Kontrol S88 MK3 Availability

Does anyone have insight into what is going on with Kontrol S88 MK3 stock? Do any 3rd party vendors have stock that's shipping out?

I ordered an S88 MK3 from Guitar Center on Dec 3rd (I'm US based). The delivery date has pushed out every week, with limited information available. Today I pressed for more info and Guitar Center cited manufacturing issues from Native Instruments. My current ETA is Jan 28th, but I don't have much confidence in that date at this point.

After reading into other threads around S88 MK3 shortages, I'm guessing Native Instrument's vendors don't have the insight they need from Native Instruments to set expectations with their customers. Dates shouldn't push week over week. I want to encourage NI to just be transparent - if issues have arisen - it's okay. Communicate a realistic date so customers can make informed decisions for a big purchase item. Also temper their excitement! I'm looking forward to my first NI controller and made a custom desk for this beauty.

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Ehud68

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/128762#Comment_128762

This is great news!! Thanks @Matthew_NI for reaching out. My rep at Sweetwater is now estimating shipping in late February. Would this be an realistic shipping dates or is there a few things NI needs to work through before shipping the s88 mk3 pianos?

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Ehud68

Not really. I have the same issue. US based and I pre-ordered mine through Sweetwater in late November. They kept shifting the ship out date. Last week, they told me that Sweetwater is expecting to ship out within two weeks. Similar to you, I don't have high hopes the s88 mk3 will ship out this month.

I agree with you that I wish NI would tell their customers the reason for the delay. This creates speculation instead of correct exceptions. The only thing I saw in a form thread (double check me on this) that the S88 mk3 has PC connection issues with the software. Not sure. Some kind of technical issue has to be the issue. They have to be close though in fixing it since NI on their YouTube channel release a promo video with Simon Franglen the composer of Avatar showcasing the product.

I have mix feelings it will happen soon, but hopefully news will be released soon or our orders will be finally shipped out from the dealers.

What about it Native Instruments staff? What is the hold up?

Ragnar

Sharing updates for the community.

My S88 order date from Guitar Center was pushed back again. Here's what the rep at Guitar Center shared:

They have low confidence in the delivery dates - 2/5 is their new ETA, but they acknowledged it has moved every week
This rep has personally reached out to NI and hasn't had any success getting ahold of someone
The issue isn't due to Guitar Center having too many orders. They will have more stock than orders when it finally arrives

I'm going to see what other channels I can jump into to escalate this issue - the issue being a lack of transparency from NI.

Ehud68

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/128340#Comment_128340

This is odd. Depending on which form people are on either they received their order or on major back tracking shipping dates like us. On one form, I guy got his keyboard, but he is outside of the US. So far, he has no issue except with a certain sustain pedal. Otherwise, he loves the keyboard and is worth the wait. This is not cool with the lack of info and keeping pushing the shipping dates out.

Ragnar

I found more info from Matthew_NI here:

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/21928/s88-mkiii-backordered-since-september

Sounds like a debacle that Native Instruments chose not to communicate clearly to customers. Super disappointed. But it sounds like the issue is fixed and inventory is on a boat headed for the US now. I am looking forward to it.

On a positive note, I want to personally give 1,000 stars to @Matthew_NI. I’ve read every single S88 MK3 in this forum, and there are countless examples of him being an excellent human being and steward of customers. And I don’t know if that 2nd one is in his job requirements Thank you for your transparency, handling an ask me anything masterfully ( I was a Product Manager and was taking notes - he diffused so many angry people with simple honesty about the challenges of making trade off decisions, while also protecting his accomplishments and his team). He’s escalated numerous support tickets and graciously responded when called into threads that a support team should be handling. Get this guy a senior leadership role (if he wants it) because he clearly cares and has some serious skills in both product management and dealing with people.

Ehud68

Ok, this makes a lot more sense. I hope not I do not get a faulty unit since I per-ordered in late November. So far, Sweetwater still have not shipped out yet. Thanks for sharing this info. It has been a lot of help.

Matthew_NI (on leave until November)

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/128636#Comment_128636

Well, thank you!

Certainly, I appreciate the feedback. But I'm not blind to the fact that I wouldn't need to be doing this, if the problems themselves had not surfaced to begin with.

Yes, sometimes things can and do happen. But ultimately, I'm still accountable for this, and the path to resolution.

Matthew_NI (on leave until November)

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/128656#Comment_128656

The units that had the fault were recalled prior to the go-live date. Retailers don't even have access to those units at this point, so this should not be an issue.

Ehud68

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/128762#Comment_128762

Matthew_NI (on leave until November)

Yes, that is accurate

Ragnar

@Ehud68 mine is en-route from guitar center, set to arrive Friday from the Midwest US. Last I checked they were still showing stock if you didn’t want to wait till end of Feb.

Ehud68

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/131580#Comment_131580

Awesome!! I will probably won't hear anything from Sweetwater for about 3 more weeks. I'll wait for now. If it is delayed after Feb., I will probably consider trying to pick up the piano from a different reseller.

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