The system works:
- The people that want new projects get them, quickly.
- The people that want schematics, build docs and drill templates get them, just a little later than the people who get brand-new spanking fresh projects. There are PLENTY of projects that already have build docs and drill-templates to choose from.
I'm in the latter camp, and admit I felt the same about releasing products before docs are ready — however, since joining the forum and learning the how and why things work here, I have accepted the system as it is. While I may buy the latest greatest PCB, I may have to wait for the schematic, build doc. I do my own measuring for drilling, so I'm not in need of drill-templates but if you saw my drilling you'd wonder why I don't use them.
I'm happy to buy a newly-minted PCB and wait, as I have enough backlog to keep me busy until the docs are doled out — and when the docs do come I have the PCB already in hand and don't have to wait for a new batch of that particular circuit if it has already sold out.
Each Vendor has their own way of doing things, and I like each vendor for different reasons and for their different strengths.
This forum, and its people who are willing to help and share information, is arguably the greatest strength of PedalPCB.