I have recently experienced some of the worst after sales service I have ever come across with two companies. Some of you may have read my posts regarding an MCP that went faulty on me after only 8 months. I can now report that I have just received a replacement unit... after returning it almost ten weeks ago. I don't wish to expand on my experience any further only to draw a line under the affair. I would like to publicly thank Flightstore, and in particular, Sarah, for taking ownership of my issue and sorting things out for me. However, I would draw everyone's attention to a company called Proviation and suggest if anyone is considering making any purchase from them that they look elsewhere.

 

I feel it's my duty to fellow forum members to alert them of the appalling service this company offers, or more accurately, doesn't offer. If you would like to do some research I suggest you look at a website called Pprune, professional pilots rumour network, where you will find pages and pages of digruntled customers. I have had a couple of dealings with them and each time it has been an absolute nightmare. My recent issue with the MCP meant I left two emails, two messages and an online support request, none which were answered over a period of a week, this is when Sarah at Flightstore offered to help.

 

I feel it would be completely wrong of me to be aware of these problems with this company and not bring them to the attention of unsuspecting fellow forum members. I hope this is of some help for people.

Never heard of Proviation myself, Howard. Flightstore, on the other hand, have been in business for a long time. I for one have had excellent service from them over time.

 

Glad to hear you got sorted, anyway.

Yes as you mention there's a long thread about Proviation on PPRUNE

 

http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/476735-proviation-customer-care-problems.html

 

Beware.

 

Glad you eventually got your issue sorted with them Rockliffe. Many people haven't been so lucky.

 

I use Flightstore myself for my aviation needs, real-world or simulated.

Funnily enough, I placed an order for a GPS 'Free Flight Atlas' with Proviation years ago (2008 I think), when they were just starting out.   I done it on-line and got a phone call 20 minutes later from the 'owner' saying the book was out of stock but he's personally call the supplier that afternoon and get a definite date for me, for when he's have the book in again.   He called back an hour later saying that the supplier was out of print but he'd make a few more phone calls.   He called another hour later to advise he now had the book on the way to him by courier and would mail it out tomorrow.

 

It came in the post the day after, and I was flabergasted by the service and dropped Proviation an email to thank them.  The same guy replied and said that they were a new business and had to offer that level of service in order to break into the market.     (I still have that email!)

 

Somewhere along the line, something went wrong, because these reports of terrible service started to appear (and I'm not doubting them).

 

It's a real shame seeing these reports of terrible service from this vendor, when things seemed to start off so well. :(

I agree Dave, on the few occasions I spoke to the owner(?) he was charming, but full of excuses. It is a shame when any business goes downhill like this.