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OLD MATE (formerly Medgrind)
- Thread starter Timps27
- Start date
I didn't think there was a PayPal option at all. Which is fine with me, the PayPal conversion fees are a lot higher than my credit card and the exchange rate is better.
Oden
Well-Known Member
OMD said, and if all goes well he plans to open a batch of pre-orders for a limited edition Founder's Edition XL in the next week or so!
Deliveries would take place about a month after that.
And it is aiming for the 200USD mark.
But I don't know if this price is for the pre-order or the final price.
There are pictures and videos to see it but I don't know how to post them here
Deliveries would take place about a month after that.
And it is aiming for the 200USD mark.
But I don't know if this price is for the pre-order or the final price.
There are pictures and videos to see it but I don't know how to post them here
Hello everyone!
Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been super busy!
I have been working on the XL and now have a functioning prototype to test.
Here is some photos of the prototype.
I'll release a youtube video soon showing the XL in detail and why i choose to do certain things etc.
I am keen to hear everyones thoughts. Things can be changed easily in this prototyping stage.
Thanks!
Ben
Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been super busy!
I have been working on the XL and now have a functioning prototype to test.
Here is some photos of the prototype.
I'll release a youtube video soon showing the XL in detail and why i choose to do certain things etc.
I am keen to hear everyones thoughts. Things can be changed easily in this prototyping stage.
Thanks!
Ben
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I like the idea. I will give it some thought. There has been numerous comments about making the cap easily removed. Thankyou.
Heres the video for you all.
Thankyou!
Ordered!!
The dual bearings look like they turned out well!
Any chance you would be able to send me a solid lid without magnets instead? I'd much prefer the heft, and it might end up being a bit less work on your tools. Perhaps make it an option after a few trials?
I didn't hear mention of a fine plate option. Is that in the works?
Looking forward to it! Cheers!
Razzle_N_Dazzle
Well-Known Member
I couldn't tell from the video but it would be cool if the scoop was small enough to fit inside the XL, either in the top area or the inside area.
Others have mentioned the removable top with magnets but I'm thinking it would also be convenient if the top could come off just by pressing one side of it to lift the other side. Sort of like a rocker. That'll make removing it easier and the top could still be flush. I'm getting the idea from the oven lid on my Pax vape. I'm not sure if that function could translate to a much bigger lid but it's just an idea!
I also just thought about the functionality of using the top part as storage. The space between the removable lid and the edge of the top will have to be very small or else anything left in there when using the grinder would come out from the spinning forces. A small lip around the inside edge could also prevent that.
I do think the use of magnets would give the top a cleaner look without the screws. Another idea is to put a small notch on the edge of the lid to lift it up with your fingernail.
One final idea I have is for a non-removable top. You could remove some material in a pattern shape so the top will be lighter and won't give off the ashtray vibes as you say
Others have mentioned the removable top with magnets but I'm thinking it would also be convenient if the top could come off just by pressing one side of it to lift the other side. Sort of like a rocker. That'll make removing it easier and the top could still be flush. I'm getting the idea from the oven lid on my Pax vape. I'm not sure if that function could translate to a much bigger lid but it's just an idea!
I also just thought about the functionality of using the top part as storage. The space between the removable lid and the edge of the top will have to be very small or else anything left in there when using the grinder would come out from the spinning forces. A small lip around the inside edge could also prevent that.
I do think the use of magnets would give the top a cleaner look without the screws. Another idea is to put a small notch on the edge of the lid to lift it up with your fingernail.
One final idea I have is for a non-removable top. You could remove some material in a pattern shape so the top will be lighter and won't give off the ashtray vibes as you say
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AndyO
Well-Known Member
I'm very curious why the price appears to be tied to the US dollar. It's screwing your own countrymen when the dollar is low like it current is - especially when a $315 grinder doesn't include GST or free postage for locals. (Which I guess I just feel would be nice, cos all the US/Candian/UK companies always seem to offer free shipping that we can't take advantage of... it'd be nice if Australians were able to see that benefit in reverse for this one amazing local maker based in Australia.)
$200US that was stated in the video became over $370Au before I'd even done anything!
