[Joel_Mckay]

Customers may buy a retail functional replacement now for <$400.

It is called the Shoemakers paradox, where the shoemakers kids go barefoot.

Also, the same reason why CNC Milling factories don't tend to produce paperclips. =3

Rule #23: Don't compete to be at the bottom, as you just might actually win.

[dylan604]

Milling a paperclip is absurd and does nothing for the argument as it's just not sane.

There are many people that can afford a <$400 printer, yet at that price range it might be totally inadequate for what is actually needed. Some people are willing to not spend that money for a one/two off project in that manner, but would rather spend that money with someone that already has the right gear and experience using that gear to just produce the thing needed.

[mech422]

yeah - that's like PCBWay, et al. You can make boards yourself (even etch your own if you want to). But a lot of people opt. for the convenience of out-sourcing it.

[Joel_Mckay]

Indeed, because getting 2000 plated via PCB in 2 weeks is not feasible on hobbyist equipment.

3D printing is also fundamentally a small-run slow process, and can't match injection molded versions outputting 30000 pcs/month.

Market fragmentation means low-margin business plans won't survive very long. ymmv =3

Correction, it was only a $389.00 USD option before coupon code "$10OFF"

https://www.sovol3d.com/products/sovol-zero-3d-printer