good things about you for the right reasons.  In some countries and more and more in our own country ACCOUNTABILITY isn't as big of a deal and not something people feel is important to have as a core value in their own lives and businesses. 

[Prosperi-Tees]

Wouldn't it had been better for TCT to have gotten the service and repair for free and let him voice what Anatol did for him??? Seems odd to me.

[tonypep]

Of course it would have. It appears to be a case of backpedalling. My experiences with Anatol have been completely unacceptable from a service perspective. From totally having to re-plumb the machine due to inferior air hosing to having to take pictures of the problems due to the techs unfamiliarity of the machine and even getting ahold of them was a problem. The Vinny is a good machine though.
Little pricey.

[Binkspot]

Wouldn't it had been better for TCT to have gotten the service and repair for free and let him voice what Anatol did for him??? Seems odd to me.

Exactly.

It's been said before it's not that there is an issue it's how the problem was resolved. Nothing is perfect just step up do the right thing. Honestly I would rather get credit for doing the right thing and eat the bill then live in the shadows. Your going to win some and loose some. Or you could just make sure everything is as close to perfect as possible before leaving the factory floor, just saying.

Why cheap out and use less then perfect parts, you may save a few grand on the manufacturing of the machine but it will come back to bite you in the end. Adding a grand or two to the cost of a machine that someone is willing to drop $50, $70 or $100+ grand is not going to make or break the deal.

I wonder how many others got a "fix" under the assumption things would be kept quiet.

[alan802]

Making up for things now is a start.  IT HAPPENED and I suppose there is no use in dwelling about it now, IF, and only IF, the right things are going to be done from here on out.  I'm willing to forgive and move on but many probably wonder why I'm vocal about things that didn't happen directly to me or this shop.  For some reason I care about other shops and worry that if the truths aren't voiced openly and honestly that more shops will be hurt and this is something that some shops cannot work out of. 

If I bought a $100K press and it didn't work right for 6 months we'd be in trouble.  It would cost us thousands, 6 figures if it lingered for months and most of those customers will be gone forever, you can't quantify that.  I don't know if it would drown us because I'd probably do whatever it took to get through it where others might throw in the towel before I would.

I do understand the standpoint of "false negative" posts made from people with an ax to grind that the equipment manufacturer did all the right things and they are still getting the bad end of the stick.  It's important for us to look at the whole when researching a company and if Anatol has 20 happy customers and 1 unhappy, then I think most of us would consider that a good track record.  I know guys get sort of butt-whipped by many of the M&R lovers that are all over the place but when it all comes down to it, things have been done to earn that reputation and everyone of us would love to be thought of on that level.

I've long said some good things about the Anatol machines.  I've always thought they had a great set of features on the autos and I still stand behind that.  Where can you get a servo/AC press with that many print head functions and a touch screen control panel for $30K?  But we all know why guys like me have been critical and I don't think that criticism should be silenced just because they don't like it.  It should be silenced because they don't do business that way any longer and issues are dealt with with the customer's best interest in mind and if that happens, they will reap the rewards of doing things the right way.  Big Blue is living proof of that.  I've always felt that they were almost there, so close that it was even more of a tragedy that the ball was dropped at the last second.  A lot of my criticism comes from disappointment that they were so close and the ball is sailing over the fence only for it to not count because they were out of the batter's box.  Imagine a press with more features and stellar customer support competing with M&R and what type of competition that would breed.  Rich won't stand by and let someone pass them by and guess who would be the winners of that competition?  That's right.

[JJPrint]

I would be interested in your opinion if M&R was to introduce an all electric press.  I would like the idea, just to minimize the use of extra equipment that could fail.  We do use air in the shop and really can't get away from it, but would prefer a smaller compressor.  The real issue for me is, do I trust Anatol.  I think for Anatol to have long term success in the US is to deal with issues before they hit the boards.  For this to happen there has to be a top down mentality to fix problems fast and earn respect in the market place for standing behind their products.  Hoffman as the owner of the company makes this personal (I want to be the best) the same way many of you do each day.

[Baron265]

What most people might not know is that Anatol had a life before making presses.  They were and are world class robotics and automation manufacturers.  They have automation and robotics in many "house hold" name plants.  So I would have no problem trusting their technology. 

You're talking about 2 different companies Sonny. One is 10 years gone.