[DIYbio] Re: Positive experience buying from suppliers

Out of curiosity, what company had a rep say you shouldn't be doing science at home?

On Monday, July 16, 2012 10:10:29 PM UTC-4, Meow-Ludo wrote:

Hi all,

I just wanted to share the experience I have had ordering from scientific suppliers.

I found a link for ordering a free 'sample' of Taq polymerase. I was sent 100units and they claimed that 1.25 units is enough for a reaction. This just saved me AUD$121. This was from Promega. They knew that I had a home lab and they were very accommodating. They offered to help me troubleshoot and said they are happy to offer competitive pricing and would do what it takes to have me as a customer even though I was not going to spend anywhere near as much as a university or large biotech company.

I then contacted Fischer Biotech in Australia. I explained my setup and lack of funds (being a uni student). The rep said she could also send me a 100unit 'sample' of taq so that I could compare the quality! She then offered to round up any unused or slightly out of date products and ex demo stock for me at a low price. She is giving me cheap ladders, *hopefully* an ex-demo UV transilluminator, old glassware, and is even helping me finalise my protocol.

I guess the moral of the story is to get on the phone and start speaking to companies. I have had one negative experience with some lady telling me I shouldn't do science at home, but the benefits I have received from more sympathetic companies far outweighs this negative experience. If I had done this right from the start of setting up my lab I may have been able to save even more money and probably diverted some scientific equipment from ending up as landfill.

Does anyone else have similar experiences? Good customer service from companies they wish to recommend?