Cera Sim Customer Service

[Tako_Kichi]

You often see posts complaining about this or that developer or simulator add-on store but rarely do you see a thank-you when they go out of their way to help.

I recently made a purchase directly from the Cera Sim website but ran into problems when the download failed to complete and the zip file refused to open as it claimed it was a corrupt file (it was only 18-20 MB instead of 180 MB). I tried 5 times to get a good download and used up my allocation of available downloads. When I tried to send a support request I got a warning from my browser that my attempt to access the site had been blocked as there were potential security issues with the site.

At this point I was getting worried that Cera Sim had been hacked and that my CC details and/or PayPal info had been compromised so I put a stop on the payment through PayPal. I managed to make contact with Jon from Cera Sim via email today and he very quickly went to town to put things right! I got an email link to a direct download for the file and it came in without an issue. When I ran the installer I got to the part where it asks for a serial number to complete the install and then I realized that because the downloads never completed fully I didn't have one!

Another email was sent and Jon replied within 30 minutes with a serial number so that I could complete the install. I plugged in the number and my new helo installed seamlessly! My allowed downloads had also been reset on my Cera Sim account too.

It turns out that Cera Sim were doing some website updates (we all know how that goes after our recent debacle with forum updates) and I happened to make a purchase just when things were in a state of flux at their end hence the corrupt downloads and failure to contact them using their website tools. At the end of the day Cera Sim stepped up and provided excellent customer service and I fully appreciate their efforts. It's nice to see good customer service in action in these times.

Thanks for everything Jon and enjoy one of these for your efforts!

 

[Clipper759]

Simply love their Helos. Have the Bell 412 and the magnificent Blackhawk. Will surely buy more now.

 

[Tako_Kichi]

I have had the 412, 222, and AS365 for years now and just picked up the 212. I've never cared for the Blackhawk VC much (I have the default Virtavia one in P3D and flew it once I think before stuffing it in a back-up hangar off-sim) as the gauges are so hard to read and you have to zoom in so close to read them that you can't see where you are flying! I had the same problem with the default EH101 in FSX as those glass panels were almost impossible to read too and then I discovered the now freeware Virtavia Westland Merlin (same helo, different builder) and the VCs are so different. I actually enjoy flying the Merlin now as it is big, fast and very stable, I even did a couple of repaints for it too! I hand flew it (no AP or GPS allowed) from Southern California to Vancouver, Canada last Christmas-time while taking part in the FS.com 'Heli-Fest 2' event and it was a dream to fly as it trimmed out nicely using the 'Helitrim' gauge.

The bottom line is Cera Sim helos are really well made, fly nicely and are worth the money and if you are thinking of adding more to your collection I recommend buying direct from their website as they are currently around 50% cheaper than the usual vendors at the moment (I bought all my others from 3rd party stores and just bought the 212 direct from CS).

 

[Tako_Kichi]

I just realized I never released the Merlin repaints I did!

This is what they look like:

 

[Clipper759]

Thanks for the tip Larry. I just downloaded the Merlin. Looks like fun.