About a month ago, I posted this message
on Tower Talk. I am sure that since that time,
more Hams have subscribed. So, in order to
keep the Amateur Radio Community abreast
of QUESTIONABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES
of First Call Communications, Inc., I am posting
my most UNFORTUNATE experience with them.
The following is what happened. DAN, WA2NDP
------- Forwarded message follows -------
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Problem W/First Call Communications
Copies to: K4XT@aol.com, Wgcooper@airmail.net,
w4pku@aol.com
I am one of the HAMS that was scammed by
First Call Communications. Here is what happened.
DAN, WA2NDP
I am writing this to alert the Amateur Radio Community to the
questionable business practices of First Call Communications,
Inc.
I ordered a tower from First Call on 11 July 2000. I was
told that delivery would be 6-8 weeks and that I had to put this
on a credit card before the order would be processed.
I had heard nothing from First Call since the order date in
July, so I called them during the first week of October 2000. I
was told that my tower would be shipped on or about 21
October 2000 (followed by a written commitment by U.S. Mail).
October 21 came and went. I called First Call during the last
week of October and was told that they were still working on
my tower because of a large quantity of other orders, and that it
would be shipped for sure next week (first week in November
2000). It was never shipped! I called First Call again. I was then
told that they were short on wood used to crate up the tower for
shipping and to call again next week. I called again the following
week and was told that it was almost ready to be shipped and to
call again next week for a shipped date. Up to this point I had
been more than patient.
On 20 November 2000 I called the credit card Company
and told them the complete story. I had now been waiting over
18 weeks! I cancelled the tower order with First Call
Communications. I also called First Call and notified them of my
order cancellation. They tried to appease me by having the rebar
cage shipped. They told me again that the tower was on its way.
IT NEVER ARRIVED!
First Call told me that the tower AND rebar cage was being
shipped together. A few days later I was called by the Freight
Company to set up a delivery date for my order (which
consisted of the rebar cage ONLY).
Finally in disgust I called the manufacturer. They informed
me that my tower was completed and ready to be shipped
during the 3rd week of October 2000. It had not been shipped
because First Call did NOT send the money to release my
tower for shipping. By now it has been over 22 weeks. First
Call Communications had my money from the credit card
Company but I still had NO tower! This has been some
experience that I hope no other Ham would have to go through.
LET THE BUYER BEWARE OF FIRST CALL
COMMUNICATIONS, INC!
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