Author Topic: RAM Controls - Star Wars Flight Yoke (Read 41557 times)

whynotpizza · « **on:** March 19, 2007, 07:23:56 pm »

Hi,

Anyone know what the status is on this new product from RAM Controls?

http://www.ram-controls.com/controller-sw.html

I put a pre-order in, was charged $230 and have been anxiously awaiting some sort of status on ETA. Is it legal to charge $$ without shipping anything?

I will also send an email to them to see what they say.

Just checking with the message boards to see if anyone knows the inside scoop.

Thanks,

David

Daviea · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2007, 08:32:00 pm »

Updates on this project are noted here:

http://www.ram-controls.com/blog-sw.html

Hope this helps.

David Adams
RAM Controls

P.S. David, you should have received email response before you read this.

shorthair · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2007, 08:50:11 pm »

I'm gueesing then that the pre-order period hasn't passed and the $230 included shipping?

whynotpizza · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:55:59 pm »

Thanks Daviea.

I must have missed the update on the BLOG, sorry about that.

That was also a very nice response via email. You do seem very reputable, and will stand by your work for the pre-order process. Thanks for the update.

Please keep my pre-order in the system, and I'll go back to my anxiously awaiting mode.

Looking forward to seeing a terrific product from you and your team.

David

horseboy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:02:55 pm »

Quote from: whynotpizza on March 19, 2007, 07:23:56 pm

I put a pre-order in... Is it legal to charge $$ without shipping anything?

Maybe you should verse yourself on the concept of a preorder.

Havok · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:09:48 pm »

Aww man - you got me all excited for nothing. I pre-ordered too, and am patiently waiting. Hopefully, the early April timeframe won't change.

BTW - didn't you pay $215?

whynotpizza · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:33:14 pm »

Yes, Mine was the same price. $200, but I ordered some extra potentiometers SW100K @ $10 and the $15 shipping. Total was actually $225.00.

Sorry to get you guys all excited with the title of the post.

I'm glad there are folks like David @ RAM Controls who are taking the time to produce such a quality product. I was impressed with his Major Havoc, although never purchased one myself, but with the Yoke, will be glad to get that added to my home system!

David

shorthair · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2007, 10:20:14 pm »

Just tried out my DS controller. At first, it's not bad. Way better than anything else....but, the lack of being fixed to something makes for some sloppiness (I expected this), and am anticipating my just-ordered yoke in the coming month or so.

rovingmind · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2007, 11:13:29 am »

has anybody recieved theirs yet?

Havok · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2007, 12:23:28 pm »

Not yet - I recently received an e-mail from David that he is still working on getting the handles powder coated properly from the vendor. He is considering an alternative that he can do in-house. Considering the slow turnaround from the outside vendor, he thinks that he will be delivering some other products in the interim so at least hopefully soon we will see some activity from him.

He is still working on getting control of the website, so that's why there are no updates as of yet. Hopefully, all of this information is true...

Chunce DeLeone · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2007, 02:15:55 pm »

I emailed him a few weeks ago and heard the same

rovingmind · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2007, 04:19:14 pm »

Thats actually a bit discouraging. I would be willing to buy one non-powdercoated. Maybe he will have them ready by my tentative purchase date ( january/february )

He's been saying the same thing since may. I'm believing he's more interested in selling the parts and the whole unit is going to end up vaporware. I really hope not. The work he has done has been high quality.

Chunce DeLeone · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:11:12 am »

Spoke to David,
Hi Matt,

I've bought some mid-range powdercoating equipment so I can attempt to do this in-house. I've been going back and forth with several vendors and none of them can seem to get it just right, so I've taken the plunge to just do it myself. I'm committed to getting this project finished for several reasons, one of which is so that I have controllers for the SW cockpit cabinets I'm producing. :-)

Anyhow, I don't have the oven setup yet (it's a huge 8' x 10' production oven which requires a hookup I don't have at the plant. I'm having the utilities come out to add the service so I can hook up the oven. Once that's done, I'm all over the powdercoating myself. I'm going to hire a temp. pc operator to help with the job.

I'm not going to let the project slip away. It's just taking <<FAR>> longer than anticipated.

