Feedback Sought: Dangerous LED Ceiling Lights Bought from AliExpress Seller

Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 12:08
Last edited 29/03/2018 - 12:30 by 1 other user

Hi OzBers,

I'm slowly renovating a mid 1980's property my wife and I bought to live in and to replace the fluro's and bayonet fittings I bought nearly $200 worth of LED ceiling light fittings from this seller on AliExpress.

I was wary of buying but felt I'd done my due diligence on them and was pleasantly surprised when they arrived rapidly enough. However I then opened one of the several boxes (which had 2 of my 10 lights in it) and was somewhat shocked by what I found.

  • the hole through the metal light fitting which the mains power connections run was very jagged & with razor sharp metal edges - literally jagged metal directly on mains wires!!! It was also very tight and so with little effort or over time it could easily cut through the very flimsy wire insulation and make touching the fitting a death sentence or start a house fire.

  • neither of the lights were fitted with earthing/the ability to connect the earth wire. My understanding is that in Australia it's illegal to use new fittings that aren't properly earthed.

  • the gauge & quality of the wiring used in the fittings for connection to the mains power is extremely questionable. It's gauge/thickness is quite seriously on par with $1 AA battery holders I've bought over Ebay. When I compared it to the gauge of wire used on lighting fittings by Australian makers it was around 1/4 or so the thickness. Which has me worrying if it could handle being connected to mains power without risk of fire etc.

Here are pictures of the faults - descriptions of whats in the picture is in comments to image.

I spoke with a relative whose a retired Electrician and he agreed with me that the faults were real and potentially deadly. So much so was his concern that he wanted to try and report them to a statutory body (though I convinced him they'd not be able to affect a seller in China) - but his quote was,"It really annoys me as this type of stuff is exactly the way people get killed".

I contacted the AliExpress seller - gave them my concerns and provided pictures. In short they said, our products are safe, you're being overly worried, we've been selling for over a year, trust us and use them they're fine! I advised them they had 72hrs to resolve or I'd lodge formal dispute etc. I advised I'd happily return all items to them but as it was a manufacturing fault the postage is at their cost, or they can partial refund to cover the cost of modifying the lights so they're safe for use (maching of holes, addition of grommets, fitting of earth connection, addition of terminal block to wiring). And they went quiet so here I am.

My thoughts of a process are:

  1. Lodge dispute via AliExpress (though I've no confidence in this process), claim based on product being unusable due to manufacturing faults which are potentially deadly.

  2. Failing this chargeback via my credit card provider (28 Degrees used via AliPay).

Anyway apology for long post - but appreciate feedback - please lets hold off on the 'Use a sparky it's your fault' remarks as thats neither helpful nor anything to do with the inherent faults of these items.

Thanks in advance,

Nick

POST-SCRIPT: For every 'know it all' who trashed my claims, I received a 50% refund from AliExpress. Glad I didn't listen to the 'experts'. :-D

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closed Comments

  • ESEMCE on 21/03/2018 - 12:16
    +32

    TL:DR
    Imported ultra cheap electrical stuff from China and it doesn't meet Australian Electrical Standards.

      • ESEMCE on 21/03/2018 - 12:25
        +4

        Cheap means that your expectations have to be lowered.
        The hole is easily rectified yourself.. drill it out and deburr it…

        It's the rest of the problems that are still pretty sketchy and harder to resolve, but yet aren't unexpected that I wouldn't be risking my house on!

        Genuine question, Is there even a Chinese Standard?

        • Clear on 21/03/2018 - 12:28
          +1

          Genuine question, Is there even a Chinese Standard?

          Yes, but even then it's not close to Australian standards. For example earthing is not a requirement whatsoever.

        • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 12:29
          -8

          If I wanted a DIY metal fabricating business I'd probably open one so I'M AWARE of exactly whats needs to be done to rectify them - but the reality is that type of junk shouldn't be passed off as acceptable.

          Sketchy??? How so? They're not earthed - and I'm pretty sure thats a standard thats used world wide as it saves lives and is literally super simple (again I know how to fix this myself but I shouldn;'t have to).

