HobbyKing Turnigy LiPo - Warranty and Returns review

[RcRotaryMadness]

So a few weeks ago I placed an order from HobbyKings UK warehouse, mostly just small bits but also 1 x Turnigy 5000 6S 40C LiPo (bought as a spare really incase I tacco one in a crash lol)

Anyway, tested it on arrival with a cell checker - all checked out fine accept cell 6 which was reading 2.995v (others were at 3.85)

So got straight on the online chat to them and opened a support ticket... Sent them photos of the pack, its warranty sticker on the back and photos of the cell readings.

Over the course of TWO WEEKS I have been in slow communication with them.. and by that I mean I will send them a message and perhaps a day or two later they'll reply. IF you reply to that email straight away you still won't hear back from them for another 1 or 2 days. This makes the process very slow.

Anyway I was asked to cycle it on a charger and photograph cell IR & Voltage in the charge and after it had been charged (and 24 hours after).

I told them the cell seemed to be self-discharging and sent them the photos as proof as they requested.

Its a bit of a pain doing all this but in the end they have refunded the money as HK Credits on their website (which i'm ok with as I have other stuff to order) - I'd imagine getting actual money back will be near impossible but the other option given was to be sent a replacement pack.. but tbh I'm not sure I will order turnigys again. Been a bit put off by this experience although the turnigys i've got are working well (and are very closely balanced!)

Because of the photos provided they said there was no need for me to return the pack to them (which is kinda good as posting packs back is another pita and costly business).


So in short - if you have a problem, expect it to take a few weeks to resolve and also a lot of work on your side too. However they do seem willing to correct for faulty packs but they do take their time!

If only they checked the packs before posting them life would be easier lol

[ChrisB]

I have today recd two 6s 3300 packs,one of which shows as a 3s on a cell checker and its total voltage is 7.5v on the output leads.

I opened a ticket at 6pm,sent pics on request by 7pm and am awaiting a 'technical bod' to examine the photos and evidence and take it from there,be interesting to see how it proceeds,first faulty Turnigy i have had and TBH i dont forsee an issue getting it replaced but agree if only they would check them on despatch it would save these duff packs getting to customers and all the hassle it involves.

On reflection it does make you consider buying packs from suppliers that do perform a simple cell test,many do now and although i am totally happpy with Hobbyking it could sway my choice of where i purchase Lipos from in future.

[Planehazza]

Well this has made my mind up. No more turnigy packs for me. The packs are great when you get ones that work - the fault is with HK's lack of QC. I've got 3 6S LiPos here each with a duff cell. Seems to have been a bad batch. All the others are fine.

I have today recd two 6s 3300 packs,one of which shows as a 3s on a cell checker and its total voltage is 7.5v on the output leads.

I opened a ticket at 6pm,sent pics on request by 7pm and am awaiting a 'technical bod' to examine the photos and evidence and take it from there,be interesting to see how it proceeds,first faulty Turnigy i have had and TBH i dont forsee an issue getting it replaced but agree if only they would check them on despatch it would save these duff packs getting to customers and all the hassle it involves.

On reflection it does make you consider buying packs from suppliers that do perform a simple cell test,many do now and although i am totally happpy with Hobbyking it could sway my choice of where i purchase Lipos from in future.

Yup, I'll be sticking to Haiyin from Electriflyer from now on I reckon.

[ChrisB]

Yes Electriflyer is becoming more appealing for sure,want to try the Haiyins anyway and that simple pre despatch check means you are going to get something thats on the face of it,ready for use.

Will report also how my claim goes,i dont buy Turnigy from anywhere but UK Warehouse now but its still a pain if you get a problem,i would still buy them personally but it takes the shine off a bit.

[RcRotaryMadness]

As Harry says, I have used Turnigy for a long time and IF you get a good pack they are good packs for a cheap price... trouble is their QC is shite! I've noticed just lately there seems to be more duff packs coming out than usual... so dunno whats going on but as said, for that little bit more you can now buy Haiyin's from electriflyer that will hopefully be good... still waiting for more reviews on them though.

As I say, the 4 Turnigy packs I do have are all spot on... just a very lengthy process to return/refund a duff pack on HK's side.


Matt

[keithspurs2000]

I've had 12 now and not had a drama with any of them. I'd be annoyed with the slow customer service if I did get a duff one though. I'll probably switch to the Haiyins too when I need to buy some more.

[MarkG_R1]

The functional of the two turnigys I bought is going ok so far (3 flights) But I got frustrated with HK's lack of urgency on getting me my replacement for the 5andahalf cell one, It took a paypal claim to get my money back and i'll only try them again if they'll volt check lipo's before posting

I wish I had paid the extra £20 for a Gens Ace

[Planehazza]

The functional of the two turnigys I bought is going ok so far (3 flights) But I got frustrated with HK's lack of urgency on getting me my replacement for the 5andahalf cell one, It took a paypal claim to get my money back and i'll only try them again if they'll volt check lipo's before posting

I wish I had paid the extra £20 for a Gens Ace

That's exactly my point. Precisely why I'm sticking with Haiyins as I know they're checked before shipped out, and they're not greatly dearer either.

[RcRotaryMadness]

I just dont understand why they dont test them before posting... its not hard and hobbyking themselves actually sell cell checkers too.. why not just test them before packing? I did ask them this question but didnt get an answer lol.

I forgot to mention my claim was handled by multiple people not just one..
..
Keith, they are good batterys if you get a good one on delivery.. just if you get a duff its a 2 week online debate with them lol.

[Mark_T]

I just dont understand why they dont test them before posting...

Because in their calculation, it costs less to let the end-user test and report the problems on the few that are faulty, rather than check the majority that are OK.

You are paying a rock-bottom price, and dealing with the occasional failure is part of why the price is so low.

[Planehazza]

It's a shame that HK are spoiling it, as like I say, the packs are great VFM when they work, which until recently they all seemed. Obviously a bad batch along the line.

[RcRotaryMadness]

Yeah I agree its as cheap as it gets so don't expect too much but I bet they could even make themselves a quick tester that they could just press the balance tab onto and it give a green light for ok and a red for not ok.. Would take seconds to do.

[mole hunter]

Ditto to ChrisB

I received my first duff pack ever from HK in March, a Turnigy 3300 6cell for my 500. Got a refund to my account after two weeks of messing. Reordered a replacement - happy days. Ordered another a few weeks back and immediately checked it to find one completely dead cell. Groundhog day?

It makes you wonder how many cases HK are dealing with for them to be so slow with claims. Do I reorder or look at these Haiyins?

[Planehazza]

Go with Haiyins. Little bit more, but you know they're tested and you won't have an issue returning if needed. Very good, low IR readings on my packs.

I should add that the one that I've given away to make into a 5 cell in my other thread: I don't know whether it failed on its own or whether the cell lead on the balance tab has been damaged in transport by me. It doesn't feel loose and I can't see any damage, but the cell checker and the charger can't read it and one cell is very puffed, so I'm leaning towards a fault that's been working its way since I . The last two however, were DOA (Duff On Arrival lol). 5 out 6 cells perfect, one almost a whole volt lower. The one I thought I fixed (by charging the separate cell via the balance tab) has since self discharged from storage. 5 out of 6 are just above storage at 3.95, whilst the duff cell has dropped to ~3.3. The pack was balanced when I thought I'd fixed it.

[nobbycopter]

Hmmm I got 3 x 4000mAh 40c 6s Turnigys for my 550 that are still sat in their boxes. Not checked them yet but now think I will sooner rather than later!