$970 AliExpress Order Issue, Wires Had Been Cut or Damaged on Highly Priced (Mirrorless Camera Gimbal)

dmc900 on 10/11/2016 - 00:06
Last edited 10/11/2016 - 00:07

I purchased a Feiyu-Tech gimbal on AliExpress during the 10% AliExpress cashback promoted on this site a month back.

The gimbal in question is the Feiyu-Tech MGV2.

It's a high value item and upon opening the case and carefully pulling out the gimbal it appears the wires had been cut or maybe damaged.

I contacted the manufacturer and they said I should return the item to the seller.

The parcel didn't look damaged or repackaged. But the seller says the item was inspected by customs.

Upon contacting the seller I was told
a) I could get it repaired locally
b) Return it with no loss to me

I was told to go to my local post office and get a postage cost.
Australia Post website told me it was approx $120 insured.

Upon informing the seller I preferred posting for refund.

He/she was worried it would get lost in the post and the value of the item would come out of his salary from his/her boss. That's why I always insure items.

He/she preferred to refund $30USD for me to get the item repaired.

I mostly rejected that offer because I'm unhappy to deal with a bodge job that will harm it's resale value down the track if I choose to resell this item and being a little OCD it bugs me that it would appear to have been modified. Below I will link pictures of the wires and maybe a thrifty oz-bargainer will have an idea that could help me fix this issue without being able to tell it's been patched up.

The seller has started trying to say I damaged it. I'm careful with expensive electronics and it would be quite difficult to cause that damage.

Finally, upon opening this item I could tell the item had been slightly used. The seller says their technical team tests items before sending which they didn't mention this in the listing. Also the tech team didn't notice the wire had been broken.

I buy lots online and this is the first time I have ever received an item which had been opened for testing before sending. Because of this it feels as if I'm purchasing a used item. Additionally appears I have received one set of batteries. I later found the other set in one of the handles not in their factory packaging like pictured in the AliExpress listing.

I cannot really complain about the seller too much. They have a fairly good feedback rating and they haven't become rude. But I have spent a lot of money and I'm not satisfied with getting it repaired myself. Am I expecting to much to ask for a refund.

Just a few questions I have
a) Am I expecting to much of them? I would like to send back for a refund.
b) Should sellers be opening items to test without clearly mentioning in the items description
c) Should I repair the item and move on, anyone know the best way of fixing the issue pictured below

If I choose to opt for a refund and the seller agrees. I would prefer to purchase directly from the manufacturer this time around knowing that the item would be factory sealed. As I would like a working item soon and I don't trust buying from the same seller again.

I understand repairing maybe the best way to go. It's my understanding I'm not going to be able to recover $25 of my cc's international transaction fees. I'll probably have to fork out for a majority of the return postage fees and be nearly $1000 out of pocket until I get my refund as I want to purchase from the manufacturer in the coming days.

A bit of a mess.

One last question…

d) can a boss legally in china take the cost of this item out of his/her salary? if something goes wrong.

PICS
Wide Picture of item with wires problem
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/35006/43884/feiyu-mgv2…

Close up of wires problem
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/35006/43881/feiyu-mgv2…

Piece of wire casing that fell out from somewhere
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/35006/43882/feiyu-mgv2…

Electrical & Electronics

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Comments

  • scrimshaw on 10/11/2016 - 00:19
    +2

    It's strange. It looks like the wires have intentionally been cut, as opposed to accidental damage. If not done by the seller then probably some 3d party (customs) might have been the one who broke out some pliers and cut the wire. It would be highly unlikely that it came out of the factory in this condition.

    d) can a boss legally in china take the cost of this item out of his/her salary? if something goes wrong.

    Well given many businesses in China are already flouting laws thanks to bribery and corruption, I'm going to it's entirely possible for a boss to do almost anything to his employees and get away with it, given enough coercion..

    As for repairs… i'm no tech expert when it comes to patching wires, the best place to ask is either Reddit or Stack Exchange

    • dmc900 on 10/11/2016 - 00:56
      +1

      Thank you for your reponse.

      It would be very immoral for someone to intentionally cut the wires :'(

      It maybe a high value item, but they don't know the circumstances of who they are affecting. $1000 is a lot of money to me. If it wasn't the seller, whoever it is causing us both lots of pain. Unfortunately it's very hard to prove who is at fault.

      The seller seems to be apart of a team, it could be anyone of them. It could be customs. Hell it could even be me (I can understand them thinking that). But I cannot think of any reason I'd sabotage this item well knowing there would be no way of coming out better.

      Regarding customs;

      My parcel has been through a few extra customs steps than usual. On the 26th of last month the seller tried to contact me mentioning customs had sent it back to them due to failing safety check. EMS won't accept batteries in parcels they transport.

      I wasn't checking my AliExpress messages and the seller sent me messages asking for some more money to send via FedEx ($35USD).

      The seller sent it via FedEx without my consent. I'm completely okay with that. They never expected me to pay $35USD because I didn't respond and it means I didn't have to wait longer.

      The seller remains fairly happy about sending via FedEx without the extra fees as they said they were declaring it with 150USD only. Which shows to me they were happy to go out of their way for me to save on import fees.

      Even though the full $970AUD import valuation wouldn't affect me as Australia doesn't tax items under $1000 AUD. But is my way of saying it's less likely the senders fault.

      But I'm really at a loss why this could happen.

      I would agree it does look like a clean cut. But someone would have to be a spawn of the devil to do this or at the very least someone having a massive grudge against their company.

