about Happcontrols.com

[alepus]

hi. my name is alex and i live in sweden..
i'm currently building an arcadecabinet and i have the computer ready and i even got a monitor. the only thing now is the controlpanel and the actual cabinettthat i'm gonna build myself).

and i was going to buy 2 happs super joysticks or what they are called among some other stuff.. anyway.. when i was about to pay with my creditcard the page WASN'T even encrypted. second to all the shipping cost wasnt viewable.. so i cant find out how much it would cost before they have charged my card. i dont feel like ordering with a visa card from a webpage that isnt encrypted.. i dont understand why its like that.

and after finding out this i emailed them and ask for alternative methods of paying.. and asked for the shipping fee.. they still havnt replied.

i dont know what to expect about happcontrols.com..

[DeathMonk]

I don't know what to tell you about the shipping part, but I know many people (including myself) have ordered from Happs with no problem.

[Ken Layton]

I have ordered from Happ and never had any problems. They are a good company.

[b3atmania]

I'm from Europe too and ordered at Ultimarc.

Closer to you (UK) and features a SSL creditcard gateway.

I also feel everything Happs sells is overpriced. Somehow companies feel that arcade-at-home operators should be overcharged.

Also a warm f*ck you to Suzo Netherlands for refusing to sell to private operators.

[SirPeale]

Shipping from the US to Sweden will be a lot.  The good news is that Happs doesn't profit on shipping, they only charge what it costs them.

[Minwah]

I had the same concern when ordering from Happ.  From their website:

A few concerns have come up from our customers about the security of the e-happ system. The reason that the icon for the Secure Lock SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is not showing up is because it is in a frames setup. To verify that checkout that it is running over SSL what can be done is to open the page in a new window.

For Netscape Users: When the checkout page loads up, right click on it and a menu will appear, there will be an option to open it into a new window. Then the new window will have the security icon.

For Internet Explorer Users: When at the cart status page, right click on the checkout button, a menu will appear, there will be an option to 'open link in new window'. The checkout page will load up in the new window, and will have the security icon. Or at the checkout page, simply right click on, a menu will appear, go to properties. There should be a pieces of information: protocol, type, connection. Next to connection it will show that it is running over SSL as well.

But yes Happ are sound, but I have found ordering stuff to the UK costs loads.  They add 'duty', carriage and VAT.  The final cost is like double what you think it will be...

[Silverwind]

I've ordered two supers and about 16 pushbuttons from happs and it went great...

[Grasshopper]

When I first got into this hobby I got some help from this guy:

http://hem.passagen.se/robert.palmqvist/index.html

He also lives in Sweden and ordered his parts from Suzo (UK).

I live in the UK and I have ordered parts from Suzo (UK). Their service was pretty good and they do sell to private customers.

You could also try Ultimarc or Happ (UK).

[Lilwolf]

btw, I would go with www.therealbobroberts.com whenever possible.  Hes great and he charges less then happs.  And No, he doesn't have a good online order.

Happs pisses me off because they charge SO much for shipping (on some items) and you don't know what they charge until you get the order.  Bezels btw, are almost as much in shipping as they are to buy (might have even been more)... Sure they are big... but it was still a big supprise.

Anyway... Happs is an ok online company to deal with... but definately not better then ok.  

Bob Roberts is a GREAT guy and GREAT service... even if his webpage isn't up to snuff for online ordering... but it still just an email away..

[alepus]

thanks all of you for answering my questions. 9 post is really good. =)

i'll guess i'll order from them anyway. we'll see what the shipping fee will be.. =)

[alepus]

i ordered just a few minutes ago.. i bought stuff for $64. the shipping was $46.. i really dont belive that it costs that much to send a few buttons and 2 joysticks. but what the heck. i've got no other choice.

so i'll guess i'll be happy and sit around and wait for the package to arrive. phew! $46 for the cheapest economy shipping rate.

[Stingray]

Belive it. I live in the US and order from the UK fairly often. International shipping is staggering.

-S

[SirPeale]

I can second this.  I shipped a package to the Netherlands a while back.  Weighed ~10 lbs, cost $35 to ship it.

[1Spoon]

alepus: You could have tried some local guys like:
Pingames: http://user.tninet.se/~xyg435c/
or  www.flipperhuset.se

Or the best source: www.arkadtorget.net

(Yes I

[grafixmonkey]

I've ordered a lot of stuff from Happ, I think they just operate in a more realistic fashion and do not try to hide the actual process they go through like many retailers do.  The Happ mostly deals with other companies.

They charge *actual cost* on shipping.  That's why you don't see the shipping cost until later - because unlike most retailers, they give the package to the shipping company and then add the shipping price to the order, instead of trying to have some sort of guessing system.  Other retailers frequently get some profit off of their "shipping" costs - Happ doesn't.

I wasn't aware that their site didn't have encryption though.  If you call them, I'm certain that they can take your order over the phone.  You also might be able to get deals if you talk directly with a sales rep.  Because the sales rep benefits if you buy more stuff, they are occasionally willing to lower the price of an item rather than have you take your business elsewhere.  You might also be able to catch some "just-barely-expired" sale prices and such.


