Looking to get my first machine (Alpha)

[GN-001]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get my first ever machine and have been considering Alpha's crank machines (axis pro/axis speed). Would love your views and suggestions on it.

Before I go further, I want to explain a little bit of the backstory/rationale on why I want to get my own machine. So I use to work in a shop at my local club and learnt to restring on a Wilson Baiardo (amazing machine!). Then the place was sold, I had a new boss, horrible boss, I quit and later the shop went bankrupt and then it was sold again. The new owners increased the stringing price from $20 to $25 and it takes customers a week to get their racquet restrung instead of 1 or 2 days before. Due to this, my friends and I don't restring as often as we'd like to. Now I've finally decided I'm just gonna restring it myself. I've kind of posed the idea to my friends and they seem to be quite supportive. I think I see a demand and look to string for my friends too at a cheaper price to earn some extra cash. Yeah it's a competition to the shop but hey they are becoming too greedy.

Now regarding the machines, it's just incredibly expensive to buy any stringing machine where I live. To give you an idea, you know how TW is selling the Gamma Progression ST II for $769? Yeah well buying the same machine is the equivalent of $1200USD here hence hardly anyone has a machine at home and thus local shops can charge whatever they want. So I'm looking to buy it from China or Taiwan and get it shipped.
Alpha has similar machines in China under different names. the Axis Pro is called XM 7500 plus (made in China) and the Axis Speed has two versions (more modern variations): the Quantum M4 and Nexus M5, both very similar, higher end manual crank machines and made in Taiwan.

the XM 7500/axis pro is $479usd and the Axis Speed variations are around 1000 to 1100usd.

 

[GN-001]

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[esgee48]

Some other points for you to consider
[1] Same brand, different name AND also same QC? Machine tolerances are critical.
[2] Who would handle support if something breaks or does not work right? Not assuming machine will be a dud, but you are buying new for some reason.

 

[ElMagoElGato]

How about having Tennis Machines ship to your place? The quality must be good. The price should be good as well if the shipping fee is $300 or so.

 

[GN-001]

Some other points for you to consider
[1] Same brand, different name AND also same QC? Machine tolerances are critical.
[2] Who would handle support if something breaks or does not work right? Not assuming machine will be a dud, but you are buying new for some reason.

I guess the shipping company or contact alpha for support?
"but you are buying new for some reason" are you suggesting its not wise to buy new? I actually wanted a second hand one but there are none to be found in my country. Unless I go on ****...but I dont trust second hand stuff from ****.

How about having Tennis Machines ship to your place? The quality must be good. The price should be good as well if the shipping fee is $300 or so.

Just checked, they only ship to Canada and US

 

[ElMagoElGato]

Just checked, they only ship to Canada and US

Oh, is it true? I've been thinking of buying NEOS 1000 from them. My dream is terminated.

 

[MathieuR]

Oh, is it true? I've been thinking of buying NEOS 1000 from them. My dream is terminated.

There are US-cy's that specialize in this. They will receive the package, and send it whereever you want.

 

[dak95_00]

The speed with its gravity release clamps and 6 point suspension system looks quick and easy.

 

[esgee48]

GN-001 : Are you absolutely sure these are Alpha machines, but rebranded under another name for sale in your location. QC is something Alpha is noted for so their tolerances on clamps, rails, parts, etc. are top notch. If it comes from the same factory, that does not mean the same QC. If you have issues with let's say the crank mechanism, who would you call to have warranty work done. I don't think you can call Alpha in the USA if the machine is made in Taiwan. Just saying that you need to be sure that the dealer for this machine will stand behind it.

 

[GN-001]

GN-001 : Are you absolutely sure these are Alpha machines, but rebranded under another name for sale in your location. QC is something Alpha is noted for so their tolerances on clamps, rails, parts, etc. are top notch. If it comes from the same factory, that does not mean the same QC. If you have issues with let's say the crank mechanism, who would you call to have warranty work done. I don't think you can call Alpha in the USA if the machine is made in Taiwan. Just saying that you need to be sure that the dealer for this machine will stand behind it.

Thanks esgee48. I know what you mean. I think if I get any machine shipped to my country, then I'm most likely not going to be able to get warranty. If I buy from Alpha China, I could contact them but I dont think they can do much if I have a problem overseas.

If I get machines from Alpha USA, it's gonna be way too expensive for shipping etc. Shipping from china is only around $20.

Is electronic better than a crank? Theres an option from Alpha China where you could get the same machine without the crank and instead a Wise 2086 for almost twice the price which I'm considering.

 

[struggle]

Any decent machine will not have many problems. I'm a a Gamma machine owner and i'm confident that
if i lived in Guam i'd still get get god CS.

