R&L ELECTRONICS "RIP OFF"

[K4RYR]

Normally I am not the kind of guy that compains about ham radio retailer's, being in the retail business is tought enough these days and I have been there and done that!!!  BUT when I get ripped off by someone or anyone I like for people to know about it.  so here is my experience with dealing with R&L Electronics!!

THIS WAS A "USED/RETURNED PRODUCT" THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND RESOLD AS A NEW "DISPLAY UNIT" NOT AN MFJ MFG. DEFECT!!!

On 9/2/10 I called them to see if they still had an MFJ994B in stock as show on their website, and I was told by (Debbie) that they only had one unit in stock and it was a display unit.  She offered it to me at an additional discount and assured me that it was in very good condition and under full warranty.  So I made the purchase.  Within a few days I received the tuner and immediately upon opening the box it appeared that something was not right with the product.  The single PC board in the cabinet did not align with the openings in the back of the box for access to the ports!  Upon further inspection I noticed that all "7"  of the 4-40 screws were missing from the bottom of the cabiner, these screws hold the PC board in place and in proper alignment with the rear cabinet openings for access.  I could not believe that R&L would send something like this out to a customer...they would have to be either "blind" - stupid or just don't give a crap to send a product in this condition to a customer.  So afer fixing the PC board problem I fired up the auto tuner and guess what!!!!  It didn't work and was defective both mechanically and electrically!!!  I notified R&L about the problem via e-mail and was told to send it back for credit!  So I boxed it up and sent it back on my nickel.  After they had received it back I kept sending them an e-mail asking them about the refund/account credit, etc. and what was the status...."NO ANSWER"!  Finally I called and asked to talk to who ever was in charge...they gave me "ROGER" who I guess is the "R" in R&L!  Roger quickly informed me that a credit was being posted on my credit card but NOT FOR MY COST TO SHIP IT BACK TO THEM and that was on my nickel.  He continously talked over me not wanting to let me say anything and insisting that he and his people "don't make mistakes" and basically calling me a "liar"!!!  I found him to be condensending, RETURNED ITEMrude, crude, self centered and obviously a "legend in his own" mind"!!!  There are pleanty of honest and realiable ham radio dealrs out there like HRO, AES, Gigaparts, etc...so I recommend "NOT" doing business with this idiot and his company!!!
 

[KB1NXE]

Actually, the hardware problems sound more like a typical MFJ Quality Control issue and not a R&L issue. 

I've dealt with R&L for years.  Both in person, on the web and through a purchasing agent (USAF).  I've always found them helpful, reliable and personable.  The only time I ever witnessed them getting 'out of character' with a customer is when the customer was being wholly unreasonable.  I am not saying you did, just reporting my experiences.

I also don't think the 'Roger' you spoke with is the 'R' in R&L as that was for "Rita" and "Larry".  I knew them both.  They would have to be in their 70's or even 80's by now.

[N9VO]

You sure seem to be unlucky. Didn't you have a similar post recently involving an amp that you purchased from another dealer. Same type of issue or similar to say the least.

Personally I've always had good luck with RandL.

[KC8OYE]

just an observation ...

I see a recurring theme in all of these 'complaint' posts..

the complainer usually states that "after many emails that went un-replied to"... "I finally called them" and this makes them angry.  Why do people rely so heavily on E-mail?  Do you honestly think e-mail is THAT reliable? That e-mail has to be broken up into possibly thousands of packets, and bounced, router to router, around the internet.. and if any one of those packets get lost, the whole e-mail is gone.   Have you ever tried using the "Read receipt" function so that you get a little note back when they actually READ the e-mail?

or better yet.. when the first e-mail goes unreplied to after a reasonable period (2-3 days is about right) why not go straight to the phone?  save yourself some bother.. if they didn't answer the first e-mail, why do you think they're going to answer the second, third, fourth?

[W4PGM]

I have had nothing but the best service from R and L.  I get to OH a few times a year and always make R and L a must stop.   I have ordered the wrong part and they have always taken it back for full credit and I have never had anything but the most professional treatment in person or on the phone.   

I place R and L in the top two or three dealers in the Ham area.

