rec.autos.simulators

by **Felick** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as
well***

Last year (October 1998), whilst negotiating a corner flatout in GPL
hoping for that 'ultimate laptime' we all stive for, I heard (and
felt) an almighty Bang! My look of intense concentration suddenly
changed to one of, "What the hell was that?" = :(

At the same time, my make believe car, slowly drifted to a halt on the
side of the track and the gas pedal on my T2 decided to give in to
gravity - permenantly - yep, further inspection revealed the return
spring had broken. Damn!!

Oh well, these things will happen I thought and promptly emailed
Thrustmaster for the first time. I had heard through a mate who had
had TM products over the years, that he had received excellent service
from TM and that I should expect my new spring in 2 - 4 weeks. No
problem I thought - I can wait that long........ (I live in New
Zealand by the way. Thats over by Australia, for you guys whose
geography leaves a bit to be desired!)

What is REALLY starting to***me off is that now, in May 1999, I am
STILL waiting for the ***y thing!!! Yes - seven months have gone by
and still NO parcel in the letter box. I feel like a kid who keeps
going out to get his school certificate results which haven't arrived
in the mail.

Rather than go into all the boring detail of how many times I have
tried to contact TM and often failed, I'll try and get straight to the
point. Mind you I have to say that I think their login/password
system appears to me anyway, to be an abysmal failure as I couldn't
even email them after I experienced the the first delay. Even when I
did manage to get through, I didn't receive any reply to my message
about resetting my login details (you have to have a login name and
password to contact TM now for those that don't know), so that I could
THEN AGAIN, request a replacement spring for the second/third -
whatever time.

Eventually I was lucky enough (so I thought), to be given an
employees personal email address at TM. I emailed him (name not
mentioned - not yet anyway, another few weeks delay and I might), on
the 8th of March. I was assured the part would be on it's way in a
couple of days. I have since sent two more emails (one of which was
replied to), the last about 1 month ago. "The cheque, ah SPRING, is
in the mail", is still the phrase being tossed at me.

Now I know things can't go right all of the time TM, we are after all
only human, but this is nopw way beyond a joke. I am normally a very
reserved sort of guy and appreciate the difficulties in "business" and
the problems associated with "quality customer service" (I know - I
have it rammed down my own throat every day). Therefore I have been
patient. I am sure there would have been plenty of other 'surfers'
who in my position, would be absolutely slattering your company to
peices, way before now and using all sorts of profanity in their
messages of frustration as well.

PLEASE READ THIS AND TAKE HEED. Change my request and send a Force
Feedback steering wheel instead, and I can asure you - all will be
forgotten and that you will only receive boquets from me in the future
- NOT Brick Bats! Is this too much to ask...!?

Thank you - or should I hold off for a bit...

by **Petri Fris** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

>***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
>service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as

Did you do as I did, check with the computerstore where you bought your
Thrustmaster wheel? I got a few new springs right away...

And as for the pots that break now and then, an email to Thrustmaster and
after 3 weeks I got, not only one, but three new ones. Splendid service
atleast in my case.

--
Petri

by **ilmor** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

Glad to hear im not the only one who think TM service sucks. So far i only
see "thanks TM" messages. I hate you TM, im never going near you garbage
again.

-ilmore

by **MiXe** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

I ordered 2 pedal pots from TM last Saturday....
Yesterday, wednesday there was a package from
Thrustmaster Germany (I live in Holland) with 2 new pots

That's ***y good service I'd say.... Within half a week
they got me those pots... Excellent.

- MiXer -

>***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
>service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as
>well***

>Last year (October 1998), whilst negotiating a corner flatout in GPL
>hoping for that 'ultimate laptime' we all stive for, I heard (and
>felt) an almighty Bang! My look of intense concentration suddenly
>changed to one of, "What the hell was that?" =

>At the same time, my make believe car, slowly drifted to a halt on the
>side of the track and the gas pedal on my T2 decided to give in to
>gravity - permenantly - yep, further inspection revealed the return
>spring had broken. Damn!!

>Oh well, these things will happen I thought and promptly emailed
>Thrustmaster for the first time. I had heard through a mate who had
>had TM products over the years, that he had received excellent service
>from TM and that I should expect my new spring in 2 - 4 weeks. No
>problem I thought - I can wait that long........ (I live in New
>Zealand by the way. Thats over by Australia, for you guys whose
>geography leaves a bit to be desired!)

>What is REALLY starting to***me off is that now, in May 1999, I am
>STILL waiting for the ***y thing!!! Yes - seven months have gone by
>and still NO parcel in the letter box. I feel like a kid who keeps
>going out to get his school certificate results which haven't arrived
>in the mail.

