GREENGARD.LEWIS@BIONET-20.ARPA (04/16/88)
From: Robert M. Lewis <GREENGARD.LEWIS@BIONET-20.ARPA>
Is there any interest in a "Consumer's Reports" bulletin board which
would report about the quality of commercial research products? Should such
information be incorporated in the Methods-and-Reagents bulletin board? Some
examples of what might be included are:
1. I recently purchased a Techne Tempette Thermoregulator/Refrigerated Bath
(Model TE-8D/RB-12). The refrigeration unit was non-functional. I had to
return it to New Jersey for repairs. After months of letters, phone calls,
shipping fees, etc., the unit was returned. Then the motor on the circulator
burned out. After another month of waiting, it was returned. Then the
refrigeration unit began to intermittently stop cooling, even though the unit
stayed on. I have given up dealing with the company, and I am trying to get
it repaired locally. I just wanted to warn anyone who is contemplating
purchase of this model.
2. The Thermolyne Maxi Mix II vortex mixer is worse than worthless. It
changes speeds at random, and frequently gets stuck in the "on" position.
Severe pounding will occasionally correct the problem.
3. Elkay 1.5ml microfuge tubes (cat. #. 000-MICR-150) lot No. J2665 have a
high frequency of defects which lead to leakage and breakage during
centrifugation.
4. Would anyone care to comment on the relative merits of Sequenase?
If you are tired of wasting your hard-earned research dollars on equipment and
supplies which just don't measure up, or just want to find out other people's
experiences before trying something new, please speak up.
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