Buyer beware - The Antenna Farm

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As of Dec 9, 2013: ONLY BUYERS AND SELLERS directly involved with a transaction can post here. Do not post replies in any topic if you are not the buyer or seller in the transaction being discussed! If you believe you can help the buyer or seller, please use the Private Message system to communicate with them. NOTE: if you have been scammed by someone pretending to be a ham, please post in the Scammer Reports forum instead. See viewtopic.php?f=2&t=136 for additional rules.
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K9BY
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:08 pm

Buyer beware - The Antenna Farm

Post by K9BY »

I would stay away from theantennafarm.com.

The short version of my story is I placed an order for a mobile mount. I had selected UPS ground shipping (the cheapest option listed). I was charged $8.95 for shipping. Later I received an email stating the order shipped USPS Priority mail flat rate small box. This shipping method only costs $4.95 retail (less when purchased online). I made a couple requests to get a credit for the difference in shipping charges and all I was told is that they "upgraded" my shipping.

Bottom line: theantennafarm.com will gladly over charge you and think they did you a favor.

Here is the actual email thread, I have removed the email headers, extra space, etc... for easier reading.
On Fri, July 15, 2010 10:51, Brett Johnson wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> I am a bit confused about my order. I though I had selected and paid
>>> for UPS shipping: Sub-Total: $17.95
>>> United Parcel Service (Ground): $8.95
>>> sales tax: $0.00 Total: $26.90
>>>
>>> However it appears the order shipped via USPS small flat rate box:
>>>
>>>> A package was shipped to you on 07/13/2010 via U.S. Postal Service
>>>> Priority Mail, Small Flat Rate BOX to the following address:
>>>
>>> I am wondering if there is some type of credit for shipping via USPS
>>> instead of UPS as the retail rate for a USPS small flat rate box is
>>> $4.95?
>>> --
>>> 73
>>> K9BY
>>>
>>> Brett Johnson

On Fri, July 15, 2010 13:35, THE ANTENNA FARM wrote:
>>> We UPGRADED your shipping to priority mail....
>>>
>>> The Antenna Farm

On Fri, July 16, 2010 13:12, Brett Johnson wrote:
>> Please explain to me:
>>
>> 1) How is USPS Priority mail is an "UPGRADE" to UPS ground
>> 2) How discounting your shipping costs by $4.00 is an UPGRADE to me
>>
>> I used UPS's shipping calculator to estimate a 1 lb. package shipping
>> from your zip code to my zip code. As you can see from the details
>> below, it would cost about $8.25 to ship via UPS ground. You charged me
>> $8.95 for
>> shipping which I can understand as you do have to pay for packaging
>> etc...
>>
>> Now, USPS Flat rate small box has a published rate of $4.95 (cheaper if
>> you buy online) and they provide the packaging to you at no charge.
>>
>> So I am having a hard time understanding how you "UPGRADED" my order.
>> Sending it 2 day or overnight would be an upgrade. I have a real problem
>> paying for UPS service and then you choosing to ship via USPS. If I
>> wanted USPS I would have made an effort to contact you before placing
>> the order.
>>
>> As far as I am concerned, I should receive a $4.00 credit for the
>> change in shipping methods.
>>
>> I look forward to your response.
>>
>> UPS calculator:
>> UPS Ground
>> (This is a zone 5 shipment)
>> 7.78 USD
>> Fuel Surcharge
>> 0.47 USD
>> Charges Per Package 8.25 USD
>> Shipment Total: 8.25 USD
>> --
>> 73
>> K9BY
>>

On Fri, July 16, 2010 13:54, THE ANTENNA FARM wrote:
>> Priority mail is GUARANTEED 2 to 3 day service...UPS ground is NO
>> GUARANTEE
>> and 2 to 6 days service.
>>
>> Honestly sir....what are you belly aching about?
>>
>> The Antenna Farm

On Wed, July 21, 2010 06:10, Brett Johnson wrote:
> "Honestly sir....what are you belly aching about?"
> $4.00
>
> In all my years of online purchasing, I have never had a company switch
> something I paid for without first contacting me. I can not recall any
> other company treating me the way you have when I have raised a concern
> about an order.
>
> Obviously your company has no problem over charging and could care less
> about customer satisfaction.
>
> I did receive the item on Friday (3 day service) and I am happy with the
> item. However, I will never purchase from your company again. I will never
> recommend your company to anyone. In fact, I will go out of my way to
> inform others of the sub standard services your company provides.
>
> Regards
> Brett

