Poor customer service by Maxsea and C-Map, or don't sail to Easter Island

[Paul L]

So I buy two big electronic chart packs from Maxsea with Jepperson C-Map charts in them. The first one is:
Costa Rica to Chile to the Falklands. The outline of the area shows all of the west coast of S. America on their web purchase page.
The second one is called Oceania.
S. Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia.

The 2nd package goes as far as Pitcairn Island, but does not have the Easter Island chart in it. The first package goes all the way down the west coast of Chile including the offshore islands of Fernadina. But does not have Easter Island in it. Easter Island is a S. Pacific island and it is part of Chile.

So poor Easter Island fell through the cracks. It should have been in both packages. After a dozen e-mails to Maxsea they say ithe Easter Island chart is actually in yet another package of S. America. I said, fine, how about giving me the unlock key so I can get the one missing chart I need. They offered a discount on the other kit of 290euros. No way am I paying to 290euros for one chart that they left out of the packages.

Argh!

[JPA Cate]

If you're okay about doing it this way, why not buy a detail chart (paper) of Easter Is., if it is one of your intended destinations?

If you're not used to dealing with paper charts, try to fold it in such a way that you don't get creases where they might cause you grief.

Ann

[Paul L]

I'm not sure the paper chart will be readable when I fold it small enough to tape it onto my chsrtplotter.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Paul L

I'm not sure the paper chart will be readable when I fold it small enough to tape it onto my chsrtplotter.

Yeah, right! Suggest a large clear PVC envelope for it, and use if from the cockpit when you need it. Could be stored at the foot of a double bunk under the mattress, if you have no chart table.

A

[leftbrainstuff]

Proprietary charts are a complwte pain in the butt. AFAIK only the US, New Zealand and Brazil have avoided proprietary charts.

Australia followed the UK in encrypting with DRM.

The paper chart suggestion is probably your best bet.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Mirar]

So we sail down the western shore of Rapa Nui , Hanga Radio find's us miles out on their radar system, it is a very deep water approach, what would you want for a chart? If you have prepared at all you would know there are no off lying dangers, Really, there is a limit to how prepared you need to be. I would propose that if you would be uncomfortable with this type of landfall, you should stay ashore.
this from a miserable old professional mariner.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Mirar

So we sail down the western shore of Rapa Nui , Hanga Radio find's us miles out on their radar system, it is a very deep water approach, what would you want for a chart? If you have prepared at all you would know there are no off lying dangers, Really, there is a limit to how prepared you need to be. I would propose that if you would be uncomfortable with this type of landfall, you should stay ashore.
this from a miserable old professional mariner.

Yea, what kinda of a numbie would want to have a chart for some run-of-the-mill island that everyone goes to anyway, like Easter Island. I mean really what could go wrong after a 1,900 mile passage And the nerve to think after paying over $1,000 on electronics charts to ask for the one missing one. As you say, I really should go back to the comfort of home and do more preparation. Thanks for chiming in with your thoughtful insight.

[Bulawayo]

Errrr - professional at......? You have totally missed the point. If charts have been missed out then it is us (and not United States, but rather you, me and others!) that is loosing out. Instead of giving us the benefit of your sage advice we could all write an email expressing our disappointment to the manufacturer / supplier such the we (me, you, others etc) do not have to keep putting up with such commercial tactics. It is not Paul that has erred but the supplier. Rather poke them.

[Bulawayo]

Agree with Mirar - if you had prepared you would have looked at the chart.
Oh yes, silly me, you did exactly that but C-Maps decided it would be better, for them, not to include Easter Island as they could then rip you off for another purchase. Looks to me that you are preparing more than I do. Good luck, Paul, and let us know your final solution. Some of us are frustrated at such suppliers ineptitude and realise who is really at fault.

[Andrew B.]

Maxsea is now off my list of 'possibles'.

Thanks for the heads up Paul L.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Andrew B.

Maxsea is now off my list of 'possibles'.

It is Jeppeson/CMAP that is the problem. Maxsea is one of many programs that use these charts. Just making that distinction so that you don't end up running from Maxsea right into the arms of another program that catches you in the same situation.

It is Jeppeson/CMAP you want to avoid if this is an issue.

Mark

[autumnbreeze27]

I won't be buying any charts from Jeppeson/CMAP. If you paid with a CC you should do a chargeback for failing to deliver.

Go to every website that sells their crap and leave reviews about how they are missing charts and tell you to just spend more money.

I'd be pissed off too if I spent $1000 on charts and found out they shorted me some, and expected me to spend more money to get the missing ones.

[Andrew B.]

Thanks. It's that old, but sad refrain "Buyer beware".
Paul's loss is my gain though as I will be sure and ask specifically what's in
any chart bundle I might purchase.

Originally Posted by colemj

It is Jeppeson/CMAP that is the problem. Maxsea is one of many programs that use these charts. Just making that distinction so that you don't end up running from Maxsea right into the arms of another program that catches you in the same situation.

It is Jeppeson/CMAP you want to avoid if this is an issue.

Mark

[barnakiel]

I would just get a xerox copy of a paper chart and that's that.

Indeed silly attitude from Jeppesen.

b.

[JPA Cate]

PaulL,

No need to put down Mirar. He's a nice guy, with lots of sea miles. He was actually trying to help. Rapa Nui lies approximately 27.12 deg S by 109.37 W, and once you're there, his instructions would work.

I agree that you've been treated shabbily by the companies with whom you dealt, and if you cannot wangle cooperation out of them, shame on them.

If someone you meet has CMaps93 for the world, there is an electronic chart for it there. They could possibly print one out for you.

Ann