Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

It seems like the newest ChiPODs are coming from Hong Kong. Also cheapest even with the shipping cost factored in...

Has anybody from North America bought from eBAY and the seller was located in Hong Kong?

What was your experience, how did it arrive and was there any additional costs after the selling transaction ie. duties, custom fees etc.?

I bought a nano clone from ebay member mp3_exp, who is located in Hong Kong.

The player and it's accessories came individually wrapped in plastic, everything was new and clean. And it all came together in an envelope, which wasn't taped, just the string on the flap was wrapped the closure, so securing the packaging could have been better. It all arrived okay though.

The shipping was free, no vat, and all I paid for was the item cost, which came out to be about $68 USD for a black "4gb" mp4 player (I haven't checked to see if it's hacked yet).

The seller said it would take about 5-12 days to arrive and it came on the 12 day of being shipping, about 14 days from the day I bought it.

I'm generally very happy with my purchase but I haven't left feedback yet as soon as I check everything out and confirm that it's hacked, I'll leave feedback or ask for a refund and see how honest this seller is.

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

Got one of these 2 months ago...from this seller...all items shipped from Hong Kong...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2GB-MP4-OLED-11-i...QQcmdZViewItem

Excellent player…use it daily...recent firmware...very good bright screen...plays video at 16 fps using AMV convert 4.00...very good sound quality...good FM reception...onboard speakers work well (may need to up volume during video file conversion)...menus work nicely...remembers stop point in videos and music...very, very satisfied...an excellent balance of size and features...1.5" screen NOT a problem...several hours of battery life with speakers on and video playing...holds 2GBytes as claimed...

Subsequently ordered identical additional players from same vendor for self and for gifts...all new and work perfectly...all arrived safely via registered mail (tracking number emailed; good communication)...shipped promptly upon payment completion…boxed inside bubble envelope...flap securely taped shut...

No customs, duty or taxes...received in Canada...total cost including item, shipping and insurance CDN$60 to CDN$80 depending on the particular auction...check recent purchases using EBay advanced search completed listings only option for search terms " 93b5 " and " 93s5 "...price may be a bit higher now as fewer items up for auction therefore more competitive bidding...

Would expect a similar experience if bidding on one of vendors ChiPods …Good Luck !

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

Bought on Sept 15/05 from mp3_exp but did not have a good experience.

mp3_ exp denied receiving my PayPal payment, yet shipped the player, then hit me with an unpaid strike. eBay/PayPal had to remove the strike as PapPay confirmed my full payment.

Then 4Gb player was hacked. In fact it had only a 2Gb Samsung K9WAG08U!A memory chip, so it worked OK until more than 2Gb of data was added. Then all the file became corrupted. Had reformat the chip to solve this nasty hack. See my post in "how to" addressing 4Gb memory headache for details.

When questioning mp3_exp about the fake 4Gb, they claimed in had 2 - 2Gb chips and perhaps one was bad. Opened the unit and found it had one , only 2Gb. Not nice.

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

renniw, since he said that there "2 x 2GB" memory chips, and 1 was "bad", even more you can demand a partial refund through eBay & PayPal.
eBay keeps a record of all the messages sent via their system, and if they checked it, would be able to find the message that the seller sent you saying 1 of the chip was "bad".

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

I have purchased one of these from mp3_exp recently.

Bit pissed off that it was advertised as 4Gb player and appears to be only 2GB player.

I don't know much about the innards of these things but presume that 2 x 2GB chip is exactly that. Inside mine is only one
Samsung 634
K9WAG08U1A chip.

When checking properties of the 'drive' it showing as 2GB full and 2GB empty after deleting all deletable files. Still stuck with the corrupted folders.
Tried formating player, no joy.

One other problem is that the LCD screen does not darken whilst playing!!

1. Have i any comeback on Ebay with the memory problem
2. Is there an easy way to sort the corrupt stuff
3. Any ideas about the LCD

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

I got one of the 4Mb mp4 players from ebay ( a birmingham seller mcdirectdeals) I collected it cause I dont live far, it was ok for the first night, then the next day, the memory was corrupt (all file names unreadable) I could not delete the files, so I formatted using the util program supplied, it now only shows it 1Gb, I tried everything. its still only 1G
I sent mail to the supplier, I think I will send it back & ask for refund.

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

snab , what program did you use to format the player? If you use the Disk Tools and got an error, setting the slider in the Partition & Encrypt tab to max (right) format it, then set it to min (left) and format it again.
Or else, right click on My Computer >> Manage >> Storage >> Disk Management. Then select the player's drive, right click and chose Format. You might want to select FAT file system to format it.
To darken the screen on your player, go to System >> LCD Set >> Darkle, there you can set in seconds, the amount of idle time before the screen darkens.

roycollingwood , seems to me you have a hacked player. Best way is to physically open the back casing and check for the memory chip's serial number against the manufacturer's website.