Talk to you soon.

David

rovingmind · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:47:53 am »

i shall consider myself chastised for loosing faith, and continue to sit quietly awaiting the promised goods.................

although i do have a couple chunks of aluminum that would make a nice pair of side panels and a base set aside just in case.

Havok · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:56:08 am »

Oh well, looks like this is turning into a Christmas present after all...

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:57:34 pm »

Quote from: Havok on September 25, 2007, 08:56:08 am

Oh well, looks like this is turning into a Christmas present after all...

...of `08?

Daviea · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2007, 01:25:45 am »

Here's a long overdue report on the status of various projects going on over at RAM Controls. Sorry about the delay in news.

First of all, I've had very limited access to the website as far as the FTP server is concerned, so I have had *difficulties* in updating many of the project blogs. This is a known issue and I have been working on it. Long story, would rather not get into it for the time being.

That said, here's where we are with the top 6 projects:

1. Star Wars flight yoke. I get the most requests for info on this project and for good reason....it's a fricken cool item for an even cooler game! LOL Someone copied an email of mine verbatim earlier in the thread, so you have an idea of what's going on. Ok, so we've been in a stand still holding pattern for many, many months on this project due to continued vendor issues with the powdercoating. I tried several different vendors and it all ended up with the same outcome: they could not get the job done. The reasons are many, but the outcome was always the same. I finally got my fill of all the excuses and delays and pulled all the handle pieces back. I actually had to send them in to be stripped of the crappy powdercoat job, too.

So, I sat on the project for a few weeks, trying to figure out how I could manage to do the job myself, in-house. Doing it this way would give me the ultimate in quality control which is a major concern of mine. After doing a lot of research on the topic and visiting a few showrooms to try out various powdercoating equipment, I opted to buy a huge setup. I figure this would take care of this project and any future projects which may require powdercoating of any kind. Sure, it set me back a few dimes, but it's going to be worth it in the long-run. Now, I've taken delivery of the equipment and it's been sitting in the shop for some time now. I've been waiting on the utilities to come out and set it up for me (need electrical and gas hookups) as well as new air lines for the PC machine AND the sandblaster. Unfortunately, you can't just call them up and have them out the next day to get it done.

Anyhow, this equipment is some nice stuff to get to play with, so it's worth the wait, IMO. Ok, backing up a little bit, the entire project is done EXCEPT for: (a) powdercoating the housing(the single part that the yoke artwork is applied to) (b) powdercoating the handles and (c) assembly of the device. I'd like to note that there are exactly twelve (12) existing prepays for this this item. If ANY of you decide that enough is enough and you'd rather not wait any longer, PM me or email me and I'll refund your cabbage right away. I don't want to leave you guys hanging on a project that's well beyond the original expected completion date. I'll throw in some nice extras for anyone who manages to wait this one out. :-)

2. The Lunar Lander thrust controller. While I've been spinning my wheels with the above project, I've made some serious headway on the LL thruster. I have the bracket weldment completed which was actually the most difficult part. I also have the following parts done: the shafts, the pins, the plastic bearings and spacers, the handle (which, by the way, I've made from aluminum and hard anodized black -- looks awesome), the rubber bumper stops and the springs. I've got the Y-shaped handle weldment parts machined, now I need to weld them together and then chrome it. Last item, the control cover (the big black plastic piece) is nearly complete. I had to send this out, but it appears to be running smoothly. All in all, this project will most likely be completed before the SW yoke.

3. Food Fight & Red Baron gimbal (analog) joysticks. These are a little bit behind compared to the two above, but I've made some serious headway with them. The top plates are done, the gimbal linkages are done, the body (upper and lower) is done. The shafts are done. I'm waiting on the handles and the gimbals. I figured out a way to make the gimbals out of aluminum (instead of nylon), so they'll be superior parts. The gimbal linkages are also aluminum -- nice!! Overall, this one has some time to go before I finish it. I still need to find someone who can overmold the handle knob onto the FF shaft.

4. 720 Rotary controller. This one is at a stand-still while I re-engineer the controller. I already have many of the parts finished, however. The sprockets, the chain, the encoder wheel, the alignment wheel, etc.