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Hi yeah I reckon Ben was just giving the usa folks a heads up on the price cause "locals" don't have to convert the AUD price which is stated on ol mates www. US200 = AUD 315 today.
Just like him doing the temp C to F of the shed in the vid for those viewers.
Mateee free shipping comes with Chinese junk
Eh, something this exxy should have shipping baked in for us local folks. Feels a bit shitty getting stung after I've resigned myself to spending a bunch of money. I mean I got free shipping from the UK recently cos I spent a stupid amount on a stem. It's not the end of the world, but I definitely know what I'd prefer.Hi yeah I reckon Ben was just giving the usa folks a heads up on the price cause "locals" don't have to convert the AUD price which is stated on ol mates www. US200 = AUD 315 today.
Just like him doing the temp C to F of the shed in the vid for those viewers.
Mateee free shipping comes with Chinese junk
AndyO
Well-Known Member
The other thing that stings me a little bit, on top of the USD + postage issues - and it's not a criticism, but it's definitely a choice - is having an additional tax on top of the listed price that you don't see til you get to the checkout.
I know it's done in other countries as a "don't blame us for the cost" tactic, but it's not the norm here in Australia. I don't recall ever seeing that on another Australian page that I've bought stuff from, canna related or otherwise.
I understand we have a 10% goods & services tax on pretty much everything you buy here. But that's been the case here for over 25 years, and we're very used to it being built into the price of everything. Seeing an additional $35 on top of your purchase price is quite a shock, and when paired with postage costs and a shitty Australian dollar, it ultimately scared me off of something that I'd been quite excited for.
The Aroma-3 is pretty much the only grinder that I use, so I think this will ultimately be my final word on the XL - I don't want my cynicism and disappointment to cloud my opinion of the best grinder I own.
Nor do I want it to cloud anyone's excitement about a really exciting device. I hope people buy it, I hope it's awesome. I hope it sells enough that the price ultimately goes down, not up!
At a flat $350, free postage price? I think I would've put it. At "$200US + tax + domestic postage"... it's something that I'll be enjoying vicariously. Show me $350 and let me justify it, cos believe me, I can justify (and have!) all sorts of cannabis related shit... but don't ask me to reconcile $200US, to discover that the exchange rate sucks, the tax is on top, and I don't even get free domestic shipping.
I know it's done in other countries as a "don't blame us for the cost" tactic, but it's not the norm here in Australia. I don't recall ever seeing that on another Australian page that I've bought stuff from, canna related or otherwise.
I understand we have a 10% goods & services tax on pretty much everything you buy here. But that's been the case here for over 25 years, and we're very used to it being built into the price of everything. Seeing an additional $35 on top of your purchase price is quite a shock, and when paired with postage costs and a shitty Australian dollar, it ultimately scared me off of something that I'd been quite excited for.
The Aroma-3 is pretty much the only grinder that I use, so I think this will ultimately be my final word on the XL - I don't want my cynicism and disappointment to cloud my opinion of the best grinder I own.
Nor do I want it to cloud anyone's excitement about a really exciting device. I hope people buy it, I hope it's awesome. I hope it sells enough that the price ultimately goes down, not up!
At a flat $350, free postage price? I think I would've put it. At "$200US + tax + domestic postage"... it's something that I'll be enjoying vicariously. Show me $350 and let me justify it, cos believe me, I can justify (and have!) all sorts of cannabis related shit... but don't ask me to reconcile $200US, to discover that the exchange rate sucks, the tax is on top, and I don't even get free domestic shipping.
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How is it tied to USD? I ordered one and I only dealt with AUD, and my bank did the conversion from 355 AUD to CAD. Taxes is a requirement. You locals pay at the checkout (baked in or not, someone pays), we foreigners pay via import tax through customs. If he puts the final price after taxes, should it then show a different lower price for non-locals with the AUD sales tax removed? I can understand including the taxes in the price, but that only works in a local sales system. It's the price of a connected world unfortunately.
Considering the Aroma3 is lauded as one of the best on the market, paying an extra 100 AUD or so for the large model is a bargain. This beauty will outlast me.
