Christopher
Woodbine,#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, December 25, 2006
I bought my daughter a Meerkat 50 about 2 years ago for her birthday. Great price, quick and informed shipping right to my door. Her age at the time was 4. I know minimum age is supposed to be 6, but as the parent I think its my perogative to decide when my child is ready for a particular product. That being said I think this next part could have eliminated this persons problems. These atv's are cheaper for a reason.... I'm not saying they are junk or "cheap" in quality, just not built as well and to perform like the $2500 Honda, Suzuki etc.. models. Actually my daughter still has her first atv and it still starts, runs and performs like the day we recieved it and her younger sister is now learning to ride it. If you TRULY do your homework and research these "cheaper" atvs you can get a great deal on a "learner" for your kid. And even two years ago, the advertising on the 50 stated that all you had to do with the semi auto was put it in 1st or 2nd gear and govern it till your child got used to it instead of buying the fully auto and losing performance. -Lesson to take away is this, don't blame the retailer or manufacturer for your own lack of research and understanding of a product. -Truly do your homework and ask lots of questions to be sure you FULLY understand what you are buying on the internet. -And if your going to buy a "knock off" for a "good price", don't expect it to perform like a $2500 model when you only paid $600 and that was with shipping included. You truly get what you pay for and research. Nobody but Walmart will take something back you've used and nothing is truly wrong with and give you your money back, and even they will make you bring it to them or ship it back. I think there are a lot more people out there that are pleased with their dealings with Wicked Rocket that not. And I'll bet those people did their research first, asked questions and knew what they were buying before the actually clicked the button that said "I agree with these term" and "Buy Now".
Danny
Kennett Square,#3Consumer Comment
Wed, November 08, 2006
1st off the Meerkat 50 is rated for children age 6 and up. With a manual version 1st gear at a set 5mph limit will have much more power to overcome obstacles due to it being in a low gear, while an automatic is void of any lower setting to kick in to overcome anything that may get in its way. If i'm not mistaken I beleive the Meerkat 50's have a kill lever in the rear that can have a rope attached to it. In the event of too fast of a speed or impending danger the rope can be pulled and the engine will shut off. Not that it's an excuse but perhaps noone will call you back is that your demands thus far (wanting a new trans, replacment, etc)are unreasonable. If you wanted a vehicle for 5 year old that goes 5 MPH then an ATV was a bad choice. I have Peg-Perego products in my store rated for 6-8 year olds with a top speed of 8MPH. At 5MPH an automatic ATV will get stuck in the grass. I don't see how any of this is the sellers fault, sorry, especailly after agreeing to refund your money. What more do you want them to do, and what did they do wrong in the first place for you to claim they ripped you off?
Lawrence
bristow,#4Author of original report
Wed, January 18, 2006
Well, it's been some time now and I haven't heard from the manager or owner from Wicked Rocket after my last post to Matt. I'm still waiting... For all of those people who gave me a hard time. What do you think now? Even if I was wrong it would be nice to discuss this with the manager and or owner. To anyone reading this you might want to think twice before ordering from Wicked rocket!
Lawrence
bristow,#5Author of original report
Sun, January 15, 2006
Hey Matt, I'm glad to hear that it worked out for you. But as you can see I'm not having such an easy time of it. You were lucky. Matt was able to help you. Matt and I are butting heads when it comes to solving my particular problem and I would like to speak to someone else. I'd galdly talk to someone else and not bug Matt...but, nobody returns my calls or e-mails. And I haven't been given the opportunity to speak with the owner yet either. Matt was very helpful with the other problems and I'm sorry he has to be bothered with me on this one. But like I said, I'm still waiting for either the owner or management to contact me. For more inof on Wicked Rocket go to the Better Business web site and you'll see I'm not the only one that's had trouble getting through to someone. Thank you for your input on this matter.
Matt
Springfield,#6Consumer Comment
Sat, January 14, 2006
My name is Matt, I also live in Virginia and I purchased a 250cc Automatic ATV from Wicked Rocket in August of 2005. I have had several problems with the ATV, but all have been resolved due to the high-quality customer service at Wicked Rocket. I have left messages and emails and all have been returned. Perhaps not as promptly as I would like, but all were returned. They even went to bat for me with FedEx when replacement parts were not delivered/lost in transit. Given my experience with WR, I will say that I am shocked to hear that you've had such difficulty in getting any response. Regardless, ease up on the "kid"...Matt's been most helpful to me and it seems he is more than willing to work with you on this. I understand your complaints about the service, but try to be realistic with your expectations.
