Aircraft Spruce Rant

I have now been working on my project almost ten years and generally
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty has been the benefactor. Their website now
states that orders placed before 3:00 PM will ship the same day. This is
bull****. I ordered two gallons of UV smooth prime on Saturday and for some
reason they have not managed to put two gallons of paint into a box and get
it out and it is tuesday. I called them to ask when it would ship, and I
get attitude and an exasperated it should go out today sir.

Dealing with the spruce crowd has been a roller coaster ride. At times they
shine, then they will simply act like a third rate mail order house. Most
companies after you have spent 40-60K with them would give you some sort of
customer service and recognition as a return customer, not these guys, hell,
they seem to go out of the way to tick you off.

I'll be done soon, and not dealing with Spruce will be nice. I already went
with Gulf Coast Avionics for my radios as they had good phone support and
good prices - I highly reccommend. I bought my Wheels and several other
larger cost items through Wicks, again better prices. And I must say, I
enjoy calling the folks at Wicks for stuff. Their people are friendly and
there is a family feel on the phone. Unfortunately being a northern
California builder I often go with Spruce because once they fill the order
it only takes two days to get here UPS ground.

I guess the point of ths rant is to encourage builders to go with some of
the other good guys. The folks that have treated me right include Wicks,
B&C Specialty, Gulf Coast Avionics, RST, SKyGeek, Vans, Airparts Inc,
Mezimer (MAC), Grove Aircraft, Aero Parts and Supply, Sacramento Sky Ranch.
I'm sure there are others but I just cannot think of them now.

BTW the project is halfway through being painted, some photos can be seen at
http://www.whitealbatross.com/Webplane/index.htm

Thanks for listening!

Doug

"Doug Palmer" wrote

BTW the project is halfway through being painted, some photos can be seen at
http://www.whitealbatross.com/Webplane/index.htm

Nice project. Interesting, but I don't see many of those being built, do you?

I would love to have an amphibian, too.

Oh, one thing, though....

It won't fly like that. An interesting boat, perhaps! g
--
Jim in NC

"Doug Palmer" wrote
BTW the project is halfway through being painted, some photos can be
seen at http://www.whitealbatross.com/Webplane/index.htm

What engine do you have in it? I can't make it out from the pix. It's
definitely cool, how long before you have the wings on and get it flying?

Tony

Hi Doug.

That's an amazingly interesting airplane and it looks like you have
done one hell of a job. I only hope mine (BushCaddy R-120) comes out
half as nice.

I agree you with you on the folks at Wicks, I have had great luck with
them. Unfortunately they don't have the selection or inventory that
Spruce has but they're adding more all the time. They had a great
special at Oshkosh this year. 10% off just about anything they had in
the catalogue and free shipping. I placed a huge order and saved the
cost of my trip.

Good luck on wrapping up the project.

Don...

Ever pick up a will-call order at Wick's? The pipe organ factory is on
the east side of the road. Aircraft stuff is on the west. Aunt
Imogene's house is up and over two blocks. Grandma's house is down 2
and over 2 at 8th & Pestozzoli... wave if you go by. Stop in at Buzzy's
Diner for breakfast. And if you meet any Freys, they're related to me
somehow.

My Mom and sister are planning to move back to IL in the next year or
so. If that happens, I may start making a run from Denver to Highland
once or twice a year with my truck. Might be able to help a few fellas
out.

Harry "yep, we're from there" Frey

"wright1902glider" wrote in message
ups.com...
Ever pick up a will-call order at Wick's? The pipe organ factory is on
the east side of the road. Aircraft stuff is on the west. Aunt
Imogene's house is up and over two blocks. Grandma's house is down 2
and over 2 at 8th & Pestozzoli... wave if you go by. Stop in at Buzzy's
Diner for breakfast. And if you meet any Freys, they're related to me
somehow.

My Mom and sister are planning to move back to IL in the next year or
so. If that happens, I may start making a run from Denver to Highland
once or twice a year with my truck. Might be able to help a few fellas
out.

Harry "yep, we're from there" Frey

Yeah, you could put a whole bunch of spruce in that new trailer you are going to
build. Charge some people half the shipping price, and pay for the trailer!

One thing, though. Make sure you have the roll-over problem licked, first.

You wouldn't want to end up with a couple thousand dollars worth of toothpicks!
g
--
Jim in NC

Doug Palmer wrote:
I have now been working on my project almost ten years and generally
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty has been the benefactor. Their website now
states that orders placed before 3:00 PM will ship the same day. This is
bull****. I ordered two gallons of UV smooth prime on Saturday and for some
reason they have not managed to put two gallons of paint into a box and get
it out and it is tuesday. I called them to ask when it would ship, and I
get attitude and an exasperated it should go out today sir.


Thanks for listening!

Doug



YOU WILL be hearing from Jim Irwin now. :-) He sent me personal email
when I complained. They have rude customer service, but as others have
said they have great inventory.

