Greetings,

What the hell is up with Dave patrick?

I ordered my ultimate last week and no news since.

I sent them 6 e-mails without a single reply!! No phone also.

Whats up?

Talk about crappy customer service.

Serge

They were at the Toledo Expo last week. Maybe they are behind because they were out of town?

From personal experience, That's normal! You gotta wonder how he stays in business!

Rick

I talked to him at Toledo.He said he would test flying his new 40% Edge and then going straight to Top Gun from there.He said he would be very hard to get a hold till after Top Gun.Sounds like he's a one man company.

Three things that can make or break a company.....service, service, service!

Jerry

I once heard a story of a business owner who had a sign over his desk that said:

Price, Quality, Service:
Choose any two.

Leonard
Tyler, TX

Patience Serge, Patience.... You've waited a week and your getting a little twitchy? Try getting an DP Ultimate up here in Canada. That's a joke! I had one on back-order for over a year. I received an e-mail a week ago stating that they did not know when they would be able to acquire one, so they canceled my order. Oh well.... I purchased one when I was down south a couple of months ago and now I'm a happy boy!

Happy Fly'n....

I honestly believe that there is sometimes a direct relationship between supply & demand and customer service.

As demand goes up , service goes down.

Are you sure? On the wesbite I can read:

``New laser cut Extra 330Ls and 1.20 Ultimates are also on the way and should be here in a few weeks providing all goes well at the docks and with customs.``

Should I cancel my order and Buy the Carl Goldberg Ultimate?

Chieft Aircraft have it in stock.

Thanks
Serge

I would give Chief Aircraft a call and if they have one, cancel the order with Dave Patrick. I would still go with the DP Ultimate thou.

Happy Fly'n....

You know, the guy is who he is. I don't remember seeing any outlandish claims on his web site that they will provide x number of planes per week, or answer x number of calls per day.

You're buying from an active modeler who designs a great product. This guy doesn't just sit at a desk all day designing planes. You're right, if he wanted to improve customer service, he would have a 24 x 7 hotline where you could talk to a human any time and feel conmforted.

I can't believe companies like Great Planes, Towwer Hobbies, and Horizon! I tried to call Sunday morning at 3:30am and NO ONE WAS THERE!! Are they going out of business??

Can you believe that? Man.... Where's the customer service gone huh? (just kidding...)

My point is that there are different levels of customer service. If DP had someone answering the phone all the time, people would complain that they can never get HIM on the phone. If he answered his calls, then they would complain that he spends too much time on the phone rather than designing planes.

He's a small company that runs a small staff and you get what you get. A great product with limited verbal support. Because it is such a great product, I don't mind that at all. The cool thing about this country is that you have a choice.

I agree, if you don't want to wait, cancel the order and go with the CG Ultimate. Before you do, you might try Bruckner Hobbies 800-288-8185. www.brucknerhobbies.com

They stock a lot of the bigger DP and GP stuff, you might get lucky. I bought my v2 DP Extra from them a month ago.

Good luck

Jim!

Many folks do not realize that many companies delivering products that modelers want, love and need are small or even a one person operation. And often that operation is not the primary one that feeds the kids or pays the bills.

Modelers are different today. They demand top quality and service but want to pay very little for it. If Dave Patrick had to have a full time person there to answer the phone, his product would cost more, then you would be howling because the price went up $20.00.

Give the small operator a break. Virtually every hobby business you can name started in a basement, garage or dorm room. Some prospered and grew, others gave it up because the time demands were greater than the profits received.

My nickel.

Maybe if he and other manufacturers had their ARFs made in the "GOOD OLD USA" They might be able to keep closer tabs on the production operation. It would sure be nice to see "MADE IN THE USA" on these ARFs. Also I work in the communications field, And I think with todays technology there is NO excuse for electronic E-Mails not to be answered, Even if it is automated! At least it would enable the manufacturer to explain to the customer why there is a delay in returning calls. Sorry for going on and on, But the guy has been in business long enough that things should be running smoother by now! Just my 50 cents worth!

