So, today I had a package at my door...

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

Its tough on low resource teams who rely on the KOP and PDV more heavily. I know in our history one year we needed to switch to different wheels on our robot but honestly couldn't afford them so one of the mentors had to foot the bill.

Most teams don't have the luxury of being able to just order what they need when they need it and bypass slower turn around from companies like Bimba.

I agree free stuff is free stuff but it does put teams in a pickle who need those parts.

Free stuff that arrives "late" is better than no free stuff at all.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Free stuff that arrives "late" is better than no free stuff at all.

Not when you are a first year team and have no knowledge of Bimbas history of late shipments.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

Not when you are a first year team and have no knowledge of Bimbas history of late shipments.

I think this is really the point. No one's saying "take your ball and go home", just that it'd be good to have clear disclaimers/historical data especially if estimated ship dates aren't available. Can we facilitate doing this for FIRST in a place where rookies are likely to see it?

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Siri

I think this is really the point. No one's saying "take your ball and go home", just that it'd be good to have clear disclaimers/historical data especially if estimated ship dates aren't available. Can we facilitate doing this for FIRST in a place where rookies are likely to see it?

^ Exactly

For a new team free stuff is a lifeline and not getting it when you need it is tough. Last year when Vex was OOS on a lot I know many veteran teams changed gears or were stuck waiting for their parts to arrive.

I think it would be really cool if veteran members of FRC could come together and make an informative video series/website to share knowledge and advice for rookie/young teams that hopefully has the quality that FIRST can point rookies to and help them get off the ground. Its little things like this (sharing common knowledge we learn our first few years) that could really change how young teams continue in FRC, lower the dropout rate, and increase the quality of teams.

Imagine 1114's Kitbot on Steroids but a much broader width to encompass more aspects of how a team runs.

[Sperkowsky]

I have a hard time saying "free" when we pay 5k to enter and 4k for extra events but I guess they don't have to do it anyway but yea I don't agree that there should be a stop in it completely but to first time teams they should warn. We stock pile cylinders and stuff like that for the next year.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

I have a hard time saying "free" when we pay 5k to enter and 4k for extra events but I guess they don't have to do it anyway but yea I don't agree that there should be a stop in it completely but to first time teams they should warn. We stock pile cylinders and stuff like that for the next year.

This gripe should lie with FIRST then, not the supplier.

FIRST is billing you for participation, this supplier is separately offering free items. There is a grey area of what we have a right to receive in the KOP that has changed over the years (it's an awkward dynamic, as some of the KOP items FIRST gets for free, some they pay for. please correct me if I'm wrong).

[Kevin Leonard]

I think we're being a little insensitive to this situation. Yes, these items are free, and late free stuff is better than no free stuff.

However, imagine you're leading a rookie team who is relying on those free cylinders to finish your robot.

While its difficult to ask for all items to be delivered by a certain time, estimated delivery dates would be very good to include in big bolded letters, and a note that explains that some items might arrive sooner than others.