 

[esgee48]

@GN-001 The WISE would be a good investment if you have the racquet volume. I would stick with the crank versions until volume builds up or you have more $$ to invest. 3 cent.

 

[Paul Lawson]

@GN-001, I'm an American expat living in China and have also been looking at these machines as here on taobao. By the time I factor in overseas shipping and duties here in China, it gets cost prohibitive. Have you found any other information on these Chinese Alpha machines? I see both Alpha and a re-branded clone sold under the AEF name where I'm at. It seems another machine made by Siboasi is sold more frequently here, but I have no info them either. At least the Alpha machines look to be similar or identical to the ones available in the U.S. But as someone else mentioned you never know about quality control here.

Have you made a decision yet?

 

[struggle]

That M5 is essentially a Gamma 6004, fwiw.

 

[Paul Lawson]

Out of curiosity, I emailed Alpha in the U.S. to ask if they knew if these machines being sold in China were being sold legitimately, or were unauthorized fakes/clones etc. I received a response back from Mark:

We have a separate Alpha agent in China, they're responsible for their own line of machines. I think you will be okay with one of their machines there.

FWIW - Paul

 

[GN-001]

@GN-001 The WISE would be a good investment if you have the racquet volume. I would stick with the crank versions until volume builds up or you have more $$ to invest. 3 cent.

Thanks for all the help! I think for now I will put the matter on hold.

@GN-001, I'm an American expat living in China and have also been looking at these machines as here on taobao. By the time I factor in overseas shipping and duties here in China, it gets cost prohibitive. Have you found any other information on these Chinese Alpha machines? I see both Alpha and a re-branded clone sold under the AEF name where I'm at. It seems another machine made by Siboasi is sold more frequently here, but I have no info them either. At least the Alpha machines look to be similar or identical to the ones available in the U.S. But as someone else mentioned you never know about quality control here.

Have you made a decision yet?

I believe AEF and Alpha are made in the same factory and they are the same, just with different names or perhaps AEF is owned by the factory that has been licensed to make machines for Alpha.

Regarding Siboasi,

I looked into that and found out it's made in Donguan, in the same factory as Dksportbot. After researching some chinese forums, it seems their quality control is quite hit-or-miss. Then I found a Dunlop China's own stringing machine on taobao as shown in the picture below for 6000yuan ($870usd) with an electronic tensioner! I thought, 'this is perfect! it's going to be better than a Alpha crank machine!' Further research into this, I found out that it's actually a Siboasi/Dksportbot D5189 clone made in the same factory but with Dunlop's name on it. Considering its just the same machine with a different name and the QC I've mentioned, I decided to not get it.

I actually messaged Dunlop China's customer service back and forth regarding this machine and what also put me off of this purchase is that I was told I had to pay for shipping twice because they can only ship under 30kg for each package and this was like 37kg. So yeah, I'm not gonna get it. Upon finding this out, I realised pretty much all the stringing machines on taobao are in packagings weighing over 30kgs so I can't get one without paying for shipping twice and like you said "By the time I factor in overseas shipping and duties here in China, it gets cost prohibitive."

 

[Paul Lawson]

I believe you're right about AEF and Alpha being the same. Some of the AEF models look to be slightly different than the Alpha branded ones, but nothing significant.

I ordered a Chinese Alpha XM-7500 plus from a tennis vendor on taobao I've used for some other purchases. They are either an authorized seller for Alpha, or they took the time to fake a certificate stating they are. If it helps, I can weigh it when it arrives.

 

[GN-001]

I believe you're right about AEF and Alpha being the same. Some of the AEF models look to be slightly different than the Alpha branded ones, but nothing significant.

I ordered a Chinese Alpha XM-7500 plus from a tennis vendor on taobao I've used for some other purchases. They are either an authorized seller for Alpha, or they took the time to fake a certificate stating they are. If it helps, I can weigh it when it arrives.

oooh I would be interested to hear about your views on the XM-7500 plus when it arrives.
I think I know who you are talking about as I also saw a certificate. Are you getting shipped to the US or in china? If China, was shipping free?

 

[Paul Lawson]

oooh I would be interested to hear about your views on the XM-7500 plus when it arrives.
I think I know who you are talking about as I also saw a certificate. Are you getting shipped to the US or in china? If China, was shipping free?

I'm having it shipped to my home here in China. The machine was 3550CNY plus a shipping charge I was told would be between 50-80CNY. So a little over $500 US for the machine and $7-12 shipping. I found 3 or 4 vendors with Alpha certificates. As I mentioned, I'd done business with this vendor a couple times, so I figured that was worth a little piece of mind.