Fox dust extractors - beware!

[sploo]

I wouldn't normally take the time to vent my spleen on a public forum, but it's a measure of just how pissed off I am at the moment, and, hey, I can't do anything else as I'm still waiting for the equipment I need!

The sorry saga so far...

I bought a Fox F50-843 3hp dust extractor just over a year ago. Thirteen months into its life, and having only received hobbyist level use, it died.

I didn't think this was particularly acceptable for something that had been sold as a premier quality tool for workshops. I'd even been unable to use it immediately when I first got it, as I'd had to plug some leaks in the impeller body, due to some dodgy welding.

After discussing the problem with the vendor, I was contacted by the UK importer - a company called "The Hamilton Group". They agreed to take the unit back and examine it.

On the 2 Nov, the extractor was picked up, and I gave authorisation that I'd pay a certain level of costs, but felt that, given the supposed quality of the item, and the problems I'd had, a replacement was really in order. I'd pre-authorised a level of spending, as I knew I'd be away for a week.

Once I returned, I called them, and found that it hadn't even been looked at. Fortunately, they got an engineer to examine it pretty quickly, and he determined the motor was indeed toast. He also admitted the motors weren't exactly "five star".

They offered a replacement at cost, but this was nearly three times the price for what I could get a new motor, so asked them to send the unit back. On Wed 14th, I gave my card details to cover the shipping, which I had previously agreed to pay for (though the figure was twice the price originally quoted), and was told it would be with me on Fri 16th.

Not a great outcome, but at least I could start looking at fitting a new motor, and be back up to speed.

On Fri 16th, they called me to ask for my credit card details! The extractor hadn't left the building. Obviously I wasn't happy about this, and they offered to send it back for free. It was too late to send it out on the Friday, but I was assured it would be sent out on Mon 19th for delivery on Tue 20th.

Tue 20th, and still no extractor. I called again, and was told I would be called back with details of what was going on. No call was received.

Wed 21st, no extractor, called again. This time I was told they were sorting out the paperwork (all that was needed was to shove it in a box and send it!) and it would be sent out, for delivery on Thu 22nd. OK. At least I'd get it for the weekend, and could start looking to fix it.

Thu 22nd. Guess what... no extractor. Called again, and found it had gone out to the courier, but it hadn't been on the courier's van for delivery.

Fri 23rd, another call. Apparently the courier can't find it. At what must be 60cm cubed and 30kg, it's not exactly like a couple of CDs with a government database, now is it...

So, best case scenario, I may get back a broken extractor at some point. Maybe.

I've already been turning away loudspeaker building jobs (as one of my machines really needs the extraction to run), and, ironically, the importer has probably spent more money in staff time than it would've cost for them to just send me a new one!

Think very hard if you're tempted to buy a Fox dust extractor - if it goes wrong, you could be left high and dry.

[Netlist]

Ask for the tracking #. I can't imagine a courier working without.

/Hugo

[richie00boy]

Hope you get it sorted. Some companies are just rubbish.

You never know, maybe the courier will just totally lose it and you can claim for a brand new replacement one

[scott wurcer]

>as I'd had to plug some leaks in the impeller body, due to some dodgy welding.


I've had a huge problem this year with bad spot welds on stuff from China. One of which almost caused some GBH.

[sploo]

Originally posted by Netlist
Ask for the tracking #. I can't imagine a courier working without.

/Hugo

Thanks Hugo. I get the impression from the importer that the courier have all the details (like tracking #) they just don't know where the box has gone!

Originally posted by richie00boy
Hope you get it sorted. Some companies are just rubbish.

You never know, maybe the courier will just totally lose it and you can claim for a brand new replacement one

It did cross my mind

The problem of course is that you usually have to wait a while before the courier will declare the item lost, and it depends on how much the importer insured it for when they sent it out. Given the debacle I've had, I'm taking nothing for granted!

Originally posted by scott wurcer
>as I'd had to plug some leaks in the impeller body, due to some dodgy welding.

I've had a huge problem this year with bad spot welds on stuff from China. One of which almost caused some GBH.

Yea, it doesn't give you much confidence. Not a big problem if the item isn't dangerous, but when it could cause loss of life (or limbs) it's an issue.

The problem, as I think John Krutke pointed out on his site (about Chinese made drivers), is that if they increase the quality control, you can expect an increase in the price!

[scott wurcer]

The funniest thing is buying something and then trying to fix it even before you start having complaints, a true DIYer.

[sploo]

Yea, the irony wasn't lost on me. I thought it was the more pragmatic option at the time. I could seal the leaks, so didn't see the point in returning it.

Things took a somewhat farcical twist today, the extractor was delivered... by my neighbour! It turns out they sent it to my home address, rather than my work address (where it was originally delivered) . Obviously, I'm at work during the week, so they dropped it off with a neighbour, who I've only seen today. Kinda worrying that they had delivered it, but must have had no record of the fact, as they were hunting for it at the depot.

Now to see if I can actually fix the thing myself...

[scott wurcer]

>Now to see if I can actually fix the thing myself...

Kind of like a 60's Jaguar