As most are aware I have purchased over the last 10 months four CA Model aircraft painted and complete. Two of these A/C met an early demise [one due to ailerons not plugged-in the other equipment mal-function], two currently flying. I have only dealt with Chip on all of these purchases. I and many others have had quality issues in various ways and Chip has been the guy to make all these "right!" I always new Chip would inspect and correct any manufacturing issues along with handling the paint, final setup and alignments issues that have plagued CA for years. As a result of this I have recommended Ca Models to many others. While at the Worlds & Nats I had several conversations with Chip on the new Cation and inspected a completed model that was on display. Chip and I agreed on a price and I ordered one to only be started and completed after HE returned to Argentina. Chip then asked that I send a $1000 to Marcrlo which I did with the above stipulations on Chips return.
Shortly after I sent the deposit, Marcelo's De Ja Vu became available to me at a very good price and I bought it from Marcrlo as it was still in the US thanks to Scott McHarg! Chip then contacted me and said he was not going back to Argentina soon as he was going to fly in the Tuson Shoot Out and would delay the Cation and was that OK by me? I told him no problem as I was going to be experimenting with a Contr Drive on Marcelo's De Ja Vu that I had just purchased. We left it that he would call me when he got back. Then two weeks ago I sent Marcelo an e-mail stating that as a result of my success with the Contra Conversion on his De Ja Vu that I just purchased I wanted him to return my deposit and cancel the Cation order. We sent several emails back & forth and it was becoming obvious he wasn't going to willingly return my deposit! Soon after Chip called to tell me what was going on with he and Marcelo. He said he had shut the paint shop down, was no longer associated with CA Models, and had taken a full time job with a Defense Contractor. I told him what was going on with my effort to get my Cation deposit back from Marcelo. He told me Marcelo seldom returned a cash deposit but he would try and help me get it back. After two weeks of trying to get it back and the "Cat" being out of the bag on Chip no longer being associated with Marcelo, I am writting this post to WARN all who maybe contiplating buying anything from Marcelo to be very very careful in dealing with him especially on the "Fire Sale Items" he recently put on his website. What ever you do "don't send him any type of deposit with any expectation of ever getting it back should something change!
It is my feeling that If [and that's a big if] CA Models stays in business the quality of their product will suffer greatly. I already know of two such issues that have occurred as a result of Chip not being involved with Marcelo's recent deliveries. I am sure Chip will be chiming in on this soon.
So be very careful in dealing with CA in the future!
Dick