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Vanquish has parted ways with Horizon Hobbies.

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I thought they did and then closed duratrax all together but I haven't researched to verify.
I think the last Duratrax thing I've seen short of paint was the set of tires I picked up from you. 🤔
They used to be pretty huge if I recall correctly.


They discontinued the paint too.
 
Horizon does seem to be rubbing a lot of people the wrong way lately. Maybe the small guys still have a chance.

I had some problems with them a year or two ago when I think they were changing their computer system. Dealing with them was a complete disaster. My orders for micro heli stuff were messed up or lost, customer service and account access was troublesome, etc. I was extremely frustrated and convinced I was done with them for good.

But I must say they more than made up for eventually, including sending a complete replacement helicopter after I had minor difficulties with the one in the RTF outfit I had just purchased and was having trouble with customer service/parts.

But, as they say, "Once bitten, twice shy."
 
I had some problems with them a year or two ago when I think they were changing their computer system. Dealing with them was a complete disaster. My orders for micro heli stuff were messed up or lost, customer service and account access was troublesome, etc. I was extremely frustrated and convinced I was done with them for good.

But I must say they more than made up for eventually, including sending a complete replacement helicopter after I had minor difficulties with the one in the RTF outfit I had just purchased and was having trouble with customer service/parts.

But, as they say, "Once bitten, twice shy."
I have had both good and bad customer service interactions with HH. I think, their Customer Service people just lack the proper training. Like a lot of companies, I think the bigger they get, the more middle management they get, and we know where that leads.
 
Horizon probably tried to buy them so they could be controlled...
I wouldn't doubt it. Seems to be their current "modus operandi", following in the footsteps of Apple (and, to a minor degree, Microsoft). When it comes to higher-dollar products, it's looking more & more as if HH doesn't want to sell any brands they don't own, or at least have a financial stake in. In regard to US-based retailers, all the more reason to purchase from Amain Hobbies.

Looking at it from another perspective, HH used to have outstanding customer service/support. You could call them if you were having a problem, and the person would do his/her best to resolve the problem...and, if the person didn't know, they would find someone in the service/support department who did. Even if it wasn't one of 'their' products (such as a Futaba radio), if they (or someone in the office) knew, they'd be more than willing to help...even if it meant spending an hour on the phone (I used this example, because that's what they did for me about 8-10 years ago. Now, there's no more phone support...you can't even call them, for, when you do, the computer voice directs you back to the website. If the 'problem' is serious enough, they can (and will) schedule a call, and they will call...BUT, they limit such calls to 15 minutes...and, if the call exceeds 14 minutes, and they know it's going to take at least several more minutes, they will schedule another callback. In other words, HH customer support has gone soooooo downhill, it's among the worst in the RC industry. I'll still order parts directly from HH...but, in most cases, ONLY when other sources don't have the part(s) I'm in need of and/or if HH has a noticeably lower price.

Moral of the story: If HH is "pushing away" businesses they can't 'control', then it's time for customers to "push away" HH...make them 'feel' the losses they are causing.
 
Doesn't HH own Duratrax
Yes...and no. Technically, all Duratrax tires were actually made by Louise RC. The tires available under the Duratrax name were rebranded Louise RC tires...but, not all Louise RC tires were made available through the Duratrax name. Louise RC only offered the low-end, and most of the mid-range tires to be available under the Duratrax name. Louise RC purposely kept the higher-end tires, and some of the mid-range tires, specifically under the Louise RC name. Thankfully, being a non-US company...and, more importantly, being under Belgium law, that made it difficult (I might even go so far as to say "impossible") for HH to purchase the company.
 
