Another Fanatec wheel arrives!

[Spagetti69]

Im not mad about waiting the first three months, that was my decision, but I think like most people my excitement and anticipation was reved into high gear when I got the your order will be shipped email only to find out it has not actually shipped...

Have you checked Fanatecs site.
I'm sure it says delivered at this point. Mine did.

 

[Bonefork]

S#$% happens.

It seems to happen to Fanatec... a lot. This is the second delay on this shipment. When I ordered I was reading comments on Thomas' blog about the multiple delays on the last shipment.

It's the warehouses fault, custom's fault, Chinese New Year's fault... but I still don't have my Fanatec wheel.

Not to mention all the DOA and power problems from the first batch we're all braced for.

Let's be realistic, things go wrong, but for the most part you should be able to expect things to go smoothly and commitments to be followed through after you've already exchanged money. The fact that this is a novelty product is the only saving grace of all of this, if Fanatec was my plumber things would be much different.

I'm not upset, or even surprised, because like I said, I read up on this thing before I put my money down; but it's still disappointing. I want to have trust when I inevitably place my order for the CS Shifter or handbrake, but I won't. That's not a good thing, so it may seem harsh to post about it on the forum but if Fanatec doesn't confront these problems head-on they'll never get solved in the future.

 

[djcslice]

Have you checked Fanatecs site.
I'm sure it says delivered at this point. Mine did.

Yea? And?

 

[Spagetti69]

Yea? And?

Did you not find it odd that it's not delivered.
I only mention it as you seemed surprised to receive an email saying shipped when apparently not.

 

[MisterStatic]

Did you not find it odd that it's not delivered.

It is odd phrasing, if not wrong. Because Fanatec is a German company, I tried to help back in December or January by suggesting that they change the terminology in the system (at least for English users) to "Shipped".

Maybe even add a status of "Ready for Shipment"?

Amazon and most commercial online vendors are an easy model for this method.

Anyway, apparently my suggestions were ignored. I was just trying to be helpful.

So, I will try to help all those that are new to Fanatec:

"Delivered" means essentially the phase from when they have your product in the warehouse and are getting it ready to ship all the way until you receive it at home. (Although that doesn't really fit the latest debacle, where "Delivered" meant sitting in the shipping container in Long Beach, which is almost to the warehouse)

 

[djcslice]

Did you not find it odd that it's not delivered.
I only mention it as you seemed surprised to receive an email saying shipped when apparently not.

I also took the delivered status to be a translational confusion rather than an actual error. I was mad when I got an email stating that customs was going to search the container after I had received an email that it was going to ship.

 

[Irish_59]

I was talking about receipts for the shipping cost or buying spare parts by yourself. If we need to refund the shipping cost you need to give us a receipt of the forwarder. This is pretty normal business practice.

If you bought the order in our webshop and we can identify you then there is no need to send us a receipt for the product. A big advantage over buying at a local store.

Are you telling about physical receipts (from the UPS guy)? I say it because they do not give anything in paper, just make you sign.

Get used to it guys.
When you receive your product the pain starts. Remember not to join an online league or commit to run in a series.

Apart from that have fun on the Fanatec roller coaster. Lol.

Speak for yourself. Me and my friends have placed orders and never
have been any problems. So if you are hurt, do not discredit a reliable company...

 

[Spagetti69]

Speak for yourself.

I do.

Thanks for that.

 

[Irish_59]

I do.

Thanks for that.

Now yes, before not.

Relax, I notice you´re a bit resentful 👍.

 

[strtgng]

It is odd phrasing, if not wrong. Because Fanatec is a German company, I tried to help back in December or January by suggesting that they change the terminology in the system (at least for English users) to "Shipped".

Maybe even add a status of "Ready for Shipment"?

Amazon and most commercial online vendors are an easy model for this method.

Anyway, apparently my suggestions were ignored. I was just trying to be helpful.

So, I will try to help all those that are new to Fanatec:

"Delivered" means essentially the phase from when they have your product in the warehouse and are getting it ready to ship all the way until you receive it at home. (Although that doesn't really fit the latest debacle, where "Delivered" meant sitting in the shipping container in Long Beach, which is almost to the warehouse)

BMW does the same thing on shipping cars. "Delivered from VPC" (VPC = Vehicle prep center) means the car was released from the prep center and was picked up by the car transporter. Actual delivery could be days away!

 

[Spagetti69]

Now yes, before not.

Relax, I notice you´re a bit resentful 👍.

I am.

You are correct about a physical invoice.
I went to UPS direct and the lady helped me alot.

She checked on the system to see if she could charge the receiver.
I know nothing about these things but she said it's a normal practise.
When she checked she found that was not an option.

I sent the wheel and that was that.
I felt glad that Armin was dealing with me promptly.

Now I look back and feel an idiot. Why should I have to pay.

My latest debacle is waiting for a 6 inch adapter to arrive. Mine is faulty.

