HTFR - That bad?

[Megamix]

I want to order an Ultimax Stand from HTFR - the cost saving is too high to ignore (it's about £130 extra direct from Ultimax) and I'm not in a tearing hurry.

They have ignored 2 emails so far - (the emails basically said I was ready to order and had two very easy questions - as I would like them in writing in case)

They do seem to have a bit of a bad reputation for service on here when it comes to stock/delivery.

Anyone happy with them - or Do I just give up?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Mixed reaction from me.

If something is urgent, then ring and ask. They have a reputation for having cheap prices, but then the item isn't in stock...

It's a bit like me saying that someone could book me for £50, but then saying I have no availability on that date.

[leelive]

I have bought loads of gear from them trouble free. However I don;t like how they just delete something from your order without telling you they can't get it if it has gone end of life. I presumed for ages that I would eventually get the item - until I logged in to check the order!
Lee

[Totally Plucked]

I think it's pretty much been well documented on other various forums, they seem to have a habit of advertising goods in stock when they are not.

Each to their own but I had a bad experience with them and have adopted the theory "Once bitten twice shy".........(Didn't Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) do that in 1975 ?) ..no pun intended :D

On a serious note there are a lot better retailers out there, why not try some of the forum sponsors :)

[nisfo]

I've shared my experience on here before when I was after a low fogger.

Checked HTFR online > in stock.
Rang them > They say yes, in stock. I ask them to save one for me, the reply no problem.

Got in car arrived a little over 30 minutes after phone call.
To my surprise, chap behind counter tells me they acually have NONE in stock :eek: :Censored: :Censored: :mad:
He then walks around the shop pretending to source us one.

Bunch of :daft: :muppet: :muppet:

So if you like to be messed around and feel like your the punchline of a joke, then HTFR are perfect.

Needless to say my days shopping with HTFR are long over.

[Booche]

Always had good service fromt he things ive bought so far.

Darren ill book you and pay £70 so that your free on that date :D :sofa:

[Excalibur]

I got my Ultimax stand from DFB in Nottingham. Dunno how the price stacks up, but they order it from Ultimax, then send it to you. Hope this helps.

P.S. I used to use HTFR, but I too had some problems with stock levels, one which was quite frankly ludicrous. I don't use them now.

[OllieJames]

I had issues with HTFR when purchasing an Ultimax stand, took a lot longer than expected, and they were a pain when I wanted the split pole version... almost trying to persuade me not to have it... so I ended up with the whole pole version.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

I have only once ordered an item from htfr,and have to say i had no issues.paid for it and it was delivered on time.

[simonp]

I've shared my experience on here before when I was after a low fogger.

Checked HTFR online > in stock.
Rang them > They say yes, in stock. I ask them to save one for me, the reply no problem.

Got in car arrived a little over 30 minutes after phone call.
To my surprise, chap behind counter tells me they acually have NONE in stock :eek: :Censored: :Censored: :mad:
He then walks around the shop pretending to source us one.

Bunch of :daft: :muppet: :muppet:

So if you like to be messed around and feel like your the punchline of a joke, then HTFR are perfect.

Needless to say my days shopping with HTFR are long over.


I've had EXACTLY the same story with HTFR as the above

They are a bunch of tools IMO.

Another HTFR moment was that I rang them to order the ultimax accessory horns (this was a little while back) and the bloke told me categorically that they were discontinued etc etc etc - A quick phone call to Ultimax who say 'what a load of rubbish', and I received them next day from Ultimax.

[Megamix]

Well I got an email reply today...they had seen what I wanted to order.
I said I wouldn't order yet as Utimax had told me no stock of MK II curtain until end of June.
"We've got one in stock they said on the next email - ...Oh well I thought I'll order it now..."

seconds later..."Unfortunately, this/these product(s) are currently out of stock"

Well I've told them the reputation they have - this has confirmed it - I'm not overly worried but if you need something urgently - FORGET THEM!

[yourdj]

"We've got one in stock they said on the next email - ...Oh well I thought I'll order it now..."


