Gearbest.com - Any good?

[weelzSA]

Just placed my first order so will see how long the shipping takes. Did pay extra for priority (I think it was called that) so they say 3-7 days.

On a side note, does PayPal charge a higher price using there service? On Gearbest app my total was R1500 (rounded off) but PayPal charged R1650? Used PayPal often for eBay purchases but can’t recall the difference being so much. Not the end of the world to be honest if all my items arrive.

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

Just placed my first order so will see how long the shipping takes. Did pay extra for priority (I think it was called that) so they say 3-7 days.

On a side note, does PayPal charge a higher price using there service? On Gearbest app my total was R1500 (rounded off) but PayPal charged R1650? Used PayPal often for eBay purchases but can’t recall the difference being so much. Not the end of the world to be honest if all my items arrive.

One of multiple things. The price on the app is just an estimate based on the conversion they do. I normally look at it in dollars as it is easier for me and I got used to it. Did the R1500 include the shipping as well?

Also check the conversion option on PayPal as they default do the conversion and thus charge you more(3-5%). I did change the default option as the bank charges less. Below is the way to change it. You can also change it on checkout but I normally do it on my PC and not my phone so cannot confirm whether the option is on the phone. What I did also notice is that you can pay less using the app versus the PC. So if you want, add to cart on the pc and then use the app to view the cart to see if there are any differences and if it is cheaper. Just a tip.

How to change Paypal currency conversation
My Account -> Profile -> My Money -> My preapproved payments -> Update -> See Available Funding Sources (or Set Available Funding Sources) -> Conversion Options (for card you'd like to change this option)-> Bill me in the currency listed on the seller's invoice -> Submit.

 

[weelzSA]

One of multiple things. The price on the app is just an estimate based on the conversion they do. I normally look at it in dollars as it is easier for me and I got used to it. Did the R1500 include the shipping as well?

Also check the conversion option on PayPal as they default do the conversion and thus charge you more(3-5%). I did change the default option as the bank charges less. Below is the way to change it. You can also change it on checkout but I normally do it on my PC and not my phone so cannot confirm whether the option is on the phone. What I did also notice is that you can pay less using the app versus the PC. So if you want, add to cart on the pc and then use the app to view the cart to see if there are any differences and if it is cheaper. Just a tip.

How to change Paypal currency conversation
My Account -> Profile -> My Money -> My preapproved payments -> Update -> See Available Funding Sources (or Set Available Funding Sources) -> Conversion Options (for card you'd like to change this option)-> Bill me in the currency listed on the seller's invoice -> Submit.

Yeah it included the shipping.

As mentioned not to fussed about the extra R150 as I saved on other things was just more or a thought than issue.

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

Yeah it included the shipping.

As mentioned not to fussed about the extra R150 as I saved on other things was just more or a thought than issue.

It is something nice to note and adjust. When you start ordering often, it does save you quite a bit and PayPal already makes so much on their fees, not sure why they charge so much.

 

[airborne]

PayPal fees are 3% and what you pay on check out that's shown at the PayPal website part of the transaction is almost identical to what will be shown on your bank statement.

You probably didn't notice something but on R1500 there will never be R150 PayPal fees.

 

[airborne]

One of multiple things. The price on the app is just an estimate based on the conversion they do. I normally look at it in dollars as it is easier for me and I got used to it. Did the R1500 include the shipping as well?

Also check the conversion option on PayPal as they default do the conversion and thus charge you more(3-5%). I did change the default option as the bank charges less. Below is the way to change it. You can also change it on checkout but I normally do it on my PC and not my phone so cannot confirm whether the option is on the phone. What I did also notice is that you can pay less using the app versus the PC. So if you want, add to cart on the pc and then use the app to view the cart to see if there are any differences and if it is cheaper. Just a tip.

