Hello everyone, I am Sean Buckner, a proud owner of a new H&E paramotor R220 Duo without a factory warranty because Andy is disgruntled with me. Andy resorts to Name Calling and personal character attacks if ever questioned about his business practices. I aslo want offer to any request, copies of all Emails, Voice Recordings, and Reciepts for validation if required.
So lets start from the beginning. July 2008, I purchased a Paramotor unit from Phoenix PPG with a H&E R220 engine with a 1 year warranty. Just to keep things strait in the beginning, Craig, the owner, of Phoenix PPG supports this warranty claim from the very beginning. Andy McAvin who is the US Importer for HE Paramotors, DID NOT. In April of 2009 the engine block cracked with only 55 hours on it in a place where the eccentric shaft goes into the block rendering the motor useless. Upon discovery, we checked my buddies motor and it had the exact same crack and his motor had only 33 hours on it. So we called Phoenix PPG and advised Craig of these cracks and Craig looked on his personal machine and his motor was also cracking in the same place, only 5 hours on it. This is when the nightmare begins.
Craig, notified of the failures including his own machine, contacted Andy McAvin and the first Story was released:
H&E was sending a representative to the states from Spain with parts in hand to fix these motors. Then,
H&E was sending all of us new engine blocks to Andy and we needed to ship Andy our motors for repair, Then,
H&E was going to upgrade our motor to the R220 Duo because they have had several problems like this before. Then,
Back to they replacement of the engine blocks. Then, finally
H&E was replacing the whole motor with a new one. R220 Duo.
All these stories all happened within 3 weeks of the failure… I knew I was in for a ride at this time so I started documenting & recording everything that was communicated between all parties involved. I never heard of a company changing thier minds so much in such a short period of time.
The Cracks
The Email Andy Sent to my buddy on June 24, 2009
From:Andy McAvin [mailto:borntofly767@verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:34 AM
To: Sam
Subject:Re: sam ppg
Hi Sam
I was not able to speak to HE this morning because I had a work commitment. However Craig spoke to them. They told Craig that they had a change of plans and will be sending the bottom ends for the 220s that need to be repaired. I don’t know why they changed after they offered to replace them with the 220 Duo. But they did. I will try tomorrow to contact them and learn more. BTW, they told Craig they would ship tomorrow.
Andy
I then sent a Email to Andy McAvin, Phoenix PPG and my buddy Sam June 25, 2009…
Sam,
After thinking about this for a while and the revolving circles that H&E, Andy and Craig have put us through, I’m stepping off the bus here. I feel my ticket has expired and I need not to ride the “Bus of Lies” any longer. My thoughts are simple. If H&E tells Andy and Craig one thing and they relay that one thing to us such as they did about the new R220 Duo to replace our defective motors…… Then Andy and Craig should make sure the end user received a R220 Duo at all costs no matter what it takes to make it happen. It’s all about integrity at this point. The matter of fact is that we were told the new motors will be here at the end of the week… Today or Tomorrow. Andy and Craig are H&E Representatives and Dealers here in the US. That means HE had to ship them 7-10 day ago. As of yesterday, nothing has been sent and we are back to the original replacing the bottom end with a new one. As you and I know this will have a HIGH probability to fail in the near future because the top in has already been broke in to a different bottom end, but hey, if they can make it get through a year with out problems the cheapest way then, that’s all they care about and what reputable engine builder puts a new bottom end on an old top end…especially in a flying machine… How about none! I am not willing to sacrifice my safety for this kind of crap nor should you. I know my motor is several years old because when I bought it craig told me it was sitting in a warehouse in Santa Barbra for 8-9 months. that’s why my air box had cracks in the rubber when I questioned craig about it and it dont even have a serial number on it! This tells me that the runs of motor lots are totally different between all three motors, There is at least Two years between my motor and craigs, so this is not a intermittent problem for cracks on the same run. If they argue they are the same run, then they do not produce enough motors to know what works and what don’t. I don’t want to be this engine manufactures test dummy. Right now I am between a rock and a hard spot! I am the type of person that believes integrity should stand above all. If I say am going to do something then I make sure it gets done. I also believe if you associate with individuals with a lesser belief then you become no better than they are. I guess that’s where the guilty by association comes in to play and if you don’t believe that is the case here then you better look again. I am tired of being hassled by all of this. There was a day that I could buy my way out of this and it will come again. But for now I’ll make due with what I have. After this warranty issue resolves, I do not want to be contacted by anyone. I will wash my hands with this and take a fresh start… I will also share my experiences with others… Seeing how I fly nearly everyday and I travel all over the United States, I’m sure that’s a lot of people I will see and share with and too bad I wont be sending them any business. I will also tell you this, If the warranty comes out to replacing the bottom end and not the top and I blow an engine on take off and sustain injuries or damage to equip or both due to an engine failure crash, I will take appropriate legal actions against all distributors and representatives rest assured. It is an unfortunate predicament to all that is involved. Friendships have been decimated through all this, but if you know there is fire, and you keep playing with it, you will get burned eventually. You have dodged a scorching from craig a few times and Im not willing to play that game anymore.
