Traxxas They sold me an intentionally defective RC truck so they can sell spare parts. RIPOFF Plano Texas

Bruce,

Here is what I can tell you about these vehicles. I own one called the "slash" in addition to a stampede and I have personally jumped them over 25 feet horizontally and about 8 feet in the air without damage. I have run them into a cement light poll at roughly 20 mph. I dipped them in a pool. I even drove the slash off the roof of my house once and none of this broke the vehicles. I regularly do something that the other person referred to as "bashing" and for the most part, they don't break even when you think that there is no way they should have survived their last beating. I am an engineer for a living (not for traxxas)  and I have found that they put lower factors of safety on parts like the spur gear and axle carriers than adjacent components. They do this because these parts are easiest to get to while doing repairs and they also tend to be cheaper than other parts. It is actually quite nice because while they still are very durable, it is better to be able to pick what breaks if something has to than to end up breaking the most expensive and hardest to access part on the model.

Having said that, I would encourage you to buy a walmart brand RC and do some of the things I have described above to it. Make sure it is going the same speed too and let us all know how that goes for you. At least walmart has such a return policy that you can return the unrecognizable pile of scrap that will inevitably result. Similarly, the Traxxas models come with training mode now, where you can set the throttle to half power. Set it on that and it will still go faster than the walmart cars and you will be hard pressed to ever break anything again.

Whatever you decide to do, these are models, not toys, and they are not for everyone. This is what is so wrong with this country lately. Nobody takes responsibility for anything any more. You son shouldn't be chasing an out of control toy of any kind to begin with. It seems that the real thing that is out of control is your son if he doesn't stop when he is told to and that is just bad parenting. I had a stampede when I was 7 years old and I knew how to use it properly and still have it in working condition. Another problem is sending him the message that you can jump into something without doing any research on the nature of the hobby or even reading the instruction manual for that matter, and then blame the company when things go wrong. The nature of the hobby is that these things are pretty sturdy but they are not invincible; nothing is. You need to have a grasp on the type of repairs and maintenance that something like this requires and developing your skills by practicing with it at low speeds initially like the manual probably suggests is a good idea too. If you don't want to do this, you should probably sell it because you are just going to cause yourself more headaches. I do ask that you take some responsibility and also stop attacking everyone else on here, including people who were a lot more civil than me and who frankly, didn't say anything wrong or aggressive at all.

...should not be in the hobby. "Bruce" is clearly one of these folks. I am a die hard RC fan, and have owned vehicles from ALL of the major manufacturers. I'm not talking about the junk you buy at Walmart. I've run nitro, electric, 1/5 scale, ground and air vehicles. I've had issues with probably most of the vehicles at one time or another. Never once did I go on the internet and slander a company like you did. "Intentionally sold you a defective Stampede?" Not even close.

You were inexperienced and you bought a truck that was way out of your league. I can almost guarantee what YOU did to cause your runaway. You turned the truck on before the transmitter, instead of reading the manual and turning the transmitter on first. Without the transmitter on, any interference can and will cause the truck to take off. Hence the reason you turn the transmitter on first, common sense. I recently spent $350 on a new Traxxas Emaxx. I ran it a few times and the servos both stripped out.

I called Traxxas, registered my serial number, and they sent me two brand new servos free of charge. Ask ANYBODY that has used Traxxas' customer service and see what they say. I'm sure you'll find that by dragging their name through the mud like you did was totally asinine and unnecessary. Do us all a favor, and stick to the Walmart stuff so you don't get hurt. By the way, the President of Traxxas is Mike Jenkins. Do some Googling around, you'll find his contact info.

Bruce,

I am a skydiver and a Traxxas enthusiast. If I should hit the ground while parachuting whom should my wife call to complain about the malfunctioning equipment?

