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CarbonXtreme . Midland Helicopters . HeliProz

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Gasser Model RC Helicopters > Century V3 muffler, wild goose chase by Century...Where can one get one in stock?
 
 
rbort
Elite Veteran
Location: Franklin, MA - U.S.A.

I go to Century's website, click on "buy now" and it throws me to a page with 8 dealers listed.

I call tower hobbies and they don't stock the muffler and won't get it, even though they are listed as a dealer.

I go to Rick's page and it says out of stock.

I go to Helihobby and Esprit models I can't find it listed anywhere.

I call Dee Tee Enterprises and he is surprised as he doesn't stock their stuff, and he needs to order 10K of stuff to get something, can't special order the muffler for me. Say's I'm the third person to go to his site looking for century stuff, and he's confused why they are sending people to him. Suggests I call Century back.

I call Grand RC and they don't carry that item and they don't do a special order, asked me to contact Century directly.

I call Helicopter World, they say they have 2 in stock. GREAT. I tried to order it with free shipping as advertised over $75 and they said I need to place the order on the internet. After spending 10 minutes on the phone and giving all my info and them checking availability, they tell me to hang up and order online. I go to order online, click on it and it says OUT OF STOCK. I call back and they say they have 2 in stock, they will fix the internet webpage for me so I can order it. I saw OK I'll wait 10 minutes and try again. 10 minutes later they call me and say they are out of stock, after 2 different people told me they had 2 in stock. WTF? They claim other people ordered before and they are shipping out, not sure WHEN they are going to have any more in stock. The hunt continues...

Last chance I call Warwick's to see if they have it or can order it, and they say "is this for a car?" no, a helicopter, and they transfer me and I get disconnected. Call back, transfer to the right department (airplanes vs cars) and at least this guy is going to research it and call me back.

Meanwhile, I just wanted to post this and ask you guys where do you get it from, or perhaps one of you may have one thet want to sell?

Thanks guys,

-=>Raja.

1005 Xcell Gas, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
Spectra-g, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
04-29-2008 07:53 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
turbogti
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Andrew, Jamaica

i'm amazed as Century was supposed to have sorted their parts issues with this new plant.
Probably all their time is taken up in researchin the new electric 90

Anyway i had a simular run in with century when i was ordering some parts for my heli.

It took two calls over a period of one week for them to tell me that the order is just going out.

I tell you if things don't improve i'll be switching to a Spectra G!!!!

By the way Antonio doesn't work at Century anymore so that doesn't help...

Time will tell probably BillMe and help you out Raj

****Predator Gasser SE - She's Ready to rumble ***
04-29-2008 08:11 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
victor55ca
Senior Heliman
Location: Vancouver BC

http://www.leisuretech.ca/

Email Phil, he may have one in stock. pnoel@dccnet.com

Vince
04-29-2008 08:13 PM
 
 
JETMAN
Senior Heliman
Location: WA

ahhh yes, I just had to order a tiny part for my predator, century when you try to buy stuff takes you to a page of dealers... but found what I needed at heliworld and overnighted it here. So far, no big deal, but if I need alot of parts, and they are hard to get....... yanno..

www.3dfoamy.com
04-29-2008 08:17 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
jschenck
Elite Veteran
Location: La Vista, NE.

You might try Ron Lund's crew. I've usually ordered stuff by calling Century/Heliworld BUT I think RHPS will be getting more of my business.

...yep...
04-29-2008 08:39 PM
 
 
gas_hopper
Heliman
Location: ...

hi
i noticed a month ago thier site wouldn't let you order , but i pulled up thier old site and was able to order off it , here is a link to the V3 but it is saying out of stock
http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=8150
maybe they should change thier name , GH
04-29-2008 08:46 PM
 
 
rbort
Elite Veteran
Location: Franklin, MA - U.S.A.

No luck with any of the leads you guys offered (thanks)

I called Rick's, the woman said she ordered them from Century today but since they are out of stock she won't get her order and doesn't know when she will get them.

I guess its one of those "find who has one in stock" otherwise wait until Century website shows in stock otherwise no-one is going to be able to get one for me.

Waiting on email answer from Phil, thanks victor55ca.

Apparently there is a famine on century gas mufflers at the moment...

-=>Raja.

1005 Xcell Gas, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
Spectra-g, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
04-29-2008 09:04 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Eury
Elite Veteran
Location: Ankeny, IA, USA.

It's not really true that when you try to order something it just dumps you to a page with a list of dealers. The first one on that list is Heli world, which is Century, and if you click on that, you can order the part. Doesn't help Raj now, but just clicking on the first link lets you order Century stuff directly. I think it's actually kinda nice that they do that, it helps keep their dealers in business.