Take Care
Andy’s email response and the malicious antics on June 26, 2009!
I understand your frustration Sean. But trying to bully or threaten me will get you nowhere real fast. By your own admission, your motor is over a year old. HE only warrantees their motors for one year from the time they leave the factory, the same is true for CorsAir and Simonini. So, neither HE nor I are bound to honor any warranty issues. Also, FYI, I am the importer for HE and Craig is merely a dealer. In short, if you want my cooperation in resolving this matter then you need to be patient and stop puffing your chest out like a little rooster.
You know, this is very frustrating for me as well. I was told over a week ago by HE that they decided to send 220 Duo’s as replacements, and I passed that on in good faith to Craig. However, for some undisclosed reason they seem to have changed their minds. They should never have told me this if they did not intend to follow through on the offer. But, it is what is, at this point.
Also, you suggest that I should step up to the plate, in lieu of HE, and give you all new motors. Of course I am totally able and willing to do this because I am making bazillions of dollars selling these motors. Dream on, dude.
Bottom line, if you want my help I suggest you hang in there a little while longer and let me try to get this handled. Any further threats and I will leave you to sort this out on your own.
And lest you think you are the only one to have a problem with a manufacture of 2 stroke motors, a friend of mine just bought a new ParaToys 185 Black Devil copy which seized after just 2 flights. Until Toyota or Honda start mass producing these engines not much will change I am afraid.
blue skies!
Andy McAvin
www.Ufly2.com
713.494.1970
Importer for Mac Para Technology, and HE Paramotores
According to the motor manual page 18 Sec 3
http://www.he-paramotores.com/docs/ManualR220_en.pdf
Warranty starts on the date of sale to the first consumer. That being myself and is good for 12 consecutive months.
So, still waiting on a resolution, I sent an email direct to H&E Paramotors on June 26, 2009:
Hi,
My name is Sean Buckner. I bought a HE R220 Motor from Andy McAvin and Craig Squillante less than a Year Ago. I have 55 hours on this motor and It cracked near the Eccentric Shaft hole on the engine block. (See Photos attached) I have been told 4 different Stories from Andy and Craig about what H&E Paramotors was going to do about warranty work.
1) I was told that the Owner of H&E was flying to America to Andys shop to Repair the motor. That he was hand carrying parts to Andy shop and do the work himself.
2) Then I was Told that H&E was going to SHIP the NEW Bottom End to Andy then andy was going to do the work to repair the motor by mating A new bottom end to the old top end. (not a wise thing to do, They dont wear the same.)
3) Then I was told that we were getting a whole new motor that didnt have these problems. I believe it was to be the R220 Duo.
4) Now we are back to getting a New Bottom End Shipped directly to Craig Squillante and We have to put the motor together ourselves.
As A customer of H&E Motors I feel that I have been lied to again and again by your represenatives here in the US. I dont take this lightly and I need to know what H&E’s position is with this default in this motor. Your prompt response would be appreciated.
Thank You,
Sean
In the meantime were, Back to Getting Upgraded Motors, The R220 Duo
Word came down and we all, Craig, My Buddy, and I, are back to the upgraded R220 Duo story and they are on the way. No more replacing peices and parts. The next step is taking the broken motor back to Phoenix PPG.
The Return of the Broken Motor on July 1, 2009
I returned the broken motor back to Phoenix PPG on July 1, 2009. I had Craig sign a receipt stating for the return of the broken motor I was to receive a factory built R220 Duo as a replacement motor. This was the word from Andy McAvin & written confirmation followed the very next day from H&E Paramotors.
See copy of Receipt 
H&E Paramotor Email response to me on July 2, 2009.
Hello Sean,
Sorry about the confusion and the slow response.
We are in a difficult situation and the distance does not help to solve it quickly. I won’t get into all the technical stuff for the moment, because I just want to confirm that we are up grading your engines with the R220 Duo.
