Gearbest.com - Any good?

[RVR]

I have placed a few orders with Banggood recently (3 in the last 6 months), using the EMS shipping option. The first 2 orders arrived in exactly 21 days. The last order seems to have shipped back to Korea, after almost 2 months (no reason given to why). After this is confirmed to be the case, they will refund me.
I am now considering GearBest, so now my questions are:
- Would/could this also happen with Gearbest?
- What is the difference between the 5 USD priority line (3-7 days) shipping, and the 50+ USD DHL (3-8 days) shipping?

What are the pros and cons if each, [MENTION=470568]GearBestZA[/MENTION]?

There's no difference. Priority uses aramex and is just like DHL, except DHL is way more expensive.

I found out this later on, and I used priority, items came within a week.

Just choose their insurance option that way you have a good chance at getting refunded fully if you have an issue.

Last time i didn't choose the insurance option I only got refunded like $11 from my $45 total. (although I ordered various items so wasn't a huge loss)

 

[SwCharlie]

There's no difference. Priority uses aramex and is just like DHL, except DHL is way more expensive.

I found out this later on, and I used priority, items came within a week.

Just choose their insurance option that way you have a good chance at getting refunded fully if you have an issue.

Last time i didn't choose the insurance option I only got refunded like $11 from my $45 total. (although I ordered various items so wasn't a huge loss)

Thanks. Have you ordered a phone via the Aramax option before, or just other type of products? Not sure if it would make a difference, but all 3 my orders were Xiaomi Note 4 phones. So I am a bit concerned that with the last phone they decided that they don't have the correct documentation or something. I also want to know how they deal with phones being shipped via Aramax vs DHL.

 

[RVR]

Thanks. Have you ordered a phone via the Aramax option before, or just other type of products? Not sure if it would make a difference, but all 3 my orders were Xiaomi Note 4 phones. So I am a bit concerned that with the last phone they decided that they don't have the correct documentation or something. I also want to know how they deal with phones being shipped via Aramax vs DHL.

I ordered a phone the first time I used gearbest but I used DHL because I had no idea about priority shipping.

Although I doubt there's much difference

 

[FlashSA]

I have placed a few orders with Banggood recently (3 in the last 6 months), using the EMS shipping option. The first 2 orders arrived in exactly 21 days. The last order seems to have shipped back to Korea, after almost 2 months (no reason given to why). After this is confirmed to be the case, they will refund me.
I am now considering GearBest, so now my questions are:
- Would/could this also happen with Gearbest?
- What is the difference between the 5 USD priority line (3-7 days) shipping, and the 50+ USD DHL (3-8 days) shipping?

What are the pros and cons if each, [MENTION=470568]GearBestZA[/MENTION]?

Priority Line + Insurance + Paypal. Both separately ordered Xiaomi Mi A1's arrived in under 3 weeks and the Aramex tracking App updated all along the way.

 

[SwCharlie]

Thanks for the feedback [MENTION=315510]RVR[/MENTION] and [MENTION=41958]FlashSA[/MENTION]. With EMS I experienced that you typically get an update that it has shipped after a day or two, then hear nothing back for 2 weeks, until it hits customs where it takes another week to arrive at the post office (i.e also 3 weeks).

With the last package, however, I only got a local update after a month, then for another month no update - only to find out today that it is back in Singapore.

I guess it is easier to get hold of Aramax if something goes wrong, as opposed to EMS, where no one answers phones/emails. Or even update me before sending the package back to origin :| EMS was also like R400 vs R50-60 for the Aramax option. So definitely seems like I should consider it

 

[RVR]

Thanks for the feedback [MENTION=315510]RVR[/MENTION] and [MENTION=41958]FlashSA[/MENTION]. With EMS I experienced that you typically get an update that it has shipped after a day or two, then hear nothing back for 2 weeks, until it hits customs where it takes another week to arrive at the post office (i.e also 3 weeks).

With the last package, however, I only got a local update after a month, then for another month no update - only to find out today that it is back in Singapore.

I guess it is easier to get hold of Aramax if something goes wrong, as opposed to EMS, where no one answers phones/emails. Or even update me before sending the package back to origin :| EMS was also like R400 vs R50-60 for the Aramax option. So definitely seems like I should consider it

Don't use EMS, just try for aramex. So yeah that's a good option anyways.

No problem!

 

[veggie_mane]

Aramex package been at customs since Monday. Everyday I call and they say "it should be released today or tomorrow morning".

Not a Gearbest problem, but anyone know why it could be taking so long at customs?

 

[MEIOT]

Aramex package been at customs since Monday. Everyday I call and they say "it should be released today or tomorrow morning".

Not a Gearbest problem, but anyone know why it could be taking so long at customs?

It's likely your phone is being stopped by NRCS. I have a problem pending - my phone came in on the 1st May - 25 days later it still hasn't been delivered. There is something strange going on with the Aramex and NRSC relationship. Seems Aramex is flagged.

NRCS requires documentation that costs R1900 per device proving compliance. Still no guarantee after docs provided they will even release the item or just take it home and keep it for themselves

I would strongly advise against using Aramex till this NRCS flagging issue is resolved.

 

[Vegeta]

It's likely your phone is being stopped by NRCS.

Same! I ordered a Mi Box. They believe I'm an importer although I ordered only one.

I think I will never see it again, I've since purchased another locally and I've moved on with my life.

 

[MEIOT]

Same! I ordered a Mi Box. They believe I'm an importer although I ordered only one.

I think I will never see it again, I've since purchased another locally and I've moved on with my life.

Post your issue here


https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/905414-How-to-import-from-GearBest-and-more
[MENTION=470568]GearBestZA[/MENTION] is awesome - and he might be able to help you.

