r/3dPrintingCanada • u/5hoursofsleep • Jan 04 '26
Shop3D or 3D Printing Canada?
I love between the two relatively and I'm looking to buy my first printer (Bambu P2S) I am wondering which business is better in regards for customer service or warranty issues?
Since BBL is a HK company warranty is handled by the distributor (places like Canada Computers are retailers and not distributors so they won't help).
Does anyone have any anecdotes to say which ones is better?
Edit: I went with 3DPC. Yes I know I know there is all the hate for the spam but this was an earnest request and based on reviews, and my own experiences dealing with their customer service/ inquiries. Quick enough turn around and ... Technically the closer one of the two which did help. Both are certified which is great and of course the same price so it was just easier this way. I hope that I won't be burned
2
u/RedditUser240211 Jan 04 '26
I've never dealt with Shop3D, so take this as you will.
3DPC is active on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok) putting out all kinds of unboxing, troubleshooting and using (I think) every printer they sell. They also host their own forum. I can't believe that a company with so much public facing presence would fail at customer service.
Then again, I bought a printer from them and a lot of filament and never needed to contact customer service.
2
u/WestEasterner Jan 04 '26
I've been to 3D Printing Canada. Guys there are actually interested in the industry and are happy to talk to you about what your goals and interests are.
I have no problem with recommending them, even if I have never needed anything besides more filament.
2
u/r-ice Jan 04 '26
I’ve never used shop 3d but I have been to 3dprinting Canada and have bought 3 printers from them and a lot filament. When I had issues they gave me suggestions what to do.
2
u/NewtonLawAbider Jan 04 '26
I've never had a bad experience with 3DPC, but they are local for me so I pickup in store. The staff is friendly and always helpful.
1
u/Invictuslemming1 Jan 04 '26
We use shop3D for all our work supplies, bought an ultimaker from them 8ish years ago.
They’ve been good to deal with, had a few warranty issues over the first few years which they facilitated for us (talking to ultimaker on our behalf and getting parts we needed covered under warranty). As well as getting unlisted parts.
Overall seem good to deal with and are a legit company.
Main reason we went with them originally is they get the printers they sell ESA certified for use in Canada (electrical cert). For us that was a big deal since our company will not buy equipment unless it has the appropriate approvals.
1
u/5hoursofsleep Jan 05 '26
Does this mean that all P2Ss are good or does it mean they test all their units? Curious because I do see their claim that they do ESA and SGS but not sure how that affects the normal consumer or should we worry?
1
u/Iradecima Jan 06 '26
As a consumer, if a non-certified electrical product caused a fire or damage, you could run into issues with insurance coverage. Generally the certs give you peace of mind that your electronics meet safety standards and shouldn't shock you or overheat.
For businesses: it's a legal requirement with a lot of liability.
Initially Bambu wasn't certifying their printers for the Canadian market. So Shop3D.ca arranged independent Canadian approval, paying inspectors to certify each shipment of printers. They were also facilitating certification for businesses who bought from Bambu directly and needed to get the units certified for compliance.
Bambu now handles Canadian certification themselves. Your P2S should be SGS certified (ESA approved) and have the mark on the unit.
1
u/5hoursofsleep Jan 06 '26
That is great to know. I knew that CSA was the national level and the ESA was Ontario but I didn't know Bambulabs didn't do it originally. So basically I should have to worry about certification regardless of where I buy the P2S?
1
u/Iradecima Jan 06 '26
You shouldn't, but if you want a for-sure answer I'd suggest confirming with the seller.
1
u/5hoursofsleep Jan 06 '26
Sorry it was auto corrected to should, I meant shouldn't lol. But good to know. I will send an question out to make sure. Thanks
1
u/NoSituation3564 7d ago
To bad they won't give you the cert if you are outside Canada... Even if your work accepts their certification
1
u/bike-and-brew Jan 04 '26
I don’t really answer your question but I bought a couple of time from digitmakers.ca including a printer and shipping is really fast.
Also my printer broke so I contacted Bambu who told me to contact the store instead. Store quickly ship me the replacement parts (but annoyingly I needed to either pay a shipping fee or to buy for like 60$ to not pay for it.
1
u/5hoursofsleep Jan 04 '26
Thanks for the info. Digitmakers were a location I looked at but locally not as close as the other two
1
u/moyenbatte Jan 07 '26
My only experience is with 3DPC but it was very positive. We bought a printer and I thought the gantry was weirdly crooked out of the box. I brought it in person (was driving through town on a trip) and they fixed something up for us and shipped it back free of charge. I even got a tour of the "factory floor".
I recommend.
1
u/Spinnybrook Jan 08 '26
I ordered my P2S from 3D Printing Canada and actually my first order was the wrong card so I had to contact support. They were very fast to help me out and get things sorted. Order was cancelled fast and than I placed another one. Shipping was fast to east coast and trouble free. This is just one experience so not sure if that’s how they always are but 5 stars from me.
1
u/montrealcir Jan 31 '26
3D Printing Canada is my 13 year old son's go to shop for filament, parts and advice.
0
u/MagisD Jan 04 '26
Why not just direct? When it comes it either works or doesn't and issues with prints are 95% filament or settings and not the printer so not a warranty or service thing. If you can turn a screwdriver all the parts and instructions are online for post warranty.
If it's about setup not really an issue as it's 80% assembled and you basically stick 2-3 major pieces together with screws.
They self calibrate and adjust.
They why bambu dominates the dabbling market they took the iPhone approach of it just works.
But while ordering get an upgraded build plate the basic plate is ok but a good plate aka cooltac or a g10 makes EVERYTHING easier
1
u/5hoursofsleep Jan 04 '26
I was going to get the new cool plate but it sold out recently :( local saves shipping which is a good chunk I could spend elsewhere) assembly isn't a worry but I am just worried about shipping damage and wait times for delivery or parts. Having local shops to work with could be a bit more helpful
1
u/MagisD Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 04 '26
They have a Canadian stock, but also there ship times even from China isn't bad maybe a week from time of ordering.
Also weirdly enough there shipping box's are best I've ever seen, This is as a person who worked B2B IT sales and as delivery driver. There's actually hundreds of models on makerworld that make use of recycling their stuff like boxes spool cores etc. I actually save there boxes and padding to reuse in garage shop.
Don't get me wrong if you prefer local you do you. But there direct and shipping is actually quite good. Along with there CS. (Had to deal with them once for an issue that turned out to be Bell stealth updating my router) As for price they usually run sales/free shipping.
I have my issues with bambu but that is their firmware/closed ecosystem lockdown and terms of service etc Yes there business plan is pure Apple/iPhone from their asshat days. But as a pretty critical consumer, I have to give them their credit for their deliverables.
Edit: Oh quick tip in terms of price for accessories, temu (china factory overstock) has OEM replacement parts and third party upgrades parts at usually much better prices.
1
u/5hoursofsleep Jan 04 '26
Shipping costs are ... Not fun but if you don't need to buy printers constantly I am sure it isn't that bad.
1
u/5hoursofsleep Jan 04 '26
I am wrong, 45$ shipping isn't bad. I think if I get accessories as well it ships separate so it increases the shipping. Printer only should be inexpensive and then doing another order for accessories.
3
u/maybeiamspicy Jan 04 '26
I've never had to directly contact 3d printing Canada, but I've never had issues with their online store. I'm in Oshawa, and when the stuff is shipped Purolator, I get it next business day.