Just blew $300 on a paint mixing system I should've researched better

Picked up this fancy digital paint mixing scale off Craigslist last week from a guy who said it was barely used. Got it home and realized it only works with their proprietary software that costs another $200 a month to access. The guy blocked my number after I tried to call him back... the whole thing is useless without that subscription. I could've just bought a decent manual mixing stick setup and a scale for half the price and been fine. Local paint supplier told me they see this all the time with hobbyists jumping into systems they don't fully understand. So now I'm sitting on a bricked machine that takes up space in my garage. Anyone else get burned by one of these high end mixing setups?

2 comments

2 Comments

anthony1653d ago

Man, that's a rough one... I almost did the same thing with a speedball system last year. Saw a good deal on one of those automated ink dispensers at a garage sale but luckily my buddy stopped me because he knew it needed that subscription. $300 is a lot to learn that lesson though, especially when you're just trying to mix paint

verac491d ago

Honestly, I used to be one of those people who thought all that subscription stuff was just a way for companies to squeeze more money out of folks. Thought I was too smart to fall for it. But after watching a buddy sink cash into a 3D printer that needed a paid cloud service just to use the basic features, I totally get the trap now. It's not always obvious until you're already committed and they got you by the short hairs. That $300 lesson stings but at least you know for next time to check the fine print on any hardware deal. I'd rather pay more upfront for something that's mine to use than get locked into monthly fees forever.