What to do with Fine Design?

[Doby]

I re-read the entire original thread and in post #80 you stated that you got the boat to 62 Mph so it would seem that your speed issues are fixed. With more tinkering etc you might get some more out of it but seriously, 63 Mph is fast enough for racing assuming you want to finish consistently.

If your only issue is run time, and the 15 minutes you were promised then unless you go to a 10S6P set up , its never going to happen. 10S2P and around 4 minutes max run is pretty normal.

The blown controller is also unfortunate but part of what we have all been through at one time or another.

So if you now have a 60+ Mph boat that can finish races then you finally got what you paid for, unfortunately with way more headaches then you should have had.

I'll be the last one to defend FD but perhaps this is a case of "buyer be ware " and "inexperienced, unrealistic expectations".

Sorry, but unless things have drastically changed since the original post (where it finally sounds like you got the speed and handeling in the neighbourhood you wanted), I don't see where you would have much recourse on FD.

Has anything changed significantly since you last poings on the original thread??

[Flying Scotsman]

Doby, that is the problem, 15 minutes, as stated by a seller, if true that is the problem. I have purchased 3 boats from Mr.Fine and his service was not up to OSE standards.

Douggie

[Doby]

Also in post #83 you stated that you are now satisfied with the boat (except for the blown controller).

So other than the long time in getting it back from repair,,,what has changed since then?

Please don't take all of my statements and qustions the wrong way,,just trying to figure out what the issue is......I have no use for FD either and have been burned by his promises before.

[Doby]

Doby, that is the problem, 15 minutes, as stated by a seller, if true that is the problem. I have purchased 3 boats from Mr.Fine and his service was not up to OSE standards.

Douggie

And their service will never will be on par with OSE

But seriously,,,if someone promised you 15 minutes of run time, even a newbie...they should be skeptical of promises that sound to good to be true and do some self-education before dumping almost 3K on a boat.

So back to post #83,,,,,what changed that you are now not satisfied??

[Steven Vaccaro]

Doby, that is the problem, 15 minutes, as stated by a seller, if true that is the problem. I have purchased 3 boats from Mr.Fine and his service was not up to OSE standards.

Douggie

There is a reason I stopped selling rtr race boats.
If I ever meet any of you in person ask me about the Marina with all the very, very rich guys that bought a 1/2 dozen rtr syncron boats from me.

[midwestboat]

And their service will never will be on par with OSE

But seriously,,,if someone promised you 15 minutes of run time, even a newbie...they should be skeptical of promises that sound to good to be true and do some self-education before dumping almost 3K on a boat.

So back to post #83,,,,,what changed that you are now not satisfied??

What changed, When I bought this boat from Chris. I was told $2200 shipped to my door ready to race. Not adjust to make faster, Not change props, Not do anything, plug and play. Like my gas boat, gas and go. I told Chris I race a identical gas cat in district 4. I told Chris my speeds and my expeirence. he said he could make me a boat identical to his race boats that would kill my current boat. So when the new FD boat shows up, it is not ready, and is $2700.
I have multiple problems. Not knowing anything about FE and batteries and such Chris kept telling me this is his race setup. And when I ask him about the extra $500 he tells me he will make it right.
Long story short. I was shipped a boat with 2 batteries when after month of jacking around it needed 4 to make it run as promised. Then he wanted to charge me for those batteries. Keep in mind, He told me 15 minute runs times and a mid 60's MPH boat that would kill my current setup. Finally acheiveing speeds equivelnt to my current race boat , but not what he promised, I said I was satisfied. Deep down no because it didn't kill mine current boat,but with all the headaches at least it went over 60mph. Keep in mind I was promised 15 minute run times and a mid 60mph boat. and already have been overcharged. Well after 2 controllers and never made a race this summer. and run times of 3-4 minutes. I am upset. Yes I should have done more research. I didn't, my fault, Would you be upset if you got to run your $2200-$2700 boat for a max of 15 mintues total all summer? Sorry for the rant again. Chris just kept promising me things would be alright. I never got remibursed the $500. I never made a race. And to top it all off Chris has been lying to me about my controller and where it was. I am not a cheapskate looking for a free ride, I paid upfront for a product that didn't produce what was promised. Maybe I am wrong on this whole deal, Maybe I owe Chris Fine a apology??

