RDS rocket dynamic systems - internet fraud

[darrell]

RDS is aparently going under but still taking orders, taking the money, but not filling orders. They say they had to move from their place of business, spent the money and do not have it to refund, aND HAVE NO MONEY TO PURCHACE MATERIAL TO FILL ORDERS.

[sodmeister]

That`s too bad on too many levels ! They have some cool kits to offer......or did

I suppose we are talking fraud here ,out & out.Have you filed a report or taken action ?

Paul

[dixontj93060]

RDS is aparently going under but still taking orders, taking the money, but not filling orders. They say they had to move from their place of business, spent the money and do not have it to refund, aND HAVE NO MONEY TO PURCHACE MATERIAL TO FILL ORDERS.

I hope you have very strong evidence so you can avoid a slander suit.

[darrell]

When they admit they took my money - dont have money to re imburse me - and do not have a rocket kit to send me. And say there are other customers in the same situation, what would you call it. I was really looking to my rocket. I ordered it for my level 2 flight but it didnt come. that launch was a month ago.

[madsen]

I sure hope this is not true. RDS has a great product--and Dan and Laurie are good people that hit on rough times about 2-3 years ago. About 2 years ago, Dan told me that he might lose his entire inventory because he could not afford storage or to move it. About this time Laurie was fighting cancer--I would guess that this was a major financial drain. Just last week I received an email from them regarding a promotional special. I do not know what their real situation is--I just pray that this is a temporary situation/misunderstanding. I tend to think that is is a little early to cry "fraud". Even if they are having financial problems--that does not mean that they comitted fraud. Of course, they do not have any of my money. Based on past dealings with RDS--I would think that Dan would try to make everyone happy if there is a problem. Again, I sure hope there is no serious problem.

[sylvie369]

A more appropriate way to post this would have been something like

"I ordered a kit from RDS, but haven't yet received it. (* then you lay out some of the details *) Has anyone else had problems with them? What do you think I should do?"

Then you post it in a thread with a heading something like "RDS order problems" (or, okay, maybe something a little stronger, but the "Fraud" comment seems over the top to me)

I've briefly thought I might like to make a product available for sale, but that impulse goes away when I think about the possibility of being called a "fraud" on the internet - where it becomes a permanent black mark - the first time a customer is unhappy about something.

I can think of exactly two reasons for posting this kind of thing on the forum:

1 - You want more information in order to know what to do about your problem.
2 - You want to be helpful in warning other rocketeers to help them avoid losing money.

Both purposes are addressed just as well with my version as with the "Fraud!!" version, but my version is far more fair to the vendor, who is almost certainly an honest person who is making his/her best effort to provide something useful to rocketeers.

[cwbullet]

I placed an order last Oct to Nov time frame. It took about 4-6 months to get my order. They kept me informed as I requested update and delivered it a little late. Still it was a good product.

[rocketsmith]

I too have had problems with RDS in the past. I just got an email, out of the blue, that states there is a big discount on parts because they are moving, yet I can never seem to get a timely response when inquiring about a given item. My opinion is that whatever is going on with them, it is best to get my parts from somebody else. Sometimes it is best to let people select themselves out of consideration rather than lament the loss of a less than desirable situation. Have more options for bad vendors is not better.

[Burner]

I placed an order last Oct to Nov time frame. It took about 4-6 months to get my order. They kept me informed as I requested update and delivered it a little late. Still it was a good product.

You must be blown away when an order comes in like 1-2 weeks!

[cwbullet]

I was not happy with the service, but they had a decent excuse so I was not too upset.

[Gnomad]

Regardless of anything else, it is illegal in most (if not all) cases for a mail order vendor to process any payments until they are ready to ship the purchased item.

[jaz]

I appreciate people giving their vendor experiences. I think everyone is smart enough to know that there are two sides of the story so I don't fixate on the tone of the message. Hey I get mad too when a vendor says they are going to do something and don't so if the tone is a little rough so be it. Even though this is a hobby I spend a lot of money and if I got screwed over by some vendors I would most likely quit. So getting the info out to me is important even if it is a little emotional.