          Chinese standard - I am sure there is but will leave that to others to clarify.

        • ESEMCE on 21/03/2018 - 12:36
          +1

          @Nikko:
          So you did your Due Diligence without checking the Chinese Standard?

          Apart from the drill hole, you probably would have happily installed these I'm guessing. It was only the shoddy hole that made you look a bit harder and decide they were terrible.
          I think they might have done you a favour with that crappy hole!

        • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 12:40
          -3

          @scubacoles: As you said "You're guessing" - that about sums up what you're saying pretty well.

        • Clear on 21/03/2018 - 12:44
          +4

          @Nikko: There are global standards that China are a member of, however China's own standards do not have an earthing requirement. Furthermore many factories particularly the smaller ones that product low cost generic products to compete on websites such as eBay and AliExpress will cut corners to save money. That is why I recommended below to use more established brands that are compliant. Xiaomi/Yeelight for example sell in the EU officially and have to comply with their local electrical standards which are miles ahead of China.

          We're trying to help here…. or at least I am.

  • Clear on 21/03/2018 - 12:16
    +8

    And that is the risk you take when you buy directly from China. Never ever expect anything to be up to Australian standards because they won't be. Genuine branded products are often safer than generics, e.g. Philips China and Xiaomi.

    Something to consider would be the Yeelight Ceiling Lights.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 12:22
      -4

      See above remark.

      • Clear on 21/03/2018 - 12:22
        +8

        How is this trolling? Are you telling me that Chinese standards should be the same as Australian standards?

        • donkey on 21/03/2018 - 12:30
          +2

          there are some countries that don't even legally go by Australian tap water standards, you cant even drink it! it's outrageous and needs to be stopped.

          either this thread is a troll or OP is seriously one deluded individual

        • Clear on 21/03/2018 - 12:36
          +1

          @donkey: I'm aiming towards the latter. China's standards are a funny thing. They have standards for cars, but there are exceptions to it for things like interior lighting.

          There are an increasing amount of reports about light fixtures from China being unsafe. It really surprises me how ignorant people can be to these sort of things.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 12:17
    +2

    Unfortunately, that's the risk you take when you buy from non reputable sellers. Sometimes you find a great product at a great price, other times it is just crap. That's why buying from reputable sellers cost more and that's why they are still in business. At some point, we have to acknowledge that buying rubbish is a cost of business and if we are knowingly sourcing our own product, then that is a cost we choose to bear, often for little return as we are a once off buyer.

    Personally, I would just bear the cost of rectifying the dodgy wiring. You're going to incur more stress than $200 is worth. Potentially, you're not going to see any result.

    Good luck pursuing this guy but I don't think this is a little guy standing up to the giant scenario.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 12:25
      -3

      I appreciate your more measured response than the above 2 - which I think are basically exactly the type of "haha your fault" that I expected.

      Again I get what you're saying and I'm not saying I expect the same quality as I might get buying here - I think we're all happy to trade off that when we buy cheaper OS sourced products. BUT there's a world of difference between for example the lumens rating being grossly wrong or the acrylic cover being a bit crappy VS the holes for the mains wire being through whats almost a serrated edge.

      I mean thats literally almost a criminal effort thats only able to be done via gross negligence.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 13:02
        +1

        I am glad you can appreciate a sincere response. It is true that many users here would like to educate or introduce some perspective but I don't believe a short snarky response is the best method. They are certainly entitled to their opinion and free to criticize.

        Honestly, the serrated edge isn't a problem, regardless of what a well meaning retired electrician says. Your lamp isn't mechanical, ie it doesn't move. Serrations on their own does not cut without movement so there's no risk of damaging the wire. The housing is also non conductive so it doesn't really matter.

        You'd be surprised at how many cheap lamps sold in brick and mortar stores in Australia would have the same build quality or worse. Honestly, I did not think anything was wrong with the lamp other than questionably thin gauge of wire. Worst case scenario, it acts as a fuse and melts.

