Our Small Parts Experience, to all TEAMS

[Anton Abaya]

To all the teams out there:

I just want you all to know how hassling it was to deal with Small Parts this year.

Firstly, it's only the 2nd week, and they're out of stock on all the sprockets we were asking for. We had to change design twice because they would run out after we would order it. Worse, they would ship us 8 of the 20 sprockets we asked for. What do we do with 8 sprockets if the rest are not coming in a week? Most of their sprockets are already out of stock.

The second time I ordered, I asked for a larger toothed sprocket. I asked how many they had, and they said 70+. I then ordered 20, and got my 8. It was blamed on other other orders that came before mine. Awesome, tell that to my work calendar and timeline. Delays, delays, delays...

Well, after I spoke to several representatives, they did manage to find me replacements and did give me a discount on overnight shipping. I expected it to be free considering they promised me twice that I would receive the full number of sprockets.

SPI was definitely unprepared this year for 900 teams or so. Both with their inventory and perhaps their efficiency and accuracy as well. They had blamed it on FIRST and said that they are NOT the official sponsor anymore or something like that. In any case, they should have expected a surge of orders. Perhaps FIRST could have given them a heads up as well?

So for all you teams who are still in design phase, I highly suggest you take into consideration their dwindling inventories. Go call them and ask how many they have left -- or when they expect the next shipment to arrive.

And by all means, get your sprockets somewhere else. Or ask them how many more they have left.

-anton abaya
Rambots, #419