Problems with DTerm
Quote from Reloader on May 23, 2012, 5:29 pmHi,
I know that Dillon has a very positive reputation for customer satisfaction, but my experience with the D-Terminator scale has been anything but.
From the start, this scale has been very "drifty" - I had assumed that the problem was me, but after trying different power breakers, leveling, removing all other electrical equipment, and finally trying several different geographical locations, I can say with all certainty that the scale wasn't to be trusted. This resulted in a good deal of wasted time and effort with precision shooting...
I had made do with it for a few months, but yesterday, the scale stopped working entirely. The LCD now just flickers vertically, and does not respond to user input. I tried to resuscitate, but she's down for good.
The scale is well within the one year warranty period - but I can say that I don't want another of these scales. Please recommend the course of actions I can take, but please understand that if the only possibility is to get a new DTerm, I likely won't ever be investing in blue reloading products again. Dillon, can you make this right?
Thanks.
Hi,
I know that Dillon has a very positive reputation for customer satisfaction, but my experience with the D-Terminator scale has been anything but.
From the start, this scale has been very "drifty" - I had assumed that the problem was me, but after trying different power breakers, leveling, removing all other electrical equipment, and finally trying several different geographical locations, I can say with all certainty that the scale wasn't to be trusted. This resulted in a good deal of wasted time and effort with precision shooting...
I had made do with it for a few months, but yesterday, the scale stopped working entirely. The LCD now just flickers vertically, and does not respond to user input. I tried to resuscitate, but she's down for good.
The scale is well within the one year warranty period - but I can say that I don't want another of these scales. Please recommend the course of actions I can take, but please understand that if the only possibility is to get a new DTerm, I likely won't ever be investing in blue reloading products again. Dillon, can you make this right?
Thanks.
Quote from Reloader on May 24, 2012, 2:31 pmThe warranty on the scale is through the manufacturer, Competitive Edge Dynamics. Contact them at 610-366-9752 or info@cedhk.com to arrange for repair or replacement under warranty.
We will refund within 30 days of purchase, provided the scale was purchased directly from us. We will give credit on unused equipment within 90 days of purchase, provided the scale was purchased directly from us. I would need specific details of your purchsae before more specific information could be provided. Please phone or email us, include customer number or address so we can look up your order history.
The warranty on the scale is through the manufacturer, Competitive Edge Dynamics. Contact them at 610-366-9752 or info@cedhk.com to arrange for repair or replacement under warranty.
We will refund within 30 days of purchase, provided the scale was purchased directly from us. We will give credit on unused equipment within 90 days of purchase, provided the scale was purchased directly from us. I would need specific details of your purchsae before more specific information could be provided. Please phone or email us, include customer number or address so we can look up your order history.
Quote from Reloader on May 25, 2012, 6:11 pmSince I did not buy this directly from Dillon, I interpret your reply as a message of no support from Dillon, and that you are referring me to the Chinese supplier that was responsible for making this substandard product.
That is very disappointing.
In that case, I'll deal directly with your Chinese supplier, and best case scenario I'll be receiving a replacement Chinese product that I no longer want. I'll be selling this Chinese product on an internet forum to some other poor fool for a reduced cost to put towards an American product from a company that stands behind their products - with the disclaimer that I no longer buy or use Dillon products.
Thanks for your time.
Since I did not buy this directly from Dillon, I interpret your reply as a message of no support from Dillon, and that you are referring me to the Chinese supplier that was responsible for making this substandard product.
That is very disappointing.
In that case, I'll deal directly with your Chinese supplier, and best case scenario I'll be receiving a replacement Chinese product that I no longer want. I'll be selling this Chinese product on an internet forum to some other poor fool for a reduced cost to put towards an American product from a company that stands behind their products - with the disclaimer that I no longer buy or use Dillon products.
Thanks for your time.
Quote from Reloader on May 29, 2012, 12:09 amHi DrRansom,
I was looking for some other information and I came across your comments. I am really sorry about the trouble you are having with the Terminator balance. I have had the same balance for several years and have had virtually no problems with it. Occasionally, it will drift a little and then come back within a few seconds. I eventually determined that was due to air currents (usually generated by me).
Before you give up on it, I suggest you get the replacement and give it a try. Hopefully, your balance was an aberration and a new machine will be good.
I would also like to put in a good word for Dillon. I have a couple of their 550B reloading machines, and they have been great. Whenever I have had problems, they have been more than willing to help, and when I occasionally had problems with parts, they replaced them free. I have been so happy with them that I have recommended their machines to a number of folks that I have talked to about reloading. One recent individual found a used Dillon press on eBay, and called to ask them about whether or not it was a good deal (more cajones than I would have had!). He told me that Dillon told him that it was a good deal, that he should buy it, and that it would still retain their no B.S. guarantee. I once asked them about buying some small spare parts that only came to a few dollars, and they told me that I should wait until I had a larger order as the shipping would cost more than the parts (about $8.00 at the time).