  • QW3RTY on 21/03/2018 - 12:17

    Firstly, good job on doing your DD, identifying the faults, consulting your sparky mate and riding this one through with the seller.

    As you mention in your post, it's difficult to know what the result will be of the dispute process with Ali Baba, but I think for the moment it's all you have seeing as the seller isn't offering much concern in return.

    See what happens once the process begins — perhaps the seller will change their tune, perhaps they will not. After all, it's a $200 order for 10 lights which probably isn't that "material" to a seller who grinds out tens of thousands of these lights.

    I hope you get a good result.

  • donkey on 21/03/2018 - 12:26
    +6

    who knew buying the cheapest electrical lights from a super dodgy online Chinese retailer wouldn't line up with Australian electricial standards

    the ACCC will be outraged. https://www.productsafety.gov.au/contact-us/for-consumers/re…

    http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Businesses/Product_saf…

    I'm sure the Chinese guy is shaking in his boots at the thought of being reported to the ACCC. Go get 'em tiger.

  • c64 on 21/03/2018 - 12:36
    +3

    My understanding is that in Australia it's illegal to use new fittings that aren't properly earthed.

    i pretty sure it is also illegal to do diy electrical wiring

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 12:39

      Dude did you read what was written????????

      This isn't about me using them in any manner myself - as they arrived they can't be used by ANYONE - so THATS what I'm discussing.

      • onetwothreefour on 21/03/2018 - 12:43
        +7

        I think you need to calm down a bit mate, stop getting so worked up about this.

        What exactly did you want from us? Seems like you have all the answers already.

        • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 12:56
          -1

          FWIW I'm as calm as can be - so with all due respect don't confuse being annoyed with stupidity by people who essentially just want to walk the line of trolling & respond to things I never said and me actually needing to calm down.

          Seriously - lets just call a spade a spade - folks just LOVE to say haha you f&cked up. Whatever that term is for getting pleasure through the misfortune of others. So for them is super easy to say you bought something cheap and therefore that it's so badly finished that it could literally kill you that this is a risk you took.

          There's a world of difference between something coming from overseas &/or being cheap and it having such blatant faults that are so potentially serious….we're not talking about a fidget spinner etc here.

          And again with all due respect you cannot tell me that the majority of those folks who replied were wishing to 'assist' - that they saw things differently to me is 100% fine as if done constructively (as some did) that can assist - but like I said to me they're just wanting to troll, it's plain as day.

        • tebbybabes on 21/03/2018 - 13:25
          -1

          @Nikko:

          Whatever that term is for getting pleasure through the misfortune of others.

          I believe the word you're looking for is schadenfreude

        • onetwothreefour on 21/03/2018 - 15:21

          @Nikko:

          FWIW I'm as calm as can be

          Then goes on a rant and accusing people of stupidity. Yeah, you're real calm.

  • SBOB on 21/03/2018 - 12:55
    +5

    apart from the sketchy mains wire hole, neither of those other 2 issues are that big a deal.

    Those LED lights would draw bugger all current, so the gauge of wire being used internally should be of no concern. If your 'ex sparky' guy thought it would be, then im worried about his 'sparky' knowledge.

    As for the grounding, up until the recent regulations pretty much no light fittings or fans had the requirement for grounding. Yes, grounding adds the extra level of safety for electrical faults, but you dont see every old house burning down due to their light fittings not being grounded.

    You bought cheap stuff, now you either accept the cheap v quality risks and possibly DIY some rectification on the hole and grounding (assuming the casing is metal), or throw them in the bin and learn a lesson

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 13:04
      -1

      But the thing is on the basis of the hole ALONE they're unusable….sure I can fix if needed but thats NOT an acceptable resolution and the seller can't be allowed to send up such faults.

      Your basis of sparky knowledge is??? FWIW - his exact words on the wire gauge was they were 'borderline'.

