In recent months, the virtual racing community has been buzzing with heated discussions about Fanatec, a buzz that escalated following the events of Black Friday. The flurry of daily offers and certain maneuvers by the German gaming hardware manufacturer didn’t sit well with many enthusiasts, setting the stage for a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
The Black Friday Upheaval
Expanding on the discontent, the launch of the ClubSport range without Sony’s approval has added fuel to the fire. Users find themselves increasingly frustrated as the issue prolongs, met with responses that often fall short or a deafening silence from the company.
You can Pre-Order Fanatec Clubsport DD+ here!
Sony’s Approval Status
In an attempt to address the concerns, Fanatec released a statement providing an update on Sony’s approval status for the Fanatec Clubsport DD Plus. Expressing regret for the delay, the company disclosed that the review process is still ongoing, with no anticipation of receiving the license for the first product in the market, incorporating Sony’s new electronic safety features, within the next two weeks. They assure the community of continued updates on the shipping date as soon as details become available, expressing gratitude for their patience.
A History of Challenges
The Fanatec brand has always carried a halo of issues, even if not everyone has personally experienced them. One peculiar practice that has garnered attention is the upfront charging for reservations. While the waiting period for products like the bases Podium, the CSL, and now the ClubSport has ranged from weeks to months, the brand seems to have navigated this unconventional financing approach without a notable dent in its reputation.
Financial Implications
The financial implications of upfront reservation charges have come under scrutiny. Questions arise about the wisdom of relying on user financing, especially in the current global climate marked by instability. Despite these considerations, Fanatec seems to have weathered the storm without apparent repercussions, leaving observers to ponder the resilience of the Bavarian brand.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, there’s optimism about sharing more insights on Fanatec’s new product line in the upcoming months. The hope is to provide comprehensive updates once the situation stabilizes, offering a clearer picture for enthusiasts eagerly awaiting resolution.
See you on the track!
I ordered my 8 NM GT DD with 2 wheel side QR2’s and the base side on January 10th and I received my order January 22nd. No problems. I have bought from Fanatec a few times over the years. Never any problems.
Same here I went with the CSL DD Pro-bundle + Inverted V3 pedals about 1 year ago and it arrived in about 1 1/2 weeks. Now I wish Fanatec had some kind of financing program so I could pay like half up front and the rest I could pay off in the next 6 months or so. I want to upgrade to a DD1 or DD2.
The 8nm is good but with the BMW GT2 rim I lose a bit of FFB compaired to the GT7 base wheel the bundle comes with. The bundled pedals are serviceable as they are but I used die spring mods to give the load cell pedal a better feel and I bought a clutch pedal too.
But service wise they were spot on.
This feels a little light on highlighting the issues around customer support, logistics issues that have been going on long before Black Friday and the complete lack of communications.
Perhaps you should be using your platform to inform potential customers of the real Fanatec experience as this article doesn’t touch the chaos of having to deal with them
This is just my personal experience, but I ordered a CSL DD R2R bundle in Australia, and got it a week later (arriving on the 23/12/23) just before Christmas.
I was actually very impressed with both Fanatec, and Aus Post over Christmas last year. For the last month now, I’ve been having a blast!
But that’s just my personal experience.
I also find QR1 to be very tight.
Makes no noises or anything.
So again, people’s experiences must vary somewhat
I wish that they we’ve a help desk here the US that call and Someone be able to talk live person. And get help you a problem with something.
I 100% agree. So it does take them days to respond to tech questions.
I ordered 3rd January with my order awaiting the Warehouse for several weeks. I understand spikes in demand can cause issues but when you have no communication from the company it is very frustrating.
I just got into sim racing and bought about 3k work of fanatic gear in about 4 separate purchases including the just released at the time DD. All products came in a couple of days and everything worked flawlessly. There was a lot of confusion about what adapter I needed and it didn’t clearly say that I couldn’t use my gear for another month until the qr2 adapter was available. Customer support is non-existent, no answer to emails, called their German call centre during the 2 hours a day at 3am that they’re open. They didn’t answer. Ended up getting everything working nicely. My experice: Great products, quick service. Customer service needs to be overhauled and website needs to be updated and maintained
I’ve bought pedals in black Friday in November, the package was sent but returned back to their warehouse by UPS a few days later, and I’m still waiting on any single reply by Fanatec ever since, despite multiple emails sent. They took my pedals and my money. I feel outright robbed and would never recommend this joke of a company to anyone anymore.
I am in the same situation that you are… i order pedals, 2x qr2, and a shifter, and all went back!! Already sent emails, create ticktes, messages on facebook and Instagram, and no way to reach them… I will open a dispute in paypal, to see my money back… dont want nothing from fanatec anymore, i was thinking to upgrading my 8nm clsDD to clubsport DD, but with this client support, forget it!!! If we have any issue with our equipment, we cant reach tecnhical support!! BYE BYE FANATEC
Pre ordered and PAID in full for a DD+ in October, a Clubsport Formula wheel 2.5x and a QR2 during Black Friday.
The DD+ is lacking Sony approval, so there is no delivery date.
The Clubsport Formula has been delayed to 21st of March.
The QR2 sits at Febr. 14th.
Updates from Fanatec are rare.
So I ended up cancelling everything, and got my refund after almost 2 weeks, thanks to Paypal.
Fanatec customer service is yet to respond on any of multiple tickets I raised.
If you go on there forum, I am not alone in this experience. There is a reason Fanatec has a 1.6 star rating on trustpilot.
