Anyone else have problems with orders from Castle Creations
#1
Anyone else have problems with orders from Castle Creations
I used the coupon that came with my mamba max pro and ordered a field programmer for 10 dollars. I placed my order on the 3rd of this month. On the 18th i sent an email asking when i would get my programmer and was told they shipped out that day. Yesterday i sent an email stating that i haven't been charged for or recieved it, and received an email back saying it should ship out within 30 DAYS!!! Am i the only one receiving this crappy service or has this been an ongoing trend?
#2
They don't have crappy service, but mistakes happen. They probably got in a batch (shipping/sales dept) and shipped them all out and are now waiting for another batch to come in. That is common at CC (waiting on a new batch to product to get done) because there is a huge demand for their stuff and they have a hard time keeping up.
#3
Castle received a couple blown Mamba Monster esc's from me on Jul 28th. On Aug 13 I emailed them asking what the status was and I got the following reply:
"I do see that we have those in from you. We will replace those items once they come into stock. Please allow 3 weeks."
Since I race electric in the winter time I have not worried to much about it. If a 5+ week turnaround happened in the middle of the indoor season though I would be highly pissed.
"I do see that we have those in from you. We will replace those items once they come into stock. Please allow 3 weeks."
Since I race electric in the winter time I have not worried to much about it. If a 5+ week turnaround happened in the middle of the indoor season though I would be highly pissed.
#4
Tech Master
iTrader: (1)
I also ordered a Car Field Link from Castle earlier this month. A couple of days after my order, I received an e-mail saying it was on back order for 7-10 days. After that time passed and I hadn't yet received any sort of shipping info, I decided to call. The nice lady on the phone informed me that the units are now on back order for another 30 days.
Bummertown for sure, but at least it's not something that's required for me to enjoy my MMP.
-melon
Bummertown for sure, but at least it's not something that's required for me to enjoy my MMP.
-melon
#5
R/C Tech Elite Member
iTrader: (112)
This is what happens sometimes with CC, its not really their fault, if their out of stock there out of stock! Their hands are pretty tied in regard to inventory and shipments from the manufacturer. If its a dire emergency that you have an esc for a big race, then I would reccommend getting a new one from an online store who has them in stock and can ship out that day or a local shop who has one on hand... When your replacement shows up you will have a spare!
Thats what I would do.... But I've never had a CC ESC go bad on me yet!
Thats what I would do.... But I've never had a CC ESC go bad on me yet!
#6
R/C Tech Elite Member
iTrader: (112)
I also ordered a Car Field Link from Castle earlier this month. A couple of days after my order, I received an e-mail saying it was on back order for 7-10 days. After that time passed and I hadn't yet received any sort of shipping info, I decided to call. The nice lady on the phone informed me that the units are now on back order for another 30 days.
Bummertown for sure, but at least it's not something that's required for me to enjoy my MMP.
-melon
Bummertown for sure, but at least it's not something that's required for me to enjoy my MMP.
-melon
CC is a great company and their customer service is great! So don't worry too much!
#7
Tech Elite
iTrader: (13)
They don't have crappy service, but mistakes happen. They probably got in a batch (shipping/sales dept) and shipped them all out and are now waiting for another batch to come in. That is common at CC (waiting on a new batch to product to get done) because there is a huge demand for their stuff and they have a hard time keeping up.
#8
Tech Regular
iTrader: (6)
I'm extremely frustrated with Castle's customer service. On the first day I ran my MMP, 3 of the cooling fan blades broke off and 2 were bent beyond repair, so I called CC to see if I could buy a new fan assembly from them, but was told to call back in 2 weeks. I called back 2 weeks later and the service rep. told me they just received a new shipment of these fans, which were sitting close to his desk. I asked him if I could buy one, but he told me he'd send me a replacement for free, which I thought was great! He took all my information and claimed to have pulled one of the fans from the shipment and put it in a package to send out to me ASAP. THAT WAS 8 WEEKS AGO AND I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED IT! I've called them 4 more times since then and everytime I was told that they were going to send me one immediately, but nothing's come yet. Since I'm in Florida, a ESC fan is a must in the summer, so I finally had to rig a Novak fan to my MMP.
I have always run Castle ESC's exclusively in my competion elect. cars, but after this experience, I'll probably move to Tekin in the future.
I have always run Castle ESC's exclusively in my competion elect. cars, but after this experience, I'll probably move to Tekin in the future.
#9
Castle received a couple blown Mamba Monster esc's from me on Jul 28th. On Aug 13 I emailed them asking what the status was and I got the following reply:
"I do see that we have those in from you. We will replace those items once they come into stock. Please allow 3 weeks."
Since I race electric in the winter time I have not worried to much about it. If a 5+ week turnaround happened in the middle of the indoor season though I would be highly pissed.
"I do see that we have those in from you. We will replace those items once they come into stock. Please allow 3 weeks."
Since I race electric in the winter time I have not worried to much about it. If a 5+ week turnaround happened in the middle of the indoor season though I would be highly pissed.
Luckily the item i bought is not necessary. If it was something that i had to shelf my car to wait on. I would of drove to CC headquarters and put a boot up their ass. But in all honesty, i understand they are having problems keeping stuff in stock but they need to rethink the structure of their company and be able to keep up with demand or they may start losing customers fast. I don't think novak has problems like this.