Do me a favour and send them a link to this.

I have ordered a few items that were supposed to be in stock and one I waited two months for.
It was only an LD speaker cover for gods sake.

Got another one from blue aran and it came next day :confused:
Out of stock and i picked it up from the depot as its local.

They should list whether an item is in stock or not and stop messing people
around as they will loose allot of regular (high spending) customers
and end up supplying disco Daves who have migrated from Maplin.

[Megamix]

Do me a favour and send them a link to this.

I've already told Joseph Ellis the reputation on a forum was poor - he had said earlier

"Thank you for your email.
We have one in our warehouse ready to dispatch now!" - 15.04

Ordered 12 minutes later...but

"Unfortunately, this/these product(s) are currently out of stock. They have been put on back-order and will be dispatched to you as soon as new stock arrives as per our terms and conditions of sale."

I can only assume their practice is to take orders and damn the consequences if it's out of stock

[Digital Jack]

I suspect they can't get credit with many suppliers , this is why they first take your order and hope you don't cancel in the meantime.
But I could be wrong....

[discoworld]

Digital Jack, yes you would be very wrong. HTFR are one of the big players in the industry and as such have many suppliers eaiting out of their hands. The problem is simply - too many products on their website to manage, everything from everyone. They take an order - don't have it so try and get it, and the supplier doesn't have none. They are bluffing you in the hope they can get one for you - and then can't.

Their reputation is being harmed more than ever recently it seems on different forums, which is crazy when you think of their position in the industry - if they got it right they could smash it for sure.

At the end of the day - whether you are selling in store or on-line you should only be selling what you are stocking.

[Fullforceeventsltd]

Same happened to me a month ago with HTFR. Ordered a radio mic they said was in stock and even phoned to double check stock level. Placed order, little while later an email saying out of stock. I then had to chase them for a refund.

Would never use them again.

[yourdj]

This seems too much of a coincidence to me. :(

It takes less time to order stuff from Thomann and they are in Germany :D

[Spirits High]

Digital Jack, yes you would be very wrong. HTFR are one of the big players in the industry and as such have many suppliers eaiting out of their hands. The problem is simply - too many products on their website to manage, everything from everyone. They take an order - don't have it so try and get it, and the supplier doesn't have none. They are bluffing you in the hope they can get one for you - and then can't.

Their reputation is being harmed more than ever recently it seems on different forums, which is crazy when you think of their position in the industry - if they got it right they could smash it for sure.

At the end of the day - whether you are selling in store or on-line you should only be selling what you are stocking.

Hi, Discoworld. Welcome along. Thanks for your input to this thread as another supplier.

I know many members on here deal with you. I'd like to point out that there is an advertisers part of the forum which may well be of benefit to you. If you'd like to have your own section then please get in touch with one of the admins.

[Digital Jack]

Digital Jack, yes you would be very wrong. HTFR are one of the big players in the industry and as such have many suppliers eaiting out of their hands. The problem is simply - too many products on their website to manage, everything from everyone. They take an order - don't have it so try and get it, and the supplier doesn't have none. They are bluffing you in the hope they can get one for you - and then can't.

Their reputation is being harmed more than ever recently it seems on different forums, which is crazy when you think of their position in the industry - if they got it right they could smash it for sure.

At the end of the day - whether you are selling in store or on-line you should only be selling what you are stocking.

I fail to understand why their professionalism with regard to customer care is so poor if they are such a big player in the market.

[Megamix]

they now tell me the last one was sold by the time they got the order - well at least they are still writing!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

they now tell me the last one was sold by the time they got the order - well at least they are still writing!

I've had that excuse too...;)

[Fullforceeventsltd]

Made me laugh after I complained, i ordered and paid by paypal. After trying to get a refund that will take 7 to 10 days by the accounts dept., a lady in accounts advised if you fill in a paypal dispute we will refund it a lot quicker!!

Paypal dispute made - refunded in 2 hrs!

[discoworld]

Hi, Discoworld. Welcome along. Thanks for your input to this thread as another supplier.