I have 4 Traxxas trucks for myself, 10 YO son and 7YO daughter. The trips to the hobby store are countless. However, nothing made me madder than when my battery fell out after flipping the car doing 60 MPH, I mean come on. And then after that I had to let the car rest to cool after the 30 minute non-stop 60+ MPH session.

I would say get a new hobby, maybe... say skydiving. If anything goes wrong there you won't have to worry about replacing parts...probably.

bruce,
try this tip you simply pickup the phone and call traxxas to refund your money if they refuse then threated them with a message like for example "refund my money or i,ll call the BBB) I hope this helps

all r/c's are made of the following

Plastic
aluminum
Graphite
Carbon fiber

now if you run into something such as mailbox post,cars,or curbs of course your going to break something. i have a revo and a t maxx also had a traxxas Nitro ruslter, i bought that back in 1998 it lasted until 2002 when i sold it off for something bigger and better.

Traxxas Customer Support is excellent i never hada problem with them when i called in. 8 years old (HMMM) did you read the part in the owners Manual where it stated some adult supervsion is required for kids under a certin age? and if your modle was missing the (BODY CLIPS) a somple phone call would have got you some (FREE) Replacements to you.

i have never heard of a electric R/C not stopping when the breaks are applied, Now if your (ESC) electronic speed controler has Reverse set then (YOUR) stampede will go into Reverse. .

all r/c's are made of the following

Plastic
aluminum
Graphite
Carbon fiber

now if you run into something such as mailbox post,cars,or curbs of course your going to break something. i have a revo and a t maxx also had a traxxas Nitro ruslter, i bought that back in 1998 it lasted until 2002 when i sold it off for something bigger and better.

Traxxas Customer Support is excellent i never hada problem with them when i called in. 8 years old (HMMM) did you read the part in the owners Manual where it stated some adult supervsion is required for kids under a certin age? and if your modle was missing the (BODY CLIPS) a somple phone call would have got you some (FREE) Replacements to you.

i have never heard of a electric R/C not stopping when the breaks are applied, Now if your (ESC) electronic speed controler has Reverse set then (YOUR) stampede will go into Reverse. .

all r/c's are made of the following

Plastic
aluminum
Graphite
Carbon fiber

now if you run into something such as mailbox post,cars,or curbs of course your going to break something. i have a revo and a t maxx also had a traxxas Nitro ruslter, i bought that back in 1998 it lasted until 2002 when i sold it off for something bigger and better.

Traxxas Customer Support is excellent i never hada problem with them when i called in. 8 years old (HMMM) did you read the part in the owners Manual where it stated some adult supervsion is required for kids under a certin age? and if your modle was missing the (BODY CLIPS) a somple phone call would have got you some (FREE) Replacements to you.

i have never heard of a electric R/C not stopping when the breaks are applied, Now if your (ESC) electronic speed controler has Reverse set then (YOUR) stampede will go into Reverse. .

all r/c's are made of the following

Plastic
aluminum
Graphite
Carbon fiber

now if you run into something such as mailbox post,cars,or curbs of course your going to break something. i have a revo and a t maxx also had a traxxas Nitro ruslter, i bought that back in 1998 it lasted until 2002 when i sold it off for something bigger and better.

Traxxas Customer Support is excellent i never hada problem with them when i called in. 8 years old (HMMM) did you read the part in the owners Manual where it stated some adult supervsion is required for kids under a certin age? and if your modle was missing the (BODY CLIPS) a somple phone call would have got you some (FREE) Replacements to you.

i have never heard of a electric R/C not stopping when the breaks are applied, Now if your (ESC) electronic speed controler has Reverse set then (YOUR) stampede will go into Reverse. .

WOW such trashing of a GREAT company who makes great products. Please do us all a favor sell your stuff on eBay and stop bashing Traxxis.
The T-Max product kept HUNDREDS of small Mom and Pop hobby shops open during tough times. Traxxis is TOPS in my book for the THOUSANDS of families they have provided income for. They sell great product for little money.
GET OVER IT!

