Model Shop Service

[kungpo]

I just went into my local shop, and the service made me feel like a right knob.

I didn't buy the heli from them as they didn't have stock at the time, and when I enquired about where would be a good place to get it set up, he said to go back to where I bought it from. The guy seemed to get real pleasure in making me look stupid.

[mattydred]

fek him(tosser) what heli have you got? sure you will get all the help you need on here. what do you need setting up?
dont shop there again. use online shops like skyline or midland heli etc....

[kungpo]

600N. I got it from Skyline originally, as with the engine, servos, muffler etc. Got the Gyro and 2-in-1 from the local shop recently, but I think that'll be the last thing I get from them.

She's nearly finished - just RX and TX to go plus blades. Just didn't want it sitting on the shelf waiting to be setup.

[andylinney]

well, don't ever go back there... not even for fuel, local clubs are great for finding help in getting set up, also you can always (dependant on the shop, especially if it's a larger one and has an owner / manager) write and complain. In the past I've seen some shops make good money from setting models up so it's their loss.

Andy

[kungpo]

Yep - sod em. I just wanted to get it finished and ready. Skyline aren't particularly local, but at least their mail order service is efficient. The local shop just permits impulse / need now purchases. But late web will satisfy that I guess!

[mattydred]

are you a member of a local club? having a 50 size heli - you oughta be.
you cant really setup anything untill you get your tx and rx.
have you had heli experience before? what helis have you had?

[kungpo]

Ahhh. I'm not a club member yet - figured it would make sense to have something to play with first. RX/TX coming very soon. Phoenix coming shortly (with TX).

It's my first one...

[mattydred]

you need to take your time then - you cant rush anything in the world of model helicopters. these are not toys and can be very dangerous. what happens if your throttle isnt set up properly and when you fire up the heli it goes to half throttle at bottem stick and trim and it wont cut out. there is alot more to it than meets the eye. you really do need to get some hands on help and tuition.

the trex 600n is a great hel but i wouldnt recommend 1 to a beginner with no experience. dont even start it up without having it looked over and have some1 to test fly it for you first. you surely shouldnt go at it on your own. you will need training undercarrage and would be a good idea to use a buddy system - link your tx to an experienced heli flyers tx.

down at my local heli club if you go to the site and there is no1 else there then your not allowed to fly. we are not allowed to fly on our own incase we have an accident.

you will need to get your bmfa insurance aswell - only about £27

get yourself prepared or you will smash your heli to bits and/or even kill yourself.

start a thread and try and find a rcheliaddict member in your area who you can meet up with and help you build/setup/checkover/test fly/checkover(again)/fine tune and test fly(again)

joining a club is the only way forward.

hope this helps and you take note. dont let me put you off - its alot of hassle but well worth it in the long run when your heli is shooting around the sky.

regards - matt

[kungpo]

I know all this - hence getting the machine set up properly. It was after a lot of consideration that I got the 600N in the first place (as in a 50 rather than a 30 sized machine).

It's scary all right! I certainly won't be starting her up until she's set up properly.

[raptorheli2]

guys, lets look at this in a couple of lights.

i have seen the exact same behaviour at my LHS. you would be surprised i think how many people buy junk from other places (not saying this is junk you have and i note you bought stuff there) and then walk into a shop and expect them to fix it for nothing. now i used to think the same as yourself and say they should offer to fix it and perhaps the customer will come back for their parts and the shop will gain long term. however my LHS owner assures me this is not the case and be lucky if 2 out of 10 return yet they have to take time out to fix something they never sold in the first place.

another problem my own LHS seen was they repaired a heli that was purchased from ebay and the owner took it and promtly smashed it into his garage wall. ofcourse it wasn't he couldn't fly it was this shops fault it was setup wrong. this happened on a busy saturday afternoon with proper customers in the shop which couldn't have looked good as this guy went off on a major rant.

i hope you get the heli sorted and if you feel not going to your LHS is the answer then thats fair enough and no one can argue your reasons and i do think they should have atleast setup the parts you bought there.

cheers

[kungpo]

@raptorheli2 - i see what you're saying, but it is not fair to make me feel dumb just because I spent my money somewhere else.

I only asked if they had some suggestions as to where i could get the heli set up - I wasn't asking them to do it, nor was I asking for it to be done for free.

My only comment was about poor customer service. It is my money after all, and if they want some of it, they should make me feel like a wanted customer.

[raptorheli2]

i do not disagree with any of what your saying, was just saying shops see this a lot with no return so it must be tiresome after a while.

i'm not excusing them making you feel like an idiot, thats not on.

cheers

[ScaleHeliBoy]

Kungpo, if you are stuck for assistance let me know as I ave a contact in your area (not too far away) who can help you set this up for a reasonable rate.

[kungpo]

Thank you! I think she'll be ready mid-Jan. Although the weather is another matter.

[phil485]

Kungpo,

I am in Wraysbury, so only just down the road. I am fairly certain I know which shop you are talking about and they are knobs in there. Hate going in there but it is the best stocked one in the area. I try to use the internet, Addleston models near woking or West london models.

if you need a hand later on I can give it a look over. I am not an expert or anything but I've got two knights and a trex 450.

I fly at Chobham and district model club but I think membership is full and I am the only regular one with a nitro heli.

The slough club may have spaces, probably worth wondering down to the filed where they fly and see.