Honesty, pricing, process and quality scores appear once 5 customers have rated them.
About FamilyTreeDNA
FamilyTreeDNA is a pioneer and leader in the field of genetic genealogy, empowering individuals to explore their roots and connect with relatives through advanced DNA testing. Founded in 2000, we were the first company to offer direct-to-consumer DNA tests for ancestry and continue to lead the industry with our cutting-edge Y-DNA, mtDNA, and autosomal testing.With a global database of millions of testers, FamilyTreeDNA helps customers break through genealogical brick walls, discover their heritage, and uncover connections across generations. Our mission is to make the journey of discovery accessible to everyone — from casual family historians to professional genealogists.Trusted by researchers, family historians, and curious minds alike, FamilyTreeDNA offers unmatched accuracy, privacy protection, and customer support. Join our community and say goodbye to brick walls.
FamilyTreeDNA (familytreedna.com) has 261 customer reviews on Folks Told, with an average rating of 2.7 out of 5.
I should of trusted my instincts before using this dodgy site. Very un-user friendly site, compared to three other major genealogy sites that I also use. I did notice a relative that matched another sites results but the results were distant (not worth the hassle of managing another dna site) It keeps logging me out, and i use the same login info on my phone, yet it says cannot log in (so much frustration with login issues) They are eager to up-sell yet make the site so horrible to use. goodbye
MS
Mr S.
myFTDNA has & still is A nightmare to…
myFTDNA has & still is A nightmare to Use constant frustrating Software problems that have gone on for Years. Try puting infomation on their (your tree) Tree!
LivingDNA is also very Bad but not as frustrating mostly because they have not made it capable of doing anything.. I've been waiting for years.. a complete waste of money, but not Frustrating like myFTDNA.
I use 23andMe and Ancestry Ancestry being the most useful. myFTDNA they need a complete Change of Corporate Leadership and management should be forced to use their Product for 3 months at the end of which they will probably take Early Retirment
MM
Mary M. C.
Poor, slow, service. Shady, rip off company
I ordered an MTFullSequence test for them because it promised a better mitochondrial DNA test experience. I had a coupon for free shipping which I entered the code and the free shipping came up on my invoice. However when the charge came up on my credit card I found that they had charged me the shipping. When I wrote to them they basically said too bad, so sad, we're keeping your shpping cost. They also take a very long time to provide results. I did this previously with 23andMe and had my results within a couple weeks. With Family Tree DNA their projected time is like 6 to 8 weeks. And on top of that their website doesn't make any sense, nor did they ever send me a detailed, itemized receipt for my purchase, nor is it available on the website. This is a shady, ripoff company with poor customer service. I would not use them again and will tell anyone else to avoid them also.
RO
Robert O.
very rude and deceptive practices
I paid for the highest level of testing over 10 years ago. But the testing only went to 67. When I telephoned them on several occasions as the years rolled by, they said I didn't have any recent relatives that were tested. I know this is not true as I joined 2 other DNA testing companies, 23andme and Ancestry.com. I consider Familytreedna to be liars and cheats. And their website is truly extremely difficult to navigate. I believe they do this on purpose so they can get you to constantly add new services at a high cost. To this day, I never had any relatives beyond 67 test with their Company. And they are the absolute nastiest individuals I have ever encountered when it comes to customer service. In recent years the testing I paid for has become more and more worthless. And I paid a lot of money for this testing. The other two companies were much cheaper and much more useful than this website.
TA
Tarcules
FTDNA Chat Transcript with CONRAD
Chat Transcript with CONRAD
Chat started on 12 Mar 2020, 09:16 PM (GMT+0)
(09:16:50) *** CONRAD joined the chat ***
(09:16:50) CONRAD: hello
(09:16:53) *** David joined the chat ***
(09:17:03) David: Hello Conrad, thank you for chatting with FTDNA. How may I help?
(09:17:16) CONRAD: i have a problem
(09:17:37) CONRAD: I purchased your Y37 kit on 12-15-2019
(09:18:07) CONRAD: was told it would take 4-6 weeks when I purchased it
(09:18:52) CONRAD: I submitted a request and recieved notice that the first test failed and that a rerun would take another 4-6 weeks
(09:19:59) CONRAD: i have used Ancestry and My Heritage and never had a problem, i thought i would give your company a try.
(09:20:14) David: Yes, upon review I do see that information. I am sorry for any disappointment the delay may have caused. At this time, I can see that the newly extracted sample is presently running and there have not been any new quality control failures to speak of.
(09:21:33) CONRAD: how would the quality control failure happen?
(09:24:36) David: It is difficult to say, and we are not typically provided with a specific reason. In most instances, it is due to a low volume of DNA present in the initial extraction, or the sample itself may not have had as much sample present on the swab as is necessary to run a successful test. A subsequent, 2nd extraction and attempt usually resolves this issue in almost all cases. Sample failures are rare, so I am sorry that it happened in this instance. However, at this time, your testing is proceeding normally with the second extraction.
(09:25:29) CONRAD: and how long will the 2nd test take?
(09:26:07) David: Approximately 4-6 weeks.
(09:28:37) CONRAD: That is absurd. I have taken the Mt and the Autosomal before and know how to swab the sample well enough for testing. I need to have my money refunded at this point.
(09:29:28) CONRAD: it has not been approximately 12 weeks since i paid for this is has been 12 weeks.
(09:32:28) David: As I said, I am sorry for the unexpected delay, and it was not in any way my intent to imply that you do not know how to collect a sample using a cheek swab. However, our return policy states the following: "Once a sample has begun processing in our lab, the new or existing kit order is no longer eligible for modifications or any type of refund." I would not be able to process a refund request in this instance.
(09:33:03) CONRAD: i will go BBB
(09:33:06) CONRAD: thanks
(09:33:31) David: May I provide any further assistance at this time?
(09:34:55) CONRAD: I can not think of anything you can help me with.
(09:35:53) CONRAD: read your reviews
(09:36:34) David: Thank you for chatting with FTDNA and have a great rest of your day.
(09:37:01) CONRAD: enjoy my money
(09:39:47) CONRAD: When FamilyTreeDNA upated its program… When FamilyTreeDNA upated its program on 11/19, they lost all of my extensive family tree notes. They have not corrected the problem. They only offer lame "software" problem excuses. Don't subscribe to this service.
(09:40:18) CONRAD: Feb 4, 2020 Dont waste your money. If you are new to this as I was last year. They are the worst of the 4 companies I signed with. All Autosomal DNA testing companies will give you some kind of family history.
AL
Angel La C.
Save your $$$
Have been using this site since 2007 and it's hardly improved over time. Website is confusing. It's great if you want a list of names of distant relatives and that's about it. 23andMe is much better.
CO
Consumer
When FamilyTreeDNA upated its program…
When FamilyTreeDNA upated its program on 11/19, they lost all of my extensive family tree notes. They have not corrected the problem. They only offer lame "software" problem excuses. Don't subscribe to this service.
JM
Jesse M.
Ancestry will not allow you to upload…
Ancestry will not allow you to upload your FTDNA results to your family tree on ancestry. I did this test before ancestry had their own test
