hikouki

This post is dedicated to sharing your bad experiences with lousy dealers using W900 as a trading place. By doing so, we could learn from each other.

For the past year or two, I have been buying from a certain dealer in Hong Kong who happens not to own any store. I 'met' him through Wings900 and said that he sells "surplus" units.

Incidentally, I happened to fly to HKG quite often the past year so I always insisted on meeting him in person and inspecting the models prior to buying them. All the models were okay (as in brand-new with box and plastic intact) the first few times. On later trips, I noticed one or two models would have the occasional dented box or broken plastic seal (I would later on discover that some models have defects like chipped off paint; or were suspicious to be second-hand as it had many greasy thumb-prints or dust).

Recently, I started ordering from him by mail. He was the one who again suggested I order by mail and not wait for my next trip (it has been a while since my last visit). I got the models and to my surprise, one model had a "smudge" on the front part. One could not miss it as it was the size of an aircraft door and was black. It seemed like hardened glue. Good thing I was able to vigorously rub it off.

I called his attention to the matter. He dismissed it as "dust," which irked me as dust will not harden like such! He then went on a litany of why he is incapable of sending a bad model just because he has so many positive reviews as a trader on this message board. He then apologized and he promised to "carefully inspect all future shipments." I let the incident pass as an "honest mistake," although at the back of my mind I had my suspicions about his person. I had been previously warned of certain characters who buy defective models from China and sell it by mail as "regular models."

My next order came and this time, the model had missing imprints! After calling his attention, he then shoved his trader rating up my face. Whatever happened to that promise to "inspect blah blah"? Apparently he forgot. Cornered, he offered a refund (he will not refund the extra 6% he charged me for PayPal!).

I asked for a replacement. He refused saying that the said model is "out of stock" and "will not be restocked."

I contacted Herpa and the staff there were pretty irked, too. "The model is not a limited edition item and there are more than 800 units still circulating around the world!" they replied. Further, Herpa advised me to ask the retailer for a replacement, as they thought this would be easier and cheaper as no package would have to travel between Asia and Germany.

I forwarded this email to the HKG guy. It took him a while before he replied that he can replace the model but that they will just send my model back to herpa and wait for the replacement before sending it back to me.

Very very suspicious!!!

I was sharing this experience with another W900 user from HKG and he contacted the consumer rights group in HKG for me, but sad to say they do not handle internet dealings. I'm not sure if I should take this up with the HKG Police. I am still in touch with Herpa on this matter and awaiting advice.

Lessons Learned:
- W900 Trader Rating may not be an accurate indicator of character of the person/ quality of service from that user.
- always inquire about return policy prior to making transaction.
- trust only web sites/ users with established internet shops or model stores. That way, it is much easier to sue them.

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Pinoy Aircraft Collectors.

LOT 737-300

I do hear that there is/are a few character/characters who like to get some of the backdoor models that were just not good enough and sell them on Ebay and such.

Anyways, your lessons that were learned is why I usually don't use Ebay at all. Does it make life a bit more difficult? Yeah, but it helps ensure that I am dealing with a quality retailer.

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hikouki

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Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio fugit, experimentum periculosum, iudicum difficle.
Honora medicum. Opera eius sunt necessaria. Deus autem est qui vitae et mortis. Habet potestatem.

Pinoy Aircraft Collectors.

Ferihegy

Can we hear names? Because I know some guys sitting in HK and made several trades with them without problems...

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hikouki

I am awaiting advice as to what action I might take against this person. Naming him at this point might jeopardize a possible police or legal action.

The main point of this thread is so other members can learn from the mistakes or difficulties we encountered in the past.

[I have another trip to HKG scheduled soon and I would not hesitate setting aside one full day to coordinate things with the authorities.

I have done a similar thing to a retailer before. They happened to carry the HK Tourism Board Seal of Quality on their shop. Since they did not deliver my "pre-order" on the agreed date, I complained to the authorities and they were put on the "probation list."

Of course, as I said, this guy does not own a shop. So I suppose a complaint to the HKTB wouldn't be enough.]

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Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio fugit, experimentum periculosum, iudicum difficle.
Honora medicum. Opera eius sunt necessaria. Deus autem est qui vitae et mortis. Habet potestatem.

Pinoy Aircraft Collectors.

Ferihegy

I understand you, but without names, the whole thing doesn't serve anybody but you. I and the other members would like to know if somebody here isn't trustable... Or perhaps say that we had good experience with him!

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My Collection (1:200-1:400-1:500)

arhang1219

Hey buddy, after knowing you for so long, and you didn’t tell me about this bad experience. Its sad to know you got rip off by HK person? I feel ashamed to hear that especially I am from HK, too. This kind of matter must be seriously taken care of as I don’t want one individual to ruin the whole reputation of all HKG w900 members, so others are scare to purchase from HKG.

I understand that you might not want to disclose his information out at this moment, but can you PM me for more details on what has happen? This incident is very unethical and I fully support what you are doing and will do in the future. If you need assistance in HK, I definitely will put my hands in.

hikouki

I made my intentions clear at the beginning of this thread.

Thank you for your kind words.

I have had very good experience with HK people in the past, and in fact I have looked up to the very strong consumer rights standards in HK, that is why I am very much disappointed that it was a HK person who gave me bad service this way.

Rest assured that I am taking up the case carefully with my counsel and all will be revealed in due time.

__________________
Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio fugit, experimentum periculosum, iudicum difficle.
Honora medicum. Opera eius sunt necessaria. Deus autem est qui vitae et mortis. Habet potestatem.

Pinoy Aircraft Collectors.

Ferihegy

Okay, but then: what's your intention with this thread? We all know there are non-reliable members.. But without names, what should we do? Perhaps a Jeopardy-game: I'll tell you for 300 which member is a lousy dealer...
without names, it doesn't serve anything for me or anybody else. Sorry.

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!Models for Sale!
My Collection (1:200-1:400-1:500)