Trigger warning... moderate Fanatec rant incoming...worth reading, IMO...

5-Card-Major · Jul 25, 2020

Throughout my working career I have been in sales, customer service, and management with companies such as IBM. So, I know what it's like when one's company is extremely busy trying to keep up with an unusual volume of new orders. As a result, situations with customers often aren't always attended to as quickly as they should be. With that said, when business is good (and it is good now with sim racing component manufacturers), companies also have to 'walk the walk", not just "talk the talk" when it comes to dealing with returns and complaints.

My timeline with Endor/Fanatec, to this point on July 25th, 2020:

* June 8th... Ordered & paid for sim components on their website
* July 17th... Received components (Fedex)
* July 21st... 7:30am-EST, sent cancellation email to their website
* July 23rd... 10:00am-EST, called USA Endor #, "There is no one available now to take your
call" and "The voice message box is full..." So, could not leave message.
* July 23rd... A bit later, I texted their Cust Service #, giving them all info they needed
to send me a return authorization # so I could send the boxes back.
* July 24th... Called & left message in 'reception' box with all info. No contact from Fanatec.
* July 25th... This morning 8:00am-EST, sent registered, second day letter with all info.
* July 25th... Left another message w/ all details again at their website.

Now, you might be thinking... "Well, it's only been 4 days since you initially contacted them about wanting to return the components...give them a chance."

But, here's the critical difference.... On their website, it is stated we have only 14 days to cancel/return components ordered. From July 17th (when I received the order), 14 days gets me to July 31st as the drop-dead date.... Seven days have already past now..... I don't want to start thinking they are trying to burn the time I have to return the order. I'll assume they just don't have enough folks handling returns/complaints.

Yesterday, I did some research on the California Better Business Bureau website (a formal consumer protection site). There was a concerning number of Fanatec/Endor issues like mine listed there. I hope I don't have to contact them(BBB). Hope to hear from Fanatec Monday/Tuesday at the latest.

DirkW · Jul 26, 2020

I also returned an item and had to wait some time but then they were very polite and apologetic and wrote that the covid situation made things more complicated for them,and the money was returned without problems shortly after.

Ormy · Jul 27, 2020

What happened between July 17th and 21st that made you want to return it all?

5-Card-Major · Jul 27, 2020

Ormy said:
What happened between July 17th and 21st that made you want to return it all?

The computer room in our small (downsized too much) condo is too small for a rig. Our finished basement is loaded with 'stuff', mostly my wife's teaching materials. So I decided to try a desk mount of the WB and rim. I realized quickly that it was a compromised set up that I wasn't comfortable with.

5-Card-Major · Jul 27, 2020

I still am somewhat toying with the notion of keeping everything, and getting a rig for the finished basement and set up everything down there. Issues w/ that idea... Wife's 30 yrs of teaching materials and it's DAMN chilly down in the basement both in summer & winter... and I HATE the cold.

alfye20 · Jul 27, 2020

You always can force those CPUs & GPUs to 90ºC and create a microclimate in the basement

Ormy · Jul 27, 2020

Ah that sucks. I had a similar issue, I cannot desk mount but I don't have enough space or budget for a full simulator rig. I would really like an RSR GT1 but it's still a bit a much for my limited space and a bit out of my budget. I went with one of these which was cheaper and more compact. And it's light enough to be lifted out of the way when not in use (with CSW v2.5 and pedals attached).

I had my own issues with the CSW2.5 though but I bought it used. Turned out the belts just needed tightening.

I like the cold, down to 17C is acceptable room temp for me, anything above 23C is not comfortable. I wish I had a basement.

Physical teaching materials i.e. books? Get digital copies or rent a book-scanner and digitize it yourself, a room of books fits on a thumb drive these days.

Fastard · Jul 27, 2020

1. Sell the desk
2. Put a cupboard in desks place
3. Fill the cupboard with teaching material
4. Place a rig in the basement

Cold can be a problem if you watch a movie or surfing the net.
But there is some physical activity with simracing
You can also add a small heater

5-Card-Major · Jul 28, 2020

Fastard said:
1. Sell the desk
2. Put a cupboard in desks place
3. Fill the cupboard with teaching material
4. Place a rig in the basement

Cold can be a problem if you watch a movie or surfing the net.
But there is some physical activity with simracing
You can also add a small heater

Enzo Fazzi · Jul 28, 2020

I assume the 14 day period is the time in which you have the make the product return request. Since you requested it within 14 days (and they approved it within the 14 days), I don't think you'll have to worry.