At any rate, I hope you will not give up on Dillon because of a bad balance that was made in China. They fully back equipment that they manufacture themselves.
Hi DrRansom,
I was looking for some other information and I came across your comments. I am really sorry about the trouble you are having with the Terminator balance. I have had the same balance for several years and have had virtually no problems with it. Occasionally, it will drift a little and then come back within a few seconds. I eventually determined that was due to air currents (usually generated by me).
Before you give up on it, I suggest you get the replacement and give it a try. Hopefully, your balance was an aberration and a new machine will be good.
I would also like to put in a good word for Dillon. I have a couple of their 550B reloading machines, and they have been great. Whenever I have had problems, they have been more than willing to help, and when I occasionally had problems with parts, they replaced them free. I have been so happy with them that I have recommended their machines to a number of folks that I have talked to about reloading. One recent individual found a used Dillon press on eBay, and called to ask them about whether or not it was a good deal (more cajones than I would have had!). He told me that Dillon told him that it was a good deal, that he should buy it, and that it would still retain their no B.S. guarantee. I once asked them about buying some small spare parts that only came to a few dollars, and they told me that I should wait until I had a larger order as the shipping would cost more than the parts (about $8.00 at the time).
At any rate, I hope you will not give up on Dillon because of a bad balance that was made in China. They fully back equipment that they manufacture themselves.
Quote from Reloader on August 10, 2012, 7:11 pmMy two cents...
I can certainly understand your frustration. I don't think that Dillon is in the wrong in this case. They have subcontracted with another manufacturer to supply their scales. Their expertise is with their own products that they do manufacture. They offer these scales as a service to their customers. Personally, I think they should focus their r & d dollars on their presses, not on scales. I did a quick search for US made scales and did not find anything in the price range that a reloader would want to spend. We can all do our own research and find the best scale for our dollar that we can find if we want. I imagine that Dillon has done some research on their own and determined that this scale would serve their customers well. Of course there will always be a lemon that leaves the factory now and then.
My two cents...
I can certainly understand your frustration. I don't think that Dillon is in the wrong in this case. They have subcontracted with another manufacturer to supply their scales. Their expertise is with their own products that they do manufacture. They offer these scales as a service to their customers. Personally, I think they should focus their r & d dollars on their presses, not on scales. I did a quick search for US made scales and did not find anything in the price range that a reloader would want to spend. We can all do our own research and find the best scale for our dollar that we can find if we want. I imagine that Dillon has done some research on their own and determined that this scale would serve their customers well. Of course there will always be a lemon that leaves the factory now and then.
Quote from Reloader on September 3, 2012, 7:36 pmDear Sirs,
I am customer number 770869. Michael Turnage. I recently bought a D-Terminator Scale (10483) in August 2012; my second purchase of the DTerm since my son kept the first one I bought on 4/18/2012. He has had no problems with his. Upon receipt of the second DTerm in August the scale would not calibrate. I sent it back according to instructions per customer service; I chose to simply get a replacement. After one week I called to check on the return and there was no record of it; nothing had been received nor shipped. I was told to check back in a couple of weeks. Is this standard procedure for handling defective returns? I feel like the turn around time is too long. Do I need to call back in 2 weeks or do I just wait for a new DTerm Scale in the mail? I realize mistakes occur; appropriate customer service is what brings us back. Am I being too inpatient? Thank you for your time. Michael Turnage
Dear Sirs,
I am customer number 770869. Michael Turnage. I recently bought a D-Terminator Scale (10483) in August 2012; my second purchase of the DTerm since my son kept the first one I bought on 4/18/2012. He has had no problems with his. Upon receipt of the second DTerm in August the scale would not calibrate. I sent it back according to instructions per customer service; I chose to simply get a replacement. After one week I called to check on the return and there was no record of it; nothing had been received nor shipped. I was told to check back in a couple of weeks. Is this standard procedure for handling defective returns? I feel like the turn around time is too long. Do I need to call back in 2 weeks or do I just wait for a new DTerm Scale in the mail? I realize mistakes occur; appropriate customer service is what brings us back. Am I being too inpatient? Thank you for your time. Michael Turnage
Quote from Reloader on September 4, 2012, 4:28 pmMichael,
We received your scale on August 30th. Your credit card was refunded on that date.
Michael,
We received your scale on August 30th. Your credit card was refunded on that date.