Not warrantying a new boat?

[FighterCat57]

I just got a message from Venom stating they would not warranty my dead motor/esc because there are signs of corrosion.

WTF? I'm in Florida, it's called salt water.
Why would I clean a dead setup before sending it in? Of course there's going to be some water come out of the ESC, I pulled it and zipped it into a bag and sent it in within minutes of it dying...

They said the boat had been flipped and water damage caused the failure. I guess they didn't even turn the motor over (physically feel/hear clunking and doesn't spin)

Wow. How irresponsible and naieve. I'm quite offended by the response.

Anybody have a contact there so I can set them straight?

[forescott]

I would try sending a private message to Chris Nicastro. He is a member of this forum and works for venom and is usually pretty good about getting things taken care of. Just find one of his forum posts under the venom sections and shoot him a PM.

[Rumdog]

I would not but any venom product after seeing the outcome of their RTR products. It is a shame though because they are so pretty. Bad customer service. Bad electronics, not suited for the hull, no warranty, no stock on parts, no customer service. Not how you should be doing business. Venom seems to be a large company that imports all their products and makes a ton of money on markup without supporting their product. I would steer clear. Maybe if people see this kind of crap sales will slow and they may start to get a hint of an idea. I just feel bad for the guy just getting into R/C boats who pays 500 bucks plus more $$ for batteries and the boat burns up on the first run.

[FighterCat57]

I would not but any venom product after seeing the outcome of their RTR products. It is a shame though because they are so pretty. Bad customer service. Bad electronics, not suited for the hull, no warranty, no stock on parts, no customer service. Not how you should be doing business. Venom seems to be a large company that imports all their products and makes a ton of money on markup without supporting their product. I would steer clear. Maybe if people see this kind of crap sales will slow and they may start to get a hint of an idea. I just feel bad for the guy just getting into R/C boats who pays 500 bucks plus more $$ for batteries and the boat burns up on the first run.

I'm not as peeved about it as I was last night. Got the voice mail after Margarita night and it just rubbed me raw.

Really, it's all on them. If they stand behind their product and this is just a misunderstanding... then there's no problem... But if they weasel out and don't make good by blaming some ficticious situation... well..

[FighterCat57]

I would try sending a private message to Chris Nicastro. He is a member of this forum and works for venom and is usually pretty good about getting things taken care of. Just find one of his forum posts under the venom sections and shoot him a PM.

Sent him a PM. Hopefully he can assist in setting this straight.

I tried calling the 1-800 number left on my voicemail, but ended up with a generic message. Probably not open till Monday.

[JimClark]

Personally I am not sure they should be responsible because of the Salt Water. I know a lot of guy's do not do proper maintenance even when running fresh water. Salt water brings the required maintenance to a whole other level. And can trash gear very quickly. Is salt water all you have to run in?

[FighterCat57]

Personally I am not sure they should be responsible because of the Salt Water. I know a lot of guy's do not do proper maintenance even when running fresh water. Salt water brings the required maintenance to a whole other level. And can trash gear very quickly. Is salt water all you have to run in?

I agree. I wouldn't want to cover anything in salt water. My situation is a bit different though. We're talking about a physical internal motor failure on the first run, not long term damage.

This dayum thing never worked right!

Nothing was corroded when I shipped it. It's been sitting in a plastic bag for two weeks... so I'm sure it's a little green by now. The ESC fried after the motor chunked and melted the wires... on the first run, while trying to limp it to shore.

Just an FYI- I've replaced the motors and ESCs and have been running it just fine with the new electronics.

EDIT* Yes, I live on a peninsula about 7 miles from mainland. Saltwater, brackish water or drive for 1/2 hour.
I have plenty of other boats that I've been running in salt water for years now. It's routine here at the beach. =)

[Rumdog]

Trust me, they know it wasn't bad because of saltwater. Anyone could tell you that. It's just a way out. It's BS. Hopefully it eventually hurts their business.

