In case you haven't picked this up from another thread, I wanted to let some of you in on a rather unpleasant experience I'm having with Robart...

I'm building a Bates 1/5.5 scale SBD Dauntless, and wanted to use Robart retracts, since I've heard so much accolade on them. I called Robart to place my order for these "custom" retracts, which they said would take 4 to 6 weeks to produce. OK, a little long, but I can wait if I have to... the saga begins.

WEEK 5:
On the 5th week I get a call on Monday from Robart, they wanted to verify my order and said they hadn't started them yet! They said they'd be done by the end of the week and ship on Friday.

WEEK6:
No retracts arrive

WEEK 7:
No retracts arrive. I call Robart on Monday, they said they hadn't shipped yet, would go out Friday.

WEEK 8:
No retracts arrive. I call Robart on Tuesday, they said they still weren't done yet. They then said they would "try" to get them out by Friday... no promises, no apologies. I asked them what's going on here and their reply was "that's the best we can do." Not much of a customer-friendly response!

I said "well I guess I'll call back next week to see where they are" and they didn't say a word in response.

What ticks me off is not so much how long it's taking. It's being told three different times that they would ship by end of the week and I still don't have them. And, no explanation, no apologies, just curt/snobby attitude. Boy do I feel like I'm getting a runaround here!

At this rate I'll get to call Robart every week to be told "they'll ship on Friday" and may see retracts by the end of the summer! Hmmm, beginning to wonder if this warbird will ever get to fly.

Neo

Neo,

As much as I hate to say this, it doesn't sound unusual. And not just from Robart, but from many manufacturers in many "sectors" of our hobby. IMO, as soon as you ask for a "custom" anything, you need to be prepared for just what you're seeing. Robart makes their money by selling "off the shelf" retracts. They do nice work on custom retracts, but (again, imo) it's not where they make their money. Someone with a "big" name might get a better response, but not your every day modeler. Again I want to emphasize, you can substitute a lot of other manufacturers name in place of Robart above. Many are the same. I've had dealings with Robart, and CJM (to name 2 retract manufacturers) where I waited way longer than quoted for my retracts. Last time I talked to Robart about a custom job they would not commit to a date (and so, lost the order).

IMO, if you want custom retracts, go to a custom manufacturer. There are some that make their money from "small" orders. Cost is probably higher, but they will give you an honest answer to the "when" question.

I've seen this same issue from kit manufactures (some that claim "off the shelf"), retracts, custom electronics, etc. It can be very tough these days to find someone who will give honest ship dates (and try to stick to them). This is a hot topic to me

Hope you get them soon, and I hope they meet your expectations.

I had to wait 2-1/2 months to get my retracts from Spring Air and they were not even custom . I can say it was worth waiting for and the people at Spring Air were always very apologetic about the delay. (I called three times). I guess they get very busy at this time of the year. Try to get the name of the guy in charge at Robart see he can give you a delivery date. I know exactly how you feel it is very frustrating.

Neo,

All of us have had the same problem. As the saying goe's "The squeaky wheel get's the grease" Keep on them. I've been waiting for simple bust pilots for two months and have been paid for. Decals for 3 months, but found a good guy to take care of these.

Ah the wonderful world of small industry. I ordered and paid up front for a Clark Spitfire in early August. Advertised time 8-10 weeks so far I still don't have it. Could have made a little interest on my money if in the bank. I know he will get it done and it will be a great kit but 7+ months is ridiculous. I would rather be told up front how long it will really take. I would rather be told something will take 6weeks and get it in 5 rather than be told 5weeks and get it in 6 or more. Makes for a much happier customer. Don

Yep, what else is new?
Check out the Retracts for the Top Flite Giant P-51 on the Tower Web Site. I ordered them in the end of February when it was on backorder and expected in "mid March". In mid March they started posting "End of March". Now Tower started posting "Early April". If Tower gets this kind of treatment, then what kind of treatment do you think John Doe waiting somewhere in Topeka Kansas can expect?!! Tower is also on backorder with their Giant P-47 retracts, expected in "late March". Actually, it's probably due to large orders from companies like Tower that the individual orders for onsies and twosies get pushed aside.

