This probably won't be all-inclusive, but I thought after reading M3X's difficulty with Tiger over his helmet, I'd list businesses which have treated me well, which have provided good service along with good products. Please add your own comments about businesses who have treated you well. And if you've been treated shoddily, it's fair to say so, too.

High on my list of good ones:

Big Agnes, which makes tents, sleeping bags, etc. I'm on my second Big Agnes Big House 4 tent. The first one was reasonably repaired after an OSH storm, but then the 2015 OSH storm did another number on it. This time they were unable to repair it--too much sun damage in addition to the storm damage. So they sold me the second one at such a huge discount that a $380 retail tent cost me $150, including the shipping I'd paid to send my old tent to them for evaluation and the shipping of the new tent to me. Their tents are as good as they come, well constructed out of good materials. But their customer service is absolutely unparalleled--truly outstanding.

MyGoFlight, which sells glass screen protectors for tablets and phones, along with a whole bunch of other pilot supplies (bags, mounts, etc.). Extremely prompt service, and the best screen protectors available. Order one today, and you'll probably have it by Friday. I have it on my old Mini, my new Mini 4, and my iPhone. When I had a question, they called me with the answer. If you do get a screen protector, get the anti-glare version. It almost disappears on you device.

REI, which sells all sorts of outdoorsy equipment, clothing, etc. Over many years, I've been super-satisfied with everything I've bought there. When I've had to special order something, the delivery times have been very prompt. I have never had to take anything back, but I've been told by others that they have a "no questions asked" return policy--don't like it, take it back, get a refund. My latest experience of getting an unusual item: As I've gotten older, I've lost a lot of upper body strength, so that I can't easily lift my Grumman canoe onto my shoulders to transport it from the vehicle to the water, so I decided to get a canoe cart, a Wheel-Eez that was on sale according to their website. The website said that one was in stock at the local REI store, but when I went there, it was on their inventory computer but nowhere to be found. So one of the employees said he'd look for it, and took my phone number if I decided to leave the store. As it happened, I was still there when he found it. Incidentally, the cart works very well, too.

Insight Avionics, which makes engine analyzers and a Stormscope clone. I have one of the very first G1 analyzers, and as often happens with something new, I had a glitch with the instrument early on. They replaced the instrument by sending a new one to me and trusted me to return the old one. Very recently, an anomaly occurred to it which required pulling it and returning it to them for repair. They promised a rapid turn around, and indeed it was, less than a week from a suburb of Montreal.

Sandia Avionics, which makes various avionics including the Quattro, a stand alone instrument that replaces the AI and provides in addition to attitude, altitude, airspeed, and roll indications. I have not had any problems with the Quattro, but the real positives have been that it was delivered several weeks earlier than promised, and that when I've had questions, they answered my email within days.

Foreflight, which is the No. 1 EFB for iPads. Besides a fantastic program that works extraordinarily well, as anyone who uses it knows, their customer service is extraordinary. Send an email with a question, and it's answered in less than 24 hours, even on weekends. Often enough, the answer could have been found in the manual, but they answer anyway, and then tell you where it can be found.

eTrailer, which sells all sorts of vehicle accessories. I've bought my car's trailer hitch and a set of sunshades for over the windows. When I accidentally put the wrong numbers in the order form for the sunshades so that the wrong ones were delivered, they took them back and sent the right ones, at no cost to me--and it was my fault.

Discount Ramps, which sells ramps, lifts, roof top carriers, etc. I've bought several things from them. I can count on a 3 to 4 day delivery time, and each of the products I've ordered were top drawer quality, whether sold under their house label or from another manufacturer. My latest purchase is an aluminum folding dog ramp, so that my dog can get in and out of the car and the airplane more easily, as at her age, she's no longer able to jump up. It is excellent quality, and it is exactly as described in their website--and it was delivered in less than a week from when I ordered it.

David Clark, maker of headsets and intercoms. I've had DC headsets for 37 years--I still have the first one I bought. My latest is a One-X ANR, which is excellent--comfortable, reliable, etc. My original, a 10-40, was damaged some 15 years after I bought it, and DC repaired it and completely refurbished it at no cost to me, with an extremely rapid turn around.

LL Bean, which primarily sells high end outdoor clothing, boots, etc. Very prompt service, and an absolutely no questions asked return policy. I have never been dissatisfied with anything I've bought from them, and their delivery times are as quick as only a few days from the order date.

Anker, which makes chargers and cords for phones and tablets. Extreme quality--the best available, as far as I can tell from reading reviews and my own experience. They can be ordered from Amazon or directly, and their service is extremely prompt.

I guess I should include Amazon. In several years of buying through them, I've only had one sour experience, and that was the vendor, not Amazon.

I'm sure I'll think of more.

Cary

I saw this and think it's a nice idea, but I expect there will be some who are tempted to use it as an opportunity to negatively mention businesses who haven't treated them well. Don't do that here. Keep it positive.