I have had other trucks in the 1/10 class and by far this one stands up to what I do to it. I have had a shock cap blow or broke a wheel off at high speeds when hitting a moving car I was trying to pass. I know that this complaint may or may not be warrented. IF you had taped the call with the customer supprt then I would have to say "please produce the call". I have had many late night calls with their tech team and found their advice to be useful. They explained to me how I was setting up the motor wrong and that is why I was stripping spur gears. I guess you can't please everyone. I hope this doesn't scare you off from the hobby of radio controlled trucks cars or what ever. My son who will be 3 soon loves the hobby as much as his old man does. Just rememeber to ask questions when buying or entering any hobby,lots of them.
My record jump with my pede is 27 feet long at full throttle. Its ok to be a novice,all experts started out that way.
Have fun.

Bruce -

It appears that you have found yourself in a hobby that is not well suited to your needs.

Here are my recommendations, as a satisfied user of Traxxas' (and other RC manufacturers') hobby class models:

* If you wish to write to the mysterious president of Traxxas, then write a letter addressed to "President, Traxxas". This is a pretty orthodox way to handle complaint letters.

* Cut your losses by selling your Stampede on consignment at the local hobby shop, or on eBay.

If you choose to stay in the hobby:
* realize that you will have to grow a particular driving skillset, and wrench on the model. It's what the hobby is about.

* Be reasonable, unemotional, and calm when complaining to a company. CS Reps generally want to help and are in a position to do so. Antagonizing them is counterproductive.

And, finally, some general points I would like to make:

* It is unlikely that a company will refund your money for something you did not buy from them (accessories).

* It is hardly the fault of a corporation if a child goes running after a product. My Traxxas manuals recommend close adult supervision at all times the model is operating or being maintained.

* Running into things will hurts parts, which may fail immediately or later. There are no models made which will withstand poor driving. Buying parts and repairing the model is what we do in this hobby.

* If other hobbyists on this topic disagree with your position it may be time to consider the possibility that you are misunderstanding the situation and your role in it.

I hope this helps.

Are right all the time. So narrow minded that when the world tells them they're wrong, they don't believe that, they're the only ones right and the rest of the world is wrong.

Thanks for your input. it amazes me how otherwise "real" people feel they need to be advocates for a big company that refuses to stand behind their products and their claims. Right on the box (I DID NOT WRITE IT OR MAKE THE CLAIM) they claim that the Stampede model is durable.

Durable means it is resiliant from and stands up to normal use at the speed it delivers. It broke almost immediately!

Contrary to your expert knowledge of physics, it should come with a bumper which would protect it from most if not all damage. the language and claims on the box also imply that it's "high clearance" protects it from damage. I did not write this stuff, Traxxas did.

Regardless, something this expensive should be returnable, based on the claims Traxxas itself makes. When you talk to them after the fact their attitude is caveat emptor, or buyer beware.

They are deceptive, intentionally so, and they will go the way of the dinosaur due to loss of customers. Also, they are being investigated for misleading statements/advertising, safety problems, etc. If they are not shut down they will shut theirselves down.

Maybe you should get a job with them, Bill. You sound just like them; that isn't meant to be harsh on you, it's just true. THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE THE CLAIMS THEY MAKE ON THEIR PACKAGING AND THEN JUST BLOW OFF COMPLAINTS.

I am not going to read your reply or any further input from this site. I have had it with this subject.

Thanks for your input. it amazes me how otherwise "real" people feel they need to be advocates for a big company that refuses to stand behind their products and their claims. Right on the box (I DID NOT WRITE IT OR MAKE THE CLAIM) they claim that the Stampede model is durable.

Durable means it is resiliant from and stands up to normal use at the speed it delivers. It broke almost immediately!

Contrary to your expert knowledge of physics, it should come with a bumper which would protect it from most if not all damage. the language and claims on the box also imply that it's "high clearance" protects it from damage. I did not write this stuff, Traxxas did.