5. Dedicated Major Havoc cabinet. This one has come a very long way over the last few months. Sometime soon, I'll have some pics available of the "dry fit" for the final pre-production model.

6. I've been "quietly" working on reproduction LED switches (the ones used with the Atari button cones). Sure, I have a boatload of NOS red LED switches, but I've been slammed with requests for "other" colors ever since I started up RAM Controls. Well, I'm happy to report that I'm getting close to completion on this one. My reproduction is based on the Licon version (rather than the Cherry version) for a couple of reasons. The main reason being that the Licon version is a much better made part to begin with. Anyhow, I'm going to be offering LED buttons in standard red, of course. I'm also going to be offering them in green, yellow, blue and white. They will be identical in form and fit to the originals which means that the lenses (actually, they're called "plungers") will be 100% compatible with the OEM switches. Best part is that I should be able to offers these suckers for much, MUCH less than the OEM buttons. :-)

So, that's about it for now. Thanks for the support, everyone. I appreciate it.

David

HoopstarsGarage · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2007, 10:23:44 am »

Ohh Sex..!!

Hoops

ratzz · « **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2007, 07:59:05 pm »

Sorry ... sounds like more hot air to me.

Noone should order until they have problems sorted. why should you fund these delays?

BAD excuses ...

RUN ... RUN AS FAS AS YOU CAN ...

jcoleman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 27, 2007, 08:11:22 pm »

Quote from: ratzz on October 27, 2007, 07:59:05 pm

Sorry ... sounds like more hot air to me.

Noone should order until they have problems sorted. why should you fund these delays?

BAD excuses ...

RUN ... RUN AS FAS AS YOU CAN ...

You've been a member for two and a half months and you're teling us to avoid a vendor who has so far acted in good faith? Where does one obtain arrogance of this sort? Where do you even fit into the picture here? Perhaps you're the disgruntled former partner?

ratzz · « **Reply #20 on:** October 27, 2007, 09:19:51 pm »

You know ... I expected something like this would happen when I posted such semi-strong comments... ‘I have no opinion because I have only a few weeks on the board. ’. I’m not “qualified”, or don’t fit into some kind of “clique”.

I am a successful businessman of many years, and I am completely happy that I am more than qualified to question, or make comment of someone else’s business that seems to be failing - whether it be StarWars yokes, or bottle tops. Although I don’t feel I need to explain myself to anyone – or you, let me expand:

I’ll give you some quotes: “So, I sat on the project for a few weeks….” WHAT? You don’t ever “sit” on a project to think - more importantly, not peoples hard earned cash! What is there to think about? Get on with the business you’ve set up, and the promises you’ve made to customers! IT DOESN’T TAKE THIS LONG!

“I put a pre-order in, was charged $230 and have been anxiously awaiting some sort of status on ETA. Is it legal to charge $$ without shipping anything?”

“Aww man - you got me all excited for nothing. I pre-ordered too, and am patiently waiting. Hopefully, the early April timeframe won't change.”

“has anybody recieved theirs yet?”

+ may more, and on other threads.

Now, to answer your hot headed points: “You've been a member for two and a half months and you're teling [edit, spelling: telling] us to avoid a vendor who has so far acted in good faith? Where does one obtain arrogance of this sort? Where do you even fit into the picture here? Perhaps you're the disgruntled former partner?”

The only “good faith” I see in this “project” is that some guy has taken honest peoples hard earned cash, and have had no return … forgive me, but this is not “good faith” - this is just taking peoples money. Anyone can set-up a website and claim to produce, or do something and take peoples money without actually doing anything. It’s called a “SCAM”. This is, technically, what is going on here, until something is produced. Heck, even you could do it jcoleman!

“avoid a vendor” he hasn’t traded anything yet, so is not a vendor. He is just collecting dosh. Let’s see some pictures of new equipment.

“Where does one obtain arrogance of this sort?” – not even going there.

“Where do you even fit into the picture here?” – confused again! “I think, therefore I am” (look it up)

“Perhaps you're the disgruntled former partner?” No. I have made friends here and would have offered them the same advice face-to-face as I would on the forum.