Don't you think it's a good idea to describe extremely poor service, too? Not just by listing the business, but include why it was so poor? Obviously, it's your call.

Cary

Cary wrote:Don't you think it's a good idea to describe extremely poor service, too? Not just by listing the business, but include why it was so poor? Obviously, it's your call.

Cary

Zane: I have the same query.

>> Not just by listing the business, but include why it was so poor?
I think this is a key point. Flaming folks we don't like is no good at all. In my case I tried my best to show what worked and what didn't. Tiger could read this and try and mitigate their injury by doing things differently next time.

I would welcome nothing more than Tiger honestly explaining what they are doing differently going forward to build back that trust.

I suspect an objective moderator could establish such rules and not allow attacks or flaming to clog the thread; writing an attack will get it deleted. Alternately make the thread moderated: post and if it looks to the moderator its follows the spirit of the thread, allow it to submit.

I have had such good experience with nearly all vendors I perhaps trust a bit too much. Outliers can get away with subpar performance if they are never called out.


-M3X

M3X wrote:

Cary wrote:Don't you think it's a good idea to describe extremely poor service, too? Not just by listing the business, but include why it was so poor? Obviously, it's your call.

Cary

Zane: I have the same query.

>> Not just by listing the business, but include why it was so poor?
I think this is a key point. Flaming folks we don't like is no good at all. In my case I tried my best to show what worked and what didn't. Tiger could read this and try and mitigate their injury by doing things differently next time.

I would welcome nothing more than Tiger honestly explaining what they are doing differently going forward to build back that trust.

I suspect an objective moderator could establish such rules and not allow attacks or flaming to clog the thread; writing an attack will get it deleted. Alternately make the thread moderated: post and if it looks to the moderator its follows the spirit of the thread, allow it to submit.

I have had such good experience with nearly all vendors I perhaps trust a bit too much. Outliers can get away with subpar performance if they are never called out.


-M3X

I'm just talking about this thread. If a business is not listed, their absence is telling enough, and the testimonials of the businesses mentioned help those who might be looking.

For your account of your experience with Tiger, I felt it was appropriate on the Gallet thread, and I appreciate your waiting until the whole ordeal was complete.

For the record, I do not like to censor anyone and I think free and open discussion of businesses is a powerful tool that helps us help each other and keep businesses honest. The only time I will step in is if it is egregious in some way and/or lacking a base of reasonable behavior and tone on the party doing the reporting. Overreaching on my part? I am ALWAYS involved when two parties try to duke it out publicly on this site, whether I want to be or not-- the PMs always arrive.

Cary wrote:Don't you think it's a good idea to describe extremely poor service, too? Not just by listing the business, but include why it was so poor? Obviously, it's your call.

Cary

Because the thread is called "Businesses who have treated me well," not "Let's review businesses"? Plus I just like to live by the "if you can't say something good about someone/something, don't say anything at all" philosophy. It seems especially important anymore as people appear to enjoy making me accountable for every little thing I say regarding this site and related topics.

Geez Zane, I'm surprised. You could spend a lot more of your time moderating, AND get your ass chewed out by companies who feel they've been disparaged on your website. What's the downside?

Well, isn't this a timely idea. Sitting here at the Bridgeport, TX FBO after sleeping on their couch last night with no other options.

1) Very soft and comfortable couch (I'm not a "hard mattress" guy, soft is what I want).
2) Warm and well appointed. Built in 2003.
3) Heated
4) Enough internet to watch a couple episodes of The Office on netflix as I dosed off
5) Officer Crane of the Bridgeport police stopped by around midnight, made sure everything was cool, ask about my plane, offered a ride to a hotel (which I declined because I wasn't sure how I would get back in the morning), said he would let the rest of the night shift know I was here and spent a few minutes chatting about life in Mexico.

Great experience.

RW2-

Well, my hangar is full, but I have two spare bedrooms. 50F, isn't to far from Bridgeport. Don't count us out;)

gunny

I've been an Aircraft Spruce customer since the original owners ran it, their "kid" has done nothing but improve it. Sure there can still be the occasional mixup, but all in all I love dealing with them.

Gunny wrote:RW2-

Well, my hangar is full, but I have two spare bedrooms. 50F, isn't to far from Bridgeport. Don't count us out;)

Not far at all, thanks for the offer!

Hopefully tonight I'll be sleeping in the great white north...

The best folks I can recall:

ACA, Robinson, Wip, Lycoming, Spruce, CC, BCP.org, MT, KONP FBO, FF, Canadian & Australian Pilots & Customs, J&L Sporting Goods Ketchikan, etc.....

I have bad list too. But, will leave it alone for now.

Mobridge Airport, South Dakota. Friendly folks, auto gas on the field, "pilot room" if you're the first one there, a nicely maintained turf strip, courtesy car, etc. I've stopped there going to and returning from OSH, and I'll be planning on the same next year.

