R&L ELECTRONICS "RIP OFF"

[KD8DEY]

I haven't bought a lot from R&L. A couple radios, Power supply, odds and ends but I have never had any problems.

I am close enough that I can drive over even if it's only to look around out of curiosity to see whats new or what they have that isn't normally in the catalog/online.

[W4HLN]

I have ordered from R & L for over 25 years...Had one problem with a Yaesu VX7R where txco came unlocked...Was in a Factory sealed box and was replaced the next day....No questions asked.

In my lifetime...Ive ordered 8 MFJ items from 4 different manufacturers...Have had problems with 6 of those items...Missing screws....Sloppy construction...Cheap construction....Dont work as described....All in SEALED MFJ Boxes.

One guy V31BB JIM ZIMSKIND(SK) in Belize used to run a MFJ Junk Net and had thousands of checkins with horror stories....Trust me it aint R & L!!!!! (That was during Solar Cycle 22!!!)

Quality Control problems are at least 25 years old at MFJ...probably more!

There is a reason they say Mighty Fine Junk AND M----r F----n Junk!


Ernie / W4HLN

[K0OD]

One guy V31BB JIM ZIMSKIND(SK) in Belize used to run a MFJ Junk Net and had thousands of checkins with horror stories..

V31BB had "check ins" because he was very loud and in a slightly rare place. That wasn't a net, it was a DX pile up.

V31BB... another in the hobby's long line of screw balls. (ever wonder why they move to a place like Belize?)

[KE4YOG]

Lets see here. I have heard that AES has terrible service and doesnt care about customers. Never had a problem. As a matter of fact I cold them one day to order something. They told me I could get it cheaper at Radio Shack. I told them that my local store was out and right now I cant drive so easier to order.


I have heard that HRO had bad customer service. I have never had an issue.

Gigaparts after yesterday will be getting much more of my service. Carl from Gigaparts called me about a Kenwood coupler that I bought from them. I had got it and due to other projects I opened it and then put it back until I got ready for it. Seems they forgot to ship the cable with it. It has been 2 months since ordered. I had assumed with it being an used unit they didnt have the cable. They found the cable and shipped yesterday overnight.

One company that all the quotes about is are positive is DX Engineering. As wonderful service as I have ever had in any kind of business.

[N0AZZ]

I have, all I can say is DON'T! For the most part anymore all I use Mosley or M2 those two supply all of my needs and the best quality and product. I still have 2 of the real Hy Gain products and 1 of the Cuchraft's there have been a lot of quality issues that they now have.

[KC8Y]

I have ordered numerous items, from HRO, over the last several years.  Never any problems with shipping or radio products. 

DX Engineering seems to operate, just like HRO.
[DX Engineering is only 45-min from me   ]

Ken, KC8Y

[WB8NUT]

So.. if I've got this right, the only complaint that has gone un-answered, is that you had to pay return shipping?

seems to be that's pretty S.O.P for most companies I've ever dealt with.

No, every mail/internet retailer I have dealt with pays for the return shipping if due to their error or product defect. Not sure if everyone does that, but I would not say that not paying is S.O.P.

I would never purchase a used/demo/out-of-box item from anyone unless I personally inspected it first. If over the Internet/Phone I would have at the very least asked for photos of this "demo" item to provide a visual inspection. That should have uncovered the issue before purchase.

Cannot say I ever had a bad dealing with R&L but I don't deal with them very much as I do not find them particularly friendly or helpful - even when visiting the store which is fairly close to me. Frankly, the store is a mess and dirty in my opinion.

I have had the best success with HRO, especially the Atlanta area store. They actually read their emails - promptly - and are very friendly and helpful. They will also match prices if you find it lower somewhere else. So having had issues with Universal, Lentini, and AES in the past (nothing dramatic, just poor customer service), I just feel more comfortable with the folks at HRO.

[NJ2S]

R & L Electronics has always been great with me ,When i kick tires i have asked them how a new product is and they have Great with me. BILL NJ2S

[VE3YUF]

I have to agree with all that commented that RandL is a pretty good company to deal with. In reading the original post, I can tell you that stuff like that comes right from the manufacturer (MFJ) like that, believe it or not.  Their quality control is unfortunately sub standard, especially with the larger tuners.  I worked part time for a radio dealer here in Canada and had the exact same complaints, all from items "new in the box, sealed, and factory shipped" from MFJ.  It was difficult to send and explain previously opened boxes to a customer as new without complaints, and I wouldn't blame them for complaining, but we had to start opening and checking some MFJ products like the tuner mentioned for the very same reason of what this post is about.  Missing screws, returns to the factory under warranty and then sold new to dealers, missing parts, etc.  I have dealt as well with RandL and they have always been great to deal with.  I think the original poster just had it in his head that RandL was trying to rip him off, but I can almost guarantee its MFJ quality control issues. I'm not sure what the problem is there (at MFJ) they may be getting them assembled elsewhere as well, then shipped to their factory, its too bad, they do make some really good products as well.

[N3JBH]

One the other posters commented about how good DX Engineering is. The owner also has another fine business is the same building. If your a gear head you know the name Summit Racing there darn good at stuff too.

[N6NJS]

I've bought several peices of new radio gear from R & L and have been quite satisfied with the company. Their prices are lower than most other rerailers of ham radio gear and the products are well packaged and shipped promptly.

[N0GRM]

I just received my latest order from R&L, which contained several changes on my part.  From my perspective they were very helpful, accurate and timely working through back order parts and my change requests. 

From my experience, they will be my first consideration the next time I place an order online. 

Good Job Guys!   

[KB1TXK]

Everyone keep in mind that the OP recently started an "I love Radio Mart, all hail Martyn" thread...just to put his ability to rate things into context.

[K1AVE]

Do we really need to be subjected to 1 1/2 year old posts?

[K3IVB]

Do we really need to be subjected to 1 1/2 year old posts?

write the mod man and he will lock this dead end thread