No yoke from Ram Controls

[VanillaGorilla]

I'm sorry to not see some sort of 'mea culpa' from Dave on the issue in this thread...I think he should have his word in it before any decision is made. I agree, the silence is deafening, but my transaction experience with him was beyond my expectations. He didn't even charge me shipping last I ordered, and my Missile Command rebuild kit was shipped UPS RED so I had it in or under 24 hours...but I've said all of this before..

[opt2not]

Perhaps a custom title is in order...

...and maybe a poll to go along with it?

[LeedsFan]

I bought a yoke from him very recently and the transaction was very smooth and fast. I would have thought that getting out pre-orders would now not be a problem. I can imagine how annoying it must be to have waited for so long for a yoke and then have someone like me get mine so fast. This is the puzzling aspect of it all.

The only thing I did in the transaction that I have never done before is contact Dave first about availability. I explained that I expected a UPS tracking number within 7 days of payment or I would request a refund. And I only did this because of the bad feedback he was getting on these boards. But Dave came through like a champion. I had the yoke within 100 hours or so from paying for it. And I live in Leeds, England.

I'm sitting on the fence on this one. I don't want to say "Don't ban him from trading" because I can clearly see that many other people are still waiting after a very, very long time and that would just annoy you all. I really cannot understand it in all honesty. 

[RayB]

Dave, if you're reading this, this is what you should do starting today:

1. Shut off all orders now. Any Paypal orders still coming through, click REFUND right away and add the note that you're temporarily closed.

2. Dedicate a weekend with no other distractions to:

A) Add a contact form to your website. Have it send to a new email address that you can ensure works and won't need a too-strong spam filter as a result. This ensures people have an avenue to reach you with no "didn't get it" excuses.

B) Organize your remaining order / pre-order list in a spreadsheet updated, checked. Contact any unknowns. Prepare remaining orders.

C) Get friends and family to help with the orders and shipping of the backlog.


Once all orders are caught up on, you'll breathe a sigh of relief. Everyone will be happy. You can then re-open the online store knowing that monkey is off your back.

[JMB]

A) Add a contact form to your website. Have it send to a new email address that you can ensure works and won't need a too-strong spam filter as a result. This ensures people have an avenue to reach you with no "didn't get it" excuses.

The whole "I didn't get the email." thing has bugged me the most of his excuses. If this was the 90's and companies were still connecting to the internet via modem pool I'd  buy some email issues. In this day and age when you can get email practically anywhere on a wide variety of devices it just doesn't fly. That ranks right up there with "the dog ate my homework."

[JustMichael]

Does anyone know where to buy a clue so we can tell Dave where to go shopping?  With the yoke situation, I see two possibilities: either he has no clue who ordered yokes from him or he's hoping they won't say anything and he can pocket the money.  You choose which one to believe.  What other possibility would explain preorders not getting filled while recent orders being filled?

[ChadTower]

Once all orders are caught up on, you'll breathe a sigh of relief. Everyone will be happy. You can then re-open the online store knowing that monkey is off your back.

The guy can supposedly run a successful nonarcade business but can't figure those simple things out that you have suggested?  I don't share the belief that he intends to make good until forced to do so.  Really, what the guy is doing is borderline wire fraud, if all of these nonfulfilled orders are gathered and recorded.  Forget the Better Business Bureau.  You want to get this guy's attention go to the Attorney General in his state.

So far, like so many others, no response to my attempts to get a refund. 

I just don't see how we are allowing this guy to continue to do business here.  Don't want to ban him?  Fine.  At least stop him from taking orders here.  Allowing him to continue taking orders is at best an ambiguous message to BYOAC membership and none of the potential interpretations are positive.

[Malenko]

That there is one of the biggest crocks of [self edit: poo-poo] I've read in quite some time... no offense intended.


If (some other) known scammer hits KLOV,  it would be asinine to not take action here.... and as demonstrated by our very own TIME PILOT (above)... the problem isn't just a KLOV problem...

I said not to ban him I didnt say "Take no action"

[FrizzleFried]

...the KLOV thread is growing...

[saint]

So 9 days with no response to Chad's refund request. I've emailed him asking him to respond in the thread here. Will give it a few days for a response then decide what to do with his account here. What have they done over at KLOV?

[yotsuya]

It's a shame it's come to this. I always wanted to order one of his yokes so I could play Star Wars the way it was intended. Guess it'll never happen.

[ChadTower]

So 9 days with no response to Chad's refund request. I've emailed him asking him to respond in the thread here. Will give it a few days for a response then decide what to do with his account here. What have they done over at KLOV?

Just so it's out there what I bought was a package.  The deal was $100 for the Major Havoc CP.  If you wanted, he'd throw in the roller controller for $75, and I paid $175.  About a year ago I managed to get him to ship the roller controller.  That leaves me with the funds paid for the repro CP that to my knowledge has never been produced for anyone at all.

