Help Please - What is the trick to ship warranty returns to HobbyKing

[DanWard]

Even after being back in this hobby for about 10 months I find some issues that I'm absolutly at a loss on and therefore I come to the group to see if I can leanr from others experience.

As time progressed I'm moving away from HobbyKing and doing more of my purchasing from LHS, 3DHS, Headsuprc, etc.

But I can not escape that some of my original purchases were from HobbyKing. And to be honest I have yet to find a better battery source (better as in bang for the buck since I'm on a budget).

My Accucel 6 failed and HobbyKing tells me via email that it is under warranty (I've attached a copy of this email).

So I do the RMA thing from thier web page. This gives me an RMA number and a shipping label. Here again I have attached both.

I then write a return letter, something to put inside the package as a just in case measure (see attached). I wanted to breifly describe the failure as it occured and the actions that I took based on thier input.

So I print out the shipping address they gave me and wrote the RMA number in the provided area. I then put the Accucel6 and letter inside a box, taped the completed shipping address on the ouside of the box and carried it to FedEx for them to ship it back to Hobby King for me. I completed all shipping documents to reflect the ship to address as provided by HK on their shipping address label pdf file.

This all sounds correct so far, right?

So now the fun begins. I track it on FedEx. Please see the attached. It was released to the local FedEx facility for delivery on 12/2 and was sent out for delivery. But the delivery failed. FedEx says the address is incorrect. But how could that be? The address is printed from the form provided by Hobby King.

I've called Hobby King several times and they assure me the address is right and after that they indicate they can not help me. They can not get in touch with FedEx in China to get my package delivered.

I've called FedEx to assure them the address on the package has been confirmed as being correct. I also confirmed I provided them with the right China phone number so FedEx should be able to call HK and get it straightened out. I also gave FedEx the customer service email address for HK.

Yet here it is, seven days later, and my package continues to sit in the local FedEx facility in China. FedEx is telling me they may have to abandon the the package as undeliverable or if I'm willing to pay freight they can ship it back to me.

If I wasn't living it I'd swear it was a made up story. Anyone see a problem with how I went about returning it? Any suggestions?

I purchased the Accucel 6 based on a lot of reviews and positive commens I read on the web about it. I actually have 2 of them and the other works great. But this experience is telling me that while my purchase price might have been atractive service after the sale might have been something worth paying more for the base unit price. Maybe if I paid more for a charger it wouldn't have failed and if it did fail maybe it wouldn't have been such a hassle with warranty?

I don't know but I'd like to learn from the experience of others so if you have anything to share please do so.

[radialarm]

Most of us HK customers don't bother sending stuff back. Usually the price of shipping and then return shipping is more than the item is worth, plus the time involved. Hobbypartz is good for things like battery chargers, and offer free shipping.

[DanWard]

Hey thanks for the heads up. I went to HobbyPartz and looked at their chargers. Some were out of stock which may mean they are the ones to have so demand is high thus out of stock. But on others it appears that they will accept dual voltage input? When at home you could plug them into the wall? When at the field you can power them from a DC source such as a car battery?

Must say that I did not see much in the way of specs not that I'd know much about them.

I guess I'm asking for recommendations. I know I'm building a plane now that will use 4S 4000mah Lipo and some of the newer technology batteries will allow charge rates greater than 1C.

Obviously I don't know much but I'm trying. Anyone care to point me to a good charger? I just can not afford the big fancy expensive ones. I'm sure they are great but I am on a budget and will have to compromise. My better half would shoot me if I tried to justify a $100+ charger when I've been using a much less expensive one for 10 months now

[radialarm]

I've been using this one for over a year now, and have no complaints.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html

[flydiver]

You may get some happy warranty people but I'm in radialalarm's camp. I accept that a certain % of this stuff will be defective and that's the price of buying it cheap. Returns to HK just sound like way too much hassle and added expense to the pain of disappointment already.

Hope you figure out a way to resolve this. You sure look like you've done your homework. I'm watching the thread...just in case.

Do your homework on the chargers. Those dual input AC-6 clones for the most part are exactly the same unit as the none AC-powered ones with a 5A laptop charger under that extended part. So they really aren't a great shake better, the PS is one more thing to fail taking the whole unit down, and most are limited to 50W. If you are stepping up in power you will want more charger capability and will need the PS to go with it. Power costs.

