Standup Zone Forum
The Foil Zone => Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP => Topic started by: Califoilia on May 23, 2020, 06:42:41 AM
-
So apparently I'm a very slow learner, or just a gluten for punishment...because after the order nonsense I went through the first time trying to get wings from GONG (same first to order, last to ship BS), in mid March I go, and order the Pulse 7m version from them (that at the time was "available for shipping" mid April, then mid May due to the CV19 crisis (understandable), and then suddenly w/ no explanation, mid June for no f'n reason), and yet here I am again...still sitting, waiting with nothing to show for it but a bunch of BS excuse emails from "JR" their "International Sales" dude.
Oh and yes, just like the last time, come to find out that others who've ordered their wings well after mine (just this month in fact) are receiving shipping notices that theirs are on the way, when all I get is another BS email with "JR" and GONG just saying it was supposedly shipped, washing their hands of it...
GONG Jaime - International Sales May 22, 2020, 1:25 AM (1 day ago)
Hello Dave,
Yep they’re out the door…. the transport service is in charge of sending that. don’t expect that to arrive quickly though.
Fortunately the transport services are piling back up, there are more guys driving not he road but that’s easy because they are other own anyway and have very limed contact with people……. unfortunately the offices are still not even half staffed because of the regulations on how many people can be in an office. And that’s where the tracking numbers are sent form.. so those poor secretaries that are in charge of that are seriously backed up…...
That’s what i’m seeing anyway……
Patience…. It is on the way.
Thanks and Stay Safe!!
...only after I sent in an inquiry request through their website's "Contact" page (heck with trying to email anyone directly), after I saw my ordered had finally gone from "waiting" to "finished" (after so many ghosted emails), but never received any notice of when that happened, and no tracking number to see when I might expect to receive it.
So with that kind of stellar customer service, I feel as though I was just shoved out the door w/o anyway of knowing when I might get the wing...or if they've even shipped the MFer, and are still filling other orders before getting around to the poor dumb sap in CA.
I mean really...who in the hell hands a delivery company a package for shipment w/o getting any tracking number to verify its existence, or that it was actually shipped!? :o
What if I never see the wing...is GONG, supposedly w/o any tracking number or proof that it ever even got into the hands of the shipper responsible? Or is it the shipping company's responsibility, and if that's the case, how do I try resolve it with them...when no one - namely me - has a GD tracking number to even begin a discussion with them?
Is it just me, or does it seem like I got GONGed once again? >:(
-
That sucks man. But what I saw when I ordered is that there’s a weird disconnect between the French postal service and US shippers. I wonder if they are mandated to use their postal service or something.
I do know they are crazy backed up, apparently running through container loads of foils and wings every two weeks. But you seem to have hit the bad side twice.
I wonder how long it will be before they get one of the west coast fulfillment warehouses to hold their stuff like all the other guys do?
No need for reps, just a place to receive and park things so they can do the customs once instead of this whole hassle every time someone orders. Might cost a bit more but I know we’d all pay, right?
-
That is frustrating Dave,
Hopefully your card co. will back you up if it comes to that. They do have a bizarre system even for shipments within the EU where they don't know the tracking number yet they don't have your item anymore :o Has always taken about three days from the Gong form email (order completed), to the actual shipping company email (usually DPD in Germany).
If you got the "order has been entrusted to our shipping partners email", you should eventually hear something from a shipping company.
Gong strikes me as a company that isn't well setup to handle anything outside of it's automated system. If it requires human intervention... they're just not staffed for that.
Keep us posted!
-
After all you and I and who knows else went through last year man that’s a brave move! I really liked my gong 7m wing except excess weight since sold it but really do like there products wish they had a hub here in the states but no way would endure the mental anguish of ordering oversees from France again not up to it after that ringer last year👎Since moved on to Naish S25 wings very good BTW,I like the new Gong wingboards but to go thru that hassle with them again no chance unless things change shipping wise my suggestion ask for a refund and go get a easier obtainable wing Naish,new SS or Fone dont torture yourself again especially in the covid era extra PITA
-
I had something similar and they wouldn’t even answer my emails.... VERY frustrating company to deal with...but their products are actually not bad for the price. Too bad they don’t have a US rep. Heck the stuff ships from China...easier to go to California direct than to Europe then back to US.
My take, good products for price but huge hassle with shipping and customer service
-
Yeah, I understand this virus thing has screwed up supply chains everywhere. I got a package in the mail from Amazon I ordered 2 months ago and had forgotten about. Crazy times.