On Wed, July 21, 2010 13:01, THE ANTENNA FARM wrote:
> We ship it so you get it there faster and you still complain....
>
> No problem...We have dealt with people such as youself before my friend.
> Some people just won't be happy.
>
> Good day and good luck.
>
> The Antenna Farm
KC9QFC
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:25 pm
Location: ILLINOIS

ANTENNA FARM

Post by KC9QFC »

WELL I WAS GOING TO PLACE A ORDER WITH THEM IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS, I SURE AM GLADE I FOUND YOUR BLOG (AS I WAS SEARCHING), DEFIANTLY WONT BE PLACING A ORDER WITH THEM, EVER! THEY WILL GO ON MY RED LIST (NOT VERY LONG, BUT BAD COMPANIES JUST LIKE THIS) I CANT BELIEVE MY EYES WHEN I READ WHAT THEY SAID. THANKS FOR SHARING!! I SAW YOUR BLOG SOMEWHERE ELSE ALSO. KEEP ON BLOGGING, IT WILL COST THEM MORE THAN $4,
THEN WE WILL SEE WHO IS BELLY ACHING!!
LOL
73
KC9QFC
k4kk
Posts: 207
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 12:20 am
Location: The great state of Tennessee

Post by k4kk »

I may be just too laid back, but this seems like much ado about nothing. If it was listed as "$8.95" for shipping/handling, it would be absolutely nothing. But, since you thought you were getting UPS and got postal delivery, it is a big deal?? You got the item you wanted and got it when you wanted it and got it in the condition you wanted but didn't get to see the cute guy in the short brown shorts.
KA2CDT
Posts: 162
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:42 pm
Location: Marco Island,Florida
Contact:

Post by KA2CDT »

They could of credited your account for a future order. I see you were not asking for a refund but for credit. Very fair on your part.
Last edited by KA2CDT on Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
K9BY
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:08 pm

Follow up from antennafarm.com

Post by K9BY »

Once theanntennafarm.com was notified of my post, I received the following emails. I am posting these emails unchanged.
On Thu, July 22, 2010 14:17, THE ANTENNA FARM wrote:
> Thank You !
>
>
> I really appreciate the free advertising. Everytime someone has a
> ridiculous complaint like yours (where we upgraded your order and got it
> there ONE DAY FASTER) we get BUSIER because of it!
>
>
> Thanks Again !
>
>
> P.S. Make sure that you do what most people do, change the language in my
> emails or leave out language in my responses to make me look bad!
>
> Good day!
>
>
> The Antenna Farm
> John Holbrook
> 800-832-4654
> 406-224-3919
> 10am to 4pm Mon-Thur MST
> www.theantennafarm.com
On Thu, July 22, 2010 15:01, THE ANTENNA FARM wrote:
> Read this ENTIRE email or remain in darkness my so called "fellow
> american" (That's right - american no longer DESERVES to be capatilized
> when referring to the people that reside on the North American continent).
>
>
> Oh...another typical modern day American Ham Radio operator..Put a
> complaint in a forum that does NOT allow the one being complained about to
> respond.
>
> In the old days when people were HONEST with each and treated each other
> with respect, one would have the decency NOT to do such a thing....or even
> offer a website that allows such evil.
>
> After all, I wanted to get your order to you BEFORE THE WEEKEND so you
> would be HAPPY. I guess this is what we get in America nowadays for trying
> to make someone happy....why are Americans like this? Becuase we are a
> GREEDY and
> SELFISH generation and soon we will ALL pay for this childish behaviour. I
> assure you. We are going to pay DEEPLY with much pain and
> anguish...Don't believe me? Wait and see and then remember this moment in
> time.
>
> By the way....I guess you failed to read my emails thru....I refunded
> your $4 THE DAY YOU FIRST COMPLAINED! Problem is, selfish Americans like
> you simply want it all NOW. One must be PATIENT and WAIT for the return to
> actually show up in your account!!! I have ZERO CONTROL over how long
> YOUR
> bank and my bank can complete a refund transaction.
>
> Hungry? Homeless? Read this quote and remember the poor Mom & Pop shops
> that you bad mouthed in the past and see if the banks and corporations
> feed you.
>
> "If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of
> their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and
> corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all
> property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their
> Fathers conquered..."
> Thomas Jefferson
>
>
> P.S. Make sure you also leave out this follow up on QRZ....nothing new to
> me if you do - it's a typical response from a typical generation of
> "americans"
>
>
> The Antenna Farm
> John Holbrook
> 800-832-4654
> 406-224-3919
> 10am to 4pm Mon-Thur MST
> www.theantennafarm.com
And my response
On Thu, July 22, 2010 16:34, Brett Johnson wrote:
> John,
>
>
> First of all, I did try to resolve my issue with you privately. After
> several failed attempts I felt it best I share my experience with others.
>
> Secondly, I have fully read each and every one of your emails. In fact I
> read them several times before drafting my response. Here was your first
> response which I received on Thu, July 15, 2010 15:35 :
>
> "We UPGRADED your shipping to priority mail....
>
>
>
> The Antenna Farm
> John Holbrook
> 800-832-4654
> 406-224-3919
> 10am to 4pm Mon-Thur MST
> www.theantennafarm.com"
>
> I do not see any mention of a credit or refund being offered. Now, giving
> you the benefit of the doubt, I contacted my credit card company today
> to see if any credit had been submitted. They said as of today there was
> no credit. I then inquired as to how long it usually takes for a credit to
> appear. They said it takes 2-3 business days to appear on the account.
> It
> has been 5 business days since you stated "I refunded your $4 THE DAY YOU
> FIRST COMPLAINED!"
>
>
> My complaint from day 1 has been about being over charged for a service.
> I
> work hard for each and every dollar I earn. All I want is to make sure I
> get the most out of each dollar I spend. I have no problem spending money
> with Mom and Pop shops. In fact I prefer to spend my money with Mom and
> Pop shops as usually they will go out of their way to earn a customers
> business. I felt from each of your responses that you couldn't care less
> about my concerns.
>
> As far as your comment from a previous email thread: "P.S. Make sure that
> you do what most people do, change the language in my emails or leave
> out language in my responses to make me look bad!" goes, I did not change
> or edit any language. My only edits were removing email headers,
> signatures and extra blank lines. I did this to protect email addresses
> and make it easier to read. The body of the emails remained unchanged.
>
> I am sorry we could not come to an mutually acceptable resolution.
w8jn
Posts: 619
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2003 1:21 pm