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

Used the progam found here
Got as far as the partitioning bit and found that windows wouldn't do it (grr bloody windows) so used the mp3/4 player software to finsih partitioning and it completed OK.
The player is only a 2GB player advertised as 4GB.
I sent the following mail to the seller
and received the following reply
I have now filed a not as described action via paypal and am awaiting the outcome

mp3_exp said that it was a 2x2gb... and refunded me $15 USD, which is about the cost of the difference between a 2gb and a "4gb".

I'm satisfied with my purchase and refund but I wouldn't recommend him to anybody, though.

all i can say is becareful, the ebay sellers (both HK and US) seem to be the source of most of the hacked and bad players.

snab

I bet you if you open the player, you will most probably fine only ONE chip instead of two. Very few players have the two memory chip bays built into the player's board.

I did open it. First thing i did after reading all the info on here.
Only 1 chip.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do now regarding my filed complaint against this seller.

I received this reply through paypal resolution this morning.
£8 is a piss take, it will cost me to return and am not guaranteed to see a player again. Do i hang on and let paypal decide?

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

snab , have you checked the average price difference between a 2GB & 4GB model? If it is about £8, then probably you have no choice but to accept it.

However, if it is way much more, like £20-30 difference, i suggest you contact the seller and tell them £8 is not enough. If they refuse, probably you can escalate the claim and let PayPal investigate and settle the matter fairly.

You may want to take a look at the PayPal Buyer Complaint Process Here.

Good Luck.

Snab, This is the recommended process you should take to get a full refund including shipping and put the hots on the seller.

How to get full refund and how to expose fraudulent sellers?
Check if the seller is still actively listing the same counterfeit items right now!
An effective way against seller FRAUD, is to avoid contacting seller upfront to get refund directly from seller. Instead you should proceed to complete the Item Not Received or Significantly Not as Described process dispute after 10 days of item closing date so that eBay or Paypal is alerted of the development of fraudulent situation. If you have paid by Paypal, you can also complete the Paypal Buyer Complaint Process to get refund from Paypal within 45 days.
Since you have NOT been provided with what you have paid for, it does not falls into seller's return policy. You are covered by the 90 days protection period under eBay Standard Purchase Protection Program.
Unless these fraudsters would risk their eBay account for permanent suspension, they will for sure be in contact with you quicker than anything else. You then regain control of the situation and the power is again on your side.
Counterfeit is FRAUD, do not settle with the seller unless the seller is paying for all the associated return shipping cost of the item.
You still own the right to provide negative feedback against the seller to alert the fraudulent situation to warn other eBayers.
Provided that you have provided negative feedback to the seller and if subsequently the seller provides you with an unfair retaliatory negative feedback, you have a case to lodge against the seller by requesting eBay for feedback removal to fully protect your feedback.
Effectively you will get your money back either from the seller or from eBay/Paypal. Most important by going through this, you have assisted the process of exposing fradulent sellers on eBay, which will result in permanent suspension of the seller's account.
In most countries, FRAUD is a CRIMINAL offense and injunctions may be brought against the fraudsters to prevent them from moving on under a different name after being banned. Thus, you may choose to contact your law enforcement agencies or each respective brand manufacturers in your region, to report counterfeit and provide them with your item detail and the source of the item.

I purchased a one gig for my wife from this guy

http://stores.ebay.com/Factory-Price-Store

I then purchased a 4GB (Hacked 2GB from some guy in New Jersey)

Lol.. The guy in Jersey was cool though, gave me half my money back so I got a 2GB for $38 shipped =D ....

the Hong Kong Guy I listed is really legit, just sells 1GB and 2GB ... no 4's or 8's so I would say he's really legit and good prices.

no hassles here.

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

I bought mine from a Hong Kong seller on ebay:
shlh06. Unfortunately, it looks like he isn't selling anymore. However, he sold me a 1 gig which is truly a 1 gig.

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

Player going back to Hong Kong for full refund.

Not quite sure why paypal want you to send it back, surely the seller can just sell it on again and on some other unsuspecting punter.

Any reputable sellers/ online shops (not necessarily ebay) to get a player from now?

Re: Anybody buy from Hong Kong (HK) eBAYer?
 

snab , they don't care if the player is gonna be re-sold on the market. What matters to them most is that people use their service, and they make money out of it.

Well, I have apparently bought a hacked 4GB Ipod Clone from ebay. I have only 1G after formatted it using the Disk Manager tool that came with the player. Should I file a report with eBay for Product doesnt match description then deal with the seller or just deal with the seller first?