The worlds largest selling 50cc engine and no support forums on RCU. Would be nice to see it!
Bobzilla

I could not agree more but that is up to the manufacturer. What the RCU membership could do is start writing emails to them requesting a support forum, then they can get in touch with either RCU member Nathan or RCAdmin and request it.

There is a DA support forum - but it is somewhere else - know what I mean....

email is hit or miss with them but they ALWAYS answer their phone---whats wrong with it ?

I agree email is hit or miss..but to share knowledge in a common place like RCU that is available to almost everyone is what it is all about.
I personally don't have long distance phone service, but do ring them up thru buddies cellulars. I know they are always there to help, but
it is one sided...they are imparting information back to you on your problem that could save hours of frustration for others if they shared to
others thru a common forum. I believe they also are quite lacking in upkeep on their website..it STILL does not even have any info
on the DA-85 or even a way to order on..All the info I gathered is from here at RCU.

Bobzilla

as mentioned they DO have a support forum.....

but it is at a different site...

http://www.f l yi n g g i a n t s .com/forums/fg177/


remove the spaces and it will work

Personally I would much rather see an online sales system... it's pretty rediculous they dont have that yet.

Yea--I agree

Support forums aren't free, they are sponsored and also require a lot of time that could be spent repairing, building, or manufacturing new engines.

Guys,

These are all issues that need to be taken up with DA, not RCU.

Also it has been deemed by the powers that be that links in any shape or form to the other forum are to be removed so please do not post them. They will be removed without any warning and posting in such a manner as to circumvent the filters is also not a good thing to do and should never be done.

There is no need to discuss why the links are not allowed so let's not even go there...

I thank you all for your cooperation and understanding. Remember I do not make the rules, I just enforce them

i hear they never break so i suppose that is why they dont have one if this is the case. I dont know as i don't have a dA-50

It ain't safe to run without any support
That's a jock, son

Well lets see...The last time I sent my DA in due to it impacting the ground it cost $17 shipping and that was it. They called me at home to discuss the motor one on one.
The last time I dealt with a manufacturer here who has a support forum it cost $300 and I will never deal with them again, nor would they answer their phone. ( maybe they were online drumming up sales).

DA states in their manual they would rather deal with you in person and based on my experience thats fine with me.

I have had the same dealing with DA, panz.., nothing but stellar support on phone. What I am proposing here is that DA, like the many other engine and aircraft manufactures, support us in a more MODERN way thru the internet, sharing common knowledge and help FAQ'S. Just think of the time saved by DA not having to spend HOURS on phone just to answer ONE persons problem, when in fact, that particular problem would or could likely be common amongst many if not hundreds of us loyal DA owners. I'm saying, DA, making goobs of money from engine sales (and I personally know they
are so overloaded with sales it hard to get thru), they could take maybe a couple hours a day to help those on these support forums. RCU is a great place for almost anything you want know about, from manuafactures, dealers, and us hobbyists. I think taking a couple of hours a day to answer a few phone for only one person is a waste of time on their part..(that is where I disagree with you). Marc had the vision and fortitude to create RCU and it is the best of all, now lets use it to it's fullest!

Bobzilla

(to dick..long live Jockey)

DA's MAIN WEAKNESS IS THEIR WEBSITE! if they would just show the products they sell with prices I personally would have ordered 3 exhaust systems and multiple props and the list go's on. While not really the greatest websites at least Cheif and TBM are trying to update their website regularly ( DA hasn't even added the 85 yet ) and TBM at least is trying to help some of the new guys with fairly good info on setups and products.

Lowslow..i think you hit upon another DA abnormality...I could not even find a picture of their new product, let alone how to order, how much, what muffler, what props..etc on their pitifull website..I think i remember waiting for like 4 months before they finally posted a picture of MARK winning the TOC.
the troy guys and chiefs are great..and I support them 120% with my orders.

Bobzilla,

Another issue I failed to mention in my last post, DA service is exellent, I personally have had DA engines for many years with good results, but why would they continue to limp along like this? Has anyone at the plant thought about increasing production and expanding the product line a little? ( these are not stupid people ) Are the owners rich beyond their dreams and don't want to make more money? I'm sure I'm not the first to pose the question, but if they would just hire one little marketing manager, I'm sure they could figure it out.

I think with the onset this year of competing and lower priced 45-50cc engines, DA may begin to feel a crunch. I just saw an ad here on RCU for a
45cc gas engine that, frankly, looks quite sweet, engine, muffler, ignition..all for $199. I love my DA..and today, even at the field, I had to slap in a new
carb kit and retune, but within minutes..I was back going..the thing is...I learned how to do this not from a phone call, but from visiting OTHER manufactures forums here on RCU last night and reading about the walbro. I would have been more comfortable reading about "how to" on THEIR forum here, or even from their website (I use that term loosely of course). DA's response to they want their service "one on one" is a the way to their demise. This is the information age and we hobbyists are the thousands, hungry for information about anything and everything of this hobby.

The people at DA probably remember how this hobby was a few years ago and never dreamed that they would need to babysit so many.

a few years ago..they had no competion!

Another thing to remember about DA and the support they provide is this. I had this happen to me on two engines now. One was a DA50 and the other a DA100.

Both engines were bought used, both were somewhat old. I called DA with both serial numbers to get the history before I bought them and they said they were due for some updates but there was no other history. I packed both up and shipped them. I got them back in 2 weeks, fully updated and it cost me 45 in shipping. I offered to pay since I bought them used but they would not hear of it.

I also failed to mention that the 50 got a new rod, piston, carb mod and gaskets. The 100 got a carb mod and new gaskets. So basically one engine was rebuilt, the other was cleaned up and resealed.

Yes, there are more powerful engines out there. BUT one thing I've learned over the years in dealing with any company is to me, customer service is everything. I will gladly pay extra to get that.

bubba, I'm not arguing over how good DA support on phone or mail in service is..one on one. I've have had exactly the same thing..
This thread is about sharing information in a common DA support form..so stories like yours can be shared freely.

I wonder how many know or knew about the upgrades that DA would do for free on engine, only if they KNEW they could get upgrades! You sure won't find that on the DA website or anywhere else, unless you read OTHER forums here and stumble accross that info. Your post is EXACTLY why we need
DA to bring us a forum on line!!

excellent point and I never once thought you were arguing with me...

Then it's time we start asking them if they are willing to host one on RCU. Again, it has to come from the customers and not the RCU staff

They don't seem to need one-----do they?

Yes they do actually. Think about how much time would be saved from taking credit card oders over the phone on props alone. If a phone order takes 5 mins and they do each do 12 a day that is an hr x what 5 people answering phones. Thats 20 hrs a week that could be used for more important things. Even if it was only a 1/4 of that (which I doubt) thats 200+ hrs a year wasted.

Lets not forget that some people don't have time or the ability to make personal phone calls throughout the day... They lost 2 prop orders from me at the beginning of season because I was swamped at work and in a server room with no cell phone signal or on-site with clients where I couldnt just say hey.. excuse me for 15 min while I go make a personal call.