HobbyKing Turnigy LiPo - Warranty and Returns review

[Planehazza]

Do it mate. The first 3 pairs that I bought were fine. I checked them, then soldered EC5s. Roll on a few months, I buy a both pair and stupidly say to my self, "the others were fine, lets just solder on EC5". Roll on a few weeks, out comes the cell checker before charging for the first time and what do you know? A duff cell in both. Too late to do anything. £60 wasted, my own fault for not being thorough and doing something sooner. Lesson learned.

I'll check all packs myself as well from now on.

[Mark_T]

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.

... seconds x several thousand packs being dropped shipped direct from the factory to various warehouse locations around the world ends up as probably a small number of new staff globally just to test packs ...

They are depending on the fault rate being low, generally a safe bet but if the fault rate goes up on a batch then the customers take the brunt of the problem sadly.

This is why it may cost a little more to get the confidence of having every pack hand tested before it gets to you, but it may well be worth it ...

[nobbycopter]

Do it mate. The first 3 pairs that I bought were fine. I checked them, then soldered EC5s. Roll on a few months, I buy a both pair and stupidly say to my self, "the others were fine, lets just solder on EC5". Roll on a few weeks, out comes the cell checker before charging for the first time and what do you know? A duff cell in both. Too late to do anything. £60 wasted, my own fault for not being thorough and doing something sooner. Lesson learned.

I'll check all packs myself as well from now on.

I always have checked the voltages before doing anything. This time however all my tools/heli stuff is on my fiancés parents garage (waiting to build my shed/man cave) so not got my checker hence not done it yet. First thing on my list of things to do when I get back off hols...

Hmm....just had a couple of packs delivered from a reputable supplier (whom I know will sort the problem quickly reading the feedback on here) and one arrived with one cell puffed. The box(s) were not damaged so that's not the reason why. Not even going to bother measuring the voltages on that one but will on the other (which is fine looking at it!) Was thinking of selling my 700N but now Nitro is looking good again...........

[nobbycopter]

In fact, no sooner had I emailed than I get a reply saying return it, and we will replace and refund your return postage. I do buy from Hobby King but do accept that sometimes you have to write off duds/faulty items as it's almost not worth trying to get a refund, still tends to work out cheaper in the end. As the old adage goes.....you pays your money and takes your choice...

[RcRotaryMadness]

I do get what your saying Mark but whats the cost of checking a pack vs losing custom to other packs like these Haiyins that have come along.. I'd be happy to pay another $2-5 per pack for them to be checked before postage... this way its still the cheapest option but will do away (for the most part) with this lengthy returns process..

And that is the problem really, the duff lipo isnt too bad its the amount of time and effort to get it sorted, they need fix it one way or another imo it will put ppl off buying. But thats for hobbyking to sort out.

As for testing a lipo on arrival I think is a must, regardless of brand I always stick a cell checker on it before doing anything, i think it stands in your favour to check them on arrival and act fast on it if its faulty. LiPos only come with a short, limited warranty don't forget lol.

[Planehazza]

In fact, no sooner had I emailed than I get a reply saying return it, and we will replace and refund your return postage. I do buy from Hobby King but do accept that sometimes you have to write off duds/faulty items as it's almost not worth trying to get a refund, still tends to work out cheaper in the end. As the old adage goes.....you pays your money and takes your choice...

That's good service!

The article I read by Electriflyer gives me trust and faith in that seller, so I will happily buy from them. Like I said in the other thread, it's nice to see factual evidence and explanations, rather than "These 100C packs are the nuts". Communications and support are always fast and top notch too

[nobbycopter]

They are well known for their service, can't fault them.

[Planehazza]

They are well known for their service, can't fault them.

Which packs/supplier if you don't mind me asking? PM me if you'd prefer.

[Mark_T]

In fact, no sooner had I emailed than I get a reply saying return it, and we will replace and refund your return postage.

How do you plan to return it?

Not easy mailing back a lipo in the UK these days, can't use RM and couriers cost a fortune ...

