Hobby king warning usa warehouse purchase
09-23-2014, 12:13 PM
#205
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I've purchased a fair amount of product from HK over the years without an issue but my most recent purchase was an issue...Went back and forth and was very frustrating. Great when things go smooth and save a fair amount of cash but when things get hung up.....Good luck! Worth the hassle?? probably depending on the purchase on a case by case scenario. Overall I'm probably still going to buy from them but from now on I'll keep my fingers crossed!
09-23-2014, 01:49 PM
#207
I don't have a problem with people starting a thread and discussing bad customer service issues, it's rare that a company won't screw up now and then. There are threads out there about Tower and even the gold standard of RC, Horizon. Sometimes the threads give good information and people are able to get their issues resolved with the help of others. That's typically not the case with this vendor. Almost every thread goes the same way, without fail, regardless of what site.
As for why people by at HK, I don't think it's completely accurate to say it's only about low price. That's a factor for sure. But, they also have some pretty unique stuff as well. I'd put up links to some of the stuff, but of course we know what sort of names would start being thrown about as a result. I'm partial to the Durafly Vampire, have had 3 of them. Nobody else carried a plane that size, in a 4S set up. Even with delivery, I thought it was a bargain. If Tower, or Hobby (whatever their name is now), or even MotionRC carried a similar plane, I'd obviously take a look at them and see what made sense price wise. But if HK is the only one offering it, and I want it, that's who I will probably go to.
Some of their name brand stuff isn't that competitive (Hitec servos) on their own, I think they are probably forced to sell at a certain price. But if it's within a few bucks and someone is already ordering other stuff and it won't make a difference with shipping, they might just go ahead and order it.
As for why people by at HK, I don't think it's completely accurate to say it's only about low price. That's a factor for sure. But, they also have some pretty unique stuff as well. I'd put up links to some of the stuff, but of course we know what sort of names would start being thrown about as a result. I'm partial to the Durafly Vampire, have had 3 of them. Nobody else carried a plane that size, in a 4S set up. Even with delivery, I thought it was a bargain. If Tower, or Hobby (whatever their name is now), or even MotionRC carried a similar plane, I'd obviously take a look at them and see what made sense price wise. But if HK is the only one offering it, and I want it, that's who I will probably go to.
Some of their name brand stuff isn't that competitive (Hitec servos) on their own, I think they are probably forced to sell at a certain price. But if it's within a few bucks and someone is already ordering other stuff and it won't make a difference with shipping, they might just go ahead and order it.
If HK are the only ones with what you want, then there isn't much of a choice I suppose.
For what I do, I need reliability and accuracy, so I buy what I have too, to get that. Price is secondary to that. I stick to what I know is reliable and will do what I want it to do.
Each to their own I suppose.
09-23-2014, 02:46 PM
#208
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Agree, there does seem to be more complaints about HK, and vocal/angry ones at that. No doubt it's the steps one has to go through when something goes wrong. Sometimes that goes well, other times not so much. But, I've got to wonder if the number of complaints percentage wise is similar to other similiar outfits like Nitro Planes, Hobby Partz, and Banana. I have no stats, but based on previously documented order numbers, I'm guessing they sell more than all three of the others combined. It might stand to reason they would get more complaints.
I've left out the Towers, Horizons, Hobby's etc as I don't really see them in the same category. Other than selling RC stuff, I think the comparison stops there. Their products and pricing and CS structures are different all together.
Still comes down to choice, and I agree with you also that "to each their own".
I've left out the Towers, Horizons, Hobby's etc as I don't really see them in the same category. Other than selling RC stuff, I think the comparison stops there. Their products and pricing and CS structures are different all together.
Still comes down to choice, and I agree with you also that "to each their own".
09-24-2014, 03:23 AM
#213
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I ordered from Hong Kong and after 7 weeks I e-mailed Customer support. 2 months later (now) I got an e-mail with a tracking # 3 1/2+months after order. I did receive my order at 8 wks. Normally it took 4 wks. but the last 3 took 7-8 wks. Hmmmmm relucktant to place a new order.
The RC community need to protest with their feet.
09-24-2014, 10:05 AM
#216
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+1 I really only buy things like Lipo's and small accessories that are too darn cheap on HK website to pass up. Otherwise I buy everything from my LHS. I even ask them to order me stuff from Horizon and etc.... just to support them. He still sells it to me for what I can buy direct and its a win win other than the fact that I have a 30 min drive to his shop... But I like him being there to support us
09-24-2014, 12:01 PM
#217
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Hi,
Personally, I am not too cheap, more like fugal.
I have loved the local hobby shops since the early 60's.
Even with this modern web, I still like them.
Problem now is my most local of 3/4 hr is trains n plastic models. Although I do go in now and then for some basic supplies.
1 hour drive for Hobby Town. Ok
1 1/2 drive for an the older style mom n pop type yet small and limited.
