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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: gotcha on January 21, 2016, 09:13:01 PM

Title: Avian X customer service
Post by: gotcha on January 21, 2016, 09:13:01 PM
I have a 3/4 strut Jake that the stake holder has come detached from decoy and will no longer hold air.Any experience with their customer service in repair/replacement policy?Sent an email but have not heard back,usually not a good sign.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: MK M GOBL on January 22, 2016, 12:04:17 AM
Not that this will help with your decoy problem or fix it but... a DSD won't go flat if you end up buying a new deke.

MK M GOBL
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: 2eagles on January 22, 2016, 04:25:33 PM
I'd give them a call to see how they want to handle the problem. Then let us know.
If they don't give you satisfaction, there are ways to solve your problem.
Title: Avian X customer service
Post by: jepcho on January 22, 2016, 06:50:41 PM
Between me and a buddy of mine we've sent 3 emails, called multiple times and even tried getting ahold of them on twitter and Facebook and we can get absolutely no response from them at all. Idk what is going on with them but it has totally turned me off to zink/avian-x and my buddy and I have decided to no longer do business with them. Kinda sad because I do like their products.

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Title: Avian X customer service
Post by: WV Ridge Reaper on January 22, 2016, 07:22:03 PM
I never had any problem when I needed to get a hold of them.I do know they got bought out not long ago so if I was to lay money on it,I'd say there customer service along with the products will/have go down the drain


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Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: gotcha on January 22, 2016, 07:57:28 PM
Quote from: WV Ridge Reaper on January 22, 2016, 07:22:03 PM
I never had any problem when I needed to get a hold of them.I do know they got bought out not long ago so if I was to lay money on it,I'd say there customer service along with the products will/have go down the drain
When I scrolled the site and saw there other companies I was disappointed.They seemed to be associated with the group buying all the outdoor product companies that have a TV show painfully hard to watch

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Title: Avian X customer service
Post by: VaTuRkStOmPeR on January 22, 2016, 08:48:43 PM
Them zink boys cut their teeth on waterfowl calls and waterfowl hunting, guys.  You're in the final stretch of duck season and have another 3 weeks of extended goose seasons around the country.  The snow goose hunting is just starting to get hot now, as well.

They ain't thinking about turkey decoys at the moment.

Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: gotcha on January 22, 2016, 08:52:36 PM
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on January 22, 2016, 08:48:43 PM
Them zink boys cut their teeth on waterfowl calls and waterfowl hunting, guys.  You're in the final stretch of duck season and have another 3 weeks of extended.. goose seasons around the country.  The snow goose hunting is just starting to get hot now, as well.

They ain't thinking about turkey decoys at the moment.



Yes I understand they are hunters,even thought they might be in Vegas at the Shot Show.I would think someone is in the office holding the fort down and shipping new orders.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: kcrebel on January 22, 2016, 11:00:03 PM
I have to ask what number are you calling?  I have always called the number on their website and I have never once, not a single time, ever gotten a voicemail.  I have always had someone answer the phone in person and have always been incredibly helpful.  Their customer service is some of the best in the business. 

I broke the fan holder on my full strut decoy two years ago.  they sent me a brand new one no questions asked.  I offered to send the old one back and they said don't worry about it. 

Yes they were sold to Plano Synergy but that is merely a partnership.  The company remains in Port Clinton, OH and no one has lost their job.  Fred and his staff that duck hunt aren't the ones manning the phones so whether or not they are hunting, working at an industry show or whatever someone is always available to help out. 
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: Gobble! on January 22, 2016, 11:10:38 PM
Quote from: MK M GOBL on January 22, 2016, 12:04:17 AM
Not that this will help with your decoy problem or fix it but... a DSD won't go flat if you end up buying a new deke.

