quote from Oceanfire
Customer service indeed.
I bought a supposedly ex-demo kite from a certain dealer south of the river in Perth.
Was told no damage or repairs, get it home and find a really dodgy patch repair on a few holes, makes me think it was a trade in and not an ex-demo.
Sure it was only $500 and I would have expected a couple of holes, so I did get a bit of practice patching holes, but would have been nice to be told about the kite's condition up front.
And yeah, I know 'buyer beware', I should have checked the kite over carefully at the time of purchase, but wouldn't think of needing to, buying from a 'reputed' dealer- especially with the proclamation of no damage.
I end up spending another $300 in the shop at the time as he seemed like a decent guy.
After further thought based on the patching experience, I decide to replace the running lines on the bridles and contact the shop, at which I am told would be ordered in, then hear nothing further.
I email to enquire on when the bridles will be coming in; I get ignored for weeks.
It's easier for me to email during the day than call on the phone, plus it gives people time to respond in their own time instead of being put on the spot with a phone call; however not responding for weeks is full on taking the p*ss.
So in the end I was forced to contact the importer who did a great job and got the running lines for me.
After talking to the importer, it become somewhat obvious that I was painted as an unnecessary complainer by the dealer.
Needless to say I Woodn't recommend this shop to anyone.Matt [
removed by admin] - aka Oceanfire - was given a $500 presentation gift from his employer - Mintrex.
He was really keen on a 2010 7M Waroo priced at $600 - kite only.
Because of all the good will around the 'free gift' I offered to let it go for $500 so he didnt have to put out himself.
Plus - pure goodwill - I threw in a brand new Performance Bar - value $475 - absolutely free.
I sat & designed a custom presentation certificate with Mintrex logo etc and mailed it off to the co. after several discussions with Mintrex about the presentation.
I also gave Matt the kite & bar before it was paid for by Mintrex just cos he was frothing to get his hands on it.
I then made numerous calls about a full bridle set of lines to the Best distributor.
Matt was informed by me, and direct from Best that; being an unusual request; the kit had to come from Europe and would take a while.
He was also told by me; and by Best direct; that it would take some time and that I would contact him again as soon as it arrived.
I am sure it was the unusual order rather than any bad-mouthing from me that could have led to the
"painted as an unnecessary complainer" comment.
I then discussed it further with Matt & advised that it would be unlikely that anyone would need the all the static bridle lines as requested.
Matt agreed but then obviously contacted Best direct & got the same "P" lines I could have secured for him in the same time.
I think at the time we had those particular "P" lines in stock anyhow.
"P" lines are an easy fix - complete bridles are almost unheard of as spare parts.
As for the bladder patch. We would only have found out about that if out if our standard (thorough) pre-flight check had shown a leaking bladder. We do not pull bladders out of kites if they pass the 3 hr inflation test.
I am sure I told Matt at the time that I "thought" it had been a demo kite; only because of its near new condition. I was unaware of the history of the kite which I am also sure I would reported truthfully.
Matt got an already cheap, hardly used, 12mth old kite discounted even further. A brand new bar and lines for NOTHING plus lots of added input on our part and has now left me waiting on the delivery of a full set of bridle lines, as ordered, I will never need.
All that for $500
If that is poor customer service then I plead guilty.
But I dont think so.
And neither do his ex employers who rang after the presentation night to compliment me on the personalised certificate and thank me personally for the great service.