Now please, before you post a witty, response, think about the situation. We are all here for the same reason. I am not trying to score points or climb the alpha tree – I have plenty of experience in business, and this guy has not produced the goods. People have paid hundreds of £ and $ for nothing.

I’m here to build my own cab and offer advice where I can, and I do not change any of that advice. Do not invest in a business that is dining out on your money.

Show us pictures of new equipment. The last blog entry on the home page was: 22nd May 2007.

Deliver or refund. End of discussion.

BTW. Like you're cab

Daviea · « **Reply #21 on:** October 27, 2007, 10:01:12 pm »

Hey everyone,

Some of you were asking for updates, so I provided an update on the more popular projects. This was specifically aimed at those who are interested. Anyone who has paid for a preorder and doesn't wish to wait any longer is welcome to a full refund. I've tried to make this as clear as I can. For the record, I've completed several projects in the past (Major Havoc roller, button cones, 4.5" trackballs, plus various components for many other controllers, etc) which nobody else would bother taking on. I believe that I have positively contributed to the hobby in a very useful and unique way. Perhaps I am mistaken on this point?

I guess it's down to "ok, so what have you done for us today?" Well, I'm working on many projects which *will* be completed. It's a slow going process which requires that I deal with other vendors at times which may or may not be in any hurry to move things along. It's unfortunate, but absolutely unavoidable. I realize that there will be nay-sayers no matter what I do, but the end result will be the same, regardless...new products. I may have taken some recent heat over slow shipping (due to internal issues as well as shipper problems), but I always close out my transactions either with product or a refund. I'd like to think that my reputation as a maker of quality parts has remained intact.

Rattz. It seems to me that you're trolling for a fight. Not going to happen with me, buddy. Hot air. Scam. LOL Let's just agree to disagree and leave it there.

David

saint · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2007, 11:21:53 pm »

I'm seriously thinking of putting in a pre-order

David, you still accepting those?

Havok · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:42:14 am »

Ratzz,

He is a vendor, like he says: he has delivered on other arcade related parts. In fact a number of members here have dealt with him in the past. I'm one of the pre-orders, (lol - the dirty dozen!) and I personally am sticking this one out - the return is worth the wait.

David - since you have the equipment now and are just waiting on the hookups before proceeding, what kind of time frame do you expect once you are fully operational?

Delgar · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2007, 04:00:26 am »

I've been one of those waiting in the wings (and lurking), so to speak, for what seems like a very long time, before ordering one of these yokes.

Given the complexity of the undertaking, it seems very odd to me that the big problem is quality control on the powder coating. I've had a few things coated over the years, and its not nearly as hard as many of the other steps needed to create a replica star wars yoke.

I'll still give the benefit of the doubt to this, and I really want one, but i'd rather pay a premium on something real than get a discount on someone's dream.

I'll be buying one, if it turns out to be real....

Level42 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2007, 06:25:41 am »

So Dave, how is your E-bay account these days ?

Saint, do think about your role here as the owner of the forum.....if you put your trust in David that sets an example.

I've read on other forums that David didn't deliver on e-bay auctions, got negative feedbacks and closed his account. THIS IS WHAT I READ, NOT KNOW however.

I am always willing to trust someone up-front. I probably need some parts for my SW yoke soon and would like to order in confidence with David, but reading all the messages everywhere, I would only order if he agrees to ship it first, and when it arrives I pay him. David, do you accept this, it could well establish back faith in you and your business.

ratzz · « **Reply #26 on:** October 28, 2007, 06:43:57 am »

Quote from: Delgar on October 28, 2007, 04:00:26 am

I'll be buying one, if it turns out to be real....

Me too ...

In response - I don't wish to upset anyone about my comments, but the time frame for this project is too long to be believable.

Why is it taking so long? I know you have explained some issues, but I could have built a real size death star in the time this project has taken (and powder coated it).

