I am reporting HOBBYTRON.com for deceptive business practices and inferior quality goods. It is understandable that companies have to protect themselves against customers who will use a product and then return it, however to take a hard line approach that everyone does and therefore not give refunds is not acceptable. Buyers should beware of on-line retailers that do not offer a money back guarantee.
We ordered a Snow Leopard tank. When we received it, the man's head was off and there was smoke solution already in the chamber. This clearly suggests that this was a previously returned item. These are things that we cannot see without opening the box and inspecting the item. Their policy is if you open the box, no refund. We returned it, and we were sent another tank.
Low and behold, not the same tank that was ordered.instead, we were sent a German Tiger. This was returned and a "Store Credit" was issued. When I indicated my extreme displeasure for having spent another $15 to send the first tank back and the amount of time lapsing when we did not have a product I requested again, and dissatisfaction with teir policy, I requested a refund. I was told that I could not have a refund, I could only have store credit, it had to be used in 6 months, and that I should have read their policy.
I did read their policy... Which hind sight being 20/20 seemed fairly one sided and not the best policy. I should have followed my gut instead of letting my son's excitement for an item drive my purchase. Basically if you open the box you are not entitled to a refund. What kind of hack brain policy is that? How else can you examine your purchase? Somebody anybody explain this to me.
Furthermore, if you don't expect any problems, then why not order from what you expected to be a reputable company.
To their credit, the first young man that I talked to was very polite and professional. I did not catch his name. He forwarded me to Becky. She was some what polite, but not helpful in that I was essentially told... Personal problem, all you're getting is store credit.
Now we are stuck having to purchase $75 worth of inferior merchandise. There is nothing else that I want to buy from them as I am not pleased with paying high prices for some defective plastic products that break easily.
I have learned yet another life lesson. My dad passes pearls of wisdom along to me and I will share this one with you. You don't have to make all the mistakes yourself, you can learn from other people's mistakes. Therefore I am issuing this warning so that consumers can make a more informed decision and learn from my mistake instead of making it themselves.
1] Always do your research, check reviews, and of course check the usacomplaints.com before you buy.
2] ALWAYS... ALWAYS read the fine print and be sure that you AGREE with and are willing to accept the terms. Unfortunately most terms we don't really agree with, but are kind of stuck with having to make the deal anyway because they (terms) are written so one sided to protect the seller. If you would like to buy from Hobbytron, be forewarned that there is no chance of getting your money back if you are dissatisfied and/or have a defective product.
3] Think worst case scenario and determine if those terms still would be ok, otherwise don't buy.
4] Do NOT buy from on-line shopping venues that do not offer 100% satisfaction guarantees or have a good customer service policy.
Best of luck out there! Shop safe!
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