How good is Whistler tech support and repair?

[scanthewaves]

So I have recently come to a decision I will no longer buy Uniden with their 14-21 day repair window and unreliability I’m considering spending more for Whistler, so how is Whistler tech support and repair? What has been your experience?

 

[03msc]

In this day and time, 14-21 days is more than reasonable. I would expect that long or longer from Whistler (or any electronics manufacturer).

Good luck.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

If your system(s) of interest is (are) simulcast then Whistlers are useless in most cases. But individual results do vary. Never ever buy a product based solely on tech support or customer service

 

[Swipesy]

I have not had to use Whistler Support since Covid19 came on the scene. Prior to that Whistler support was excellent . I suggest you call Whistler or email their support and ask them your question. Whistler has always been truthful and straight with me and I believe they will give you an honest answer.

 

[RaleighGuy]

So I have recently come to a decision I will no longer buy Uniden with their 14-21 day repair window and unreliability I’m considering spending more for Whistler, so how is Whistler tech support and repair? What has been your experience?

Whistler is about the same depending on the issue. As @03msc you won't get anything better than a 14-21 day (2-3 week) turn around, a week there, a week in the shop, and a week back. The USPS or even UPS isn't as fast as they used to be. But I've always had great service from Whistler.

 

[RaleighGuy]

If your system(s) of interest is (are) simulcast then Whistlers are useless in most cases. But individual results do vary.

Glad you added "in most cases" as no simulcast issues from my home 20 on any of my Whistlers, but it all depends on your location.

 

[R8000]

I will no longer buy Uniden with their 14-21 day repair window and unreliability I’m considering spending more for Whistler, so how is Whistler tech support and repair? What has been your experience?

If 14-21 days isn't acceptable to you in July of 2022, you are in for a shocker. Sorry to break the news, but for the time being, you need to accept reality that everything is experiencing delays and long wait times for orders.
Uniden is no different than other mfg's right now. Yes, it sucks, but it is what it is.

Scanning is a hobby. Not a career. If your scanner is that mission critical to whatever is it you do, then perhaps you should have a back up scanner.

I will say for Whistler, I never had to engage them for a repair, but they were pretty decent when they upgraded my PRO-668 to the Whistler firmware. It had to be sent in to that and they did a great job at it.

 

[522]

so how is Whistler tech support and repair? What has been your experience?

I've found it works better when not using a Padded Envelope.

 

[trentbob]

So I have recently come to a decision I will no longer buy Uniden with their 14-21 day repair window and unreliability I’m considering spending more for Whistler, so how is Whistler tech support and repair? What has been your experience?

Rather than look at the repair service in case you ever need it, it's better just to look at the radios that are available and their performance in simulcast distortion situations secondary to LSM like tdma Phase ll. If DMR and nxdn systems are a concern you should read about them also before committing to buying a radio.

 

[lands818]

So I have recently come to a decision I will no longer buy Uniden with their 14-21 day repair window and unreliability I’m considering spending more for Whistler, so how is Whistler tech support and repair? What has been your experience?

I’ve only had one repair experience with each company in the past 5 years and both were equally lackluster.

Sent a RS PRO-668 to Whistler for their legacy upgrade program. Reasonable turn around, very happy with enhanced performance, but the once pristine scanner was returned to me looking like it had been slid around face down on a service bench. Whistler didn’t assume any responsibilities until I voiced my opinion on here and then offered a 10% discount on a new full price item from their website.

My BCD996P2 had lost some colors in the display. Sent in, paid my money, & was returned in a few weeks with a laundry list of repairs performed to fix the display colors. Within 2 weeks it failed again. Ended up just living with it as Uniden basically wrote me off as ‘it was working when it left’ and would ‘assess if under repair warranty’ upon return to them.

While I’m not happy with how either issue was handled…and it doesn’t make it right…it’s just the world we live in now. My viewpoint is pick the lesser of the evils on the front side and hope for the best if there is a backside. Still have a mix of brands in my shack.

 

[CycleSycho]

.


And, may I add, there are good and bad employees in every company. When someone doesn't perform to an expectation, let them know. That is by far much better than just dumping the whole company. Case-in-point, my PRO-668 went out to them for the legacy upgrade in an absolute new condition. It came back pretty quickly but with some scuffs on the faceplate. Contacted then 'Whistler-Wendy' here in the forum, and a mutual solution was reached. I didn't even have to 'prove' the radio was pristine (but it was) and Whistler stepped up to the plate. I have purchased (as have many others) their refurbs before (5, maybe 6 items?) and every one of them was like they put a brand-new case on it (not even any sign of use). Many members here who have purchased refurbs also lamented their purchase was surprisingly pristine. As for shipping delays, man, I could fill a book with shipping company problems (but I won't). Nuff said?


.

 

[YoShep69]

I have used Whistler service twice. Both times I used a lot of packing to insure no damage during transit.

Yo

 

[rgchristy]

Always take pictures of your gear before you send it in for repairs.

 

[scanthewaves]

Always take pictures of your gear before you send it in for repairs.

Good advice I only took a picture of the package SMH

 

[scanthewaves]

In this day and time, 14-21 days is more than reasonable. I would expect that long or longer from Whistler (or any electronics manufacturer).

Good luck.

14-21 days x2 is reasonable?

 

[03msc]

14-21 days x2 is reasonable?

More than reasonable, yes. It's not like your individual scanner is the only one they are receiving at a particular time. I personally would expect 6 weeks at least (for any electronic device sent for repair).

 

[scanthewaves]

More than reasonable, yes. It's not like your individual scanner is the only one they are receiving at a particular time. I personally would expect 6 weeks at least (for any electronic device sent for repair).

Hmm

 

[03msc]

You tell us what you think is realistically reasonable.

 

[buddrousa]

If you do not like UNIDEN you will for sure not like WHISTLER.
They will tell you that your scanner is working as designed not picking up SIMULCAST SIGNALS, not tracking DMR or NXDN TRUNKING.

 

[a417]

jfc.