The parcel has been sent today and will be collected by Andy Mac Avin sometimes next week.
Once again, we would like to apologise for the inconveniences.
Sincerely,
Pierre J. Diet
HE Paramotores S.L.
C/ Constitución, nave 6
28511 Valdilecha
Madrid - España
Tel. / Fax. +34 918738835
Mob. +34 666454408
www.paramotores-he.com
Still nothing from Andy McAvin on July 25, 2009 so another letter was sent to H&E…
Pierre,
This is Sean again just checking on the status of out replacement motor. I have not heard from Andy McAvin that he had received them yet. I have turned in my old motor to Craig weeks ago and now I am without anything. Can you please advise. Thank you Very Much.
H&E Paramotors Email response back to me on July 31, 2009
Hello Sean,
Your replacement engine is currently with our US distributor TX Flysport. The parcel has been retained at the customs in NY… We are looking forward for your engine to be mounted on your frame and flying again.
I am forwarding this message to Andy and Craig.
We wish you a pleasant weekend,
Pierre J. Diet
HE Paramotores S.L.
C/ Constitución, nave 6
28511 Valdilecha
Madrid - España
Tel. / Fax. +34 918738835
Mob. +34 666454408
www.paramotores-he.com
Andy then sent this email to me on July 31, 2009
Sean
I am sending a motor to Craig as a replacement tomorrow. It is a motor with only a few hours that had a minor seizure when it blew the decompressor. Craig will be putting a new cylinder kit on it which includes the piston and head. This should basically restore the motor to like new.
I would like to address your comment to Pierre below, “I have had many disappointing results with the distributors here in the U.S.A”. What has transpired between you and Craig is beyond my control. Whatever Craig says or claims is beyond my control. Also, whatever I am able to offer to you in the way of warranty (which I explained was expired) is dependant on HE, not me. So, if you feel disappointed, rest assured it was not because I was not working to remedy the situation. HE was dragging out the process because of their relationship with Craig which was clouded by some unpaid bills. So, primarily Craig was the problem, and secondly, HE was at fault for poor quality control. Hopefully the issue of quality control has been taken care of because they now have there own C & C machine and can do all the work at the factory instead of depending on contractors.
May you have many trouble free hours of flight.
blue skies!
Andy McAvin
www.Ufly2.com
713.494.1970
Importer for Mac Para Technology, and HE Paramotores
Andy is still clinging to the “Out of Warranty” story even after H&E Paramotors stated they are upgrading my motor to the R220 Duo.
Questions I had that Andy never answered?
Why would H&E Paramotors send a blown up to Andy to rebuild instead of rebuilding it at the factory?
Why did my motor go through US customs in NY if H&E intended it to be a rebuilt motor that was already in the USA?
Why did Craig tell me the blown up motor came from a guy in Montana or somewhere in the northwest USA?
Can Anyone Answer these questions?
The Finally
On August 5, 2009 Phoenix PPG called and said the motors arrived. There were two brand new R220 Duo’s and the “Minor Seized Motor” in the box. Craig and I pulled the head off of the seized motor and it was not siezed, It injested a cylindrical object. You could see the impressions on the mutilated piston and head. I then removed the reed box to inspect and 4 of the 6 reeds were broken. Something went through the bottom end it appeared to get in the cylinder and destroy the motor. Craig then called Andy and asked ”If I fixed the motor with a new top end, what would the warranty be? None, NO WARRANTY AT ALL”. I told Craig that I would not accept that motor as a warranty replacement and asked what would it take to get a NEW R220 Duo… He told me he had already sold his replacement motor to Brad Ruminer, Phoenix PPG’s new company manager, and it would take $350 to “buy” the motor back from him. I went strait to the bank, got the cash, had brad sign a reciept for the $350. This almost concluded a 4 month warranty issue with Andy McAvin but the saga continues on. It just does not make sense when H&E Paramotor said they sent a R220 Duo for me and AndyMcAvin tried to push off a blown up motor. One cannot help but think that it was a setup from the begining to extract more money from the warrranty claim keeping the new motor and pawning off a blown up unit.
See Copy of $350 Receipt
I also had this email response to a letter sent to Andy detailing this website to go public with his dealings…
forgot to take your medication, I see. Got it all figured out, have you? You have a real problem, Sean, and it isn’t me. Get a life, little rooster.
—– Original Message —–
From: Sean
To: Andy McAvin
Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 7:56 PM
Subject: Issues that need to be resolved!!!
