Another kit sent to my house?

[Littlest bit]

I'm waiting for results in batch 452 - according to my pending results screen, it's expected 4/18/12. But about a week ago a brand new kit was in my mailbox! Looking at my order history, nothing recent has been sent. I sent an email to FTDNA under the "contact us" thing for problems, but no one has gotten back to me.

What next? Should I assume the first test failed, and just redo and send it back? Wouldn't they have told me that before sending another kit? Did this happen to anyone else?

Thanks!

[efgen]

Your order history won't show that a replacement kit has been sent. You should have received an email, though, or perhaps there's a letter in the kit? Even if not, as long as the kit has your correct kit number on it, then yes, definitely do the swabs and send them back.

When did you place your order? And what test did you order? If you ordered Family Finder, fresh swabs are sent to anyone who doesn't have at least one unopened vial in storage.

Helpdesk is working its way through a large backlog of email, so that's why you haven't received a quick response.

Elise

[Littlest bit]

We'll completed the second test and sent it back. I'm really surprised that I still haven't received any notice that the first test failed---it still shows "452 4/18/2012" in Pending. And no feedback from my email either.

It's just strange

[Littlest bit]

Still no communication from FTDNA - didn't respond to my message, no indication on my order history that the first test failed, still says batch 452 "in progress" with an expected of "4/18/2012."

I wonder if they'll note when they get the second kit? I doubt it, as they made no note of sending it to me...Very, very strange.

[lgmayka]

Still no communication from FTDNA - didn't respond to my message, no indication on my order history that the first test failed, still says batch 452 "in progress" with an expected of "4/18/2012."

Unfortunately, this bizarre behavior appears to be FTDNA's standard procedure when it looks like your DNA samples are about to run out. FTDNA does not want a lack of DNA samples to delay testing, so they send out a new collection kit when your current DNA stock is "running low."

The bottom line is that:
- Your previously ordered test is (probably) still continuing.
- You were correct to fill up and return a new set of samples.

Individual SNP tests are sometimes an exception. I have run into situations in my project in which the SNP test was halted--sometimes for months--due to lack of usable DNA, yet no one was told. Even if a new kit was sent, the recipient--who may have submitted the initial set of samples merely as a favor to a relative or friend--doesn't know what to do with it, and so does nothing. This is why a project administrator has to check occasionally for long-delayed tests that are still incomplete.

[Littlest bit]

Unfortunately, this bizarre behavior appears to be FTDNA's standard procedure when it looks like your DNA samples are about to run out. FTDNA does not want a lack of DNA samples to delay testing, so they send out a new collection kit when your current DNA stock is "running low

I would say this is a nice feature, except this is the first test ever. There have been no previous tests with the sample.

[lgmayka]

I would say this is a nice feature, except this is the first test ever. There have been no previous tests with the sample.

Did you send in two or three test tubes, or just one? Perhaps FTDNA has already determined that only one test tube has a viable sample.

[Littlest bit]

Each test kit came with 2 vials: both were sent in each time for a total of 4 vials now.

Oh well, if nothing else, I should have enough for multiple other tests, right? The only one I'm really considering is one to get regional information on the paternal line which 23andme calls R1b1b2a1a2f. I believe that is known as L-21 here. I've been reading this forum and it's confusing: if you get the 37 markers you get lots of matches that don't mean anything, but if you get more markers, then you don't get matches. The deep clade is only for very old - maybe not meaningful. Which test is for pinning down the region for of L-21?

[thetick]

Oh well, if nothing else, I should have enough for multiple other tests, right? The only one I'm really considering is one to get regional information on the paternal line which 23andme calls R1b1b2a1a2f. I believe that is known as L-21 here. I've been reading this forum and it's confusing: if you get the 37 markers you get lots of matches that don't mean anything, but if you get more markers, then you don't get matches. The deep clade is only for very old - maybe not meaningful. Which test is for pinning down the region for of L-21?

I suggest joining the R-L21 project since the admins can better advise you on the quickly changing branches. See http://www.familytreedna.com/public/R-L21/default.aspx . It's not stated at the web page but 23andme tested R1b1b2a1a2f confirms L21 status. See http://ytree.ftdna.com/index.php?nam...arent=56121532 for all the details on these branches. I have no idea what's included in the deep clade test nowadays but certainly many of the branches are not.

L21 is a huge group as far as number of participants and is highly tested in the US/UK. As a result it's not uncommon to have many 37 marker matches that turn out to be too distant at 67 markers to be considered matches.

[Littlest bit]

Thanks for the links! Reading through, it appears the 67 marker is the test to take. I'll wait for my current results to post, and then see. DNA day is coming up in April...maybe they'll have a sale???

[thetick]

FTDNA has in the past 67 marker test and upgrades at very good discounts. It would be best to wait and save quite a bit of cash.

[Littlest bit]

Results back today - ahead of schedule! And the help desk got back to me. Couldn't account for why the extra kit was sent, but I don't really care.

I had my son tested for the warrior gene...he's: warrior! That means I'm part (or whole?) warrior...? For me, it's all about autism research, but I admit, I'm tickled with it. My husband is jealous and now wants to be tested...ex-Navy Seal, and all. I'm ex-Army, so I earned my "cred." The rush of new test results...