      Yes, I'm well versed in the grounding practices etc and you're correct - but the key difference is that it's actually legislated that all new fittings installed to dwellings MUST be grounded. There is an exception for older existing fittings only.

      Haha and again I'm really wondering how especially here on OzB folks are so quick to say you bought cheap and therefore essentially whatever you got sent, regardless of their faults etc you get what you deserve. I don't see it that way and in reality I highly doubt that you or the vast majority of others would see it that way if roles were reversed it's just a lot easier to say when it isn't. :-)

      • donkey on 21/03/2018 - 13:14
        +5

        you keep talking about legislation and legal requirements and australian standards yet you bought your goods from a china guy in China who doesn't give two hoots about your imaginary legislation. As someone else mentioned above, what was your point posting this ? it seems like regardless of what anyone tells you, you already have your own mind made up that this is outrageous anyway.

        complain to the ACCC, report this Chinese seller, let's just sit and pray and hope the ACCC take action against a Chinese seller for not complying with a completely different countries laws in regards to cheap electrical items.

        • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 13:21
          -2

          Do you have issues with basic comprehension? I just need to know as I'm unsure where at any point I said I was going to report the seller to any Australian body? I didn't…so what are you on about?

      • SBOB on 21/03/2018 - 13:28
        +3

        But the thing is on the basis of the hole ALONE they're unusable

        not really. Guarantee if you went scouring through some of the cheap electrical fittings at bunnings you could find something identical… cables dont rub back and forth on their own post fixed installation

        Your basis of sparky knowledge is???

        if I didnt have any, I wouldnt have posted regarding the wire gauge.

        is that it's actually legislated that all new fittings installed to dwellings MUST be grounded.

        then throw them out.. no grounding, no Australian standards.
        Not bought from Australian retailer so no requirement for them to have any form of Australian standards certification.

        Or, take the risk.. Like plenty do with Xiaomi power boards or other perfectly safe electrical items that may not have the appropriate 'ticks' but may be equal to or better quality than something which may carry them.

        Your house, your insurance, your choice.

        If you received something faulty (based on those 'issues', you didnt), get it replaced. But you aren't dealing with a local seller, you dont have the same 'consumer rights' that you are preaching about.

        Or, if it makes you feel better.
        Yeah, damn that aliexpress seller. You should take it up with the ACCC and make a complaint.

        Happy? doesnt change your current situation or the advice/responses that have been posted.

      • D C on 21/03/2018 - 14:13

        But the thing is on the basis of the hole ALONE they're unusable…

        Jesus wept, so neither you or your sparky are capable of cleaning up that hole?

        That metal is so thin you could use a leather punch to do it properly to cut the hole bigger, swipe a round file though it a few times, or the time-honoured dodgy method of giving it a whack with a punch to make the hole bigger, and then using the hammer to flatten the sharp bits.

        I think I'll take up a trade.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 13:08
      +2

      Sparkies are technicians not engineers. They're trained to know the practical techniques for installation. Their knowledge base extends to legally defined standards.

      Sparkies are not taught the physics of electricity.

      • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 13:21

        Your point is?

        • SBOB on 21/03/2018 - 13:29
          +4

          that your electrician friend may or may not know what the heck he is talking about ;)

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 13:37
          +3

          That a sparkie isn't exactly a useful expert in electricity.

          He said that "It really annoys me as this type of stuff is exactly the way people get killed". He is unqualified to make such a remark.

          1. Where does he draw his statistics from? 20 people die via electrocution per year. Only a little over 15% are caused by domestic electrocution. That makes 3 people per year. That's an awfully small number (I'm not advocating for higher) to say that dodgy internal wiring of imported low draw electrical devices causes deaths. I'm not saying there isn't a cause and effect but it was stipulated that this is the way people get killed.

          2. The unit is plastic, the wires passing through are insulated, the serrations are plastic. To say that the poorly finished plastic housing may contribute to injury is akin to saying plastic cake knives are dangerous weapons.