Lawrence
bristow,#7Author of original report
Thu, January 12, 2006
Do I think that Dodge would give you another motor if the automatic didn't perform the same as the manual...hmmm. Well, if the automatic had to have someone push it to get it going up a small hill or over a clump of grass...then YES!!! To everyone that is reading these posts, I've created a web site call www.wickedrocketsucks.com. That's how angry I am with this whole situation. If a picture can tell a thousand words, then video could write a book. I'm going to make a video of both models side by side to show everyone the difference! Then it won't just be my word it'll be actual video documentation! Both bikes will be governed down to the same point and will have riders of the same weight and the terrain will be the same. Then we can talk about this whole Dodge theory. The difference between Dodge and Wicked Rocket is they're actually a reputable and responsible company. Wicked rocket is just a bunch of criminals. By the way to everyone that is reading this, I still haven't heard from Rachel the "manager" or the owner of the company. The only reason I'm dealing with "the parts kid" is he's the only one that will return my e-mails. And actually for that I thank him...BUT since we are butting heads I would like to know what the owner of the company thinks. So Matt, you have my e-mail address, why don't you have the owner e-mail me with a response. I would like him to tell me why he's willing to have his company's reputation ruined over a $375 dispute. I looked into the replacement cost for the motor already from another company and it's $375 with shipping included. So if this doesn't work out for me I'll have no other alternative. Now if I was blowing smoke and causing all this trouble just to get something for free do you think I'd spend over $100 to start a web site as a beacon to other potential buyers? If I end up buying a replacement motor I will post a picture of the receipt on my web site. So Matt, ask the owner to e-mail me with his thoughts on the matter.
Matthew
Indianapolis,#8REBUTTAL Individual responds
Wed, January 11, 2006
Lawrence: Do you think if I told Dodge to give me a new motor and transmission under warrantee for my car because it did not perform like a manual, they would honor it. I am not knocking Dodge at all, I am very happy with my car, but I am using it as an example. First and foremost, do you think they would even do that with me not having the old one back first? Come on now. Second they are going to ask me why I do not like it, what do you think they would say if I say, "it does not have enough power?" Again Dodge's customer service and dealers are great, and I will buy another Dodge, but what you are asking is unreasonable.
Matthew
Indianapolis,#9UPDATE Employee
Wed, January 11, 2006
Kim, Kim I appreciate your comment, and I do have to agree with you. "The kid" in the parts department is me. We did have the 4 speed model he has mentioned, he chose the fully automatic model with electric start and an alarm.
Wally
Warana,#10Consumer Comment
Wed, January 11, 2006
Hi Lawrence. All I can offer is moral support, I'm afraid. I agree with your sentiments and have got to the stage where I will never purchase anything on the net from any business that I don't know. If I can't touch it and feel it and talk to a professional about it I don't buy it. The theory behind the net is wonderful. Unfortunately the realities are quite different. You, the consumer, have to pay your money up front usually to a business that does not have any items in stock. At some time after receiving your money they place an order with their supplier for the item that you had a reasonable expectation would be delived to you by then because you had paid for it. Why do they sell this equipment on the net? Because they can make it sound so wonderful. This business got you simply because they stated that it could be governed back to 5mph and that is what you wanted. They didn't lie but they didn't tell you that it would be useless at that speed. If you had of walked into your local ATV store and tried the unit they said would throttle back to 5mph and it didn't work you would not have purchased it, would you? Support your local business people. You may pay a little extra but remember that they have the overhead of leasing or buying retail premises, employing staff, have a lot of stock on hand for you to view and have to make a profit to stay in business to service what they sell. Good luck in your quest for satisfaction but don't hold your breath. As for the other comments made by an obvious supporter of ripoff companies they are laughable!! You did nothing wrong except put your trust in a 'business??' that is happy to mislead their customers and offer no solution to their inferior practices.