Regardless, something this expensive should be returnable, based on the claims Traxxas itself makes. When you talk to them after the fact their attitude is caveat emptor, or buyer beware.

They are deceptive, intentionally so, and they will go the way of the dinosaur due to loss of customers. Also, they are being investigated for misleading statements/advertising, safety problems, etc. If they are not shut down they will shut theirselves down.

Maybe you should get a job with them, Bill. You sound just like them; that isn't meant to be harsh on you, it's just true. THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE THE CLAIMS THEY MAKE ON THEIR PACKAGING AND THEN JUST BLOW OFF COMPLAINTS.

I am not going to read your reply or any further input from this site. I have had it with this subject.

Thanks for your input. it amazes me how otherwise "real" people feel they need to be advocates for a big company that refuses to stand behind their products and their claims. Right on the box (I DID NOT WRITE IT OR MAKE THE CLAIM) they claim that the Stampede model is durable.

Durable means it is resiliant from and stands up to normal use at the speed it delivers. It broke almost immediately!

Contrary to your expert knowledge of physics, it should come with a bumper which would protect it from most if not all damage. the language and claims on the box also imply that it's "high clearance" protects it from damage. I did not write this stuff, Traxxas did.

Regardless, something this expensive should be returnable, based on the claims Traxxas itself makes. When you talk to them after the fact their attitude is caveat emptor, or buyer beware.

They are deceptive, intentionally so, and they will go the way of the dinosaur due to loss of customers. Also, they are being investigated for misleading statements/advertising, safety problems, etc. If they are not shut down they will shut theirselves down.

Maybe you should get a job with them, Bill. You sound just like them; that isn't meant to be harsh on you, it's just true. THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE THE CLAIMS THEY MAKE ON THEIR PACKAGING AND THEN JUST BLOW OFF COMPLAINTS.

I am not going to read your reply or any further input from this site. I have had it with this subject.

Thanks for your input. it amazes me how otherwise "real" people feel they need to be advocates for a big company that refuses to stand behind their products and their claims. Right on the box (I DID NOT WRITE IT OR MAKE THE CLAIM) they claim that the Stampede model is durable.

Durable means it is resiliant from and stands up to normal use at the speed it delivers. It broke almost immediately!

Contrary to your expert knowledge of physics, it should come with a bumper which would protect it from most if not all damage. the language and claims on the box also imply that it's "high clearance" protects it from damage. I did not write this stuff, Traxxas did.

Regardless, something this expensive should be returnable, based on the claims Traxxas itself makes. When you talk to them after the fact their attitude is caveat emptor, or buyer beware.

They are deceptive, intentionally so, and they will go the way of the dinosaur due to loss of customers. Also, they are being investigated for misleading statements/advertising, safety problems, etc. If they are not shut down they will shut theirselves down.

Maybe you should get a job with them, Bill. You sound just like them; that isn't meant to be harsh on you, it's just true. THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE THE CLAIMS THEY MAKE ON THEIR PACKAGING AND THEN JUST BLOW OFF COMPLAINTS.

I am not going to read your reply or any further input from this site. I have had it with this subject.

I Have a 9 year old son, who i bought the same truck for on his birthday.

I have many hobbies, the reason I chose the Stampede truck by traxxas is was first and formost price. and that it was electric and I know that he is to young for a gas powered car.
I think I paid under $200.00 for the truck.
ready to go that means it incuded the controller, and receiver and was allready assembled. and is a great learning or beginner truck. It was built as entry level item.

$200.00 that does not include the charger or batteries.

Plus the fact that parts are easy to obtain.
most hobby stores stock all the parts locally.
and that the parts are inexpensive.

This truck can reach speeds of 20 plus miles a hour, at that speed hitting anything will break.
bumper or no bumper. Its made of plastic, not titanium.

My son has done some pretty rough stunts with his with no problems.