          3. To conclude that using a small gauge wire, okay, I cannot tell the draw from that but let's assume it is a high draw oven. The wire will melt like a fuse. You may be electrocuted momentarily as the conductor melts and potentially current is still passing from the partially attached wire. It's like getting electrocuted on a fuse. It is theoretically possible but we'd have to dig a lot deeper than a sample group of 3 deaths per year.

          4. The housing is plastic (I'm assuming based on all the photos provided not having any signs of metal housing). What are you earthing?

          My point is, your argument is based heavily on "expert opinion" but your expert isn't credible. If we omit that from your original post, this is the summary.

          "Bought $200 lamp from China. Plastic housing has sharp holes and thin wires".

          Ps. I hope you do not feel berated. I hope it is seen as educational.

          I acknowledge that I misread that the housing as plastic when infact it is metal. I have cake on my face for that.

        • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 13:57
          -5

          @tshow: Honestly I've blown my budget on time to spend on this thread - with all due respect I think for all intents and purposes a sparky has more than ample knowledge on electricity to give significant and meaningful feedback on this area. So we might have to disagree.

          1. Really????? Lets play semantics eh….sorry but can't dignify such a ludicrous point.

          2. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON ABOUT…THE FITTING IS METAL - I STATED THAT AND YOU STATE LIKE ITS A FACT THAT ITS PLASTIC!!!!!!!!! honestly your entire argument is moot as you are either deliberately being stupid/ignoring whats stated and just making up your own truths or completely confused. Why would I complain about a plastic fitting??? It's metal….and thus the jagged hole is a real risk to cut into the wires either via movement or over time as the heat from the LED degrades the insulation and as there's no grommet the wire makes contact.

          3. The wire gauge was a secondary concern - your point is fair and taken.

          4. Again DON"T LIE - I've stated it's metal and you're just saying you know better????

          My point is, how can a word from you be taken as intelligent or meaningful when I state the fittings are metal and you simply override me and INSIST THEY'RE PLASTIC. Honestly please stop wasting my time with nonsense and made up falsehoods.

          https://photos.app.goo.gl/71OU99Sa2IdiwJHJ3
          How the hell can you look at that picture, which was there from the get go and seeing the nature of the hole and also the white back and grey front and after being told it's metal repeatedly INSIST from your desktop that it's instead plastic?????

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 14:06
          +1

          @Nikko:
          I am willing to acknowledge I misread, you seem unwilling to submit that your sparkie made some ridiculous comments and may not know everything about electricity.

          You seem very worked up about a false detail yet you are willing to make an entire argument based on plenty of falsehoods.

          I insist from the comfort of my cycle machine and a small screen as my head is bobbing up and down.

          Ps. To earth the metal housing, weld a metal wire or similar gauge to your live wire and run it to terminate with your other two wires. This will then pair up to the tree wires from where your wire is crimped.

        • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 14:15
          -1

          @tshow: Haha wow thats awful big of you. So you spout totally false nonsense and yet then wish to be credible and insist someone else has made 'ridiculous comments'. Ok…..

          I insist he knows everything about electricity????? I didn't say he was Nicola Tesla - nice taking a simple remark to a stupid extreme.

          I'm worked up???? Haha and I'm wiling to make an argument based on falsehoods??? me? But not you? Not really but when people who can't get basic details right really should perhaps finish their spin class and stop making excuses for way they can't get such basics right. Just a suggestion.

          PPS. I know how to implement a solution to ground the METAL housing but thanks.

        • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 14:17

          @Nikko: This is the state of OzB - make a statement insisting that someone is lying about what material something is made of and you get +'d…….haha correct the person, despite having supplied photos and clearly saying this wasn't the case multiple times and you'd negged. Seems the correct use of the voting system.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 14:20

          @Nikko:
          You're clearly worked up as I never even suggested you were worked up. I was only trying to be helpful so you had a solution going forward, which I assume was your intention of the post. I think it's great you already knew the solution.

