Another Fanatec wheel arrives!

[Kryz11]

When I made my 3 orders, FANATEC guy told me that they will send it at the same time.. I really hope they did not SCREW IT UP!

I already pay my PAY PAL with my credit card long time ago!!!! Even I log in the Fanatec Store today every order I made is Visible and what not....

UGH! I am bit mad that it takes so much for good response.

 

[The Outlaw]

Whats the EXACT Email fanatec?

Same thing happen to me before.. a guy recieved email that ClubSport peddals were in delay, i got same email a week later..

But I will send out the order number..

I still have my PayPAL receipt for my 351.90 cents from FANATEC from back in JANUARY!
Even if I log in at FANATEC SHOP I can view my 3 orders.. (RS wheel+Clubsport, Shifters, and extension cable)
The 3 orders says its PENDING 1/23/2009
Guys what you orders say? Pending as well?

My online order says pending as well, but then again I've been neglected by Fanatec the entire time as well...so who am I to speak regarding this. 💡

I still have yet to recieve ANY email from Fanatec (without requesting for it multiple times!) regarding the delay of the wheel, etc...other than the email stating that they recieved my money of course

I ordered the shifter adapter, and the shifter extension cable. I have already received both, but at the fanatec site it says that they are still being processed, the same as my turbo s clubsport wheel. It should say shipped or delivered for my adapters.

Maybe they only update their purchase orders every 2 months or so, because that's how long ago I received my order. I'm really starting to get leery with fanatec as a whole. In the beginning, when the products were announced, and all of us were placing our orders, the customer service was pretty good. It seems like now though, after they have gotten our money, that they are starting to not pay as much attention to us.

I agree. Their customer service is pathetic and nonchalant IMO. I run my own business and will sure tell you there aren't many lines of business where you can get away with such poor customer service. I would have been out of business a LONG time ago if I ran my company like Fanatec If you say a product is going to be released in Feburary it should be released THEN! Not 3 months later once you have taken everyones money, while coming up with excuses as to why the wheel is delayed every couple of weeks...

This is starting to become a bit of mess I also ordered the shifter at the same time I ordered my wheel and have yet to recieve the shifter. According to what little and vauge information Fanatec has given, it sounded as if the wheel was being directly shipped from Asia (or wherever it is manufactured) directly to the US customers. If this is the case where is my shifter? And I sure as hell hope there is not another 2-3 week delay...there's absolutely no excuse for it at this point in time.

Sorry Fanatec, but there's only so much crap your customers will put up with!

 

[bevo]

I wonder why mine says processing instead of pending? I also wonder why my adapters still say processing even after I have already received them?

I am also involved in a family business, and like you, especially during these hard economic times, we would be out of business if we dealt with our customers this way. It doesn't make any sense at all, especially with an up and coming business, that's really just getting it's foot in the door, to treat their customers who have already paid for the product, like they are. I would really like some updates as to why the order statuses are not changing, and why we haven't received any other conformations on the delivery times. I have had my wheel ordered for over 6 months now and just can't see myself getting it in june.

Does anyone know of a U.S. phone number that fanatec can be reached at?

 

[Kryz11]

I think their quarters are in Germany only...


And exacly! They have my 352 dollars since JANUARY! They should drop me a letter 1st thing if wheel gets delay, or other aspects... I just recieved ONE email few months ago from them.. THATS IT!

I order something from AMAZON, NEWEGG or what not.. I get comfirmation email about money, another email about if they sent it out, or if there is a delay, and another if email on when I should expect and if possible they give me a tracking number..

Seems Fanatec is making one of the best wheels out there for the money, yet they seem really lazy with customer support. Comon Fanatec, hire a person or two for better feedback to customers and whats the deal with the products..

I am waiting in the dark here.. all I know I never got any email about May delivery and who knows if one wheel with other stuff I ordered are even sent out to my address?

 

[Delphic Reason]

I'm stunned.

I have been talking with Armin Habermann over at Fanatec for months via Email. I haven't had a single problem with their customer service. I asked for pictures of the Shifter Adapter and I received an email back, the same day, with 2 different angles so I could better see how it attached to the stand and shifter (thinking of custom mounting the shifter adapter to my cockpit). I also have had a running conversation about the compatibility of the wheel to other peripherals and software/console games.

This customer service issue is news to me.

 

[versapak]

I'm stunned.

