RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG  
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RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 12:43:32 PM   
Bruce Sanders



Posts: 65
Joined: 1/28/2002
From: Louisville, KY,
Status: offline 		Well guys, I don't know what to say. First of all, let me appologize for not sending something that was paid for. If the originator of this email will get back to me at sales@centuryjet.com I will make things correct.

Second of all, I respond to almost all emails in a timely manner. I am on line 3 to 4 times a day, 365 days a year. I do take off periodically and go to trade shows and jet meets so I may be slower a few times a year. I get 50-100 emails a day. I have the best virsus system and yes, my computer crashes like yours but for the most part, your emails do get through.

Third, we have never screwed anyone. If you have a complaint, please contact James or myself. We feel our product is top of the line and our customer service can always improve. No one is perfect.

One last comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Thanks,

_____________________________

Bruce Sanders
Century Jet Models

(in reply to Kmot)
       Post #: 26

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 2:22:55 PM   
MajorTomski



Posts: 1383
Joined: 5/1/2003
From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Ok Bruce, you asked for it.

You say you never screwed anyone. I paid you $230.00 for a set of gear for a TF small P-47. The piston portion between the strut and the axle bent on the FIRST FLIGHT. You charge me $40.00 shipping and handling to repair them. They both bent, this time at the top end of the strut on the second, third and fourth flight. Again I send them back to you for repair. I also suggest that you might have a batch of soft steel in the struts and ask that you investigate this. Three MONTHS later I call to find out what happened. You LOST them somewhere in your plant! Another $40.00 for shipping and handling you send the gear back with the suggestion that I EPOXY the struts to the retract mechanism with JB WELD. So I epoxy the gear in with JB weld. THEY BENT AGAIN ON THE next flight! So my now $310.00 gear, along with the actuators went in the trash when I got home, because I couldn’t get the JB weld to let go as you said it would.

Now all of this occurred SIX years ago, and judging from this thread nothing much has changed at Century Jet.

To add insult to financial loss for FOUR YEARS now and several emails asking you to either correct the caption or remove the picture you have been telling the world that the P-47 below is a CJM kit. When in reality it is MY TF P-47! So for the umpteenth time, remove the picture or correct the caption!

You’re right you guys are FAR from perfect!

And the sad news is I’ve got another set of your gear waiting to go in to a TF Spitfire. Believe me if they work as poorly as the P-47 set you’ll be hearing about it here!

Thomas Solinski Oklahoma City
AMA 8026

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(in reply to Bruce Sanders)
       Post #: 27

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 4:08:25 PM   
Let it be


 

Posts: 26
Joined: 1/23/2003
From: stockholm, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the info. I was looking to start a Meister FW 109-D but after reading all of your complaints I think I'll hold off for awhile. I have a Ziroli Stuka that I'll start instead. I just started glassing my Meister Me 109 that has CJ retracts. Looks like I'll have to be very careful.

(in reply to MajorTomski)
       Post #: 28

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 4:51:34 PM   
js3



Posts: 1142
Joined: 1/30/2002
From: Arvada, CO, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Sanders

Well guys, I don't know what to say. First of all, let me appologize for not sending something that was paid for. If the originator of this email will get back to me at sales@centuryjet.com I will make things correct.

Second of all, I respond to almost all emails in a timely manner. I am on line 3 to 4 times a day, 365 days a year. I do take off periodically and go to trade shows and jet meets so I may be slower a few times a year. I get 50-100 emails a day. I have the best virsus system and yes, my computer crashes like yours but for the most part, your emails do get through.

Third, we have never screwed anyone. If you have a complaint, please contact James or myself. We feel our product is top of the line and our customer service can always improve. No one is perfect.

One last comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Thanks,


Bruce,

I sent the following message on Wednesday, January 28th, 2004. That was SIX weeks and ONE day ago. In addition, this was my SECOND attempt at contacting you. I can only assume that you choose not to answer my questions and do not value me as a potential customer.

Here is the message:

Hello,

I did not get a response from tech@centuryjet.com so I'm sending this to you.

