Does anyone have experience with buying and activating the HAWK from skywim.co.uk (Rick Piper).I purchased this add-on at lunchtime on Saturday, and received a 'registration code' from skysim. On installing, I was then disappointed to find that my 'registration code', only allowed me to then generate an 'activation request code' for my PC, which I then had to email to skysim, and wait up to "24 hours" for a return 'activation code' (yes, that's 3 codes going on here).I mailed off my request on Saturday and was pessimistic about receiving a reply during the weekend, but hey, who knows, a small, 'well-thought-of' developer, you never know, I may get my code before Monday. Hungry for the sales, wanting to give good service to encourage more sales and loyalty and all that.......... Nah ......... :( Almost 48 hours later (19:38 GMT on Monday), I still have no activation code to use this product that I bought.I have to say, 'well-thought-of developer' or not that is poor service in my book. :( People would be the first to jump on Ariane with this type of delay in being able to use something that you paid for almost 48 hours ago.I've since read the AVSIM review of this product - and the reference to the frustrating and lengthy activation process. :( I'm posting this in the hope that ; (i) others can comment on how long they waited, and (ii) in the hope that Rick or somone from 'skysim' will read this, and sort this poor service out by sending me my activation code to use this product I have paid for. (I have now sent 3 emails, all 'non-responded')It's interesting considering this type of service, in the light of the piracy / Orbx debate in the other thread. As abhorent and vile as software piracy is, this type of truly poor, draconian and frustrating service delivered to GENUINE and PAYING customers does nothing to aid the cause of killing piracy.One very unhappy 'skysim' customer, still with no code, but a lighter wallet.David Rogers

So Monday came and went and no replies to any emails, from Skysim.Sadly, the end of the story on this one will not be heard as I have deleted the Hawk from my Hard Drive and have sent a final email to Skysim, advising that I no longer require an Activation Code, and that they can keep my money (perhaps they can invest it in customer service.... :( ).This experience helped me to realize what (if we're honest) we all realize from time to time in this hobby - it's time to uninstall FSX and take a break.So that's what I'm doing. Thanks to Skysim and Rick Piper for the inspiration.

So Monday came and went and no replies to any emails, from Skysim.Sadly, the end of the story on this one will not be heard as I have deleted the Hawk from my Hard Drive and have sent a final email to Skysim, advising that I no longer require an Activation Code, and that they can keep my money (perhaps they can invest it in customer service.... :( ).This experience helped me to realize what (if we're honest) we all realize from time to time in this hobby - it's time to uninstall FSX and take a break.So that's what I'm doing. Thanks to Skysim and Rick Piper for the inspiration.

I'm sorry to hear this purchase hasn't worked out as you like. I would like to think there is a reasonable explanation for this delay, but I haven't done business with Skysim as of yet. I'm sure you've already been through the routine of checking your spam folder and all the other things commonly suggested when communication has apparently failed. It's an exciting time in the FS world right now, especially with the release of the Lotus L-39 and some other goodies on there way. I hope this break will re-energize you and you'll come back soon.

And you are going to quit on FSX because you can't install ONE addon? LOL.Seems to me you already wanted to uninstall FSX and that is just an excuse. Why couldn't you wait a couple more days? Can't you use FSX without that addon?

Hi,Although Rick is well able to defend himself, I know he is very busy and may not read these forums regularly, may I just put in a word on his behalf.Although the Hawk is his creation he no longer has any association with SkySim and receives no money for Hawk sales.Gordon, who owns and runs SkySim, is a most arrogant and unpleasant character to deal who is only interested in your money. I can only suggest that you pester him with emails until you get satisfaction. That is what I had to do recently.Needless to say, I shall never buy from SkySim again.

Paid by Credit Card ? What about a chargeback using your CC Company !!! I have owned the Hawk for ages and STILL haven't got it installed .Maurice.

Skysim is a UK company and I know in the UK it is a simple matter to take someone to the small claims court. Even though we're not talking a lot of money here to claim back, some satisfaction may be gained by pursuing this, along that route and maybe Skysim will think twice before providing slack customer service. I imagine that just receiving notification of your intention to take them to court will motivate them concluding this isuue to your satisfaction.

Hi folks,the point about a problem with 1 add-on making me quit FSX, is a fair one - I was indeed ready for a short break and this experience just led me to take that break a little earlier.But that apart, this SKYSIM business is serious ;UpdateTuesday 11th August, 10:27 (having purchased on Saturday 8th August), still absolutely no response of any kind from Skysim, to 7 email requests, including a formal complaint.I have sent emails to:[email protected]@[email protected] a single reply in over 3 days.The piece around "Rick is very busy" is completely irrelevent. Trust my I am extremely busy but if I sell something for real money, I have to give the buyer what they paid for, regardless of how 'busy' I am.The mysterious 'Gordon' may be running the show now at Skysim but Rick's name is still attached and referenced to this product and I am disgusted at this example of how a paying customer can be treated.I would encourage anyone who has ever been frustrated by bad service and activation frustrations for something you have paid for, to send an email to one of the above email addresses, stating that you've heard paying customers are not receiving activation codes and that you're extreely concerned about this and would like a response in explanation.Taking a stand and addressing appalling service, will help raise the standards in this hobby but it will also help stamp out piracy. It feeds into the pirates hands when they see genuine paying customers being treated like this.