Rick

Rick:

You would be hard pressed to find ANY reasonably priced ARF made in the USA. Unfortunately, if I started a company manufacturing ARFs made in the USA and tried to compete with the other manufacturers, I would go out of business quick.

The problem is that like Dick said, most of American modelers want the best designs for the least amount of money. Our standard of living in the US unfortunately prices us out of a lot of work. That's why our import/export ratio is always out of wack. We make too much money to keep work here. It's not profitable.

You're right though, one thing that he could do is automate a response whenever he goes out of town so that you will know that he is not available.

It's a good idea. Why not suggest it to him by way of email?

Do it in a constructive way and maybe he'll follow your advice!

Jim!

It may be hard to get a hold of Dave or Sandy at times but this is a small operation and that's the way it is. Their products are GREAT. He designs and builds the best flying ARF's I know off. I know his Extra has gotten some bad press due to aileron flutter. Can you imagine how frustrated he must get when he says not to use gas engines and NEVER fly fast and have people complain when there is flutter using a DA 50 wide open. I have his Extra, first batch, and there is nothing wrong with it if you follow what he says. It is by far the best IMAC/3D machine in this size. I have spoken to Dave at length several time at the WRAM show and a number of times on the phone. I have NEVER spoken to any other designer of my other models. Any inconveniences you may get will be well worth it in the end.

Well worth it till you need a new canopy, cowl or have a problem with it out of the box. Then FORGET IT!

I have never had a problem with DP parts, or advice. My expectarions are that he is a small company and does not have the support of a Hobbico, or Horizon. I put up with that because he has a superior product.

If you can't get a part, email me and let me know what the problem is. I would be happy to try to help out if I can.

jblangley(remove this part)@worldhost.net

Jim!

they have the extras and dp ultimates in stock at dave patrick, they will not answer the phone because Sandy and Gram are inspecting EVERY plane for damage and completeness before shipping.

I ordered my DP ultimate over a month ago, I am waiting, and holding on! I just check my CC balance online everyday to see if it has billed.


You may go and buy a CG ulty, but when a someone shows up at your field with a DP ulty 2 weeks later you will wish that you had waited.


I like to think of Dave Patrick models like the "soup nazi" from Seinfeld or going to the DMV, even if you have a problem you have to be nice or "no soup for you", I am very selective with my words.....This is not my personality at all, but I am in fear of making demands and being but on the bottom of the list for shipment.


Supply and demand issue maybe, but bar far the best biplane and extra of this size......HANDS DOWN!


PS. Would you pay $549 for this plane if they hired 2 customer service reps?

Would you pay $699 if they built the plane in america? Or if the factory went union one day and the cost of the plane went to $749? if so go see aeroworks or carden for a plane

Are the Aeroworks ARFs made in China?

At least the small one is?

``they have the extras and dp ultimates in stock at dave patrick, they will not answer the phone because Sandy and Gram are inspecting EVERY plane for damage and completeness before shipping.``



Good news!. So I can expect my ultimate 120 soon.

Serge

Ditto

Ditto

Let's give credit where credit is due....I have talked to both Dave and his wife in person and they are 2 of the most easy going folks you ever want to talk to. They really do the best they can and work hard to get us some damn good planes.
I waited 2 months for an Ultimate but I did not care because I knew I was getting a good product at a fair price. They are good people doing this by themselvs so put yourself in thier shoes and I bet you may feel differently.

They billed my CC today, so i guess my plane is shipping!


DP ulty 1.20 with blue.


If you have one on order check your cc.

I agree Proteus. I met Dave at Toledo, and he was a very nice guy to talk to. He spent plenty of time talking with me at a very busy event like Toledo. I asked him several questions regarding setup, and he answered everything. We even talked about things said about his business online. You guys have to understand that it is a very small company in comparison to the others, and to carry the same expectations of the larger companies is a bit much. The man power is just not there. I agree that they need to do everything in there power to have their customer service as high as possible. I currently have two DP models, the Ultimate 40 and the Edge. I am working on both of them, but if they fly as good as they look, I'm sold. They have by far been the best ARFs I have built. Sure I had to wait a while for my edge, but when it got to my door I forgot about the wait. And I'd do it again.