HP-2: Uniden Support

[cfranz73]

New Owners, BEWARE. The Uniden Support for new users is horrible, it takes forever to get someone on the phone and when you do, it feels as if they are searching for answers, they are not experts by any stretch of the imagination. Very disappointing.

Also beware the New HomePatrol 2 is missing parts, mine was missing the stand and batteries when ordered from Amazon. Uniden won't do anything about it. Also, antenna and receptions is not that good out of the box.

 

[mikewazowski]

Isn't Amazon just a reseller for other dealers? I just did a quick search on the HP-2 and the first link that popped up was for some reseller. I would contact them to find out where your missing parts are.

 

[Triangulum]

It depends on the scanner and obviously the inventory. As MikeOxlong referred to, the HP-2 on Amazon (as of right now) seems to be either through third-party sellers or "fulfilled by Amazon" holding the stock for the seller. These examples are different than official Amazon stock. Maybe the OP bought it at a time Amazon was in-stock or maybe not.

However, most recently I have seen the 536HP officially stocked by Amazon. In this case Amazon would truly would need to answer to you (and obviously Uniden as well).

 

[Voyager]

When you buy a car, and something is missing, does the manufacturer replace it or does the dealer? Sure sounds like you got a return.

 

[Otto]

Also beware the New HomePatrol 2 is missing parts, mine was missing the stand and batteries when ordered from Amazon. Uniden won't do anything about it. Also, antenna and receptions is not that good out of the box.

Hmm.. Mine came with everything listed on the box, and in the description on the Amazon website.

The antenna that comes with it is a wide band scanner antenna. It's not going to be perfect. Mine works reasonably well, but swapped it out for a 800mhz unit, since that's what I listen to most, and the receive is great for me.
What I did find, is that when monitoring trunked systems with multiple sites, the unit sometimes will lock onto a weak site's control channel, and provide rotten reception. Just re-scan the system until it locks onto a stronger control channel of a closer site. Sometimes it will even do this on it's own.

 

[UPMan]

cfranz73: It sounds like you were sold a returned HP-2 as new. You need to contact the seller (btw, who was the seller?).

 

[JamesO]

Amazon acts both as a direct seller and often times as a "storefront" for 3rd parties. This is why you need to look and read carefully in the description of the product.

A true Amazon item states, "Sold and Shipped via Amazon" or "Sold by Amazon".

Some storefront items state , "Sold by XYZ" and shipped via "Amazon", these are items that are usually in stock at an Amazon distribution center but are often sold by a 3rd party. These items are usually pretty safe and you should receive them quickly as expected with any Amazon purchase.

Some storefront items state , "Sold by XYZ", these are items that are NOT in stock at an Amazon distribution center and the item is shipped directly from the seller under most situations. You also have to be careful as often many of these sellers could be in Asia and it may take weeks or months for an item to arrive on your doorstep. This is where you need to look at the seller profile and feedback.

Amazon usually will help out with Customer Service issues on even 3rd party "storefront" sellers because you placed your order and the payment is processed via Amazon.

Amazon also has "Warehouse Deals" which are in fact returns, damaged packaging or returns/new items missing items. Amazon usually does CLEARLY state the condition of the "Warehouse Deal" item and packaging and if it is missing anything. I would guess the HP2 is a bit too new to actually end up as a "Warehouse Deal" sale item.

I believe Amazon Customer service is where you want to start with the missing items or arrange for a return if it appears this was not a "new" unit.

Contact Amazon, they will address the issue or direct you from there.

 

[garys]

Amazon customer service is very good, although I found that the live chat is more responsive than using email.

There are three classes of Amazon sales,

Sold and shipped by Amazon.
Sold by ABC and fulfilled by Amazon.
Sold by ABC and fulfilled by ABC, they use Amazon as a store front only.

The first two are better options if you can find the item you want there. The last one can be iffy on whether or not Amazon can help you if there is a problem.

Amazon maintains two different types of facility. A fulfillment center stocks merchandise, a distribution center doesn't. Items are shipped from fulfillment to distribution and then from distribution to the customer by a variety of carriers.

I have a couple of friends that work at a distribution center and there is nothing stocked there.

To the OP, your issue is with the seller, not Uniden. I'd attempt a return if the unit you bought is missing parts. At the least I'd want an exchange for a new in box unit if that's what you paid for, although if the seller is this sloppy or dishonest, I'd prefer a refund.

 

[coolderb]

I bought my HP2 from Ham Radio Outlet. It came with everything listed. I drove about an hour to the store to pick it up, but they matched the lowest online prices and I didn't have to pay shipping or sales tax (in De.) From reading the Amazon reviews it looks like all of the reviewers gave it a high rating with the exception of one who was angry because there isn't a Mac version of the software. He went so far as to warn Mac users to factor in an extra $400 to buy a Windows PC or virtual machine. VM's such as Virtualbox are free. Another option for Mac users is the Winbook tablet PC that comes with Windows 8.1, has a full size USB port and fits in a glove box. I have Sentinel running on my 7" Winbook which picked up from MicroCenter for $49.

 

[Voyager]

Or buy a used PC for way less than $100. Or trade the mac in and likely walk out with money AND a PC.

 

[durangoGreg]

It would be nice though if Uniden did release a Mac version of Sentinel.

 

[Voyager]

It would be nice if my iPad could run Excel, too. :wink:

 

[mikewazowski]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-excel/id586683407?mt=8

 

[dmaria]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-excel/id586683407?mt=8

That response makes my heart warm

 

[durangoGreg]

It would be nice if my iPad could run Excel, too. :wink:

I guess I don't follow. You can run Microsoft Excel on an iPad. Just download it from the app store.

Sorry Mike. I answered before noticing your post.

 

[Voyager]

Thank you both. Looks like they added that app about a year ago. I've been using DOCS2GO, but it has a file size limitation and all my spreadsheets won't fit. Maybe now they will.

Again, thank you both and sorry for the tour of left field. Back to the topic....

 

[cfranz73]

UPDATE: ** Uniden did a great job and made everything right! Thanks Uniden.