OK, I usually don't get on here and flame a company but maybe if others chime in with the same problem they might get the hint and fix the problem.

Last weeek, Thursday to be precise, I called Modellbau to order a speedbrake kit for my hotspot. I made sure I called early enough for them to get it out via UPS that same day. Well they assured me that it would go out that same day. I gave them my work address to have it shipped too and my home address for the billing information for the credit card that I used. Well friday comes around and UPS comes to my work, NO PACKAGE. I call modellbau and ask the guy there if it was shipped he says yes it was shipped to Sarasota, FL. Well my job is in a different city so I assumed they made the mistake and shipped it to my home address, well I get home no package and they are already closed. Call them today and get the guy on the phone who shipped it and he says that it was shipped but it could not be delivered at the address that I gave him. He emails me the tracking number and I look it up. On UPS' site it says tried to be delivered but couldn't be delivered to the address given. So I call ups and the lady at UPS reads me that the address that was given to them, just as I thought. Modellbau had used the address for my work but the city and zip for my home. It would not have been a big deal, but my evenings are booked with work and family obligations so the only time I have to build or work on models is the weekends. This is the exact reason that I made sure that I called them to ensure it would be shipped on Thurs. so I would have it by Friday. It also would not have been a big deal if this had been the first time they had screwed up an order that I placed with them. I should have learned my first time, but unfortunately I did not. The reason that this was screwed up? A language barrier. My first order with them was for the ends that go on the RAM ECU and Battery packs, it took me 5 phone calls before I could get someone who could understand what I was trying to say before I could even get them ordered. Then when they screwed up the order it took me another 3 calls before I could get someone who understood enough english to understand what I was trying to say to them to get the problem corrected and then it took another 2 phone calls before they shipped out the corrected order.

I called them a couple of weeks ago to inquire about the Graupner MX-22 radio and met with the same barrier when I had some really basic questions regarding the radio and ordering information.

I am all for free enterprise in the united states, but if you are going to do business in this country make sure you or someone who works for you speaks enough english to understand what your customers are saying to you. I usuallly don't let stuff like this bother me but this really pissed me off.

Hi Sirrom,


I'm sorry about the problem you're having with them. They are not too far from me and I can offer you what many out there are doing due to this issue. E-mail me direct at [email protected] with whatever you need from them and I'll be glad to place your order and ship it to you. That company does excellent business and the only reason why there's a language barrier is because Modellbau USA does most of its business Exporting and fortunately the person that is currently assisting them is working on his language issue. I understand that this is America and all that good stuff but like I said if you ever again need anything I can asure that you will not have this problem if you decide to call me or e-mail me. I am not a repp for them so please keep that very clear, I repp nobody but myself and my Business, but I will be very very happy to help out, after all it is our hobby and we can try to keep it as simple as possible


Best Regards................. Johnny Hernandez

Well said Johnny. I've never dealt with that company so I wasn't aware of the issue. Glad to know you're available to help!

Sean

Johnny,
If my post came across as being a personal attack on them for the language that they speak, it was not. It was conceived out of frustration from the multitude of calls that have to be placed before anything gets accomplished. I have emailed the gentleman at Modellbau with my concerns and frustrations regarding this whole matter.

Thank you for your offer of assistance and will probably take you up on it in the future.

Thank you.

Patrick.

Anytime my friend, I spoke to them and took care of your issue, I sent you and e-mail, hope everything works out and good luck.


....................... Johnny Hernandez

Yeah I tried to order some things from them over the phone once, it just wasn't happening. Lots of "huh....what was that....huh"

Then I tried to order from their website and that was not working out either, it was giving 404's on the order page.

Finally I got it to work a day later and what I ordered came very quickly!

Hello everyone! It has been approxiatmatley five years that I have been ordering turbine engines and acessories for my airplanes and i have never had any complications with ModelBau USA. A lot of my friends, have never spoken badly about ModelBau. From all the companies that i have tried ModelBau has been one of the most flexiable in this world of hobbies that is so expensive. In my part, it's not that I am defending ModelBau; its just that it is a company that i feel comfortable; thats just the way I feel. Its been the first time in all these years that i have found a problem with a customer and if there is a future problem I would recommend for you to call Johnny Hernandez.

Att: Mario Tavarez

Mario,
there is no question, modellbau is a good supplier. I believe the Language barrier is the problem. Since you speak the language, this is a non-issue for you .... I too have tried to order from them in the past but had language conflicts. They really do need somone to take orders whom is fluent in the english language..... Guess You-da-man Johnny Need to talk to you J, give me a call bud...
Todd

I had a simular problem trying to order a part for my engine. After 2 calls with no one to even understand what I was asking for I called RTI and had them repair my engiene at FLA Jets. Johnny I am glad you can help them and us out.