Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

I'm looking for a 16" 3-blade prop with a solid hub. Biela makes a CF prop in 16 x 10 - black with yellow tips - and I'm interested, but there don't appear to be any Canadian distributors (Please correct me if I'm wrong - the only reference I found on Google was a three-year-old thread here at RCC - Biela props in Canada?)

According to the Biela website there are three US distributors:

1. Aircraft International
2. Chief Aircraft
3. Troy Built Models

I contactede each of them.

Aircraft International replied first - they want $60.00 and will happily ship via USPS (my preferred carrier from the US) Express Mail for $15.00.

Next reply was from Chief Aircraft, a rather terse message stating that they don't carry the prop in the size I'm looking for.

Last reply was from TBM. They want $53.00 for the prop. However, they consider me to be an International Customer so per their policy my first order must be at least $100... They will ship USPS but I can't have a shipping quote until after I have submitted my order. They tell me I will have the chance to cancel if I find the shipping price too high. Here's the text of the email:


I'll be going with Aircraft International for these reasons:

• They don't have a minimum order
• Their shipping fees are reasonable and available
• They were the first to respond

I find TBM's policies puzzling. I've ordered RC parts (and other stuff ) from the US dozens of times and I've never run into such restrictions. I'll be letting them know.

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

Aircraft International is awesome to deal with!
Easy and never any issue, i always get my FUCHS prop from him...

Cheers

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

Good to know - thanks Phil!

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

Have you contacted AMR about the prop. They don't list it on the site but did show some Beila props.

http://www.amr-rc.com/

I have dealt with them for a few things. Very easy to deal with.
In Canada as well

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

I agree that Aircraft International has been very good in my experience. I have not ordered a lot from them but their service has been A1.

I would personally stay away from Chief and TBM based on past experience.

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

Good to know, thanks. Based on their responses I'm not especially enamoured of either.

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

I ordered my Biela props online right from the factory itself. You can do that because they don't have a dealer in Canada. I also have 2 16x10x3 Biela props that I will not be using if you are interested. The are drilled for a DLE 30/35/55.

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

I hope you make the businesses you have contacted fully aware of your decisions and reasonings.

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

Here is a link to the factory. They have a much larger selection than any dealer carries.


http://www.smigla.com/english/about.html

Re: Ordering a Biela prop from Canada
 

I certainly did. My email:

Hi Bobby,

The Biela website lists 2 US distributors besides TBM; I have contacted all three and have decided to go with another supplier because they do not enforce a minimum order and were able to respond with a very reasonable shipping quote up front.

I read your email thoroughly and I understand where you're coming from, but I've ordered items from US dozens of times and I've never encountered (a) a minimum order or (b) shipping rates that are only revealed after the order is submitted.

Thanks for your reply,

John.

TBM's Response:

John,

I understand. I’m sorry we could not help you and ship you your items.

I will cancel your order if you would like me to?

Sorry for the inconvenience.

-Bobby Johnston
International Sales
bobby@troybuiltmodels.com
http://www.troybuiltmodels.com

Inflexible, but at least polite about it. Incidentally, I never submitted an order, but I told him if that appeared to be the case on his end then to cancel it. I'm not worried - they don't have any payment information from me.

Pete, I might be interested. My engine is an RCGF 32 and I found out to my dismay that the bolt pattern is just a little wider than the DLE 30's.

Still, I could easily fill those holes with dowels and re-drill, or just rotate the prop holes to fit. Yes, Pete, I'm definitely interested. PM sent.

Thanks for the link... Unfortunately, like so many other fine products these are represented by a terrible website. It's just about impossible to determine which prop image matches which size.

And how much do they charge to ship from Poland?