The Device you speak of is called a Failsafe, it is designed to stop the car in case of a failure with the radio and signals.
they cost approx $30.00 and are available at every hobby shop.

you assume that traxxas should include such devices on their lowest cost entry level products. If they did you would not have paid under $200.00 for the truck. your not going to get higher end parts on the Basic model.

I run 1/5 scale R/C cars
made in italy.
these cars are 2 stroke gas powered and they run $2000-$3000 Each they go approx 70+ mph
they are made of titanium and metal.
I have to order parts from europe, and it takes 6 weeks and no part is under $60.00.
And yes even the most expensive have problems all the time.

I can see that you feel ripped off, but take another look in the hobby store at what you expected this to have and what a truck with what you expected actually costs.

You expected a failsafe or a radio with a failsafe built in.

you expected big bumpers able to withstand 20 mph impacts. no one makes or could make them.
somethings got to give its simple math.
(If you did not notice the bumper on this truck are the front sponge tires)


the repacement parts for the stampede are not that expensive.

No I dont work for traxxas and I personally dont run traxxas i run bergonzoni cars and r/c boats.
i bought the traxxas for my son.
everyone who has hobbies knows this. 30 minutes running 20 minutes fixing..

It seems you are used to the Tyco r/c stuff and not really Seeing the speed diffrence tyco is 5-7 mph tops.

you also admitted you bumped the trim adjustment
that would cause it to go out of control and crash. (not traxxas fault)

A external failsafe would not work in that situation because the radio is working fine.

the best thing you could have done was shut the radio off ending the signal to the car and it would have stopped on its own. (so it does have a failsafe sort of built in..) or a automatic feature to stop the truck...


by bumping the trim even by accident would sent it at full speed forward or reverse out of control.

you are blaming traxxas for your own actions.
If you would have taken the time to read the directons, learn the controls, and teach your son what you would have learned this all could have been avoided. i did not let my son even run his truck past idle till I felt comfortable that he could handle it.

hopes this helps you

Like I said in my response to your rebuttal, I will not read any further input from you, "Raymond". Save your breath; I did not read your new response and won't waste any more of my valuable time on this nonsens. Traxxas is a screwed up company.

They obviously need drone, busybody loyalists like you to perpetuate their fraud on unaware consumers. This is why Wal-Mart and other big retailers are putting small businesses and unethical operators like Traxxas out of business.

They give refunds without question because they want their customers to be happy. Traxxas has its head buried in the sand and is too stupid to realize that if they were honest and backed their products with a money back guarantee and/or stopped making false claims on their packaging, they would do much better.

They will eventually fail like so many other devious manufacturers have.

You have accused me of making false claims and saying that I am probably a traxxas employee. I said nothing offensive in my previous post but you personally attack me. I am in no way connected with traxxas accept in that I own multiple products from them.

I only posted because I believe that the blame you are assigning to traxxas is unfair. This whole thing is user fault. Four of my trucks have the same breaking system as the stampede and I have NEVER had a problem. You said that the steering went out yet now you are talking about how I should create a new braking system? How would that have helped in the case of your accident if you didnt attempt to use the current brakes in the first place.

If you did, this wouldnt have happened. I have also ran my truck without a bumper before and I didnt run into anything so nothing happened to my truck. I am sorry if I offended you in some way but I think If you were to get in an accident in a real car you wouldnt blame the car company so why do you blame traxxas for getting into an accident with one of their products? Oh and you talk about how my post says the same thing that traxxas said in another.

I looked up the post that I believe you are talking about and I dont see anything that wrote even closely resembling what they did. Im sorry if you are so upset but dont take it out on someone who is just making a legit point.

The comments and rebuttal from "Raymond" in "Hollywood" are indicative of a surrogate of Traxxas, a stooge of Traxxas, or actual employee or legal rep of Traxxas, though it purports to be a disinterested third party. That could be (further) fraud by Traxxas if this turns out to be true. It reads like their other rebuttal posted re: another customer, so it was probably written by the same Traxxas employee.

