Has Helidirect Changed Owner?

[Thi-rex]

Since this summer, I no longer see Jody when I call in for order. I also notice that they ship out wrong part to me once (but corrected it responsibly when informed). I ordered bunch of stuffs from Helidirect on Black Friday, including a pair of Align CF-D blades and received them today. It turns out that the blades are dull-looking, small dents on top, bunch of white flakes, has weird circles on them, and the roots have gaps that are wider than normal with small holes in them. Man....it's so bad that I even had the thought that these are not "genuine" Align blades!!! This is the second times that it had happened to me when ordering Align 425mm CF from Helidirect.....it's just getting so worst this time, compared to the last experience. Now I have to go through the hassle of taking good-angle pictures to clearly show these defects to get them believe and let me refund the item. I feel that Helidirect doesn't carry quality parts anymore as it used to be....
See attachment for some pictures. The cosmetic defects are far worst than can be shown in pictures.

[trickybit]

Before you attribute the problem to HD, you might want to ask around whether the problems are being found in parts from all vendors.

Generally, it would be unlikely that an online seller would be responsible for cosmetic defects in a packaged part, unless they left them out in the bad weather or something.

[Thi-rex]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to attach HD. In fact, I like their quick shipping. That's why I still order from them. But for CF Align blades...it has happened a couple times for me already. This time it just look so cheap that it's like....fake blades . Anyway, I hope they can give me a refund so that I can buy it from somewhere else, which I think they will.

[lpiint]

I still purchase Align products for some of my smaller helis but this is what I've come to expect from Align. You get what you pay for.

[outhouse]

this is aligns fault not HD

HD does not open each package and inspect what align sends them.

If i paid full pop for those I would call HD and get a return order coming as they are cosmeticaly flawed.

I do not like the holes in the roots and there definatly flawed

[fastflyer20]

I have ordered a bunch from HD lately and service/shipping has been top notch.
Imperfect blades should be blamed on the manufacturer.

[Gscott]

Aren't the "D" blades Align's cosmetic flaws?

[Shawn Behrens]

Originally Posted by Gscott

Aren't the "D" blades Align's cosmetic flaws?

No

[vanguy]

I ordered a bunch of stuff from them on black friday including a 500 ESP- a great deal. The order came on time and nicely packaged.

[heli-on]

My stuff from the gobble deal came lickety-split. They even threw in free Priority shipping, so I had the stuff I ordered last Wednesday on Monday.

I only complain when they send me stuff of lesser value by accident, which has never happened. They fill orders by part number, not by description.

Sometimes there's even freebies thrown in. I really like that HD carries a bunch of stuff you can't get from other vendors, too. They're top-notch on my list.

Sorry to see such a jacked up pair of Align blades. I've got some spares laying around that I never even opened the packages on (for the most part they've been flawless). Guess what I'm going to do right now?

[Thi-rex]

It's not like I'm picking on Helidirect. All my past orders have been perfectly packed & in good condition. It's just the main blades experience with HD. Because it happened twice already. I ordered regular priced blades and always get the cosmetic defect ones. I mean these are even worst looking than the "blemished" version sold from GrandRC. Both times I ordered the same Align CF 425mm D blades. I wonder if they stock bunch of blemish blades and redistribute them with regular price? I never had this problem when ordering new Align blades from Readyheli or local hobby shops.

[Slyster]

It's not like I'm picking on Helidirect.

So why did you post it here then for the entire heli world to see?

I can't understand why you didn't just email Helidirect. I've had an issue now and then too.. not their fault even.. and they fixed it. And that was that.

Are you young? (As in the entitled generation?)

[Tail boom]

Hi,

Bummer to hear about your recent hiccups.

I value HD for them offering rather "uncommon" brands like Beam, Ino-Lab etc, which I use. In addition, they stock the latest and most complete list of parts for my uncommon helis.

Also loved the 12% Black Friday discount I made use of for my new JR 8900G tail servo.

Best,
Frank

[Slyster]

Originally Posted by Tail boom

I value HD for them offering rather "uncommon" brands like Beam, Ino-Lab etc....

Yes Frank! I agree... in fact this is one of the VERY few places that sells Outrage kits and parts... my newest heli.

I really appreciate Helidirect.

And not even to mention they are the only distributor of Skookum FBL gyros.. heard of them?

[Thi-rex]

Originally Posted by Slyster

So why did you post it here then for the entire heli world to see?
I can't understand why you didn't just email Helidirect. I've had an issue now and then too.. not their fault even.. and they fixed it. And that was that.
Are you young? (As in the entitled generation?)

I bet you've ranted more than once since you entered this forum. Does that mean you're 12 year old too ? I bet if you're the one spending $50 for a set of blades that are not even 1/3 of your favorite "Pro 3D" sets, you wouldn't be that calm. This has happened to me more than once, buddy.

[Slyster]

Not really.. I don't rant much... I'm old but I do know if I have issues I deal with the vendor and not the general public... (who generally don't care)... dealing with who you bought from generally gets better results seriously.... er.. buddy.

i.e. If I buy 2 Mikado V-bars (doing so soon)... $1000... and one is bad. Would I rant here? Or would I email Readyheli for an RMA? Hmmm.. not a tough choice.

[xf100t]

Originally Posted by Thi-rex

I bet you've ranted more than once since you entered this forum. Does that mean you're 12 year old too ? I bet if you're the one spending $50 for a set of blades that are not even 1/3 of your favorite "Pro 3D" sets, you wouldn't be that calm. This has happened to me more than once, buddy.

Seconded... We've all had our moments.

[Bri]

Originally Posted by Thi-rex

Since this summer, I no longer see Jody when I call in for order. I also notice that they ship out wrong part to me once (but corrected it responsibly when informed). I ordered bunch of stuffs from Helidirect on Black Friday, including a pair of Align CF-D blades and received them today. It turns out that the blades are dull-looking, small dents on top, bunch of white flakes, has weird circles on them, and the roots have gaps that are wider than normal with small holes in them. Man....it's so bad that I even had the thought that these are not "genuine" Align blades!!! This is the second times that it had happened to me when ordering Align 425mm CF from Helidirect.....it's just getting so worst this time, compared to the last experience. Now I have to go through the hassle of taking good-angle pictures to clearly show these defects to get them believe and let me refund the item. I feel that Helidirect doesn't carry quality parts anymore as it used to be....
See attachment for some pictures. The cosmetic defects are far worst than can be shown in pictures.

I would highly advise that you edit the title in your post. It is not HD's fault for your flawed blades!

You can change the title of your post by going to your first post, clicking on "edit' and then click "Go Advanced". Now you have the ability to change the title if you choose to do so. If you do, then it is done, fixed, and HD keeps the respect that they have (or not) from their customers, current and future (possibly???).

That's just my 2 cents.


B

[Thi-rex]

Originally Posted by Slyster

Not really.. I don't rant much... I'm old but I do know if I have issues I deal with the vendor and not the general public... it just gets better results seriously.... ah..er.. buddy I guess.

Well...because if things happening more than once and it's getting worst, I was just checking to see if anybody else having the same problem on the specific 425mm CF-D sets too. If yes, then may be I'll only stop ordering that set from them, but continue on everything else. Anyway, it was just a frustration that I wanted to share.

[Slyster]

OK.. that's fair. Sorry I poked my nose in too far.