I purchased my first Form 3+ in mid-2022 for mechanical prototyping and product validation. After testing many resins, I found the best performance with Tough 1500, which allowed me to produce functional prototypes capable of withstanding 3000G. To speed up my workflow, I later purchased a second Form 3+ (USD 2,999 + tax), fully aware of the resin costs involved.
However, in just three years, the price of resin has increased dramatically. In 2022, I paid USD 225 + tax for Tough 1500, but by June 2025 the price had risen to USD 297 + tax. This price difference comes directly from Formlabs headquarters. At the same time, the identical resin for the Form 4 is still priced at USD 225 + tax. This strategy not only penalizes existing Form 3+ owners but also creates difficulties for the Turkish distributor, who must explain these inconsistencies to customers.
Last week, after only 16 months of use, my second Form 3+ completely failed—no power, no lights, no sound—even after testing different power sources and a UPS. I reported the issue to the Turkish distributor, BTech, who were very supportive and tried to help. After waiting a week for Formlabs HQ to respond, I was told the likely issue is a dead motherboard, and that the only solution is an RMA replacement costing USD 2,000 + tax—more than half the price of a new printer.
While waiting for this response, I researched the issue myself and discovered that this is not an isolated incident, but a well-known, recurring production problem with the Form 3. This makes it a responsibility of Formlabs, not the customer. Meanwhile, the Turkish distributor offered me the option of purchasing a Form 4 at a “special price” of USD 5,000 + tax—roughly 30% higher than international pricing.
My question is simple: why does Formlabs charge the Turkish distributor more than the rest of the world?
For context, my workshop includes Ultimaker S series printers, Roland MDX 4-axis CNCs, a Gravotech CO₂ laser, a Carvera 4-axis CNC, desktop plastic injection machines, vacuum systems, and manual milling equipment. Out of all these manufacturers, Formlabs—despite being one of the largest—offers by far the weakest customer care.