I got a LEMON! You may not, but here is the frustrating story...

I really wanted a label printer. I was about to spend hundreds of dollars on one of the many "industrial grade" retail receipt printers when I stumbled across a dual printer for under $200.00. I ordered it on Oct 22nd from PC Universe in Florida - It arrived 2 weeks later (another frustrating story - the delay may be Hurricane Wilma related). The printer set-up went "okay," but when it was suggested in a pop-up window that I should REGISTER the product there was an error: "electronic connection problems." This occurred each day for 4-5 days as I fired up the computer. Immediately, I'd check my DSL - all was fine.

I have a serious problem with this product... The right roll on the Turbo would start spewing out labels (expensive heat sensitive labels) at random times. For the first 4 days I was able to "catch" this, slam OPEN the cover and rip the virgin labels on the spool side so as to save the roll from being completely used up. The labels that were ejected were printed with a Self-Test pattern of lines making the labels completely useless. I went to the Dymo Support Website and there was NO document about this no matter how I searched their database. Looking at the install book, I noted that the customer service is a long distance call (however - is there any more long distance? - guess that's not a serious issue) and they have limited hours - never at night when you are frustrated! Today it happened again and I am very annoyed to have to set up the printer on a daily basis to save my labels from harm. Anyway I called Tech Support today and a man (American - not an off-shore service - I think) said that DYMO is having issues with the Internet Registration (I wondered out loud: "Should a multi-day problem be on their website?" like a DSL ISP will post issues? - at least they talked to me without me being in their database - that would have been a Catch-22!). I may never become a registered buyer at this rate.

I explained the major issue with the right spool wanting to waste an entire roll of labels. He instructed me to grasp the front panel and "pop" it off. I did this. He said that the decorative cover may be pressing on the form-feed button causing the problem. He assured me that if I re-install the cover now that the problem would be solved - it was not. It's raining in Los Angeles today and I am in the office all day. It started up again. I lost another dozen labels. Then I decided to remove the cover and leave it off. I resigned myself to a label printer without a cover (not very attractive) and then minutes ago it just happened again! I've had it! I didn't want to type this up on the web - but I remember Dymo from when I was a kid in the early 1960's - they've had a while to get their act together. If not the product - at least their Tech Support section of their website. I still cannot believe that the Tech Guy who fielded my call said this is a common problem and the website doesn't "own up" to this. I'd gladly take a firmware update to disable "Self Test!" As it is, I suppose this unit is going to have to go back. If I were to keep it I'd essentially have a single Dymo Printer ($89 - $99 anywhere) as the Left Roll has never exhibited this random, frustrating, wasteful behavior. Guess I have more days of frustration. PROs - the tech did promise to send me a replacement roll of labels without fuss on his part when I asked.