MK M GOBL

But the paint will flake off and when you call them they say they can sell you touch up paint. Still happy with the purchase just expected a different resolution. 
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: Greg Massey on January 24, 2016, 05:10:04 PM
A lot of how a decoy looks after the season has to do with the way you treat them. I've seen a lot of people buy a new shotgun and after one season it looks 10 year old...so it again has a lot to do with how you use stuff...
Title: Avian X customer service
Post by: TauntoHawk on January 24, 2016, 05:14:00 PM
I emailed them about a similar break, they got right back to me and sent me a replacement in a few days. Excellent service

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Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: gotcha on January 25, 2016, 05:07:43 PM
 Following up,I made contact today by phone(go figure).Lady was very helpful and appears as though they are replacing the decoy.Cant ask for more than that.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: 2eagles on January 26, 2016, 08:55:12 AM
See, l really like AvianX decoys. Turkey and goose. The problem here is that the original post makes it appear customer service is lacking and unless readers come back to this thread again, they may not buy a very good decoy. Please give a company a chance to make things right when problems occure before you post it up.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: Greg Massey on January 26, 2016, 11:23:51 AM
Glad they took care of the decoy. This day and time most company's want your business so having good customer service goes a long way.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: gotcha on January 26, 2016, 01:45:31 PM
A week old unanswered email in my experience usually doesn't end well.Likely slipped through the cracks.No intention of bashing a company on a forum hope it did not come off like that.You are correct in the follow up though,too many post go unfinished so the outcome is in question.I like the fact they are inflatable for plane travel but that appears to be the weak link.Its a pro/con deal.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: kcrebel on January 26, 2016, 11:03:20 PM
I have the entire flock of their turkey decoys since each was released and available to purchase.  They have been toted countless miles, not been cared for just used daily from mid March to end of May going on 4 years now?  Maybe 5 I forget.  They have survived three moves where they were packed in moving vans, etc.  I aired them up the day I got them and they have never been deflated.  They have the original air I put in them and best I can tell they have not lost any over that span of time.  I'm guilty of setting up my decoy set pre dawn and if birds work away from me going after the birds while leaving the decoys setup in the field.  They get amazingly hot and I have expected to see some fading or detonation in the paint but as of this post there is none. 
I don't know how you could say that there is a weak point.  I highly doubt I was able to purchase the only non leaking decoys Avian X makes.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: kcrebel on January 26, 2016, 11:05:37 PM
Quote from: 2eagles on January 26, 2016, 08:55:12 AM
See, l really like AvianX decoys. Turkey and goose. The problem here is that the original post makes it appear customer service is lacking and unless readers come back to this thread again, they may not buy a very good decoy. Please give a company a chance to make things right when problems occure before you post it up.

I agree and since Avian X has addressed this issue I would suggest taking the post down or at minimum updating the original post to something more representative of your experience.  Many folks won't read past the first couple of posts in a thread. 
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: greentag on January 27, 2016, 05:19:59 PM
mine has several shot i can hear rolling around in them where i have shot a bird close to them,they have still held air all winter without going flat,they lose a little air but takes them a few days before you can tell it,i dont know how they do that being shot but somehow they do,you would think you would'nt even be able to hunt with them.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: gotcha on January 27, 2016, 07:44:21 PM
The original post was an inquiry to the experience others may have had with the company,nothing more nothing less.I doubt I am any easier or tougher on gear than the average person,although I do deflate a couple times a year for airline travel.Not sure why a negative spin got put on this deal but once I receive the replacement I will continue to be a satisfied customer.My guess is turkey season needs to start.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: gotcha on February 21, 2016, 12:17:54 PM
 Replacement decoy arrived last week.Great to see a company stand behind their product.I took the defective one and poured it full of 2 part polyurethane foam.Its heavy now and tougher to travel with but usable.
Title: Re: Avian X customer service
Post by: Fan Club on February 21, 2016, 08:53:18 PM
I've had to replace all of my first generation Avian X dekes (breeder, feeder, lookout) for the same reason. It is a manufacturing defect that they are well aware of. The top of the stake tube was glued to the inside of the decoy with epoxy that melted in excess heat...every one let go when the dekes were out in the hot sun.

I took them back to the sporting goods store where I bought them. The Mgr called Zink Customer Service and they Ok'd replacing them on the spot. Good thing because we're talking about $225 dollars worth of dekes. The new design decoys (w/ shock corded legs) have a small phillips head screw and washer on top of the back covered with a rubberized sealant to remedy the situation.

Even though I carry all of the decoys in a large mesh decoy bag, I still put each individual deke in it's own cloth carry bag. This keeps the beaks and feet from poking through the mesh, protecting the paint and avoiding potential damage.