I stand by my comments, however harsh they sound, and I am still suspicious of the whole concept of 'pre-order'.

ratzz

ratzz · « **Reply #27 on:** October 28, 2007, 06:56:13 am »

FAQ's, RAM Controls

Q: I ordered something from you, but I don't have it yet, What should I do?
A: Always contact us if there is an issue of any type. Once you place an order, generally, you should have it within 3-4 business days at most. If you do not receive an order within this timeframe, your first action should be to contact us immediately so we can determine the issue and resolve it.

ark_ader · « **Reply #28 on:** October 28, 2007, 09:41:20 am »

I ordered some lighted Atari like cone buttons from RAM Controls a few months ago, I sent him an email about when they were going to ship, and I had to wait a bit, then I found out that the cone buttons were not lit. I fired an email to the the guy and he cancelled my order and payment without a hassle.

I would buy from Ram Controls again, since they have good customer service.

If RAM Controls doesn't deliver with your Yoke within a reasonable time, then you should ask to get your money back. Better to put a deposit then full payment on anything like that.

Then you can build your own, which isn't too difficult. I'm building my second yoke as the last one broke. Just follow the example on the links on this site, and switch to optical as it is much easier.

There is no reason to get into a row over it, or be disrespectful, just ask for your money back.

Remember any "coming soon product" is vaporware until it ships.

ChadTower · « **Reply #29 on:** October 28, 2007, 10:25:57 am »

Quote from: Havok on October 28, 2007, 01:42:14 am

He is a vendor, like he says: he has delivered on other arcade related parts.

To be fair, he delivered after taking orders for parts packages and then not sending them out until he was chased down for them. That's not exactly a faith building exercise. I am speaking of the Yoke parts bundles a few months back.

saint · « **Reply #30 on:** October 28, 2007, 10:36:59 am »

Quote from: Level42 on October 28, 2007, 06:25:41 am

Saint, do think about your role here as the owner of the forum.....if you put your trust in David that sets an example.

Yeah, I do think long and hard because of this and this is why you'll rarely see me endorse any particular vendor. I about wrote something like I did 3 different times but didn't exactly because of this. However, just because I run this insane asylum doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion

I'm human too and I have a good feeling in my gut about David. I don't want to see a source of products for this community disappear because the community is giving them a hard time, if it is undeserved. A pre-order is a gamble, and I think anyone who has pre-ordered understood that. I get the vibes that if things finally go south that David will refund the pre-orders. I don't understand people griping about a pre-order on an in-development product. I'm reminded of the Big Bang Bar pinball that took years to be produced with $4500 pre-order investments on the line. I would be a lot less tolerant if I was expecting something from an established corporation. Vendors in this hobby however are almost all hobbiests doing it on the side. Jobs, kids, family life, vacations, illnesses, "I'm too damned tired to work on this today" are all things I think they're entitled to. As someone hoping for a product I don't have the time or personal ability to make, my role for a pre-order product is to decide how long I'm willing to wait. If it exceeds my personal wait threshhold, I'll ask for my money back under the terms I initially agreed to. Until the vendor in question refuses to give me my money back however, I don't think I have anything to ---smurfette--- about.

It's a whole different story on a product advertised as shipping however. Then you have a reasonable expectation of a reasonable time frame and quality of work. I understood there were problems with filling orders before on some of his other products but also was under the impression all were made good, and the products delivered were of very good quality. I'd be interested to hear about anyone who had an initial problem who didn't finally get a resolution. That would be a different kettle of fish altogether.

Until I hear that however, what I've got to go with on a pre-order for a product in development is my gut, and my gut tells me that so far I have some confidence in David's intentions. I hope this succeeds and if it doesn't I don't believe it will be because of lack of intent on David's part.

--- saint

ChadTower · « **Reply #31 on:** October 28, 2007, 11:17:39 am »

The people who made Big Bang Bar aren't hobbyists. They are an established vendor and have been for a long time, before and after they shipped Big Bang Bar. The people who preordered those pins took a far more substantial risk than the people preordering these yokes and it paid off in a ridiculously profitable way... once those machines started shipping they were selling on the secondary market for 5 figures. They are still selling, when moved, in the $7000+ range.

