HarveyH42

Finally got to pick up my order, Post Office held things up. Placed the order July 22, got the package notice Friday, August 10. Closer to three weeks this time, but the post office gave me a re-deliver notice, but didn't. Had to stand in line.

Got everything I ordered. Will check my bank statement extra close and see if they tack on an extra charge, never noticed on before.

Krumlink

I have only ordered from jameco (love jameco so much!), and my recent phone order glitched and it was never sent in. I called about it, and they helped me with it, and gave me free nextday shipping for my troubles. AWESOME. All these parts are for my binary clock, which should be up and hopefully running by the end of this week.

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Bryan76

I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT. I should have not ordered from FUTURLEC!!!!

Well as of now it has taken 21 days to make a 7-10 day delivery. Futurlec made an extra charge on my account on 6 Aug, and turned around and said they didn't. Now the US postal service is saying the tracking number that Futurlec provided doesn't exist. Futurlec emailed me and said that I need to research the problem with the post office. The post office says that FUTURLEC not me needs to contact them since they sent the package.

I was a fool to think this would work. So now I am out $40 and no parts! I will bet that this issue drags out for months



How can these guys stay in buisness with such a bad reputation and customer service?????

HarveyH42

I've never had to deal with customer service, and have ordered from the quite a few times. My last one took 19 days, plus another 3 days sitting in the post office. Never ordered anything exotic (keep forgetting to order some RF modules though). My last order was 30 AVR chips, and 4 LCD modules ($78). It came from Thailand. Don't think the post office has a simple tracking service, so might not be much Futurlec can do once it's out of their hands. I hate using the US postal service for anything. My mailman won't leave any packages at my door, whether it needs a signature or not, so I have to go a wait in line to pick them up.

Bryan76

My shipment was from Thailand as well. The post office does have a tracking system. As for the mailman, mine always lets me know about a package with a notice slip in my box. My wife works for a electronics distributor and says that they alway research shipping errors. I was not pleased that futurlec has my money and wasn't ready to help me out. "I should research the problem with the post office" they said. I think they should extend a helping hand, especially since they have screwed me now for the 2nd time in a row.

Krumlink

I would tell them if they dont start picking up their end, your going to report them or somthing! Take action or somthing!

This is why I LOOOOVE jameco! I get free nextday shipping if my order messes up! I LOVEZ JAMECO! Digikey and newark are expensive

What is up with tantalum prices? They are incredible! 0.35 for a usual tant? what has happened with tants lately?

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3v0

Yoiu keep saying Newark is expensive. I do not agree. They sell PICs at about the same price as MICROCHIP DIRECT.

For example the PIC16F88-I/P

Jameco 312733PS 4.15 ea.

Microchip Direct 1-25 units $2.60

Newark 54K2830 $2.60
they also have the 74K8558 for $2.06 which is shown as a I/SP rather then an I/P.

Semiconductors from Newark are less expensive then Mouser.

For switches and connectors I go to Mouser of if I can take the time and risk, yes Futurlec!

In the US DigiKey is more expensive on everything I have checked. But given how close you are to them you may be able to get UPS ground packages from then in 1 day.

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Krumlink

I dont buy Microcontrollers anyway. I get em from Microchip anyways.

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bienafv

Well I should have believed the negative feedback about Futurlec, but since my 1st order went through without problems I thought that they were actually not that bad.

Reason I was ordering from them is that their shipping is actually reasonable.

Big mistake.

Ordered in June
Contacted them in mid July
response: just wait we mailed it
Contacted one week later again
Response: just wait we mailed it
Contacted one week later again since the tracking number
does not show up on the Track and trace of Thailand mail
Response: just wait we mailed it
Contacted again, please follow up, the tracking number does not work
Response: just wait we mailed it


Now each time I phoned the local post office to make sure the package did not yet arrive, no delivery slip in my postbox, and last time I also went to the local Post Office and actually helped the poor lady go through all the parcel slips to see if there were a fault on my side.

btw. the tracking number still does not work on the Thailand Track and trace site.

So now 9 weeks later (yes you read right nine!), no parts, no refund, and still needing the parts.

This weekend I will be visiting my local electronics shop and buy the parts I need.

Total cost:
(undeliverd parts) + (replacement parts) + (frustration) + (time) = NEVER EVER order from Futurlec

Hope this helps someone else steer clear of this company.

3v0

I too have had one good experiance on a order of just connectors. Given the last two posts I do not think I will order again. But the prices are so attractive.

Maybe the tracking through USPS is not that great to start with. Has anyone had better luck using UPS or FedEx?

__________________
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Junebug USB PIC programmer kit., USB Bit Wacker, Homepage
The 15 Minute Printed Circuit Board! (+drill time)

BeeBop

I have had many good experiences, and a few not so good, with Futurlec. I've never had as long of delays as several others here, and they have NEVER charged something which I did not receive. There were a few times which I had to email them to find out some small part of my order was back-ordered, which did upset me a fair bit. The delays were about two weeks extra.

USPS does not have very good tracking; I have had problems tracking packages from the US before, and several times I have had huge problems with customs here (Canada,) holding packages for weeks, without giving me any notice.

Thanks for the tip about Newark, perhaps I'll try that one next time I need micros.

I once did an order to China (Sure Electronics.) The prices were really low, and the service was quick, however the shipping was almost more than the parts, and again, Customs Canada made me wait almost two weeks before sending notice that I had to go in and sign for my order.

Bryan76

Same exact thing I am going through! The suck thing for me is that I cant afford to buy the parts again!

Bryan76

UPS is just to expensive from Thailand. These guys mess up all the time from what I am hearing. Even my first order from them took a month and it was missing parts. What makes it so bad is that they just dont give a flip about the quality of their service.

TekNoir

Of course not. Many people continue to order from them despite their reputation for horrible shipping times, double-billing, and sub-standard customer service.

They are being rewarded for their bad behaviour. Most people (or companies) won't change under those circumstances.

Bryan76

Just wanted to update the thread.
Futurlec is now in the ignoring me mode. I have sent 2 more emails and have yet to hear from them. Man I feel cheated!!! They took my money and gave me nothing but grief.
Man this sucks! I had bought all the parts for Nigels microcontrollers tutorials and now it looks as I will not be doing them anytime soon.