Shapeways

Count on cleaning your own Parts 80% remain uninspected. Consistency is not likely. They will mail them anyway they feel like it

When looking at the web page to get started you select "Designers for Hire" they ask some simple questions using pictures (pictographs, very insulting)
Select make a prototype, select your parts difficulty then whether you have 2D drawings, 3D drawings or just an idea... Select material (professional plastic for instance then this is where they get you ---REAL GOOD! You name your project, describe what it is then upload your files,,,, but before you do this, look at the bottom there is a terms and conditions you should read before you even think of uploading anything.

Those terms and conditions state and I quote from my patent attorney when I questioned a paragraph in the terms
"Regarding the terms, yes that paragraph is disturbing and pretty much grants them rights to do whatever they want to with your design including sell, license, produce, and improve upon it and own the improved versions too.

I would have them delete it. And Also include that ownership of the design and any improvements thereof remains with you. Also, include non-disclosure/confidentiality terms too."

So there you have it, do not submit an idea that could potentially be the next new smart phone, of some other device that would change the world because you will sign over your rights to it. Although my attorney stated the obvious you should take note that there is no way to ask Shape ways to remove those items in the paragraph, you accept the terms by default when you submit your idea or drawings... That is very bad business practices...

It pains me to think how much time and money I have wasted on this company. Problems are never solved live. There is no one to call directly about production issues and basically a general lack of consideration for projects that have a degree of complexity. Don't get me started on their packing...

Do not, absolutely do not attempt to print anything unusual with these people. Whats bizarre is that all other print-on-demand services I have used in the past were competent and participatory.

Update:

I just received the parts replaced by Shapeways.
All is ok now.
Thank you.

I am glad to know that my problem was resolved after receiving a damaged kit and a re-print mistake of the damaged kit by the service agent. Happy that it got sorted out. When my parts arrive, if they arrive safe and sound I shall upgrade my reviews from one star to 3 stars, not any higher rating than that because I did have to invest a deal of time in sending emails to customer support to get my order corrected and I will post this comment on such reviews. I will still order again from you guys, but please check your packaging staff regularly and read carefully emails regarding damaged products so that you do send out the proper replacement. (This kit has many delicate parts and each part should be packaged individually and not like the first time that all of them were together in one plastic bag causing the items to move around during the shipping, hitting each other, causing these parts to break.) Should I have not caught the error in time I would have received the wrong items and I would have been contacting you guys again for another replacement. So in the end it will save your company money to be more careful in the future. Thank you for your attention. Happy holidays. Edgar Castillos

These folks talk a good game... but... I made a bracelet for my wife and it arrived broken... customer service was pleasant but no help... use at your own risk...

I don't know WHAT some of these reviewers are talking about. I love this company. I have placed a half-dozen or so orders with them, of my own nerdy, technical designs and there are delivered in perfect condition. Everything looked great and it all fit together perfectly. Maybe because it was my own design and not someone else's?

And I've had only one "problem" and it was with UPS, NOT Shapeways. It was NOT delivered when it was supposed to have been delivered (I paid for next-day) and we thought it was lost.

Shapeways quickly re-printed it, and sent it out again to me, arriving on time - even though it was NOT there fault.

And the people I have dealt with are always informative and great.

I was considering acquiring my own 3D printer, but because of affordability of Shapeways doing it for me, makes it much more worthwhile to have it done by them. And I then do not have to worry about maintenance and calibration and trouble-shooting and the replenishing of supplies.

Yes, I would HIGHLY recommend them (like I said, I design my own stuff, so I have no idea about purchasing something that was designed by someone else).

I've ordered from shapeways four times. All four orders were for magic polyhedra puzzles (rubik's type twisty puzzles). I initially was skeptical due to how lightweight the product was. However, the puzzle proved to be exceptional and most likely is stronger and more durable than the ABS puzzles that come from plastic injection molding. The puzzle was expensive and had a gritty texture but no complaints since I knew what I was getting into in that aspect. The next three puzzles I ordered came from a second designer and his designs were hollow with very thin walls. I initially was skeptical, however the product proved to be quite good and I didn't find any fault in it. The three puzzles were inexpensive relatively speaking compared with the former mentioned puzzle. I recommend these types of puzzles, just know what to expect. These puzzle designers are friends and acquaintances of mine and they go the extra mile to keep costs low. There designs are truly art and express their vast creativity and genius. These products vary from puzzle to puzzle and designer to designer. Lastly, I say that these are not speed solving puzzles so don't expect to do corner cutting and rapid finger trick movement. This is partly due to the gritty texture that increases friction during turning. This recommendation is more for owning a puzzle that can't be acquired elsewhere and the pride of becoming the first (or among the pioneers) to master that puzzle. It's a great feeling to be the first to beat the unbeatable as I was able to do with much hard work and dedication.

My order consisted of two radio knobs to fit a 09 - 10 Pontiac Vibe radio / the knobs were exactly the same as the existing, but therein lies the problem / my suggestion to shapeways is that the flare should only protrude 1/16 - 1/8th of an inch max so as to merely press the new knob onto the metal post / ( I achieved this measurement of protrusion by grinding the excess off - pressed the knob onto the metal post and voila, a volume knob that now works / to be fair, shapeways would not know this / hopefully they will read the afore / Dwight N.

Horrible business unless you are flexible and fine with over two month waiting periods, multiple refunds due to insufficient check points, and terrible (barely existent) costumer service.

Rude and unhelpful staff with "no phone service" due to their small sized staff (but with international business?)

I've enjoyed every interaction with Shapeways so far. I've ordered several of my own models and they arrive looking perfect. The production time seems reasonable and matches their estimates. I've sent questions and suggestions to multiple departments and every time the reply is quick (less than a day) and helpful.

I opened a store on Shapeways to sell my models and the interface is clean, easy, and intuitive. I had a harder time opening a Tumblr account to promote my items. I love not having to deal with keeping track of orders or dealing with potential angry customers. Shapeways does all the hard stuff and lets me just relax and design. I adore it.

It's odd to see so many poor reviews on this site, but I haven't been doing business with Shapeways for very long, so it's possible that they weren't as great in the past.

I know nothing about their CEO, so I can't comment on that.

Overall I'd give the site 9/10, and that missing point is only because there are a few functionalities that would improve the design experience (like the option to see if a model will stand on its own once printed). I look forward to doing more business with Shapeways in the future and I absolutely recommend them.

Ordered a custom pendant as an anniversary present. Unhappy with the result.
It came much larger than designed and rough with pointed edges (when it was specified to have a round polished finish).
No refund policy. No replying to emails.
No customer service.
I will say the shape and strength appears well crafted and understand some of the difficulties posed by 3D printing, but no communication with their customers is their let down.

In this day and age to have no return policy is juSt ridiculous. We ordered feet for eames chairs, the description said they were flexible but they weren't, at all and they did not fit the chairs we have. They were cheap, plastic items, not worth the money they charged. Customer service had us take pictures and send in multiple emails but the response was, sorry we don't have a return policy. So now we have 28 feet that don't work. Never again!

I've given shapeways the benefit of the doubt over and over. Their plated material is crap, their 14k gold plated material turns fingers green in 4 hours and they tell me thats normal and won't issue a refund. I ordered their green polished plastic and it was so rough and not shiny at all. Not even smooth, it looks like mill wax. Their customer service is pathetic and condescending. I hoped to spend thousamds with them manufacturing my new jewelry line, but I will never work with them again. Absolutely terrible and not worth one cent.