Nick Crego
I'm not going to put my lot in with economists.
04-29-2008 09:35 PM
 
 
Peterr
Senior Heliman
Location: Queensland Australia

Try Al at Hanson's. he has them advertised .... A few here got them with the motors ....

Peter ,,3X spectra G's ,, 4 X Stratus , Extreme,, 2 X E Razor, N Razor..
04-30-2008 12:17 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
oldfart
Elite Veteran
Location: Vancouver, Canada

And Phil answered at 1:35 our time.

Unfortunately we sent out our last three yesterday, to some of our Canadian dealers.

As the numbers of Gassers that are being flown by us heli flyers is a VERY small percentage of the total, when compared to say the 30 or 50 size helis, any specialty item such as this muffler will probably NOT be kept in stock by many hobby shops. This is because they have to plan where they invest their inventory dollars, and for every 100 or so 30/50 mufflers they sell over a period of time, they may only get 1 request for a special gasser muffler during that same time.

This also filters right on up to the manufacturer and governs how they must schedule their production of these relatively slower moving items.

When I look at our sales of the CN3069 gasser muffler, that has been available now for going on 3 years, and how often I told people and demonstrated to people how good they were, they just sat on the shelves !!

Then, like many other such items, they finally get "discovered". When they do, one cannot seem to keep enough in stock. Even if the manufacturer keeps ramping up his production runs, as us distributors and our hobby shop owners keep ramping up their orders, more often as not, the manufacturer will not be able to keep up. So there may well be times when we may have to wait a bit. Consequently it becomes a bit of a catch 22 until it all settles.

Also, due to the supply and demand dynamics of an open market, the pricing of such items usually increases. But it does not seem so with many Century items. With Century, their prices actually seem to stay the same and sometimes even decrease ???...this even puts further pressure on the supply. But I am sure the great pricing does keep the consumer that gets it happy.

We went through a similar thing with the Rotor Tech blades. They have been producing the same great blades for many, many years. (I think Scott Gray first started using them about 8 years ago!!), but they only where "discovered" by the masses about a year ago...bang the demand exploded literally overnight. So of course a similar supply problem developed on some of their models.

Those that are fortunate enough to get them when they are available have big smiles, those that aren't have big frowns. But sooner then later the frowns turn to smiles as the patient "frowns" get theirs supply.

Phil
04-30-2008 12:24 AM
 
 
helicenter
Senior Heliman
Location: Winter Haven Fl.

V3

Guys I believe I can ship you V3 mufflers.

Doug
04-30-2008 12:39 AM
 
 
oldfart
Elite Veteran
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Just an observation on the Century parts supply.

Checking with our computer, relative to parts received, to parts on B/O, here is the ratio of what we get shipped from Century, to what we order.

For every $100,000 we order, we have a residual B/O of only about $1600.00. I have been in this business for many years and have dealt with many manufacturers in that time, and believe me, this is a very good ratio indeed.

We all remember the times an item was B/O'd, but we all tend to forget all the times that items we ordered were received.

On a forum like this, we will only hear of the times something may not have been supplied by a seller/mamufacturer, but we do not often hear about the millions of other items that are sent out daily to others.

Most of us, when we get what we ordered do not go onto forums and tell everyone. And thank god we do not, as these forums would be swamped.

I guess that is all part of being human
04-30-2008 01:11 AM
 
 
helicenter
Senior Heliman
Location: Winter Haven Fl.

Back Order

I have to agree, I have been a dealer for three of the major brands for many years and Century does have a good record, whats tuff is when a mfg. has every thing but one small part and cannot ship a kit.

Doug
04-30-2008 01:20 AM
 
 
litespeed600
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Charles, Missouri

What's your company Oldfart?

Your right about your statement. People only talk about the bad stuff! Whether it be the news or whatever people like to talk about anything bad and unfortunately we feed it on by paying attention to it. I like to think I'm different from the masses but I may just be kidding myself.

Bring on the good news.

Tom

I'm married so you know I am no stranger to pain!
04-30-2008 01:25 AM
 
 
rbort
Elite Veteran
Location: Franklin, MA - U.S.A.

Its all good oldfart, but

How long has the muffler been out of stock so its out of stock everywhere I call and many "dealers" don't want to order it for me and say to call Century?

Why when I click on "buy item" it brings me to a dealer's page? Seems counter intuitive and a little frustrating for the buyer as I spend time looking at your website for things I may want to buy, finally click to buy something and I have to start over somewhere else.

When do you expect it to be in as I couldn't get a straight answer from Heli-World. First two different reps said they had two in stock, then the 2nd one said they had none and didn't know how long it will be.

The reason I put the post here was to get some help on where to get one, as I called all your listed "dealers" but came up empty handed everywhere.

I just left a message for Hanson, thanks Peter, to see if he has one. I'd like to get one within 2 weeks as I start driving to funfly's on the 15th of May.