Andy,
After researching nearly everything you told me not much lined up. From the warranty that starts on the date the engine was manufactured, to the name calling, to the best one of all, “The Minor Seizure” motor that was more like an ingestion of parts with broken reed valves motor. As you know our relationship got off to a rocky start at Mo’s Flyin. I don’t know why, but that must have affected you alot, and I’m Sorry. Not much was ever said after that but I do think that your intentions on this warranty on my motor was very malicious at best. As you know by now I do have the R220 Duo, I had to pay $350 to get the motor… and I do understand that this motor is warranted for the period of one year from August 5th 2009, the day I received it.
I also want to advise you that my web developer is working on publishing a new site for me in the next week or two to outline the facts of this warranty “go around” with you and Craig. We will be publishing all emails to me from you, HE, and Craig along with written receipts and with the voice recording between parties to show how business was conducted and how things were said. Everything will be laid out in a nice, neat, time lined single page order so there in no confusion, so people will clearly see the details of how you and the HE warranties work in real-time. We are designing it so you will be able to Google, Yahoo, and query every other search engine, anything to do with HE, TXFlySports, or Anything having to do with the parties including my name too…Metatags are a way cool tool. Another cool feature, I think, we are implementing is a page counter. So when a person reads the page, it will be counted…I’ll keep you posted on the details on when its up and running. I also plan to voice my opinion and direct fellow pilots to this site everyday or every chance I get starting with the yahoo’s big list. I didn’t know there was 2000+ members just on that one site, and I didn’t know there was that many ppg sites out there. Wow, the web is really big and not everyday that things like this happen, at least I hope not, but I wanted to make the most of this one! I’m sure you understand where I am coming from and why this must be done. So having said this,
May you have many trouble free hours of flight.
blue skies!
Sean Buckner
www.SeanBucknerPhotography.com
Freelance Photographer
602-989-7267
Another Email exchange from Andy on August 25, 2009
Did you never get any love in your childhood? You really should work on your people skills because life would be much easier. Right now every opportunity is a fight for you. Life is too short, Sean. Time to grow up. I will pray for you and send love your way.
—– Original Message —–
From: Sean
To: Andy McAvin
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 8:47 AM
Subject: Re: Brake line replacement
Ohh Andy, I forgot about you! Hey, my new site I told you about is www.paraglidingtoday.com its halfway done, just have not had time to fill in the all the blanks. but it is under progress as I told you. take a look. then I will publish it on every know site to paragliding every chance I get for the rest of my life…
Thanks for the brake line info
take care
Sean
Andy’s actions as of August 25,2009 6PM
—– Original Message —–
From: Andy McAvin
To: Sean ; Sam Schippers ; Mike & Michelle Robinson ; paramotores.he ; Craig ; Adam Bell ; fgoshen@gmail.com ; mo@airparamo.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:08 PM
Subject: ***SPAM*** Re: Needed to know something, well not really!
Since you want to make this a community post I will oblige you, Sean. I have nothing to hide or feel ashamed about. This whole absurd fiasco began because of your seeming inability to communicate in a mature way without insults and threats. You need to work on your people skills in a big way, dude. Common decency and politeness will go along way with me, instead of acting like a common street thug or playground bully. You burned your bridges early on because I will not tolerate such abuse. I even offered an olive branch after
your first barrage of insults and you would not take it because your life is nothing unless you have someone to blame for your inadequacies.
And you do not scare me, dude. come to think of it, you are more like a mosquito than a ‘little rooster’.
Have you ever considered who will supply parts or technicals support for your 220 Duo in the event that you need them in the future? No one! Because no one wants anything to do with such a pathetic loser. good luck and get a life. I will continue to pray for you.
—– Original Message —–
From: Sean
To: Sam Schippers ; paramotores.he ; Craig ; Adam Bell ; Andy McAvin ; fgoshen@gmail.com ; mo@airparamo.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 6:32 PM
Subject: Needed to know something, well not really!
Andy,
I now have a new nickname, “Little Rooster”… I want to know when will I get upgraded to a Chicken Hawk? Is that in my near future?
The real reason for this email is to let you know the site www.paraglidingtoday.com is finished for the most part. It was so fun putting together, I thought I would just get it done today and out of my hair!
It will be frequented on all of the following:
1) Yahoo’s Biglist, Para-Flyers, PPGTruths, and a few others
2) www.AZPPG.com under bulletins
3) www.AGHA.org under forums
4) www.Facebook.com to all my buddies on there. Be my friend so you can see, LOL.
