scrotumola
Member
It is coming high time to share my experience with ZIPSCANNERS public.
As you might recall, after constant problems with provoice reception, my SDS100 went deaf after a beta firmware update. TOTALLY deaf. It wouldn't even pick up the National Weather Service. I contacted Uniden and sent the radio back to them for warranty repair. The radio was "repaired" and returned to me with new firmware, database update and a replacement of "J401," an emerging weak link or scapegoat culprit in SDS100 failures.
On powerup, the radio was once again deaf. No NWS, nothing spectrum wide. I even tried talking to it with an FRS radio to no avail. No audio, no bars, no RSSI.
I reached out on the forums and hoping for guidance from UPMAN, to no avail.
Privately, I hear from Jeff, from Ham Station who offers to help rectify the situation. Although he isn't my vendor he provided EXCELLENT advice on how to proceed. He also opens a line of communication with UPMAN as my full upgrade situation could leave me without proper attention.
At Jeff's guidance I reached out to ZIPSCANNERS last Friday afternoon. "Joey" seemed receptive and told me they would exchange the scanner and that he would be emailing me return instructions. Saturday came and went, as did Sunday. Although they profess to be open on weekends with decent hours, I figured I might hear from them Monday-at the latest. (You know, some companies don't have a return department that works on weekends <<Sarcasm mine>>)
Late Monday afternoon, I made several calls to ZIPSCANNERS only to receive their voicemail. I suspected they might have blocked my number, so I called later with caller ID block. Same story. I leave a message.
On Tuesday I called Uniden, explained the situation and they sent me a mailing label, (this time THEY would pick up the tab for shipping, as I did the first time) in the event that ZIPSCANNERS fails live up to their end. -- paranthetically this is ZIPSCANNERS replacing my defective unit vs Uniden looking, investigating, deciding what to do next.
Tuesday goes by, no callback, no email from ZIPSCANNERS (I've also been checking my spam folders the whole time, so they can't use that as an excuse) I am surprised when I get a call from one of their people at 8:21 PM. The caller wasn't Luke and it wasn't Joey, but someone who spoke with a very strong accent.
This caller appeared to be minimally familiar with the situation and said that at this time, THEY needed 24-48 hours to "meet with each other and decide what THEY were going to do," as if ZIPSCANNERS is a leaderless committee of (clueless) people who can not make an independent business decision.
In the spirit of cooperation, I consent, in the hopes that their cranial-rectal inversion rectifies itself. It has been exactly 48 hours since that phone call. No call back, no email from ZIPSCANNERS. (Could they possibly be THAT busy? I think not.)
ZIPSCANNERS has been under constant scrutiny since the release of the SDS100. It is no wonder that my experience with them is a surprise. I will be following up with the Better Business Bureau, as others have and make sure other future potential customers are aware of the comedy of errors, repetitive questionable, unethical business practices ZIPSCANNERS operates under should they decide to roll the dice with them.
Their "lifetime" of free technical support that they boast about is an empty promise, a joke, and smacks of deceptive trade practices.
I will now send my SDS100 to Uniden, again, for them to investigate, analyze and "repair." I would prefer an outright replacement-with ALL updates-as I paid for them, (since a refund is not on the table) with the intent that I sell it as I cannot in good conscience knowingly sell a defective product. To do so, would be to sink to the level of ZIPSCANNERS.
In closing, buyer beware. ZIPSCANNERS has shown their inept business practices not only with me, but others. The RR forums are full of stories about how they do business. On the other hand, I want to thank Jeff from Ham Station. I thank you for your efforts in helping right a wrong--even though you had no obligation to do so. It speaks volumes as to your character, caliber and integrity.
~S~
PS. After Speaking with UPMAN on my behalf, Jeff explained to me the procedure for obtaining replacement keys for ProVoice, NXDN and DMR for replacement radios. I believe after that conversation, the process was disclosed and discussed on another thread.
As you might recall, after constant problems with provoice reception, my SDS100 went deaf after a beta firmware update. TOTALLY deaf. It wouldn't even pick up the National Weather Service. I contacted Uniden and sent the radio back to them for warranty repair. The radio was "repaired" and returned to me with new firmware, database update and a replacement of "J401," an emerging weak link or scapegoat culprit in SDS100 failures.
On powerup, the radio was once again deaf. No NWS, nothing spectrum wide. I even tried talking to it with an FRS radio to no avail. No audio, no bars, no RSSI.
I reached out on the forums and hoping for guidance from UPMAN, to no avail.
Privately, I hear from Jeff, from Ham Station who offers to help rectify the situation. Although he isn't my vendor he provided EXCELLENT advice on how to proceed. He also opens a line of communication with UPMAN as my full upgrade situation could leave me without proper attention.
At Jeff's guidance I reached out to ZIPSCANNERS last Friday afternoon. "Joey" seemed receptive and told me they would exchange the scanner and that he would be emailing me return instructions. Saturday came and went, as did Sunday. Although they profess to be open on weekends with decent hours, I figured I might hear from them Monday-at the latest. (You know, some companies don't have a return department that works on weekends <<Sarcasm mine>>)
Late Monday afternoon, I made several calls to ZIPSCANNERS only to receive their voicemail. I suspected they might have blocked my number, so I called later with caller ID block. Same story. I leave a message.
On Tuesday I called Uniden, explained the situation and they sent me a mailing label, (this time THEY would pick up the tab for shipping, as I did the first time) in the event that ZIPSCANNERS fails live up to their end. -- paranthetically this is ZIPSCANNERS replacing my defective unit vs Uniden looking, investigating, deciding what to do next.
Tuesday goes by, no callback, no email from ZIPSCANNERS (I've also been checking my spam folders the whole time, so they can't use that as an excuse) I am surprised when I get a call from one of their people at 8:21 PM. The caller wasn't Luke and it wasn't Joey, but someone who spoke with a very strong accent.
This caller appeared to be minimally familiar with the situation and said that at this time, THEY needed 24-48 hours to "meet with each other and decide what THEY were going to do," as if ZIPSCANNERS is a leaderless committee of (clueless) people who can not make an independent business decision.
In the spirit of cooperation, I consent, in the hopes that their cranial-rectal inversion rectifies itself. It has been exactly 48 hours since that phone call. No call back, no email from ZIPSCANNERS. (Could they possibly be THAT busy? I think not.)
ZIPSCANNERS has been under constant scrutiny since the release of the SDS100. It is no wonder that my experience with them is a surprise. I will be following up with the Better Business Bureau, as others have and make sure other future potential customers are aware of the comedy of errors, repetitive questionable, unethical business practices ZIPSCANNERS operates under should they decide to roll the dice with them.
Their "lifetime" of free technical support that they boast about is an empty promise, a joke, and smacks of deceptive trade practices.
I will now send my SDS100 to Uniden, again, for them to investigate, analyze and "repair." I would prefer an outright replacement-with ALL updates-as I paid for them, (since a refund is not on the table) with the intent that I sell it as I cannot in good conscience knowingly sell a defective product. To do so, would be to sink to the level of ZIPSCANNERS.
In closing, buyer beware. ZIPSCANNERS has shown their inept business practices not only with me, but others. The RR forums are full of stories about how they do business. On the other hand, I want to thank Jeff from Ham Station. I thank you for your efforts in helping right a wrong--even though you had no obligation to do so. It speaks volumes as to your character, caliber and integrity.
~S~
PS. After Speaking with UPMAN on my behalf, Jeff explained to me the procedure for obtaining replacement keys for ProVoice, NXDN and DMR for replacement radios. I believe after that conversation, the process was disclosed and discussed on another thread.
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