I have been talking with Armin Habermann over at Fanatec for months via Email. I haven't had a single problem with their customer service. I asked for pictures of the Shifter Adapter and I received an email back, the same day, with 2 different angles so I could better see how it attached to the stand and shifter (thinking of custom mounting the shifter adapter to my cockpit). I also have had a running conversation about the compatibility of the wheel to other peripherals and software/console games.

This customer service issue is news to me.

The problem doesn't seem to be their lack of willingness to open a line of communication when contacted, but rather their lack of information flowing from them without being prompted.


To receive hundreds of dollars from customers, and then to hold onto it for months without any word on the product they ordered...

That is bad customer service. I shouldn't have to dig for answers when there is a delay in a product that I have already paid for.

 

[Delphic Reason]

The problem doesn't seem to be their lack of willingness to open a line of communication when contacted, but rather their lack of information flowing from them without being prompted.


To receive hundreds of dollars from customers, and then to hold onto it for months without any word on the product they ordered...

That is bad customer service. I shouldn't have to dig for answers when there is a delay in a product that I have already paid for.

Interesting.

I haven't had that experience personally, so I cannot identify with your situation. They have sent me a few emails telling me about when to expect the wheel, when there might be a delay, and so on.

I hope my relationship with Fanatec continues to be strong.

This new news worries me.

 

[oqvist]

Mine says processing as well it´s no problem I have gotten it confirmed several times my order is still in their computer system . I got two emails with updates though I do feel the frustration. Soon this beats the wait time I had for my cockpit Are you sure you checked the product notification for your order under my account so you receive updates about the order in question?

Otherwise check this blog it´s continuously updated since long
http://www.porsche911turbowheel.de/?q=blogs/thomas

 

[Gabkicks]

so, you're getting the new wheel, and you also have the 911 turbo retail wheel? I'm still waiting for vista 64bit drivers. the drivers still arent perfect :/ I was thinking about upgrading to Windows 7 RC

 

[Mr Latte]

I got an email a few days ago to confirm delivery dates:
(posted this in a diff thread earlier)

"Dear racing fans

We are now in the position to tell you the arrival dates of the first container shipments of the following products:

Clubsport Pedal
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Clubsport edition

The shipment will arrive on the 9th of May in Europe and on the 14th of May in the USA.

Customs and shipment to customers will take another one or two weeks.
Unfortunatly our system does not support to automatically send tracking data but we will keep you informed if there is another delay.

I would like to apologize for this little delay butI would also like to wish you a nice weekend.

Best regards

Thomas"

 

[oqvist]

If compability is an issue of course don´t go Windows 7

 

[asia minor]

makes me leery about ordering the July batch of the GT3 RS wheel

who knows if it is still due to ship in JULY!

 

[Biggles]

I think Fanatec has been guilty of over-optimistic scheduling & they (& their customers) are now paying the price. The alternative is the PD strategy: never give out any information in advance, that way there is no justification for complaint.

 

[versapak]

I think Fanatec has been guilty of over-optimistic scheduling & they (& their customers) are now paying the price. The alternative is the PD strategy: never give out any information in advance, that way there is no justification for complaint.

Well...

The real problem is that they already have our money.

About $500 in my case. Some less, some more.

I don't think that Fanatec is trying to screw anyone, but it is pretty poor of them to not be keeping everyone 100% in the loop.

In my case it has only been 3 weeks since I placed my order, but there are many here who have gone months. When ordering mine it was obvious to me that it was for the July shipment, as all the others were listed as sold out. Okay... I knew there was gonna be a wait, but then I find out that March and April orders haven't even shipped out.

Is July realistic? It is still what is listed on their site, but I have not heard one thing from Fanatec about any delays or even confirmation that I am in what would be that batch listed as July.

Instead they simply have my $500 and a listing of my order as pending/processing. No other word what-so-ever.

 

[Kryz11]

I order my wheel in January.. since then I only got PayPal confirmation email that I spend my 352 dollars, and few months alter in March I got email that I will get my wheel end of April.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3334411&postcount=149

 

[Mr Latte]

EVERYONE that has ordered is in the same situation guys, i too can understand the frustration and that Fanatec could indeed improve their customer relations.

However
1.People knew their money was being taken at time of order.
2.People have been informed of delays in production/manufacturing
3.People have been given the chance and still can cancel for full refund
4.People including myself just have to wait and be patient.
5.Thomas himself has always apologised for delays.

