I have been trying repeatedly to resolve an issue with Hobbytron and have yet to reach anyone or receive a response to my telephone calls or e-mails. Based upon the number of busy signals I have received, the number of messages I have left with different departments and the e-mails and US postal service letters I have sent with no response, I would have to say that I am not the only dissatisfied customer.

In addition to having the item I ordered substituted with a clearance item, I have been overcharged and am still waiting for a response to my request for a credit. I have done a lot of shopping on-line and have never had a problem like this. All I was originally seeking was a $10.00 credit to which I am entitled. 

On November 25, 2006, I placed an online order for item AA-69731 Airbus Cessna. On Nov. 28 I received an e-mail stating the item was on backorder and due to be shipped within 5 to 10 business days and that I would be notified if there were any further delays.  On December 10, I received an e-mail from Fed-Ex stating that my order had shipped.

On the evening of December 14, I received item XT-8102 RC J3 Cub. (Which by the way was delivered to the wrong address, fortunately my neighbors were honest and delivered it here.) The packing slips proudly notes that this is a FREE UPGRADE due to an extended delay. That may have been acceptable if it were not for the fact that item XT-8102 RC J3 Cub was not an upgrade, but a clearance item listing for $39.97 while the AA-69731 Airbus Cessna lists for $49.00 which my credit card has been billed for, plus $6.95 Shipping and Handling.  I deliberately ordered the higher priced item with the hope that it would hold up a little better, so that my grandson could enjoy the product a little longer. (It turned out to be a real piece of JUNK!!!)

I have placed numerous calls to the 800 number as well as the regular phone number and have not reached a human voice. I have left at least eight voice messages and 5 e-mails, so far with no response. If it had not been so close to Christmas and this had not been purchased as a gift for my grandson, I would have attempted to return the item for full credit and refuse to do further business with Hobbytron, assuming I could actually have  reached  the RMA department to get an RMA number.

In addition to the substitution, when my 11 year old grandson actually opened his gift and attempted to use it (with adult supervision), it literally fell apart. On the first minor crash (this is supposed to be ideal for a novice flyer), the tail fin ripped. We were able to repair that with glue. On the next flight, the tail tore off, the wings broke and the entire fuselage separated from the plane, rendering it totally useless.

I have several issues with the way this was handled:

(1) I was not notified that the item was unavailable.

(2) The item I ordered was substituted with a lower priced item.

(3) I feel Hobbytron was being quite deceptive in stating that this was an upgrade.

(4) I was not given the option of cancelling the order. 

(5) I have been billed for the higher priced item and to date; no credit has been issued for the dollar difference.

(6) I have been unable to reach the customer service department, the accounting department or the credit department via telephone or e-mail, despite my persistence.

(7) The item was manufactured extremely poorly and was certainly not meant for a child despite the label  on the package stating for use by 8 to 12 year olds.

In researching the size and reputation of Hobbytron, I cannot believe any supervisor or manager would allow or even tolerate their employees drawing these avoidable, negative feelings over such a small dollar amount.  This has however, become a point of principal with me and I will not let it go until I receive some satisfaction from Hobbytron. 

Minimally I expect to receive an credit for the price difference. I also expect an apology from Hobbytron for the inconvenience and aggravation that all this has caused and for their lack of response. Ideally Hobbytron will offer a refund or an actual upgrade.  I have contacted my credit card company, the Attorneys General for the states of Missouri and Utah, the FTC, as well as the Better Business Bureau and will post my story on every possible website related to consumer ripoffs.