BTW, I suggest you search the forum throughly for peoples' opinions on the Happ Super joysticks.  I think the general opinion of those is not what the FAQ says about them.  People usually find they have over-sensitive angles, too long of a throw, and some undesirable bounce to them that can interfere with games.  (if I bought joysticks again I would not be buying Supers.)  The big question is whether there's anything better short of perfect-360s.

[alepus]

i've been searching around.. and i've been playing on super joysticks so i know how they feel. and i dont mind the clicking sound..  i cant belive that it would feel any good playing games with perfect 360s. come on.

[RacerX]

I wasn't aware that their site didn't have encryption though.  

Their site *is* encrypted.  It just used frames, so you don't see the url.  If you right click the eHAPP link and open it in a new window, it takes you to this address:

https://www.happcontrols.com/wp/login.p

This is why it isn't a good idea to use frames with secure sites.  Folks get nervous when they don't see the https: or the little picture of the lock on the status bar of their browser.

[patrickl]

I bought a set of buttons, i-PAC, Joystick and stuff  from Ultimarc and payed "only" $17 in shipping costs. On a $91 order I found that a lot of money already even.

I was thinking about ordering from them too, but $46 for only a few smaller items seems way over the top. US shipping rates are indeed outrageous, but still. I shudder to think what it would cost when I order a coindoor there.

Anyone know when the european Happs will be up and running?

I also came across the Namco components seller. Brent Electronic. They are UK based. Maybe they are an option?

[alepus]

and.. this is not US-shipping.. they are gonna ship from the UK to me.
so $46 for shipping within the european union. i dont belive it.

but what the heck. i just hope i get my stuff.

[SirPeale]

and.. this is not US-shipping.. they are gonna ship from the UK to me.
so $46 for shipping within the european union. i dont belive it.

but what the heck. i just hope i get my stuff.

Believe it.  

[Raider]

I've had a couple problems with HAPPS over shipping... Once I ordered a bunch of crap from them... And they charged me shipping and handling fee for everything.

The brunt of items came in a little 10x12 box that should've cost at the most $20 for UPS and I did check the wieght, size and zones because I was pissed! When I totalled my reciept it was about $50 they charged in S&H for what was in that box... Call it a handling fee... It definitely wasn't what UPS charged to ship that box!

There were a couple items that shipped deperate from the same order. Big 27" Bezel and Marquee retainers... pricey but i was charged what UPS charges on those.

Another time I got a shipping quote on a monitor... They charged my card extra... Thankfully I still had the email and got a refund on that.

[patrickl]

I noticed Happ has a dutch/german distributor in E'Coin. I'm checking out now if they are cheaper for me (living in the Netherlands). Maybe there are swedish distributors for happs controls as well.

[alepus]

I start with OH MY ---smurfing--- GOD!
here is a mail i got from happs

> Your order placed through "EHapp" Happ Controls Interactive
Website has been forwarded to the Happ Controls Europe Offices for processing.
The parts will be shipped from the new UK warehouse.
> We will endeavour to ship you order as soon as possible, by a similar
method of shipment as requested.
>
> You will be charged in UK Pounds Sterling, converted using the current
exchange rate. The lead time is 7-10 days.
>
> Here are the charges for your order:
>
> Goods Value    

[patrickl]

Weird Allthough it seems the shipping costs where reduced. Or at least I assume that with

[ErikRuud]

Yes, "carriage" would be "shipping" in England.

I have placed several orders with Happs.  The thing they do that annoys me is their policy of overcharging your credit card, and the adjusting the amount when they finally get the correct shipping cost.  In every case the adjustment has not gone through until after my order has actually arrived at my house.

As far as the cost of shipping from Happs goes, I think it has been shown before that they are charging what UPS requires based on the size of the shipping box and almost nothing for the "Handling".

[alepus]

as it seems now I've payed happs in the States $110 to contact happ in the UK to take my order.. and i have to pay $132 more..

well. i emailed them and we'll see what happens.. if i dont get a mail tomorrow i'll call them and ask what their problem is..

my order was 2 happ supers. 2 player 1-2buttons.. and 16 black buttons.  a total of about $64.. +46 buck for shipping from the states.. BUT they'll be shipping from the UK.. for the convenience.. ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---

i hope it doesnt end up at $242.

[mp2526]

I guess I don't get your math.  Where is the $132 coming from?

[patrickl]

I guess I don't get your math.  Where is the $132 coming from?

a conversion rate of 1.23 euro per dollar?

I guess that is almost equal to the original $110 + VAT and then some conversion/rounding errors. It's my guess they are just charging the same amount again by mistake.
Don't forget, you would probably have to pay VAT when you had received the package directly from the US as well.

[alepus]

107euros = $132, the total cost they want to charge me.. AGAIN.

they have already charged me $110($64 + $46shipping)

[Grasshopper]

I'm a bit confused

[SirPeale]

If you decide to give up on Happ then bear in mind that most of the joysticks they sell are manufactured by Industrias Lorenzo (www.industrias-lorenzo.com) and you could order directly from them. Their prices are good. However they're quite hard to deal with.

Since when can a non-supplier order from Lorenzo?  You know what hoops I had to jump thru to get them to talk to me?

