Redditch Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) So, the other week, my new "flapper" (you put a dead bird on it, and it moves the wings up and down. 30-60 beats a minute for corvid, 200-300 beats a minute pigeon, controlled by a speed controller), blew the gearbox. Now they are motor/gearbox integrated units, and all seem to come from China, with vastly different degrees of quality. This new flapper I had, had a motor that had a plastic shaft, and plastic gears in the gearbox :( i mentioned it on FB, and another friend (who makes the finest flappers in the UK), offered to send me a couple of spare motor/gearbox units of his, as they were the same size. He supplied them FREE of CHARGE, and didn't even charge me the courier costs. WHAT a difference in quality !!!! These are steel shafts, steel gears, and instead of the shaft running bare in the housing, has a bronze bushing bearing to support the shaft ! Fitted that, and its working better than the new flapper did, which is why I'm going to be buying an FF5 flapper from Nick Tait at "Flightline Decoys" ...... Superb quality products. Then yesterday, my ICOTec GC500 electronic caller decided to pack up in the field. The main power switch on the speaker unit literally fell apart. I messaged the importer on FB and asked if he had a spare switch and the cost. He offered that I send it in and he would repair it, but I used to own a computer company so I am proficient at soldering. He sent me a photo of the relevant part to ensure it was the correct part, and this morning in the post was the new switch board with switch. Again NO CHARGE, even though it was out of guarantee. So many thanks too to Rob Crampton of "UK Best Fox Call", importers of ICOTec electronic calls, and makers of the UK's best mouth calls for foxing. A1 Decoys. Always supply top quality gear, and if there's ever a problem, they sort it fast and with no quibbles. I've sometimes had items arrive damaged in the post, or bits missing, and a simple mail/message/call, and it's generally that the replacement parts are in the post the very next day too. Many thanks Oscar That said, if you don't buy from UK based companies (sales and or manufacturers) then sooner or later they won't be there to supply you, and try getting this level of service from halfway around the world. Edited June 19, 2015 by Redditch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I've had absolutely outstanding service from Henry in the USA and MDT in Canada both going way above what would be considered a good level of service. I've also had good service from a few UK companies and some some truly awful "service" as well. As in all things, there's good and bad to be found everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I bought a new gun a few weeks ago and there was an issue with registering the warranty. I dropped the American importers an email asking what was the best way to sort it out, at the same time I also dropped the UK importers an email. A week later the American side had exchanged numerous emails, contacted the European head man and sorted out registering this with the UK distributor. I received no response from the UK side until 2 weeks later with a quick email that begrudgingly said that I was now registered. If you find a good UK company then it should get supported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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