#10
Seems like they have a lot of issues with stock these days. Something must be going on with their suppliers or something.
I got both of my program cards from them right away and I live in Korea. The last one was a few months ago. They also shipped my replacement sidewinder out the day they got it last spring. I have 3 orders in for repair right now as of a week ago but haven't checked thier status yet. I just bought a backup motor though since with all the complaints these days I assume it will be a while.
I got both of my program cards from them right away and I live in Korea. The last one was a few months ago. They also shipped my replacement sidewinder out the day they got it last spring. I have 3 orders in for repair right now as of a week ago but haven't checked thier status yet. I just bought a backup motor though since with all the complaints these days I assume it will be a while.
#11
Couple things to know about CC....
First thing is that they recently moved into a new facility in the KC area. I'm sure this can explain some of the issues in recent weeks, like misfires between tech support and shipping dept.
Also, as a general rule.... they really are busy and seem understaffed most of the time. But that's because business keeps increasing as fast as they adapt.
I've visited CC a couple times myself, and I know/race with guys that work there. I can verify that when they say they are out of stock... they are 100% out of stock until the next scheduled production run. In the past, I know they ran about 3-4 weeks between runs, at least with the car products. They build one product at a time, and cycle through everything that needs done.
There is also now a second mfg. plant (in Mexico I think), and their motor plant is in China. The main mfg. facility is still in KC. I need to go check it out sometime... bet it's nice digs compared to the old place.
First thing is that they recently moved into a new facility in the KC area. I'm sure this can explain some of the issues in recent weeks, like misfires between tech support and shipping dept.
Also, as a general rule.... they really are busy and seem understaffed most of the time. But that's because business keeps increasing as fast as they adapt.
I've visited CC a couple times myself, and I know/race with guys that work there. I can verify that when they say they are out of stock... they are 100% out of stock until the next scheduled production run. In the past, I know they ran about 3-4 weeks between runs, at least with the car products. They build one product at a time, and cycle through everything that needs done.
There is also now a second mfg. plant (in Mexico I think), and their motor plant is in China. The main mfg. facility is still in KC. I need to go check it out sometime... bet it's nice digs compared to the old place.
#12
BTW, I find it comical how some get their panties in such a wad when company with an outstanding warranty program and service history, honors their warranty and replaces a product at no cost.... but it takes a few weeks. Yes I understand being irritated if you are told something is being shipped, and then not getting it. That's not what I'm referring to. I'm talking about the guys complaining when it takes a few weeks or there is a delay. That's life, and that's business today. Companies run on less inventory that they used to. Tight supplies is the name of the game. Castle doesn't have crates of unsold crap clogging up the shop, that's for sure.
Try sending back a smoked speedo you have run all summer, to any other company and see what you get. In most cases, I bet it's a nice $$$ repair fee and still a few weeks wait, on average. Last time I sent in another brand, it took at least 6 weeks and it cost me about $70 plus shipping. Sold it to a friend right when it got back for $100, only to find out it wasn't fixed right. Got sent in again for another $60 which I ate. So I actually would have been money ahead to just toss it in the trash. Thanks "blue" speed control company.
Try sending back a smoked speedo you have run all summer, to any other company and see what you get. In most cases, I bet it's a nice $$$ repair fee and still a few weeks wait, on average. Last time I sent in another brand, it took at least 6 weeks and it cost me about $70 plus shipping. Sold it to a friend right when it got back for $100, only to find out it wasn't fixed right. Got sent in again for another $60 which I ate. So I actually would have been money ahead to just toss it in the trash. Thanks "blue" speed control company.
#13
Tech Addict
iTrader: (63)
castle has always been a little on the slow side for replacements, but i've never ever been charged with a replacement fee either. if you contact them via phone or over at RCM, 99% of the time, they will have an answer for you within a few hours as to where things stand with your replacement.
it does get a bit frustrating for the stock to return, but i've found them to be fair and honest with their stock levels. i have a nitro and a few back-ups i use when i have to send mine back.
overall, they are a great bunch of people over there, and my business will stay with them for the foreseeable future.
it does get a bit frustrating for the stock to return, but i've found them to be fair and honest with their stock levels. i have a nitro and a few back-ups i use when i have to send mine back.
overall, they are a great bunch of people over there, and my business will stay with them for the foreseeable future.
#14
Tech Master
iTrader: (1)
First off, sorry for reviving a somewhat old thread. I simply felt compelled to end it on a happy note.
You were right my friend. Today I received my Field Link for Driving. Definitely waited less than the 30 days they specified for the back order. I appreciate that they were able to beat the expectation they had previously set.
Also, holy crap is the Field Link handy! Not only does it hasten the process of making quick changes to the ESC, it also makes it so you can connect your ESC to the PC without having to plug the USB cable directly into the speed control. This was absolutely perfect for me as I have a couple of their ESCs shoe horned into my HPI Mini-Trophy and DF03ra.
-melon
FIN
Also, holy crap is the Field Link handy! Not only does it hasten the process of making quick changes to the ESC, it also makes it so you can connect your ESC to the PC without having to plug the USB cable directly into the speed control. This was absolutely perfect for me as I have a couple of their ESCs shoe horned into my HPI Mini-Trophy and DF03ra.
-melon
FIN