My friends at Robot Mesh have announced their closing.
For many of you, your favorite reseller will be stopping VEX products.
And STEM Robotics will also not be a reseller after Saturday.
Since 2008, STEM Robotics has been a reseller. Thanks to Bob M @Bob_Mimlitch_III and Paul C @Paul_Copioli1 , we were able to sell VEX products at a discount. We applied that discount to shipping for teams to help them out. We also stocked parts (motors, brains, gears) to be able to deliver Same Day service in SE PA and in Delmarva. We took parts to events to help teams out when it was a disaster day. We took profits to run events. In the early days this was all a big deal. STEM Robotics just does the RMA process, we give you a new brain for bad and we take the hit on the time. All of your resellers did awesome customer support for you.
And while we get grants to help teams, the support from VEX allowed us to grow SE PA from 4 teams to the current levels and then repeat that in Delmarva. I can’t tell you how happy that I am to have watched SE PA and Delmarva grow from a hand full of robot teams in 2006 to the wave of today. And looking at the Worlds list, to see so many of those teams going to Worlds. So Cool.
While I’m sad that STEM Robotics isn’t able to help teams in our area, I’m deeply saddened by the posts by Sam.
Robot Mesh Studio has been my goto programming environment for years. It’s had features that the VEX Code team are just now catching up on. By building on Blockly, they have made the transition to and from their platform so easy for roboteers and builders. Thanks guys, I’m going to miss you.
I get that VEX needs to make these changes as a company to support them and offer growth. But I’d like to see some applause from the VEX community for your VEX resellers that have made it possible for you to achieve the success you have enjoyed.
Place your last few orders now. Or just post your thanks to you reseller here.
Paul and Bob, thanks for 14 great years. I’m super happy to be part of the ride that was making VEX the number 1 in competition robotics. I was there when FIRST decided to screw you and I’m very happy that I make the right choice.