[Grasshopper]

If you decide to give up on Happ then bear in mind that most of the joysticks they sell are manufactured by Industrias Lorenzo (www.industrias-lorenzo.com) and you could order directly from them. Their prices are good. However they're quite hard to deal with.

Since when can a non-supplier order from Lorenzo?  You know what hoops I had to jump thru to get them to talk to me?

Well people's experiences with them seem to vary. I, and a couple of other people on this board have successfully placed orders with them. The main problem I had was that they would only accept payment by wire transfer which is prohibitively expensive over national boundaries. Fortunately I have a relative who lives in Spain.

I think they're generally ok with selling off-the-shelf items to non-trade people. However custom buttons is probably a different matter.

[grafixmonkey]

I've had a couple problems with HAPPS over shipping... Once I ordered a bunch of crap from them... And they charged me shipping and handling fee for everything.

The brunt of items came in a little 10x12 box that should've cost at the most $20 for UPS and I did check the wieght, size and zones because I was pissed! When I totalled my reciept it was about $50 they charged in S&H for what was in that box... Call it a handling fee... It definitely wasn't what UPS charged to ship that box!

There were a couple items that shipped deperate from the same order. Big 27" Bezel and Marquee retainers... pricey but i was charged what UPS charges on those.

Another time I got a shipping quote on a monitor... They charged my card extra... Thankfully I still had the email and got a refund on that.

Well shipping isn't always as simple as you think.   Fine if all of those items started out in a single Happ warehouse and ended up at your door.  But, I've ordered things from them that they had to ship to their center from Europe, and then ship to me.  They may very well have shipped out-of-stock items to the local distro center from elsewhere in the country, and then shipped them to you.  That could have been less expensive than shipping two separate packages.

Anyway, I guess I'd agree that they need to have a better shipping system - maybe an itemized receipt of shipping charges that you can check, or a pre-calculated guesstimate so you know what it is before you purchase.  But I'm pretty confident that there is a good reason for the cost of your shipping.

[RacerX]

I start with OH MY <auto-censored> GOD!
here is a mail i got from happs

> Your order placed through "EHapp" Happ Controls Interactive
Website has been forwarded to the Happ Controls Europe Offices for processing.
The parts will be shipped from the new UK warehouse.
> We will endeavour to ship you order as soon as possible, by a similar
method of shipment as requested.
>
> You will be charged in UK Pounds Sterling, converted using the current
exchange rate. The lead time is 7-10 days.
>
> Here are the charges for your order:
>
> Goods Value    

[patrickl]

I guess the changed invoice is based on that fact that they need to add VAT when they ship from a european warehouse. And again, the $110 is probably the same as the $132 you arrive at now if you add VAT and a further depreciation of the US dollar.

[zaphod]

I've found that a politely worded, inquisitive email works wonders with Happ.  (And for other organizations, too.)  They know their system is flawed and have to make the best of it.  I've had good luck the two times I've had to contact them with concerns.

[alepus]

in the mail i replied i was actually really kind. no threats or anything

i just hate when stuff like this happens and just want it to be fixed..

of course.. if they wont agree on solving this i will sue them but i just want my buttons and all will be fine.

but still.. happs are really not telling you what the actual cost will be..

as i said.. i ordered for 64 bucks. and i thought maybe that the shipping would 20-30 buck, making a total of $84-94.

then it ended up at $110.
and now it seems like it is $132. twice the amount that i ordered for.

[cdbrown]

I also had big problems when I was ordering from Happs to Australia.  So instead I ordered everything from BobRoberts as he was cheaper on all the parts and was able to give me a shipping cost (the next day) which was reasonable especially as it was for 2 joysticks, 83 buttons, replacement cherry microswitches and other stuff.  I tried to contact happs a number of times by email and fax.  Even tried calling but never got the timing right.  In the end I had to bite the bullet and get 2 optical rotaries from them.  After a while I got the delivery charge on a small box which was $30US.  The stuff I got from BobRoberts was at least 4 times as much (box size and weight) and was $50US.  Got 2 joysticks, ipac and optipac from ultimarc and that cost $17US.

Happs do overcharge or at least don't try and find a cheaper delivery agent.

My $0.02
-cdbrown

[paigeoliver]

I also had big problems when I was ordering from Happs to Australia.  So instead I ordered everything from BobRoberts as he was cheaper on all the parts and was able to give me a shipping cost (the next day) which was reasonable especially as it was for 2 joysticks, 83 buttons, replacement cherry microswitches and other stuff.  I tried to contact happs a number of times by email and fax.  Even tried calling but never got the timing right.  In the end I had to bite the bullet and get 2 optical rotaries from them.  After a while I got the delivery charge on a small box which was $30US.  The stuff I got from BobRoberts was at least 4 times as much (box size and weight) and was $50US.  Got 2 joysticks, ipac and optipac from ultimarc and that cost $17US.

Happs do overcharge or at least don't try and find a cheaper delivery agent.

My $0.02
-cdbrown

Bob also tends to undercharge. I have gotten a package from Bob with a $22 postage sticker on it, when he only charged me $15 for shipping.