First, I'd like to mention that Epilog has announced that their tubes have dropped in price. Last time I replaced my 45 watt it was $2,300, current price is $1,200.
My laser cost $16,000 new, and in 3+ years I have spent approximately $2,700 on replacement parts since the warranty expired.
The equivalent Chinese laser (in power and work area size) can be purchased for about $4,000, and one could replace a lot of it's parts for that same $2,700 with the tubes selling at $300. The main problem is support and shipping from China. I happen to know of an importer of Chinese products who is in the process of setting up to sell lasers. He is addressing many of the issues with the laser features and trying to negotiate custom changes in the manufacturing of the lasers to make them closer to the US made lasers in performance and convenience.
If it works out, he will be stocking them and parts in the US, and will assemble a support team. With other items he currently sells, the products and parts are shipped to him regularly by container so he has no problems getting things here. When a part is needed by a customer he has many of them on the shelf ready to go. Once a business is up and running it cannot afford a lot of down time waiting for a delivery from overseas, it's going to cost them customers.  |