Atlee Dodge in ANC, now owned by Univair, but still staffed by knowledgeable folks, and still producing unique and useful stuff.

I'll second Aircraft Spruce. I've bought a lot of stuff from them, and only one glitch, which they happily fixed via overnight at their expense.

Too many more to list.....we are truly blessed in aviation to have so many truly great businesses to provide what we need.

MTV

John and Larry at Flight Resource get my vote for outstanding customer (and non customer) support on anything MT.

Two favorite companies I'd like to pipe up about are both from Michigan, namely Grand Rapids Technologies, Inc. (Avionics) and PilotsHQ ( general pilot supplies & gear. )

http://grtavionics.com/ Any questions I have had ( pre-purchase) have been answered in <<24 hours. On the phone they are equally pleasant and helpful. IMHO some of their unique products offer amazing value and super features for the buck.

http://pilotshq.com/ Great service from a really friendly lady on the phone. Super low prices and super fast delivery. Rock bottom shipping prices are offered as well.They are the real deal.

courierguy wrote:I've been an Aircraft Spruce customer since the original owners ran it, their "kid" has done nothing but improve it. Sure there can still be the occasional mixup, but all in all I love dealing with them.

+1

Backcountrypilot.org

NAPA Auto Parts.

Premier Aircraft Engines KTTD (Jim).

Berg Air Madras airport (Rob).

Amazon.com

KEEN Shoes

Jack Daniels

Burmuda Dunes airport

Enterprise car rental

Art Craft painting in Santa Maria.

A great family business.
Painting lots of Caravans, C180s, c185s, DC 3/C47s, helicopters, etc

1 son in Marines, another in Army.


--Bill

Walking distance from the cheap gas at Skiatook, OK 2F6 is Mac's BBQ. Amazingly good ribs, and a great vibe to match.

Resurrecting this thread, a couple of months ago, my IA finally got around to installing my new Horizon digital tach--my OEM mechanical tach had failed on the way back from OSH last summer, and I'd been using a Tru-Tach optical tach for several months. The tach itself is pretty neat, but this thread is about businesses. From the get-go, I had trouble reading the digital window of the tach. It's an LCD screen, and it has a very narrow "window" in which it can be clearly seen. Because of the position on my panel, down and to the right, in my normal sitting position my eyes are outside that window. But not realizing that that was the problem, I contacted Horizon via email and expressed concern that the LCD screen was faulty.

Sandi at Horizon asked me to send the tach back to them. That turns out not to be a particularly difficult task--any aircraft mechanic could easily pull the tach in 10 minutes, and it only took me 2 hours (nobody will ever accuse me of being an aircraft mechanic). When Horizon tested it, however, the LCD screen was fine--so we (Sandi and I) concluded that the tach needed to be tilted left and upward. They have alternate bezels which provide 10 degree tilts, either left or up. I chose a left tilt, which they substituted for the no-tilt bezel that was on it. When I re-installed it, I used some spacers to tilt it upwards. With the bezel's 10 degree left tilt and my installation with an upward tilt, now I can see the LCD clearly.

Here're my kudos to Horizon:
First, very responsive to my concerns.
Second, no charge for the substituted bezel.
Third, very fast turn-around. They received the tach on one day (I was keeping track), contacted me the next day to tell me that the screen was fine and make the suggestion to substitute a tilted bezel, and shipped it the next day.
Fourth, from what I can see, the tach, which is their only product so far as I know, is a very high quality instrument.

So if anyone here concludes that they need a new tach, I can heartily recommend Horizon. The tach is excellent, and the company is top notch.

Cary

The good:

Riteway Aviation at David Wayne Hooks (KDWH). Found a lot of stuff on my 185 that many mechanics would have just thrown parts at to figure out; real trouble shooting skills still live here. Family run.

Beaver Aviation (David Beaver) at KDWH: Beaver is a Beech/Maule only shop but used him to dynamically balance my prop. His shop is like a clean room and I felt embarrassed that my dirty plane what there. One of the only places where I never once worried about the handling/storage/security of my plane. if I had a Bonanza or a Maule it would be my go-to. David and his wife are high time pilots as well that fly the backcountry.

Aircraft Spruce: Never had a bad transaction and when I needed to return there was never an issue.

Stancil Aviation: Not to ruffle feathers, but there a lot of people that like to sling arrows at Stancil; but my direct experience is with looking at their planes (two culminated in pre-purchase inspections). The positive is that I never saw an airplane of theirs that was improperly represented. Not cream puffs, but they were never marketed that way. One plane I was even talked out of buying by Mark Pilkington because he knew from my questions that it was not the plane for me. FWIW.

Hangtown Aviation in Placerville, California: A guy and his son with a modest shop doing hard work. Helped me out on a Saturday when waiting out weather with a rough mag and a tire/tube change. I was ashamed how little they asked for in compensation. Rare.