Imagine stripping your setup down,
re-assembling only to find the adapter is then faulty.

Previously I would just go on the site and buy another one but principle has to kick in at some point.

They have dealt promptly in the past I will say.

It's the straw breaking the camels back I'm afraid.

 

[Jose']

Spaghetti69, Do yo mean when sending or when receiving? If it's when receiving, they should not request a thing that they don't give you? Because I did not receive anything either.

 

[Spagetti69]

Deleted, wrong thread.

Edit: Spaghetti69 Do yo mean when sending or when receiving? If it's when receiving, they should not request a thing that they don't give you? Because I did not receive anything either.

I sent my wheel back to Fanatec via there RMA request.

The only advice I had was to send by the cheapest delivery, if I remember correctly.

And that's that. They don't send anyone to pick it up it's your responsibility to get it to them.

In emails between us it was never mentioned and I wrote off the cost.

Thomas will tell you if you send a receipt or invoice you will get a refund.

Unluckily I have no proof other than them receiving my package by a guy dressed in an UPS suit. Maybe that's not proof enough.

I am reluctant to spend another £76 sending off my pedals. ( maybe more they are heavier after all ).

They have offered to send me a sensor for me to replace and an adapter.
Correspondence is slow and it's now the 3rd week of waiting for a reply.

TBH I will write the CSP off and chuck em in the bin. I just want an adapter to allow me to play my Xbox with a wheel and pedal set.

I'll probably end up ordering an adapter if it's another 3 weeks.

Bloody xbox exclusivity.

 

[Irish_59]

Spaghetti69, Do yo mean when sending or when receiving? If it's when receiving, they should not request a thing that they don't give you? Because I did not receive anything either.

Tomas referred receipts when he sent the whhel to fantec and from the shop that bought the part. I think..

 

[Spagetti69]

Tomas referred receipts when he sent the whhel to fantec and from the shop that bought the part. I think..

Right. If you go back a page or two you will see the comment I made to Thomas Via PM. I posted it.

Yes I wrote off the cost of a new power adapter. On the other hand I was never offered a new adapter either.

I have no receipts from UPS at all to say I sent my wheel to them.

I know they had and stripped my wheel because they never replaced the screw at the top/front. Not bothered by that anyway but at least I know it was looked at.

Ok at a loss of around £130. Not bad.

I am probably one of the unlucky ones, hell the shifter reduced by 30 euros right after I placed my order.
Thomas in under the impression I got a refund as he PM'd me to say so.
But because I am one of the unlucky few Claudia told me that Thomas said no it can't be done.


All I know is this. I placed my order around January in preparation for Forza 4.
Knowing my luck I won't even make GT6.
My pedals even crapped out after buying Shift 2 DLC lol.

 

[tribolik]

I am probably one of the unlucky ones, hell the shifter reduced by 30 euros right after I placed my order.
Thomas in under the impression I got a refund as he PM'd me to say so.
But because I am one of the unlucky few Claudia told me that Thomas said no it can't be done.

.

But now he has to give you a refund... he just said he would and called you a liar (or hinted)
After this Im really hopping that microsoft starts producing the xbox wheel again

 

[mikemav]

After this Im really hopping that microsoft starts producing the xbox wheel again

Did you ever use the Microsoft wheel? If not, okay- maybe you're interested: I have a few I could send you for free. Though if you have tried that wheel, you'd likely not want mine (which are collecting dust!) Anyway, both M$ wheels I bought broke anyway, unlike my Fanatecs (which albeit they admittedly took a while to arrive and sort out), have run daily without fail since.

 

[tribolik]

Did you ever use the Microsoft wheel? If not, okay- maybe you're interested: I have a few I could send you for free. Though if you have tried that wheel, you'd likely not want mine (which are collecting dust!) Anyway, both M$ wheels I bought broke anyway, unlike my Fanatecs (which albeit they admittedly took a while to arrive and sort out), have run daily without fail since.

You didnt buy them new? did you?

 

[Spagetti69]

But now he has to give you a refund... he just said he would and called you a liar (or hinted)
After this Im really hopping that microsoft starts producing the xbox wheel again

He was under the impression I had a refund because he told me I could have one via PM.
I told Claudia and she told me Thomas said no.
It's no biggie that, I did place the order at 49euro. I just thought a good will gesture after the expenses I had previously out laid. It might sound strange but I would rather not have it now anyway.

As for MS wheel although mine is boxed up it still works after 2years.
Not bad for a £70 wheel.

 

[Fanatec...]

Spagetti69

can you understand that we need some proof if you want to get a refund for the shipping cost?

I believe that you have no reason to make false statements about the shipping cost but we have to follow some very basic business rules.

If a products needs to be returned because of a defective and we sent an RMA number then we will also cover the shipping cost. The only thing we ask is a receipt for the expenses you had.

Please stop blaming us if you don't keep your receipts.

