I hate to "rant" like this, but I think it's important for folks to know about the different manufacturers and the type of service they provide. I'm typically quicker to post my positive experiences with manufacturers, but this one is pretty ridiculous.

The short story is a $4.00 part broke on my D8T after its first jump, but it is an important part (front suspension shaft). I called Hot Bodies this afternoon, and after waiting on hold for 20 minutes finally spoke to someone. I was very polite to the young gentleman and explained I simply want the defective part replaced by Saturday. He was quick to replace it, but said "I have to charge you for priority mail". I explained he did not have to charge me for it, and if anything simply forward me to his boss so I can get it worked out, which he would not. His name was Chris, he works in Hot Bodies customer service, and his extension is 111.

This is no problem as I assure you I will be speaking with someone a bit higher-up tomorrow. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume I just spoke with some kid who simply needs to be re-trained, but if they are willing to loose a customer over a $5.00, shipping, you all need to be aware of it.

I hold companies to a high-standard, and in the end we are talking about a FEW dollars, so it is a bit of the principal for me at this point. As over-priced as this stuff is.....it's not going to put a company out of business to spend a few extra dollars to keep a serious customer happy. Just my thoughts anyway. As I noted, my angst came from the fact I tried to be professional and amenable, yet the CSR wanted to get into a pissing match with me. Really? This is Hot Bodies??

NitroExpress, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt regarding your "based on your history...." comment and not take it as it sounded. I will say this, however....at least I am man enough to step out and discuss my learning curve. This, instead of never doing, and just stting back throwing darts at other people during their learning curve.  NOTE: I'm certainly not saying  you do that...but I am an easy target and hope you agree how a comment like that can come across as "uncool". ;-) As noted, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt on this one as you seem like a stand-up guy. p.s. There is a pic of this in a different post

Foxy: Certainly as the moderator you don't want to make blanket statements like "Good luck getting them [Xray] to care [about a broken chassis]". I'm providing facts regarding a specifc transaction, and am sure that many, many folks have had wonderful service experience with both HB, and Xray. Besides, Xray's HQ is about 15 minutes from my house and I would be at their corporate office in person in the event something like that happened to me - know that. Ha! Your point about the pricing matrix makes sense, and I agree with you on it. As I noted, these professionals who are put on the front line should be able to weed out those trying to take advantage vs those serious hobbyist who want to be taken care of. Additionally, I am ALWAYS the first to admit when something goes wrong and how it was my mistake. If there is one person who does not take myself seriously on here, that's me (you all know that). BUT I don't believe this to be a build error. I personally feel I did not plant the landing well and it bent. Thus I'm actually worried about the integrity of all the parts now, but we'll soon find out ;-)

mrquint: My expectation is that any and all parts to a new rc kit are under warranty. I understand and respect your opinon on how I should be happy with what was offered, but still don't think I was being unreasonable (again it is a matter of a few dollars). We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Matt: Througout all of this, the Losi 8ight 2.0 has stood above the HB D8T, at least in my experience. Trust me, I wish it were the other way around. In the end, I'm just blessed that I can partake in this wonderful hobby.

Anyways, thanks for ya'lls feedback. I'm normally not pompus....trust me. I represent the common man. ;-) I do have a high-standard for business transactions, however. All of your comments rang true, and I hear that a lot. My friends joke with me and call me "customer-service John" when I go into this mode....but as with everything....I pick my battles. The ones I do choose, however, I go in guns-a-blazin'. ;-) I've learned that as long as you are reasonable and properly negotiate your case.....things work out well in the end.

And my part will be here tomorrow....THANKS TO VICTORIA at Hot Bodies!!! I'm still a big fan of them!

 

quote:

ORIGINAL: supertib

what bent the front end ?

did you plant a jump badly and that bent the front end ? or are you saying that is not what happened ? I am just curious is all

I hold companies to a high-standard, and in the end we are talking about a FEW dollars, so it is a bit of the principal for me at this point. As over-priced as this stuff is.....it's not going to put a company out of business to spend a few extra dollars to keep a serious customer happy. Just my thoughts anyway. As I noted, my angst came from the fact I tried to be professional and amenable, yet the CSR wanted to get into a pissing match with me. Really? This is Hot Bodies??