Shit Snacks
Milaana. Lana. LANA. LANAAAA! (TM2/TP80/BAK/FW9)
Great to see you here doing so well, thanks for these updates! Always nice seeing all the progress, yeah that new machine looks so awesome... I don't really need a larger OMD grinder right now, but think I will still go in for this XL founder's edition again as it just looks way too nice and I want to show more support, at whatever total, imo fair price
My only suggestion for now, is for the SS top piece to be available in a lighter blue color and/or darker purple color, if at all possible (I think you mentioned they may be available in color too not just the plastic ones) As usual you've done a phenomenal job with this
I am very sorry. I am just as frustrated at the payment side of things.
Shopify shut my shop pay down, I am forced to use third party (high risk industry) VISA/MASTERCARD facilitys. These facilitys cost me 5% every transactrion plus 2% for shipify to pass the order through. It hurts. I absorb these costs.
Shop pay used to include GST for Australian customers and remove it for international. Shop pay used to auto convert to your local currency.
I HAVE to charge and pay the GST to the australian tax office on Australian orders.
I understand its very frustrating to see GST get added for australian customers at checkout but It's the only way i have found to accomodate everyone worldwide. The majority of my sales go international and showing GST on the product page causes lots of confusion.
I have reached out to professionals for help and tried the auto currency converting apps on shopify but it automatically reverts back to AUD at checkout and i get emails from angry customers thikning i am trying to swindle them. I am not.
I get it, It's super annoying for everyone.
This market sucks for doing business in Australia, I simply doesn't allow me to offer tax free sales with free shipping in Australia.
I am sorry.
Ben
AndyO
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the reply. I think everyone understands that you can't shirk the tax, it's how it's being displayed is the issue.
Do you mind me asking you a couple more questions?
- Have you researched the legalities of it? The ATO website appears very clear about the need for GST to be included in the price, not added on later as an additional charge.
- Your youtube video says that it's $200US. Can you please confirm whether that means the price is tied to the US dollar, or whether you just used that number because it was correct at the time of making the video? (Is the price actually tied to that $315Au mark?)
Yes, Sure thing,
I have it stated in the banner on the top of the webstie that pricing is in AUD Excluding gst. In my terms of serive its also noted that the custromer is liable to pay any taxes etc inc gst.
The GST is stated in the checkout page before you commit, it's not added on as an additional charge, theres only one charge.
The price is $315 AUD. It's not tied to the USD. I mentioned $200USD in the video because the majority of the viewers are in USA.
I am genuinely sorry for the confusion and i have learnt from this.
I am open to changing things, in the past when i displayed GST on the website it caused a lot of confusion and emails from international customers.
Sorry its not an ideal reply. I am a better machinist than i am at Shopify and Ecommerce.
Ben
Shit Snacks
Milaana. Lana. LANA. LANAAAA! (TM2/TP80/BAK/FW9)
Yeah at checkout it was showing the AUD price for me before...
I remember there was trouble with PayPal last time, always such an unfair ordeal with them holding money is what it was too right
Oh another suggestion actually, depending what ends up happening with the lid (if easy removal with magnets etc) it would be nicer to not have those screw heads visible at the top regardless...? or maybe another style
Also wondering if I might actually prefer the current strength magnet (like in the video) instead of an even stronger one
I remember there was trouble with PayPal last time, always such an unfair ordeal with them holding money is what it was too right
Oh another suggestion actually, depending what ends up happening with the lid (if easy removal with magnets etc) it would be nicer to not have those screw heads visible at the top regardless...? or maybe another style
Also wondering if I might actually prefer the current strength magnet (like in the video) instead of an even stronger one
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I personally like the design Ben created as is, I prefer the mechanical looks of screws holding lid, have already preorderd and will accept any changes but like as is including the long spoon design, have already ordered 7 aroma 3 in psst aa think these grinders are amazing beautiful pieces of art, well done Ben
Unfortunately you legally have to have the price include GST. The ACCC is pretty clear on this and will cause you more problems than emails from confused international customers have. Dunno what the solution is other than "make a seperate international sales site", but it would be worth paying someone with qualifications to give you advice on this.
Ok i have figured how out how to include GST in the listings for Australian customers and updated my terms and conditions.
I believe all is well again.
Thankyou for the heads up everyone!
Ben