Of course, some how, they got the complaining party to relent somehow. In the slight chance it was written by a "real" person, you need to mind your own business, Raymond, and stop insulting me and my small son.

The box makes misleading and false statements, the controls are VERY confusing and work backwards if not set perfectly, the braking system is extremely defective since it is tied to the overly sensitive control system, all my previous comments are clear and accurate and apply to the problem of this "toy" being intentionally and/or inherently defective.

The owner of the RC shop I bought it from paid for and did the repairs to it out of his own pocket, though I paid for a bumper which SHOULD have come with the truck. He said he wouldn't ask Traxxas to reimburse him because he has had too much trouble with them already. Raymond, you are a busybody or a fraud/stooge and need to mind your own business.

If you're such a hotshot on RC "toys" then maybe you should invent a way to make them safe, reliable and durable. I would recommend that you do NOT make false, misleading claims and statements on your packaging, if you go into the business, to the effect that your product is [strong and durable], like Traxxas does.

You may come up with another smart a-- rebuttal to this counter rebuttal, but i won't dignify it with a response. One way or another you are a fake and/or are in denial about the problems of this "toy".

Lastly, if RC toys are "just like real cars" like you assert, when it comes to crash reliability, well, you need to think about that one, genius. Do you have any idea how many millions of dollars a year go into research on developing crash damage reducing bumpers on real cars?

That is a rhetorical question where I am concerned because i won't read your faked up answer. Cheap versions of this kind of toy from department stores have very elaborate bumpers on them.

This one I bought from Traxxas has no bumper, but claims it is durable. Nonsense! Traxxas and manipulators like you, "Raymond", need to be honest and admit this is a problem, quite possibly an INTENTIONAL one to sell more parts to people foolish enough to be sucked into that deception. At the very least the truck should come with a good bumper!

If you can't see that then you just have a nice day. While you're at it, maybe you should take the bumper off of your car. Then it will be safe and durable like a Traxxas RC vehicle; NOT!

By the way. This is clearly an intentional scam on the part of Traxxas since they steadfastly deny there is even a problem. They obviously want to defend their untenable position so they can freely go on duping parents and their children out of large sums of money to fix problems they fail to correct/prevent for future models. Your two-dimensional, hollow argument makes me sick.

This is a prime example of an otherwise good company missing the importance of the old addage, "The customer is always right." Traxxas finds a Clinton-esque spin way to reverse that axiom. The toy is INTENTIONALLY defective and any reasonable person can see that. Traxxas needs to wake up and smell the coffee and stop jerking people around with their machinations.

My name is Raymond and I have been in this hobby for about 3 or 4 years. I own six traxxas vehicles and have never had a problem with their products or service. I understand your concern but what you must understand is that these issues are clearly identified in your trucks instruction manuel. You 8 year old son should not have been running the model without you helping him. These things are common in this hobby and happen with many different brand RC's. Bumper or not, hitting something with a rc truck that goes at this speed will cause damage. It is not the fault of the distributor that your son hit debris and damaged the steering. Let me alos add that if your steering went out, a driver that knows what he or she is doing could easily apply the brake and bring the vehicle to a stop. The steering mechanism and the throttle/brake mechanisms are seperate. damaging one servo will not stop you from using the other servo in your case the brake servo. I see this as a case were the user is at fault. If you or your son knew how to properly opperate the vehicle, you would have known to apply the brake when your steering went out. In any case, the manufaturer didnt make you hit something, the driver hit something. It is no different than a accident in a real vehicle. You talk about not wanting to spend the money on a device that would have otherwise stopped this mishap because it should be included for safety. Part of this hobby is the ability to purchase performance parts and build up your vehicle. This part is optional. In any case, it would not have helped you because it is designed to apply brake when you lose signal or the battery dies. This did not happen. Your steering was damaged and so it was up to the driver to apply brake.

Ray