Hobby King: Forewarned is Forearmed

[DougB412]

I want to alert the community to an ongoing experience I’m having with Hobby King to save everyone the experience I have to endure as a Hobby King customer.
I placed an order last Monday for a pair of nano tech 6S 65C batteries. When I tried to pay the website forwarded me to their PayPal site. I paid the amount listed with my credit card and have proof in the form of a screen capture; further my card has been charged the full amount.
However, more than 24 hours later my order shows as unpaid.
· When I called their number I get an automated message saying all agents are busy and it NEVER connects to anyone, just repeats the same message.
· When I initiate a chat to resolve this, the chat tool never connects me to an agent; again, no matter the time of day or night I never connect to anyone.
· I opened a ticket online with Hobby King and they automatically declared the issue resolved without even addressing the order status or receipt of my funds on PayPal or anywhere else. They have yet to respond to any further communication including a request to cancel the order.
I called my bank and after a few days on the phone with my bank fraud detection department I’ve learned the following.
· My bank is advising me to have my cards reissued as they have seen a pattern of credit card fraud with customers doing business with “HexTronik Limited” which is Hobby King.
· Further my bank is noticing a recurring issue with “HexTronik Limited” customers going into dispute resolution with VISA after placing orders with Hobby King.
· My bank is advising me they “HexTronik Limited” have been uncommunicative with them to resolve billing disputes in the past.
At best this is horrific customer service at worst, fraud.
Either way I will never do business with Hobby King and would advise anyone to be very careful with them. Dealing with them and their issues is now costing me dearly in terms of time and money to clear up. Unacceptable!

[Bob O]

I've ordered from them about three times in three years, didn't have any problems.

You can't expect Ready Heli type of service and shipping from HK.

[americas911]

I have used them since 2008 and had my first problem a couple weeks ago when I purchased some batteries. It showed "waiting for payment" or whatever its says, I waited a hour, no change so I hopped on the chat function and gave them the transaction number and it was resolved. Batteries at my door 2 days later.

[Allen Sullivan]

I've had the same issue with them the last couple of orders I have placed with them except it wasn't with my credit card but with paypal.

[Twrecks600]

Originally Posted by americas911

I have used them since 2008 and had my first problem a couple weeks ago when I purchased some batteries. It showed "waiting for payment" or whatever its says, I waited a hour, no change so I hopped on the chat function and gave them the transaction number and it was resolved. Batteries at my door 2 days later.

Was that with the USA warehouse? There is no way you got batts from china in 2 days!! The last order I made years ago took almost a month!!

[americas911]

Yep, it was the USA warehouse! No way I would order bats from HK.

[Larry227]

Your bank must have a lot of RC enthusiasts as customers.

Seriously though, I hope you get it sorted out. Even well respected vendors have had their issues when it's come to credit cards. The bad part is you'll not get the kind of response from overseas as you would from the more respected vendors.

I've made several purchases from HK in the last few years and they've all went well.

[ddj74]

i have paid thru paypal many of times and some situations the payment from paypal to the company isn't cleared or processed for a few days. i don't think it's hobby kings fault. also some order status isn't updated right away. gotta give them time and also put in consideration the time zone difference. some do not process in 24hrs...some do immediately. i think you are wrong in this situation.

[Wesley888]

I've noticed that the site shows unpaid but it still got processed like normal. I have placed numerous order in the pass few weeks and didn't have any problem.

[Twrecks600]

@ americas911 - I would love to order from the USA warehouse but unfortunately they don't have the packs I need

I'm finding fewer and fewer positive responses on various forums about HK and their way of doing business. I was hoping this would play out differently as I am looking to purchase at least one set of 6s 5000 mah packs and was liking the HK price!! I guess I may have to go with the lower C rated Gens Ace packs from Hobby Partz.

["SUPER-STROKER"]

"GOOD, CHEAP, or FAST" Please pick any two!

I pick good and cheap and play with my kiddos or other helis, while I wait!!!
Seriously 5$ nice painted 450 canopies and 3s, 2200 mah 90 c lipos for 15$ with WARRANTY, how do you complain about that. Bet to just place your order and get immediately in the que to chat with a rep, I've never waited less than 15 - 20 min just go do something and check back, they won't go away immediately. Really is a nice option for us "Non Top Shelfers!"


Danny H.

[dave22250]

They are 100 percent positive with all my orders....I order what I need and usually wait about three weeks...Instant gradification..they are not.....If U are the type that get your shorts in a knot easily.....................Then Hobby King is not for U

[Redlight11]

Originally Posted by dave22250

If U are the type that get your shorts in a knot easily.....................Then Hobby King is not for U

+1. I have placed 15-20 orders with no problems to speak of. The time in transit has varied from a week to 4 weeks but if I am in a rush I do not order from HK

[molehunter]

Hmmm!

They ain't the fastest and their CNY can really slow things down but they've always come through with the goods for me - 38 orders to date.

Hope you get it sorted out Doug, Marty

[NZ_Nitro]

Buyer beware They have ripped me off for about $100 with faulty parts even though they have had them sent back

[driveutwo]

Its funny how people try to defend hobbyking because they get lucky and get there stuff. I have ordered items and received them a month later anyway I work hard for my money and I would be pissed if hobbyking stole my money!! There are to many people that have been screwed from hk its not worth taking the chance!!

[Inverse]

Up to 40 orders now with no issues at all.
I'd say if the chat function doesn't work it's an issue with your computer.
The live chat usually works really well.

[fbarcenas]

I order everything through HOBBYKING. I've been a loyal customer of theirs for 2 years now. I have 15 orders already shipped through them. I have NEVER had a problem, I am ordering from the INTERNATIONAL WAREHOUSE and shipping to MEXICO. Everything has always arrived, even when sent regular post. I too have always paid with PAYPAL. I have yet to run into a problem.

[TallPaul]

Ordered from them several weeks ago and had a similar problem (paypal showed paid, HK showed unpaid). It took 7 days to show as paid and everything worked fine after that.

Look to see if your product has gone out of stock. I think this was a delaying technique while they waited to get more stock on what I ordered.

In the end, I got everything as ordered. Ordered 6 times and 2x I've had issues - but they have always delivered in the end.

[UBHSTRY]

Cant count the orders I have with them, they have been good to me! Even refunded my CC on one order, cause I was stupid and cancelled it because it said not paid. Did the online chat thing, which took a bit to hook up to someone, but it did, and it was fixed. Someone said if you get your knickers in a knot easily, HK is not the place for you, well, that hits the nail on the head! Ill take my 15 dollar lipos all day long, and a little miscomunication from chinese to english all day long...LOL

Lets see, CF and Metal 500 ready to fly, for less than 200 bucks.......count me in! Better than 1000+ at the LHS. I could not afford this hobby if not for HK! And yes, if I get a bad 15 dollar lipo, I throw it out, and just order a new one. I mean really, I think out of all the lipos I have ordered, 2 have been bad over the years.....thats 30 bucks....Hm, ONE from the LHS is far more than that!