I curious what other RC'er would do.

In the Fall bought a Rookie II on RC Universe. My Son and I wanted to give thrust vectoring a try and we didn’t have time for another build this winter so buying a used one seemed the most expedient way to go. I paid close to the asking price sans turbine for what looked to be a plane in good shape.

Upon arrival problems were immediately evident. The seller packed the Rookie between large, rigid sheets of Styrofoam in a flimsy cardboard shell (not a crate). The box arrived undamaged but the force of the rigid styrofoam compressing the plane fractured the nose, nearly tearing it off and damaging the canopy. Whatsmore, the plane was not as billed, there were holes in the wings, the tail was badly burned, and oversized gear had been hacked into place. The photos provided on the web showed something much nicer suggesting that the photos were either old or of another Rookie. When I asked about damage before completing the transaction the seller replied only “ some hanger rash”.

So I email the guy. He offers to submit an insurance claim with FedEx, great, but I insist he promptly replace the fuse and related parts (canopy, formers, etc). I saw no point in my having to wait because of his poor packing job.

After a period of time without any measureable action and no response to my emails I have my lawyer call the seller. Turns out he’s a kid who’s 17 or 18, his Dad picks up the phone and says his Son isn’t home (my lawyer can hear junior talking to Dad in the background). Dad agrees to replace the fuse but for unexplained reasons it takes them weeks to get a quote from, and check to, Composite-ARF. There are of course some additional interchanges and complexities but you get the gist…… they have my money and they are dragging their heels about resolving the problem.

In the mean time things get more complex. FedEx picks up the package from my home for inspection but rather than returning it to me sends it back to the seller who says he didn’t receive it. FedEx is in a state of confusion and has only a difficult to read signature which the driver says was obtained at the seller’s address. Now that the box is lost I am out not only the fuse but all the stuff in it (servos, valves, fuel tank, etc) plus the wings and booms. It turns out FedEx insurance doesn’t cover models anyway which means the plane effectively wasn’t insured despite insurance being a condition of the sale. Parenthetically, had the seller shipped the plane within 7 days of purchase PayPal would have insured it but he sent it 10 days after purchase. As time drags on my lawyer recommends not going forward with replacement of only the fuse.

Had the plane been packed appropriately this wouldn’t have happened - I would have gotten a crummy plane with a nose attached and the plane wouldn't have been lost but I would have a plane. So here’s the question, since this happened as a consequence of frank negligence by the seller would you let your lawyers loose on them knowing that the costs would be substantial and these guys probably have shallow pockets or would you swallow a $2800 loss and chalk it up to experience?

Phil

Why don't you hop on a plane and go see him. If he doesn't give you any satisfaction go pay a visit to the local Sheriff while you're there.

Also let him know that everybody here will learn who they are. that will make it harder for them to sell on RCU again. The turbine club is very small. When the word gets out there will be alot of pressure put on them to make it right. I'd move this thread to the jet forum. Dennis

First thing I would say is post this guys name so he can't do this to anyone else. I'm sorry for what has happened to you, but you should let everyone know. As far as the dollar amount goes, $2800.00 might put this into another category other than "next time I'll know better". There might be some sort of criminal charges that could be filed. I'm not a lawyer so I can't say for sure, but there might be some justice to be had, even if it's not a monetary refund, although jail sometimes makes people come up with money they thought they didn't have.

Good luck and please keep us informed.

Ken

You mention paypal. PayPal will refund the money up to 45 days if the seller has not fulfilled the bargain. Also if you used your CC thru PayPal you will be able to get the transaction back if PayPal squawks.


Dave

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!. $2800.00 sounds awfully too small for a Rookie + turbine. Could you post the url of the advertisement?

Ghost Rider,

I was careful to note that it was purchased "sans turbine".

I would prefer not to reveal the ad directly to avoid making things worse..... but it was first posted in September by a seller in Florida who wanted to sell it with a rhino. The rhino was separated from the deal and sold to another party.

Phil

Phill

My fault…I did not notice the “Sans” in your post.

Would you mind sending the url to me through PM. As a Jet forum moderator, that would be great for my information and necessary action.

You may also want to let the senior market place forum moderator( RCU user name JWN) know about this problem JWN is a good guy to deal with and he would do everything within his powers to help you.

Best Regards and good luck

……ghost_rider……………….out……..

If you have the money to afford the lawyers, I would turn them loose on the offender. I don't care who they are or what the financial status is, they have been dishonest and sounds like they are trying to commit fraud with regards to the FedEx sending the plane back and such. There is no excuse for that behavior.

Jeff

Tell them to send your MONEY. "NOW". Tell paypal to get you your money. Don't chalk it up to anything.. Call your credit card co.
Do something. I can't believe that your lawyer hasn't suggested a couple of these things.

Dr. Doom,

The problem unfolded over a period of weeks which exceeded the time frame which PayPal provides protection. I always used PayPal because I thought it offered a measure of buyer protection. Turns out when you actually need the protection there are so many caveats and exclusions you are, for the most part, unprotected. Using a credit card through PayPal provides no protection whatsoever.

Max's suggestion of using an online escrow company is the only true protection from this sort of thing and this is what I would use if I were to buy something expensive again (unlikely).

It turns out that entering into a transaction through RCU produces a contract which gives me some legal standing. The easiest and least expensive option is placing a lien on titled property (cars, house, businesses). The problem we are having is that we can't tell if the seller's Dad is telling the truth about his step-son's age. If he's 17 then Mom & Dad bear the responsibility, if he's 18 then its likely he has nothing titled to go after.

I posted this on RCU and FG, I ams sure that the seller has seen these threads. Obviously he is not swayed by community opinion.

Phil

Was it this one??


EDIT: Nevermind, i now see that it is the one......... well at least the Turbine buyer was happy with the Rhino

Curiously, the description you found is the only one posted on RCU Markets in September 2007.

Phil

actually i looked in the RCU Blue Book for Rookies sold around that time, then back tracked it and saw the feedback you left him on the transaction. i hate that you got took like that and it's sad that parents don't step up to the plate for most of these spoiled kids these days. it's gotten to the point I've read so many of this type threads if it's not within driving distance or a reputable source i won't buy offline items. I've had to pass on some very good deals because of it too

What's a teenager doing with a multi thousand dollar jet? Dad has to be involved with this somehow. Don't you have to be of legal age (18) for a contract of any kind to be valid? I would suppose your attorney should be able to track down this kid's age quickly. I know times have changed but when I was in my teens I didn't have things of such value if good old dad didn't have a hand in it.

Dan