I know many members on here deal with you. I'd like to point out that there is an advertisers part of the forum which may well be of benefit to you. If you'd like to have your own section then please get in touch with one of the admins.

Thank you for the welcome :-)

[yourdj]

Their reputation is being harmed more than ever recently it seems on different forums, which is crazy when you think of their position in the industry - if they got it right they could smash it for sure.

At the end of the day - whether you are selling in store or on-line you should only be selling what you are stocking.

Or mentioning on the site that it is out of stock and may take x days to be delivered.
i think the main reason why people are upset is that they are almost being lied too.

They are popular as the price is a bit cheaper, but I would rather get something next day and not have it sent by royal mail but a professional courier. That to me is worth the extra. They need to ditch the showrooms and bin the records and focus on getting more storage and actually buy some stock.

[Corabar Steve]

They need to ditch the showrooms and bin the records and focus on getting more storage and actually buy some stock.
Are you aware what HTFR actually stands for Toby?

[Excalibur]

Are you aware what HTFR actually stands for Toby?

Hardly The Finest Reputation?:whistle:

[discoworld]

Hardly The Finest Reputation?:whistle:

:clap2: :rofl:

[yourdj]

Are you aware what HTFR actually stands for Toby?



Good point, but lets face it Vinyl is a dying media to DJ with in Europe so I cannot
see the business sense unless its a very niche market and they can command lots of money for them.

[Corabar Entertainment]

... unless its a very niche market and they can command lots of money for them.
You mean Records that are Hard To Find? :p

[Andy Goodtimes]

Vinyl isn't a dying market, its actually making a come back.

I suspect its as Craig at Disco world says, they are too big to have the time to manage their site correctly. They are obviously making a fortune in old records, DJ kit and registration numbers and are pleasing a lot of folk but the ones that aren't being pleased are obviously the ones that are annoyed and coming out and saying what they think.

I haven't had any problems myself and have bought a fair bit off them. However, I know lots of folk that have had the sort of problems that have been outlined on here.

I would say the best thing is to have a word with Andy at Ultimax because there's obviously something wrong if they can sell the stuff you want so much cheaper than you could get it off Ultimax. I would have thought that for the sake of the other Ultimax dealers this should be looked into. It is prob the only way to make them take notice as they do have suppliers eating out of their hands and the last thing they will want is for suppliers to get annoyed with them.

[Elite Entertain]

I completely agree with the poor service from HTFR, as I ordered an Ultimax gig bag last year, which appeared to be in stock, but actually wasn't.

It arrived about 3-4 weeks later, I wasn't in a particular hurry, but it did mean I had to waste time chasing them up. Very frustrating, I won't be using them again.

[soundscapes]

Ive never had a problem, infact order some speakers off the website last year which showed as in stock, got a phone call the next day informing me that they were out of stock and would i mind a free upgrade. cant knock that.

[surround sounds]

I have never had a problem and spent well over 10 thousand pounds there with my rcf speakers,martin lights etc.I only live 10 mins away and most djs i know of go there often..I also get good discount from them as well..

[Megamix]

"these items back in stock in the next 2 weeks" - so I'll know this week!

[yourdj]

"these items back in stock in the next 2 weeks" - so I'll know this week!

that means a month. i ordered a serato Disk that was "in stock" and it took a month to arrive.
They ended up sending two for some reason so I did not mind :)

[djjtl]

I purchased a ultimax deckstand last week and received it the following day, I have used them twice now and can't fault the service I have had
Jay

[Megamix]

Thought you'd like an update...













... 24 days later and not a sausage :thumbs_down:

[Excalibur]

"these items back in stock in the next 2 weeks" - so I'll know this week!


Thought you'd like an update...

... 24 days later and not a sausage :thumbs_down:

Tsk tsk, everyone's so impatient nowadays! :D :D Be patient.

[yourdj]

... 24 days later and not a sausage :thumbs_down:

Its not worth the money saved. They are not adding any value too the service by doing this and its a very short sighted sales approach.
I would rather spend a little bit more money and know the item will arrive when they say it will.

