First Choice 2013

[McGurky]

Teams adversely affected by the Inventory management problems should contact frcparts@usfirst.org.

Good afternoon,

There was an issue with FIRST Choice inventory management yesterday that allowed teams to place orders for parts that were no longer available.

If you believe you were adversely affected by this issue (i.e. you ordered an item that you thought was in stock, but later learned that the part was not in stock, and thus missed out on ordering other parts you would have ordered had you had accurate inventory data), please contact us at frcparts@usfirst.org.

Meanwhile, as stated in an earlier blog post, the credits spent on these items have been returned to your account.

We’re so sorry for this issue and for the frustration it may have caused.

Kate

[slijin]

Originally Posted by Jared341

Is there any possibility at all that the FIRST Choice inventory gets replenished? Thinking at this point we'll just save our credits and hope something valuable is available later.

I hate to bear bad news, but:

On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 8:13 AM, Jerry Budd <jerry@andymark.com> wrote:

Correct. According to rules, when an item goes out of stock it remains out of stock for this year.

Jerry Budd
AndyMark Inc.
Robot Controls Engineer



On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 7:24 AM, Samuel Lijin wrote:

Hi Jerry,

Does that mean there is absolutely no possibility that FIRST Choice will be restocked in the future?

Samuel Lijin

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by slijin

I hate to bear bad news, but:

This has been a policy since we started FIRST Choice. Here is a FAQ posted on the AM website:

"What happens if a part is out of stock when I try to place my order?
When logging into the FIRST Choice Ordering section of the AndyMark webpage, the number of items still in stock at the moment the webpage loads is shown for each part. If there are no more available at this time it will show 'OUT OF STOCK'. Since many teams are placing their orders at the same time, someone else might have reserved the last part, by placing their order, while you are still checking out. In this case, the item will automatically be removed from your cart. Please be sure to place your order quickly, and double check your order after it has been placed. If this does happen you will still be able to log in again and order something else! Once a FIRST Choice item is out of stock, it will be out of stock for the remainder of the FIRST Choice ordering period."

Sincerely,
Andy Baker

[Peyton Yeung]

I think one thing people are wondering is if FIRST Choice will offer a variety of new parts from FIRST Choice after kickoff and if they should save the credits they have left over to add to the 100 they'll get in January.

To be short is there a new set of different parts that'll be released after kickoff or just game specific pieces?

Peyton

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Tubatroopa

I think one thing people are wondering is if FIRST Choice will offer a variety of new parts from FIRST Choice after kickoff and if they should save the credits they have left over to add to the 100 they'll get in January.

To be short is there a new set of different parts that'll be released after kickoff or just game specific pieces?

Peyton

We're (my team) is assuming that the only reason we're getting another 100 points at kickoff is specially to buy those game-related parts that aren't released yet.

It's a logical assumption.....

[CalTran]

Got in for a second order; ordered one (1) new compressor, four (4) Clippard plastic volume tanks, and three (3) 24v Solenoid kits. Order seems to have processed fine. Our team now has three (3) FIRST Choice points left. And no, we do not want a backwards DB37 ribbon cable.

[McGurky]

Originally Posted by CalTran

Got in for a second order; ordered one (1) new compressor, four (4) Clippard plastic volume tanks, and three (3) 24v Solenoid kits. Order seems to have processed fine. Our team now has three (3) FIRST Choice points left. And no, we do not want a backwards DB37 ribbon cable.

Are aware that it is fairly simple to fix the cable to no longer be "backwards"?

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...structions.pdf

[F22Rapture]

Originally Posted by McGurky

Are aware that it is fairly simple to fix the cable to no longer be "backwards"?

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...structions.pdf

Or you could just use the equivalent non-ribbon cable, which IIRC is also on FIRST Choice.

http://www.andymark.com/FIRST-Choice-p/fc13-096.htm

[Littleboy]

Exactly why are they made backwards? What is the purpose of that?

[BigJ]

Originally Posted by Littleboy

Exactly why are they made backwards? What is the purpose of that?

It was an error in manufacturing, all ribbon cables we got last(?) season had to be repaired after teams opened the kits of parts.

Or you could just use the equivalent non-ribbon cable, which IIRC is also on FIRST Choice.

http://www.andymark.com/FIRST-Choice-p/fc13-096.htm

A lot of teams prefer the ribbon solution as it takes up a lot less vertical space, and if the big stiff connector gets hit hard enough from the side I bet some pins are gonna get bent/broken

[jason701802]

What happened to the team 5000 login (i.e. the viewing only account)? Is there another way to keep track of stock for those who don't have a login yet or just don't have access to it? There's a non-login page to see whats avaliable, but it doesn't show stock beyond in/out of stock.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by F22Rapture

Or you could just use the equivalent non-ribbon cable, which IIRC is also on FIRST Choice.

I think his point is that he has 3 credits remaining and chose not to order the only item available for that number of credits.

Originally Posted by jason701802

Is there another way to keep track of stock for those who don't have a login yet or just don't have access to it?

Can't help you long term, but here's today's remaining stock.

[IndySam]

These Fluke meters have been offered for three years and I can't for the life of me understand why teams don't snap them up. These are $200 meters and I think most teams would benefit from getting one.

Also those Festo valves are a high value item and even if you don't use them you can always trade them to another team for something you could.

[Jon Stratis]

Agreed, those meters are great. We got one last year, and were thinking of getting another one this year... until we found out one of our sponsors was "retiring" some and would donate them instead of throwing them away

[Mark McLeod]

Anyone using the PDV's yet?
Bimba seems to be open for the free 3 cylinder order, too.

Statement of interest on the Banebot site:

The RS-390, RS-395, RS-540, RS-545, RS-550, and RS-775 motors listed on this page are legal for FIRST use.

Should we believe them?