[nobbycopter]

Going to send via Interlink as under 100 watt/hour through work, will cost a bit but not too much.

[450man]

I bought 4 6S 5000mah Turnigy from UK warehouse a couple of months ago. 3 were fine but the 4th only had one of the wires attached! The red wire was just lose in the box. Clearly not checked before being shipped.

I went through the sending in photos and waiting etc. Eventually, after a couple of weeks, they just sent me a replacement without me needing to send the damaged one back. I thought that, for the price, that it was reasonable service.

In fact, I was quids in because I just soldered the lead back on and re-shrink wrapped it. All cells were fine and it has worked fine ever since.

It isn't all bad news buying from HK.

[Mark_T]

Going to send via Interlink as under 100 watt/hour through work, will cost a bit but not too much.

Using a business account does seem like the only practical way to do it now

[ChrisB]

Here is the result of my claim,i consider thus satisfactory.

James
HobbyKing Support Centre
Hi Chris ,

Thanks for contacting the HobbyKing Support Team.

Thank you for waiting for our response. We have forwarded the photos/videos that you have provided to our Product Specialist. We apologize to inform you that the Product ID: 1*T3300.6S.30 from your order 20075xxxxx has been proven defective. We will try our best not to come up with the same case in the future. Please kindly inform us the possible actions to take:

1. We can send you a replacement product ID: 1*T3300.6S.30 for free. Please take note that we can process the replacement 2-4 weeks.
2. As a compensation for the faulty item, we would like to offer you a store credit of $45.52 which you may use on your next purchase with us.

Looking forward to your response.

Thanks for emailing support.
If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Regards.
James
HobbyKing Support Team
Dont forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for discounts and promotions!
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August 26, 2013 14:01
Chris
Hi

Thanks for the reply,i would like to accept the credit to my account to use on future orders.

Can i just dispose of the faulty lipo now?

May i ask that Hobbyking considers testing the cell voltages prior to despatch,this would save the customer being dissapointed with them on receipt and save the ongoing claim process.

Many thanks.

Chris
-------------

To add,after a bit more testing i am 99% sure the problem is a dodgy balance tap lead,easily resolved. (i didnt tell them this bit)

[Planehazza]

Here is the result of my claim,i consider thus satisfactory.

James
HobbyKing Support Centre
Hi Chris ,

Thanks for contacting the HobbyKing Support Team.

Thank you for waiting for our response. We have forwarded the photos/videos that you have provided to our Product Specialist. We apologize to inform you that the Product ID: 1*T3300.6S.30 from your order 20075xxxxx has been proven defective. We will try our best not to come up with the same case in the future. Please kindly inform us the possible actions to take:

1. We can send you a replacement product ID: 1*T3300.6S.30 for free. Please take note that we can process the replacement 2-4 weeks.
2. As a compensation for the faulty item, we would like to offer you a store credit of $45.52 which you may use on your next purchase with us.

Looking forward to your response.

Thanks for emailing support.
If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Regards.
James
HobbyKing Support Team
Dont forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for discounts and promotions!
http://www.facebook.com/HobbyKing
www.twitter.com/hobbykinglive

August 26, 2013 14:01
Chris
Hi

Thanks for the reply,i would like to accept the credit to my account to use on future orders.

Can i just dispose of the faulty lipo now?

May i ask that Hobbyking considers testing the cell voltages prior to despatch,this would save the customer being dissapointed with them on receipt and save the ongoing claim process.

Many thanks.

Chris
-------------

To add,after a bit more testing i am 99% sure the problem is a dodgy balance tap lead,easily resolved. (i didnt tell them this bit)

Wish I'd spotted this on mine earlier. I can only assume I have some how damaged the balance lead myself in the LiPo box. It was fine for a good 20 cycles, until last time I was out it was very slightly puffed - most wouldn't even notice it. Then, roll on 2 weeks at storage, and it has ballooned up - the cell checker reads it as a NiCad. The cell mustn't have been balancing or has somehow discharged itself, as it was fine on the charge up until that 2 week break. It's a weird one.