For me the phone was a couple grand and losing that money is simply not an option. [MENTION=470568]GearBestZA[/MENTION] might be able to intervene on your behalf.


But.....to reiterate - stay far far far away from Aramex. They are fully aware of the issue and just simply don't care. They will never communicate where your item is and what is needed from you to get your item. They know more than they are telling their clients thats for sure.

 

[veggie_mane]

Eish. Not good to hear. I ordered on 28 April so it will be 1 month on Monday.

How does Gearbest deal with these issues because it's actually out of their hands. Will they still do a refund or will I end up getting stuck in between Aramex and Gearbest with no recourse?

I bought with PayPal so I have that as a last resort.

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

Aramex package been at customs since Monday. Everyday I call and they say "it should be released today or tomorrow morning".

Not a Gearbest problem, but anyone know why it could be taking so long at customs?

Most likely just at customs. NRCS do not stop many packages. Aramex will actually say if it has been stopped by NRCS or not.

 

[MEIOT]

Eish. Not good to hear. I ordered on 28 April so it will be 1 month on Monday.

How does Gearbest deal with these issues because it's actually out of their hands. Will they still do a refund or will I end up getting stuck in between Aramex and Gearbest with no recourse?

I bought with PayPal so I have that as a last resort.

I used my debit card

I have zero fallbacks

 

[RVR]

Post your issue here


https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/905414-How-to-import-from-GearBest-and-more
[MENTION=470568]GearBestZA[/MENTION] is awesome - and he might be able to help you.

For me the phone was a couple grand and losing that money is simply not an option. [MENTION=470568]GearBestZA[/MENTION] might be able to intervene on your behalf.


But.....to reiterate - stay far far far away from Aramex. They are fully aware of the issue and just simply don't care. They will never communicate where your item is and what is needed from you to get your item. They know more than they are telling their clients thats for sure.

Eish. Not good to hear. I ordered on 28 April so it will be 1 month on Monday.

How does Gearbest deal with these issues because it's actually out of their hands. Will they still do a refund or will I end up getting stuck in between Aramex and Gearbest with no recourse?

I bought with PayPal so I have that as a last resort.

I wouldn't be too relieved about paying with PayPal. I once tried to get refunded because of a item I didn't receive... And PayPal sided with gearbest.. Lost about $15... Luckily it wasn't too much otherwise I'd be really annoyed.

 

[veggie_mane]

Finally got released! Just when I started to get worried.

Now waiting for my invoice. I called them but they said to wait for their invoicing department to email me.

At least it's moving along in the process again.

 

[chimera012]

hey guys i also recently purchased from gearbest..a 3d printer. i see the parcel has cleared customs already yet i haven't received any charges or invoices or nothing yet? for a 10kg package at over R3000 im sure customs should have charged atleast something? its shipped with aramex

25 May 2018
06:22 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Departed Operations facility – In Transit

24 May 2018
07:11 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Customs Clearance - In Progress

24 May 2018
06:44 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Under processing at operations facility

23 May 2018
08:59 PM
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Departed Operations facility – In Transit

22 May 2018
03:31 PM
Aramex - Hong Kong Warehouse, Hong Kong
Received at Origin Facility

19 May 2018
08:40 PM
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Record created.

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

hey guys i also recently purchased from gearbest..a 3d printer. i see the parcel has cleared customs already yet i haven't received any charges or invoices or nothing yet? for a 10kg package at over R3000 im sure customs should have charged atleast something? its shipped with aramex

25 May 2018
06:22 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Departed Operations facility – In Transit

24 May 2018
07:11 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Customs Clearance - In Progress

24 May 2018
06:44 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Under processing at operations facility

23 May 2018
08:59 PM
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Departed Operations facility – In Transit

22 May 2018
03:31 PM
Aramex - Hong Kong Warehouse, Hong Kong
Received at Origin Facility

19 May 2018
08:40 PM
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Record created.

According to the tracking, it has not cleared customs as yet. Call them on 0113903520 and ask them to submit for clearance. Will take a few days if they have not yet done so.

 

[ZAGadgetReviews]

NRCS was supplied with the IEC 60980 report from GearBest for the Xiaomi Mi A1 I ordered and are happy with that test report from the manufacturer and have emailed Aramex for release of the packeg. I will ask GearBest to now supply the equivalent report for everybody facing the same issue.

I will also ask them to see if they can include this report for every shipped item with a charger so that if anything is stopped, the correct document is already with the package to ensure no delays. Anybody having an issue with the NRCS can contact me to arrange the correct documentation for release. Apologies for any delays it may cause but we are working to create a better flow for items due to new requirements and will ensure better and smoother processing for all future clients.

 

[MEIOT]

NRCS was supplied with the IEC 60980 report from GearBest for the Xiaomi Mi A1 I ordered and are happy with that test report from the manufacturer and have emailed Aramex for release of the packeg. I will ask GearBest to now supply the equivalent report for everybody facing the same issue.

I will also ask them to see if they can include this report for every shipped item with a charger so that if anything is stopped, the correct document is already with the package to ensure no delays. Anybody having an issue with the NRCS can contact me to arrange the correct documentation for release. Apologies for any delays it may cause but we are working to create a better flow for items due to new requirements and will ensure better and smoother processing for all future clients.

Thank you for the update.

Can you perhaps shed some light on Aramex being flagged by NRCS? I just need to know for future gearbest orders as I would prefer not dealing with Aramex if they are specifically flagged - I'd rather pay more for shipping and save the time wasted

 

[HibiscusTunes]

Thank you for the update.

Can you perhaps shed some light on Aramex being flagged by NRCS? I just need to know for future gearbest orders as I would prefer not dealing with Aramex if they are specifically flagged - I'd rather pay more for shipping and save the time wasted

Ah, yes. I have an order waiting to be put through, but this makes me think twice before using aramex.