This is my story, and hopefully a lesson for new customers. First let me first say, I have absolutely no issues with the Ariane products themselves. It is my opinion that the aircraft flys well and the navdata issue didn't bother me as I simply used LAT/LONG to add waypoits into my flight plan. What I had issues with was the company itself.So here's how it begins, I was approached by a member of Ariane and asked to participate in helping with various things. I wont say what things, but I did accept and offered my free time to help where I could. Now, I am a paying customer, I purchased the 800X2, the 700X2, and the 700ER. I don't have a problem paying the type of money I did, and with the fact that I was asked to assist in making the products better, I was excited to be an owner of the products.Everything was going quite well, I was definately having a different experience than others here have had. I usually don't judge a company by what others say, no matter what a company does, there will always be someone that is dissatisfied. I felt vey positive that I was helping a company that was tying to make a turn-around on it's reputation. I would also go through their forum and help other fellow customers with any problems they were having where I could.2 weeks ago, a customer was having problems getting one of the products to work. When he did everything that I suggested, and it didn't work, I knew it was above my knowledge. This customer waited I'd say a good 5 days or so and still no answer from the developer. He then got frustrated and basically said that he was done with the product and was deleting it from his hard drive. I can't blame the guy, if you purchase a product from a software company and it isn't working properly (especially for the amount of money) you expect some support. After this, I also got tired of hearing "it's on the way" and seeing paying customers not getting the help they needed.So what did I do? Well, I told Ariane in the protected forum (where no other customers could see) that I was done providing my free time and wished to be removed from the protected forum. The response I got was as if I had set their virtual office on fire, and I kind of expected it. I was "threatened" in Italic font that if I resigned I would not be "in the loop" any more and would not have access to the "protected" stuff.....no kidding. I'm pretty sure I knew exactly what my "resignation" meant....but they felt it necessay to remind me of what I already knew.I didn't respond, I felt that I had said what I needed to say, and there was no point on arguing...I just wanted out. I no longer wanted to be associated with the company, but keep in mind, I'm still a customer.Today, I go to get on the forum to do my daily check and when I went to login what did I find? My forum account had been removed. I didn't break any forum rules, didn't hand out any information about what I had been doing for the company or what I had seen....why was I removed from the customer support forum?I guess I was wrong about this company, and that is ok...I will no longer give my money to this group. My advice to anyone thinking about buying from them, save your money, wait for PMDG to come out with the NGX, I'm sure there's a lot of other nice aircraft that you can fly while you wait.That is my story.

Apart from amusing us ( ...I was "threatened" in Italic font ...), what's this to do wth FSX?

Why is anybody still buying from them? No, seriously, why... can't you read? Are you some sort of masochists?People are so naive... they always think it won't happen to them.. even though it happens to most... now, go figure.I would buy from Ariane if I wouldn't read and hear so many bad stories... now, there is no chance me buying anything from them at all. I also stopped buying from Captain Sim since they attacked me on their forum for no reason (that was about a year ago or so). If everybody would do things like that the companies wouldn't have the luxury to treat people like dung.

Apart from amusing us ( ...I was "threatened" in Italic font ...), what's this to do wth FSX?

Probably the fact they are selling products for FSX.

Doesn't matter how great a product you may think it could be... google affords us the search term " item + problems". Why do that after you buy a product?

Why is anybody still buying from them? No, seriously, why... can't you read? Are you some sort of masochists?People are so naive... they always think it won't happen to them.. even though it happens to most... now, go figure.

First, I think this part of your post was a bit un-called for. There is no reason for you to attack me. You can call me naive, but yes, I did read all of the negative posts PRIOR to purchasing the products that I did. And as I said in the begining of my post, I have no issues with the product itself. I actually enjoy flying it believe it or not. This was more of a review of their internal policies if you will. I am simply posting a warning not towards the product, but towards the company itself. If they treat people who are assisting them in this fashion, how will they treat customers?No, I'm not upset at how much money I spent. No, I'm not upset at the quality of the product they produce. No, I don't agree that the products are horrible as others have posted. Yes, I will continue to fly my Ariane 737's until PMDG releases the NGX...I paid for them, might as well use them. These are just my opinions whether you agree with them or not, there is no reason to call me names.

Probably the fact they are selling products for FSX.

Yes that is correct, people do come here for imformation on products for FSX.

Hi Jeremy,Thank you for taking the time to post your story. Your story's relevance in this forum is obvious. While Ariane has earned a bad reputation with many who frequent this forum, there are new folks coming to FSX every day. And, you are right, there will always be unhappy customers regardless of what company is involved. And Ariane presents well. They make an attractive product. The detail they include is amazing. And many have taken the bait over the years. Factual information such as you posted is valuable to anyone new to this hobby. It just might save someone a lot of grief (and money).Best regards,Bill

Yes that is correct, people do come here for imformation on products for FSX.

They don't come here for imformation about petty squables between Ariane and it's employees (paid or unpaid).

First, I think this part of your post was a bit un-called for. There is no reason for you to attack me.

I guess I was a bit un-clear... my response wasn't aimed to you directly but to all of you who come here and tell others your Ariane story.

Are you some sort of masochists?