Helicenter, do you have one on hard? Because if you're trying to order it from Century then as Ron Lund told me they/you won't get it as Century is out of stock.

Thanks guys for helping out with all your suggestions!

-=>Raja.

1005 Xcell Gas, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
Spectra-g, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
04-30-2008 01:30 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
oldfart
Elite Veteran
Location: Vancouver, Canada

litspeed600

My company is Leisure-Tech Products in Canada. We are an import and distribution wholesaler in Canada. Century is one of the brands we import. We subsequently distribute the product to our network of retail hobby shops across our country.

rbort

What can I say - sh*&^t happens.

I would imaging that Century must process a couple of hundred orders a day. I know they have a number of people manning the phones and constantly taking orders full time.

So let us imagine that they may have a few left in the morning. As the phones start to ring, the computer will show them in stock. So as someone talks to you, it will show "in stock", meanwhile there may be a others processing some that were being shipped. After those that were shipped are entered (all of this is happening almost simultaneously) they will then be taken out of stock by the computer and a few minutes later will show OUT OF STOCK.

Now in a situation where they may have just got a shipment of two or three hundred or so, this would not have happened. But where they are down to the last few, before they receive more, this will happen.

I know it can be frustrating but that is how things like that happen. When you ask if something is in stock, they do not go walking around a small hobby shop to see if one is on a shelf. They just look at a computer screen that is getting data from what is happening in real time in a VERY LARGE warehouse. So just as the computer is showing an item in stock, someone in the warehouse may well be pulling them off of the shelf and taking them to the packing area. Once the item is packed, the picking slip is generated, which subsequently generates a sales invoice and removes the item from inventory.

So they may have had 20 or 30 in stock one minute, and had none two minutes later, if they just happened to be pulling one of my orders, just as you called or clicked into their site.

I hope helping to explain how these systems work will help everyone understand.
04-30-2008 03:28 AM
 
 
turbogti
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Andrew, Jamaica

Old Fart, i have to agree with you as the supply and demand in a hobby company can be tricky.
I also have to agree that most people post bad experiences rather than good ones, as its human nature to vent frustrations in any way possible.

But with this said i must say that Century has in fact gone above an beyond to get parts to me and by extention its customers as when i place an order in times when the part by itself is not available century usually opens up kits just to supply just one part.

I haven't dealt with any other manufacture but based on conversations century customer service is up there with the best.

With Antonio being out hopefully Joe, Paul and the rest of the Century team will be able to give the same or better personal feel that Antonio brought to Century, so far Joe has called me down here in Jamaica several times to confirm my order that in itself made me forget that my order was delayed by a week

This type of service is a plus in my book.

Thanks oldfart for putting in the perspective, Raj Check doug at helicenter if Al doesn't work out.

****Predator Gasser SE - She's Ready to rumble ***
04-30-2008 03:17 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Saul
Heliman
Location: san jose, ca

Hello Raj,

I am sorry you are having a hard time locating this muffler.

We have had this muffler in stock since January. It has been in the last few weeks that demand has jumped for this muffler. Maybe in anticipation of the summer flying season!!??
We have been sold out on this item for only a short time!

Please don't despair! More are on the way...

Please feel free to PM me anytime if you have trouble looking for parts.... I will PM you when the new batch of mufflers arrives.

Team Century - Century Helicopters
04-30-2008 07:13 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
FAA
Senior Heliman
Location: MIlford CT

Raj

Look at some of my posts !!!

It took me a good 8 months to order one and get it in.

I know how you feel !

I wish Thunder Tiger would produce a Gasser ! or Align !

I would switch over in a heartbeat !

04-30-2008 07:23 PM
 
 
rbort
Elite Veteran
Location: Franklin, MA - U.S.A.

Cut and paste from another post, I thought I was replying here!

I also did call Airland Hobbies (a new place my friend found last night searching the net) and he called his distributer (great plains) and they told him it was discontinued. So he called Century direct and they said no, it wasn't discontinued, just out of stock and will be in stock in about 2 weeks. This explains why Tower Hobbies doesn't have it and won't order it for me, I think great plains must have dropped out from carrying it. The guy from Airland was super helpful and I'd recommend him as a great guy to deal with and goes the extra mile to help out!!

Anyway, the GOOD news is that one flying fellow here on Runryder PM'd me and told me he had a spare one he was keeping around just in case that he'd sell to me as he's thinking of trying something different. Cool! So I think I'm all set pending confirmation of the deal and thanks to all who helped guys!!

-=Raja.

1005 Xcell Gas, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
Spectra-g, BHH G26 3D Plus, Jewel Generator
04-30-2008 07:33 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
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Gasser Model RC Helicopters > Century V3 muffler, wild goose chase by Century...Where can one get one in stock?
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