HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: farnborough, , UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
Bought an L59 from Hobbyking, the kit arrived on the 15th June, the fuselage was damaged due to very poor packaging - reported as Hobbyking suggest via their site attaching photos as evidence, well following numerous chases still no replacement fusealge (having had an email saying it would be).
Personally the fact you cannot talk to anyone has confirmed in my mind that any company who do not offer a telephone number to contact them through should be avoided, if you get an issue emailing just creates a screen which a vendor can hide behind.
If anyone has a number that actually gets through to customer services at Hobbyking I would be very greatful indeed, any guidance as to how to sort this will also be appreciated.
These guys are the lowest, how anyone can do business like this is beyond me - AND THEY ARE ABOUT TO SELL TURBINES - GOD HELP US!
marcs
Personally the fact you cannot talk to anyone has confirmed in my mind that any company who do not offer a telephone number to contact them through should be avoided, if you get an issue emailing just creates a screen which a vendor can hide behind.
If anyone has a number that actually gets through to customer services at Hobbyking I would be very greatful indeed, any guidance as to how to sort this will also be appreciated.
These guys are the lowest, how anyone can do business like this is beyond me - AND THEY ARE ABOUT TO SELL TURBINES - GOD HELP US!
marcs
#2
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
I bought RC Lander retracts via hobbyking and the RC Lander Panther. The Panther kit was missing the nose cone and the retracts failed one after another. The nose unit stopped working after about 10 flights in my 10lb Mig-15 (spec says 16.5lb), I replaced it and the new one didn't even rectract one full cycle.
I also got cought up chatting with their BOT that could't view youtube videos, and after emailing the video I just the answer that I had to make the claim within 48hrs of reciveing the parts with photo of the box and so on...
After a PM to Tim at RC Lander I got new parts with no questions asked. TOP NOTCH FROM RC-LANDER!
I also got cought up chatting with their BOT that could't view youtube videos, and after emailing the video I just the answer that I had to make the claim within 48hrs of reciveing the parts with photo of the box and so on...
After a PM to Tim at RC Lander I got new parts with no questions asked. TOP NOTCH FROM RC-LANDER!
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Curitiba, Parana, BRAZIL
Posts: 4,289
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
11 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
The question is, is there more complains from HK because they are too bad to deal with, or because they have thousands more customers buying new and untested cheap stuff made god-know's-where? In my way of view things, the result is inevitable.
I think that HK is still ok, however I often still prefer to buy fewer (and better) things from smaller shops as I have better customer support and product quality.
But of course, this is just my opinion!
I think that HK is still ok, however I often still prefer to buy fewer (and better) things from smaller shops as I have better customer support and product quality.
But of course, this is just my opinion!
#5
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
The problem is we live in a now society, when we want something and go to our local hobby shop they inevitably do not have it in stock, its so much easier to order it online and get it delivered the next day, this is a definitive need in our quest for instant gratification.
Mike
Mike
#7
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: , , UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
Now that they have an outlet in the UK (Elmsett) you should get your kits from there you can collect from the warehouse and check the kit over before you take it away. I can honestly say that I had wonderful service from the UK outlet. They are gradually starting to kit all the stuff you can get from China and I say again the collect service is amazing. MInd you I live very close to Elmsett
#9
My Feedback: (2)
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
I Quit dealing with them over a year ago, posted my poor experiences here, and got blasted by HK apologists. Sorry you got stung too, Marc. Stand by for the attacks: "I buy from them all of the time, they are GREAT, you just aren't being fair...bla bla bla..thank God they will bring sanity to turbine pricing bla bla bla...."
#10
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: , , UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: marc s
Even if I lived on the doorstep they wont be getting any of my business [:@]
marcs
Even if I lived on the doorstep they wont be getting any of my business [:@]
marcs
#12
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: , , UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
Have you ever heard the old saying 'Cutting off your nose to spite your face'
Lots of very good things at hobby king at very reasonable prices
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Grande Prairie,
AB, CANADA
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
They are great for cheap components, foamies and gliders. If you buy an airframe without understanding the risk of dealing with Hobbyking then you obviously haven't been following the million threads about doing so. Buyer beware. But saying they only sell crap and can't deliver proper products is just ignorant. One customer lost out of a million won't mean a single thing to them.
