I bought a couple of Fast USB Car chargers from Brents bits over a month ago. They just stopped working (and I have tested them in a few cars). I've been trying to contact the guys and Brents Bits and let them know, and ask them about the warranty on these, but no luck. Has anyone had any similar issues before?
http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&u…
Seems to be the general consensus he doesn't want to hear about it if your item breaks/is faulty/doesn't turn up.
I think your best just to not waste any more of your time on chasing up this $2 item… cut your losses and move on unfortunately.
brads bits
That eBay feedback is pretty awful.
To respond to those in details:
First one - they claimed it was sealed, undamaged and empty when it was received. I asked for a photo of it, no photos came through.
Second one - That one was probably my bad, I am working on better systems
Third one - I get a number of these but folks seem unwilling to provide evidence on an empty envelope
Fourth one - Every time the buyer is charged additional postage, I ask for them to send a scan/photo of the receipt and reimburse them. Some folks say they don't have the receipt, I find that hard to believe when most AusPost employees almost tackle me on the way out to make sure I take a receipt. Furthermore on this one, personally, if I ever have to pay something I don't think I should have to, I make sure to get a receipt so I can claim it. Seems common sense to me.
I get a number of empty envelope claims. If it's damaged, I ask for photos of it (machine vs. hand tearing damage is fairly obvious) and just send a replacement. For the magical "it's sealed but empty" ones I have not had a single person send through a photo. Most of my items are fairly bulky. In packaging and sending them out in envelopes, don't you think I might notice that I was putting sticky tape (as extra sealing) on the flap of an empty envelope?
You are correct, for items that don't turn up, I don't particularly want to hear about it but I happily forward the information needed to chase it up to the buyer.
If it's faulty and beyond the 14 days, then I'm happy to respond to you but again, it's spelled out fairly clearly.
If it's DOA or faulty within that 14 day period, you need to return it for it to be replaced. I don't know of any bricks and mortar store that would give a replacement without the faulty one being presented so I don't know why online should be any different. I genuinely would love you to enlighten me as to why it should be different.
If it arrives broken because of packaging, that's completely fair and all I require is a photo of the damage to send out a replacement.
Most of the negative feedback about faults is basically people telling me to f off after I ask them to send back the faulty one and railing that they shouldn't have to. So they get a little bit of revenge by giving negative feedback. That's their right but negative feedback which is limited to 80 characters doesn't give much context.
When I ordered from BrentsBits (via eBay) I received my item with a big "insufficient postage" stamp on it (the cable had been sent in a little envelope with a 60c stamp).
I was lucky that the postie even delivered it though, as my understanding is that Auspost are now charging an administrative fee on top of the additional postage costs for items sent with insufficient postage. This amount would have been about 3x more than the cable was worth.
A small issue and only a couple of dollars, but I don't purchase from there anymore because of it.
Why are Australia Post even ACCEPTING an item with insufficient postage!? They should be returning it to the sender - not demanding extra po$tage from the receiver.
Not sure. I don't think the sufficiency of postage gets measured until the item is half way through the postal process (at a sorting centre or something) as opposed to at the point of postage (unless you're doing it at a post office over the counter).
Maybe they deliver to the recipient because they are more likely to pay the difference: effectively holding the parcel ransom (haha). Also, if they returned to sender their would be difficulties surrounding the partial postage paid (do they get a refund, or credit towards the full amount if they resend?). By ransoming to the recipient they just charge the balance plus an administrative fee (would be interesting to see where the law stood on this).
Who knows, but with the fee on top it can add up to near $10… which is a large additional cost (percentage wise) on a circa $3 item.
If you still have the receipt, which I realise might be a long shot, send it through to me and I will reimburse you.
I remember ordering earlier some cables from Brents Bits and they we good and delivered fast. Now a couple of weeks back I ordered from him an iPad mini screen protector. It took about a week to get delivered and I thought it was pretty poor quality, just running your fingernails on it would scratch it. Didn't think to check recent feedback, but obviously should have. To OP I'd say it's not worth it to waste your time on it.
Thanks for the comments guys. Seems as though this guy is a joker. I should have done some homework before. Ah well..it wasn't expensive car charger, but I just thought I was able to get a replacement or refund. Guess I won't be receiving either from the looks of things.