the real point

Post by w8jn »

$4 or $5 is not the issue. i have never dealt with a company who has customer service that is as unresponsive and as belligerent as your experience with the antenna farm. the extra $4 they squeezed out of your postage will cost them untold $ in future customers. had they simply credited you $4, you would be recommending them to everyone. HEY Antenna Farm..... you are absolutely correct, keep the man's $4. you sure showed him who's boss. he will never mess with you again!!!!! HA HA HA you stood your ground! nobody is going to bully you out of $4.....

ps, can anyone recommend a good place to buy some antenna parts???
happy hoss trading Paul w8jn

ps.... hey Antenna Farm, this is not the type of free publicity you want!
wa8mea
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:11 pm

Don't worry....

Post by wa8mea »

Don't worry, be happy....

Bill
Last edited by wa8mea on Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:55 pm, edited 3 times in total.
wa8mea
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:11 pm

All's well....

Post by wa8mea »

All's well....that ends well....

Bill
Last edited by wa8mea on Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
wa8mea
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:11 pm

No money in it....

Post by wa8mea »

You really don't make money with ham ops/swl's. Mine is a part time business.

You really have to have a real job outside the ham biz....unless you are one of the bigger boys like AES or Ham Radio Outlet.

Bill
Last edited by wa8mea on Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:57 pm, edited 3 times in total.
wa8mea
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:11 pm

A penny saved....

Post by wa8mea »

A penny saved....is a penny earned....

73, Bill
Last edited by wa8mea on Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:59 pm, edited 3 times in total.
w8jn
Posts: 619
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2003 1:21 pm

i agree

Post by w8jn »