[saint]

Chad, did you get a refund or are you still out the $100?

[ids]

fwiw, ordered yoke yesterday, got tracking number yesterday  (The "25% off" sale made me do it)

Unfortunately, shipped UPS, so I'll probably get stuck with a stupid customs fee (I truly hate UPS - got a bill from them recently for ~$180 for customs, fuel surcharge, "import freight", and general ---meecrob----baggery)

[Bender]

what 25% off sale?
that might make me do it to

[ids]

Sale is hilighted on their home page http://www.ram-controls.com



So $275 for the yoke, add in the decal, $25, and you're all set.  I added the USB thing too - too lazy to do it cheaper.

[FrizzleFried]

 

 

That's about all I can muster right now...

[ChadTower]

Chad, did you get a refund or are you still out the $100?

No response at all so far to multiple requests via email.

[Bootay]

I am stumped as to why someone would risk spending $300 after reading this thread. Seems like an expensive crap shoot.
Let us know next year if you got your product yet.

[ids]

I am stumped as to why someone would risk spending $300 after reading this thread. Seems like an expensive crap shoot.
Let us know next year if you got your product yet.

There does seem to be some risk, but there are also reports of getting the goods quick.  And the thought of a high quality SW yoke is enough temptation to pull the trigger (esp. when on sale).  Getting a tracking number same day was a huge surprise, as you can imagine.  UPS just delivered (or would have if someone was home), so in effect, I already have it, but still have to wait on UPS doing a retry.  I guess I won this crap shoot.  I hope going forward this becomes the norm.

Chad - sorry to hear about your problems - I really wish he'd resolve that.

[yotsuya]

Just for laughs, I went to the website and put everything a person would need (overlay, USB controller, and Yoke) and the total was under $300. The discount saved $90.

[ids]

The discount saved $90.

That was the clincher for me - when I saw the $90 savings I immediately reached for my wallet.  All the other times I put those items in the cart, my heart sank and I chickened out.

[yotsuya]

Yeah, when you think about it, the discount basically gives you the USB controller and sticker for free.

[FrizzleFried]

I... for one... refuse to buy from someone who's screwing/has screwed/will screw other members here or KLOV.   That and the fact I don't much like ducks... keeps me from spending a dime with him.

...but you go ahead and do what you want.   It's your money.

[yotsuya]

Well, I'm not planning to order, but I wonder if this means Dave has gotten some things straightened out? I just hope he's filled out the outstanding orders first.

[opt2not]

Pay with a credit card and if you don't get a tracking number in a week, zap him with a charge back.  It's not rocket surgery.

Or brain science!

[Bootay]

Pay with a credit card and if you don't get a tracking number in a week, zap him with a charge back.  It's not rocket surgery.

Or brain science!

LOL

IDS: I am glad to hear you got your Yoke that quickly. (overnight?!)

[ids]

overnight?

Indeed, with a border to cross too.  Quite impressed.  I do hope he clears up any outstanding issues and turns things around quickly like this going forward.  Had I not known his history, going from just my own experience, I'd say "highly recommended" - which seems also to apply to the quality of the goods (wish someone was home at the time so I could see for myself ).

Curious - anyone still waiting on a yoke order?

[Bootay]

overnight?

Indeed, with a border to cross too.  Quite impressed.  I do hope he clears up any outstanding issues and turns things around quickly like this going forward.  Had I not known his history, going from just my own experience, I'd say "highly recommended" - which seems also to apply to the quality of the goods (wish someone was home at the time so I could see for myself ).

Curious - anyone still waiting on a yoke order?

That is quite impressive. I never ordered from him so I guess I shouldn't say much about it. I was just judging by other people's experiences. He does sell some awfully tempting products.

[Bender]

Sale is hilighted on their home page http://www.ram-controls.com



So $275 for the yoke, add in the decal, $25, and you're all set.  I added the USB thing too - too lazy to do it cheaper.

I was looking right AT IT... Duh!!

well I just took the leap and ordered the yoke and the sticker which was exactly $300 so it was $235 after the discount, which seems fair to me.... if I ever get one that is

[atarijaguar]

I still have not received my order from October of 2009.  I've e-mailed Dave numerous times, even requested a refund, but have yet to hear back.  It's very disconcerting that he can get a new order out in a matter of days but those of us who pre-ordered are left with all but what would appear to be fraud... Are people who claim to have received orders, just Dave logged in under a false username?

[ids]

I still have not received my order from October of 2009.  I've e-mailed Dave numerous times, even requested a refund, but have yet to hear back.  It's very disconcerting that he can get a new order out in a matter of days but those of us who pre-ordered are left with all but what would appear to be fraud... Are people who claim to have received orders, just Dave logged in under a false username?

