One thing I forgot to mention as why I like my VF so much. When it sets in the sun or is flying by, it has a shine like none of my other Planes. Just damn pretty in my opinion!

I would be happy to send you my new Great Planes Cap for that new VectorFlight Extra! Just kidding, but I am going to get me one of those VF Extra's. They really look sharp to me, and I have read that they perform very well!

If it wasn't so late in the deal I'd call em up and ask to switch back to the Edge.

That CAP sure looks purty. I got an engine....

CK,

Please post what you don't agree with my points. I'm always looking for a different view.

I'm away on business at this time, but my wife says nothing new showed up at the front door. 6 1/2 weeks and counting.

I can't remember if they sent an email before they ship or not, but nothing so far.

CK,
If the order is stuck at customs then I would fully understand. But I do not think this is the case since they would have answered my request for status with a shipment tracking number. Nothing from them so far.

As for prices fluctuating, I can see Tower doing this to compete with Hobby People, Quantum, and many other on-line stores. VF has a total of 4 products and supposedly as some of you stated (no true competition, which I disagree). The difference of $20 every couple of months just doesn't make common sense.

Salty,

Have you contacted them about your order status? If yes, what did they say. If not, please let me know when you receive your shipment because I would be quite interested if your order shows up before mine.

BTW, I have another point to make about VF business practice. Why do they charge our credit card on day of order, but does not ship for a long time? I don't remember this type of practice for anything else I've ordered on-line before. Why should I pay for something in full when I have not received complete delivery? Comments?

I have a question for you... All you do is complain about VF yet you continue to order planes from them... Did your medication laps or something ?... If your so unhappy with them cancel your order with them and buy that egg crate TDL thing your so happy with... Geese, get on with your life kid...

No I haven't contacted them about the shipment. I only contacted them when I wanted to change my order which they said they would do.

Would I like to get the plane now? Sure I would, it would be great if the plane got here in a day or so; or within the 3-4 weeks as on their website. I'm not at the point where I am upset that it's not here already. I have had to wait for stuff to arrive that was late getting here. I really hate it when you order a part for something only to get the wrong one or to find out it doesn't fit like you were told it would. I have had things come in from China/Taiwan that I had to wait for time longer then expected.

Have you called to find out if they shipped YOUR order yet?

As far as charging your credit card; some companies charge when you make the order and some wait until they ship the product. I guess if you wanted to wait until they had stock available then place your order you would feel better. Sure, Tower puts on their site if they have the products in stock or not. Some places don't let you know that until you place the order. I think it depends on the size of the company, it cost money to have someone there to update the website everyday with what ever info you want. They have four planes, I'm thinking a small company that wants to keep the cost down so they can make the most money. Business 101; lower overhead = more profit.

I understand you're upset about the fluctuation in prices but again, that's business. If you're that upset over them changing prices every few months you must be outraged about the oil companies changing them a few times a DAY.

Here are a few points that I disagree with, and most are just a matter of opinion. First I would have to say that in my opinion the VectorFlight Planes are indeed a pretty good bargain for the Price compared to other Planes in its same class. I think you had stated here that you are basically getting a Plane that is priced at what it is worth. I tend to think they are probally undervalued about $40. I put my own fair value on the Plane at around $189+Shipping IMO. Since I believe the Plane to be underpriced about $40, I feel that spending $30 or $40 on some better accessories like tires, wheel pants, etc. just puts the Plane up to a Fair Value Price after I have added higher quallity accessories. So basically if I spend $150 for the Plane, and have to spend another $40 to have all the accerories I prefer, then I feel pretty satisfied, and still feel like I have not invested alot to end up with a good Plane. I have bought Planes that were a tad overpriced in my opinion, and then find out that I don't like the hardware in those either. If I have to spend another $40 on a Plane that I allready thought was overpriced, then I don't feel near as good about my purchase. Everyone talks about the VF Wheel Pants, and a few other things as not being that great. Like I said in my previous post, I have over a dozen other Planes in my Hangar that had things that didn't satisfy me as well, so I replaced with higher quallity components. So this is not just a VF thing!
Another point that I disagree with is that I believe you stated that the people in the VF Builders thread were there because they basically were revamping the Plane to make it air worthy. Actually my Plane was just fine stock, but most folks in that thread like myself are tinkerers, and can't leave well enough alone. I am always trying to figure out ways to make improvements whether a Plane needs it or not. Just something I like to do.
Another point is that I don't consider myself a "fanatic". Nobody has ever paid me to talk good of VectorFlight. I call things like I see them, and am not much for climbing on band wagons. I form my own opinions from my own experiences, and share them with people who would like to know how that experience went. Actually I have always noticed that most RCU Members are always more apt to say negative things about Manufacturers then good, so it does say something about VF that you will not find many negative post about them when negative post are abundant for just about any other Manufacturer, and some that I myself think are good, but others say not. Some I say are terrible, and some tell me they are good.
As far as the instructions go, I will agree with you that they should be improved for the person who needs them. I will also agree that if you have waited 6 1/2 weeks then you have waited long enough. If the website said 4 weeks for delivery and you have waited 6 weeks patiently then I would definately shoot an email their way and ask for an explanation for the the excessive wait. They are very good at responding to email, and hopefully they will give you the good news and tell you that your Plane should be on your doorstep any day now. One thing I would bet on though is that you are going to like the Plane once you get it. You may even accidentally become a "fanatic" yourself, or you may one day find yourself in the VF Builders thread sharing all your great tips about the Plane with everyone else who has one. Good Luck.