And Marc you build jets that pretty much nobody can afford. So if even you are buying from Hobbyking, and are buying an airframe at that...don't you think that really says something? Nobody can afford the good stuff anymore regardless of quality. Even you who owns/runs a company that produce AIRFRAMES is being drawn to buy from Hobbyking regardless of the end result. Hobbyking won't be going away any time soon.
And Marc you build jets that pretty much nobody can afford. So if even you are buying from Hobbyking, and are buying an airframe at that...don't you think that really says something? Nobody can afford the good stuff anymore regardless of quality. Even you who owns/runs a company that produce AIRFRAMES is being drawn to buy from Hobbyking regardless of the end result. Hobbyking won't be going away any time soon.
#17
Senior Member
My Feedback: (12)
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
Well, it is like the dollar store, you get what you pay for.[:@].
If you want good stuff there is tower, chief, horizon. But if you are cheap, you are going to get cheap.
Don't expect good stuff for $1
#18
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: hemet , CA
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
took me 6 months to get my engine back from hobby king after i sent it back to them>> no more ill buy from tower or my local hobby shop cheap is never good
#19
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
I've had mostly good experiences with Hobby King and one bad one. Before you order you just need to be ok with the fact that if your order goes wrong, if something is damaged or you are sent the wrong thing you will likely be stuck with it. It is just the nature of the game when you are dealing with exporters half a world away.
I don't agree with these "dollar store" comments because HK sells stuff you just can't get elsewhere (I just got a Durafly Vampire for one).
I don't agree with these "dollar store" comments because HK sells stuff you just can't get elsewhere (I just got a Durafly Vampire for one).
#20
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: VicPr
Have you ever heard the old saying 'Cutting off your nose to spite your face'
Lots of very good things at hobby king at very reasonable prices
Have you ever heard the old saying 'Cutting off your nose to spite your face'
Lots of very good things at hobby king at very reasonable prices
We all enjoy different things from our hobby. Yours is clearly buying things as cheap as you can. Some others have a different agenda. Personally I like to support business with personnel supportive of our hobby, who provide excellent customer service and back up. I also want to go to the field and fly hard and fly lots when I can make the time to get out there. My experience of some cheaper products has been poor and mean I end up going home early because something has failed or not done as it should do.
I return to the UK in december yet have a shipment out of the UK on its way to me now as I believe in supporting those business' so they are there when I return. I will never support a shop like Hobbyking because I fear they will eventually destroy our hobby and leave us no option but to buy low quality, second rate rubbish which isn't supported. New people will be bought in to the hobby by the great prices and quickly be lost again when their gear is unreliable, inconsistent and unsupported.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Grande Prairie,
AB, CANADA
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: Andrew Bird
Dennis,
We all enjoy different things from our hobby. Yours is clearly buying things as cheap as you can. Some others have a different agenda. Personally I like to support business with personnel supportive of our hobby, who provide excellent customer service and back up. I also want to go to the field and fly hard and fly lots when I can make the time to get out there. My experience of some cheaper products has been poor and mean I end up going home early because something has failed or not done as it should do.
I return to the UK in december yet have a shipment out of the UK on its way to me now as I believe in supporting those business' so they are there when I return. I will never support a shop like Hobbyking because I fear they will eventually destroy our hobby and leave us no option but to buy low quality, second rate rubbish which isn't supported. New people will be bought in to the hobby by the great prices and quickly be lost again when their gear is unreliable, inconsistent and unsupported.
ORIGINAL: VicPr
Have you ever heard the old saying 'Cutting off your nose to spite your face'
Lots of very good things at hobby king at very reasonable prices
Have you ever heard the old saying 'Cutting off your nose to spite your face'
Lots of very good things at hobby king at very reasonable prices
We all enjoy different things from our hobby. Yours is clearly buying things as cheap as you can. Some others have a different agenda. Personally I like to support business with personnel supportive of our hobby, who provide excellent customer service and back up. I also want to go to the field and fly hard and fly lots when I can make the time to get out there. My experience of some cheaper products has been poor and mean I end up going home early because something has failed or not done as it should do.