That said, I have spent substantial time playing one of their Big Bang Bars, and it's a top notch product. I'd say better quality than new Sterns.

saint · « **Reply #32 on:** October 28, 2007, 12:13:05 pm »

Meh, you missed the forest for the trees in your way. He'd never done something like that before (completely produce a pinball machine from the prototypes and few parts that were available). It was a related, but completely different business, from what he had done before. I wish I could find the article (believe it was in GameRoom magazine) but imho it's an apt comparison. Nevermind I don't want to derail this thread. My earlier position stands.

Daviea · « **Reply #33 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:13:17 pm »

Guys,

I'm surprised by the level of response since my initial update. Listen, I understand the dread of having to wait it out for new products. Being at the center of the situation, I can attest to the fact that it's maddening at best. I'm not up to some nefarious plan designed to dupe people out of their money. What I am is an arcade hobbyist, or enthusiast if you will. One who happens to be equipped to manufacture parts made from metal, plastic, wood and even PCB materials. Granted, RAM Controls is only a very small side business to my main business, but I do treat it with a great level of respect and even...love. I've had an established and blossoming manufacturing business for many years. RAM Controls is simply an offshoot of this business which I operate during all of my free time. With this said, don't make light of my intentions or my resolve as I do spend quality time working on all of the projects. I'm in this for the long run, regardless of any dissenting views which may be voiced by people in the community.

Yes, I take full responsibility for the last batch of yoke kits (and what not) which were sent out late. I explained it and dealt with it. I believe that I concluded each and every purchase satisfactorily. What we have now is a situation where one, maybe even two or three people are demanding immediate results and/or explanations for an ongoing project, completely disregarding my previous comments as nonsense. I do take exception to this as my intentions are pure. I have been accommodating on several levels. First and foremost, I have offered to issue a full refund to anyone unwilling or unable to wait for their pre-orders to materialize. Second, I have been very specific as to the nature of the hold up on this end. It's simply impossible for me to provide immediate results in the form of a finished product and I believe that I have explained this enough times to substantiate the reasoning. Sure, it's taking a long time. I side with this assessment and agree that it's overdue. However, I cannot control outside forces (ie: vendors) and to ask me to do so is unreasonable.

Saint, I'm not accepting pre-orders any longer. Not for this item or any other item in the future. The attached strings are too difficult. Although, I do appreciate the obvious backup you're showing me. :-) Thanks, man.

Havok, Thanks for hanging in there, dude. I'd like to wait until I get the equipment hooked up and running before I give anymore estimates. I believe, at this point, it would be irresponsible for me to offer up any guesswork.

Ratzz, you're entitled to your opinion and comments....and suspicions. Like you said in a previous posting, we're all in this for the same reason. BTW, while totally unreasonable in context, the Death Star comment made me laugh.

Level42, If you'd like for me to send out something ahead to you to show a little good faith, what is it that you'd like? PM me or email me.

Delgar, Quality control is a big deal to me. I have no clue why the powdercoating has been such an issue, but the resultant parts I've been getting back from these people has been nothing less than unacceptable. If I gave the green light on those parts and used them as-is, I would be answering to a "you have a crappy product" thread. Not going to go there. Just hold your horses and be pleasantly surprised when the yoke is completed. :-)

Ok, I think that about covers it. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone with my products and I while I do have issues with people being disrespectful to me, I also understand and accept that everyone is entitled to their opinion. I do appreciate constructive criticism and even differing viewpoints. Please, however, I ask that you refrain from crossing the line from having an opinion into the murky area of being rude to me, especially when it's undeserved. I will, in turn, be respectful of you in kind.

David

Kaytrim · « **Reply #34 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:32:02 pm »

David,

I have been following the various threads over the last year or so about your projects. I have also been cheering you on from the sidelines. I think what you are doing is a service to the community and hope that you can get these final roadblocks out of your way. Personally I don't have much interest in what you are building but I know that there is a demand for these parts. The oddball games like StarWars, 720 and Major Havoc are icons of the industry and need be be preserved if at all possible. Your work is invaluable in the endever of this preservation.

For those naysayers that are not happy with the slow and even non existent progress at times I say try to do it yourself. As Saint said, this is a hobby and hobby's need to take a back seat from time to time. David has produced products for the hobby and there are some here that have benefited from his hard work and attention to detail. I believe that David will prevail and get the Yoke and other toys built.