[FighterCat57]

Trust me, they know it wasn't bad because of saltwater. Anyone could tell you that. It's just a way out. It's BS. Hopefully it eventually hurts their business.

To keep things in perspective, right now it is only a voice mail message. I have yet to reach anyone to discuss the details in conversation. Although it did include a full explanation in the paperwork, it may not have been read by the tech. This could easily and hopefully is just a lack of information and a misunderstanding.

My hope is to have something positive to say after contact with one of their reps. The intention of this post was to get in contact with someone at Venom to help resolve the situation amicably and move on.

[egneg]

Kinda reminds me of the problems with the UL-1 when it first came out. Customer support was zero - nothing but excuses as to why the water jackets leaked, turn fins ripped out, etc. The designer was on here trying to defend the boat in vane, not saying it was his fault, but there definitely were some serious quality issues. All in all it's a great boat but unless you are an experienced boater and know how to fix these things it's a crap shoot.

[BILL OXIDEAN]

I'm really not aware of ANY company that warrants electronic components that show corrosion especially from salt..

[FighterCat57]

I'm really not aware of ANY company that warrants electronic components that show corrosion especially from salt..

If you're talking about damaged PC boards, you are correct.

Just to be clear, we're only talking about a "bit of corrosion on the ends of the battery connectors of the motor and esc" from the message.

See post above:

I agree. I wouldn't want to cover anything in salt water. My situation is a bit different though. We're talking about a physical internal motor failure on the first run, not long term damage.

This dayum thing never worked right!

Nothing was corroded when I shipped it. It's been sitting in a plastic bag for two weeks... so I'm sure it's a little green by now. The ESC fried after the motor chunked and melted the wires... on the first run, while trying to limp it to shore.

Just an FYI- I've replaced the motors and ESCs and have been running it just fine with the new electronics.

I'll post photos when I get them and you will all get to see what is at hand, rather than imagining it.

[FighterCat57]

NOTE* I've just realized how defensive I've been with all of this. It's not called for... I have nothing to defend...

The voice mail message just really rubbed me the wrong way and I posted this original message after a couple margaritas!

[BILL OXIDEAN]

If you're talking about damaged PC boards, you are correct.

Just to be clear, we're only talking about a "bit of corrosion on the ends of the battery connectors of the motor and esc" from the message.

See post above:



I'll post photos when I get them and you will all get to see what is at hand, rather than imagining it.

I'm sorry you're having a tough time with it..
Yeah man, ANY signs of that green corrosion from salt anywhere is curtains for most any electronics mfgr I'm not saying its wrong or right its just that salt water can be HIGHLY conductive as well as corrosive. one decent splash on the plugs or any exposed pins can short the system out like an electric eel..

Follow my build thread and upgrade to some 540 big blocks.. I hate to say it but nearly any RTR anything comes with a power system you will need to upgrade, its the nature of these products from cars to planes..

[FighterCat57]

I'm sorry you're having a tough time with it..
Yeah man, ANY signs of that green corrosion from salt anywhere is curtains for most any electronics mfgr I'm not saying its wrong or right its just that salt water can be HIGHLY conductive as well as corrosive. one decent splash on the plugs or any exposed pins can short the system out like an electric eel..

Follow my build thread and upgrade to some 540 big blocks.. I hate to say it but nearly any RTR anything comes with a power system you will need to upgrade, its the nature of these products from cars to planes..

Yeah, I saw the thread, nice build!

I've already popped in the HXT 2700's and Turnigy 120's and the boat's going great. Now just waiting for good water. http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...ad.php?t=14252

I really just want the old motor/esc to put in a smaller setup to mess around with. One esc/motor still works, so might just put it in an old *cough* Blast *cough* hull and see how long I can run it without breaking the coupler.

The only reason I considered an RTR is it included the hardware. I've never been able to find a good electric hull/hardware kit combo and know little about chosing compatible hardware. I see alot of a la carte retail items that add up quick...