I am about to begin building the Top Flite Sea Fury and am nearly ready to purchase retracts for this project. I am aware that you provide three options for this kit. While I would love to have the scale gear option, I cannot justify spending nearly $400 on retracts for this plane. Of the remaining two options, which units do you recommend? Are the 3/8" struts sturdy enough or should I buy the 1/2" strut retracts? How much more do the 1/2" struts weigh than the 3/8" struts? Are there any other considerations.

Thank you in advance for your prompt response.

John Sandusky

_____________________________

John
I feel a lot more like I do now than I did earlier!

(in reply to Bruce Sanders)
       Post #: 29

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 5:43:00 PM   
fockewulf37


 

Posts: 1216
Joined: 3/19/2002
From: kannapolis, NC, USA
Status: online 		I think you need to make a phone call. I have been doing busniess with CJM since they opened their door. I call and talk to them and usually have anything I need in a few days. Personally I always like to make my purchases while talking to a person that way I have a name so incase of future problems.

Meister P-47 CJM gear
Meister Zero Cjm gear
P-51 CJM gear
Meister 109 CJM gear
Fw 190 CJM gear
I designed My Savoia Marchetti S 79 around CJM gear

I have had gear from all major manufactures and all of them have there problems at times.


Ty Brown

(in reply to js3)
       Post #: 30

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 6:09:35 PM   
foxx


 

Posts: 594
Joined: 10/28/2002
From: Somewhere in the west, USA
Status: offline 		Majortom I was just curious that if you had such horrible experience with these people at CJM why you went ahead and bought a second set. I personally after I got my set of CJM gears and read in the instructions how I need to glue this part to that part and file a flat on this or that piece I sent them back and got myself a set of SpringAir.

< Message edited by foxx -- 3/11/2004 1:10:39 PM >

(in reply to fockewulf37)
       Post #: 31

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 6:12:25 PM   
Kmot



Posts: 7718
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Sanders

Well guys, I don't know what to say. First of all, let me appologize for not sending something that was paid for. If the originator of this email will get back to me at sales@centuryjet.com I will make things correct.



Apology accepted. I'm the originator. I have replied to the Order Received! email dated 2/24/2004 twice, asking for info on where my merchandise is. Order # 900. I will email you again.

-Tom

_____________________________

DRILL BABY DRILL!!!

(in reply to Bruce Sanders)
       Post #: 32

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 6:21:57 PM   
Kmot



Posts: 7718
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Sanders

If you have a complaint, please contact James or myself.

One last comment. Constructive criticism is always welcome.



1) Contacted you 4 times via email already. Long distance phone charges should not be part of the cost of the retracts.

2) Constructive crticism: Really try hard to answer your emails within 72 hours.

-Tom

_____________________________

DRILL BABY DRILL!!!

(in reply to Bruce Sanders)
       Post #: 33

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 6:33:10 PM   
Schwoop



Posts: 62
Joined: 7/8/2002
From: Meridian, ID, USA
Status: offline 		Well - I'm not one to make a big deal out of just one customer service issue, but I'm just frazzled at how CJM dealt with my recent order just yesterday! My order shipped two weeks and two days ago - no tracking number was sent. After calling yesterday to see where my JDM P-40 retracts were, I was told they were signed for by someone after being delivered to my old address in a different town!!!! Their system obviously didn't update my new information I entered on their website. Mistakes can happen right?

I'm then told "What do you want me (CJM) to do about it?" Jeez - I'm just the customer here trying to spend hard earned money ($450 worth of landing gear and extra components) with your business. The conversation deteriorated quickly as I was backed into a corner so I mentioned I was going to have to contact the credit card company and cancel this order. No apologies, no nothing. I'm then told I'm going to get a call back with the person's name who signed for it and instead got a call by UPS saying there is nothing they can do!

Last night I tracked down the person who has my retracts, and entered the home of a seedy guy who's been hanging on to them for two weeks.

Mistakes happen - addresses change - NO PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOWEVER, CJM has cornered the market on SOME OF THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED! Never a word of concern, just the remark - "What do you want me to do about it?" as if I made a mistake - and a very bitter attitude that I would even called to question where the item was.

Bruce - if you read this - learn from these postings! You're in the business of selling enjoyment and fun! Make that commitment to your customers.

I'm just afraid of the quality issues I've read now that I finally got my package...