>Rather than go into all the boring detail of how many times I have
>tried to contact TM and often failed, I'll try and get straight to the
>point. Mind you I have to say that I think their login/password
>system appears to me anyway, to be an abysmal failure as I couldn't
>even email them after I experienced the the first delay. Even when I
>did manage to get through, I didn't receive any reply to my message
>about resetting my login details (you have to have a login name and
>password to contact TM now for those that don't know), so that I could
>THEN AGAIN, request a replacement spring for the second/third -
>whatever time.

>Eventually I was lucky enough (so I thought), to be given an
>employees personal email address at TM. I emailed him (name not
>mentioned - not yet anyway, another few weeks delay and I might), on
>the 8th of March. I was assured the part would be on it's way in a
>couple of days. I have since sent two more emails (one of which was
>replied to), the last about 1 month ago. "The cheque, ah SPRING, is
>in the mail", is still the phrase being tossed at me.

>Now I know things can't go right all of the time TM, we are after all
>only human, but this is nopw way beyond a joke. I am normally a very
>reserved sort of guy and appreciate the difficulties in "business" and
>the problems associated with "quality customer service" (I know - I
>have it rammed down my own throat every day). Therefore I have been
>patient. I am sure there would have been plenty of other 'surfers'
>who in my position, would be absolutely slattering your company to
>peices, way before now and using all sorts of profanity in their
>messages of frustration as well.

>PLEASE READ THIS AND TAKE HEED. Change my request and send a Force
>Feedback steering wheel instead, and I can asure you - all will be
>forgotten and that you will only receive boquets from me in the future
>- NOT Brick Bats! Is this too much to ask...!?

>Thank you - or should I hold off for a bit...

by **Xten** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

I asked Thrustmaster what the specs were on the pots in my wheel cuz I
needed one. I figured once I knew the specs I could order one from a
warehouse or radio shack. They Mailed me 2 (two) pots that day and
they arrived the following Monday. FREE FREE FREE.
As for the springs I was in the back straight at 'dega when it
happened to me..I remember that BANG followed by someone saying SHIT
i figured they would keep breaking so I got different springs at the
hardware. these springs are of a different type rather then the type
TM used I went to the hardware store and got your basic screen door
closing spring.These springs come in different tensions and sizes make
sure ya get one that will fit under the cover but strong enough to
give the right resistance. I trimmed it to an appropriate length and
hooked one end to the base of the foot rest bracket and the other end
to the stop nut on the pedal bracket. it sorta rolls over the top of
the pot if you can visualize this. 2 weeks later the brake spring
broke and I used some more of the same screen door closing spring to
remedy that. Havent had a problem since and that was 2 years ago.
Course I had to get NASCAR approval for running a modified spring.
Now the bungee cord was a different story. that sucker would
break and break and break. finally I said***it and I used a whole
bungee cord. I ripped the cover off the wheel and threw the frigen
thing away then I bloted the wheel to a board three feet long. I put
an eyebolt on the far right side and anchored the bungee cord there
with a wire tie thrustmaster style then i threaded the cord through
the guides in the wheel assembly to the other end of the board. I
anchored that end with a small c clamp so the tension is now
adjustable. I covered the wheel mechanism with sheet metal and
covered it with sponser stickers. Its nice looking in an ugly sort of
way. the bungee cord broke after a year and i just put another one
in. so I guess TM is easier to deal with when ya need a pot then when
ya need a spring.
Fool Xtent

by **Don Farringto** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

I use the following site
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
to order replacement parts and usually get parts within 8-10 days.

> ***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
> service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as
> well***

> Last year (October 1998), whilst negotiating a corner flatout in GPL
> hoping for that 'ultimate laptime' we all stive for, I heard (and
> felt) an almighty Bang! My look of intense concentration suddenly
> changed to one of, "What the hell was that?" = :(

> At the same time, my make believe car, slowly drifted to a halt on the
> side of the track and the gas pedal on my T2 decided to give in to
> gravity - permenantly - yep, further inspection revealed the return
> spring had broken. Damn!!

> Oh well, these things will happen I thought and promptly emailed
> Thrustmaster for the first time. I had heard through a mate who had
> had TM products over the years, that he had received excellent service
> from TM and that I should expect my new spring in 2 - 4 weeks. No
> problem I thought - I can wait that long........ (I live in New
> Zealand by the way. Thats over by Australia, for you guys whose
> geography leaves a bit to be desired!)