Lawrence
bristow,#11Author of original report
Wed, January 11, 2006
Kim, did you actually read my complaint? If you did you would have understood that the company made a claim about a product that they are selling..that it could be governed down to 5 mph. Could it, yes, does it work...NO. I WANT MY SON TO RIDE AT 5 MPH, READ MY COMPLAINT AGAIN!!! I don't want to teach him at the 20 mph setting!!! I own a 4-wheeler myself and wanted my son to be able to ride with me on the trails. I guess I should wait until he's at least out of college before I teach him how to ride a bike, 4 wheeler, drive a car, or anything else right?...yeah okay! I know fully well what a 50cc automatic 4 wheeler should do and this one doesn't even come close to performing the the way it should. In addition to that, my son never got the chance to "get smoked" by other kids on their atvs BECAUSE HIS CAN'T GO WHERE THE OTHER ATV'S GO...DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT CONCEPT? If you govern the standard Meerkat down to 5 mph it goes all over the place. Even if I take the speed governor off it still won't even come close to going the same places!!! As far as talking to the kid in the parts department, guess what...he's the ONLY one who will talk to me or e-mail me and I had to go through the Better Business Buraeu and this web site just to make that happen. Why don't you go to the BBB and check out good old Wicked Rocket for yourself. okay, let's say I'm just mad that the product I bought doesn't perform the way "I think it should run" and I'm completely wrong (which I don't think I am) trying to get someone at Wicked Rocket to talk to you on the phone is like pulling teeth! I asked for Rachel (the "manager") as well as e-mailed her but never got a response. After repeated attempts either by e-mail or phone I still couldn't get a hold of anyone. So I did try and consult with the surgeon for heart surgery but he wouldn't return my calls or e-mails...what am I supposed to do. Maybe you can answer that, eh? Oh by the way KIM, the majority of complaints against Wicked Rocket are for what I just explained. They NEVER call you back! As far as returning it to the for an exchange, the cost to ship this bike back was anywhere from $300 to $400. I paid $600 for bike itself. In addition why should I have to pay to return something that isn't my fault? By the way Kim, thank you for your incredibly helpful remarks. They're almost as helpful as the other guy! I hope you never buy anything that doesn't work the way it's supposed to! Especially over the internet and for a large amount of money! Whatever the outcome and whoever is in the wrong, even if it's my fault for not doing more research "as you say" the facts still remain...right or wrong, I tried to resolve the problem but was never given the opportunity to do so. I can tell you that I won't spend that type of money over the internet without consulting the BBB! That's for SURE!!!
Lawrence
bristow,#12Author of original report
Wed, January 11, 2006
I read your reply to ripoffreport.com and had to laugh. The warranty period is 90 days. Okay, I bought it on 10/21/05 and received it on 11/22/05. Either way you look at it the bike is still in warranty. 90 days from 10/21/05 is 1/21/06 and 90 days from 11/22/05 (which is the day I actually received the bike) is 2/21/06. That's number one. Again, does the bike work...YES IF I WANT TO TEACH MY 5 YEAR OLD SON HOW TO RIDE A 4 WHEELER AT 20 MPH!!!! Second, the reason I had to go to ripoffreport.com and the BBB is because you NEVER RETURN MY CALLS OR E-MAILS. I HAD TO RESORT TO THESE MEASURES JUST TO GET A RESPONSE FROM YOU!!!!!!!! If you buy a new TV, wouldn't you expect that it would display at least half of the channels that your cable company was supplying you. Well, if this bike was a TV I'd be getting 12 of the 120 channels available to me. Not only that, why should I have to pay to return a bike that clearly doesn't perfom the way your web site said it would? Besides I changed my mind about swapping the bikes out and would be happy to just get a replacement 4-speed engine...UNDER WARRANTY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lawrence
Bristow,#13Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 11, 2006
I read your reply to ripoffreport.com and had to laugh. The warranty period is 90 days. Okay, I bought it on 10/21/05 and received it on 11/22/05. Either way you look at it the bike is still in warranty. 90 days from 10/21/05 is 1/21/06 and 90 days from 11/22/05 (which is the day I actually received the bike) is 2/21/06. That's number one. Again, does the bike work...YES IF I WANT TO TEACH MY 5 YEAR OLD SON HOW TO RIDE A 4 WHEELER AT 20 MPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Second, the reason I had to go to ripoffreport.com and the BBB is because you NEVER RETURN MY CALLS OR E-MAILS. I HAD TO RESORT TO THESE MEASURES JUST TO GET A RESPONSE FROM YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you buy a new TV, wouldn't you expect that it would display at least half of the channels that your cable company was supplying you. Well, if this bike was a TV I'd be getting 12 of the 120 channels available to me. Not only that, why should I have to pay to return a bike that clearly doesn't perfom the way your web site said it would? Besides I changed my mind about swapping the bikes out and would be happy to just get a replacement 4-speed engine...UNDER WARRANTY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kim
