Probkens with Weatherwise

[dsc3507]

Just a note to anyone who might consider buying from Weatherwise Instruments. I made the mistake buying a WS-2080. I thought they were just selling an Ambient Weather WS-2080 as a rep for them. It turns out they are a competitor to Ambient Weather. The hardware is probably the same but they must buy it from the same source and put their name on it. It is tempting to buy from them as they are cheaper and offer free shipping BUT my unit was DOA and getting a hold of them is nearly impossible. They publish no phone number and they do not respond to multiple emails. If this is a one man operation then they should at least have someone there answering emails within 25 hours.

Ambient weather is a first rate operation with phone technical support, web chat support and they fully stand behind their products. I ordered another WS-2080 from Ambient Weather and now I guess have to fight with my credit card company to get my money back from Weatherwise.

Before I realized that Ambient Weather was a competitor I called them for technical support. They ran me through some troubleshooting and when they could not resolve it they said they would immediately send me out another with a UPS return sticker for the defective one. At that point when they asked for my order number We realized that I had not dealt with them. I apologized but realized I had made a mistake not picking them in the first place.

Right now Ambient Weather's cost is about $8 more plus a $16 shipping charge but they charge about half for the better radiation shield so the total is not that much different. I am definitely sold on Ambient Weather. Don't buy from anyone that does not answer or have a phone!!!!

[NO0C]

Hi dsc3507,

I received my Weatherwise WS-2080 on Tuesday, 21 Aug. After assembly, there was no indication of wind speed, nothing but 0.0. Everything else worked fine, in fact the rain gauge made it's maiden voyage this morning.

I had the same problem getting a hold of Brian at Weatherwise. The toll free number (877-452-2116) yielded only an answering machine. Phone calls were not returned nor was e-mail to support@weatherwiseinstruments.com .

I finally ran down a phone number, 561-277-8170, and talked to Brian on Thursday and he explained that he has had some family issues recently and advised me that he would have a new wind speed sensor mailed to me. It was mailed Friday and I expect it early next week.

Update: All is well. Sensor arrived via USPS Monday. Very good customer service once contact was made. I now have a spare on the shelf as I repaired the original.

Like you, I did not realize the two were competitors with 2 different branded products (same hardware) and had made a chat contact with a rep at AW to discuss some things I didn't understand from the manual, before I had received my station. He was very informative and I now wish I had purchased from them, but that is history and hope the new wind speed sensor solves the problem.

Good luck.

Regards,

[Buford T. Justice]

I ordered a 2080 from them. Apparently they have a warehouse/order fulfillment center somewhere in Arkansas. I had a smug reply e-mail about the 2080 from Ambient so I decided to go with Weatherwise. Weatherwise is slow answering e-mails.

EDIT...

I received my tracking information and my unit is shipping from Pennsylvania. I like how the website at http://weatherwiseinstruments.com/about.htm says, "In Stock – everything ships direct from Arkansas facility".

Buyer's remorse is already settling in

[dsc3507]

Well I have to say again, buyer beware with Weatherwise. I finally went to my credit card company and they started an investigation of the order and company and credited me my purchase price. I bought through paypal but paid with my credit card on file with them. If you have a good credit card company (mine is citibusiness cards) I would say the best thing to do is let them take care of it even if you used paypal.

I also found out in my research that weatherwise instruments has a very poor BBB rating. They have numerous complaints. Unfortunately I did not check this BEFORE I made my order.

So here is where I stand. I now have two transmitters and two consoles from weatherwise which do not work in any combination. They have been very unresponsive in answering my emails and when they do, it is short and rather cryptic. You would think if they were interested in their reputation they would be more responsive. I still have not heard back from them about the disposition of the faulty equipment that I have. I suppose if they never call me I will have a few spare sensors. During this month I was fooling around with weatherwise I purchased a complete system from Ambient Weather that worked out of the box, is installed and reporting weather to wunderground.

Neither of the WS2080 consoles that weatherwise sent me work with the ambient weather WS2080. I have another Ambient weather system on order from Ambient Weather and when I get it I will see if the two transmitters I got from Weatherwise work with the Ambient Weather console. I would imagine parts from the two companies would be interchangeable but who knows maybe they are not.

I would never buy anything again from Weatherwise.

Ambient Weather has all the parts for this system available for purchase and in my correspondence and ordering with them have been very responsive. A world of difference to weatherwise. I do a lot of ordering on the Internet and this is the first time I have been burnt like this. I learned my lesson that the cheaper site is not always the best and you need to do your research. Buyer Beware.

[Buford T. Justice]

I guess I got lucky because my Weatherwise WS2080-PC has been working flawlessly. I agree that their customer service department needs a major kick in the pants. If you want to get rid of your faulty Weatherwise equipment, please send me a PM.

[Wunderwise]

Hello,

This is Brian the owner of Weatherwise. I would like to personally apologize for the support delays experienced shortly after losing my long time co-business partner. The loss was emotionally challenging but we have successfully picked up and are now in a better position to support our customers.

Business operations has been relocated from Arkansas to Florida where we can more effectively serve our growing customer base. We can be reached 9-5pm M-F EST at 877-452-2116 and support@weatherwiseinstruments.com

We are readily available to answer questions, troubleshoot hardware issues and offer additional product support. We stock a complete inventory of new and replacement parts in our USA fulfillment warehouses. Please feel free to contact us anytime for assistance. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you Steve from Sandaysoft. We highly recommend your Cumulus software in the pages of our Pro Weather Station manuals!

Best Regards,
Brian H.