HUGE shout out to Lars at Contrail

[JYW 2,985]

So as a few may have seen on the other thread, I bought the FSS Tecnam P2012 a few days ago, and after installation, found it to be in a 'non-activated' stated, with no gauges or switches working.  I contacted FSS support and Aerosoft support about the issue.   A few days later, there have been some friendly and apologetic emails from FSS (but no advice or ideas for moving forward) and absolutely nothing from Aerosoft.   No replies or assistance after almost 4 days for DRM failure for a customer's initial installation.

Anyway, I posted a review on Contrail, just out of frustration really, stating all of the problems I'd had.  I expected the review not to be published, as it wasn't really about the product but just the fact that I hadn't been able to access it.

This evening I recieved a really nice email from Lars, the proprietor or Contrail.  Now bear in mind that Contrail is neither the developer of the product, nor the vendor I paid my money to. He has not received a penny from me. 🙂  Contrail provide an ability to transfer licences from some other vendors, to their app.  It means you can have more of your products in one place.  For the other vendors, it means Contrail are providing some of their download bandwidth.  The benefit for Contrail is that they get increased 'foot fall' or traffic - potential buyers for their own shop range.

Lars said that he had approved my review and that he was shocked that after a few days, no-one at FSS or Aeosoft had really made any progress in getting me up and running.  He advised that he knew the proprietor of FSS and would contact him now, on my behalf, to get things moving.  In regard to the non-service from Aerosoft he advised I don't bother with service desks and 'leave it with him'.  Over the course of two hours, I get 4 email updates from Lars and lot's of help and information.  Ok, it's not up and running yet but that is now because of the wider compatibility issues between the FSS P2012 and MSFS SU14.   

At a time when you're pulling your hair out and feeling that all so-called after-sales support is just awful and inept, I get contacted by a guy with no direct investment in getting me moving, who has 3 different conversations with the lead dev at FSS and who emails me lots of information and updates.  I was absolutely astounded.

He's said that he will stay with me, up to the point that I finally see that addon working in my MSFS installation.

Isn't that refreshing?! 😎

Edited December 5, 2023 by JYW

[F737MAX 5,660]

I like Contrail a lot. It's arguably the best marketplace for/vendor of MSFS add-ons.

UI is clean and intuitive, range of products for sale is good, updates appear quickly after a dev release & simple notification, licence transfers are much more likely to be offered & involves a simple process, and Lars is very active on their Discord server.

[qqwertz 789]

Good that you enjoy it. I beg to differ ...

[MorrisMinor 47]

19 minutes ago, JYW said:

He's said that he will stay with me, up to the point that I finally see that addon working in my MSFS installation.

Isn't that refreshing?! 😎

that's great to hear, I hope it all gets sorted for you 

[regis9 4,028]

Glad to hear this positive experience.  I feel like contrail kind of appeared out of nowhere with the release of MSFS but it has become one of my trusted stores.

[RichieFly 735]

I guess if I want the Pilatus PC-12 from SWS tomorrow, I'll be using Contrail. I don't mind Contrail so much as I mind having yet another application I have to keep track of.

[btacon 1,819]

1 hour ago, qqwertz said:

Good that you enjoy it. I beg to differ ...

To each their own, eh?  Sounds fair to me!

-B

[sd_flyer 6,063]

Yep. Contrails is one of my favorite shops now

[micstatic 4,328]

1 hour ago, qqwertz said:

Good that you enjoy it. I beg to differ ...

A man of few words. Why do you feel that way?

[Cognita 1,095]

Yes, for scenery, I essentially only buy from either the Marketplace or Contrail. Outside of a few products from the iniBuilds store, all my scenery purchases are from one these two and these are the only two I generally look at when I am thinking of getting something. If it is not on one of these, I just don't buy it. Aircraft I learned to buy directly from the developer, so that is a different story.

[Ed Correia 24]

Great to see the much deserved shoutout for Lars.

I’ve always admired Contrail from afar and had the pleasure of meeting him in person at FSExpo after many years of first meeting him whilst working for Orbx.

It’s great to see more larger developers use Contrail as I do know that he provides great a service to the vendors and customers alike.

 

[qqwertz 789]

1 hour ago, micstatic said:

A man of few words. Why do you feel that way?

I am generally not a fan of store apps. Every time I start them they get updated, and after that I have to put in my credentials again. I don't have my passwords memorized, so I have to go through some procedure to get logged in again. I prefer web pages by developers. No middle man and I can easily log in.

[Alvega 2,125]

22 minutes ago, edcorreia said:

Great to see the much deserved shoutout for Lars.

I’ve always admired Contrail from afar and had the pleasure of meeting him in person at FSExpo after many years of first meeting him whilst working for Orbx.

It’s great to see more larger developers use Contrail as I do know that he provides great a service to the vendors and customers alike.

 

First post in 13 years, I don't know Lars but he must be a great guy. Welcome to the forum. 

[Twenty6 693]

34 minutes ago, edcorreia said:

It’s great to see more larger developers use Contrail as I do know that he provides great a service to the vendors and customers alike.

You're not so bad yourself.

Years ago I was having trouble with the Orbx airport KRDD not displaying properly in P3D. No questions asked and you gave me a refund. Don't remember if I thanked you back then, if not I'm thanking you now.

[Ed Correia 24]

35 minutes ago, Alvega said:

First post in 13 years, I don't know Lars but he must be a great guy. Welcome to the forum. 

We had our official channels to make comments on etc. and now that burden is lifted. And thank you.