Memphis,#14Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 11, 2006
Is there really a 5 year old kid that needs a 156lb toy that goes any faster than 5 mph? You special ordered the fully automatic atv because the standard one is a semi automatic one. Did you bother to research it before you ordered it? Did you think about how a manual transmission in a car compares to an automatic transmission? Would you have even had a complaint if the neighbors kid wasn't showing up your kid when they were out playing on the atvs? But you do start complaining. And you talk to the kid in the parts department. Why would he know if you could return the atv? Isn't that like asking the receptionist at the hospital to do your heart surgery? They actually agree to let you return it, even though they shipped the exact product that you ordered, and it works exactly as it was described and how you understood it to work before you ordered it. You don't think that you should have to pay the shipping costs, or maybe it was the amount of shipping costs. I mean who would think that a bulky 156 lb atv could be crated and shipped for less than $300? You then wanted them to send you a new engine, for free I am sure. You weren't ripped off. You got exactly what you ordered. You're just pissed and/or embarassed that your kid is getting smoked by the other kids on atvs.
Matthew
Indianapolis,#15UPDATE Employee
Wed, January 11, 2006
Please review our return policy. http://www.wickedrocket.com/returns.cfm Even though Mr. Knott was past due on the return policy, I was going to take his used ATV back. The warrantee is 90 days, which we were coming close to an end there also. As you can see his ATV runs fine; when you govern it down it will lose power, which is common sense. This hold true even on automobiles, how many race cars do you see that are automatic? Mr. Knott received his order as he purchased. Shopping Cart for Order#: 20051021xxxxx 1 Meercat 50 SE - Color: Yellow Camo - Price: $605.92 - Shipping: Free Mr. Knott wants me to send a motor for something which works absolutely fine. I still will take it back if he wishes to send it back to me. Mr. Knott agreed to all of our terms when he made the purchase. I feel that for me to take a 2-3 month old used ATV back if more than fair. If Mr. Knott needs anything he can email me direct, [email protected] .
Matthew
Indianapolis,#16UPDATE Employee
Wed, January 11, 2006
Please review our return policy. http://www.wickedrocket.com/returns.cfm Even though Mr. Knott was past due on the return policy, I was going to take his used ATV back. The warrantee is 90 days, which we were coming close to an end there also. As you can see his ATV runs fine; when you govern it down it will lose power, which is common sense. This hold true even on automobiles, how many race cars do you see that are automatic? Mr. Knott received his order as he purchased. Shopping Cart for Order#: 20051021xxxxx 1 Meercat 50 SE - Color: Yellow Camo - Price: $605.92 - Shipping: Free Mr. Knott wants me to send a motor for something which works absolutely fine. I still will take it back if he wishes to send it back to me. Mr. Knott agreed to all of our terms when he made the purchase. I feel that for me to take a 2-3 month old used ATV back if more than fair. If Mr. Knott needs anything he can email me direct, [email protected] .
Matthew
Indianapolis,#17UPDATE Employee
Wed, January 11, 2006
Please review our return policy. http://www.wickedrocket.com/returns.cfm Even though Mr. Knott was past due on the return policy, I was going to take his used ATV back. The warrantee is 90 days, which we were coming close to an end there also. As you can see his ATV runs fine; when you govern it down it will lose power, which is common sense. This hold true even on automobiles, how many race cars do you see that are automatic? Mr. Knott received his order as he purchased. Shopping Cart for Order#: 20051021xxxxx 1 Meercat 50 SE - Color: Yellow Camo - Price: $605.92 - Shipping: Free Mr. Knott wants me to send a motor for something which works absolutely fine. I still will take it back if he wishes to send it back to me. Mr. Knott agreed to all of our terms when he made the purchase. I feel that for me to take a 2-3 month old used ATV back if more than fair. If Mr. Knott needs anything he can email me direct, [email protected] .
Roy
Bealeton,#18Consumer Comment
Thu, January 05, 2006
With a name like Wicked i wouldve stayed away from the Rocket and wouldnt have got burnt.