China Stores to USA
08-29-2012, 08:22 AM
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China Stores to USA
I was wondering if anyone has had any success with stores in china such as Hobbyhot.com, Heliquarter, RCecho, RCmodelnet, and Vpowerhobby.
I just ordered a hobbywing esc and motor from hobbyhot's ebay page and have been in contact with their customer service on the process. They're really prompt when replying to my messages. I then noticed they will have to upgrade the mail service because it's a "high valued" item over $80. With tariffs, duties, and taxes, I should be receiving a separate invoice of $20 or so. Ebay lists the item as "free shipping," which I felt was lied to.
I would like to know if anyone has had any bad experiences with these stores, and if you have purchased a relatively expensive item, how long did it take to receive the item?
I just ordered a hobbywing esc and motor from hobbyhot's ebay page and have been in contact with their customer service on the process. They're really prompt when replying to my messages. I then noticed they will have to upgrade the mail service because it's a "high valued" item over $80. With tariffs, duties, and taxes, I should be receiving a separate invoice of $20 or so. Ebay lists the item as "free shipping," which I felt was lied to.
I would like to know if anyone has had any bad experiences with these stores, and if you have purchased a relatively expensive item, how long did it take to receive the item?
08-29-2012, 12:54 PM
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RE: China Stores to USA
What!? A Chinese power seller ripped you on the delivery!? Never! 
To be fair, you still get the item cheap, I wouldn't take being 'lied to' so personally. If you don't like it don't use em again, but really, people expecting the Western way of doing business, but at Chinese prices, are in for a short sharp shock. If I bought a $50 battery from hobbyking for example, and it had a dead cell, I wouldn't even try to return it. I know I'm gonna get bounced round the houses, have to jump through 20 hoops, send it back at my own cost, etc, etc. No thanks, I've saved enough money over the years by buying cheap Chinese batteries there, that I forgive them for the occasional dud, I'm stil WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY ahead compared to if I'd bought maxamps or something. You have to draw a line which battles are worth fighting, cos they couldn't give a flying toss that you feel lied to. It's about managing your own expectations, which of course should be pretty low for the dollar value you are paying.
To answer your question more specifically, I use hobbyking and hobbypartz occasionally, and I plan to make a fair sized order from hobbyhot in the very near future, which I will do with confidence. I have never had any issue with their products or business ethics to date (having done my own research of course, not all these Chinese products are even capable of doing what they say on the tin, but others are solid, reliable and economical, you gotta make sure you're looking at the items that fall into the latter category from the getgo, or you're in for frustration).
The delivery to europe always takes forever and is prohibitively expensive, which is why I save up large orders and get them all at once, but that doesn't mean much to you of course being in the US. hobbypartz is your best bet. It's a US based Chinese RC goods warehouse, but they are pretty lousy at maintaining stock levels, you need to catch em on the right day, but apart from that, you'll find the products reasonable (though about 10% more than hobbyhot) and delivery cheap and fast.
To be fair, you still get the item cheap, I wouldn't take being 'lied to' so personally. If you don't like it don't use em again, but really, people expecting the Western way of doing business, but at Chinese prices, are in for a short sharp shock. If I bought a $50 battery from hobbyking for example, and it had a dead cell, I wouldn't even try to return it. I know I'm gonna get bounced round the houses, have to jump through 20 hoops, send it back at my own cost, etc, etc. No thanks, I've saved enough money over the years by buying cheap Chinese batteries there, that I forgive them for the occasional dud, I'm stil WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY ahead compared to if I'd bought maxamps or something. You have to draw a line which battles are worth fighting, cos they couldn't give a flying toss that you feel lied to. It's about managing your own expectations, which of course should be pretty low for the dollar value you are paying.
To answer your question more specifically, I use hobbyking and hobbypartz occasionally, and I plan to make a fair sized order from hobbyhot in the very near future, which I will do with confidence. I have never had any issue with their products or business ethics to date (having done my own research of course, not all these Chinese products are even capable of doing what they say on the tin, but others are solid, reliable and economical, you gotta make sure you're looking at the items that fall into the latter category from the getgo, or you're in for frustration).
The delivery to europe always takes forever and is prohibitively expensive, which is why I save up large orders and get them all at once, but that doesn't mean much to you of course being in the US. hobbypartz is your best bet. It's a US based Chinese RC goods warehouse, but they are pretty lousy at maintaining stock levels, you need to catch em on the right day, but apart from that, you'll find the products reasonable (though about 10% more than hobbyhot) and delivery cheap and fast.
08-30-2012, 04:57 AM
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RE: China Stores to USA
I am so far receiving excellent service from HobbyHot. They sent me the confirmation email stating my item is shipped. Now my invoice on customs IMHO should have been included in the ebay page instead of stating "free shipping." During your experience, did you have to pay the customs invoice via paypal? It's strange that they sent me a tracking number and "shipped" status without sending me the invoice.
I've purchased many items over seas but nothing this expensive. The smaller items such as watches and RC body parts were sent to me within a week and a half. I had the chance to purchase a 4000kv motor from HobbyPartz but I wanted the 4700kv.
If all goes swimmingly, I'll make my purchases in bulk as you did.
I've purchased many items over seas but nothing this expensive. The smaller items such as watches and RC body parts were sent to me within a week and a half. I had the chance to purchase a 4000kv motor from HobbyPartz but I wanted the 4700kv.
If all goes swimmingly, I'll make my purchases in bulk as you did.
08-31-2012, 05:45 AM
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RE: China Stores to USA
ORIGINAL: Foxy
I've never had a customs invoice from anyone but local customs at the time of delivery.
I've never had a customs invoice from anyone but local customs at the time of delivery.
Is China that much cheaper than Hong Kong? Ive never had a problem with Stella or RC Mart.
09-05-2012, 10:06 AM
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RE: China Stores to USA
ORIGINAL: lee172
As above, plus... I'm pretty sure the US has a very high import amount (before you get charges)..
Is China that much cheaper than Hong Kong? Ive never had a problem with Stella or RC Mart.
ORIGINAL: Foxy
I've never had a customs invoice from anyone but local customs at the time of delivery.
I've never had a customs invoice from anyone but local customs at the time of delivery.
Is China that much cheaper than Hong Kong? Ive never had a problem with Stella or RC Mart.
trust me I ordered $150 worth of parts like 10 years ago for game systems, and ended up having to pay $100 to ship it with import duties(shipping was $20 alone if I remember it right)... The box wasn't even that large or heavy, and it took 3-4 weeks to receive(customs kept it for a week, and literally went through everything...). Import duties were ludicrous as the place marked the real dollar amount on the invoice. I've done one order to HK that came in a bigger box, and was almost $200 in stuff, and payed $0 cause HK marked everything down to like $1-2 on the invoice I only payed $40 for 3 day shipping
As for the OP getting sent a separate invoice for shipping that you can complain to ebay for as that is changing the terms of the sale after it was done. If it says FREE SHIPPING shipping better well be damn free that falls under bait and switch.
