[TowerTalk] Problem W/First Call Communications

[DAN MANFRE]

			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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