Jerry Springer wrote:
Doug Palmer wrote:
I have now been working on my project almost ten years and generally
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty has been the benefactor. Their website now
states that orders placed before 3:00 PM will ship the same day. This is
bull****. I ordered two gallons of UV smooth prime on Saturday and for some
reason they have not managed to put two gallons of paint into a box and get
it out and it is tuesday. I called them to ask when it would ship, and I
get attitude and an exasperated it should go out today sir.


Thanks for listening!

Doug



YOU WILL be hearing from Jim Irwin now. :-) He sent me personal email
when I complained. They have rude customer service, but as others have
said they have great inventory.

A year or so ago I got angry with them, even got on Jim's
do-not-sell-to-this-guy list.
I called and talked to the sales manager. He was very courteous.
Since then I have bought frequently and never had a nickel's worth of
trouble, quick service, kind and helpful people, except for one guy. I
called and got his name but never complained. Service overall has been
too good to complain. Every barrel always has a bad apple.

Looks like RV-driver Springer is even trading with them again.

Doug, call and ask to speak to Spruce's sales manager. Martacci I
think is his name.

Thanks for all the compliments folks. Sounds like others have enjoyed the
wicks experience. My point wasn't necessarily to stay away from Spruce,
they do have a huge inventory, but to give the smaller guys a chance because
they seem to try harder.

The plane is a Spencer Amphibian. The flying surfaces are getting painted
now, I am hoping to have it airborne in the spring. Engine is a Continental
Tiara 6-285-C2, Prop is a 84" 3 Bladed MT reversible.

No I have not heard the UV smooth Prime nightmares, Clue me in. Most people
I know using it love the stuff. I did notice that Polyfiber changed their
recommendations for dry time from 24 hours to 3 weeks which did pique my
curiosity.

Thanks, Doug

"Doug Palmer" wrote in message
ink.net...
I have now been working on my project almost ten years and generally
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty has been the benefactor. Their website now
states that orders placed before 3:00 PM will ship the same day. This is
bull****. I ordered two gallons of UV smooth prime on Saturday and for
some reason they have not managed to put two gallons of paint into a box
and get it out and it is tuesday. I called them to ask when it would ship,
and I get attitude and an exasperated it should go out today sir.

Dealing with the spruce crowd has been a roller coaster ride. At times
they shine, then they will simply act like a third rate mail order house.
Most companies after you have spent 40-60K with them would give you some
sort of customer service and recognition as a return customer, not these
guys, hell, they seem to go out of the way to tick you off.

I'll be done soon, and not dealing with Spruce will be nice. I already
went with Gulf Coast Avionics for my radios as they had good phone support
and good prices - I highly reccommend. I bought my Wheels and several
other larger cost items through Wicks, again better prices. And I must
say, I enjoy calling the folks at Wicks for stuff. Their people are
friendly and there is a family feel on the phone. Unfortunately being a
northern California builder I often go with Spruce because once they fill
the order it only takes two days to get here UPS ground.

I guess the point of ths rant is to encourage builders to go with some of
the other good guys. The folks that have treated me right include Wicks,
B&C Specialty, Gulf Coast Avionics, RST, SKyGeek, Vans, Airparts Inc,
Mezimer (MAC), Grove Aircraft, Aero Parts and Supply, Sacramento Sky
Ranch. I'm sure there are others but I just cannot think of them now.

BTW the project is halfway through being painted, some photos can be seen
at http://www.whitealbatross.com/Webplane/index.htm

Thanks for listening!

Doug

The Tiara was that geared engine that Continental abandoned in the 70s.
How many Tiara's were made? I thought there were very few out there.

Speaking of spruce, I was chatting with the gentleman at Western
Aircraft here in Canada and he said that remaining big sitka logs are
becoming totally sewn up by Asian buyers and it is just about impossible
to get logs that will produce anything but capstrip anymore. He is
starting to offer mil spec quality Hemlock as an alternative, which has
the availability of spruce 10-20 years ago, not being in heavy demand to
build Japanese temples and such. It is 10% heavier and 10% stronger and
doesn't splinter readily like fir.

John K

Doug Palmer wrote:
Thanks for all the compliments folks. Sounds like others have enjoyed the
wicks experience. My point wasn't necessarily to stay away from Spruce,
they do have a huge inventory, but to give the smaller guys a chance because
they seem to try harder.

The plane is a Spencer Amphibian. The flying surfaces are getting painted
now, I am hoping to have it airborne in the spring. Engine is a Continental
Tiara 6-285-C2, Prop is a 84" 3 Bladed MT reversible.

No I have not heard the UV smooth Prime nightmares, Clue me in. Most people
I know using it love the stuff. I did notice that Polyfiber changed their
recommendations for dry time from 24 hours to 3 weeks which did pique my
curiosity.