> What is REALLY starting to***me off is that now, in May 1999, I am
> STILL waiting for the ***y thing!!! Yes - seven months have gone by
> and still NO parcel in the letter box. I feel like a kid who keeps
> going out to get his school certificate results which haven't arrived
> in the mail.

> Rather than go into all the boring detail of how many times I have
> tried to contact TM and often failed, I'll try and get straight to the
> point. Mind you I have to say that I think their login/password
> system appears to me anyway, to be an abysmal failure as I couldn't
> even email them after I experienced the the first delay. Even when I
> did manage to get through, I didn't receive any reply to my message
> about resetting my login details (you have to have a login name and
> password to contact TM now for those that don't know), so that I could
> THEN AGAIN, request a replacement spring for the second/third -
> whatever time.

> Eventually I was lucky enough (so I thought), to be given an
> employees personal email address at TM. I emailed him (name not
> mentioned - not yet anyway, another few weeks delay and I might), on
> the 8th of March. I was assured the part would be on it's way in a
> couple of days. I have since sent two more emails (one of which was
> replied to), the last about 1 month ago. "The cheque, ah SPRING, is
> in the mail", is still the phrase being tossed at me.

> Now I know things can't go right all of the time TM, we are after all
> only human, but this is nopw way beyond a joke. I am normally a very
> reserved sort of guy and appreciate the difficulties in "business" and
> the problems associated with "quality customer service" (I know - I
> have it rammed down my own throat every day). Therefore I have been
> patient. I am sure there would have been plenty of other 'surfers'
> who in my position, would be absolutely slattering your company to
> peices, way before now and using all sorts of profanity in their
> messages of frustration as well.

> PLEASE READ THIS AND TAKE HEED. Change my request and send a Force
> Feedback steering wheel instead, and I can asure you - all will be
> forgotten and that you will only receive boquets from me in the future
> - NOT Brick Bats! Is this too much to ask...!?

> Thank you - or should I hold off for a bit...

--
Don Farrington

by **Chris Schlette** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

Thats interesting. I think the service just is hit and miss. It took TM
over a week to process my order of 2 new pots, but they arrived fairly
quickly within the week once processed. However, they sent me 3 pots and
didn't send the other springs/gears I'd requested too.

> I ordered 2 pedal pots from TM last Saturday....
> Yesterday, wednesday there was a package from
> Thrustmaster Germany (I live in Holland) with 2 new pots

> That's ***y good service I'd say.... Within half a week
> they got me those pots... Excellent.

> - MiXer -

> >***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
> >service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as
> >well***

> >Last year (October 1998), whilst negotiating a corner flatout in GPL
> >hoping for that 'ultimate laptime' we all stive for, I heard (and
> >felt) an almighty Bang! My look of intense concentration suddenly
> >changed to one of, "What the hell was that?" =

> >At the same time, my make believe car, slowly drifted to a halt on the
> >side of the track and the gas pedal on my T2 decided to give in to
> >gravity - permenantly - yep, further inspection revealed the return
> >spring had broken. Damn!!

> >Oh well, these things will happen I thought and promptly emailed
> >Thrustmaster for the first time. I had heard through a mate who had
> >had TM products over the years, that he had received excellent service
> >from TM and that I should expect my new spring in 2 - 4 weeks. No
> >problem I thought - I can wait that long........ (I live in New
> >Zealand by the way. Thats over by Australia, for you guys whose
> >geography leaves a bit to be desired!)

> >What is REALLY starting to***me off is that now, in May 1999, I am
> >STILL waiting for the ***y thing!!! Yes - seven months have gone by
> >and still NO parcel in the letter box. I feel like a kid who keeps
> >going out to get his school certificate results which haven't arrived
> >in the mail.

> >Rather than go into all the boring detail of how many times I have
> >tried to contact TM and often failed, I'll try and get straight to the
> >point. Mind you I have to say that I think their login/password
> >system appears to me anyway, to be an abysmal failure as I couldn't
> >even email them after I experienced the the first delay. Even when I
> >did manage to get through, I didn't receive any reply to my message
> >about resetting my login details (you have to have a login name and
> >password to contact TM now for those that don't know), so that I could
> >THEN AGAIN, request a replacement spring for the second/third -
> >whatever time.

> >Eventually I was lucky enough (so I thought), to be given an
> >employees personal email address at TM. I emailed him (name not
> >mentioned - not yet anyway, another few weeks delay and I might), on
> >the 8th of March. I was assured the part would be on it's way in a
> >couple of days. I have since sent two more emails (one of which was
> >replied to), the last about 1 month ago. "The cheque, ah SPRING, is
> >in the mail", is still the phrase being tossed at me.