I ordered the items from him at the beginning of August, received them at the end of August and then the item stopped working after 3-4 weeks of everyday use. I email him on the day the item stopped working after testing it in other cars. No reply for 3 weeks, then I email him again today and then through the eBay page. I receive an email through eBay (probably automated): "Hi there, Thanks for messaging me, I endeavour to have all messages responded to within 1-2 business days. Please note that I don't generally answer emails on weekends. Please be patient, I will be in touch with you soon."
And then he replied to my original email today: "14 days I'd the rearrange on all my products, this generally covers for damage in transit, dead on arrival and ones that fall quickly. Typically, if they don't fail within that time they last a good while. Cheers".
Typically, if they don't fail within that time they last a good while.
not typical so no replacement?
What that comment means is this: With products at the cheap end of the market, failure will happen most often within 14 days, so I offer a warranty to cover this period of most failure. Yes, if it fails outside that, I'd call it atypical but it's still outside warranty. The warranty is clearly stated. How could I be clearer? If you have a reasonable suggestion on how I could be clearer, then I will implement it.
Fair enough. long long time I took to respond. I did, however, calculate the 14 days from when you purchased it to when you sent me the original email, not the date I answered it.
Was I unclear in the listing as to how long the warranty was for? Also, you mention that you thought you could get a replacement or refund, where exactly does it say that you can get refunds? The returns policy is for replacement only within 14 days, and is shown on the eBay listing.
Also, I do take exception to you labelling me a "joker". I do a lot of business, not all of it goes smoothly, sometimes faults do happen but I am as honest, clear and straightforward as I can be when writing my listings.
If you have any reasonable suggestions on how I could make it clearer, I would be happy to implement them.
Was I unclear in the listing as to how long the warranty was for?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321089915983 (as per http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/119440#comment-1635673) has no warranty stated, only a 7-day return for exchange/replacement
what is its expected useful life?
Thank you very much for pointing that out. It should have been 14 days and I have updated it in that listing to reflect that.
I would expect any of the things I sell to last for a reasonable amount of time. I know that's not very specific but personally I have used one of those chargers for the past 8 months with no problem. Another one lasted about 5 weeks but I think I may have bumped that one.
From anything at the bargain end of the market, I'd expect anywhere from 1-6 months, depending on the product. I certainly wouldn't expect to grow old together.
Cables should last 1-3 months in my experience. Yeah, they break but even counting buying replacements you are still ahead of the game over buying genuine ones, for the most part. I say this because lots of people lose their cables, doesn't matter if it's a couple bucks, hurts a lot more when it's $25.
Anyway, thanks for pointing that out, I've updated it already.
From anything at the bargain end of the market, I'd expect anywhere from 1-6 months, depending on the product.
then as such the op is entitled to a refund under the law of consumer guarantees or statutory warranty (check out the links in http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/118436 for more information)
Anyway, thanks for pointing that out, I've updated it already.
welcome - nice :)
note that http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221204415140 is still 7-days and http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321084045008 has no returns accepted :(
there is a lot of detail on consumer law actually, and Consumer Affairs Victoria breaks it down nicely here:
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/businesses/fair-trading/guara…
Also, the goods need to be returned to me for testing and then I can choose the remedy I provide. People use the word entitled far too often.
Those two are now fixed, I was going to go through and double check them all Saturday afternoon cause it's kinda late and haven't been to bed yet :-) Thanks for pointing them out.
Also, I just had a look at the link to the other OzBargain post, doesn't seem to apply to what I have been saying. I don't refer anyone to the manufacturer and I am the importer.
Also, the goods need to be returned to me for testing and then I can choose the remedy I provide.
false - please read http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/120061
Also, I just had a look at the link to the other OzBargain post, doesn't seem to apply to what I have been saying.
i said to check out the links in the thread, not the text :)
Not false at all. Read the stuff I provided. Anyway, we can argue till the cows come home both thinking we are right, unless I am legally directed otherwise, I will go with what consumer affairs vicious have said. Their guidelines inform my decisions because that's where I do business.
Not false at all.
op would not have bought the item if known it would last less <1mth, unfit for purpose, can't easily be fixed => major failure = entitled to refund
Read the stuff I provided.
i did - did you read mine?
acl is federal legislation, administered by accc, to which state bodies such as cav defer
Product expectation also is based on the cost of the item as well. You conveniently don't mention this time and again.