How to change Paypal currency conversation
My Account -> Profile -> My Money -> My preapproved payments -> Update -> See Available Funding Sources (or Set Available Funding Sources) -> Conversion Options (for card you'd like to change this option)-> Bill me in the currency listed on the seller's invoice -> Submit.

I don't know if the currency thing is the best advice, basically you are telling PayPal that your bank will do the currency exchange, I've noticed that generally makes things more expensive because you are charged the PayPal 3% and then your banks forex fee/rates on top of that. Also you will have no indication of what your banks fee/forex rate will be before the transaction has been completed, whereas the total you see at the final stage of the PayPal checkout is exactly what will be charged to your card.

I tried your scenario for a few transactions and it was more expensive than allowing PayPal to do the forex exchange.

 

[RVR]

I don't know if the currency thing is the best advice, basically you are telling PayPal that your bank will do the currency exchange, I've noticed that generally makes things more expensive because you are charged the PayPal 3% and then your banks forex fee/rates on top of that. Also you will have no indication of what your banks fee/forex rate will be before the transaction has been completed, whereas the total you see at the final stage of the PayPal checkout is exactly what will be charged to your card.

I tried your scenario for a few transactions and it was more expensive than allowing PayPal to do the forex exchange.

I think it's best to keep it as is. I just have the credit card linked to PayPal and pay using PayPal. That's it, I don't like tinkering with other stuff.

 

[Harry777]

Will never use these guys again!!! Never received my order....their lame excuse is that the shipping company is to blame, over which they have no control. And as a "good gesture" they will refund me 50% of my money (even though all of my order has not even been dispatched). Something smells fishy. NEVER AGAIN!!

 

[Sayf777]

Will never use these guys again!!! Never received my order....their lame excuse is that the shipping company is to blame, over which they have no control. And as a "good gesture" they will refund me 50% of my money (even though all of my order has not even been dispatched). Something smells fishy. NEVER AGAIN!!

Did you pay via paypal?

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

I don't know if the currency thing is the best advice, basically you are telling PayPal that your bank will do the currency exchange, I've noticed that generally makes things more expensive because you are charged the PayPal 3% and then your banks forex fee/rates on top of that. Also you will have no indication of what your banks fee/forex rate will be before the transaction has been completed, whereas the total you see at the final stage of the PayPal checkout is exactly what will be charged to your card.

I tried your scenario for a few transactions and it was more expensive than allowing PayPal to do the forex exchange.

I have tested this over 30 times this year and it is better for your bank to do it. The 3% Paypal fee is not charged to the client but to the merchant. For example, if your order is $100, you do not get billed $103 for your order.

At a perfect exchange rate of R15 for example, the below will happen:

If Paypal bill in Rands
1) Amount is $100 at R15 per dollar is R1500 exact.
2) PayPal will bill you R1500+3-6% for conversion and charge you in Rands.

If Paypal bill in dollars
1) Amount is $100 at R15 per dollar is R1500 exact.
2) PayPal will bill you $100 which can be confirmed at the point of checkout. Your bank then takes a lower percentage as their markup is not as high.

I had this exact issue with a President speech. Paypal billed me in Rands and I lost round R3000-R4000 due to conversion charges as at the time of settlement, the value changed. Now, PayPal said they always settle the transaction in 24 hours but they took 5 days in this situation and I couldn't push the bank as they only got the settlement on the 5th day. If I was billed in Dollars, the bank would have taken the hit but because it was a Rands transaction, became a different issue. This is my experience but will test it out and advise.

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

Will never use these guys again!!! Never received my order....their lame excuse is that the shipping company is to blame, over which they have no control. And as a "good gesture" they will refund me 50% of my money (even though all of my order has not even been dispatched). Something smells fishy. NEVER AGAIN!!

If Paypal cannot assist, you can go to your bank and give proof of the issue. The bank does cover you and so does PayPal. But it needs to be done within 45 days of the transaction. I have used Paypal many times as things can go wrong and they protect you against this kind of things.