Ive talked with Thomas in previous recent emails and fully understand they have quite a lot on thier hands getting these products to market and i fully expect once they have the logistics sorted and orders reaching customers then they can start on improving the PR and getting people in place to improve in these areas for customer service.

They have already advertised for support/agents and these positions will be decided in the coming months.
you can only do and oversee a certain amount of things at once and prioritise/sort accordingly.

Please also be aware Fanatec is a much much smaller company than brands like Logitech which have a budget/turnover of millions and a worldwide infustracture.

 

[Kryz11]

EVERYONE that has ordered is in the same situation guys, i too can understand the frustration and that Fanatec could indeed improve their customer relations.

However
1.People knew their money was being taken at time of order.
2.People have been informed of delays in production/manufacturing
3.People have been given the chance and still can cancel for full refund
4.People including myself just have to wait and be patient.
5.Thomas himself has always apologised for delays.

Ive talked with Thomas in previous recent emails and fully understand they have quite a lot on thier hands getting these products to market and i fully expect once they have the logistics sorted and orders reaching customers then they can start on improving the PR and getting people in place to improve in these areas for customer service.

They have already advertised for support/agents and these positions will be decided in the coming months.
you can only do and oversee a certain amount of things at once and prioritise/sort accordingly.

Please also be aware Fanatec is a much much smaller company than brands like Logitech which have a budget/turnover of millions and a worldwide infustracture.

1. Of course I knew that I pay at the same day of the order. No Problem with that. I also like that I already pay in full back then, then I would have to pay this month.
2. I knew from day one the RS Clubsport wont be made until April.
3. Since it's one of the best wheels on the market, NO thanks, I wont cancel my order. Sure I might sound impatient but i wont!
4. Yes true, But since I bought the wheel, I only recieved ONE emial about delay few months ago.
5. Yeah he does apologizes, but they still need to inform me and other clients more often with good email that EVERYONE receives. I wrote eamil on GTplanet forums to Fanatec guy, Thomas I think, yet he did not respond untill on these forums about a week. So yeah he could respond back then to me to tell me to give the order number.

I don't care if I wait 2-3 more weeks, but what I care is that I really do not know If I will receive the wheel in first shipment or if they did not forget about me because I did not receive the latest email from them about the May 14 date. All I want is a response to confirm it...

 

[bevo]

EVERYONE that has ordered is in the same situation guys, i too can understand the frustration and that Fanatec could indeed improve their customer relations.

However
1.People knew their money was being taken at time of order.
2.People have been informed of delays in production/manufacturing
3.People have been given the chance and still can cancel for full refund
4.People including myself just have to wait and be patient.
5.Thomas himself has always apologised for delays.

Ive talked with Thomas in previous recent emails and fully understand they have quite a lot on thier hands getting these products to market and i fully expect once they have the logistics sorted and orders reaching customers then they can start on improving the PR and getting people in place to improve in these areas for customer service.

They have already advertised for support/agents and these positions will be decided in the coming months.
you can only do and oversee a certain amount of things at once and prioritise/sort accordingly.

Please also be aware Fanatec is a much much smaller company than brands like Logitech which have a budget/turnover of millions and a worldwide infustracture.

We all know all of this, and we are all very excited about receiving our wheels and pedal. This forum is just a place to help us let off steam about our disappointments in the delays, and lack of communication.
If I didn't have other people to talk to, and complain with, that are in the same situation I am, then I would have probably of canceled my order already.

Us complaining in here, is just a sort of therapy to get us through the long wait that we have all endured. It's really hard to just set and be still, while we have been waiting up to 6 months for a 300- 500$ video game accessory. None of us will cancel our orders, and we will wait until next year if we have to.

How ridiculous does that last statement sound? Grown men, waiting and complaining, about not getting our 400$ steering wheel for a video game fast enough. The bad thing is that it's true.

 

[Mr Latte]

Understand your frustration guys, im in the middle of a d.i.y cockpit and need the wheel to continue the build and have the seat and buttkicker coming this month. Its hard being impatient isnt it.

I moan plenty at times too but agree Fanatecs communication and lack of it even on the 911wheel.org site is pretty poor. Give them time, im sure the product will be worth it.

Personally for me im eager to see if i can beat some of my TT times set on the G25.

* Regards shipping Nox i think all orders placed upto end of Feb or early March are expected in the first batch.

