GigaParts

[62Truck]

IF this is not the correct place for this I'm sorry.

I have a question. I'm looking to pick up a 897D and it seems like gigaparts has the best price. In the past I have mainly dealt with HRO and AES when it comes to buying new radios. Has any one dealt with gigaparts before? What do you think of them, and how long do they take to ship the item once it has been paid for?

 

[W5JER]

I have used them. I bought a IC-7000 and a few other things from them with no issues. They package well and shipping was same day.

Just dont use Universal Radio. They back order most of their stuff and sometimes wont have it in stock. I'm beginning to think they drop ship big time.

 

[AK9R]

I bought a Yaesu VX-8GR from Gigaparts last year. Quick shipment. No problems. I'd buy from them again.

As for amateur radio stores back-ordering things...If I find out something I ordered is on back-order, I usually go looking for it somewhere else.

 

[rapidcharger]

I've bought from them over the years without any problems BUT it's because of that I don't know how they respond to problems. I've never tried to return anything there and that can be where you really get a sense of what their customer service is like.
If you have an HRO or AES in your area, call them and see if they'll match gigaparts price. Depending on who you get, they sometimes will.

 

[WB4CS]

I live in the same city that Gigaparts is in, so I've visited the store many times and spent more money there than I care to admit Since I purchase in store I don't know about their shipping quality but as a business in general they are excellent. Sometimes their prices may be slightly higer than other places, but for me it's worth it since I can just walk in and get what I need. The sales staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, and they take care of their customers after the purchase is over. I highly recommend them.

(And no I don't work for them, but I do like to encourage my local businesses!)

 

[LtDoc]

I haven't bought a radio from them but have gotten several other things there. No trouble so far. I can't say how they would do with servicing, I would imagine about the same as any other non-strictly radio type store.
- 'Doc

 

[MTS2000des]

bought two radios in the last six months, most recently a Kenwood TM-281A that came today. Well packed, I would say overpacked- sent via Priority Mail.
They included a nice large mousepad too.

Would buy from them anytime. I prefer to buy local but sometimes Gigaparts is the "loss leader" and depending on who is working at HRO, they will match prices.

 

[62Truck]

Hmm I'll have to call HRO will price match. I have always dealt with them.

 

[gewecke]

Excellent service from gigaparts when I ordered my vx6r, quick shipping too! :wink:
I would order from them again.

73,
n9zas

 

[beischel]

HRO will match the price, at least the Atlanta store will. I had an 897, just keep in mind that the receiver is very noisy.

 

[62Truck]

Thanks for the info guys. I ended up ordering a 857D. And HRO price matched with out any issues.

 

[rapidcharger]

Thanks for the info guys. I ended up ordering a 857D. And HRO price matched with out any issues.

That's good to hear. So you got to keep some of that money in your local economy and if you have a problem with the radio you can take it back to the store right there.
Price matching with HRO is hit or miss but it never hurts to ask.

 

[62Truck]

That's good to hear. So you got to keep some of that money in your local economy and if you have a problem with the radio you can take it back to the store right there.
Price matching with HRO is hit or miss but it never hurts to ask.

I emailed them last night about it and Pete from the Salem store helped me out. Told me to call to place the order via phone. Some of the money I saves I was able to use to buy some extra things I needed like a 4:1 Balun

 

[newsphotog]

I would pick Gigaparts over HRO any day.

 

[NR7J]

I'm personally very disappointed with all of them AES - HAMCITY - GIGAPARTS --------- AES nor Hamcity will price match - they rather lose a sale (and a customer) for a 4 dollars and 95 cents price match discount. I guess mark up on Japanese radios must not be very high. For Chinese radios it's a different story ( I guess ) 'cause I can get an Anytone AT588-UV directly from the manufacture for $180 - yes, the one that sells for $300 here in the States. NR7J

 

[K4APR]

Gigaparts has actually been around for many years and is well established. I'm surprised they don't get more exposure as they usually have the best pricing, items in stock and shipping is fast and fair.

Dealt with them a few times myself and I have never had any problems.

 

[K7DDQ]

I bought a power supply from them and it was shipped quickly and packaged well. No complaints at all.

If shipping speed is the main concern, just call each vendor you are considering buying from and ask them if it is in stock, if they can ship today or next business day and where they ship from. If you are in NY, standard shipping tomorrow from PA will be quicker than standard shipping today from CA just as a random example. While you're on the phone, especially if you are a first time customer, ask for free shipping, free shipping upgrade (two day air for the price of ground for example) or a price discount if they refuse shipping discounts. Vendors may not do this with small items that cost less than the shipping but for orders of hundreds of dollars, it is worth asking.

 

[KD8TZC]

They do have good prices, but I had one dealing with them that I didn't care for. I paid for two day air shipping and they shipped it ground (which got to me in two days) and pocketed the change. I thought that was a little dishonest.

 

[rapidcharger]

They do have good prices, but I had one dealing with them that I didn't care for. I paid for two day air shipping and they shipped it ground (which got to me in two days) and pocketed the change. I thought that was a little dishonest.

I hope you called to ask for your money back because if you pay for express/air and they give you ground which they ordinarily give for free on orders over a certain amount, then you deserve a refund. And just because it gets there in the same number of days doesn't mean it gets the same treatment or gets delivered at the same time.

For example, express/air is normally guaranteed by a certain time. Ground can show up at 10 o clock at night. And that's no exaggeration, they have literally shown up at my house at 10pm.

To know the outcome of your complaint would be a good test of their customer service and you should share that experience with us.

 

[KD8TZC]

Rapidcharger, I did call them and I was given a run around. After about two days of this, I told him not to worry about the refund as he obviously needed the money more than I do. I don't do business with them any further even if their prices are a bit better.

On another note, I did have excellent customer service from a vendor where I did also choose air shipping and they said the USPS ground would get to me in the same number of days, and that it would be free shipping. He refunded my extra that I had paid, and it got here right on time. That vendor was W4RT Electronics. I bought my BHI DSP unit from them and would recommend them a 1001 times over. Outstanding customer service.

John