Sorry to hear about the problems getting your order I hope it gets resolved soon.

[bobkrech]

http://www.rocketdynamic.com/

Please note the front page of their website.

The owners of Rocket Dynamic Systems and Maximum Thrust Rocketry, Dan and Laurie Isdell, are happy to report that we are back!

Our business has been on hold for the last 2 years due to Laurie's fight against cancer. We are thrilled to announce that the cancer has retreated and we are working on getting back up to full speed.

We are very grateful for the support that the rocketry community has shown us, and we are pleased to be able to continue our mission of providing the excellent customer service, low prices, and highest quality components that make RDS your preferred source for medium and high power rocketry.

We are still low on stock of many items, but we are working to replenish stock as quickly as possible. Please order by phone or email to verify availability and price.

Most hobby rocket businesses are mom and pop operations. If there are problems in the owners personal lives, their business is often the first to go, and rightly so. Life is more important than a hobby or business venture.

Anyone who purchases anything should be aware that businesses can and do go out of business despite the best efforts of the owners to keep it from happening. It happens every day in Chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcies. Business run into hard times and are forced to close. It's usually much worse for the owners and employees than their customers.

I don't know the business status of RDS, however Dan and Laurie made good products in the past. With health issues and a bad economy, it's possible the revenues are not longer coming in and the RDS business is no longer viable. If this is indeed the case, then it's unfortunate, but certainly no reason to yell fraud. It's a sad fact that in slow economic times, businesses shutter their doors, and the owners loose far more than their customers.

I hope it's not the case, but in any case I wish them well.

Bob

[sodmeister]

I sure hope things turn around for them soon.I would still like some of their kits ,and will keep an eye out on things for the future.

Paul

[bobkrech]

If you placed the order with a credit card, and the payment was processed and you did not receive the product within a certain timeframe, your credit card company may have a refund policy that credits your account with the payment to you if you report it to them within a specified time period.

This is a good reason to use a credit card instead of a debit card, check or cash when mail ordering a product.

Bob

[Pantherjon]

If you placed the order with a credit card, and the payment was processed and you did not receive the product within a certain timeframe, your credit card company may have a refund policy that credits your account with the payment to you if you report it to them within a specified time period.

This is a good reason to use a credit card instead of a debit card, check or cash when mail ordering a product.

Bob

Some banks also have a 'zero liability' on their debit cards..I know Wachovia(now Wells Fargo) does and I have had to use that feature on an item I had ordered off of eBay that never materialized..Called the bank told them what happened and they had the money credited to my checking account the next day..

[darrell]

Thank you Sylvie 369.
I appreciate your suggestions on how better to have worded things.
I too hope things work out, their kits look great, and if as on other reply said it could take 4 months, well I guess I could still have 2 months to wait.
Thanks for the replys and info

[dazza98]

i payed for the heculies kit over 6 months ago and i am still waiting for it.
first emails back from dan was lauries cancer fight which i am sympathic for her i hope she recovers, then i waited gave them a couple more months breathing space then i asked for my order again dan said he was trying to get shipping organised for it. i waited and waited so i asked for my money back. i was told it was not viable for the bussiness to refund me, i have not heard anything scince and they will not reply to my emails. if i was in the US i would pay them a visit to see whats going on but i am in australia so a bit far.
any new news would be appreicated i really want the kit.

[Rocketman248]

I think it's time to cut your losses and move on. It sucks, but it happens.

[Rockhiitt]

I don't agree that any vendor should take your money and not have a product to send,in dazza98's case,its around $500

just my opinion though

[AlphaHybrids]

I've always had great service from RDS. Ordered a lot of 4" tubes and a friend got a kit. Was back and forth over a month but everything was good.

I've only got taken once by a vendor (Performance Rocketry) Charged my card for about $80 worth of stuff, then never delivered. This was in 2005.

Edward