That’s interesting - I’ll be keen to see how this develops! I wonder if they’ll have access to the same software without having to pay blood money to Carpetbagger Kress? Didn’t he and the tech chief between them asset-strip the coding from SW just before it went under?
I’ve just got an e-mail from Shapeways and it says:
Shapeways is Coming Home
Dear Pawel,
I am delighted to announce that Shapeways is coming home.
Two original co-founders along with the highly-skilled leadership team from our Eindhoven factory have stepped in to steward the company into its next chapter. After Shapeways Inc. filed for bankruptcy in July, we knew we had to resurrect the company and preserve the digital manufacturing engine we all helped to build - a combination of dedicated, skilled people, cutting-edge machinery and sophisticated software. Moving forward, our focus is on rebuilding Shapeways and leveraging our digital manufacturing engine for our customers’ success.
We regret to inform you that our marketplace cannot be revived as it previously existed, as all marketplace accounts and accompanying data were deleted in the bankruptcy. We still believe in the Shapeways Shops concept and are actively pursuing new ways to replace this service for the Shapeways community. This exploration will take time and we humbly ask for your patience on this journey. We are building a small group of former shop owners to be advisors and a sounding board during this exploration. If you would like to be an active contributor on our journey to define the best solution, please contact us at shopcouncil@shapeways.com.
In the meantime, you can upload your models and place orders using our Instant Quote. We are working hard to bring back our e-commerce integrations with Shopify and Etsy, allowing you to create your own shops, manage your products and get them fulfilled by Shapeways.
You can learn more about the new Shapeways in our press release, here. We have compiled a FAQ around the bankruptcy and loss of the marketplace here. And you can learn a bit more about me, the new leadership team, and our vision for Shapeways.
Over the years, we have been inspired by, and deeply grateful for, the community that grew up around the marketplace, and the marvel of creative products and businesses that grew out of it. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Stay tuned for additional announcements.
Warmly,
Marleen Vogelaar, CEO
Me too
Eh… I personally think it should stay dead. Without any significant improvements to its non-existent customer service and search engine, it won’t be able to survive the competition.
Can’t speak to the customer srvice. The few times I used it the shipping was fast, the items were well packed. Can’t ask for too much more. The quality on most was good. The lesser qualtiy - I’m not sure if that was on themor not. However, on some of the items I did not order it was plain to see the subjects were clunky and not well done. That’s on the consumer.
As for the search engine, not much different than Cults, which I use quite a bit. In looking at all 7000+ of their 1/35 items, I can say mush of the problem lies with ther designers and the vague description they give of their designs.
I wish them luck. The more choices we have the better.
Your experience with Robberyways seems better than most folks. Shipping was expensive and slow, and the print quality was mediocre at best. No customer service if you try to return anything or suggest for improvements.
Yes, Cults3D search engine is crap, too. I predict that Robberyways won’t survive without any improvements.
Hope they invest in up to date printers! They’re a lot cheaper now than they were ten years ago.
Must be Karma.
I’m not sure it’s shop format will ever come back.
The only things I ever bought from them were excellent quality, but that was almost at their beginning. Let’s hope with the original people involved they come back better.
If they get new printers and move to a less risk-averse design philosophy then they stand a chance. They need to look into the grey resin printers everyone else is using, and allow much thinner parts. But I’d be wiling to give them a try!
They are back now if anybody cares.
if they have something I want, and they get away from the spool feed printers I’d consider them. I’m not going to bad mouth them but won’t buy from them until I see good products I want
Filament printers do have their limitations. They’re more for things like Cosplay helmets, shelf brackets, sprue holders…