This article seriously glosses over the true depth and breadth of the issues currently (and historically) experienced by long suffering Fanatec customers.
Any cursory glance at the Fanatec forums, Reddit or any of Fanatec’s (strangely quiet) social media pages would be enlightening.
This goes far beyond the pre-order problems into issues like no customer service, no support service, abysmal logistics, lies and obfuscation from senior management and just rank incompetence.
Fanatec is easily the worst company I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. I say this after experiencing most of the aforementioned issues numerous times both pre and post the Black Friday sales last year.
This article smacks of not wanting to bite the hand that feeds it. It shows where Box this Laps true commitment lies and it isn’t with the community.
For us it easier not to write anything about it. So if we write about it, think twice who we are working for. You’re welcome 😉
Thanks for confirming my suspicions.
Maybe you would have been better off not to write anything at all
My guess is… Prepare for some flaming!
You’re welcome
Are you joking?
You need to improve your reading comprehension.
I will say my CSL DD 8nm did have the issue of the shaft not being factory tightened so the wheel mechanically is connected but the shaft is not fully seated and the base goes crazy.
The solution was to losses the nut around the shaft and simply push the shaft in and tighten the neck U shaped clamp with a small tourqe wrench. (Amazon $15) see Fanatec online specs.
Total arrogant company! Kept thousands of my GBP’s for months. Not a reply from any emails, phone never answered etc. Pay Pal paid me my money back in the end. Don’t buy from them, put them out of business. I’m a businessman of 59 years and have never ever come across such an awful business.
Really – just really.
My recommendation is to the author would be to visit Fanatec website under their Blog and Forum section – to visit other forums on dissatisfied customers. Business 101- Best business is repeat business and best advertisement is by recommendation of a satisfied customer. With my recent experience with Fanatec, I can not recommend and do not plan to repeat business. Many people including myself placed orders on Black Friday only to be left empty handed. Not having a product I paid for months ago is one thing but the lack of communication and customer service is what frustrates me the most. What is surprising is seeing individuals posting how they received their order in 10 or less days in January while folks from Black Friday are still waiting, wishing, wondering and wanting. A refund would be better that the product at this point for myself.
Have had 3 friends on my Discord racing group very, very unhappy about the lack of customer support, communication and tech support. Such a shame. Magnificent products and now I hesitate to use them.
Order my DD2 with wheel and pedals all 2k. USD November 18th one of the first days of the Black Friday sale and they took my money and never told me they had a “issue” that they didn’t have any in stock and there website was not communicating with warehouse… they didn’t respond will Jan 4 and there solution was wait till April or reorder a different wheel( they don’t have another wheel to order in stock) and you can’t get anyone on the phone… it’s been a mess I still don’t have any product and can get a response from anyone. Less than pleased with this experience. They have a good product but absolutely trash customer service and etiquette. Unacceptable
Ordered a podium base and qr2. Almost $1200. 3 weeks later, received a email about a glitch in the system between the website and warehouse. No podium bases for 3 and a half months. Absolutely disgusting company
people use DD wheels on a console?
if i want to play gran turismo or forza, chances are i also want to sit on a nice comfy couch
if i want to play with a DD wheel, id rather play a game on a platform that makes full use of it, couldn’t imagine playing sim racing games without simhub.
Ask me how my customer service was (multiple times) after having issues with many of thier products including the clubsport handbrake, csl elite wheelbase (2 times) hpattern shifter, dd1, v3 pedals, bmw wheel, podium paddle shifters, the list of problematic problems goes on and I was treated with disrespect and blamed for these products failing (most within 3 months of use). I bought more fanatec stuff not included in the list I just wrote. When dealing with customer service thier solution was always inconvenient, they would not send me out replacements with any urgency and always required they get the defective product back first (which takes around a week) then inspect it (which takes weeks or months) and then answer with some bull response. They even sent me a “repaired” csl elite wheelbase with the same damn issue. They didn’t even test it before they sent it back out.
Fanatec does good things for the sim racing community but they should invest less on marketing and more on a proper customer service model.
Don’t get me started on how they handle shipping things out. So shady.
Personally I never had an issue with them but I always paid for express delivery as I’d heard horror stories about the standard service from DHL. I think something bad may be happening at Fanatec, how much money did that new BMW GT 3 wheel cost to develop? I don’t know anyone who’s even bought it other than 1 guy on YT. Plus the Sony issue could of put Fanatec in a bad place financially, who knows though!
I received my GT DD Pro, and mclaren GT3 wheel. Broke within 2 weeks, been unable to since. 5 weeks and only 2 emails (latest email asking for serials no actual help offered or way forward).
I do not trust fanatec. Unfortunately limited in options due to PC and Ps5 compatibility requirements.
This article is just a load of hogwash.
“The flurry of daily offers and certain maneuvers by the German gaming hardware manufacturer didn’t sit well with many enthusiasts, setting the stage for a rollercoaster ride of emotions.”
This just means that customers were ticked off that they bought something only to find it on special a few days later. That happens all the time, it’s the risk you take when you buy something. Oh boohoo to the fanboyzzz!!
There is no controversy, only except what is created by the few loud and vocal minority. Never had any issues with Fanatec or their service. If something takes a little longer than expected then just be patient, wait and get on with your life.
I bought 1.5k of sim racing gear from fanatec during the black Friday sales and I am still yet to receive my purchase. I emailed to get an update and no response, they are ridiculous.
ITS ALL SONY, FUCK SONY