-
UPDATE:
Well this morning I awoke to a long email from "JR" awaiting me, explaining in detail the status of my order, addressing some of the concerns, complaints, and just plan old whiny snivelings I had expressed in the OP of this thread... :-[ ...and that he was looking into getting that tracking number for me from his end.
Turns out the usual PITA time difference we have which makes discussing these kind of over the phone a bit difficult...was a true blessing in disguise this case, because while I spelt, and in the four hour time difference between his emails that went unnoticed by sleeping beauty (that would be me :D )...the subsequent email from him....had the tracking number it in!! 8)
So now I can rest in peace knowing that I at least have that to hold in my hot little hand, that shows someone somewhere has my wing and pump...and that there'll be a way to follow up on it should it become "lost in the mail"...since it's traveling via the two countries' stellar public postal services...and we all know how unreliable at least ours can be at times...and "JR" didn't make theirs sound any better for that matter.
Anyway, big "THANKS!" to "JR" for I'm sure pulling his hair out having to deal with his postal service if theirs is anything like ours in order to eventually get that tracking number. Last check with it, was that on "Friday, May 22 - Your package has left its country of origin. It is in transit". YEEHAW!! ;D
-
I also have an order in with GONG, placed on 11 May, all items in stock, supposedly.
Order status says "terminee" but did not get notice from GONG of shipment. After a week I emailed, no response. Another email, and I was provided a tracking number, GONG employee stated order was shipped on Friday 22 May. When that number is entered into courier website it does not recognize it as an active shipment.
So it is in limbo. Communication is poor. Shipping cost exorbitant. Hopefully it arrives before summer is over. Not impressed so far...
-
Hey, that's great to hear Dave,
So it's out of La Poste's hands, everything that happens from here is up to US customs and USPS. Very curious to hear what the overall ship time will be.
My 4M arrived in Germany yesterday. Now I have to decide whether to have the GF send it back or to me. Looks like Deutsch Post will ship with their "premium" service for about 56 euro (still at least a month I'd bet), so JR was correct, it will be about 30% cheaper this way but hardly worth the savings. I worked up a UPS quote and even with an account it was about 350 euro, DHL would do it in five days for about 250.
Probably going to send it back this time, first try at that. Needs to go towards a board :)
-
FoilColorado,
Here’s what I do. Place the order and forget you ever heard of Amazon or Fed Ex or any modern single country shipping process. lol Also forget that you ordered new gear lol. About the time you remember and freak out, it’ll show up on the app as “in customs” and a week later you will have it.
It’s a great reminder of how fortunate we are here and how dialed in American logistics are.
-
I’m probably the biggest Gong foil wing promoter here but as they say; “always sumpin”. Last fall it was easy; pay online, don’t worry about tracking from France or even tracking here in the US, shows up about a week later.
Currently trying to pre order a Veloce XL and stabilizer:
Shipping went from 80 euro last fall to 200 euro now. Ok, even with that crazy price it’s still a decent deal compared to any alternatives, so I plug in the credit card info (and yes, I always check that my card company does not put any hold on my overseas purchases) and it rejects it right away. Try other cards, nothin. Send several emails and hope Jamie gets back to me, or try a direct bank transfer. Oh well, looks like I’ll have to beg them to take my money. Such horrendous first world problems! (I still like “The Bear” and the Gong biz model as another option, even with its flaws)
-
Has anyone figured out a way to get Gong boards shipped to N.America or USA? Is anyone using a France freight forwarder at a reasonable cost? Is it still just a pipe dream to get the Gong Lemon wing board if you're not in Europe? Thanks for any info!
Rob
-
I’m probably the biggest Gong foil wing promoter here but as they say; “always sumpin”. Last fall it was easy; pay online, don’t worry about tracking from France or even tracking here in the US, shows up about a week later.
Currently trying to pre order a Veloce XL and stabilizer:
Shipping went from 80 euro last fall to 200 euro now. Ok, even with that crazy price it’s still a decent deal compared to any alternatives, so I plug in the credit card info (and yes, I always check that my card company does not put any hold on my overseas purchases) and it rejects it right away. Try other cards, nothin. Send several emails and hope Jamie gets back to me, or try a direct bank transfer. Oh well, looks like I’ll have to beg them to take my money. Such horrendous first world problems! (I still like “The Bear” and the Gong biz model as another option, even with its flaws)
I've always had really great service from them in the past. Now I'm was having trouble too, and that shipping quote you got seems very high.
I know they are short handed and all covid crap, but i don't even think their website is working right. I tried to reset my password a few times and the site never sent me an email to do so. I had to opened a new account to placed an order. Still 6 days later I have not gotten a shipping quote to complete a wind-wing pre-order. I'm sure they'll get it sorted out sooner or latter.
