swcentoni
Sep 08, 2009, 09:33 PM
I thought I would share my experience with Hobby Lobby over the last 3 months. You godda read through cuz you won't believe today's phone conversation with Hobby Lobby.
First I purchased their F-5 EDF. After the first 30 seconds of the first flight the ESC burned out. It was a total loss. Greg at Hillsboro Hobby had them replace it. When the second F-5 was connected to the battery for the first time on the bench the ESC smoked and almost caught fire. Some of you witnessed that at the field. I replaced it with an E-Flite ESC.
Tried to fly it and the retracts collapsed on the takeoff roll every time. I epoxyed the retracts down and had 3 successful flights. Then one of the elevator servos froze causing a crash....but it was reparable. After repair and changing the servo another servo froze in flight.......plane was lost at sea.
Then I purchased one of their F-4 Phantom's. Its a much better design and easier access to everything. However the magnets that hold the battery hatch and canopy in place were covered in paint. I cleaned and scraped the paint off. This may have impacted the magnetic strength because on the first flight the hatch came off and was lost in the swamp grass.
For the last two weeks I have tried to get a new hatch/canopy from Hobby lobby. I ordered two to be safe. What I received was the canopy only. That's not worth a damn without the hatch portion. After numerous calls and emails I discover........."they don't stock that part".....but they will see if they can get one or see if they have one from a returned plane.
I left several phone messages and email messages asking for the status.....I was promised returned calls but.......THEY NEVER HAPPEND.
Here is the best I have ever heard from a company. If I want a hatch I should try to get a hold of the manufacturer......IN CHINA.....however......they could only tell me they thought the manufacturers name.....IN CHINA.....is "Famous". Yep......I said WHAT....just famous....no contact or email or even phone........answer.....NOPE......good luck she said.
Steve
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First I purchased their F-5 EDF. After the first 30 seconds of the first flight the ESC burned out. It was a total loss. Greg at Hillsboro Hobby had them replace it. When the second F-5 was connected to the battery for the first time on the bench the ESC smoked and almost caught fire. Some of you witnessed that at the field. I replaced it with an E-Flite ESC.
Tried to fly it and the retracts collapsed on the takeoff roll every time. I epoxyed the retracts down and had 3 successful flights. Then one of the elevator servos froze causing a crash....but it was reparable. After repair and changing the servo another servo froze in flight.......plane was lost at sea.
Then I purchased one of their F-4 Phantom's. Its a much better design and easier access to everything. However the magnets that hold the battery hatch and canopy in place were covered in paint. I cleaned and scraped the paint off. This may have impacted the magnetic strength because on the first flight the hatch came off and was lost in the swamp grass.
For the last two weeks I have tried to get a new hatch/canopy from Hobby lobby. I ordered two to be safe. What I received was the canopy only. That's not worth a damn without the hatch portion. After numerous calls and emails I discover........."they don't stock that part".....but they will see if they can get one or see if they have one from a returned plane.
I left several phone messages and email messages asking for the status.....I was promised returned calls but.......THEY NEVER HAPPEND.
Here is the best I have ever heard from a company. If I want a hatch I should try to get a hold of the manufacturer......IN CHINA.....however......they could only tell me they thought the manufacturers name.....IN CHINA.....is "Famous". Yep......I said WHAT....just famous....no contact or email or even phone........answer.....NOPE......good luck she said.
Steve
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