          I did make assumptions and I did say it made an ass out of myself. It's admitted right above (rather than editing it out). You can see it. No arguments were made in said falsehood, merely statements that did not merit rebuttal. They were factually correct based on false assumption, hence I surrendered that they were moot points. An argument and a statement may be related but they are fundamentally different. This is, however, semantics as you previously pointed out.

  • tebbybabes on 21/03/2018 - 13:36
    +2

    I'm sorry your purchase didn't go as you planned. And I'm disappointed that by your description you find them unfit for use.

    Before you think I'm trolling, I find no pleasure in what you're going through, but I have to echo @onetwothree and ask what exactly do you want from the community? It almost appears that you want everyone to be up-in-arms and have the same indignation that you feel.

    Regarding the last part of post which was ostensibly the question in your post - My opinion is you probably won't go very far with a dispute with aliexpress or your seller. But wishing you luck. I have no experience with chargebacks so I can't comment there.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 13:39
      -1

      I thought it was relatively straight forward but I was seeking feedback on how to go about the dispute process with AliExpress - in hindishgt it was idiotic to expect that here as folks will instead prefer to just say, "The holes are jagged etc well it's cheap so you get that."

      Anyway my mistake - I appreciate your approach but I'm initiating the dispute and I guess we'll see how we go. :-)

  • airzone on 21/03/2018 - 13:37
    +2

    You're buying cheap electrical goods from a country that specialises in dodgy cheap.. Fake eggs, melamine in baby formula, etc. Anything to save a cent.

    Buy from a retailer like this, and they're only interested in one thing. Your cash. Your safety is not even on the radar.

    You can get high quality goods from China. You just have to pay the price.

    You can check out the Youtube channel bigclivedotcom to see him deconstruct, analyse, and "test" many of the forms of involuntary suicide imported from these sellers. Your lights, while dodgy, don't come close to some of the things he buys..

  • mskeggs on 21/03/2018 - 13:37
    +5

    Surely you have been to parts of the world where finances allow the option of sub-par safety or nothing?
    Look at the wiring in rural Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia etc. if you are uncertain.
    The risk of shock if an insulated wire is in contact against a sharp edge over time is pretty minimal, but obviously undesirable, so I probably wouldn't use that fitting. But it doesn't look as catastrophic as you are suggesting. It is a fixed fitting, so unlikely to have the movement you think will shear the insulation. Of course, I can easily pay $25 for an AU standard instead of $10 for the Chinese no-standard version, so I can be picky about safety.
    I think you are getting a bit worked up over the expectations you are projecting as being the minimum the world over - other places prioritise cost over everything else.

    Buying from a Chinese seller gains you a ticket to that global standards-free marketplace, a marketplace you are forbidden from entering locally for your own good. If you choose to enter it, it is up to you, but you must take responsibility for your own purchases, such as ensuring they meet the standards that matter to you. It doesn't sound as if the Chinese supplier tried to mislead you. If anything, you are doing the wrong thing by trying to buy non-approved fixed electrical items, the listing doesn't mention any standards compliance.

    I prefer the freedom to decide for myself, with the security of knowing a local product meets local standards.

    In any case, are you actually upset you spent $200 on light fittings you can't legally install in Australia, and so are looking for an excuse to get a refund? Or did you decide before the sale to buy fittings that couldn't be legally installed and risk the consequences?

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 13:44

      I'm unsure exactly what my minimal impression of electrical practices during my travels has to do with quality control (as thats really what this is about, the other complaints e.g grounding, wire gauge and several others like proximity of mains wire to the LED's are a distant second).

      I've spent too long on this thread now and it's turning into something thats of little benefit for anyone BUT IN SHORT its undeniable that as the products arrived the total lack of finishing on those holes is a major fault and they're unusable AS IS. yes, i know that if worse comes to worse I can modify myself but thats a complete aside and not of consequence to the transaction between the seller and I.

      I bought them as I expected it would be a product that I could use…..as it IS (i.e without having to mod/alter etc) this plainly isn't the case. I feel thats a pretty low bar and regardless of what the price was or where it was sourced it's a bar ALL consumers would expect if not demand be met.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 13:52
        +2

        Major fault implies that the product does not function as intended or its functional description is false and had you know otherwise, you wouldn't have made the purchase. Neither today that are true.