Paul
W4PGM

[N3OO]

I was a big " buyer" at R&L for years.... Then they screwed me big time  ( ouch) !!!!!!   NEVER NEVER WILL I DEAL WITH THESE JOKERS AGAIN.
And for those who continue to deal with them.....well ur turn is coming , sooner  or later they will "  get ya" !!!
Need I say more...........
70 fleas   BOB  N3
 
HRO  or  AES  for my purchases........period.

[KF7CG]

Mark me down as a fan of RandL. I have done business with them for at least 15 years with never a problem. All the rigs in my shack are from them and have been purchased at a reasonable price, arrived in good condition, and with no problems with RandL. During that time I have been in three different locations, only one of which was a reasonable drive to Hamilton, OH. When near Columbus i preferred them to Universal for all but minor things and I thought Universal Radio was quite good, just RandL was better. I have dealt with AES before and was not favorably impressed. This was by all three of their locations at the time I dealt with them. (Orlando, FL, Euclid(Cleveland),OH, and of course Milwaukee, WI)

I really enjoyed Henry Radio when it was in business, but that was just a while back. RandL isn't perfect, and if you feel that they are not right for you, thanks for the warning but I have a different opinion. I probably will maintain that opinion until sufficient incidences see the light of day to change my mind.

KF7CG

[WZ3O]

  As I read complaints about items/companies etc, it always amazes me.
A-Generally the Bi-tching is vague as in "then they screwed me" with no specifics..."they" may have but H--L without details it opinion not fact......
Or B:like this "something was not right with the product. ......................So after fixing the PC board problem..........." GEE..........I'm not sure that's how manufacturer/seller warranties are supposed to work..I thought when you see an issue you pick up the phone, speak with someone, clarify the issue, keep notes and confirm the conversation with a "read receipt" email or something like that...NO???
Oh well when my Neurologist tells me I need brain surgery I'll get a mirror, my "Golden Screwdriver" & "fix" it myself....& then when I "walk funny, drool & slur my speech" I'll sue the MD........"Standard Disclamer" Ahh well I guess we're all untitled to our opinions.... .

[WB2WIK]

As I read complaints about items/companies etc, it always amazes me.
A-Generally the Bi-tching is vague as in "then they screwed me" with no specifics

If you read the original post, it has every specific anyone could possibly want to know.

[KC8OYE]

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.

[WZ3O]

As I read complaints about items/companies etc, it always amazes me.
A-Generally the Bi-tching is vague as in "then they screwed me" with no specifics

If you read the original post, it has every specific anyone could possibly want to know.

Unfortunately, the "original post" does not seem to appear on/in this thread, so I can't form an opinion on the "specific" situation, mea culpa. That said, I stand by my premise.....all too often "folks" that don't follow SOP/accepted practices, expect others to "jump thru hoops" for them & then "flip out", "pout" about issues they may have helped "create"........."Standard disclaimer, your mileage may vary...etc, etc."....

[KJ4VTH]

If they sold you something that does not work, you should get a replacement or refund, which it sounds like you got.  I can understand your being upset but that does not make them a "rip-off" IMO.

[K8KAS]

I have bought a number of rigs from R&L without a problem, Can I describe the worlds worst job (dealing with cheap you know what Ham's) we have to be after I hear some of the complaints on E-Ham. I would think when R&L offered you a return on a AS-IS purchase with you paying shipping you would be very happy, why did you agree to take the demo unit in the first place? 73

[KH6DC]

1.  I bought several itms from R&L with no issues or problems whatsoever.
2. You should have NOT open the item and fixed it yourself and should have immediately called R&L and dicussed your observations with them and they might have told you to send the unit back and get reimbursed for shiping fess as well as a new unit or refund.

I'm not legal beagle but opening the box would have voided the manufacturer's warranty and if everyone (R&L and MFJ) played by the book, they could have refused taking the item back and said you voided the warranty so all claims are null and void.  I seen this happen many years ago when I worked at Radio Shack when I was in college.

[KI4QPU]

If R and L sells it, that's where i'm buying. I have payed a little more before just so I can deal with them. To me they're the mom and pop of ham radio. And would rather my money go to them instead of a large company like HRO. They have never done me wrong.