HobbyKing's Reliability

[Order_55]

Yes, we've have heard their name said before, time and time again. In fact, I hear people swear by them. However, I cant shake all of the stories people say about how HobbyKing "ruined their order," or "my HobbyKing package took more than 3 weeks to ship!". So I want to ask any that may help, how truly reliable is HobbyKing, overall? Can I order $300+ from them and expect them to assemble and ship it reliably (Just as an example)?

Also, if it matters at all, I'm looking to order from their International Warehouse (due to higher inventory), and ship the items to California, where I live. Essentially, I just want to see your opinions on HobbyKing, whether they are reputable, or untrustworthy.

Thanks!

 

[Snarls]

Hobbyking has gained a bad reputation in the past, but they are much better present day. If you are going to order RC parts from China then I would consider them one of the better dealers. They really understand the growth of the hobby in the US and elsewhere in the world. Unlike other Chinese markets Hobbyking actually has a face with their youtube channel and the events the support. The aren't a shady business, they just have trip ups every now and then due to the amount of business they do as the hobby grows.

Yes sometimes they can forget to ship your order, but usually you can bug them into action with a support ticket if that happens. There will also be a chance that your package will arrive crushed or ripped and/or that certain items are missing/more than you ordered. Pretty uncommon to happen, but once again their support is not that bad if you keep bugging them. Buying from the international warehouse usually takes a couple days to ship then around three weeks to get to your door (maybe less for CA). If you run into real trouble I know of a US support staff member who is really nice and quick to help you out. If it makes you more comfortable make a small order with them first to see how things go. Remember to use a credit card or Paypal whenever buying from one of the Chinese markets so you can file a claim if necessary.

Hope this helps you out.

 

[Epitaph]

Yes, some people swear by them, others swear at them. But overall they are pretty good. Some things they need to work on, like for example I received an order and the roll of clear heatshrink came "heatshrank", which was like under a dollar worth and I thought it would take like 2 seconds to solve over the chat, which I did rather than simply reorder to draw attention that they may have a batch in the warehouse that has gotten too much heat. Anyway, send photos, wait for the specialist to see them, all in all it was 1 hour and 50 minutes for an answer on an active, open chatline all that time, and if I'd had known it was going to take a fraction of that time, I would have left it there and then, but as I said, didn't want to order again and get the same problem, I wanted to draw attention to the issue.

Anyway, I got a replacement roll shipped registered delivery and everything at no extra charge, which is overkill for a $1 product, but at the end of the day, I saw it as there was a problem, it took time to solve because of their protocol, but they were apologetic and solved the issue in the end on ending the chat. Today it was for a $1 piece of heatshrink, tomorrow who knows what it could be for, and I think that's what counts (it might be something worth $2!!! )

 

[Scunner73]

I buy from Hobbyking weekly, not because they are so brilliant but because they have depth or range in stock that local shops just don't have. When I order from the local HK warehouse it's always here within a few days. When I order from the international site I am always prepared for a 2-4 week wait for the items. If you need stuff fast then US warehouse only and if you can wait then go international but be prepared for a slow turnaround. Bang good and Goodluckbuy are way worse.

 

[Jugsy]

I haven't had any problems after about 8 or 9 orders, I think they're way better than they used to be!

 

[razor02097]

I have only had one issue with Hobbyking's packing or shipping in 39 orders... Although I have only used the swiss post for the international warehouse. Maybe some of the other shipping services are the problem?

The issue was one item I ordered was in stock at the time of the order but apparently their inventory was wrong or something. Hobbyking did not ship my order and instead emailed me. Being pretty busy I didn't see the emails till almost a week later. Hobbyking won't ship any of your order until they get ahold of you in this case. Once I responded they shipped it.

 

[kerrycorcoran]

Echoing the opinions above. I haven't had any issues and I know if I order from the International Warehouse to allow a few weeks for arrival.

 

[rockyboy]

I've had:
- no problems on 15 orders
- a huge problem on 1 order (US East Coast warehouse just wouldn't send the order out even after I cancelled an item that was backordered but marked in stock on the website). Took almost 3 weeks of stalking support chat and email people daily to get the order sent
- absolutely no luck getting a busted motor replaced - filed an RMA, contacted support with chat and email - still nothing. Luckily it was a cheap motor, but I get all my motors and esc's from Headsuphobby.com now

 

[Gryf]

I've had good luck with them overall. I usually order from the Eastern US (Arkansas) warehouse; we live in Missouri, so that's right next door and shipping is pretty quick.

I'd much prefer to use our Local Hobby Shop, and have bought both of my transmitters, several receivers, RealFlight 7.5 etc. there. but for some items such as LiPo batteries, HK is so much cheaper that it would be silly to spend that much more just to keep it local.

So yeah, I'm happy with HK.

Gryf

 

[razor02097]

One other thing I wanted to mention... I've only ever used Paypal with HobbyKing.

 

[bhursey]

Well i had ok service in the past but my orange dsmx DIY module has had a bad module twice.. I am about to give up and buy an Orange T-SIX at one point. with a mix of shipping and buying the module and destroying on of my radios I could of baught a DX-6i...

 

[Order_55]

That's great to hear, thank you all for the time to help me out here! I just ordered from the International Warehouse (using Paypal for ease), and now just have to wait! Thank you all for the support, this is exactly why I joined the FT community.

 

[nerdnic]

I've had good luck with HK for the last few years. Only had 1 bad item out of dozens of orders and they replaced it with little hassle.

 

[JimCR120]

I've been using HK sporadically for the past mmm seems like 5 or so years. My first order from their int'l warehouse took about 3 weeks. Everyone since then has been much less, usually about a week with the more local warehouses within a week.

I received one Lipo a few years ago that had the male & female XT60 connectors on the wrong polarity wires.

Other than those, I've had great service and acceptable quality products at very competative prices. While I do order from other vendors, HK is my prime go-to for most things.

So uh, hopefully you won't mind this question... whatcha got on order?

 

[Ethanator10000]

I have made a few orders and I have only had one issue: The dreaded backorders. I ordered a TX mitt for the winter and then received it... after all the snow had melted. But hey, I have it for next winter

 

[Order_55]

And also, for all of you that have helped me, thanks a lot! I really do appreciate the help

 

[Order_55]

I've been using HK sporadically for the past mmm seems like 5 or so years. My first order from their int'l warehouse took about 3 weeks. Everyone since then has been much less, usually about a week with the more local warehouses within a week.

I received one Lipo a few years ago that had the male & female XT60 connectors on the wrong polarity wires.

Other than those, I've had great service and acceptable quality products at very competative prices. While I do order from other vendors, HK is my prime go-to for most things.

So uh, hopefully you won't mind this question... whatcha got on order?

I don't mind at all! I'm actually just buying FPV gear and the Quanum V2 Pro's, as I'm too stingy to save for better FPV goggles
Also, I might buy some spare batteries later.

 

[Garret234]

HK has been pretty good for me, I placed my order yester day and it came today. (I live about 4 hours from the USA west warehouse)

Any small backorder problems where solved in minutes over online chat.

 

[ToyotaNY]

My first order is currently "under investigation". Was "shipped" May 21 USPS Priority Mail from the East WH. My postmaster informed me that the PO never got the package. Lester Magalanas has assured me that a refund will be issued if they cannot find the order. 2-4 weeks for the investigation.
Not happy with HK will buy elsewhere after this is solved.

Update. Package arrived. No explanation, I guess it got lost in the warehouse.