Well here is a test of service. I bought a DMX lighting controller from Gear 4 DJ's off Ebay yesterday (much cheaper than most other places) and olly says it will be here today :)

Has not arrived yet but i am sure it will.

[Megamix]

Tsk tsk, everyone's so impatient nowadays! Be patient.

I'm hoping to get it before I retire

[WWDJ]

Its not worth the money saved. They are not adding any value too the service by doing this and its a very short sighted sales approach.
I would rather spend a little bit more money and know the item will arrive when they say it will.

Well here is a test of service. I bought a DMX lighting controller from Gear 4 DJ's off Ebay yesterday (much cheaper than most other places) and olly says it will be here today :)

Has not arrived yet but i am sure it will.

I've found the HTFR service pretty shoddy in the past with regards to delivery. I had to wait ages for an X500 I think it was. Good job I didn't haven't any bookings in that period!

I'll give another big thumbs up for Olly at Gear4DJ's. I bought some American DJ TRI 7 Par Cans. All good and in order and very good communication.

[Megamix]

I admit defeat (just over one month of waiting) I sent them a brusque email (they seem to work better folks if you ever need a reply from them) and got this..

Thank you for your email.

It isn't us that shifts the deadlines. If the supplier haven't got the stock
to send us, then unfortunately we cannot acquire the stock.

As requested, I have cancelled your order.

Reminds me of the old joke...

Customer: “How much for the stand?”

Disco Shop : “£400.”

Customer: “HTFR round the corner does them for £300.”

Disco Shop: “Well, why didn’t you buy one from HTFR, then?”

Customer: “HTFR are out of stock.”

Me: “Well, when we’re out of stock, we only charge £250.”

Customer: “Oh, okay. I’ll come back when you’re out of stock, then.”

[yourdj]

I'll give another big thumbs up for Olly at Gear4DJ's. I bought some American DJ TRI 7 Par Cans. All good and in order and very good communication.

Got it next day. It went to a neighbor however :p

Good price too.

[Ajaysdisco]

I have to wonder if they carry any stock, I ordered a couple Ultimax mantis brackets. Got an e-mail saying they weren’t in stock, as I wasn’t in a rush I didn’t chase it.
Over 3 months later I finally got them, to be honest there was such a long delay I forgot I ordered them!! :o

[surround sounds]

I have to wonder if they carry any stock, I ordered a couple Ultimax mantis brackets. Got an e-mail saying they weren’t in stock, as I wasn’t in a rush I didn’t chase it.
Over 3 months later I finally got them, to be honest there was such a long delay I forgot I ordered them!! :o
They do carry stock in a warehouse half a mile away in digbeth..Must be a small warehouse though.

[Ajaysdisco]

Well, I thought I would give HTFR another chance and they just shot themselves in the foot.
I recently asked for a quote, I accepted this and paid for it.
I just got an e-mail saying they have cancelled the order?? :confused: I quote “This email confirms that your order has now been cancelled. This may have been down to your request or due to you not replying to our communications.” I haven’t cancelled it and I haven’t had to reply to an e-mail/telephone call.

I’ve got to give them a ring tomorrow and find out what they are playing at.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Why use them when so many other suppliers provide a fantastic service? CRS1, Phase 1 and gear4djs being three prime examples.

[Ajaysdisco]

Why use them when so many other suppliers provide a fantastic service? CRS1, Phase 1 and gear4djs being three prime examples.

Cost, they were offering me a good deal.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Surely you can see why now? Usually there is only a 10-15 pound difference if any I've found (these items tend to be £500+).

[Corabar Entertainment]

Cost, they were offering me a good deal.
I am reminded of the old long-standing joke about clients phoning up with "Help! Our DJ's let us down! Can you get us one here asap?"

"Yes, we can. That will be £xxx"

"Oh! Our previous DJ was only charging us £xx!!! :eek: "

"OK, we'll only charge you £x not to turn up, if you like"

:D :D :D