I return to the UK in december yet have a shipment out of the UK on its way to me now as I believe in supporting those business' so they are there when I return. I will never support a shop like Hobbyking because I fear they will eventually destroy our hobby and leave us no option but to buy low quality, second rate rubbish which isn't supported. New people will be bought in to the hobby by the great prices and quickly be lost again when their gear is unreliable, inconsistent and unsupported.
I know I won't get any customer support from them. I know if I receive something and it doesn't work I won't get my money back. I go into it with this knowledge. And I've been pleasantly surprised.
Just don't go into it buying something overly expensive or that can be damaged easily. With all the posts on the net about no customer support, why do people constantly expect it to be different when they finally order? Instead they get EXACTLY what they know they will get (something broken) and then come onto these boards and clutter it up with OMG HOBBYKING SUXORS AGAIN waste of time posts.
#23
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: skippy7399
I work for a hobby store, no it's not a dream job! However this is exactly the argument we try to over come with people all the time. If you want to buy a plane, heli, car or any rc hobby item, buy local, if you can. This way you get the after the sale service you want. I have seen a countless number of people come to the store with something they purchased online and have no idea what they bought or how to use it. I hate to say it sometimes we cant' help either, because none of these come with readable instructions. Batteries seem to be the worst. Truth is there is only four or so places in the world that produce lipo batteries, garaded A through D. Guess which grade Hobbyking sells? Yup the same as Maxamps, D!
I work for a hobby store, no it's not a dream job! However this is exactly the argument we try to over come with people all the time. If you want to buy a plane, heli, car or any rc hobby item, buy local, if you can. This way you get the after the sale service you want. I have seen a countless number of people come to the store with something they purchased online and have no idea what they bought or how to use it. I hate to say it sometimes we cant' help either, because none of these come with readable instructions. Batteries seem to be the worst. Truth is there is only four or so places in the world that produce lipo batteries, garaded A through D. Guess which grade Hobbyking sells? Yup the same as Maxamps, D!
Well for "D" grade batteries they work awfully well. I have hundreds of flights on several Zippy and Rhino packs that are 5+ years old. Guess what? They have held up better than my Thunder Power packs that were 4X as expensive.
I am all for supporting the LHS and I always do (mostly on support stuff). But the truth is I am not going to spend several times as much to do so. And, again, there are many planes my LHS CANNOT get, so I have to order from overseas.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Grande Prairie,
AB, CANADA
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: skippy7399
Buy local, buy happy!
Buy local, buy happy!
Skippy you edited your post but it's still readable above. If you want to claim something, at least don't make up facts. I agree with Sessholvlaru the battery packs powering my 150mph jet work perfectly fine. They cost a quarter of anything from my local hobby shop. I always get the song and dance routine at my LHS to the point I don't want to go in. "Such and such packs are crap because they are from Hobbyking so buy my $200+ battery from this LHS even though the same and better pack is about $45.99 from HK".
It gets downright annoying and I don't even consider going in anymore. Nobody has half the stock and they always have to order it in anyhow. Not to mention I caught one shop here simply rebranding HK packs as their own.
Do buy from HK
1)Accessories
2)Some batteries
3)Foamy Kits
Do not buy from HK
1)Anything large that can be damaged in shipping
2)Anything needed to go into something ultra high end
3)Anything that you might need customer service on
Why can't people figure this out?
#25
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
RE: HOBBYKING - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: Pepperpete
I know I won't get any customer support from them. I know if I receive something and it doesn't work I won't get my money back. I go into it with this knowledge. And I've been pleasantly surprised.
I know I won't get any customer support from them. I know if I receive something and it doesn't work I won't get my money back. I go into it with this knowledge. And I've been pleasantly surprised.
To the moderator j.dunker : here's an entire thread regarding Hobby Kings pis poor customer service. I'm surprised you haven't locked it out for "MFG Bashing"
rrragman