TTFN
Michael

Level42 · « **Reply #35 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:59:15 pm »

Saint: Thanks for your clear words. If you thought so, I was never saying you're not entitled to an opinion, quite the other way around actually

David, thanks for your reply. I think/hope I was respectful to you, even though I did mention some serious things. Anyway, as I said before I'm always willing to give anyone my trust. Luckily, the world is still so that I've never had any serious problems with that, as long as I use my common sense. However, from the things I mentioned I got an uneasy feeling to order with you. I think other people may have the same feeling. It would be wise to see this as feedback and learn from it. It harms your business. The fact that it's not your full-time business doesn't make a difference. A promise is still a promise
When I agree something with a friend, I expect him to keep his promise, even though it's not his "main business".

Building trust takes a long time, it ca be ruined within seconds.

IMHO it might be better to focus on one or two projects, finish them and then make the next step. But I don't have the complete picture.

Fact is, you've already made some quality products I know that. I strongly hope the yoke will become what it was ment to be !

I will examine my SW yoke next weekend and PM you.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #36 on:** October 28, 2007, 02:02:37 pm »

to David, as well as saint, kaytrim and others who are showing faith in David and his projects. Also

to those who remain skeptical, but are respectful.

As saint points out, RealLife(tm) tends to intervene (heck, it took me months to ship out a board for a member here because I just kept forgetting about it). David has made a real effort to keep people informed and has delivered in the past. Apparently, he also tries to make things right when things go awry.

Now, if only I had a StarWars or MajorHavoc project ... and, yep, part of my confidence in the projects is a gut feeling about David.

jcoleman · « **Reply #37 on:** October 28, 2007, 02:23:39 pm »

Quote from: ratzz on October 27, 2007, 09:19:51 pm

You know ... I expected something like this would happen when I posted such semi-strong comments... ‘I have no opinion because I have only a few weeks on the board. ?’. I’m not “qualified”, or don’t fit into some kind of “clique”.
--snip--
Now please, before you post a witty, response, think about the situation. We are all here for the same reason. I am not trying to score points or climb the alpha tree – I have plenty of experience in business, and this guy has not produced the goods. People have paid hundreds of £ and $ for nothing.

Maybe I was a little out of line with my original post, but I think it was worth it based on the discussion that came out of it. You have to realize that many of us have dealt with actual hard-core scammers on the internet, and in some cases on this forum specifically - search for "harpal" (it's a username) and you will see why I tend to give someone like David the benefit of the doubt.

Quote

BTW. Like you're cab

Thanks, wish I had more time to work on it!

Coleman

Agent Davis · « **Reply #38 on:** October 28, 2007, 11:35:14 pm »

FWIW, I think it's great that people are willing to take on such enormous projects. This isn't a cheap undertaking, and I'm sure pre-orders have helped offset a lot of the major expenses involved. Those who pre-ordered have all been offered refunds for the delays. Keep up the good work and most of us are all looking for a great finished product.

Breaker · « **Reply #39 on:** October 29, 2007, 01:53:54 am »

Hello all,

As a member of the new dirty dozen (lol - good one Havok) I too understood that pre-orders always have an element of risk, however, before ordering, I exchanged several emails with David and found him to be open and honest in every regard. As Saint aluded to, it was on the merit of these communications (and the posts on this forum which spoke to the extremely high quality of his Major Havoc spinner and Atari cone buttons) that I felt confident in placing a pre-order.

That said, I have sent David a few messages over the past six months requesting updates on the SWY project, and in each case he has been timely and courteous in his responses. Yes, the project has had delays, but that's bound to happen when one takes on a project to completely remanufacture a controller like the Star Wars Yoke (and as noted, David has on many occasions offered to refund any pre-orders upon request). True, some of us have been stung by other vendors, but we shouldn't allow those experiences to influence our judgement in this case. David has acted politely and professionally in all his posts to the board (despite the slings and arrows sent his way) and that says a great deal in my book. Let's be patient folks, and support our vendors, we'll all reap the benefits in the end.

Cheers,
Breaker.


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Author Topic: RAM Controls - Star Wars Flight Yoke (Read 41557 times)

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