Not dave.  Of course, impossible to prove, but....i do feel bad that I got mine next day (sort of) and you've been waiting so long.  I wonder if his record keeping is just so bad that now he has a hard time reconciling who ordered, who paid, who received goods...  He may also have an inbox full of anger that is hard to reconcile with older orders.  If he'd at least refund, you could try again and maybe get it next day    Sorry, waiting so long and seeing other orders fulfilled must suck - not funny.  It really is a rather expensive luxury, so I hope he can resolve these things.  It would be best for him, his customers, and reputation to settle all outstanding issues.  I would guess there are only a few rare fools such as myself willing to risk so much cash for such a specialized device.  And Bender?  really?  Cant you make your own from a 2.5mm stereo jack, an LED, magnets, maybe bend some metal.....    I'm waiting for your tutorial on this. 

Anyway, sorry again, I really hope Dave clears this shi..zle up soon.


DAAAAVE - FIX THIS!

[Time Pilot]

That is quite interesting that a new order is handled so quickly. Still waiting on my April 2007 pre-order. I left a post on the Klov thread which generated a PM from him that he would take care of it immediately. With the ice and snow here in Atlanta we have not had mail delivery in a week. Not sure if UPS is running yet, but I have not received a tracking number, so ... 

TP

[FrizzleFried]

A post by Darin of Phoenixarcade over at KLOV...

Originally Posted by darinjacobs View Post
I just received a copy of a letter that someone got from the State Of California Dept Of Justice which has opened a case on the matter. Furthermore it states the Franchise Tax Board Investigations Bureau and IRS Criminal Investigations units are also involved.

If Dave or one of his associates is reading this, the time to ship products or give refunds is now. They are circling the wagon.

Does Dave strive for Foley status?

[Bender]

Well I got an E-mail back right a way confirming my order and a UPS tracking #, thats not active yet, I ordered late friday so I don't expect it to be active till monday
I'll keep you posted

[Hoopz]

A post by Darin of Phoenixarcade over at KLOV...

Originally Posted by darinjacobs View Post
I just received a copy of a letter that someone got from the State Of California Dept Of Justice which has opened a case on the matter. Furthermore it states the Franchise Tax Board Investigations Bureau and IRS Criminal Investigations units are also involved.

If Dave or one of his associates is reading this, the time to ship products or give refunds is now. They are circling the wagon.

Does Dave strive for Foley status?

Foley, Dave and Christian are of the same ilk.  I wouldn't trust them with being able to deliver a product where my money is involved.  If/when they do (did) deliver, the quality was there but this isn't about quality alone. 

[taylormadelv]

Dave certainly is an interesting character. Yes, the quality of his products is second to none and in many cases, superior to the original, Atari parts. He seems to me, like an "evil genius" that just can't control this "dark side" of his personality. There are times when Dave is accessable and easy to contact and then he dissapears for a month or so and acts like everything is fine.
The Star Wars cockpit sale to the Aussie guy is really disturbing if it's accurate. That's a lot of money to take with nothing delivered, again though, IF this is accurate.

[ids]

Well I got an E-mail back right a way confirming my order and a UPS tracking #, thats not active yet, I ordered late friday so I don't expect it to be active till monday
I'll keep you posted

Did you receive it yet?

I was just looking over mine - the horizontal POT seems effed.  This is kinda weird because that is one seriously heavy duty looking POT.  S--t happens i guess.  I just hope Dave will fire off a new POT to me quickly.  Would be nicer if he did a quick test of goods before shipping.  But given the history, I'm just happy to have the (broken) thing 

[Bender]

man that sucks! I hope you get the replacement pot quickly

The Tracking # I got is still not active
I realize monday was a holiday, but if it doesn't go active today I'm going to pull the funds back from paypal
I hear someone else form this forum is the same situation, quick e-mail w/tracking# but not active yet
I have to say I was encouraged by the quick response but this seems like we're back to "it will ship tomorrow" when it didn't
I don't mind waiting a little, I just wish he didn't say this on friday and then not follow through

 
"Got your order.  It’s already packed up and ready to go.  We just missed today’s window to ship, so it will ship tomorrow.
 
Check paypal for updated tracking/shipping information this evening.
 
Have a great day!!

Dave"

and this minutes later

"UPS Tracking
 
1ZF2997E0141XXXXXX – outta here!
 
Adam"

[ids]

Sounds like you're getting the usual run-around.  I wouldn't blame you if you cancelled.  I cannot fathom how he operates - seems totally random.  He really needs to find some time to clear everything up, ask family or hire some kid to help, whatever it takes.

I wonder; if you cancelled, then put in a new order, rinse and repeat until you get a valid tracking #....