Scannermaster customer service

[tmbstn]

Today I call Scanner Master From my home in Kitchener On Canada. I had a question Re: Home Patrol. I WAS considering ordering one. My concers are as follows:
- No 800 Phone number. (Although they insist 1800scanner works) Tried 2x No go
- Question re HP and weather it would work from my location. I was told they have very little Info re: Canada
Customer service was just unexceptable.

Has anyone else had this experience? I am not down on Scanner Master but this was my first contact with them.
Question: To my fellow Canadians who have purchased a Home Patrol Unit, How do you enjoy it. I am a novice radio/scanner user own a Bc 780xlt, live in Kitchener ON 100KM W of Toronto. Any assistance would be much appreciated. My email is tmbstn@rogers.com Many thaks ~ Jeremy L

 

[mciupa]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

I bought a HomePatrol last October from Scannermaster. I called the 1-800 when I was enquiring about the different shipping options and spoke to a sales person.
They took time to explain everything and I didn't feel that I was rushed off the phone.
In the end, I opted for the US postal service and had the scanner in ten days.

For laughs, I will put in a different location other than my Toronto home, just to see what results the unit will come back with. I believe it was in the neighbourhood 1600 channels for Kitchener with all services selected. Of course I can't hear everything but it is for reference sake.

Overall, I enjoy it for when I leave home because of the preloaded American and Canadian database.
I just pop in the new location and listen within a minute.

But, I wouldn't want it as my sole scanner. I still want a unit with direct keyboard entry.

 

[KC1UA]

It's also possible that the 800 number does not work from Canada. Have you had a look at the RR database for your area? What's in it will be in the Home Patrol.

My experiences with Scannermaster over the years have been positive.

 

[mikewazowski]

I've never had a problem with them.

Last time I called I had a nice chat with the owner's father.

I've got a HomePatrol and it works great.

 

[tmbstn]

MCIUPA: Thank-you for you reply. all I wanted to know from S/M was " are postal codes/Zipcode, can you imput a Canadian P/C? "We have little info on Canada" OK I then said" own a Uniden BC780xlt (Awesome scanner), "Sir I ndo not need a list of your scanners....." OK.I am a Lic Ontario Funeral Director, F/R, and On-call Spiritual Care Worker (One of our local Hosp.), I somewhat know how to speak to my fellow man.(Maybe he is having a bad day) . Just wondering How do you find you reception, #KMs? Are you using a factory antenna? CAN U INPUT A CANADIAN POSTAL CODE! Lol.
Many thanks; Jeremy l. ~ Kitchener

 

[EJB]

Scannermaster are pretty good. When I bought my HP1 they were fine. When it took over 2 weeks to be shipped they even offered to UPS Expedited me another one.
The 800 number works and has worked for me for over 5 years.

When I got my HP1 I entered in my Postal Code but for whatever reason it gave me frequencies for Peel not Halton where I live and this was set at 5 miles.
That said I learned how to build favourites lists and such.

It is a good scanner, good sound, handles what I need but I do miss direct entry scanners and hope to buy one used or new in the future but I think you will like it.

 

[mciupa]

MCIUPA: Thank-you for your reply. Just wondering How do you find you reception, #KMs? Are you using a factory antenna? CAN U INPUT A CANADIAN POSTAL CODE

I used the factory antenna for one day and packed it back into the box.
Now, I use a right angle BNC to SMA connector with RadioShack's 800 MHz antenna. I find the reception very good.

My benchmark for reception from NW Toronto is receiving Halton Hills and Oakville on the Halton Regional Public Safety EDACS system. They are around 40 km's away from my place.
Inside my house, Halton Hills is two bars and Oakville one bar.

Yes, You can input a postal code. You just have to toggle the touch screen between letters and numbers. A little more effort than a zip code, but we can do it.
There is also an auto-locate feature that will find where you are and set your range at 20 miles. You can bump that up if you wish for greater reception.

As for range you can select from 0 to 30 miles(50 kms) I keep it set at 30.

 

[tmbstn]

Thank-you all for your input, this was my first post to RR & I value your reply ~ Jeremy

 

[wheelerg]

HP works great here in Trenton Ont, also travel alot between Ottawa and Toronto and got the GPS puck and it is a great thing to use also, love it. But still use my 396T for fun.