bill,
bill, anyone who knows me knows that i am not afraid to use my call and sign my name. i never post fictitious rants or emails. if someone reamed you with a fake call it wasnt me. if i dont like you, i will tell you and sign my name to it. i am afraid of no one and therefore do not hide behind anonymous posts. i always sign my name and call to everything i post. if you think i posted a fake call to ream you, check with scott. he has the ip address of all posts on this forum.
i remember a few years ago, a local fellow started a video business. a few months after he opened he sent a scathing letter to the editor of the local paper because he was about to go out of business. his complaint was that albertsons began renting videos at cost and people were renting from albertsons instead of him. he complained that people should rent from him because he was local and he needed their business to stay afloat.
he made two mistakes, first was trying to compete in a nitch market against a company that was renting the same stuff as a loss leader and second, he made the same fatal mistake most small business owners make: he misjudged and didnt research his market! wham bam thank you maam, out of business. if the antenna farm cannot make a living and keep their doors open because they compete against companies like mfj, r and l, hro, aes, then they need to simply, go away. if someone tells me they are going to ship usps and the item arrives in a $4.95 prepaid box after i sent the $15, you bet i will ask them why. i hoss trade lots of stuff. i charge actual shipping only. however, thats just me and my philosophy of hoss trading.
best 73 paul w8jn
btw, if you have an account with fed ex or ups, they pick up at your home or business. therefore, no time wasted at the post office or gas costs for your car. i also save boxes and packing material from previous trades and pass that savings on to the next ham i swap with. i sold my ftdx9000mp to my pal marty pearlman in pittsburgh. i drove it from cincinnati to pittsburgh to avoid shipping damage. marty paid me actual gas costs. (about $80) far less than the $180 it would have cost via fed ex. no handling charges, no packing supplies, no extra costs no costs for my time, and we had a great time hooking up his new rig! i walk the walk, i dont talk the talk.
KG4KDH
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2003 10:49 pm
Location: Pray, MT

The Antenna Farm OFFICIAL RESPONSE

Post by KG4KDH »

Spare us all ALL the drama would ya?

I mean really...Not sure what the complaint is here. Mr Johnson made a purchase, asked for UPS ground, it was too late in the day when the order was processed to go UPS...knowing that UPS could NOT have delivered the merchandise by the that Friday (would have delivered by the following Monday) so we thought we would be NICE ENOUGH to try to get it to him before the weekend. And when he complained and asked for refund (HE NEVER asked for a credit - he asked and demanded a refund of $4) it was issued. Why doesn't someone call him on it and ask him to tell the truth? Truth is, he used name calling with vulgar language and then after refund was issued decides to post this nonsense. Truth is, I (The Antenna Farm) am a customer of QTH.com! We have our web hosting here which helps support this website (QTH.com) and support ham radio in general. Ask Mr Johnson what he's done for America and the ham community lately? HMMMM??? Besides bad mouth his fellow American and ham?

#2, Mr Johnson posted here after QRZ REMOVED his posting because it wa SO RIDICULOUS!

You see we at The Antenna Farm are old fashioned. We do not practice corporatism with the GREEDY motto "the customer is always right" or in simple terminology "We will do anything for your money". No sir, our motto is old fashioned..."We reserve the right". THIS is what America USED to stand for when at a time that people (even between merchant and buyer) would treat each other with RESPECT. So now instead our immature response is we beat up the individual and the small Mom & Pop shop struggling in this corporate controlled world while we run to the same banks and institutions that smile at you in the front door while they take your TAX DOLLARS thru the back door. And this is called "patriotism"?....not in my book my friend.

Example - Try going back in time to say 1870, walk into a General Store and then throw a temper tantrum like modern society does nowadays and see what happens. They (including the merchant AND the customers) would throw you out into the street and you would never be allowed back into town. Or if back east they would TAR & FEATHER you! This kind of behaviour back then was simply not going to be tolerated by society...even children at home didn't act this way!

Not to say that there won't always be disputes between people or merchant and buyer, it's how we handle them. We should always treat each other with courtesy and respect and what else is missing today - "The benefit of the doubt" and allow the other party time to make things right. After all we are all human and capable of doing only one thing consistently - that's making mistakes.

This is why we ALL should exercise restraint before we fly off the handle and go and bad mouth some company or individual BEFORE allowing them time to make things right or give them the benefit of the doubt before making judgment calls. Knowing this and we all sit around and wonder why America is in the poor state it's in now....Think about it. This is "Patriotism"!?!

You see some people get offended when you attack their "patriotism". This is because they are not comfortable with their patriotism and therefore are NOT TRUE PATRIOTS. Some of you do NOT fit into this category. Some are constitutional, God fearing patriots that like me that would be willing to lay down his life for the future of our children and this CHRISTIAN NATION..Yes I said it, Not Muslim....but CHRISTIAN NATION. And yes, for your CHILDREN - NOT YOUR SELFISH selves - Fight and die if necessary for the future of YOUR CHILDREN!

Like it or hate it, love it or leave it !

This is what's called the two-edged sword technique. Testing patriotism in this manner divides the patriots from the commy pinko fascists. We need more MEN in this country...NOT feel good, media brain washed, double talking, politically correct politicians that most "Americans" are becoming. It's called being a SPINELESS coward.