Paul Glover · Jul 28, 2020

5-Card-Major said:
I still am somewhat toying with the notion of keeping everything, and getting a rig for the finished basement and set up everything down there. Issues w/ that idea... Wife's 30 yrs of teaching materials and it's DAMN chilly down in the basement both in summer & winter... and I HATE the cold.

You'll appreciate the cold, I get all sweaty when sim racing.

5-Card-Major · Jul 28, 2020

Paul Glover said:
You'll appreciate the cold, I get all sweaty when sim racing.

Paul.. Are you completely happy w/ the Simetik K2? I tried to find out yesterday if they're available in USA... I'm still not sure.... looks like a very nice rig...

Paul Glover · Jul 28, 2020

5-Card-Major said:
Paul.. Are you completely happy w/ the Simetik K2? I tried to find out yesterday if they're available in USA... I'm still not sure.... looks like a very nice rig...

I love it, they have recently updated parts of it to cope with the direct drive wheels. Not sure I'll be making that jump, but if I do it's nice to know I order the required parts.

5-Card-Major · Jul 28, 2020

Simetik K2... they will ship to USA...

TShrimp · Jul 29, 2020

5-Card-Major said:
Throughout my working career I have been in sales, customer service, and management with companies such as IBM. So, I know what it's like when one's company is extremely busy trying to keep up with an unusual volume of new orders. As a result, situations with customers often aren't always attended to as quickly as they should be. With that said, when business is good (and it is good now with sim racing component manufacturers), companies also have to 'walk the walk", not just "talk the talk" when it comes to dealing with returns and complaints.

My timeline with Endor/Fanatec, to this point on July 25th, 2020:

* June 8th... Ordered & paid for sim components on their website
* July 17th... Received components (Fedex)
* July 21st... 7:30am-EST, sent cancellation email to their website
* July 23rd... 10:00am-EST, called USA Endor #, "There is no one available now to take your
call" and "The voice message box is full..." So, could not leave message.
* July 23rd... A bit later, I texted their Cust Service #, giving them all info they needed
to send me a return authorization # so I could send the boxes back.
* July 24th... Called & left message in 'reception' box with all info. No contact from Fanatec.
* July 25th... This morning 8:00am-EST, sent registered, second day letter with all info.
* July 25th... Left another message w/ all details again at their website.

Now, you might be thinking... "Well, it's only been 4 days since you initially contacted them about wanting to return the components...give them a chance."

But, here's the critical difference.... On their website, it is stated we have only 14 days to cancel/return components ordered. From July 17th (when I received the order), 14 days gets me to July 31st as the drop-dead date.... Seven days have already past now..... I don't want to start thinking they are trying to burn the time I have to return the order. I'll assume they just don't have enough folks handling returns/complaints.

Yesterday, I did some research on the California Better Business Bureau website (a formal consumer protection site). There was a concerning number of Fanatec/Endor issues like mine listed there. I hope I don't have to contact them(BBB). Hope to hear from Fanatec Monday/Tuesday at the latest.

Good luck. I have been waiting months for them to get back with me. I finally just stopped trying to contact them. I was looking or a DD wheel, and guess what company is no longer in the running for my business

.

Edit: I just though of something. If it is a hard item to get right now you may make some money via Craigslist or ebay...If you end up getting no response like myself.

5-Card-Major · Jul 29, 2020

There is a God...

Endor/Fanatec emailed me early this morning with an RMA # for the return of my components. There is a 15% re-stocking fee which I was aware of. And they're giving me 30 days to return the items. 15% approx $249. PLUS the shipping across country to CA. Ouch.

Now, I have to decide whether to return everything, OR, hold onto the items & buy a rig for the COLD finished basement to race in ( including selling a 50" Pioneer Plasma TV set that we never use, in order to make more room).

Ready for at least 2 Gin & Tonics................................