Originally Posted by w0mbat

Why hate on Top Flite? Well, because I have built a few of their kits before I got into the R/C business and I thought they were terrible to build and to fly. That is one of the reasons I purchased Heritage R/C in the first place - because I wanted something better. Sometimes planes do not fly well because of just plain bad design.

As far as thanking our customers - we personally thank everyone who calls and orders from us. We hope our few dealers do the same thing. We give people what we feel is the best customer service available. When our kit customers need laser parts cut because they made a mistake, lost or broke something, we make sure they get what they need right away and ususally at no charge. We offer everyone who buys a kit from us 50% off a replacement kit if they crash within the first year. We have even cut special contest grade kits for people at no extra charge. We have probably turned more beginners away from buying our kits than we have sold simply because we felt they were not ready to build or fly warbirds. Most people would just sell them and be done with it - I know because that is exactly what happened to me when I started in the hobby! We do appreciate our customers, but we do not appreciate people who have nothing better to do than complain just because they enjoy complaining or have some chip on their shoulder. We would rather not make the sale than have to deal with people who are chronically unhappy and miserable to everyone around them. This is supposed to be a fun hobby. Why do some people make it so miserable for themselves and others?

The reason people cannot go into hobby shops and buy Skyshark kits is because hobby shops refuse to stock them. That is just the nature of the beast. They would rather stock ARFS because they move faster - and they can order everything from one place - Hobbico or Horizon. Many hobby shop owners are more interested in convenience than stocking the "best" items. It's convenient to order from one main company, rather than trying to order from 100 different ones even though the products may be better and less expensive. We have done our best to try and get hobby shops to distribute out kits but it just hasn't worked out, so we sell direct. At least this way, we have complete control of customer service. When someone has question on or problem with our products, they get immediate answers from knowledgable people.

Just because we produce kits on a smaller scale does not mean our costs go down. In fact, they have gone up because we place smaller orders with our suppliers, and in return, have to pay more for our materials. All our other costs have increased in the 4 years we have been in business yet we have only had one small price increase on a couple kits in all that time. You have to realize that, unlike Top Flite, we don't have engines, glue, radios, servos, building tools, covering and misc building supplies to subsidize our kits. Naturally they would cost more even if they were the same quality. With fewer builders now than ever before, kit sales drop and prices must go up or you go out of business like Pica, Royal, Marutuka, etc.

The good news is that we are selling more kits now than the 12 months previous to our price increase and so far, our complaint numbers have dropped to almost zero. This is a good thing because it will allow us to have kit sales and trade show specials with big savings. The only people who are really complaining about the price are a few usual people here on RCuniverse. This is nothing new to me because I have been on RC newsgroups and forums since the beginning. I now realize that there are some people who are never happy no matter what. I could give free kits to some people (and I have) and they would complain about the balsa being too soft or the box not being the right color (and they have)!

Now our ARFs are another subject. I have owned quite a few arfs from various manufacturers - and I have been ripped off more than my share of times and ended up with what I consider junk. I have always built kits but I also enjoy assembling and flying ARFs. I make the ARFS that I want to fly at the level of quality that I like. The way I see it, there are more guys like me out there who also want a quality product - even if it costs more. Most may not reside here on RC Universe, but they are out there. If we can subsidize our kit business and my hobby by selling ARFs that I like to fly, then so be it! After import freight, duties, advertising, labor, testing, prototype costs, competition from China and all the additional items we add to each plane, we don't make much on them anyway. I think you will find that most small companies who sell only a few different ARFs are in the same position. The hobby has changed a lot in the 4 years since I started this company. Now it seems that many people are only interested in the least expensive thing they can find - no matter what the quality. Yes, I believe the Wal-mart mentality has infested the hobby and it's a real shame. Other than a few premium brands like BVM, Dave Patrick, etc., it's difficult to find a quality ARF that is well designed, builds easy with quality materials/hardware, flies well and is durable for years of flying. It seems like many of the planes today are designed to fly a few times and be thrown away. Perhaps most people crash them right away and don't get to that point?

J Villa, I think you should go out and buy that TF Corsiar. When it tip stalls into the ground, you can sell your $1500.00 worth of engines, gear, servos etc. and call me for a $350.00 Skyshark Kit and rest assured that it will fly as advertised! [sm=teeth_smile.gif]

Originally Posted by hmuncey

I will be in Havasu Friday night. I am interested in your Val. As for rib patterns etc, tell your detractors to try a copy machine. My son and I have been doing this since the 70's. Finally not all Top Flites were made in Asia. try the red boxes. I totally agree with you about the ARF's.