Thank goodness again for AVSIM posts such as this...I've been thinking of getting the Hawk for quite a while.Maybe there IS an innocent explanation, but I think I'll add Skysim to my ever-expanding 'don't touch with a bargepole' file. At least for the time being...Thanks for posting. Hope you get it sorted David. Ian

Update:Received the following email from 'Gordon' at 14:24 this afternoon:-Hi DavidI sent your activation code on the 9th of this month at your initial e-mail. Here it is again: xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx.Please check your spam folders and make sure it has not inadvertantly gone thereKindest regardsGordonSorry, but nothing in Spam and 100% no email received on the 9th August, or on any other date. I really would normally give the benefit of the doubt but I have since heard many other stories about poor response times and service from Skysim, so I so not believe for one moment that the email was sent on the 9th.Interesting to note is that he never FORWARDED an apparant email sent on the 9th; just stated that he'd sent one.Thanks for following this thread, I'm leaving this matter as it is now - you can all draw your own conclusions on Skysim service to customers, and the wider problems about these draconian and abysmal 'manual activation' processes.[EDIT]:Just to be fair and reflect things honestly ;I have since received an email from Gordon, apologizing for the poor service I received on this occasion.

Well I am disappointed to be pilloried here on this forum. David your code was indded sent on the 9th of this month and again today. It is not policy to save e-mails once they are sent simply because of the amount we send out. We do have a forum for people to post any issues they may have with any of our software as there is simply not enough time to be trawling through the many flight sim forums that customers use. I must state here and now though, as a commercial enterprise, it is not in Skysims interest to withhold any code numbers OR any information we can supply to help our customers get the best out of their Flight Sims.RoddyMod: I know you not from Adam and expect you have never met or know me, So how you can judge my character is a little like me saying you are a complete and bungling fool.Again I would state Skysim has done everything in its power to deliver the activation code and whether or not you can believe it, it must be going astray in the system.P.S. David weren't you the person who was sending your requests to skysim.com???

Here is a copy of the original activation e-mail sent on the 9th of August (recovered from our e-mail server.Dear DavidYour activation code is: XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXIf you are a Vista user please pay particular attention to this information : http://www.sky-sim.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=461I must however wholeheartedly disagree with you in regard to the activation process not deterrring the pirate fraternity. Whilst EVERY other aircraft is usually available within hours of release (this I know from bitter experience), our Hawk has remained secure. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, for your information: The Hawk Documentation is now viewable online as well as being included in the download set.The Set instructions are at : http://www.skysim.co.uk/Support/Hawk/Docs/Setup/Setup.htmlandThe Manual can be seen at : http://www.skysim.co.uk/Support/Hawk/Docs/...awk_readme.html The Skysim support forums can be found at : http://www.sky-sim.co.uk/Forums/index.phpRegardsSkysim Support Ok - so I can see now that the activation system did in fact quote ".co.uk" so that was my error - but general comments on this activation process still apply ! This makes Ariane look friendly !!!! Sorry for the frustration Rick - I just categorically disagree that treating your customers in this way, with a draconian activation processes, does nothing to defeat piracy. I am a FSX Missions Developer and AVSIM Reviewer, and all of my payware Mission packs have been pirated so I understand the frustration - but in this case, my son just wanted his Hawk that we paid for, on his Birthday. Codes are below and we'd really appreciate our activation code as soon as possible. Thanks. Regards, David Rogers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Skysim, I purchased your Hawk this evening for my son's birthday and I am really beginning to wish I hadn't. Sorry but your installation method is an awful way to treat your supporters and customers. The 'activation' systems told me to send an email to [email protected] with the relevent codes. I have tried this 4 times and on every occasion, I receive a notification saying that the email address does not exist ! I therefore got this alternative email address (which I notice is .co.uk not .com) from the Skysim website. I can only hope that this one is actually going to get through and that I will (after 9 hours of trying) finally get to send off my activation codes. My codes are as follows - PLEASE forward the activation code at your earliest convenience. Sorry for being frustrated but this has been an awful experience of buying into your developements :- Registration Number: XXXXXX-XXXXXXXX-XXXXXX:XX Activation Request Code: XXXXXX-XXXXXXXX-XXXXXX:XXX Regards, David [email protected]

RoddyMod: I know you not from Adam and expect you have never met or know me, So how you can judge my character is a little like me saying you are a complete and bungling fool.

Sorry Gordon. I will substitute the word "character" with the word "person.No, we have never met.I did have converations with you via email when I was attempting to reinstall the Hawk after a system crash. It was the way in which you dealt with this which formed my opinion of you, an opinion which I still hold.

RoddyMod: I know you not from Adam and expect you have never met or know me, So how you can judge my character is a little like me saying you are a complete and bungling fool.

Hi Gordon,Let me substitute the word "character" with the word "person" to avoid confusion.No, we have never met.My opinion of you and your customer sevice is based wholly on a series of emails from you earlier this year when I was attempting to re-activate the Hawk following a system crash. It would seem that I am not alone in finding your attitude to paying customers significantly below expectations.

Well Roddy, as to that, was your product re-activated? Our records show how many times products are activated and many users have been activated several times without any problems. If you feel you have been unjustly treated by Skysim then I make no bones and apologise wholeheartedly. As stated in an earlier e-mail it is not in the interest of the seller OR the buyer to give or recieve a bad experience from the other as all it does is generates contempt for the other party. Our aim at Skysim is to get every cutomer - who has bought and requested activation - activated within 24hours, and did in fact send out David's activation within that 24 hour period. I am quite sure you would have also recieved any activation/re-activation codes within the 24 hour period.I do appreciate that many do not like our activation process and to be perfectly honest I am not overly keen on it myself. However the activation system HAS prevented any major piracy issues.