[midwestboat]

And their service will never will be on par with OSE

But seriously,,,if someone promised you 15 minutes of run time, even a newbie...they should be skeptical of promises that sound to good to be true and do some self-education before dumping almost 3K on a boat.

So back to post #83,,,,,what changed that you are now not satisfied??

Doby, Sorry for being stupid. I called Chris one day mid Feb 2009. 55 minutes later I paid for a RTR race boat. I just wanted to go faster. I trusted I was being told truths, not half truths. Agian my fault for not researching.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Just send the letter from a lawyer to begin with.

You did get some nice stuff but I think you don't like the fact that the speed is not there. Time to maybe do some prop testing?

[Flying Scotsman]

Fine Design and an unamed gentleman

Douggie

[Tony]

Like the old saying, " there are two sides to every story."

What maybe fast for others, may not be fast enough for someone else.

[crabstick]

FE Newbie or not, At the end of the day you didn't get what you were promised, and it cost more than you were quoted.

What I would try to do is get the quoted 15 min runtime and mid 60mph speeds documented in an email from Fine, then go to the lawyer, Least then you have evidence.


if it were me id be absolutely buckwild, I think you have every right to be too.

[Doby]

Doby, Sorry for being stupid. I called Chris one day mid Feb 2009. 55 minutes later I paid for a RTR race boat. I just wanted to go faster. I trusted I was being told truths, not half truths. Agian my fault for not researching.

Hey, you aren't stupid, I have trusted him several times on delivery dates that came and went numerous times on a couple of grand of parts. The only reason I bought from him at the time was that OSE didn't have the parts needed for larger boats.

Stupid ,,,no,,,trusting yes......

If he told you 15 minute run times on 5000mah packs, he LIED, plain and simple. For a person of his apparent experience to say that is sadly comical.

There was an article on his shop somewhere on this forum where he was interviewed and was woried about going out of buisness by Xmas (if I remember correctly)

Well with his customer service, no-one is really surprised. His reputation is shot and in all honesty, its probably karma that is doing him in..(unless his story was BS as well).

Best of luck with whatever route you take

[sailr]

I'm with Steven on this one. I had one customer that wanted his boat 100% RTR. We meticulously built it for him with only the very best of components. The guy was never happy, kept blowing ESC's and motors because he was a complete idiot. He would call several times a week. I finally told him we were done with him. We had sent him I don't know how many motors and speed controllers. We lost our butt on the guy. Of course he always knew more about boats than we did. I will NEVER build another RTR regardless of how much somebody wants to pay for it. So you see, it can work both ways. When I was starting up Mini Cat Racing USA, Steven advised me to not build and sell RTR's. It's the best advice anybody could have given me. Just the ONE experience with this was enough.

Thanks Steven !!

There is a reason I stopped selling rtr race boats.
If I ever meet any of you in person ask me about the Marina with all the very, very rich guys that bought a 1/2 dozen rtr syncron boats from me.

[domwilson]

Hey, you aren't stupid, I have trusted him several times on delivery dates that came and went numerous times on a couple of grand of parts. The only reason I bought from him at the time was that OSE didn't have the parts needed for larger boats.

Stupid ,,,no,,,trusting yes......

If he told you 15 minute run times on 5000mah packs, he LIED, plain and simple. For a person of his apparent experience to say that is sadly comical.

There was an article on his shop somewhere on this forum where he was interviewed and was woried about going out of buisness by Xmas (if I remember correctly)

Well with his customer service, no-one is really surprised. His reputation is shot and in all honesty, its probably karma that is doing him in..(unless his story was BS as well).

Best of luck with whatever route you take

Here is the link... http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...highlight=fine

[domwilson]

I myself have had good luck with Chris when I ordered parts a few years back and he built my first FE boat. His support was great. After his brother took over, I've heard almost nothing but bad things. Word of mouth has killed any future dealings for me. Did you talk to Chris or his brother? From what I understand, Chris is easier to deal with.