Well I guess I'm not alone. Sit back, shut up and wait I suppose. With Toledo next week, I imagine I'm not very high on their priority list! At least I'll be able to see them there and tell them face to face how I feel about being "mislead"... to put it kindly.

Neo

Guys,
I'm sorry to heard of your problems. Believe me... I know.
For future projects, if I can give you a word of advise(from experience).
Don't wait until you need something before you order it.
Try to anticipate when you'll need it and order it well in advance.
With my last few projects. I ordered everything for the airplane within a week or two of starting so I would'nt run into that very problem. Fortunately, the funds were there to be able to do that.(not always possible I know).
I understand though about being told one date and pushed back to another, nothing you can do about that.

-Mustang51

Howdy pitts Driver,
Just wanted to ask what type Pitts you're flying? I'm finishing up some Fabric work on an S-2B and spent yesterday troubleshooting the M14P on a Pitts Model 12 LOL Neat engine.
anyhoo Good Luck

Mike

Used to fly a 1998 S2B. Thats it in my avitar. I now own a Nanchang CJ6 and the Housai engine is the same as the early M14 285hp only a Chinese license built. I'd love to fly a model 12, used to fly a 300+hp Acroduster II and just love hi hp small airplanes. Don

YIPPIE! I had it sized to the correct data, but the stupid thing still said its too big. Funny when the computers asre dumber than me.

I am building a bates 80" Hellcat.

It took Robart 12 (yes count them 12) weeks to fill my order.
I guess when we decide on a project retracts should be the first thing we buy after the plan!

The retracts are very nice however. The hobby industry is not well suited to our needs sometimes.

Just my two cents.

Tell me about it.. small companies have limited resources, personnel and profit margins some are in the red so as to speak: getting promises on a custom order to be shipped based on projected delivery date of parts and production completion dates are some of the factors you might have to consider while dealing with specialty manufactures. I can bet they do their very best which is usually not enough for the typical scale builder who's already set HIS scheduled building project's completion.( I mean no disrespect to any builders out there.)[8D]

IMO, if you want custom retracts, go to a custom manufacturer. There are some that make their money from "small" orders. Cost is probably higher, but they will give you an honest answer to the "when" question.

I noticed this sent by another person.....I contacted Lenny Sarbin to make me a set of retracts for my ME-109, I sent the order, he kept in touch with me and I got a beautiful set of retracts!

Now, on the other hand, I sent an e-mail question to Sierra about the possibility of getting the Tempest gear done a little smaller than his normal sizes. I was not even blessed with a return e-mail telling me he wasn't interested in my business!

I also have a friend that has paid for a set of custom Bearcat gear about 6 months ago. He has been promised delivery, sent excuses, promised other dates, told about hurricanes, etc. Then, we see prototypes of a new set of rotating retracts that have obviously had to have had work time spent on them. Looks like the work time should have been spent on orders that had already been paid in advance, don't you think?

Now, thats three manufacturers with a couple of problem as I see it. I think I will continue doing business with Lenny. At least I knew where I stood!

just my .02[>:]

Well you can add my name to the list..... I've had a set of j-3 cub gear on order since the middle of June through my LHS....lots of excuses, but no results to date.

It doesn't matter now, the flying season is over for me for this year.....

Hey Neo, I would be interested to know what kind of response you got from Robart at the Toledo show.

TME

I'm with Flakbait. Buy everything you'll need to complete a plane before you even start. I bought a Uravitch 81" Bronco. My first twin. Excited? You bet! I ordered the accessories, wood and engines............all I needed was retracts.

Sierra Precision has a good reputation for quality and I liked the looks of their gear as seen on their website. However, their site stated that the gear would not be available until March, 2004. It was December, 2003 when I read that. Part of me wanted to get started on this bird then, order the gear in March and have it ready to go come spring. It's a good thing I didn't..........it is now October, 2004 and the gear is still not available!

