A statement from Black Arrow regarding their promise to ship on February 24th 2014:
...
We've started the design in June. The only difference between us and our competitors is that we do not give unrealistic time frames which we know we cannot meet.
We are confident that we will deliver sooner but we do not make promises that we might not be able to fulfill.
It's now July 2014 and the X3 design is still not complete:
...
Following a thorough reviewing, the X-3 backplane has been put in production. The first batch will be delivered this weekend. We have several designs to our disposal and we have to decide which one was the best choice. We will be able to inform our customers on the X-3 shipping schedule within a few days.
...
-- Bitcoin Miners progress update - 27th of June 2014
4 months past the stated shipping date and this thing is still on the drawing board?
Oh, and by-the-way "a few days" have already passed.
Shipping next week? lol
turns out, not everyone can manage a project out there... :(
I mean, delays in all kinds of projects, IT or otherwise, is nothing new; but there's a certain line that should not be crossed, at least not in a client-facing context like here with MS and their less-than-wonderful Chinese partners over there.
If they do (cross that line, that is), they need to compensate accordingly -- and I do not mean any measly 24hr or 1wk hosted "compensation" plans but throwing in a FREE 2nd machine and/or making true order cancellation offers with a full refund.
"Buy one and get one free" -- others are doing exactly that, and in light of recent performance (or lack of it) MS should do this as well!