And I also told you by PM that you will get the refund for the shifter. Claudia was wrong and I told her to give you the refund so please follow up with her. Thanks.

It all has been discussed by PM and i was under the impression that all things are settled until I saw all your posts here.

 

[Spagetti69]

No problem Thomas.

I'm just agitated for my G27 adapter to be honest.

I was never given a physical receipt from UPS.

Alex has given me the choice of sending back my pedals. (I'm not going down that route) or sending out a replacement sensor.

I asked for the Equipment to be sent plus my G27 adapter. He must be waiting for the parts to come in.

Correspondence is slow though. Around a week between replys.

The last thing Alex wanted from me was a confirmed delivery address. I sent my reply back last week and I've yet to hear from him. Even an email to say we are waiting on parts would help ease my mind.

I will say that when Armin had my wheel he could have done no more and was superb.

Us gamers/sim racer nerds just want to race. I find losing track time to be more annoying than losing money ha ha. Bloody shift 2 autolog will be a massive backlog of work to catch up on. Any weekly races or leagues get screwed up too.

Hope you understand.

Edited to add.

I don't want to come off as a Fanatec basher. Anyone considering this wheel then buy it.
When my equipment works it is the best Iv'e used. The programmability of the wheel is a feature you will come to love/rely on, especially when some games do not give console user's the options for degree's rotation etc.
The load cell brake is second to none too.

Peace.

 

[Spagetti69]

Any way Thomas. It's Saturday morning, shouldn't you be on your Yacht or something.
Get a life.

 

[MuRRe]

Honestly, atleast here in Sweden I always expect the selling company to pay for shipping.
I don't know the rules in EU/US/CA but I would NEVER pay for shipping within warranty even though you get a refund.

 

[Bonefork]

Broken sarcasm detector (post removed).

 

[Spagetti69]

He's here responding to your concerns on a Saturday, saying you can have your refund because you're making so much noise, and you're going to insult him for it?

Lol.

Edit it was a joke.
We all know Thomas has a dinghy. I was bigging him up.

 

[sandboxgod]

These Fanatec gt2 wheels better be still in stock here in the US next week. I'm going to re-up my order if no other competitor announces a wheel for the 360 at this year's E3. No idea what Microsoft was thinking having only 1 FFB wheel available

This time I won't be so nice and forgiving. I better get my wheel exactly when the estimates are given otherwise i swear I will get ghetto on Fanatec. Last time I had to cancel due to the long wait but at least this time I have the t500rs to get me by

 

[The Pro]

This is not fully true. The new shifter does not replace the current one and it is much more expensive.

Hey Fanatec

I am the proud owner of some CSP's and more recently the GT2. I am keen to purchase a premium H Pattern shifter and understand that the CSS is presently under development. I have been patiently waiting for the CSS to hit the market so that i can assess its suitability to my hamfisted needs
Can you please advise on any development progress... Are we looking at another 3-6 months, 6-12 months or longer before launch???

Thanks in advance

 

[Spagetti69]

Hey Fanatec

I am the proud owner of some CSP's and more recently the GT2. I am keen to purchase a premium H Pattern shifter and understand that the CSS is presently under development. I have been patiently waiting for the CSS to hit the market so that i can assess its suitability to my hamfisted needs
Can you please advise on any development progress... Are we looking at another 3-6 months, 6-12 months or longer before launch???

Thanks in advance

Last official word from Thomas's blog is quarter 3 2011.



Edit to add a public Thanks to Thomas for his aid in my woe's.

 

[Delphic Reason]

Hey Fanatec

I am the proud owner of some CSP's and more recently the GT2. I am keen to purchase a premium H Pattern shifter and understand that the CSS is presently under development. I have been patiently waiting for the CSS to hit the market so that i can assess its suitability to my hamfisted needs
Can you please advise on any development progress... Are we looking at another 3-6 months, 6-12 months or longer before launch???

Thanks in advance

Supposed to be out sometime around Christmas/December, as far as anyone knows.

 

[jamesaevans]

Hard Mounting the ClubSport Pedals to the RennSport Wheel Stand

This weekend I decided to undertake a DIY project to hard mount my ClubSport Pedals to my RennSport Wheel Stand. I know there is a Pedal Stopper that I could have used, but I wanted a more secure / permenat solution, and one which would also prevent the pedals from falling off as I am moving the wheel stand.

After marking and drilling four holes with an 8mm drill I used four M8x40mm hex head bolts and nuts to secure the ClubSport Pedals to the RennSport Wheel Stand.

The end result works perfectly and having the pedals securly mounted to the wheel stand made it much easier to put in consistent lap times.

I have uploaded a couple of photos to my flickr site if anyone wants to take a look:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesaevans/sets/72157626766448271/

Perpahs Fanatec should consider releasing a revised wheel stand with sets of pre-drilled holes, or relasing the parts of that existing owners can upgrade. Thomas if you are reading this I would be very happy to test them for you.

James