Thread: FTA-Direct, beware..

I placed an order with FTA-direct for a Pansat 2700a on the 3rd of this month. When I heard nothing from them after a few days, I called them and they told me that they had to verify my address and asked for my banks phone number. I left it at that until this morning when I am still wondering why I don't have the receiver, or a tracking number. Their phone is continuously busy, and searching for tracking information on their web site, gives me everything except a tracking number, or any sign that they even have a product to send me. Further, their purchase agreement says that if you cancel the order, even before it ships, you have to pay a fee. Now I know why they would put such a thing in the purchase agreement. They take a very long time to ship because they don't actually have the products they are selling. They go out and buy them as they get orders for them. That is a great way to keep the overhead down, they charged my credit card way back on the 3rd, and by the time they get product to me, it will be weeks later, after my credit card statement comes. I am going to file a case with the credit card just so I don't have to pay until they deliver. If you pay off a credit card purchase, you loose all leverage on the purchase, the credit card company won't do anything to help you once you pay it off. How many of you knew this? The excuse they gave me on the phone was that they have way too many orders from the weekend, over 500 they say. Selling what you don't have is frowned on by most of the public, this includes me.


My opinion is to stay away from FTA-Direct, I got way better treatment from Sadoun. although I was a little skeptical of them at first.. I am going to document my entire experience with dealing with sponsors of this web site, and share them with you.

Joe

Thanks for the info, Joe
I moved this to the FTA area, since that is what FTADirect deals with.

When I got receivers from them, I received my tracking number within a day or so and the unit within a week. I'm not saying what you have above is the truth, but I know when I got my units a month or so ago, it was pretty quick.

Iceberg, you can try to call their 800 number at 888-994-9916 and let me know when you get a ring. I have been calling it for over 45 minutes now. The tracking information on their web site, is not tracking information, it is just order information, but nothing about when it will ship. I think that 10 days is long enough to get a tracking number if they ship a product. I also think that should have the right to not be billed if they do not ship in a reasonable amount of time. Thanks Joe

I'm in no way defending FTA Direct as I haven't had any dealing with them, but right now the hackers have thrown the supply down and the demand WAY up on many of the newer recievers.

I bought a 3500s off of a guy on ebay. He's getting a ton of negative feedback right now for the same reason. He's selling receivers that he doesn't have. I paid for my reciever on 9/2 and if I'm lucky it'll ship out from him this friday, 9/16. That's two full weeks he had cash in hand and he never had the product. On the plus side when I called and talked to him he was straight forward about it and offered a refund if I didn't want to wait.

His response to the negative feedback is kind of funny though:

"give us a negative feedback we will send your info to dish network. UNDERSTAND"

I blame myself for this one - I had the EXACT same problem when I bought my CoolSat on ebay. I should have learned!

I wish Sadoun was a PanSat dealer!

JOe
I understand the frustration...I have no association with ftadirect, so I can't comment.

But Shawn has valid points....this stupid N2 crap has totally screwed up getting new receivers.

And I wish Sadoun would be a Pansat dealer

I want to chime in with the other posters defending FTA direct. I ordered my Pansat 3500s before this hack thing and received it promptly. The receiver was defective, but obviously new and unused. I sent it back and they sent a new one which I received recently, and it works great. I was impressed with their customer service.

This C/P from FTA-Direct website:
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Why should you buy from us?


- All of the products you see listed on our website that are orderable are typically in stock and ready to ship. If for some reason the item you ordered is out of stock, we would notify you immediately. Orders usually ship within one business day (unless they are a presell item which are clearly marked).

- Some competitors take days to ship (to our amazement, one even takes weeks) the products you ordered. We, on the other hand, ship your order the same day or the next business day. After your order is shipped, your tracking number will be available by clicking the ORDER TRACKING link on the website.

- We do not drop ship items like some competitors do. When you order product, it is shipped out from our warehouse here in California. We stock all of the items that we list for sale on our website.

- Our toll free number is located at the bottom of the site, and you may call if you have any questions. At some of our competitors, you will be lucky if you can find a phone number. Our staff is on hand to answer questions 7 days a week 9am-9pm EST. If you call during regular business hours and get our voicemail, leave a message and you will have your call returned promptly.

- We do not use answering services or outside parties to answer our phones. When you call to ask about your order, or have questions regarding our products, a representative from our company will be answering your questions.

- All of our products are new. We do not sell used, returned, refurbished, or damaged merchandise. All of our products are factory sealed and are shipped with the original box, packaging, accessories, and manual.

- We keep all of your personal information private. We do not sell, rent, or give any of your information to any third party. All of your information is kept confidential.

----------------------------------------------------------

Sounds like they aren't standing behind there published policies. I would be very careful these days buying FTA equipment. Some dealers are using this opportunity to capitalize on equipment being used for other purposes. I ran into the same thing with FTA Direct about two weeks ago. They had a price published and would not honor it. I called them out on this and found out later that the reason for the price hike was a satellite provider had been compromised and the receivers being used were sold on their site.

This led me to believe FTA Direct was not really in the market for people wanting to use FTA legally. Just my two cents.

I hope you are able to resolve this issue with them. Good Luck.

Originally Posted by Iceberg

And I wish Sadoun would be a Pansat dealer

Me too!

I guess I don't see how they can list Blackbirds, sliverbullets, ect. on their site, when those are known as theft boxes.....