Craig

< Message edited by Schwoop -- 3/11/2004 6:47:50 PM >

(in reply to MajorTomski)
       Post #: 34

RE: RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 6:45:59 PM   
YAT-28E



Posts: 280
Joined: 4/30/2003
From: Columbus, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I RUN A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY AND IF I WORKED LIKE THOSE GUYS IN TERMS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE......


YOU GOT IT .....

NO BUSINESS

THEY MUST HAVE SO MUCH THAT THEY DON'T CARE!!

JUST MY OPINION.

_____________________________

I have being doing so much, with so little for so long...that now I can do anything with nothing.....G. Ivory

(in reply to Schwoop)
       Post #: 35

RE: RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 7:20:17 PM   
bhole74



Posts: 1072
Joined: 12/16/2003
From: Anderson, MO, USA
Status: offline 		I hate to burst anyone bubble here,but I have a set of CJ retracts for a Pica 1/6th p-51 and they are great in quality and performance. I called CJ and told them what I was looking for and they asked a few questions and got me set up. They were also kind enough to recommend upgrading to the larger upper units because of the weight of the plane. I can't help but think this may be a problem with some of the failures I read about in this thread (exceeding the retracts designed weight classification). At any rate, I have had great luck with them, I'm sorry to hear about some of your problems.

(in reply to YAT-28E)
       Post #: 36

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 8:18:49 PM   
MajorTomski



Posts: 1383
Joined: 5/1/2003
From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: foxx

Majortom I was just curious that if you had such horrible experience with these people at CJM why you went ahead and bought a second set. I personally after I got my set of CJM gears and read in the instructions how I need to glue this part to that part and file a flat on this or that piece I sent them back and got myself a set of SpringAir.



Foxx, prior to the P-47 fiasco you could have counted me in the "CJ's are the BEST retracts in the world!" column. I had a Wing F-6F Hellcat that used CJ 90 degree gear and those things were BULLETPROOF!! I abused them to the max for four years on grass, blacktop and concrete. To my knowledge they are still flying and going and rotating up and down as advertised without a hitch.

Thats why I bought the P-47 AND Spitfire gear at the same time. That was 6 years ago and I've long lost the receipt or I would have returned the Spit gear the second time I had to send the P-47 gear back.

It is the inconsistent level of quality and apparent indifferent customer support from CJ that is apparent in this thread that has me ticked. Even after this gripe, I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt and I'm gonna try the CJs in the Spit just to see if I can get my moneys worth.

And like I said they've been taking credit for myTop Flight P-47 model as their kit on their website for years. I'll be surprised if this thread changes anything.

(in reply to foxx)
       Post #: 37

RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 9:39:55 PM   
voyager_663rd


 

Posts: 1191
Joined: 2/11/2003
From: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Doesn't seem to be a lot of choice of gear for 60's.

HOWEVER ! ! !

I would like to hear from those (and please if this should be put in a new post, let me know and I will) who have used Unitracts.

I've seen a couple of recomendations for them (as alternates to 615's and the CJ's). I've got excellect (and I mean excellent) responses from Bob Holman who is the ONLY distributor of these UK retracts in N America. I'm telling ya: same day and next day responses to email questions.

Price is certainly good (compared to the yet-to-be-seen-by-anyone Sierras) as the unitracts include the plumbing.

Opinions on unitract?

_____________________________

Len-> More questions than answers some answers are here [url]http://www.freewebs.com/rc_tips_and_hints[/url] 18,000+ hi

(in reply to MajorTomski)
       Post #: 38

RE: RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/11/2004 9:43:10 PM   
F4u5



Posts: 1811
Joined: 1/19/2002
From: Apple Valley, MN, USA
Status: offline 		I would agree with Maj Tom, in that, it DOES appear that the QC is absent, and goods vary from purchase to purchase in quality. The customer support varies widely. I could tell you horror stories between a well known kit designer and CJM and why they parted ways. I have too much first hand knowledge I guess.

_____________________________

Where's my glue?.......I gotta build.

(in reply to MajorTomski)
       Post #: 39

RE: RE: Bad advice to buy: CENTURY JET MFG - 3/12/2004 1:24:51 AM   
Mustang51