 

[Mr Latte]

Ahh found it for you Nox

"Submitted by Thomas on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 01:11. All oders which have been placed up to today will receive the product in April. I sent an email to those customers.
"

 

[Biggles]

My point was, that PD also keeps us waiting endlessly, but because they never make any firm public pronouncements about scheduling, it's hard to really complain about it. I suspect that (unlike PD who presumably have lots of cash to draw upon) Fanatec actually needed to pre-sell in order to make the product.

 

[Kryz11]

Ahh found it for you Nox

"Submitted by Thomas on Sat, 03/14/2009 - 01:11. All oders which have been placed up to today will receive the product in April. I sent an email to those customers.
"

Thanks..

And yeah I agree with others, its not like I B*tch about FANATEC being LAZY, its just to leat my steam off

If I was complining I would Write directly to FANATEC about my complain.. LOL!

Instead I just send them my ORDER number to make sure everything ok.

Of course the wheel will be worth the wait and moaning haha

 

[asia minor]

let's hope after initial delays that production and delivery will go much smoothly.

Edit: well I just purchased a spot for the July batch of the GT3 RS. Fingers crossed

 

[Mr Latte]

Whats the general thinking of buyers, do you think you are going to be more impressed with the Wheel or the Pedals?

 

[bevo]

Whats the general thinking of buyers, do you think you are going to be more impressed with the Wheel or the Pedals?

I'm assuming the pedals. I have a g25, and in past reviews, some people thought the fanatec wheel was better, and some liked the g25. The pedals should be the best pedals most of us have ever used.

The wheel I am getting is the turbo s wheel.

 

[Biggles]

Actually, I'm more interested in the FFB feel of the wheel - I debated just getting the RS wheel & using my G25 pedals. But we'll see soon, I guess...

 

[Kryz11]

Whats the general thinking of buyers, do you think you are going to be more impressed with the Wheel or the Pedals?

Sure peddals alone are nice investment, you can customize then in almost any way, aslo that Vibration feature to simulate ABS and LOCK ON on PC games sounds great too.. But most part customability, and the looks, its very solid. Also since it's USB based as well, you do not need the Porsche wheel to work with the PC and other wheels.

But I am more interested in the wheel. It has more buttons on the wheel over G25, Reviewrs say its better Force feedback, way smoother, more car feel like. As well I love that it has vibration motors to simulate ENGINE rev and other aspects..

And also that you can change FFB strength settings and angle of the wheel on the go!

 

[Gabkicks]

i always leave the vibration function off :/. i think if you're wheel is vibrating, that's a bad sign . Maybe the car my vibrate, but not just the wheel.

I'd be interested to try the pressure sensitive brakes featured on the clubsport pedals. I wonder if there's a way to modify my 911 brake to be pressure sensitive.

 

[Delphic Reason]

Whats the general thinking of buyers, do you think you are going to be more impressed with the Wheel or the Pedals?

The standard pedals of the 911 Turbo (and Turbo S) are reportedly the weakest point of the package. Apparently, the gas pedal is quite "flappy", i.e not much spring tension. However, the clutch and brake are supposed to be much better than most similar setups in the same (or same ballpark) price point.

The Clubsports however are a different story.

It's hard to say which I'm more excited for. Probably going to have to go with the wheel. The ability to lock the wheel to 3 different ratios (and adjust sensitivity and FFB) is what really sold it for me.

 

[Mr Latte]

Im not into PC sims yet, so will mainly only be playing GT5 and well "SHIFT" is starting to look promising and hopefully "DIRT2" will all be fun games due before the end of the year.

Personally first thing im going to do is go check some of my Personal Best TT times done on the G25 and use that as a benchmark to see how the new GT3RS compares.

Im sure these ideas apply to all our thinking:

1. Smoother belt driven steering
2. No deadzone issue like the G25
3. Improved FFB
4. Superior pedal response and feel
5. Higher precision in pedal movement

All that you would think means with the GT3RS and CS pedals we should be able to better our times doesnt it? Dont get me wrong im not expecting miracles here but really if this is a superior product then part of the basis from this is that it gives greater handling feedback from the car in a game and allows more accurate control usage from the user.

I will be disapointed if i find i cant really improve my skill or times with this and even though it may be more enjoyable to use at this price point being just nicer wont be enough.

Can i suggest guys that come the time of deliveries and people receiving theirs we do a thread on comparing to the G25 and even our own previous best times. I think that will not only be interesting but good resource for Fanatec and indeed usefull reading.

Anyone got anything to add?