IronCross does have a good point asking why did you place a second order with them if you were not really that thrilled with the first? I am kind of curious to know what prompted you to place an order with VF again if you really were not that satisfied the first time? There are a ton of Manucturers and Distributors to choose from, and a bunch of others who sell the same Make of Planes that VF builds and sells. Its not like the Edge 540 is an exclusive Plane to VectorFlight. So why a VectorFlight Edge 540? An inquiring mind would like to know.

CK / IC,

Like I said before, I'm not upset or mad at VF. I'm just simply satisfied with VF and would like to see them improve their business practices, and other production items (ie, instructions, better belly pan, etc).

With anything else I own, if I'm not completely satisfied, I voice my opinion so others can know, so others who have experienced the same can know, so the company knows what to improve. But it seems if I do this on this forum, IC and the others thinks I'm out to get VF. That is not the case. I'm here to improve every ARF I own so the next one will be better. For example, I own a Honda Accord like thousands of other people. Most owners are overjoyed with this car and I am too but there are several quirks to it that needs improvement (transmission, crappy service dept, etc.). So I let Honda of America knows along with posting on several Honda Forums. Does this mean I would not buy another Accord? No, I probably would buy another, but I want them to improve upon it for the next generation. Same for VF.

Why did I place a second order: As I said before, because I believe VF gives you a good product at a fair price. As I said before, I like to compare ARFs with other simiiliar ARFs. As I said before, I'm satisfied with VF, but I would like for them to improve on other aspects of their business so they can be a player in this hobby/business.

Why didn't I buy from other manufacturers: I did buy from other manufacturers. I bought an Extra from TDL and posted the similarities I found between TDL and VF and I was not taken seriously by several VF fans. For the ones that posted negative comments just by seeing my photos and not in person, they must have incredible visions. I bought a Giles 202 from Graupner and posted my opinions on it on another post and once again, VF fans mocked my posting. Either way, they're entitled to their opinions, and I should be too so that is why I'm here posting away.

Why I bought from VF originally: I originally bought the VF Edge 540 because of the "positive" reviews of VF on this site. When I ordered last year(Oct timeframe), none of the negatives I've posted so far was posted on this site so I was not aware. Now I want this to be known to people who are thinking of ordering from VF.

Any other questions from inquiring minds?

So why all the whining if your not that unhappy with VF and continue to order from them... You knew the situration before you ever ordered your second one... And once again you buy and cry... You did the same thing with your first order... Who do you work for ?...

Salty,

I have not called, but have emailed them about my status (at the 5 weeks mark). I'm waiting till end of this week before I email them again (at the 7 weeks mark).

Did any of you receive any shipment tracking info email prior to receiving shipment? I can't remember if I got one for my first order or not.

IC,

Please take your rantings somewhere else if you are not ready to realistically debate the pros and cons of VF.

If I ask a question like why long ordering time, why change in prices, why crappy instructions, why lame belly pan, why charging credit cards months ahead of full delivery, etc. and you deem it as crying then you are one disturbed person. Understand this: THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS FORUM.

Since you are having a hard time posting constructive feedback, please save some bandwidth and go yell at a wall or better yet, go fly your VF plane.... maybe that will make you feel better.

I work for the people that provides you the FREEDOM so you can bicker on this site.

Cry cry cry....