NitroExpress, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt regarding your ''based on your history....'' comment and not take it as it sounded. I will say this, however....at least I am man enough to step out and discuss my learning curve. This, instead of never doing, and just stting back throwing darts at other people during their learning curve.  NOTE: I'm certainly not saying  you do that...but I am an easy target and hope you agree how a comment like that can come across as ''uncool''. ;-) As noted, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt on this one as you seem like a stand-up guy. p.s. There is a pic of this in a different post

Foxy: Certainly as the moderator you don't want to make blanket statements like ''Good luck getting them [Xray] to care [about a broken chassis]''. I'm providing facts regarding a specifc transaction, and am sure that many, many folks have had wonderful service experience with both HB, and Xray. Besides, Xray's HQ is about 15 minutes from my house and I would be at their corporate office in person in the event something like that happened to me - know that. Ha! Your point about the pricing matrix makes sense, and I agree with you on it. As I noted, these professionals who are put on the front line should be able to weed out those trying to take advantage vs those serious hobbyist who want to be taken care of. Additionally, I am ALWAYS the first to admit when something goes wrong and how it was my mistake. If there is one person who does not take myself seriously on here, that's me (you all know that). BUT I don't believe this to be a build error. I personally feel I did not plant the landing well and it bent. Thus I'm actually worried about the integrity of all the parts now, but we'll soon find out ;-)

mrquint: My expectation is that any and all parts to a new rc kit are under warranty. I understand and respect your opinon on how I should be happy with what was offered, but still don't think I was being unreasonable (again it is a matter of a few dollars). We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Matt: Througout all of this, the Losi 8ight 2.0 has stood above the HB D8T, at least in my experience. Trust me, I wish it were the other way around. In the end, I'm just blessed that I can partake in this wonderful hobby.

Anyways, thanks for ya'lls feedback. I'm normally not pompus....trust me. I represent the common man. ;-) I do have a high-standard for business transactions, however. All of your comments rang true, and I hear that a lot. My friends joke with me and call me ''customer-service John'' when I go into this mode....but as with everything....I pick my battles. The ones I do choose, however, I go in guns-a-blazin'. ;-) I've learned that as long as you are reasonable and properly negotiate your case.....things work out well in the end.

And my part will be here tomorrow....THANKS TO VICTORIA at Hot Bodies!!! I'm still a big fan of them!

 

quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnP2

I hold companies to a high-standard, and in the end we are talking about a FEW dollars, so it is a bit of the principal for me at this point. As over-priced as this stuff is.....it's not going to put a company out of business to spend a few extra dollars to keep a serious customer happy. Just my thoughts anyway. As I noted, my angst came from the fact I tried to be professional and amenable, yet the CSR wanted to get into a pissing match with me. Really? This is Hot Bodies??

NitroExpress, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt regarding your ''based on your history....'' comment and not take it as it sounded. I will say this, however....at least I am man enough to step out and discuss my learning curve. This, instead of never doing, and just stting back throwing darts at other people during their learning curve.  NOTE: I'm certainly not saying  you do that...but I am an easy target and hope you agree how a comment like that can come across as ''uncool''. ;-) As noted, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt on this one as you seem like a stand-up guy. p.s. There is a pic of this in a different post

Foxy: Certainly as the moderator you don't want to make blanket statements like ''Good luck getting them [Xray] to care [about a broken chassis]''. I'm providing facts regarding a specifc transaction, and am sure that many, many folks have had wonderful service experience with both HB, and Xray. Besides, Xray's HQ is about 15 minutes from my house and I would be at their corporate office in person in the event something like that happened to me - know that. Ha! Your point about the pricing matrix makes sense, and I agree with you on it. As I noted, these professionals who are put on the front line should be able to weed out those trying to take advantage vs those serious hobbyist who want to be taken care of. Additionally, I am ALWAYS the first to admit when something goes wrong and how it was my mistake. If there is one person who does not take myself seriously on here, that's me (you all know that). BUT I don't believe this to be a build error. I personally feel I did not plant the landing well and it bent. Thus I'm actually worried about the integrity of all the parts now, but we'll soon find out ;-)

mrquint: My expectation is that any and all parts to a new rc kit are under warranty. I understand and respect your opinon on how I should be happy with what was offered, but still don't think I was being unreasonable (again it is a matter of a few dollars). We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Matt: Througout all of this, the Losi 8ight 2.0 has stood above the HB D8T, at least in my experience. Trust me, I wish it were the other way around. In the end, I'm just blessed that I can partake in this wonderful hobby.

Anyways, thanks for ya'lls feedback. I'm normally not pompus....trust me. I represent the common man. ;-) I do have a high-standard for business transactions, however. All of your comments rang true, and I hear that a lot. My friends joke with me and call me ''customer-service John'' when I go into this mode....but as with everything....I pick my battles. The ones I do choose, however, I go in guns-a-blazin'. ;-) I've learned that as long as you are reasonable and properly negotiate your case.....things work out well in the end.

And my part will be here tomorrow....THANKS TO VICTORIA at Hot Bodies!!! I'm still a big fan of them!