> >Now I know things can't go right all of the time TM, we are after all
> >only human, but this is nopw way beyond a joke. I am normally a very
> >reserved sort of guy and appreciate the difficulties in "business" and
> >the problems associated with "quality customer service" (I know - I
> >have it rammed down my own throat every day). Therefore I have been
> >patient. I am sure there would have been plenty of other 'surfers'
> >who in my position, would be absolutely slattering your company to
> >peices, way before now and using all sorts of profanity in their
> >messages of frustration as well.

> >PLEASE READ THIS AND TAKE HEED. Change my request and send a Force
> >Feedback steering wheel instead, and I can asure you - all will be
> >forgotten and that you will only receive boquets from me in the future
> >- NOT Brick Bats! Is this too much to ask...!?

> >Thank you - or should I hold off for a bit...

by **Randy Wilso** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

<snip>

Don't say that, say, "it's got a great personality" :)

Randy

by **Antti Salone** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

> ***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
> service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as
> well***

I have contacted Thrustmaster UK (living in Finland, myself) two
times to get spare parts for my GP1. The first time there was
obviously some***up inside TM, as the fellow who I had contact
with assured that they had sent me a new wheel unit for the GP1
(for free, by the way), but the thing never arrived. Eventually I
ended up searching for suitable parts from electronics shops.
The second time the service was excellent, I received the parts
(a spring and a pot) I requested in a couple of weeks plus extra
pots and a spring, all this for free. In general, it seems that
the quality of service rather much depends on who you end in
contact with. When everything goes right, Thrustmaster's consumer
service is unarguably top of the line. What comes to pots, it ought
to be possible to find suitable ones in any local electronics shop,
but I'm not sure whether the springs are in any way standardized
parts.

Antti Salonen, .fi

by **Tim Wheatle** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

Just gotta say, I've not experienced a problem.

--
Tim "Calm Down" Wheatley
________________________________________________

Tim Wheatley
"Yellow menacing helmet in the mirror"
http://start.at/igps_stats
IGPS - Ferrari Challenge - UKGPL - Summer Cup Driver
http://drive.to/grandprixlegends

http://website.lineone.net/~nascar
________________________________________________

by **Jason Mond** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

Hi Felicks,

Do what I did. I was practicing for a race that was to start in 15
minutes. I drove my trusted Ferrari a couple of laps around Silverstone
then all of the sudden I had no accelleration! I pulled to the side of
the road, got out of the car to check the pedals. Low and behold, my
brake would not "spring" back causing my poor acceleration.

I figured there is 30 minutes of practice time, so can I make the green
flag?!

I quickly built my own brake spring from a wire coat-hanger. Just wrap it
around a broom handle. Be sure to follow the direction of the old spring
and leave at least 1/3 of a turn to create tension to lift the pedal.

It was amazing, I joined the race with 5 minutes of practice time left. I
had to thank my pit crew that day! Forget where I placed, but anything is
better than sitting waiting for parts.

Jason.

> ***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
> service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as
> well***

> Last year (October 1998), whilst negotiating a corner flatout in GPL
> hoping for that 'ultimate laptime' we all stive for, I heard (and
> felt) an almighty Bang! My look of intense concentration suddenly
> changed to one of, "What the hell was that?" = :(

> At the same time, my make believe car, slowly drifted to a halt on the
> side of the track and the gas pedal on my T2 decided to give in to
> gravity - permenantly - yep, further inspection revealed the return
> spring had broken. Damn!!

> Thank you - or should I hold off for a bit...

--
--------
Jason Monds
"My other car is a Ferrari"
http://members.home.net/gpl.mondsj/gpl - For my combined gas/brake setups
(Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

by **Caste** » Fri, 07 May 1999 04:00:00

wanna trade those pots for some spings and gears? they sent me 2 packs of
springs/gears. Ill trade ya for those pots......

PassedYa

> Thats interesting. I think the service just is hit and miss. It took TM
> over a week to process my order of 2 new pots, but they arrived fairly
> quickly within the week once processed. However, they sent me 3 pots and
> didn't send the other springs/gears I'd requested too.

> > I ordered 2 pedal pots from TM last Saturday....
> > Yesterday, wednesday there was a package from
> > Thrustmaster Germany (I live in Holland) with 2 new pots

> > That's ***y good service I'd say.... Within half a week
> > they got me those pots... Excellent.

