Fine Design Strike again!!

[Hickoryhead]

I thought I bought a Lehner 1940 last week though Chris Fine. I did it on the internet. Saturday I got an email stating "they are out of stock." Nothing else to the email. This gave me all weekend to get irritated about all the horror stories I read about Chris Fine. I decided to call him up and see if he had any other motors in stock. Don’t not pass go. Don’t collect $200. He doesn’t have any 1900 serious in stock at all. I asked about the website stating they were all instock. He stated they are in the process of updating it. He was really nice to talk with and even gave me his personal cell phone number but some of the things he was talking about went against what I read in the forums. He tried to sell me on "HIS" XLT\7. Everything sounded good but he was making the sales pitch for “his” motor. He asked why I wanted such a high price motor that would not perform the way his does. He also said it was a mistake to lock the tranny into 2nd gear. I need to unlock it. I read some where about how some one else got told by him that he would put a couple extra parts in to help with gearing. I got the same talk. Then when the bill came it was higher than expected. I don't need that. I got nervous and backed out of the deal and said I would think about it. I have nothing to go on. He was nice but that worries me. Any opinions on what to do? I might call Mike and see about a NEU motor. HELP!!!

[BrianG]

Well, we don't want to turn this into a brand-X bash session, so I'll just say this: No matter what, if you feel nervous, don't do it. It's your hard-earned money after all.

I know you won't be disappointed by the Neu if you decide to take the plunge (provided you have a "compatible" controller that is).

As for the tranny locking, I'm sure there are tons of threads explaining the ins/outs of doing this and what is gained/lost. Serum has done a few if memory serves, and experience is far better IMO than a salesman's pitch. Just my $0.02.

[mkrusedc]

I had to go through the same thought process. The motors I wanted were out of stock or I had to buy from sources that were overseas or I had no information about. For the prices and quality that we are thinking about you need to buy from a source you are comfortable with and one that has impeccable post sales service.

[Hickoryhead]

I will have to talk with Mike. Customer sevice is what matters. Any body can sale you something but it counts for the person that stands behind what they sell.Thanks.

[glassdoctor]

Your instincts are trying to tell you something so listen to them.

From your location in southern Utah... I would drive to southern Cal and pick up a Neu direct from the shop before I would order an "XLT" (Feigao) from FD.

Better yet, just order a Wanderer (same as the FD motor) from Mike.

[hyperasus]

Yeah I have gotten to the point of giving up on the Lehner motors as well. Great motors but overpriced and impossible to get the motors or even service for the motors. I'd go with something that Mike carries or can get. I'm getting a new 1515 with my new Revo.


BTW....I am also locate in Southern Utah. Maybe we've met at the LHS and didn't know it. Lets go bash LOL

[Romster]

I read on many,many many, forums about FD!!! Just a Warning!!
Once they get a hold of your Credit card number that is it!! You you get charged extra for no apparent reason...
rc-monster MIke is the only place to go for brushless motors.

Originally Posted by Romster

I read on many,many many, forums about FD!!! Just a Warning!!
Once they get a hold of your Credit card number that is it!! You you get charged extra for no apparent reason...
rc-monster MIke is the only place to go for brushless motors.

That's a drag, I was thinking about ordering a boat hull from them. They carry the best selection of hulls I've found.

[skellyo]

Originally Posted by Cajun

That's a drag, I was thinking about ordering a boat hull from them. They carry the best selection of hulls I've found.

They might actually have that in stock since it's their primary business. Have you also looked at bbyracing.com and mhzusa.com?

[lincpimp]

Mhz usa have the best hulls that I have seen. Beautifully made, with pencil lead thick seams, I run all of mine in the gelcoat and still get compliments on my painting! they are a lot better than most of Fine's hulls, hydro & marine, etc. I would recommend them, and their shipping is quite quick too.

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll try one of them and avoid FD.

I have never had any of these problems with cris, he bends over backwards for me and when he doesnt have a lehner in stock he gets it for me fast. I see a lot of guys who are too skiddish to call him up on the phone to check to see if a motor is in stock or to make sure he sent the order, he is very busy so if you call and hes not at his desk CALL BACK its that simple. Get to know him he's fun to bs with. And as far as I know he stocks the best hulls in the world, I myself am getting one of his challenger hulls set up for racing. And as for standing by his motors he does, I from my own stupidity roasted a brand new lipo and 109 charger and he got new stuff out to me before he even got the old stuff back and his nemesis motors have a life time warrenty, I crashed my truck into a wall and knocked the motor apart and he still replaced it plus gave me a different wind because I was running a little hot, if you do get to know him you wont regret it.

[glassdoctor]

Sounds like he takes care of his "buddies" but he can't be buddies with everyone. Maybe he takes care of you cause you run boats.

There is a reason why his reputation precedes him in these forums. It did not get that way by him bending over backwards to help his customers.