Gearbest.com - Any good?

satanboy said:
You should be careful about making allegations without proof. Or do you have and when did you report it to the police?
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Are you for real? Hard to tell if you're being facetious.

You do realize that this is South Africa right?
 
GearBestZA said:
Think they care only about the transformer. As far as the documentation goes and what info I could get online, seems they only care about a transformer and ensuring it meets requirements and does not blow up or cause power issues.
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Ok, So just power supply's and chargers then? Makes sense since a lot of schit chargers actually feedback dirty noise back into the grid and it messes things up. Im not an electrical engineer but maybe someone can shed some light on what actually happens when plugging crap into the grid.

EDIT: Its possible eskom has actually requested they scrutinize products like this coming into the country for this very reason.
 
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crysis said:
Ok, So just power supply's and chargers then? Makes sense since a lot of schit chargers actually feedback dirty noise back into the grid and it messes things up. Im not an electrical engineer but maybe someone can shed some light on what actually happens when plugging crap into the grid.

EDIT: Its possible eskom has actually requested they scrutinize products like this coming into the country for this very reason.
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I don't get why they stop small packages with single items. China malls all over the country have cheap chargers and those are a lot worse quality. If they want to stop small items, they should test them at their expense and if it fails, then complain. But if it passes, why cause issues for the client who only ordered 1 item? Seems more about the money.

BTW, GearBest is now on pricecheck. If you have had a Good or Bad experience, you are more then welcome to rate the company on the below link. Think it will help people in the future and it is important to have a clear indication for new people.

https://www.pricecheck.co.za/shops/4126/Gearbest.com

If you want to include that I have assisted you, think the people who check the review will appreciate it. Think it will help grow the brand in South Africa. I believe that all overseas companies face certain issues shipping to South Africa. I do my best to try make it a better service.
 
Hi GearbestZA

I just noticed that Aramex shipping is not an option all of a sudden (Only DHL etc). Is this a glitch or a permanent issue? Hopefully a glitch!!

Ta, Ian
 
igeorge said:
Hi GearbestZA

I just noticed that Aramex shipping is not an option all of a sudden (Only DHL etc). Is this a glitch or a permanent issue? Hopefully a glitch!!

Ta, Ian
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Seems to be notebooks mainly, maybe only high priced items??
 
So customs are stopping all packages or only those such as mobile phones?

I'm assuming if you buy from another online store that uses aramex, it will be the same issue?
 
Regarding the cellphone charger situation. Is it possible to tell them to take the charger, and release the rest of the package?
 
RVR said:
So customs are stopping all packages or only those such as mobile phones?

I'm assuming if you buy from another online store that uses aramex, it will be the same issue?
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Both Xiaomi phones from Gearbest and via Aramex were sent through an X-RAY machine at Aramex customs department (had X-RAY sticker on the packaging) - my guess is that SARS customs do random inspections, but mostly, internal courier customs departments do the checking and working out of taxes and duties due.
 
evilskaap said:
Regarding the cellphone charger situation. Is it possible to tell them to take the charger, and release the rest of the package?
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No - not possible at all. They made that very clear to me that option is NOT possible. Absolutely daft if you ask me - but I suppose pocketing just the chargers isn't going to be profitable for them.
 
GearBestZA said:
Certain items only have the DHL shipping option. It is decided by them and I am not sure under what circumstance.
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I think it can be surmised why. It's clearly evident that Aramex is flagged. This has been brought up before where this fact was communicated to someone. DHL is the best bet though. Despite the cost difference. Will save you a world of frustration
 
RVR said:
So customs are stopping all packages or only those such as mobile phones?

I'm assuming if you buy from another online store that uses aramex, it will be the same issue?
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As far as I have been told, it is random from all shipping companies. But I do not think the can handle quantity right now so only a few from here and there.
 
MEIOT said:
I think it can be surmised why. It's clearly evident that Aramex is flagged. This has been brought up before where this fact was communicated to someone. DHL is the best bet though. Despite the cost difference. Will save you a world of frustration
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I found the same issue being faced with DHL and is somewhere on hellopeter. So not 100% sure if Aramex is being targeted or not.
 
Pity about the Aramax issue - was looking at a notebook for a friend, but the 100$ vs 13$ shipping is a problem. Let's hope it gets resolved. Have there been theft issues on Aramex laptop imports? I haven't had any problems before, other than having to chase Aramex locally to send the duty invoices.
Ah well...
 
What the max amount of items you're allowed to order before being knocked by customs?
 
As a quick update on my most recent Gearbest packages:

Ordered on 22 May, was around R4500 and included Xiaomi sensors, Xiaomi gateways, a gateway "security" kit, Sonoff switches, a FT232 USB/UART programmer and a Yeelight ceiling (weighing about 2.2 kg alone).

Shipping via Middle Eastern Express (i.e. Aramex) and was around R180 (cheap for a 4.5kg package!)
Shipped out the next day (23 May)
Had tracking the whole time.

Arrived in SA on 30 May and went for customs clearance
Aramex sent the invoice for customs and duties today -- R215! The LED ceiling light should have attracted duties of 20% alone...

If all goes well I should receive the package tomorrow or Thursday - more or less 2 weeks after I ordered everything. Can't complain about this!
 
Pretty impressed:


2018-06-08 07:54:00
*******, South Africa Out for Delivery

2018-06-07 20:47:00
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa Departed Operations facility – In Transit

2018-06-07 19:16:00
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa Departed Operations facility – In Transit

2018-06-07 19:14:00
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa Under processing at operations facility

2018-06-06 21:10:00
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Departed Operations facility – In Transit

2018-06-06 11:31:00
Aramex - Hong Kong Warehouse, Hong Kong Received at Origin Facility

2018-06-04 04:50:00
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Record created.

$33 - No customs or hassles.

--

Package was split in two - still waiting on the other half.
First one definitely arrived faster than expected though.. nice of them as it also means smaller invoices that goes under the radar..

-Still waiting on a Xiaomi Note 5, will have to see how he fares...
 
Got an email today wrt phone:

AramexCustoms.PNG

This seems way out from the standard R360-420 that is the norm. (On a $179 phone)
Any advice, [MENTION=470568]GearBestZA[/MENTION] ?
 
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