I ended up ordering from another French company, and shipping quote for 3 wind-wings was 130 euros to Ga.
-
What other French company?
-
What other French company?
Takoon
-
Has anyone figured out a way to get Gong boards shipped to N.America or USA? Is anyone using a France freight forwarder at a reasonable cost? Is it still just a pipe dream to get the Gong Lemon wing board if you're not in Europe? Thanks for any info!
Rob
Looked into it last year when I was starting out. Couldn’t find a viable way to do it. Wouldn’t even consider it now. Boards are a PITA to ship. My new Blue Planet Carver 5’8” showed up damaged. I picked up two FoilSurfMachine‘s (one for me and one for a friend) in person....
I've always had really great service from them in the past. Now I'm was having trouble too, and that shipping quote you got seems very high.
I know they are short handed and all covid crap, but i don't even think their website is working right. I tried to reset my password a few times and the site never sent me an email to do so. I had to opened a new account to placed an order. Still 6 days later I have not gotten a shipping quote to complete a wind-wing pre-order. I'm sure they'll get it sorted out sooner or latter.
I ended up ordering from another French company, and shipping quote for 3 wind-wings was 130 euros to Ga.
Yep, that sounds about right with the current situation (password resetting on the Gong forum has also gone haywire) , and agreed that they will eventually sort it out. I’m sure people would be interested in your assessment of the Takoon wings once you’ve ridden them a bit. For me the high aspect Veloce foil might have to fade to the wish list back burner :( Have a new GoPro Max to play with in the mean time :)
-
Heard from another source, internationally freight cost is astronomically high right now due to a lack of planes.
-
Just saw this from another forum:
------------------
apparently, they (Gong) found the issue. Their email provider was losing emails for one week...
My translation of Patrice message on the Gong forum:
Our mail hoster has had a problem for a week.
1/ Some messages to info at gongsup dot com never reached us.
2 / Most of the automatic messages informing customers of the processing status of their order have not been sent
3 / Some of our responses have not arrived.
I am very sorry for this concern which is resolved now. This generated dissatisfaction while on our side everything was clean (emails processed within 24 hours, orders dispatched ...). In short, what could have been trivial in January was a major hurdle in May
Thanks for your understanding.
-
(https://i.makeagif.com/media/12-25-2019/pBwtL-.gif)
Whelp, still in the same exact status on the La Poste website since the last update:
Friday, May 22 Your package has left its country of origin. It is in transit.
So it either fell out of the plane on it's way over the ocean, or it's stuck in US Customs somewhere awaiting their stamp of approval to move it into the the hands of the speedy USPS service...or hell, maybe it's still sitting in a dark dank corner of a La Poste warehouse somewhere, and they only think it's been shipped. ::)
Dang, sorry to hear so many have had - or especially those current having - the same difficult time getting something from this (or maybe any) overseas company in the past or currently. It really shouldn't be that difficult...even now.
Hell, nobody's been flying 'cept guvmint postal and parcel carriers, and heaven knows there ain't no guvmint employees getting laid off 'bout now. So there should be plenty of them to carry the packages to the planes, inspect and sign off on the packages, and then deliver them in a timely manner to us poor tortured souls waiting less than patiently 'bout now for them.
LOL! I crack myself up..."guvmint employee" job done in a "timely manner"....Baawahahaha!! Yeah, right. :o ;D
-
I've got a foil that has been stuck in Sydney for a month. It sucks...
-
Has anyone received a shipment to the USA from GONG in the last month?
Does anyone else have an order that is in limbo?
Has anyone had recent overseas shipments from other companies? Takoon?
Thanks all, still waiting.......
-
My Foil Package from OZ was mailed Aug 23 just cleared customs on Sunday, supposed to be delivered on the 6th. Not much that can be done on the part of GONG or anyone else right now.
-
Wow, from what y'all are writing, and all things considered...I guess I'm pretty lucky.
Just got a couple texts from USPS early this morning that...
June 2, 2020, 10:28 pm Processed Through Facility ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS)
Expected Delivery by Thursday, June 4, 2020
Inbound Into Customs
Thought stuff went through customs before it processed through a USPS facility...but either way, just pleased that it appears to be on its way here tmrw, and totally stoked by this morning's unexpected pleasant surprise. Gonna be a good day. :)
-
Gong alternative just arrived.
https://switchkites.com/products/surf-wing?variant=31367057506415
-
Switch was relatively new when I gave up kites... Dwight, How do they rank in design and use? Thanks for the tip.
