"Hobby Lobby" -Are these cats on the level? ***WARNING***

[jsullivan05]

I ordered something on sunday, it said "Backordered, expected on aug 5" or something along those lines, I figured, "Oh, if they didn't have it, they would obviously change the site to avoid any confusion.", so I ordered my EasyStar for 73 bucks, and I wait for a confirm on the shipping on monday (I ordered over 1200$ worth of parts sunday night, got confirms on all but the ezstar being shipping before noon on monday), I got nothing. So Tuesday morning (I mean like 3AM morning lol) I emailed them and nicely asked about my order, just asked if it was still backordered or if its been shipped. Here we are 2 days later, and I havn't got an email back. I just wanted to know from previous buyers if these guys are on the level or not... I mean I even bought some stuff from china and it looks like its going to get here before the plane... Kinda makes me nervous... Any input that would ease my already shakey mind (from spending all that money sunday night) would be MUCH appriciated, thanks.

This was probably the worst deal experience I've had dealing with an online store... I was scared to order from hobbyking cause they are in hongkong, but my parts are already in the states...

These cats have lost my business for life... Christina the CS Rep is the one that sealed it, but before that, short of them refunding my money and giving me a REAL apology for lying they weren't gonna get it back anyways...

ANOTHER thing to potential HL Customers, search the Hobby Lobby Sub-Forum, you will see a couple other posts complaining about the same thing, their problem with misrepresenting stock levels... So I'm not a lone case here crying martyr me... this seems to be a habit with them

Hobby Lobby, you can still fix you rep here by putting in an automatically updating website stock level... this wouldn't be compinsating me at all, it would just give people more faith when buying from you

[jsullivan05]

The funny thing is, Sunday night, I felt the most safe with making my purchases from hobby lobby... If they had all the items I needed I would have made my order entirely through them... I mighta been in the hospital from an anxiety attack by now if I had lol

[jsullivan05]

Goin on day 3, maybe i'll email them again....

[iflytailies]

why don't you call? Sometimes, emails get blocked by firewalls/spam blockers/whatnot...

[Flyboone]

Hi,
Sorry about the problems there. If you can, please check your spam and junk mail folders and make sure hobby-lobby.com addresses are not in there. I checked with our sales manager and we have been near 100% answer rate for the last week or so. Where did you send the email? If you want you can PM me your account information and I'll do what I can to help.

Thanks,
Jason Cole
Hobby Lobby

[jsullivan05]

The email was one on your support page http://www.hobby-lobby.com/case.htm
I filled out a ticket and submitted it. I'll pm you with my order # and everything

[jsullivan05]

Well, I was contacted back finally, they said They wont even have it in stock until sept.23... We're going to be seeing about an immediate refund, i'll update you all on how taht process works out for me

[jsullivan05]

I emailed them back, one thing I did like is when I did finally get an answer, The guy gave me his direct line, which is very nice

[jsullivan05]

Edit to previous post... the dude doesn't answer his phone lol... was a nice gesture to give it though... I think I'll go give monopoly money to homeless ppl now, Kinda on the same level to me

[jsullivan05]

Another update, HOLY CRAP LOL... dude none of their phones work, you call, get put on hold by an automated system, and immediatly disconnected... WOW... Hobby Lobby is failing FAAAAAAAAAAST in my eyes...

[jsullivan05]

I just wan't my $72.99 back so I can go buy somewhere else that doesn't misrepresent their stock level... I never realized getting my money back would be an all day event lol

[jsullivan05]

Edited First post to make this a warning to potential Hobby Lobby customers...

[Flyboone]

Thanks for the feedback. We know the website needs work and we're working on it. As far as I can tell, our guys bent over backwards to get you fixed up. We have been taking care of customers for years and will continue to do so.

Thanks,
Jason Cole
Hobby Lobby

[jsullivan05]

Well fly, you guys must be in back braces if you call the service I recieved from you guys "bending over backwards"... Again, it's nothing against you guys personally (Except that CS Rep on the phone)... But I mean it's been several days you guys were aware of your websites error, c'mon man, can't you agree that to me it appears that you guys are practicing VERY shady business tactics? It'll be over a week until you guys inform your potential new buyers about the fact that the Easystar wont be available for OVER A MONTH? Until you fix it you'll just be raking in customers on false pretenses...

*Edit*
The last sentence is how I justify my "shady business practices" statement.

[Flyboone]

I understand your upset. We can only go on what the manufacturers tell us will be the delivery dates. If they miss that, we have to change the dates. We do not just make them up. We are working on getting more of a real time inventory system for our website and that will help solve most of these issues. We also do not charge customers credit cards for back ordered items until the item is in stock and ships out. We are as up front and honest as we can be with the information we have at any give time. We've responded to your requests and took care of your issue.

Jason Cole
Hobby Lobby

[jsullivan05]

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[jsullivan05]

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[jsullivan05]

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[Flyboone]

Paypal is not the same as a credit card. Paypal has to transfer the money immediately. We have no options with Paypal. If you paid with a normal credit card, the funds would not have been charged until the goods shipped. Feel free to call me on Monday at 615-732-7217 and I'll make sure your credit goes through right away. We are not trying to screw you or lie to you. That's just not how we do things. I'll personally make sure you get squared away and are happy.

Thanks,
Jason Cole
Hobby Lobby

[jsullivan05]

Flyboone, I appriciate it very much, I'll delete most of my posts here (once i'm completely squared away hehe)...
As most customers, I just like to feel appriciated for doing business with a particular place, I felt slightly shafted, and then several small things compounded on eachother and I realize that it wasn't personal, just an extra-ordinary case, and you last post made me feel like you are willing to take the EXTRA step to resolve my case, I very much appriciate that...

[lenrev]

Jsillivan,
Not defending HL as I am also upset with my order, but you and I learned a valuable lesson here. NEVER, EVER place a multiple item order using credit card on PayPal.

I have only bought from HL three times in my 25-year RC life. I've had one instance where the purchase went without any disappointment.

I have made several purchases with Hobby King, BTW, and always got what I expected with no hassle. I understand the shipping is costly but it gets here, often faster than stateside vendors.

[surflyer]

Just a cross post on the same matter:
Poor Service Website not Up to date on Stock

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Hello Flyboone,

Seeing that you have taken an interest in Lev's case:

Regarding my post number 9 above on PZ Sukhoi bnf.

I ordered from HL because website said the item was in stock.
Website contined to say in stock for many days after my order was placed so the item did not just suddenly go out of stock.
Then website said due on 7/15/2009.
HL Customer Services says sorry it was a mistake.
I wrote back expressing disappoinment but accepting mistakes do happen.
A month later I see website still says due 7/15/2009,
After query from myself again I receive email from HL Customer Services 18/8/2009 saying item is due late August.
Today Website still says 7/15/2009.
Have a look now!

In my opinion this is not good service to myself or other customers using website information that is patently incorrect and not updated when pointed out so.

I urge HL to adopt better stock control methods and include a stock counter for each item like so many other web providers do. People can then make a call on whether to order or not.
Thank You

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I could have had this item long ago from other websites.
These matters are not as trivial as would seem especially for overseas cutomers like myself.

The responses from HL have been less than satisfactory.
No attempt to rectify "mistakes" pointed out as far as I can see!
I bet the website is still out of date? How difficult can it be
Christina appears to suffers from selective email content response.