Anyway, until I am directed otherwise the terms and conditions will remain as is because to the best of my knowledge I am complying with all appropriate legislation. You can interpret and wrote the bits of those advices that suit your purpose all you like, as can I, but neither of us are lawyers, at least I'm not.
For now, let your wallet do the talking and don't give me your business.
Product expectation also is based on the cost of the item as well. You conveniently don't mention this time and again.
you have stated expected useful life to be 1-6mths
Anyway, until I am directed otherwise the terms and conditions will remain
your ebay listings state:
By purchasing my items you agree to any and all terms and conditions specified in this listing, except where such terms and conditions are not consistent with Australian Consumer Law.
what terms and conditions?
I am complying with all appropriate legislation.
by stating that you can choose the remedy, you are not complying re major failures such as the op's
again, for all appropriate legislation - http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/120061
Honestly, your interpretation and mine differ. Like I said, if the ACCC or CAV contact me, I'll change then, until then I believe I am complying. You don't. That's your prerogative.
by stating that you can choose the remedy, you are not complying re major failures such as the op's
again, for all appropriate legislation - http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/120061
on behalf of the ghost readers, please sight specific clauses…
@Tal_Shiar:
Section 259(3) of the ACL states the right of action against suppliers of goods:
(3) If the failure to comply with the guarantee cannot be remedied or is a major failure, the consumer may:
(a) subject to section 262, notify the supplier that the consumer rejects the goods and of the ground or grounds for the rejection; or
(b) by action against the supplier, recover compensation for any reduction in the value of the goods below the price paid or payable by the consumer for the goods.
Section 263(4) of the ACL states the consequences of rejecting goods:
(4) The supplier must, in accordance with an election made by the consumer:
(a) refund:
(i) any money paid by the consumer for the goods; and
(ii) an amount that is equal to the value of any other consideration provided by the consumer for the goods; or
(b) replace the rejected goods with goods of the same type, and of similar value, if such goods are reasonably available to the supplier.
@brentsbits:
Honestly, your interpretation and mine differ.
i didn't interpret - the law was quoted
Like I said, if the ACCC or CAV contact me, I'll change then, until then I believe I am complying.
if you seriously care about your business and customers, then before being reported to the accc, i suggest that you attend a free cav session or forum (6pm tomorrow, melb town hall) to learn about:
in the meantime, consider reading ACCC advice for businesses: Treating customers fairly - Consumers' rights & obligations as per http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/120061
Just buy from the Chinese eBay sellers. Downside is 1-2 weeks in shipping.
After shooting off a few whinging emails, they'll send you another one free of charge.
Usually a picture is required and you either cut up the cable or show its damaged.
That's pretty honest of you, good to see such a fine upstanding citizen giving advice.
Not sure if you are being sarcastic or not.
If you were being sarcastic, please note that I've only sent emails to eBayers when the item does not work.
I'm not sure if you're aware but the majority of the Australian population are actually very honest. As this might be simply anecdotal evidence on my part from having resided in about seven countries, I can assure you the most of us are doing the right thing and having a fair go at all facets of life.
I can't say the same with your approach. Just a side note, I've bought two lightning cables from you with one DoA. You've requested I send the DoA back, and with AusPOST prices, it didn't make financial sense to do so.
I'll let you decide if I'm giving proper advice or not.
Also take note that the Chinese sellers usually send functional products.
I bought a OTG adapter from Brent. Did not function on 2 devices while older (ordered from China) adapters worked. I then contacted Brent 1 day after arrival (took full 8 days to post to Melb). Never got a response. Couldn't be bothered with a Paypal Claim and just left him a negative feedback. I am never buying from this guy again. Total lack of customer support.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dual-USB-Fast-Car-Charger-Apple-i…
A Note on Returns: Please read the returns policy, it will be adhered to strictly except when I am at fault. If you are not satisfied with the returns policy, please purchase from another seller. By purchasing my items you agree to any and all terms and conditions specified in this listing, except where such terms and conditions are not consistent with Australian Consumer Law. As per advice by Consumer Affairs Victoria, except in circumstances where the item is large, such as a television or similar, the buyer is responsible for the postage to return the item to the seller when it is faulty. See the link below for more details
Consumer Affairs Victoria Guide to Online Purchasing: http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping/refunds-and-returns/…
[email protected]
I would probably say it will cost you almost as much posting it back to him that it will if you just bought a new one.