hobbyking
 

if anyone out there is thinking of using them, then have a right good think, I joined them and placed some orders as Im on a budget and the prices are great, I dont have a model shop within 100 miles, and I appreciate that they have to make a profit, but with the prices as cheap as they were with hobbyking I decided to try them

thats the end of it LOL

orders that fail but they manage to take the money? I contact them, so called live support, 40 minutes between replies, told yes we refund, takes 7 working days, no it doesnt, but I wait, time expires so I ask again, and Im told yes we will refund!!! hmm so someone was lying the first time

another order turns up short, its a small box with some wire and tools, should have had a charger in it, had to send photos of the box, photos of it on scales etc to show theres no charger in it???

no reply for many days, then I get asked for more photos, including of the missing items?? WTF

is it just me or is it normal?

Went to order some batteries from them last night checked out and said there was an error and to try again I didn't think the payment went through and in the end gave up I have now been charged twice for two batteries, contacted live support last night and still no answer.
Callum

yup, they will say they will refund, and please order again

they reckon its 7 business days for a refund, I waited but nothing, again told they refund, and still nothing

filed a dispute with paypal, HK have now emailed me to say that because I went to paypal they have cancelled my refund

Im still trying to work out how to take a photo of the missing items in the other delivery LOL

I wonder just how much money they are sat on for 2-3 weeks at a time, due to disputes and "errors" with their website

Your not alone there are more out there.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...womWxGKg5xSY_9
Have a read of this
http://www.oople.com/forums/showthre...ight=hobbyking

guess i must be lucky

i have used them fine a few times but i suppose i limit myself to UK warehouse stock and make sure they have stock before i hit the order button

delivery normally 2 days

doesnt help the guys that are having problems though

dave

Same for me so can't complain... Post is sometimes a bit slow but check stock in UK warehouse is available and you're good to go...

Sorry you guys have probs, but at these prices Hobbyking can't be ignored!!

Only complaint I have is when something DOES go wrong, you can't speak to someone on the phone or from the UK warehouse. I bought something after seeking advice from a Product Specialist' and it turned out not to work as described, chatted to another PS, yes, return it, complete the RMA and all is well. Sent the item back in the original box, recorded delivery to the UK warehouse, and this is where they mislead you.... you don't get a refund till the item gets back to their main warehouse, which they don't tell you.

It took many hours trying to get my money back..... which I did as a credit note, on a plus side, their communication is so bad, they have now acknowledged I can get a refund, so I might end up with double my money!!

I can't complain - probably had 14 orders with them in last 2 years from global, European and uk warehouses. Not one issue so far, latest one arrived today - another 1258tg servo

I can't believe their prices so i've just had a punt - Turnigy 120A esc with boost for £31 - from the uk warehouse so fingers crossed it will arrive soon.

Quick question, do you guys who've been having problems have a proper account with them or just buy and pay? As it seems that I'm one of the lucky ones who've never had a problem with them and the stuff it superb value for money, just so you know the 120a turnigy speedos are great i've bought several of them.

I do rate them for price but maybe because I am a platinum member that I get priority. if you sign in and look at the rating stars it will explain touch wood never had a problem with them. maybe that's why I go back. cant say the same for nitrotek. what a shambles. again no phones just got to take a ticket on email and then wait 7 days for a reply. they sent me the wrong item. admit it and then when I ask for a refund they say the item will fit.4s battery with a 3s only esc. dont think it would last long.
just make sure you look for in stock not ON BACK ORDER

Yes im regiztered with them. Order from uk warehouse. Items in stock

I've ordered a fair few bits, its always arrived very quickly (UK warehouse) the international one can take a while, plus the postage isnt that cheap unless its a very light item. I try to stick purely to the UK warehouse if possible.

I think they're good when it goes to plan, I dont think their after sales service is very good. I was missing a tiny bit on a recent order, sent an email but didnt even get a reply. Which reminds me, better chase it up :D

The glitch we had was the name on the account and the wierd procedure to verify the account.