Good day and Semper Fi

John W Holbrook
The Antenna Farm
w8jn
Posts: 619
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2003 1:21 pm

Semper Fi

Post by w8jn »

John,
Well said. My grandparents did it the right way. Came through Ellis Island, learned English, had a sponsor family and became American citizens. My father chased Rommel through the deserts of Africa and ran one of those "mom and pop businesses". I run a mom and pop business and I know if I don't satisfy my customers they will find someone who will. I also know that no matter how hard I try, I cant please everyone.
Semper Fi (Quantico 1970 '71) Paul w8jn (my real name and real call)
KG4KDH
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2003 10:49 pm
Location: Pray, MT

Yup

Post by KG4KDH »

I agree...it's just a simple fact...Some people simply are so immature (like a 6 year old girl that doesn't get what they wanted for their birthday) that they cannot and will not be satisified. I've have grown up enough to realize this and accept it. Problem is, they are also immature enough NOT to realize what harm they can do to people when posting such irresponsible comments online.

Irresponsible people together with forums such as these are a cancer that's killing Ham Radio and the American spirit. We fight amongst each other while our enemies around the world conspire to defeat us. Yet another problem we face as Americans while we sit in our lazy boy, sip beer, watch porno's and bad mouth each other...that is until we wake up with a military boot kicking us in the rear end. Then! We will reallize how wrong we have been...problem is, it's going to be too late for America

Give me liberty or give me death!

Semper Fi!
John W Holbrook
The Antenna Farm
K9XR
Posts: 449
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:51 pm

Re: Yup

Post by K9XR »

Talk about drama!!! All this just to justify poor customer service. A Mom and Pop operation with 40,000 different items, or do I have the wrong antenna farm? So I should give my hard earned money to a "mom and pop operation" with an attitude a mile long? You've got to be kidding me. No, the real reason a lot of small outfits go out of business is because they they start believing the customer is there for their convenience instead of the other way around. Just remember if you don't want our money, it's not that hard to find someone who will. BTW. your stated policy says you "work hard to earn your trust and even harder to earn your loyalty". I guess you folks just have a different way of doing things.

KG4KDH wrote:I agree...it's just a simple fact...Some people simply are so immature (like a 6 year old girl that doesn't get what they wanted for their birthday) that they cannot and will not be satisified. I've have grown up enough to realize this and accept it. Problem is, they are also immature enough NOT to realize what harm they can do to people when posting such irresponsible comments online.

Irresponsible people together with forums such as these are a cancer that's killing Ham Radio and the American spirit. We fight amongst each other while our enemies around the world conspire to defeat us. Yet another problem we face as Americans while we sit in our lazy boy, sip beer, watch porno's and bad mouth each other...that is until we wake up with a military boot kicking us in the rear end. Then! We will reallize how wrong we have been...problem is, it's going to be too late for America

Give me liberty or give me death!

Semper Fi!
John W Holbrook
The Antenna Farm
wa8mea
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:11 pm

Learn from your mistakes....

Post by wa8mea »

Learn from your mistakes....

Then make more mistakes so you can learn even more!

Bill
Last edited by wa8mea on Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:00 pm, edited 3 times in total.
KG4KDH
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2003 10:49 pm
Location: Pray, MT

Post by KG4KDH »

" It seems the ANT FARM placed info all over this discussion board that was contained in my secure order form. Highly illegal...."

You people are absolutely crazy and you do nothing but spread hate, discontent and lies....What in the world are you talking about?

I should have known better than to get sucked into this online forum chat thing...it's a joke and it's full of nothing but the rantings of lunatics. I'm sticking with reality and my God, my family and my friends. You people on here deserve each other.

Good luck with your so called lives.

John Holbrook
The Antenna Farm
KJ4WJM
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:51 pm
Contact:

Post by KJ4WJM »

Wow!! I'm a rookie ham but a veteran small business owner. Right or wrong I can not believe this guy would talk to a customer this way. I've been in situations where I know I was in the right but had to say sorry and do what i had to do to make it right in my customers eyes. It sucks and it makes you angry, but you can't talk to a customer that way especially in a public forum and exspect business to continue to be good. I just found this place yesterday and had that site mark for a place to get some things I wanted but I am certainly gonna remove those book marks make a note for no business there then look else where. The impression you give in youre post is you dont care about you're customers. 4 bucks sure cost alot. Like i said its not a matter of being right or wrong its you're responce. Looks to me like you pick'd the wrong ham to get an attitude with. Thanks for letting me know how you really feel. I am sorry about that is not that hard to say.
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