      BTW: Thank you for the links. I might ask there. I really prefer not tampering with and getting a replacement but that comes at a cost. Either option I choose negatively affects me or the seller.

      Looks like I have a lot of thinking to do.

      I should also ask… will CashRewards still pay out the 10% cashback if I get a $30USD refund. The cashback accounts for roughly $90. I could end up in an even worse-off position.

  • altomic on 10/11/2016 - 01:05
    +3

    Firstly- that "piece of wiring that fell out" does it (a) have actual wires in it or (b) is it just the wiring cover tubing from "close up of wires" wires?

    if it's (b) then goto to C, else
    Full refund

    C - I'm assuming ,from the "Close up of wires problem" pic that wiring cable that if you removed those 2 hex bolts then it would expose more of the cabling. it would be fiddly but quite fixable- strip wires - use a small length of wire to bridge -solder. use some heat shrink tube to make it look beautiful.

    the one problem is - what if it is not just the wiring that is the problem? if you do the wiring and there is an actual problem with it. hhmmm

    personally, I'd start a dispute on aliexpress. for a full refund (posted back by the cheapest way possible) or replacement. at the same communicate to the seller that in the mean time you'll attempt a repair and if it works then cancel the dispute. you've got to get your foot in the door with the dispute service.

    also, it appears to have been cut by someone who is right handed

    • dmc900 on 10/11/2016 - 03:41

      Thank you for your input on this matter.

      I'm planning on trying to get a higher settlement refund. The repair doesn't look too costly. But this kind of repair job I can see lowering the value of my purchase if I ever choose to resell. I'm a honest seller, I don't want someone experiencing the same trouble as myself without clearly mentioning it.

      If only Nigerien scammers, got scammed! They might realize how it affects others.

      I will let the seller know what I've learn't today.
      Thank you again :). Your comment was quite helpful.

      It's unfortunate what has happened. But because of the nature of 'being unable to tell who is at fault' I don't want to put anyone into the spotlight without evidence.

      But in the end it is the sellers responsibility to make sure the parcel gets to you and they should factor in issues before hand. If they cannot safeguard, then I guess they shouldn't be selling.

      But one reason I feel like putting the ball in their court. Is 'this' opening packages and testing before sale. But then I guess customs can do that at will anytime too.

  • garetz on 10/11/2016 - 02:53

    Go for a full refund, looks like it was intentional by customs, maybe they thought the wiring was suspect and wanted to check it.

    Or when it was opened the box cutter cut the wires. The cut seems it was done by a very sharp blade.

    • dmc900 on 10/11/2016 - 03:24

      Thank you for your perspective.

      I never thought customs could think something was planted in the wires.
      It would be in very poor form not to notify the seller and buyer they did this.

      If it was cut, it was cut intentionally. There is a very strong carry case with foam padding protecting the boxes contents.

      As I think about it I'm slowly drifting away from requesting a full refund.
      I don't want the seller to occur any major problems because of this.

      But I think US$30 isn't an ideal refund to properly repair the issue and the resell value I would lose from the wires not looking genuine.

      I'll think about it and will probably see if the seller is happy to refund $60-$80USD. It's a fair bit more. But saves them having to further deal with it.

      Full refund is all good and well. But losing extra due to shipping back and international fees already charged on my cc.

      But I'll have to make my decision soon. As I noticed the manufacture is having a 11.11 sale. Might lower the stress of contributing to return postage and other fees.

      I know someone who works in electronics. I might be able to get help from them.

      Looks like I have a busy day tomorrow sorting this all out.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/11/2016 - 07:27

    Don't fix it. Maybe it was faulty. What happens if you repair wires, and it still doesn't work?

  • plmko on 10/11/2016 - 09:01
    +1

    Doesn't Aliexpress have 120day buyer protection? Just escalate it with Aliexpress.

    • dmc900 on 10/11/2016 - 17:43

      Yeah I think I'm going to do that.

      But I think I'll lose $120 AUD on shipping it back.
      & $25 in credit card international fees.

      The buyer is refusing to pay shipping saying I cut the wire.
      & they don't care about my claim that the item is devalued by getting it repaired.
      I guess my $110 request to repair and accept devalue was a little high.
      But if they paid shipping back it would have been even more than that.
      In response to my higher value request they appeared not to budge anymore than $30.
      I would rather leave them with the hassle, than have an item not like from the factory.

      I will see what AliExpress say.

      I'm taking a risk but I might try buy from the manufactures 11.11 sale.
      It should soften the blow on the money I lose from shipping and cc fees on this sale and hope AliExpress go in my favor.

      By the general consensuses here.
      While I cannot prove it's the sellers fault.
      It seems that if many where in my shoes they would go to ship back for refund.
      Because of complications that could arise from repairing.

  • tassieeagle on 10/11/2016 - 10:24

    Highly doubt customs cut it, and if they did, not informing you they damaged your goods. I would assume they have rules about damaging goods (accidentally or on purpose).

  • Succulent Synth on 10/11/2016 - 11:14

    Could yourself or customs have accidentally cut it when opening the package with a box cutter?

    • dmc900 on 10/11/2016 - 17:34

      Item is in a big plastic hard case.
      I open parcels with a very weak scissors.

  • slow on 10/11/2016 - 13:23

    A while back, I had the same problem but in the opposite direction when I sent an electronic device to someone in China. The case had been opened and the device deliberately damaged inside - there is no way it could have been an accident. Just saying, anything is possible.

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