 

quote:

ORIGINAL: nitroexpress

JohnP2
I hold companies to a high-standard, and in the end we are talking about a FEW dollars, so it is a bit of the principal for me at this point. As over-priced as this stuff is.....it's not going to put a company out of business to spend a few extra dollars to keep a serious customer happy. Just my thoughts anyway. As I noted, my angst came from the fact I tried to be professional and amenable, yet the CSR wanted to get into a pissing match with me. Really? This is Hot Bodies??
I think that you are still missing the point. If everyone thought they could yell ''Warranty'' and get free parts, even if they were at fault, don't you think those few dollars would turn into a flood?  Mugen people have been living with weak arms for years.  And they are not flooding Mugen CSR with warranty requests.  You have not offered any information that would indicate that you had a defective part.  Why would HB be obligated to replace a part that was not defective and on top of that send it priority mail?

And my part will be here tomorrow....THANKS TO VICTORIA at Hot Bodies!!! I'm still a big fan of them!

NitroExpress, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt regarding your ''based on your history....'' comment and not take it as it sounded. I will say this, however....at least I am man enough to step out and discuss my learning curve. This, instead of never doing, and just stting back throwing darts at other people during their learning curve. NOTE: I'm certainly not saying you do that...but I am an easy target and hope you agree how a comment like that can come across as ''uncool''. ;-) As noted, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt on this one as you seem like a stand-up guy. p.s. There is a pic of this in a different post
I’ll spell it out for you so there will be no doubt. You were ready to jump on the warranty wagon with several items. In the end, it seems it was user error. Does a carburetor and engine ring any bells? A learning curve includes identifying the reason for a failure.  You say that you take responsiblity for errors, but are you comfortable with identifying problems.  Are you confident with not just replacing a broken part, but identifying the reason for the failure?  Identifying the cause is sometimes not easy, but it is part of the learning curve.   
Foxy: Certainly as the moderator you don't want to make blanket statements like ''Good luck getting them [Xray] to care [about a broken chassis]''. I'm providing facts regarding a specifc transaction, and am sure that many, many folks have had wonderful service experience with both HB, and Xray. Besides, Xray's HQ is about 15 minutes from my house and I would be at their corporate office in person in the event something like that happened to me - know that. Ha! Your point about the pricing matrix makes sense, and I agree with you on it. As I noted, these professionals who are put on the front line should be able to weed out those trying to take advantage vs those serious hobbyist who want to be taken care of. Additionally, I am ALWAYS the first to admit when something goes wrong and how it was my mistake. If there is one person who does not take myself seriously on here, that's me (you all know that). BUT I don't believe this to be a build error. I personally feel I did not plant the landing well and it bent. Thus I'm actually worried about the integrity of all the parts now, but we'll soon find out ;-)
Your picture of a bent hinge pin is just that, a picture of a bent hinge pin.  The short response is that you need to check your build and setup and make sure it matches recommendations. Didn't you once have a problem installing the rear hinge pins.  Hummm.  If you replace the hinge pin and it is seated properly with locktited retainer screws and their washers and the same failure occurs, I believe the hinge pin could be the symptom and not the cause.  But that's another story. 
mrquint: My expectation is that any and all parts to a new rc kit are under warranty.  I understand and respect your opinon on how I should be happy with what was offered, but still don't think I was being unreasonable (again it is a matter of a few dollars). We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
Again, what leads you to believe in a defective part?   A bent hinge pin would have to be improperly tempered in order to bend in a non-collision. You have not exhausted all the possibilities of user error.  
Matt: Througout all of this, the Losi 8ight 2.0 has stood above the HB D8T, at least in my experience. Trust me, I wish it were the other way around. In the end, I'm just blessed that I can partake in this wonderful hobby.
One hinge pin is enough to elevate the Losi? Interesting.

Anyways, thanks for ya'lls feedback. I'm normally not pompus....trust me. I represent the common man. ;-) I do have a high-standard for business transactions, however. All of your comments rang true, and I hear that a lot. My friends joke with me and call me ''customer-service John'' when I go into this mode....but as with everything....I pick my battles. The ones I do choose, however, I go in guns-a-blazin'. ;-) I've learned that as long as you are reasonable and properly negotiate your case.....things work out well in the end.

You really believe that you, as Mr. Common Man, were reasonable in brow beating a CSR with an unreasonable request?

So you’re saying -

It broke and it should not have, I did nothing wrong, I want a new part. I can’t prove it was defective, I can’t prove I did nothing wrong, but I want a free part shipped extra fast. And don’t refuse my request because then I will go on a forum and badmouth you and never buy HB again. BTW, I really like Losi better.

Sorry, for being ''uncool'', but this subject really rings my bell.  I think I'm finished with this subject.