Jim
-
Switch was relatively new when I gave up kites... Dwight, How do they rank in design and use? Thanks for the tip.
Jim
I only tried one Switch kite. A wave model, designed by Bill Hansen. I liked it. Bill has left the company.
The handles look odd on this wing. Bulky and fat, with loose material. I’d be worried about hand fatigue and uncomfortable fabric wrinkles under the hand.
-
Happy to report the ordeal is over and I can put this thread to rest (or at least for myself).
USPS delivered the GONG Pulse to my doorstep yesterday afternoon, and happy to say that this time the box was in perfect condition, as were all of the contents inside (the HV pump I ordered was packed in there with it).
Aired 'er up, and everything looks fine and fun. Now just need a little wind, add a little water, and we'll be off on our maiden voyage with 'er. Yeehaw!
-
Yay.
What an odyssey.
-
That’s great man.
In other good news, this seems to always be the case. I don’t think there’s a Gong thread where someone was jacked. It just takes a while. So in two weeks when the next thread comes up... refer to this one lol.
Get out there and enjoy it!
-
SanoSlatch - did you get any tracking updates from USPS after “item departed USPS facility LA processing center?” My package was in the same group as yours that cleared customs 2 June, then went to USPS processing in LA and now it has not moved in over a week. I’m now 5 full weeks from placing my order with GONG. 200 euro for shipping. Appreciate the innovation and the passion from GONG, however when I pay US$225 for shipping a wing, and it hasn’t arrived after 5 weeks, I was hoping for a more sympathetic answer from customer service. After many unanswered emails they basically say sorry just wait more. A better way to retain me as a customer would be to actually track down my lost order, refund my shipping charge altogether, and offer a % discount on my next order. Instead I feel as though as a NA customer I am more of a hassle than a valued customer. Stoked for the HIPE, and more GONG products down the line. Keep it up, GONG, but in the meantime please use UPS or FedEx or DHL or anything besides La Poste and USPS.
-
Just FYI, for everyone who might not know this....
Install the USPS, FedEx, and UPS apps on your phone and create an account for your home address. Every single inbound package to your home will show up and you’ll never have to ask anyone for a tracking number again. Plus you’ll know when someone actually ships you items.
With Gong orders, they would magically appear in the USPS app after clearing customs. The Gong French tracking number goes silent once it leaves the country.
I have discovered a lot of friends have no idea these apps do this.
-
SanoSlatch - did you get any tracking updates from USPS after “item departed USPS facility LA processing center?” My package was in the same group as yours that cleared customs 2 June, then went to USPS processing in LA and now it has not moved in over a week. I’m now 5 full weeks from placing my order with GONG. 200 euro for shipping. Appreciate the innovation and the passion from GONG, however when I pay US$225 for shipping a wing, and it hasn’t arrived after 5 weeks, I was hoping for a more sympathetic answer from customer service. After many unanswered emails they basically say sorry just wait more. A better way to retain me as a customer would be to actually track down my lost order, refund my shipping charge altogether, and offer a % discount on my next order. Instead I feel as though as a NA customer I am more of a hassle than a valued customer. Stoked for the HIPE, and more GONG products down the line. Keep it up, GONG, but in the meantime please use UPS or FedEx or DHL or anything besides La Poste and USPS.
Sorry Foil, just saw this now....
Yes, I did eventually get an update that the package was "Inbound Out of Customs" (which seemed contradictory that it was "inbound" and "out" at the same time, but whatever), once it left Customs on June 4th, and was back in the hands of the USPS, they hustled it right through to my local post office early the next day (0552), and it was on the truck and delivered to me later that same day, June 5th.
So really can't say anything but good things wrt the USPS in this case....La Poste, not so much (they said it left France on May 22, but it went unaccounted for 10 days, until it was "Processed Through Facility - ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS)" on June 2, 2020. So yes I agree, GONG should really look into some other method of North American delivery other than just their local (sketchy) postal service.
Hopefully by now you've received your order, and I completely agree with you wrt all the cool things Patrice and GONG are always coming up with.
But I really don't think I'll be able to join in on any more of their fun, because like you, I feel as much more like an inconvenience to them, rather than a valued customer that I'd have hoped to have been.
So probably best for all involved, and way less hurt feelings on both sides; if I just spent my money elsewhere, and let them stick with what they seem very good at...delivering great products to their European customers, but not so much at keeping their remaining North American ones as happy.
Good luck to you FoilC...let us know what happened if/when you ever receive your stuff.