[Henry Sistrunk]

I use hobby King Rhino batterys. I have found this site to be just as good and I have had good service from them. I have 12 of their batterys. 4 and 6 cell.
Henry http://www.valuehobby.com/

[rcers]

It is part of the Chinese tactic. Bad address "we never received it" and you are stuck.

[FlyingMonkey]

If I was of the devious sort...

I'd repackage it in the original box, and bring it to the post office and ask to "return to sender"

[CHELLIE]

When Buying Items from over seas, its always a Crap Shoot, It will cost you more time and trouble to try to send it back for warranty than whats its worth, Soooooo what i do is, Dont even Worry about trying to send something back, EAT IT, you have already saved enough money buying items below current US market prices at HK to Absorb any small losses on Defective products So, Dont Worry, Be Happy

Don't Worry Be Happy Bobby Mc Ferrin [SMILE]

[Lieutenant Loughead]

The solution is to buy Hobby City items LOCALLY. Shipping is faster and costs much less. And you have someone to talk to if something goes wrong.

I'm really surprised more people haven't figured this out! (Check out my web site at www.KarglUSA.com) <--Shameless plug.

[FlyingMonkey]

Originally Posted by Lieutenant Loughead

The solution is to buy Hobby City items LOCALLY. Shipping is faster and costs much less. And you have someone to talk to if something goes wrong.

I'm really surprised more people haven't figured this out! (Check out my web site at www.KarglUSA.com) <--Shameless plug.

I am blown away that more local businesses don't carry HK products.

[Glacier Girl]

Seems like you have a problem with Fed Ex. Fed Ex is Fed Ex whether it's US or China.
If it was me, and I'm a cheap skate who will waste time on the phone to get what I want, I'd call back US Fed Ex and when the rep tells you there is nothing they can do, you ask for a supervisor, and keep working your way up the chain.

On the other thing, can you imagine the hurt HK, if they ever get their act together over here, would put on the other US suppliers.

I know for me the only thing that holds me back from making small purchases from them is the time delay and shipping costs, so I try and plan ahead and stock up.
But if they had it all in the US I'd be ordering stuff every day. LOL!

[misterv]

I note the comments from "Chellie" about buying overseas and would advise him that modellers from outside of the US of A, (yes there is another World out here) have been putting up with this for years. The service, or complete lack of it, from some US suppliers has not been too good. At present with our dollar and economy, putting the US to shame, the Chinese service and prices is leaps ahead of US.
Chinese hobby outlets are definately causing some worries to the LHS. Two of the biggest wholesalers here in Australia, are now selling retail to the public.
I am now getting 3 emails a day from a US supplier offering large discounts.
I've paid my dues to the LHS for many years and if they want to keep going they will have to change as other industries have. It would appear that some of your smaller hobby shops are now pricing their products (Chinese made) compareable with HK prices.
You have probably received the latest information from Hobby King. They are now seeking World Wide LHS's to stock and sell their products. When this is up and running, the problems of returns and high postage costs, should be eliminated.

[Lieutenant Loughead]

For the record, I responded to the HK request for local hobby shops to carry their products. I would love to represent them in Tulsa.

[FlyingMonkey]

HobbyKing recently announced that it would be opening store front locations here in the US. Initially for customer service, and item pick ups, and growing from there.

[Lieutenant Loughead]

Yep -- I'm on board!

[FlyingMonkey]

Originally Posted by Lieutenant Loughead

Yep -- I'm on board!

I'm curious as to how they would do it. By the looks of things, they are not working with vendors, just closet sized shops, and progressing from there.

I'll have to see if I can find the article.

[FlyingMonkey]

Here's a write up on RCU...

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10..._1/key_/tm.htm

[Glacier Girl]

LL, I did the same for Florida. Man I'd be like an addict in need of a fix, who just got paid, if that were to happen.

[Lieutenant Loughead]

Originally Posted by FlyingMonkey

Here's a write up on RCU...

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10..._1/key_/tm.htm

"...in the meantime if you have a local store that you would like to see carry our products please tell them to email us at cs@hobbyking.com"

Yes -- I understand. I read the same e-mail you did.

[eagle33]

Have you tried the Hobby King Support Forum @ www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=5?

[FlyingMonkey]

Originally Posted by Lieutenant Loughead

"...in the meantime if you have a local store that you would like to see carry our products please tell them to email us at cs@hobbyking.com"

Yes -- I understand. I read the same e-mail you did.

Hmm, now I'm trying to remember if I read it in an email, or on their facebook page.

I will confess to seeing the line you just quoted, AFTER posting, and not correcting my statement though.