I have had both good and bad customer service interactions with HH. I think, their Customer Service people just lack the proper training. Like a lot of companies, I think the bigger they get, the more middle management they get, and we know where that leads.
That might be part of the problem...but, it's NOT the only part. Worse, it's probably a fairly minimal part. A larger part of the problem is where they are working from. Before the pandemic, they were all in the office. If there was a question related to dimensions of certain parts, they could easily go into the warehouse, grab those parts, take measurements, and tell you the results. During the pandemic, they went to working from home. Unfortunately, after the pandemic, all but a few continued working from home, as they still do. So, now, the vast majority of them are incapable of providing such information. This isn't because of "lack of proper training"...it's more of, "no access to the products". Another part of the problem is that HH appears to have drastically reduced the number of individuals making up their customer service/support department. With fewer people, that's probably a huge part of why they got rid of phone support...and why, when a customer receives a callback, they are limited to a 15 minute time block. Another (albeit, probably small) part of the problem is directly related to HH purchasing more & more companies. As the number of brands they own increases, combined with a smaller service/support department, what I will refer to as the "allocation percentage" decreases. In other words, they are having to spread a smaller number of 'resources' over a larger 'area. The only possible outcomes is a drastically reduced quality of support & service. If anyone remembers Circuit City, then I'm certain you completely understand what I'm talking about.
 
True...but, it's also said, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Remember that the next time HH is starting to "screw you over".
I never said HH screwed me over... on the contrary, I said they were having some issues that were frustrating me greatly, but they more than made up for it in the long run. But that past frustration has made me hesitant to do business with them again.
 
I never said HH screwed me over... on the contrary, I said they were having some issues that were frustrating me greatly, but they more than made up for it in the long run. But that past frustration has made me hesitant to do business with them again.
I realize, in the end, they didn't "screw you over". That's why I said, "starting to screw you over". Yes, in the end, you had a 'positive' result...but, initially, it probably wasn't going in that direction. I'm definitely happy for you that it did end positively...but, you do realize it could have ended differently, right? That's the reason for my "starting to" comment. HH could be doing better...IF they choose to...but, the big question is, "will they?" Vanquish has decided (whether correctly, or not) that HH probably won't, which is why they separated themselves from HH...as other businesses have done, and (probably) as other businesses may also do. As is also said, "Time will tell."
 
That might be part of the problem...but, it's NOT the only part. Worse, it's probably a fairly minimal part. A larger part of the problem is where they are working from. Before the pandemic, they were all in the office. If there was a question related to dimensions of certain parts, they could easily go into the warehouse, grab those parts, take measurements, and tell you the results. During the pandemic, they went to working from home. Unfortunately, after the pandemic, all but a few continued working from home, as they still do. So, now, the vast majority of them are incapable of providing such information. This isn't because of "lack of proper training"...it's more of, "no access to the products". Another part of the problem is that HH appears to have drastically reduced the number of individuals making up their customer service/support department. With fewer people, that's probably a huge part of why they got rid of phone support...and why, when a customer receives a callback, they are limited to a 15 minute time block. Another (albeit, probably small) part of the problem is directly related to HH purchasing more & more companies. As the number of brands they own increases, combined with a smaller service/support department, what I will refer to as the "allocation percentage" decreases. In other words, they are having to spread a smaller number of 'resources' over a larger 'area. The only possible outcomes is a drastically reduced quality of support & service. If anyone remembers Circuit City, then I'm certain you completely understand what I'm talking about.
Most companies are trying to streamline systems so any monkey with at least 1 finger to poke a keyboard can do the job.
They aren't paying ppl with brains. No engineers, designers, no ppl who even run rc cars is my bet.
CHEAP AS POSSIBLE NO MATTER WHAT.
Actual customer service is second, third or 4th in line.
If AI can replace humans all together, even better for HH, even worse for us. They automated phone calls, AI cust service seems likely at least.

HHs whole business model sucks.
 
Most companies are trying to streamline systems so any monkey with at least 1 finger to poke a keyboard can do the job.
They aren't paying ppl with brains. No engineers, designers, no ppl who even run rc cars is my bet.
CHEAP AS POSSIBLE NO MATTER WHAT.
Actual customer service is second, third or 4th in line.
If AI can replace humans all together, even better for HH, even worse for us. They automated phone calls, AI cust service seems likely at least.

HHs whole business model sucks.
This is fallout from the Covid mess. Too many companies realized how many corners they could cut and get away with. :(
 
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