        It does not have a major fault, let alone any fault.

        Your impression of minimal standards abroad is very relevant as you bought something from aboard that carries the standards from said origin.

        Surely these are two points that you can agree upon after further deconstruction.

      • SBOB on 21/03/2018 - 14:37

        finishing on those holes is a major fault and they're unusable AS IS

        we definitely have a differing definitions to the term 'MAJOR' fault

    • airzone on 21/03/2018 - 13:55

      Look at the wiring in rural Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia etc

      For OP's benefit, here's some pictures I took in the Bangalore Palace, in India a few years back. https://imgur.com/a/UPO1x This isn't a rural area though.

      • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 14:02

        hahaha whats your point?

        One doesn't have anything to do with the other - it's a really silly point and is like saying human shit is used as fertiliser and therefore if foreign sourced veges arrived contaminated it's bad luck for whoever eats them e.g berry contamination a few yrs back. Basic safety is basic safety and those fittings AS SOLD aren't safe - period.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 14:16

          Uhh. It is for that reason I avoid produce that originate from certain countries.

          As students, we were encouraged to buy natural human skeletons, typically sourced from India, as they are much more anatomically accurate than plastic ones (back then). That statement was rapidly retracted the next day because concerned students informed the faculty that the specimens procured were taken live and were gassed, typically with carbon monoxide. That was the only way the tiny bones were kept intact.

          Shit happens overseas my friend. You gotta pick and choose where your vegies come from less you be eating faecal contaminated food.

  • Ryanek on 21/03/2018 - 13:46
    +1

    So defensive OP. Everyone is pretty much saying the same thing… so yeah maybe they're onto something.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 13:47
      -1

      Cheers for your 2c.

      • Ryanek on 21/03/2018 - 14:21
        +3

        This ones for free… be more respectful to the people you're asking for advice, and they'll be nicer to you.

    • payton on 21/03/2018 - 14:01
      +1

      Ironically, OP being defensive only attracts more snarky comments ..

      • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 14:09
        -1

        Defensive….it's never I term in the context you're using it I've been overly fond of - nor really understood. So let me put it to you - when multiple people ignore my request for feedback on how to approach the dispute process with AliExpress and instead say,"You bought cheap and from OS so whatever the issue it's too bad" or as one did insist that I lied and that the fitting was plastic - and why was I complaining about a jagged hole in a plastic fitting - WHEN I PLAINLY STATED IT WAS METAL….I'm meant to respond how?

        Thanks for your feedback….that was helpful ? Dunno what you expect but anyway c'est la vie.

  • altomic on 21/03/2018 - 13:59
    +2

    i don't know what you're expecting from other users by posting this.

    you bought a product from another country with out checking whether it is compliant with Australian standards and it does not meet Australian electric standards.

    and you now want a refund or some other solution which is at the cost of the supplier, due to your lack of diligence.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 14:05
      -2

      I don't have to check if it's compliant with Oz standards to know if it's safe for basic use - THATS THE POINT and the core of my issue.

      Lack of diligence? What does my diligence have to do with the holes in the metal fitting and the state of them? Don't talk nonsense.

  • Succulent Synth on 21/03/2018 - 14:15

    If it was me I would just bin them and move on. I wouldn't risk electrocution or fire with non-compliant electrical fittings.

  • Daniel Plainview on 21/03/2018 - 14:20
    +1

    haha ok well for the handful of folks who gave helpful replies - despite them seeing things different to myself - much thanks as I appreciate the constructive discussion but as much as I'd love to hang around I've got to run. Thank you.

    • one man clan on 21/03/2018 - 14:46
      +3

      Hopefully on your way to an anger management course, you have some serious issues

  • Ocker on 21/03/2018 - 15:21

    One could spend an hour pushing and pulling the power cable through the pictured hole and still not break through the outer plastic coating let alone the coating on the individual wires.

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