That, in itsself, is bothersome but what really toasts by buns is the lack of response to my inqueries to Sierra Precision. Actually, no response would be more like it. I got a chance to talk with one of the guys at their booth at Warbirds Over Delaware and he said they hadn't worked out the spring rates yet. He said different Broncos they were testing were coming in at different weights and they didn't know what spring would provide a happy medium. Hello? Put a few different springs in the box with the gear and let the customer choose, if that's the case.

I've got a kit that's heading toward its first birthday and still no "good" gear! I'm tempted to just sell it off to someone who doesn't mind using Spring Air's or, YUCK!, Century Jet's. All because the brand I want is a company that is unresponsive to their customers.

I'm just glad the Bronco isn't taking up space in my shop in a semi-finished state.

Al

I will have to second the suggestion to try Lenny at Shindin Machine. I ordered a set of Spifire struts and he was up front about the delay, and although it was a bit longer wait, Lenny responded to every email I sent in a timely manner. I too believe that it would be best if a business way overestimated the delivery time, and then pleasantly surprised the customer with an early shipment. I like Darrell and his products are wonderful, but his responses to inquiries are sporadic to say the least. I've ordered a set of gear from Lenny for my Vailly Hurricane, and I really feel that I've had input on the project. Should have them by Christmas, and although they won't rotate the 15 degrees like Sierra's, I'll have it years sooner (and about half the cost).
Sam

Hi Neo:
All I can say is I agree with you Neo. I waited 2 months for my SBC2 gear for Btes. I was pissedand even longer for the tires and rims. They said they had a machine go down. I also waited 2 months for my Tigercat gear. Chaps my hide [:@]

Dave

tlovett,

I've been hit by 4 and let me tell you they are a good excuse to fall behind on your order for toy plane parts. If you were in one you would have a good reason to wine then...

This isn't my 2 cents, just some common sense

It looks like what any builder needs to do is this:

1) Pick the gear that is available now.

2) Pick the airplanes that can utilize that gear.

3) Build it.

By the way, I'm not a disinterested bystander. I'm waiting for my 60 size corsair rotators (any month now). I didn't follow my own advice. I got the bird and tried to find the gear after.

I'll do it the other way round next time.

I had a problem with my P40 Robarts .I used my own money and federal expressed them back with a very nice note explaning what was wrong . The gear had a manufactured defect that another modeler verfied .
My note indicated a very nice "please " in a rush would like to enter a local stane off scale event . Gave them the dates , withen 4 weeks ect .
They never called , emailed or even cursed at me . IN week 4 I became "lets just say angry "and I recieved my gear the next week .

It was then that i decided to always buy century unless , there was another option for rotating gear .Please remember I spent my money to ship back there problem .

Let's see, for the first 5 months it wasn't hurricane season.....I think you missed the point. When all the excuses are told about why gear that is already paid for isn't coming; it is more than a little disconcerting to see time has been spent developing prototypes for a new set of retracts.......That also falls with common sense-a business should take care of customers that have already paid for their items, not run off and try to get a crop of new people to pay money up front for items that are not ready....JUST BAD BUSINESS PRACTICE!

Just to chime in... Have ordered "custom" items myself and specifically retracts. Last one for my Bronco (Uravitch). Century had not done them when I contacted them about 2 years ago. Sent them the plans and a couple of months later I had them. I was frustrated at the time that it took 2 months but have finally realised like so many that our hobby is small one and the industry that serves us is even smaller. I am thankful we have suppliers that accept custom orders.


Cheers

Well I guess you can add my name to list of folks jerked around by Robart. Called last week to order retracts for Iron Bay F6F and they were in stock. I even asked the gal to go physically look and she verified that hey had them and hand them in her hand. Checked my credit card this week and guess what! Nothing billed yet. Just called them and they said they had to put them together. Explained that last week they we ALREADY TOGETHER! No good explanation for the guy on the other end. Just a "they'll be ready next week". Yea right. If there not ready next week I'll cancel the order and ask Century to make them. They didn't have a set of plans file.