Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Boland on June 26, 2012 at 12:32pm

The telemetry kits are literally plug n play items.

We added the XBee kit from jDrones 

One 3 pin plug on the board, one USB connection on the laptop and they were talking.

Couldn't be easier

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Permalink Reply by AJC on June 26, 2012 at 12:50pm

Awesome, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on June 26, 2012 at 1:12pm

Some people run without any telemetry.  Unless you've got a pretty long USB cable you're probably going to want it before long though.

Not sure why 3DR hasn't got a proper ordering system running yet.  A business that refuses payment doesn't usually last long.

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Permalink Reply by Dr Mike Black on June 26, 2012 at 1:51pm

With respect,

Unless i mis-understand..

Its an ethical/sleeping at night thing, if there is no stock to hand, not taking peoples money is the right thing to do.

We as a company dont do it either, accepting peoples money without the item, is a bad road to be on.

apart from that, you soon get a nasty email saying 'You took my money!' (which you clearly didnt, as they made the choice to purchase! )

Keeps things clean, simple and honest.

so, again, unless i am mistaken they have done the ethical thing.

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on June 26, 2012 at 2:55pm

I'll avoid an ethics rant as that really isn't the issue here.

The common sense thing to do is to offer a "pre-order" option, "backorder" option, or both.  Not having these options is just plain bad business sense and highly inconvenient for the buyer.

How they handle the billing is a matter of what they think is fair.  I think billing at shipping is the fair and standard way to handle a backorder.  A pre-order can be billed right away and buyers know this.

Not having any options on how to deal with out of stock items is simply a hassle.  3DR has always treated me well, so it's a bummer to see them making basic business mistakes.

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Permalink Reply by Dano on June 27, 2012 at 10:42am

I agree that 3DR's way of dealing with out of stock items can be frustrating. That said though, they are very helpful and prompt if you email them asking a question. Just don't ask when something will be on stock, the only answer I have gotten to that is they "expect stock late this week, early next week" (got that answer three weeks in a row) Use the "email when in stock feature". It works well, just keep a close eye on your email, and order the radio's as soon as they are in stock.


I say that because the radio were in stock for SHORT period of time yesterday, but got spoken for pretty quick. I was able to get my order for the 433MHz kit before stock was depleted.

Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on June 27, 2012 at 10:58am

They've had great service with me.  I just wish they gave more info in expected delivery and let you backorder or preorder things.  Checking all the time or trying to rush to the site when you see an email is bullspit!

When I got my 9X from hobbyking it took forever.  I kept missing when they're in stock because they'd sell out in 15 minutes and I never was fast enough.  I finally ended up paying an extra $15 just for the privilege of backordering from the US warehouse.

I just don't see what the reasoning is to not let someone pay you in advance just for a place in line.  Or take my payment info and charge me when it's in or actually ships!

Think of how much business they are losing by not offering this basic customer service to people!  In the real world, if I'm on the phone with you you're going to take my CC info and the deal is done for me.

Maybe people just need to mail them a check or money order, then they have to take your money or send it back.

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DistributorPermalink Reply by Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk on June 27, 2012 at 11:20am

Not looking to get into the debate on the right or wrong way to deal with back ordered or parts which are not in stock, but dealing with a number of different market places around the globe for the past year and a half, and talking with my customers it's clear that some do, and some don't like the option to pre order and pay, I offer both now, so you can book your place by ordering and paying up front, or use the email me when in stock option. The first option is by far the most taken up service, you know it's done and dusted, no missed stock and the part arrives with me and then out the same day, I guess having both options allows the customer to decide how they would like to do business with the store, I know it might not work for everyone but when you have a good customer base and many returning customers there is a level of trust on taking money ahead of shipping, I would only feel uncomfortable about doing this if there was not always a good supply of parts coming into the store, this has not happened yet so I will continue to offer the same services.

Regards

Martin

www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on June 27, 2012 at 11:40am

I don't think it's really a matter of right or wrong since as long as you are clear about what the options are you have a fair deal.

It's really a matter of convenient or inconvenient.  It's a PITA to have to keep checking back and praying you get there in time before it sells out again.  I think a lot of people will just go elsewhere if they can.

Sometimes I do feel a little slighted because it's like they won't let you wait in line, but rather make you wait 10 feet back in a big mob that then charges the door when it opens.  If you get trampled or pushed to the back and don't get in it's like they don't care that they're doing that to you.

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Permalink Reply by AJC on June 27, 2012 at 12:32pm

As the super noob, here's what I think the shop admins should be aware of. I finally was ready to buy and was extremely excited about it. I got up the courage to take the plunge and bam, out of stock. My problem was that the Out of Stock message didn't show until i clicked add to shopping cart. I immediately searched for an alternative place to purchase but didn't see a comparable project so I decided to wait. The part that the admins should be concerned is that if there was another vendor standing by ready to cherry pick, they would have gotten my ~$2K purchase. I'm glad these guys are in business and growing, I'd just hate to see someone snipe the business model. That's my thought..

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on June 27, 2012 at 1:08pm

I had a similar problem also.  I wanted the 3DR telemetry kit, but it wasn't available.  Instead I ordered the air and ground modules separately and went to ebay for the antennas.

I ended up paying more in total (got slightly bigger/better antennas though) and I'm sure 3DR lost a couple bucks.

If I could have backordered I would have.

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Permalink Reply by Andre on June 29, 2012 at 2:09pm

To get back to the main question.
I do have the 433mhz radio and it saves my copter , for some reason i could not control my quad and it drifts off with the wind i run after it after jumping some fences and almost got bitten by a dog but i lost it.so i went back grab my laptop and track it on google with the misionplanner and it points me straight where my copter was. So you can use it as a tracker also.

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