Gearbest.com - Any good?

All parcels imported using SAPO will automatically attract a R24 (clearance fee I think it is?) So add R24 to any parcel when using sapo.


@FlashSA they getting most of those covers for R10 and under. You definitely need to bargain with them.
 
All parcels imported using SAPO will automatically attract a R24 (clearance fee I think it is?) So add R24 to any parcel when using sapo.
Ok, so that's a super useful piece of info I wish I knew beforehand!
I need to account for that when judging the price of anything I see on GearBest / BangGood etc. And I need to be careful of when they choose to split the order
 
Ok, so that's a super useful piece of info I wish I knew beforehand!
I need to account for that when judging the price of anything I see on GearBest / BangGood etc. And I need to be careful of when they choose to split the order

Splitting for me has been awesome. It brings down the amount of items in that package and thus better when using Aramex as splitting makes it under the R500 value so no clearance fee. But splitting with Airmail is just bad. Both packages will come at completely different times and different payments. Same thing with DHL. R150 for any value item clearance is rough on my pocket.
 
Ok, so that's a super useful piece of info I wish I knew beforehand!
I need to account for that when judging the price of anything I see on GearBest / BangGood etc. And I need to be careful of when they choose to split the order
In other words, no more "free shipping" like you would see on ebay. Also I'd like to point out that its R24 for small items.. Larger Items will attract a higher price.

Can't remember the exact amount.
 
Just ordered 8 items. I changed my durban code from 4068 to 4001 in the gearbest account. But I paid using PayPal and it has 4068 on my PayPal account. Will that cause a problem?

I'm assuming gearbest use the address on their site and not PayPal one.
 
Just ordered 8 items. I changed my durban code from 4068 to 4001 in the gearbest account. But I paid using PayPal and it has 4068 on my PayPal account. Will that cause a problem?

I'm assuming gearbest use the address on their site and not PayPal one.

I assume that Gearbest will use their own address info - just go into your order and check for that picture of an envelope with your address and details on and make sure the postal code is still 4001
 
For those with orders stuck on processing - would you mind posting here when something ships please?

I have a Mi A1 on processing since Friday and it was supposed to ship by today. I fear CNY is going to pause everything now
 
I assume that Gearbest will use their own address info - just go into your order and check for that picture of an envelope with your address and details on and make sure the postal code is still 4001
Thanks I checked, still 4001. Hopefully they don't pull an 'ebay' and try and use my PayPal address. But should be fine

I guess I will also expect delays due to the CNY...
 
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REPORT BACK FOR MY 3RD GEARBEST ORDER
Ordered 3x covers, 2x USB Cables and 1x USB-C OTG adapter and chose Priority Line (Aramex)
Shipped same day I ordered: 9 February
Arrived in my hands per Aramex EL: 11AM 14 February

Once again, major bang for buck for R350 all in
 
REPORT BACK FOR MY 3RD GEARBEST ORDER
Ordered 3x covers, 2x USB Cables and 1x USB-C OTG adapter and chose Priority Line (Aramex)
Shipped same day I ordered: 9 February
Arrived in my hands per Aramex EL: 11AM 14 February

Once again, major bang for buck for R350 all in
Impressive! I ordered around 8 items and total was around R522 with shipping (aramex). So definitely worth it.

Great that you're getting your stuff quick!
 
Dee

Screenshot_20180214-132310.jpg

Bought the Elephone U Pro on 05 February at Gearbest, received a mail about my address not being correct, my postal code is 7441, changed it to 8001 and it solved the problem. The U Pro was unveiled in Madrid on the 8th of February, shipped to me on the 12th of February, should have been shipped on the 11th but was delayed due to the postal code issue.

Attached is a screenshot of the tracking, going quite fast with Aramex.

The shipping issue is mainly with the postal code, rather use the main postal code of your city instead of your area postal code, Aramex will correct it once in SA I believe as your address will sort of not match the postal code
 
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Dee

You can also download the Aramex app on Play store, just have to put your phone number and the app automatically display your parcel info. You can also add your correct address and there's a possibility to add your card through the app, probably to pay for the import charges
 
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Bought the Elephone U Pro on 05 February at Gearbest, received a mail about my address not being correct, my postal code is 7441, changed it to 8001 and it solved the problem. The U Pro was unveiled in Madrid on the 8th of February, shipped to me on the 12th of February, should have been shipped on the 11th but was delayed due to the postal code issue.

Attached is a screenshot of the tracking, going quite fast with Aramex.

The shipping issue is mainly with the postal code, rather use the main postal code of your city instead of your area postal code, Aramex will correct it once in SA I believe as your address will sort of not match the postal code

Next stop Dubai tonight or tomorrow
 
My experience with my first GearBest order is not going well at all.

First they delay shipping my order by two days because they had an issue with the shipping address I supplied, which happens to be the exact same address I use with all the local online retailers, with just the Province and Country names extra.

Next, the package "shipped" but on the Aramex tracking it sat on "Record created" for 3 days before changing to "Received at Origin facility".

Another full day later it finally gets shipped from the courier facility and the status changes to "Departed Operations facility – In Transit".

And lo and behold, a day later the tracking status changes to this gem:

Situation Update Bags not arrived in DXB, Checking with Origin. Please expect delays

So I contact GearBest support with the following message as soon as I see the tracking update:

Just checked the tracking info for this order only to see that the package has already gone missing:

"14 Feb 2018 09:00 AM - Network Update GSO - Situation Update Bags not arrived in DXB, Checking with Origin. Please expect delays"

Can someone please follow up with the shipping company so we can try and minimize the delay that this is going to cause?