2 hour drive for my favorite. Large, lots of candy in many flavors. There by the AMA site. Shut down now.
Jared
Personally, I am not too cheap, more like fugal.
I have loved the local hobby shops since the early 60's.
Even with this modern web, I still like them.
Problem now is my most local of 3/4 hr is trains n plastic models. Although I do go in now and then for some basic supplies.
1 hour drive for Hobby Town. Ok
1 1/2 drive for an the older style mom n pop type yet small and limited.
2 hour drive for my favorite. Large, lots of candy in many flavors. There by the AMA site. Shut down now.
Jared
09-24-2014, 12:01 PM
#218
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2 sides to that equation, my hobby stores only ever have 1 or or no items in stock, almost no small screws and such and what they have the prices are beyond ridiculous! $10 for 4 x M2 x10 screws, can by a box of 100 for $11 at a screw shop!
Fuel is no different, I special ordered in four stroke nitro in 5 litre bottles, $45 this month, same bottle $62 next month.........support your local store yeah right.
Fuel is no different, I special ordered in four stroke nitro in 5 litre bottles, $45 this month, same bottle $62 next month.........support your local store yeah right.
09-24-2014, 12:54 PM
#219
2 sides to that equation, my hobby stores only ever have 1 or or no items in stock, almost no small screws and such and what they have the prices are beyond ridiculous! $10 for 4 x M2 x10 screws, can by a box of 100 for $11 at a screw shop!
Fuel is no different, I special ordered in four stroke nitro in 5 litre bottles, $45 this month, same bottle $62 next month.........support your local store yeah right.
Fuel is no different, I special ordered in four stroke nitro in 5 litre bottles, $45 this month, same bottle $62 next month.........support your local store yeah right.
Last edited by HoundDog; 09-24-2014 at 12:56 PM. Reason: spelling damn spell checker is dummer then me
09-24-2014, 02:56 PM
#220
I wonder what the numbers are for the people who see a HK advertisement and decide "I've always wanted to get into RC hobby and see the cheap prices and decide to give it a shot. Only to get screwed by HK. How many possible new hobbyists have gone this route and gotten the royal screw from HK, then just say, "well, to hell with RC hobby, I'm not getting ripped off again."
I take my old copies of Model Aviation magazine to the barber shop and leave them there for others to read. AND I always tear out the HK advertisements.
I also wonder why HK claims to have two warehouses in the US, when most of the products end up getting shipped from China?
Is it just a "come on" to get people to order from them?
I have to agree with Plane Jim, Hobby King sucks! And for the shills, we all know who they are.
I take my old copies of Model Aviation magazine to the barber shop and leave them there for others to read. AND I always tear out the HK advertisements.
I also wonder why HK claims to have two warehouses in the US, when most of the products end up getting shipped from China?
Is it just a "come on" to get people to order from them?
I have to agree with Plane Jim, Hobby King sucks! And for the shills, we all know who they are.
...supply and demand perhaps? Tower has two warehouses in the states as well. Oddly enough, Horizon has ones around the world too.
09-24-2014, 04:45 PM
#224
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Does Tower have a user forum ?? Horizon?? I suspect you get so many hits because HK puts itself out there
.Also the reason Tower or Horizon can afford what appear to be generous return policies is that they are built in to the costs whereas HK not so much.
My last 2 orders from the HK USA west warehouse made it to me in 3 days....Tower gets to me at about the same pace if shpped from Nevada....I don't shop at Horizon as they're too high priced usually.
YMMV
ghost
.Also the reason Tower or Horizon can afford what appear to be generous return policies is that they are built in to the costs whereas HK not so much.
My last 2 orders from the HK USA west warehouse made it to me in 3 days....Tower gets to me at about the same pace if shpped from Nevada....I don't shop at Horizon as they're too high priced usually.
YMMV
ghost
09-24-2014, 04:46 PM
#225
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Wow , I've not yet seen a better "I know you are but what am I ?" post ! Really ? Is that the best ya got ? Let me clue ya into something here , cause it looks like you may be in need of a clue or two ;
See this smiley ;
Yes , , this one right here ; ? Do ya ? Well , this is the S A R C A S M smiley . It's the one that BEGAN my post that seems to have hit a nerve . Yes genius , It was SUPPOSED to be SARCASM and was obviously RIGHT ON TARGET 
Now , are we to continue to encourage the childish "burnt fries" posts or are we here to discuss Jim's issue with HK ? When one guy has a problem with a retailer , and folks go trolling with burnt fries posts , you have a problem with that being called out for the trolling that it is ? Or is it OK to troll and taunt Jim cause his problem is with HK ? Waiting for the return attack , rather than the admission that the burnt fries post IS textbook trolling , or do you honestly believe that post somehow added any intellectual content to this discussion ?