> > - MiXer -

> > >***This message is written to inform others of poor Thrustmaster
> > >service I have received - hopefully Thrustmaster, may read it as
> > >well***

> > >Last year (October 1998), whilst negotiating a corner flatout in GPL
> > >hoping for that 'ultimate laptime' we all stive for, I heard (and
> > >felt) an almighty Bang! My look of intense concentration suddenly
> > >changed to one of, "What the hell was that?" =

> > >At the same time, my make believe car, slowly drifted to a halt on the
> > >side of the track and the gas pedal on my T2 decided to give in to
> > >gravity - permenantly - yep, further inspection revealed the return
> > >spring had broken. Damn!!

> > >Oh well, these things will happen I thought and promptly emailed
> > >Thrustmaster for the first time. I had heard through a mate who had
> > >had TM products over the years, that he had received excellent service
> > >from TM and that I should expect my new spring in 2 - 4 weeks. No
> > >problem I thought - I can wait that long........ (I live in New
> > >Zealand by the way. Thats over by Australia, for you guys whose
> > >geography leaves a bit to be desired!)

> > >What is REALLY starting to***me off is that now, in May 1999, I am
> > >STILL waiting for the ***y thing!!! Yes - seven months have gone by
> > >and still NO parcel in the letter box. I feel like a kid who keeps
> > >going out to get his school certificate results which haven't arrived
> > >in the mail.

> > >Rather than go into all the boring detail of how many times I have
> > >tried to contact TM and often failed, I'll try and get straight to the
> > >point. Mind you I have to say that I think their login/password
> > >system appears to me anyway, to be an abysmal failure as I couldn't
> > >even email them after I experienced the the first delay. Even when I
> > >did manage to get through, I didn't receive any reply to my message
> > >about resetting my login details (you have to have a login name and
> > >password to contact TM now for those that don't know), so that I could
> > >THEN AGAIN, request a replacement spring for the second/third -
> > >whatever time.

> > >Eventually I was lucky enough (so I thought), to be given an
> > >employees personal email address at TM. I emailed him (name not
> > >mentioned - not yet anyway, another few weeks delay and I might), on
> > >the 8th of March. I was assured the part would be on it's way in a
> > >couple of days. I have since sent two more emails (one of which was
> > >replied to), the last about 1 month ago. "The cheque, ah SPRING, is
> > >in the mail", is still the phrase being tossed at me.

> > >Now I know things can't go right all of the time TM, we are after all
> > >only human, but this is nopw way beyond a joke. I am normally a very
> > >reserved sort of guy and appreciate the difficulties in "business" and
> > >the problems associated with "quality customer service" (I know - I
> > >have it rammed down my own throat every day). Therefore I have been
> > >patient. I am sure there would have been plenty of other 'surfers'
> > >who in my position, would be absolutely slattering your company to
> > >peices, way before now and using all sorts of profanity in their
> > >messages of frustration as well.

> > >PLEASE READ THIS AND TAKE HEED. Change my request and send a Force
> > >Feedback steering wheel instead, and I can asure you - all will be
> > >forgotten and that you will only receive boquets from me in the future
> > >- NOT Brick Bats! Is this too much to ask...!?

> > >Thank you - or should I hold off for a bit...

by **Dere** » Sat, 08 May 1999 04:00:00

I've had a T2 for several years now. (Got it when GP2 first came
out.) After about 18 months of hard use, the pedal return springs failed.
This was actually a design flaw in the early T2's.

Less than a week after e-mailing Thrustmaster (Not bad since I live in
Australia!) I received a set of the new, re-designed springs with matching
pot-gears and detailed fitting instructions.

Some time later I needed a new bungie. A few days later I get a bungie, new
roller/guide wheels and cable ties.

Last year I needed a new steering pot. Same deal; got the pot in less than a
week.

Six days ago my throttle pedal pivot spring broke. I e-mailed Thrustmaster
straight away and the new one is installed on my T2 right now.

Thrustmaster have never charged me a cent for parts or shipping and every
part I've ordered from them has been for a product which is out of warranty!
I've never heard of another company which offers that kind of support.

I have two friends who bought T2's shortly after I did, and they have both
received excellent service from Thrustmaster over the years.

I've been so impressed with the quality of their support, that when I
decided to get a decent joystick / throttle combo last year, I only
considered Thrustmaster products. ( Got the F22 Pro + TQS)

The only parts they've never sent me even though I've requested them twice,
are the gearshift springs. I'm not sure why that is, but if anyone knows how
to get them or what a suitable replacement might be, please let me know.

BTW if you get tired of replacing the bungie, try spear-gun *** instead.
It gives much better feel (more linear, better tension and centring) and it
lasts a lot longer too.

Anyway, as you've probably guessed by now, I'm very pleased with
Thrustmaster's service.

Derek.

rec.autos.simulators

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM

Very poor service from TM