hobbyking.com RIP-OFF
07-20-2010, 03:19 PM
#1
hobbyking.com RIP-OFF
Buyer Beware. New to RCs & to this forum but have gleaned info over the last few months (thank you) and wanted to pass along a word of warning dealing with hobbyking.com. As I understand it, all LIPOs come from the same couple of factories so I figured I'd look for the best deal. Long story short - I ordered 2 LIPOs from hobbyking and when I finally got around to soldering connectors, I found 1 battery was no good. Shame on me, it was after their 30 day warranty on LIPOs that I discovered the problem.
Knowingly taking the risk, my buddy & I ordered 4 LIPOs. He had no problem. Upon testing, I had another bad battery. It was well within 30 days so I emailed hobbyking for support. I was told that because I did not notify them of the battery problem THE DAY they were delivered, this was not under warranty. Nowhere on their site does it indicate a warranty for LIPO must be made the day of delivery.
I ordered 6 batteries and 2 were bad. Even if they would have warrantied them, I would have paid for shipping back to Hong Kong (+$25) which is more than the battery is worth.
Something to consider when dealing w/ offshore internet suppliers.
Knowingly taking the risk, my buddy & I ordered 4 LIPOs. He had no problem. Upon testing, I had another bad battery. It was well within 30 days so I emailed hobbyking for support. I was told that because I did not notify them of the battery problem THE DAY they were delivered, this was not under warranty. Nowhere on their site does it indicate a warranty for LIPO must be made the day of delivery.
I ordered 6 batteries and 2 were bad. Even if they would have warrantied them, I would have paid for shipping back to Hong Kong (+$25) which is more than the battery is worth.
Something to consider when dealing w/ offshore internet suppliers.
07-20-2010, 03:25 PM
#2
sorta just the risk of internet buying mate . maybe next time try a lhs where you can get customer service and a refund if anythings wrong 
.
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07-20-2010, 03:30 PM
#3
Tech Initiate
Luckily I had no problems with them when I ordered my new lipos. But it stinks that you have to notify them the day of delivery that will definitely influence my purchase next time!
07-20-2010, 04:08 PM
#4
There's a LHS near me (Extreme RC) that has a stock-pile of all types of Zippy and Turnigy LiPOs and even the new Nano-Tech ones. They have a lot of fliers and so they seem to sell a bunch of them. Priced up versus the direct hobbyking.com prices, but know that some LHS do stock them and would help with any issues.
I've done 5 or 6 orders with HobbyKing(hobbycity) and never had trouble with voltages or batteries. Bought about 25 LiPOs so far, sold some to others.
I've done 5 or 6 orders with HobbyKing(hobbycity) and never had trouble with voltages or batteries. Bought about 25 LiPOs so far, sold some to others.
07-20-2010, 04:43 PM
#7
I have bought 7 lipos from them that I can think of and no issues at all . I can see their side as well , if there was a problem it should of been reported when you got them . They are most likely thinking you screwed up the lipo and want a new one for free .
No matter where I buy lipos from , hobby shop or the net , I check them as soon as I open the box .
No matter where I buy lipos from , hobby shop or the net , I check them as soon as I open the box .
07-20-2010, 04:50 PM
#8
Busey lover - it was purposefully and objectively written - not a complaint. I took a risk & got burned, not everytime, only 1 out of 3 times. Just trying to emphasize to others with hard earned money to spend on their hobby that they may want to consider my experience before purchasing solely on CHEAP
Briguy - don't get me started on their customer support. Their terms & conditions change which each new warranty claim.
Briguy - don't get me started on their customer support. Their terms & conditions change which each new warranty claim.
07-20-2010, 05:03 PM
#10
Briguy you are right - sort of. Like I said, shame on me for the first order but I'm not too old to learn & on the 2nd order, I did test them within 3 days of recv'g because their excuse the 1st time was LIPOs have a 30 day warranty. You wouldn't believe what they told me with my 2nd complaint - I didn't notify them THE DAY the batteries were recvd! Where is that in their Terms & Conditions? I had them delivered to my work and I don't walk around w/ a volt meter. So their warranty on LIPOs is at most what - 24 hours?
07-20-2010, 05:07 PM
#11
What exactly is the issue with these packs? I had a top name/band pack show up at my door with one cell reading bad on my charger. I had to actually disconnect my balance plug and charge it as a NiMh for a few minutes to get some voltage in that cell. It would then charge in lipo mode, but took a long time to balance it out. But after a few cycles it would stay up with the other cell in the pack. Moral of the story, even expensive packs will have issues.
07-20-2010, 05:15 PM
#13
Just sharing my experience to some other newbies such as myself.
07-20-2010, 05:16 PM
#14
What exactly is the issue with these packs? I had a top name/band pack show up at my door with one cell reading bad on my charger. I had to actually disconnect my balance plug and charge it as a NiMh for a few minutes to get some voltage in that cell. It would then charge in lipo mode, but took a long time to balance it out. But after a few cycles it would stay up with the other cell in the pack. Moral of the story, even expensive packs will have issues.
07-20-2010, 05:16 PM
#15
What exactly is the issue with these packs? I had a top name/band pack show up at my door with one cell reading bad on my charger. I had to actually disconnect my balance plug and charge it as a NiMh for a few minutes to get some voltage in that cell. It would then charge in lipo mode, but took a long time to balance it out. But after a few cycles it would stay up with the other cell in the pack. Moral of the story, even expensive packs will have issues.