 

[HibiscusTunes]

I have tested this over 30 times this year and it is better for your bank to do it. The 3% Paypal fee is not charged to the client but to the merchant. For example, if your order is $100, you do not get billed $103 for your order.

At a perfect exchange rate of R15 for example, the below will happen:

If Paypal bill in Rands
1) Amount is $100 at R15 per dollar is R1500 exact.
2) PayPal will bill you R1500+3-6% for conversion and charge you in Rands.

If Paypal bill in dollars
1) Amount is $100 at R15 per dollar is R1500 exact.
2) PayPal will bill you $100 which can be confirmed at the point of checkout. Your bank then takes a lower percentage as their markup is not as high.

I had this exact issue with a President speech. Paypal billed me in Rands and I lost round R3000-R4000 due to conversion charges as at the time of settlement, the value changed. Now, PayPal said they always settle the transaction in 24 hours but they took 5 days in this situation and I couldn't push the bank as they only got the settlement on the 5th day. If I was billed in Dollars, the bank would have taken the hit but because it was a Rands transaction, became a different issue. This is my experience but will test it out and advise.

I can confirm it is cheaper as a Capitec client to do the paypal purchase in dollars, than having paypal do the conversion.

 

[francoisvdw]

If Paypal cannot assist, you can go to your bank and give proof of the issue. The bank does cover you and so does PayPal. But it needs to be done within 45 days of the transaction. I have used Paypal many times as things can go wrong and they protect you against this kind of things.

Same with my last Gearbest order. In my case the item was shipped, but Aramex informed me after doing the customs clearance that the parcel is missing and it never arrived in SA. They have been trying to locate it for the past 3 days... Not impressed with them at the moment.

Anyway... I informed Gearbest, and already started the refund process with Paypal. Will see what happens.

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

Same with my last Gearbest order. In my case the item was shipped, but Aramex informed me after doing the customs clearance that the parcel is missing and it never arrived in SA. They have been trying to locate it for the past 3 days... Not impressed with them at the moment.

Anyway... I informed Gearbest, and already started the refund process with Paypal. Will see what happens.

There is some dodgy person in Aramex that needs to be found and fired as there should never be cases where the Parcel goes missing. It is really a bad situation as it wastes so much time. Hope they find your parcel and apologies for the inconvenience caused.

 

[weelzSA]

So how long does it normally take to change from “not shipped” to “shipped” when you look at your order on the app? Under the order it says dispatched but on main screen it is under the “not shipped” tab so a little confused.

Also doubt will receive it in the advertised 5-7 days if after 3 days it still hasn’t been sent.

 

[RVR]

Will never use these guys again!!! Never received my order....their lame excuse is that the shipping company is to blame, over which they have no control. And as a "good gesture" they will refund me 50% of my money (even though all of my order has not even been dispatched). Something smells fishy. NEVER AGAIN!!

Sorry about that man, it's always risky but definitely something not right there. How much was your order?

 

[Ancalagon]

If anybody is placing a Gearbest order soon and lives in Joburg/Sandton/Pretoria, please can you add a Xiaomi Mi Band 2 for me? Will be happy to obviously pay for the device and a portion of shipping charges.

I'm just not sure the shipping charges are worth it for just buying a Mi Band 2 on its own because it is quite cheap.

 

[stevez2011]

If you change the currency conversion options on PayPal you won't pay the 3% fees, but remember that the bank does charge a different amount to sell you the dollars.

http://ws15.standardbank.co.za/finSnapShot/GetforexServlet

Usually the spread is about 0.4. What this means is that you need to add about R0.2 per Rand from the Gearbest rand quote.

 

[airborne]

Just got a shipping confirmation nearly 2 weeks after placing an order on Gearbest, noticed a few other people mentioning something similar.

What's up with that, previously orders shipped virtually the next day?

 

[weelzSA]

Is there any way to track the package? I purchased last week using Middle East Express which was meant to be 5-7 days but under my order it still says not shipped.