[Elecraft] Elecraft business practices

[Lou Voerman W2ROW]

Let me start by saying that I am a long term Elecraft customer. I have built
4 K2s and a K1. I also own a K3, K3s, KX3, KX2 and other Elecraft gear. I
helped out for several years as a volunteer in the Elecraft booth at the
RARS hamfest here in Raleigh.

Two recent experiences involving backordered AX1s have left me concerned
because my credit card was charged before Elecraft shipped the product. In
both cases the backorder turned out to be longer than a month. I was not
offered a refund on my credit card until I actually cancelled the orders.
Note this was not a hold of funds on the card, it was an actual charge. In
the first instance the AX1 was part of a larger order which included a KX2.
I was charged for the entire order even though the AX1 did not ship. In the
second instance the AX1 was listed as in stock when I ordered, I was
notified that there was a week delay and then notified the delay was longer.
My credit card was charged on the day the order was received by Elecraft. I
cancelled and am awaiting a refund.

Back in the early days of internet ordering the most important test of a
company's business practices was that they not charge a credit card before
shipment. Amazon is a perfect example of this, they never charge before
shipment. I will allow for some exceptions where I am told in advance that I
am placing a preorder and my card will be charged immediately. Elecraft did
not do this in either case described above.

The bottom line and based on the experiences above, it appears to be
Elecraft policy to charge credit cards before shipment. I am extremely
disappointed with this. Sorry for the long post.

Lou  W2ROW



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