5) www.Myspace.com and here
6) Emailed to HEparamotors once a week.
7) And best yet “word of mouth” to everyone I meet that owns a wing.
Business Cards are in the making now, Ill send you one. I’m sure you will not need many. Would you like the magnet ones for your fridge or the plain ones that you can throw in the trash?
9) Bumper stickers – What a Great Idea!
10) Maybe a billboard outside your shop,, opps I mean your storage unit! so all your clients can have fair warning…
and I just started… Wow wee Wow, how fun.
Check it out, the links are already posted on each of these sites.
BTW…..I haven’t felt the love yet Andy, you know, the stuff that you said you sent with your prayers!!!! Must be like everything else you send, stated brand new, but all used up. All you are is TALK and NO GO… As for me, I deliver as stated…
Blue Skies
Sean
Andy’s Public Responce On August 27,2009 on Yahoo’s Biglist Group
Here is the real scoop. Those of you that have worked with me over the years
know that I try my hardest to take care of customers. But I expect to be treated
with common decency. When someone starts acting like a bully and makes
unjustified threats, then the gloves come off. Sean would have you believe that
he was entitled to a warranty with his motor. This is not the case because the
motor was over 2 years old and had around 50 hours. For all I know he could have
had a bad prop strike which caused the issue. HE Paramotores and I were not
required under warranty to do anything for Sean, especially with his ill
mannered behavior. Initially, I gave him a stern warning and told him to back
off when he post an offensive, aggressive email, and yes, I called him a ‘little
rooster’ for acting like bully (shame on me!).
He could have backed off and apologized and I would have been willing to take
care of his motor issues. But instead he kept acting like a juvenile. Frankly, I
think he needs to be on medication. I have spoken with several other folks who
have had run-ins with Sean and they are in total agreement.
Sean had been going behind my back to HE, but when I told them the full story,
HE agreed that he did not deserve to get a new motor, but rather we would supply
him with a rebuilt (Sean would say “blowed up”) engine which, again, is more
than he was entitled to under warranty. My reasoning was that whatever we gave
to Sean would never be enough because he needs someone or some thing to blame
for his unhappiness. I guaranty this is the story of his life.
Craig at Phoenix PPG decided to give Sean another chance and ended up giving him
a new HE220 Duo instead of the rebuilt, as I suggested. Big mistake!
Sean could be out flying his nice new motor right now instead of airing his
dirty laundry. The sad thing is that he actually has a brand new HE 220 Duo with
no service or warranty because he has burned a bridge. Let’s all pray that he,
and Dell, all the rest of the crazies in our great sport get the love and help
they desperately need.
Andy McAvin
Another Posting By Andy on the BigList Group
What Craig said was his deal and not something he conferred with me about. I
know when the motor passed through my shop, and it was several years ago. I know
it had also been flown before you bought it. So, technically, it was out of
warranty. Can I get any clearer than that, Sean? So, anything that I or HE
wanted to do for you was out of goodwill and not covered by warranty. But you
used up our goodwill because you refuse to communicate in a civilized manner. If
you would grow up and stop acting like a spoiled 2 year old you will find that
life will get much easier.
HE was going to give you a new motor. But when I told them the story about the
way you operate and that the motor was 2 years old, they agreed with me. I have
already written this. I also told them not to deal directly with you any more.
That is why they are not responding to your demands, in case you wondered.
I am sure the members of this forum are totally bored with this soap opera. I
apologize and hope you can see through Sean’s charade.
Peace, Sean, love ya buddy!
My final thoughts are ones that if Andy does not like you or you do not agree with him for what ever reason and he knows he has you hostage to his gear, then he will manipulate the situation to his financial advantage. All I ever wanted was to be treated fairly and recieve the same warranty as Craig and my buddy. That’s all!
Andy’s McAvin Training Method, Take a look and see if you want to be his next VICTIM!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsb6Fue4Jz4&feature=channel_page
September 4th, 2009 I got a call from a former student of Andy’s and we had a indepth conversation about his training methods. He asked me not to use his name in fear of being cut off from the parts Andy supplies. He directed me to this Youtube Video of Andy teaching a gal to fly… She has absolutly NO wing control and Andy McAvin sees this clearly after several failed attempts.. He should of pulled her out of the trike and let her kite her wing for more control experience… Instead, HE allows her to continue on in the very dangerous condtion of no control in strong wind… Lucky he didnt get her hurt!!! Ever who is in that video needs to find another instructor in my opinion!!! Do you want this to happen to you?