Everyone:

Here's the response from the poster child of VF. Three words that are the same because more than that and he gets confuse.

If you don't like my opinions, please post your intelligent response, like CK, salty and several others have done. I've been waiting but all I see are these postings that is trying to draw me into a debate with frivolous words. Come on, I dare you to counter. Lets see those intelligent response flying from your keyboard.

Just like I thought, nothing!

Suggest you read the first page and a half of these posts... It's been done already a couple of times... Ylou just keep whining and whining... Anything to keep this thread alive.. I still want to know which company you work for... I doubt you have ever actually built a VF plane... Buy and cry, Buy and cry... Your riding a dead horse kid..

Fly,

I just got an email from VF customer service. They apologized for the long wait but plan on shipping my plane out next week.

I wish I could have gotten the plane by now, BUT I'm glad I get to switch to the Edge that I want to get instead of the Extra.

I don't mind the wait, I have other planes I am flying in the mean time. But that's me; like I said everyone is different.

Think I'll have to come up with a scheme to show my Navy pride. [sm=idea.gif]

Salty,

Do you think these postings (or in IC's thoughtful comment, my crying) got VF to think "Hey, I better contact my customers who have already ordered and been waiting for awhile.....". HMM.

I too got the same email. Now that is 'improved' customer service. They're heading in the right direction.

I also noticed that they changed their shipping estimate time on their website to 4-5 weeks now.... better. Also in the right direction.

Somehow an Edge dressed up as a Squid just doesn't do justice.



VF,

Please give some thoughts on my other "suggestions" and you'll have more satistfied customers than you can dream off. Plus I'll be your biggest supporter.... but I won't resort to cutting anyone down for not liking your product like your other fan from CA.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Please come again, but next time I suggest attending an anger management course first. You have a lot of anger built up inside you. Breathe, breathe, breathe, don't you feel better?

After re-visiting some of your original postings, I can say that they are a little less thoughtful (but quite constructive) than this posting, but then maybe you didn't have much anger built-up yet. Continue to breathe.

I believe we're making headway in improving VF's customer service with the email Salty and I got. Now lets work together and improve on the other aspects. Are you willing to assist or .... OH NO, don't stop breathing..... breathe, breathe, there you go. Please feel free and join in. With your help everyone will benefit.

DON'T STOP BREATHING!

Fly,

Tsk, Tsk... I'm not going to put the plane in a Navy uniform. I have some ides on stickers and decals to represent my time in the Navy. I have been in contact with someone that will cut custom graphics for me. I guess I'll have to make a line drawing of the plane to dress up so I can show him what I am thinking.

If I was a Marine it would be easy, all that red. I may just hold off and put them on a plane I kit build so I can start with a fresh clean background.

AS A NEW VF EXTRA OWNER ,I GET A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT FROM ALL
THE SNAPPY REPARTIE ON ALL YOU ALL'S POSTS. I ORDERED MY EXTRA ON 1-30-05
AND RECEIVED IT ON 3-8-05. I ALSO AGREE THAT THERE ARE A FEW SHORTCOMINGS
ON THE VF MODELS, E.G. WHEEL PANTS, BELLY PAN, TAIL GEAR. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE PUT
A FEW ARF'S TOGETHER BEFORE , YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TOO MUCH TROUBLE PUTTING THIS
EXTRA TOGETHER. I HAVE FLOWN MY EXTRA WITH AN O.S. 91 FX ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES
AND AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE WAY IT HANDLES. HONESTLY, FLYBOYS, THIS WAS THE
NICEST ARF KIT I HAVE EVER PUT TOGETHER, AND WOULD NOT HESITATE ORDERING ANOTHER.
SO, LETS ALL RAISE OUR GLASS OF KOOL-AID AND SALUTE VECTOR FLIGHT.

JV IN VC CA.

NCP,

Salute!

Thanks for posting your experience.

Fly,
These people who jumped on the Vectorflight bandwagon like it is the greatest thing since sliced bread would loose face if they admitted that it is not "the greatest value in RC modeling". They get together and make a thread that talks about the wonderful "find" and then trade ideas on how to fix the shortcomings. Then someone like you comes along and says something "negative". I have had a Vectorflight Extra for about a year and don't fly it that much. It's a little heavy, the landing gear structure is weak and the belly pan is a joke. It does fly well so I have to agree with you that there a few things Vectorflight needs to improve on. The best way to improve the situation is to talk about it and give constructive criticism like you have done.
Keep up the good work!
Bob