Account was in my own name and card was my wifes, still same surname and all other details, but they just werent having it for days.

i must be lucky too, ive ordered many times from hobbyking, used the european warehouse ( germany ) and the uk warehouse and all orders have arrived within 3 days, and thats using the cheapest postal option available from both warehouses, never had a single problem with any orders.

UK warehouse for batteries has always been fine for me, quick order turn around and no errors. About 18 months ago I did a lipo order from China, and it came fine, but with the new postage regs on lipos now, I wouldn't do it again and just stick to UK warehouse for lipo orders. I've done about 10+ orders with them now from UK and China warehouses. Mostly quadcopter stuff, but a few car batteries, 1S and 2S shorty packs all have been fine. Quality and prices have been good, but I've not experienced any order mistakes or faulty gear. I did have some quadcopter LEDs that turned out to be crap, but I'd spent about $2, so no loss.
I did deal with the online chat people once as an order was taking its time. that was 15 mins I'll never get back, but the order did turn up the next morning anyway.

Most of the issues I've heard about (both personal account and on forums) tend to be from less IT savvy online orderers, people who don't read properly or people with odd expectations from the start. I'm not intending to offend here at all, but if you consider yourself as one of the above just go to a regular UK based shop. Also if you are on a tight budget, and can't really afford a hold up or mistake, save yourself the trouble.

I was talking to a chap that I race with about a flight transmitter, he'd has problems ordering it and stock problems, and bad communication with the online chat people. he complained in email to the head office/management team and promptly received an apology and a massive discount on the order which was correctly processed for him by someone who could speak English and had a clue.

I'm waiting for an order myself now from China, but I'd ordered the day before Chinese new year. they said to expect some delays. it has taken a few more days to get the order process emails, but its on its way on the proverbial slow boat, so I'm happy with that. it will turn up soon.

When ordering you need to be aware which warehouse location you are ordering from. keep orders to that same location and don't mix. Also create a site login account, don't try to use a guest account. There seems to be no traceable record of the order if it fails, but the payment does get taken. use PayPal.


if you have any doubts about them or expect a service like you'll get from a decent UK based shop or online shop, don't bother ordering hobbyking, save yourself the stress and deal with someone you can call and bend their ear. if you are happy with what I've said, not too worried if there is a slight issue or delay, order away and you'll be fine.

All top advice from Neal.
I've ordered nearly 40 separate orders from Uk / Global and more recently Euro warehouse.
Mainly copter stuff - but recently car speedo / lipos and servos.

Had a few small problems but nothing major and always resolved.

I order stuff expecting to see it in around a month or so - never order anything you need quick from the Global warehouse. UK takes around 5 days.

Generally really happy with everything and will continue to use them.

I think you get to know the site as you use it. The first time I ordered I didn't set up an account and used the direct check out. Same story, payment taken and the site crashed.
I used the online chat which did find the payment and advise they had it but couldn't process it. Again same story. But Hobbyking do offer to email a transcript of the chat. I copied that in the paypal dispute, then called paypal. They agreed it was clear cut and pushed the process on so I didn't have to wait the 10 days. Got my refund in 4 days.

Since then I've opened an account, log in first, then order and its not missed a beat. In fact I'd say it was pretty good as you can track all their processing, from printing the order to packing and dispatch. I've used the global and UK warehouses many times and both are delivered in under a week. Can't fault it really.

So the key is open an account. One final tip, if you stay on a page for a few minutes they sometimes offer a discount to tempt you to buy. I've not worked this out yet because sometimes it does and other times not, but if you know your going to order, no harm in trying it.

As above, open an account and then you can order.

I have used them several times ordering from the uk warehouse and received items 3 to 5 working days everytime. Just make sure the item you are ordering are in stock.

I've had no problems at all , always order from uk warehouse and collect from Elmsett as it's only 20 mins from my house , I've also turned up prior to receiving a confirmation email to say my stuff has been packed , just on the off chance when I've been passing by , and the staff have been very helpful in locating my order and picking it whilst I waited !
I even ordered the wrong connectors for my quad once and they just swapped them for me there & then !

Much easier obviously if you can collect in person , but even so a great service and their A-spec lipos are superb !!