...Plural.From what I read the major problem with them is not bad product but the company itself and their relationship to customers, as you recently found out. But if you say you actually read all the negative stuff prior to purchasing.. :( I'm sorry if I offended you, that was not my intention.

They don't come here for imformation about petty squables between Ariane and it's employees (paid or unpaid).

I disagree....the actiions of a development company speaks just as loud (to me and some people) as their products do. If you don't think my post has any relevence then that is your choice....don't read it then. What do you intend to gain by your postings? I'm posting my story to share my experience with others who may be considering purchasing from Ariane. Do I expect that my post will change the minds of those who intend to buy the product? No, but it's worth sharing.

I guess I was a bit un-clear... my response wasn't aimed to you directly but to all of you who come here and tell others your Ariane story. ...Plural.From what I read the major problem with them is not bad product but the company itself and their relationship to customers, as you recently found out. But if you say you actually read all the negative stuff prior to purchasing.. :( I'm sorry if I offended you, that was not my intention.

No offense taken, I just don't understand your post. People's opinions are just that...opinions. Your opinion is that you'll never buy a CS product because of the way you were treated. I understand, I would be upset as well, but I haven't had that experience with CS, therefor I will continue buying from them. I draw my own conclusions based on my experiences, not the experiences of others. I don't believe it's being naive....I just don't judge a book by it's cover or go with the crowd....I like to draw my own conclusions.@Bill, thank you, at least someone understands my post.

Hi All,It is too bad that someone takes the time to share their story and the same people immediately jump on him and try to turn everything around. This is not the same ol' same ol' type of post. Here is someone who was volunteering their time and talents, to improve something, and just because they wanted to end that relationship, gets threatened and treated poorly. And once again what is the response here? Too bad, don't you ever learn, bla, bla bla...........Some of you are sad, very sad.

Some of you are sad, very sad.

Thank you. I was just asking why people still do something if SO many others say to them "Don't do it"... and than complain about it! The OP said he read everything prior going Ariane way and now he's telling us about how rude were they to him.. yet, so so so many people said they were the same to them. If he wants to draw his own conclusions.. well, he's doing it now. Everybody are entitled to their own opinions.. this one is mine. I respect yours but would never ever say that some of you are sad, very sad. I have nothing against Ariane stories.. people have to know what they are about.. in my first post I was just asking myself why people are still doing it if there are so many stories out there.. well, now I know that because they want to experience the drama for themselves or they are naive and think it's not going to happen to them. And that's why I asked myself if people are masochists. If everybody tell you it's gonna hurt..So.. should I act surprised next time somebody shares the Ariane story with us? Rhetorical question.

Well said, Jim.

Hi All,It is too bad that someone takes the time to share their story and the same people immediately jump on him and try to turn everything around. This is not the same ol' same ol' type of post. Here is someone who was volunteering their time and talents, to improve something, and just because they wanted to end that relationship, gets threatened and treated poorly. And once again what is the response here? Too bad, don't you ever learn, bla, bla bla...........Some of you are sad, very sad.

I agree. here we have a guy who up front said he has no issues with the products, only with how the people treated him. I myself tended to like my FS9 Ariane 737-300, but now that the iFly 737NG is here, I have no need for the Ariane 737. And so I agree with the OP; Ariane's people simply are not the kind you want to deal with. It's a shame because their products are not bad at all...I must say I have sort of the same story. I too was asked to help them out with one thing or another. However, before I could do anything, I needed some files from them. So, ya know, i got an email back saying they'd send it soon. It never came. A month later I send an email saying that I still didn't get the files. They reacted with "we didn't get your email". So okay, that can happen. I reacted and asked again for the files. I again got an email saying that they'll be sending it in a week or so - I got nothing of course. Another two months later I decided to send a final email. And again: "We didn't get your previous email". Seriously, once can happen, but twice? Perhaps, but I think they simply forgot all about the email and instead of just saying "Oops, sorry", they brush of any blame. Of course, I never got anything from them after that email, nor did I send anything. My voluntary help to Ariane simply faded away.While this is not really the same situation as the OP's, it shows the same thing: Ariane developers are untrustworthy, simple as that. Now, people can come, quote my post and say "told you so", but that's irrelevant. My point, and I think the OP's to, is to show from a different perspective how untrustworthy they actually are. Even the ones trying to help for free are ignored, forgotten and scolded.But, their aircraft are not too bad. Still, though, with the PMDG 737 around the concern and the iFly getting its SP1 soon, I don't see any business coming towards Ariane. Do I care? Not at all.

Thanks for your topic JBZ ... although i think it´s not a new story (The part of disappointment), it remember us the truth about this company.I´m waiting till today for the 800 and 700 repaints and the promised patchs. Well, gave up 6 months ago or so.

Hi All,It is too bad that someone takes the time to share their story and the same people immediately jump on him and try to turn everything around. This is not the same ol' same ol' type of post. Here is someone who was volunteering their time and talents, to improve something, and just because they wanted to end that relationship, gets threatened and treated poorly. And once again what is the response here? Too bad, don't you ever learn, bla, bla bla...........Some of you are sad, very sad.

Yep.As sad as Jeremy's story.