And either they can't read and comprehend English, or they have an automated reply system, but I get this utterly useless reply to my question:

Thank you for contacting Gearbest.com.

We are very sorry to inform you that we have already shipped your order Wxxxxxxxxxxxx out. Therefore, we are unable to cancel/edit the order information for you.
Below is the shipping information.
The delivery information
customers: xxxxxxxxxxx, Shipping Address: xxxxxxxxxx , city: Pretoria, state: Gauteng, zip_code: 0186, country: ZA, phone: +27xxxxxxxx
Tracking number: xxxxxxxxx,shipping method: ARAMEX,
tracking site: https://www.aramex.com/ shipping date: February 9, 2018 17:05:19,estimated time: 3-7 business days,
sku*quantity:
xxxxxxx * 1 , Huion GT - 191 19.5-inch Drawing Tablet Digital Screen
xxxxxxx * 1 , gocomma WN - 20 EU Standard Plug Mini Power Adapter



Could you please wait patiently for your order to arrive?
Thanks for your understanding and assistance.
If there are any additional problems or further queries, please feel free to contact us.

Best Regards

Gearbest Customer Service
http://www.gearbest.com/

I didn't ask for a refund or order cancellation, and I know the package shipped, I just need them to follow up with Aramex to find out where my package is because they clearly state that they will follow up with the shipping companies if any issues arise:

There's usually no reason to worry because:

1 GearBest provides all the necessary paperwork for your shipment;
2 In most countries it's pretty easy to import most kinds of consumer electronics;
3 The actual process of customs clearance is usually handled completely by the delivery company (e.g. UPS, FedEx, DHL);
4 If there is any duty (import tax) or other charges to pay, the courier will usually pay it first and deliver the products to you, and you pay the costs later.
5 We keep track of all our deliveries. In the event that an order is delayed in customs or experiencing other issues, please feel free to contact us and we will contact the shipping agent on your behalf.

So, no further feedback from GearBest, and not feedback from Aramex. Luckily I took the shipping insurance, but it looks like my order, that should have arrived next week sometime, will now require weeks, if not months of work in hopes of it finally being delivered.

@GearbestZA any suggestions from your side?
 
My experience with my first GearBest order is not going well at all.

First they delay shipping my order by two days because they had an issue with the shipping address I supplied, which happens to be the exact same address I use with all the local online retailers, with just the Province and Country names extra. The postal code issue is well known and has been discussed at length in this thread....

Next, the package "shipped" but on the Aramex tracking it sat on "Record created" for 3 days before changing to "Received at Origin facility". Normal. This is the delay between Gearbest, shipping company and then into Aramex hands

Another full day later it finally gets shipped from the courier facility and the status changes to "Departed Operations facility – In Transit". Correct and 100% on track

And lo and behold, a day later the tracking status changes to this gem: (Bags missing blah blah) Normal again - just delays between Hong Kong and Dubai. I got this 3 times before Dubai scanned in my phone

...it looks like my order, that should have arrived next week sometime, will now require weeks, if not months of work in hopes of it finally being delivered. See below - start worrying if you get into week 4

You need to just give it time. It will get to JHB and then be delayed again due to customs and you having to request an invoice and then paying the duties on that invoice.

From the above - it exactly matches my Mi A1 order experience and that one arrived at my door in 2 and a half weeks
 
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First they delay shipping my order by two days because they had an issue with the shipping address I supplied, which happens to be the exact same address I use with all the local online retailers, with just the Province and Country names extra. The postal code issue is well known and has been discussed at length in this thread....

Next, the package "shipped" but on the Aramex tracking it sat on "Record created" for 3 days before changing to "Received at Origin facility". Normal. This is the delay between Gearbest, shipping company and then into Aramex hands

Another full day later it finally gets shipped from the courier facility and the status changes to "Departed Operations facility – In Transit". Correct and 100% on track

And lo and behold, a day later the tracking status changes to this gem: (Bags missing blah blah) Normal again - just delays between Hong Kong and Dubai. I got this 3 times before Dubai scanned in my phone



You need to just give it time. It will get to JHB and then be delayed again due to customs and you having to request an invoice and then paying the duties on that invoice.

From the above - it exactly matches my Mi A1 order experience and that one arrived at my door in 2 and a half weeks

Thanks, that's goods news, sort of, at least.

Still a bit jittery considering the item I ordered is quite expensive (R6k+), and I really can't afford to wait weeks for it to arrive. If it shows up in the next week or so it should still be fine, but guess there's not much I can do for now.
 
It's with Aramex now so you will get instant tracking movements. Install the Aramex app on your phone and check it every 6-12hours for peace of mind.

You also took insurance with Gearbest, which I always do as a double safety net. They'll send another if the parcel disappears.

Did you pay with Paypal? If yes, your money will be refunded if the order vanishes.
 
It's with Aramex now so you will get instant tracking movements. Install the Aramex app on your phone and check it every 6-12hours for peace of mind.

You also took insurance with Gearbest, which I always do as a double safety net. They'll send another if the parcel disappears.

Did you pay with Paypal? If yes, your money will be refunded if the order vanishes.

Yup, used PayPal, just in case I needed the extra insurance, so at least I shouldn't lose the money.
 
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