If anyone is thinking of purchasing a model from Do3D, they should be aware of what they can expect. If they already have made the model and it is available on their site, it is reasonable to assume that it will print out as described above. Meaning this: If it is already on the shelf, there is only a limited risk by purchasing it and having it work for you.
That said, I would like to report that I did NOT purchase an item off the shelf, and instead contacted Do3D to create a model from scratch.
I received a quick response to my inquiry with little useful information, if any. I asked a question, and received a question in return. This was a red flag, but not a deal killer.
Upon the assurances of other users, I felt it was worth the risk to inquire about a custom model of a Terminator Endoskeleton. I was immediately sent a Paypal link and a Price, with the a quote of 20 days to complete.
Reader's Digest version:
I paypal'd the money and waited. 20 days went by and NO word from Do3D. OK, I waited until the end of the month to ask for an update. I received a quick response saying that it was a complicated model, and to please give them an additional 30 days.
I never expected a complete model in 20 days, so a delay was not unexpected. 30 additional days is not unreasonable, so I waited. That 30 days passed last week, and I didn't hear from them. I waited until Friday to write and request an update. I don't think it is unreasonable to get an update on progress once the due date has come and gone. I got NO response. Up until now, their response had been within an hour.
I emailed them again this morning asking again for an update. I would like to hear anything in regards to progress, or even the slightest effort. I got a response within an hour, saying "We are checking on the status. We will get back to you as soon as possible."
At this point, my review of their service is: I will provide a review when I see their service. at this point I can only comment of their communication skills, and they get an A- for promptness, and a D- for content. The responses that I have received, I had to request, and they provided NO actual information that would imply any level of trust or competency.
I know nothing of this business other than there is a webpage. I have no knowledge of the artists skill or number. Meaning that it could be one person running a webpage and farms out the jobs to local artists, or could be a 3D modeling firm that takes on side jobs. There does not seem to be any effort on anyone's part to boost confidence in their ability.
Once they have your money (which is paid in FULL, upfront) I didn't get the idea that anything was being done with it.
For the record, I never thought a complete Endo was going to be done from scratch, and would be finished and ready to go in 20 days. I expected it to take a few months. I also understand that having to answer everyone's emails can take up all your time to the point nothing gets worked on. As such, I did not bombard them with emails. I just feel that a well written form letter covering the policies and expectations, would be invaluable to their business interests. For example: The Disclaimer at the end of each email contains more actual information than all of their emails combined.
To be updated as information is received...