Zeroignite
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Discussion in a certain thread from The Watering Hole prompted me to post this. My plan here is to post, as objectively as I can, an account of a recent order I tried to place with Red Arrow Hobbies. Mostly this will be via unedited email logs (though I have redacted my meatspace name and the paypal ID number, and snipped signatures). Moderators, if you think this thread is out of line, delete it and there'll be no hard feelings from me.
Saturday Febuary 15th, paypal was sent to Red Arrow Hobbies for one pack F12-5, one pack E18-7, one AT 24/40 hardware set, and one Estes Big Daddy. There was no out-of-stock indication on any of these items. The order total inc. shipping was $105.46
Thursday February 20th, I sent them an email:
Wednesday Feb 26th, shortly before midnight I messaged them again:
On Friday Feb 28th I still hadn't heard back from Red Arrow Hobbies, over 48h later. At 08:45 I opened a paypal dispute, hoping that it might get their attention.
When I had received no reply by about 4pm, I called Red Arrow directly to cancel the order. The man I spoke to said they'd have the Big Daddy back in stock "in a few days". Saying I was already disappointed in their lack of communications and the significant delay, I still asked for an order cancel and refund, which was received the next day.
So, in short, the order hadn't shipped almost two weeks after I placed it, and at no point did Red Arrow Hobbies initiate contact with me regarding the order status. They also don't display with an inventory item is out-of-stock. A phone call got me a refund, but my personal opinion is that this was significantly subpar communications on their part. The cost to me? Two weeks worth of time I wish I'd spent working on rocketry.
Saturday Febuary 15th, paypal was sent to Red Arrow Hobbies for one pack F12-5, one pack E18-7, one AT 24/40 hardware set, and one Estes Big Daddy. There was no out-of-stock indication on any of these items. The order total inc. shipping was $105.46
Thursday February 20th, I sent them an email:
That same day, shortly thereafter, I received the reply:Zeroignite said:Hiya,
I put in an order with you on Feb 15th, paypal ID <redacted>, and haven't seen any confirmation or shipment notification. Just wanted to check in and confirm that you have my order in the works.
Thanks,
Red Arrow said:Hi <Zeroignite>,
We received your order and will ship as soon as we receive more Big Daddy's
Zeroignite said:Gotcha. Is there an ETA on that? I didn't see any out-of-stock notice on the site, and am hoping to have that one ready for the club launch in a couple weeks.
Wednesday Feb 26th, shortly before midnight I messaged them again:
Zeroignite said:It's been a week and I still haven't heard back. What's the status? I was planning on having received the order by now...
On Friday Feb 28th I still hadn't heard back from Red Arrow Hobbies, over 48h later. At 08:45 I opened a paypal dispute, hoping that it might get their attention.
When I had received no reply by about 4pm, I called Red Arrow directly to cancel the order. The man I spoke to said they'd have the Big Daddy back in stock "in a few days". Saying I was already disappointed in their lack of communications and the significant delay, I still asked for an order cancel and refund, which was received the next day.
So, in short, the order hadn't shipped almost two weeks after I placed it, and at no point did Red Arrow Hobbies initiate contact with me regarding the order status. They also don't display with an inventory item is out-of-stock. A phone call got me a refund, but my personal opinion is that this was significantly subpar communications on their part. The cost to me? Two weeks worth of time I wish I'd spent working on rocketry.