Cheap Hong Kong Imports: When things go missing...

[Orville]

Despite the thread title, this is actually a very positive experience concerning Onestop-Digital.com. In essence, I ordered a 24-70 f/2.8 lens from Hong Kong, DHL lost it somewhere between Heathrow and Gatwick, and what I thought could turn out to be a nightmare was actually resolved very quickly and professionally by Onestop-Digital (OSD).

Order Details
*Placed Sunday evening 2nd June
*Dispatched next day Monday 3rd
*Arrived at Heathrow on Tuesday 4th
*Forwarded to DHL's Delivery Facility on Wednesday 5th.
*DISAPPEARED.
*I reported as missing to both OSD and DHL UK on Friday 7th June. They opened an investigation, whereby they request searches of all depots the package passed through.
*On Monday 10th DHL informed me they were waiting on just one depot to come back with search results (Basildon for some reason).
*Basildon took until Thursday 13th before they finally come back with negative search results. I can only assume they are manned by the slow and the stupid.
*On Thursday 13th DHL marked the package as lost.
*The following day (Friday 14th June) I received an email from OSD, saying DHL have accepted loss of the package, and that OSD will send a replacement immediately.
*Replacement sent Friday 14th June.
*Shipping took exactly the same route, but did not stop at Gatwick.
*Package arrived today Monday 17th, effectively the next working day from Hong Kong.

So, :thumbsdown: to DHL (especially the turnips in Basildon) but to OneStop-Digital for awesome Customer Service and super-fast replacement. In total it took 13 days extra to receive the replacement lens. That's 15 days quicker than Amazon UK's "wait 28days days before declared lost" policy.

I cannot recommend OSD highly enough. Great Company! I have purchased many items from them in the past and will continue to do so.

Tracking prints for both parcels below.

Lost Package

Replacement Package

edit: Ohh, and the lens (Canon mount Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC) is lovely.

 

[John Mc]

It's not unusual for items to go missing. Dealt with a USA fridge freezer being lost in one of our warehouses today(Words pass me on how you can lose an item thats 6ft tall, 4ft wide and 3ft deep). Unfortunately the company who makes them are from Australia, Will take another 6 weeks for one to be made if we can't locate it by friday.

Glad both company's worked together to sort it for you though! Was considering OSD for an upcoming purchase. This just gives me a little more confidence to click buy.

 

[Orville]

Lenses I can remember purchasing from OSD.
*Canon 50mm f/1.8 (this was my trial / jump into the unknown purchase)
*Canon 70-200 IS f/4L
*Kenko 1.4x TC
*Sigma 35mm f/1.4
*Canon 135L
*Canon 85mm f/1.8
*Canon 50mm f/1.4
*Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC

I never had any problems until the Tamron 24-70, so wasn't sure what to expect when things went wrong, but I am now very very reassured. They say that you only find out how good a company are when things go wrong, and OSD get top marks from me.

 

[Cagey75]

I would love the option to buy from these HK stores, but unfortunately in Ireland we get hit with 22% customs + handling charges on anything above €22. It sucks.

 

[raj_kemp]

I would love the option to buy from these HK stores, but unfortunately in Ireland we get hit with 22% customs + handling charges on anything above €22. It sucks.

Ask a friend over here in UK to buy for you and then collect from here in person, problem solved...

 

[macvisual]

I've never heard of O.S.D., but seems they're great to deal with and high praise here etc.

If an order is placed say for a new camera lens with them is there a normal charge for UK postage, or free postage does anyone know please...?

 

[Orville]

I've never heard of O.S.D., but seems they're great to deal with and high praise here etc.

If an order is placed say for a new camera lens with them is there a normal charge for UK postage, or free postage does anyone know please...?

All prices include free delivery. Cheaper items can take a week or two to arrive due to the use of standard postage, but more expensive items usually take two or three days.

 

[CeliaCo]

They are only marginally cheaper than HDEW I find.....and with them the warranty is UK based (though 3rd party). I was worried about any problems....and having to pay postage back to HK...

Will re think it

Thanks

 

[Orville]

They are only marginally cheaper than HDEW I find.....and with them the warranty is UK based (though 3rd party). I was worried about any problems....and having to pay postage back to HK...

Will re think it

Thanks

I also use HDEW and they are very good too. HDEW do source and ship some goods directly from Hong Kong, my 6D being a prime example. For goods of the same price I would choose HDEW because you can directly call UK Sales. Bizarrely HDEW seem cheaper for bodies and OSD cheaper for most lenses. For all we know HDEW may even source some kit from OSD. I also purchased my 70-300L from HDEW, which arrived via UK postage and qualified for Canon cashback at the time.

 

[fracster]

Ask a friend over here in UK to buy for you and then collect from here in person, problem solved...

The problem is, does Cagey have a friend?



Joke,by the way.