DX.com - a decent Orange Store replacement?

[Vulk]

So, I've been looking to buy an affordable off-contract smartphone, which has become really hard now that the Orange Store in SA has closed down.

I've looked at Zeek Online, which is often mentioned as a possible Orange Store replacement. However, their prices are quite high; so much so that it almost defeats the point of getting an off-contract phone in the first place.

Today, I discovered DX.com. As far as I can tell, they're a Chinese-based website, but they quote prices in rands and they claim to have free international delivery. I did a sample of their prices, and they seem to be pretty good:

Google Pixel 32gb: R11259.12
Samsung Galaxy S7: R7868.10
Nexus 6P: R7067.50
HTC 10: R7059.72
OnePlus 3T: R6654.08
OnePlus 3: R6088.98
Nexus 6: R5447.97
Nexus 5X: R4205.08
Motorola G4 Plus: R3878.12

I'm considering ordering the OnePlus 3T, but I'm a bit nervous about ordering directly from China. Do any of you guys have experience ordering from DX.com? How reliable is the shipping? Also, I assume that part of the reason their prices are good is that they don't include import duties? I searched for previous threads about them on MyBB, and I found this thread from two years ago, in which OP describes his order getting stuck in customs. This worries me a bit.

 

[HibiscusTunes]

The shipping is normal airmail by default, without tracking. tracking is like ~R15 extra. I am sure they have courier(DHL, FexEx, EMS, etc) options too.

I have shipped 3 items with airmail. 2 took 3 months to arrive, still waiting for another item with a tracking number, but its only been 2 months. The problem is not the remote side, but SAPO/customs. The item has not been scanned on SA side yet.

 

[HibiscusTunes]

A few other sites I frequent: banggood.com, gearbest.com.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

dx.com is fine, just pay for premium shipping. The regularly shipping is extremely slow, because of SAPO.

 

[lexor]

Bought many items from DX.

Import duty not included in price.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

DX does do tracking. I have 3 packages arrived this week. 5 weeks since order. I don't mind the wait as I was expecting it, especially during holiday season. Packages sat in JHB for a while. Took 3 days for item to show in JHB after it arrived there. SAPO very slow with updating.

Just got another item from geekbuying. TNT was only R6 extra so took it. Took less than a week after it was dispatched. No duty or VAT as item was only declared at US$30 for R1900.

Generally, but not always, items sent by courier get duty charges. Posted items seldom get hit for duty.

 

[Vulk]

Generally, but not always, items sent by courier get duty charges. Posted items seldom get hit for duty.

So in other words, if you choose regular shipping, it will take three months but probably be cheaper? But if you choose the premium shipping option, it will arrive quickly but cost extra? Is that a fair summary?

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Yes. But maybe 5 to 8 weeks. 3 months is a bit of a push.

It takes about a week for them to get it sent off. It takes about 2 to 3 weeks to get to JHB customs. And there it may sit for a week or 2 till some person decides that their 8 hour, union mandated, tea break is over and hands the package onto domestic. Then its another week or so before your local PO gets it.

By far the biggest delay is between leaving China and officially entering SA. I don't know if it is the time it takes to get scanned in in SA or what.

Just don't expect next day delivery. Even by courier it will take a week to leave China.

 

[raeesdawood]

I tried dx too yes the timing pisses me off but i was like let me get a cheap China smart watch ...so i payed 250 for it...when i went to sapo to get it i got home and guess what? The watch was stolen . So pissed as i was i complained to dx stating my device was not in its box sent pics and withing 24hours a new watch was sent to me free of charge another 2 months later i got it working and everything

 

[Dairyfarmer]

I've currently got a phone sitting in JHB. I ordered it 2/1/17 and it was dispatched 4/1/17 by Singapore Post. It arrived in JHB on 18/1/17. Since then it has been sitting at customs waiting for someone to process it.

 

[flarkit]

I've currently got a phone sitting in JHB. I ordered it 2/1/17 and it was dispatched 4/1/17 by Singapore Post. It arrived in JHB on 18/1/17. Since then it has been sitting at customs waiting for someone to process it.

Did you use the courier option (eg DHL, TNT), or free shipping?

 

[HibiscusTunes]

I tried dx too yes the timing pisses me off but i was like let me get a cheap China smart watch ...so i payed 250 for it...when i went to sapo to get it i got home and guess what? The watch was stolen . So pissed as i was i complained to dx stating my device was not in its box sent pics and withing 24hours a new watch was sent to me free of charge another 2 months later i got it working and everything

Maybe you should keep your eye on online classifieds selling that kind of watch?

 

[Vis1/0N]

TNT was only R6 extra so took it. Took less than a week after it was dispatched. No duty or VAT as item was only declared at US$30 for R1900.

Generally, but not always, items sent by courier get duty charges. Posted items seldom get hit for duty.

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! Name and Shame : TNT.

We don't do TNT. Sometimes you get lucky like in this case but many forumites have been screwed over by TNT with the R350+ processing fee for customs clearance, a service that TNT provides without your permission and then holds your package hostage until you pay them. This is not the customs fees but their own processing fees. DHL and Fedex have similar revenue streams but TNT is the worst of the lot.

 

[raeesdawood]

Maybe you should keep your eye on online classifieds selling that kind of watch?

No its a common on dz09 many resellers sell it here some sapo officer mustve sold it already too

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Have had no problems with TNT. Got 2 packages in the last 2 weeks. No problems.

My phone is sitting in JHB as it is coming free post. There is apparently a backlog. Work slow so that you cause a backlog. Then work even slower doing overtime. Self job creation through lazyness.

 

[Damac10]

Have had no problems with TNT. Got 2 packages in the last 2 weeks. No problems.

My phone is sitting in JHB as it is coming free post. There is apparently a backlog. Work slow so that you cause a backlog. Then work even slower doing overtime. Self job creation through lazyness.

Did That charge R450 handling fee or was there no duty on your two parcels

 

[Dairyfarmer]

No charges, no duty, no vat.

One parcel received via SAPO (not TNT) for TV box (R1800) paid R68 duty.

 

[Damac10]

No charges, no duty, no vat.

One parcel received via SAPO (not TNT) for TV box (R1800) paid R68 duty.

That's why. When That parcel gets stopped by customs they charge r450 before vat handling fee before duty is added.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Just got my phone (Doogee T5) I ordered 28/12/16. Spent 3 weeks in Jhb waiting to get passed from international to domestic. It was sent Singapore Post. Declared as a Gadget with a value of US$10. No duty to pay.

I have had my Doogee DG700 for a while but finally cracked the glass (not the screen) but was going to replace it anyway. Very similar in style just a bit bigger screen. Solid as a rock, the way I like my phones. Hope not to break this screen too soon. Must wait till the next version comes out.