Finalizing Panel: All thoughts welcome

[danP]

I really like putting the switches above the Pfds.

[Aiki_Aviator]

Hi Dan,

Do you have some pictures I can look at.

Originally Posted by danP

I really like putting the switches above the Pfds.

[Aiki_Aviator]

Hi all,

Final Panel submitted.

Final Panel: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/95034127/20130210_Final.pdf
I have now completed the panel and it is being submitted to Front Panels Express.

They have been GREAT!!!! Extremely happy with thier service. Adrian = excellent :-)

The configuration has changed somewhat, I am now incorporating the Dynon Transponder unit instead of the Trig-22, and have added some additional content.

I want to thank everyone for helping me get to here. The information and discussion has been INVALUABLE.

If anyone wants a copy of the panel file OR wants any of the macro objects I created for the purpose. Just drop me an email. I would be glad to help.

[CharlieWaffles]

Just wait until the panel arrives, not only will they look great, but you'll get a little treat too!

[Aiki_Aviator]

Hi All,

Well I have an update which is very disturbing...... BUT is still in discussions!!!

I was quoted including shipping a decent price, which included all of the cutouts, infill etc....

Agreed with the quote, sent my credit card and waited eagerly....

I received an email today that basically said,
"we have completed your order, BUT you have to pay TWICE the value for the panel as we stuffed up with the postage costs"

Now this would not necessarily be a problem if I was in USA, however, being in Australia, this is a big thing, which I requested at the front of the process.... Postage went from $40 up to $350.....

Yep, That's right an increase of nearly 900%.....

NOTE: I have since found out that USPS basically stiffed them and now they need to discuss the best course of action with me.

NOW, given that the panel has already been produced and is awaiting postage, I was happy to increase my payment to cover all of the postage costs, so that I get a panel and it does not cost Panel Express anything more than it has already.

My interpretation of the initial response:
Sorry, but we would rather throw away the already completed panel rather than post it to you for the postage costs.

NOTE: This is currently in discussion as the end result is yet to be finalised. : It seems the email sent from FPE did not quite convey the correct sentiments.

I could not for the life of me understand why a company:

a) that has stuffed up, and produced a custom item that they cannot use or on-sell, would rather throw it away than make a customer happy????
b) would rather get BAD press, not accept thier responsability and impact thier business rather than gain the GOOD press from doing the morally right thing?????

As I have said to them, I am happy to cover the costs of postage, just not pay more than I could have got it produced here in Australia.

Especially after having me spend all of my time developing it on thier softweare which is NON-TRANSFERABLE to any other product.......

I am sorry, but can someone explain why this is occuring?

However, as discussed, this is still in discussions and maybe the end result will be a reasonable outcome.


UPDATE!!!!
After some excellent discussions with Scott from FPE, he has more than come to the party , conveying his concern at the current status. He has advise me that the original order with be honoured and the panel sent for the original price, abliet through an alternate supplier. Thanks Scott, Faith restored....

Fere to the rest of this thread for detailed update.

[CharlieWaffles]

Andrew, I'll contact you on PM and see if I can help.

[Richard Connell]

Nice looking panel.
I have an AFS in my -7 and it is fantastic. I have been toying with the idea of updating it to a 5500.
However.....
Im assuming you are planning on IFR.
There is a reasonable amount of debate whether you will be able to get an IFR CofA with non certified (TSOd) instruments shortly in Oz under proposed CAO 20.18 changes.
Ive mothballed my panel upgrade for now and shelved my -10 build due to reg uncertainty.
May be worth checkin out before you cut the really big cheque (check)
cheers

[Aiki_Aviator]

Hi Richard,

Yes, designed for IFR.

Yep, that IFR in Oz is a bad situation. I am part of a working party with SAAA to try and address this issue with some constructive approaches to ensure IFR for Experimental continues.

We are looking at maintaining the existing regime and/or proposing another methodology to ensure safe skies for everyone. Our primary issue is that the old TSO'd gear is actually LESS safe than the existing equipment. Hopefully we can address this successfully and make sure that the future of aviation is safer, not less so due to bureaucracy...

[ao.frog]

If that was my panel, I'd verify that they really wanted to this (break their promise to you), then block my CC, let them throw away the panel, order a new one from Vans, have Vans ship the new panel directly to someone who can cut out your panel AND who'll stand behind their word and then move on...

NO sense doing business with people who doesn't keep their promises.

Let's know how it turns out please? It'll be very interesting to hear about the final outcome.

[roee]

I agree with Alf. Andrew, if anything, you are being too forgiving of their poor business conduct. Mistakes like this happen, and they admitted it was their mistake in generating the quote. Ok. But as such, they need to suck it up and deliver what they promised you at the cost they quoted you, even if at a loss to them. Anything less will leave you short-changed. As even if you simply walk away from them at this point, you've already invested much time and effort in their offering based on that quote.

For what it's worth, I've spent hundreds of dollars with that outfit over the past few months (for my instrument panel overlays and a few other items), and to this point I had been happy with their service. I've recommended them to others, and have even considered using them in the future as a supplier for my business. With your issue pending, I can no longer recommend them, and I'm having serious doubts about them as a vendor I could rely on for my business. That's really disappointing. I hope they understand that by not making this right in your case, they'll be losing more business than just yours.

If you think it may be helpful, feel free to forward this message to them.