Seller is pretty much AWOL. The request for refund was "approved" by Alibaba, meaning I now have 14 days to ship the goods back. However, I have not been able to contact the seller regarding this, and I'm not paying for a return, so I opted to "escalate to Alibaba.com" now. I'm supposed to receive an update within three working days.
Seplos sent the wrong Mason unit, mediation stranded
- Thread starter Jalle19
- Start date
Steve_S
Offgrid Cabineer, N.E. Ontario, Canada
I understand the Vendor went AWOL but not really. China ATM is for all intents & purposes "closed" pretty much until the 5th of January. Tomorrow is New Years Day right... They do holiday time a bit differently over there and that takes many people time to appreciate.
It's frustrating when you spend literal days going back and forth with them, trying to make sure they get the order right (right model, right busbars, right cable thickness, right connectors), and when you finally have an order that looks good you get a completely different product and get left holding the bag.
I've personally lost all faith in Seplos, and Alibaba isn't helping much either since practically all sellers there have insanely shitty product descriptions and buying options, so you always have to discuss your way to the correct product. I would literally pay 200 euros extra just to have a middle-hand who resells these things in Europe. And not UK, EU. Dealing with ordering stuff from the UK is (incredibly) even more frustrating than dealing with the Chinese.
I've personally lost all faith in Seplos, and Alibaba isn't helping much either since practically all sellers there have insanely shitty product descriptions and buying options, so you always have to discuss your way to the correct product. I would literally pay 200 euros extra just to have a middle-hand who resells these things in Europe. And not UK, EU. Dealing with ordering stuff from the UK is (incredibly) even more frustrating than dealing with the Chinese.
Steve_S
Offgrid Cabineer, N.E. Ontario, Canada
No matter what anyone says, there is no substitute for walking into a Brick & Mortar shop, do the scratch & sniff test and walk out with what you want.
I just can't wrap my brain around people buying a new car off the internet without ever test driving one and seeing what it's like for yourself...
Fortunately, now some rental companies have an assortment but still... That's a whole other thing we shouldn't chat on here.
Got a reply from Alibaba, they said they contacted the seller and asked that we continue negotiating. Seplos offered me a 40% discount (I take it to mean I get to keep the product and get 40% back). I asked why it's so hard to accept a full refund, updated the Alibaba dispute where I listed all the things Seplos has offered me, then mentioned that I've opened a credit card dispute and will pursue a refund through that route unless the seller or Alibaba issues a full refund.
Mentally exhausted by this bullshit.
Mentally exhausted by this bullshit.
Quattrohead
Solar Wizard
Indeed, why is it so hard to hold ones hands up and say "sorry, we made a bubu but we will make it right"
Now, there are a whole bunch of people here alerted to their shit customer service..
Steve_S
Offgrid Cabineer, N.E. Ontario, Canada
It is a shame that something like this has to get so complicated. I haven't used Seplos nor will I as I have my own resources for that, some of which I have shared with the members here. It is ironic that they screw up something so simple when they have some pretty nice goodies.
With the 40% kickback, that can making dumping the said kit much easier in the worst case scenario.
With the 40% kickback, that can making dumping the said kit much easier in the worst case scenario.
I always buy our cars over the internet. Screw going into the dealers, when you can email a bunch without leaving the house.
Could be a win win for both of us if they cover shipping
Status update: Alibaba mediation has been completely unhelpful, all they do is act as a relay, so what was previously a one-message-per-day discussion pace has now slowed down to one-message-per-two-days. The seller reverted to their previous offer of a 50 USD refund when I mentioned I want a quick resolution now because I may have a local buyer. Looking more and more like I'll get nothing and will have to put all my hope on MasterCard.
Meanwhile I looked EEL Battery, made an inquiry on their website, got an automated e-mail but never any reply. Sent a follow-up e-mail a few days ago, no reply. I'm losing hope in that I will ever be able to complete my battery bank. Shipping from China is getting more expensive every single day and takes longer than before now that everyone's sailing around Africa.
I'm absolutely amazed (in a bad way) that one can get this thoroughly screwed over as a customer, even when doing everything 100% correct and by the book, and not using any shady companies throughout the chain (MasterCard -> PayPal -> Alibaba -> actual manufacturer).
Meanwhile I looked EEL Battery, made an inquiry on their website, got an automated e-mail but never any reply. Sent a follow-up e-mail a few days ago, no reply. I'm losing hope in that I will ever be able to complete my battery bank. Shipping from China is getting more expensive every single day and takes longer than before now that everyone's sailing around Africa.
I'm absolutely amazed (in a bad way) that one can get this thoroughly screwed over as a customer, even when doing everything 100% correct and by the book, and not using any shady companies throughout the chain (MasterCard -> PayPal -> Alibaba -> actual manufacturer).
I have used Stella Chen a few times. Always have stuff in EU for quick shipping. https://eelbattery.m.en.alibaba.com...&ckvia=share_d1771be7dab942b2afb6838b2e8e070f
I am in talks with them, but I'm not convinced they'll be able to send me what I actually order either. Simple questions like "Do you have the white version in stock?" is responded to with "Yes, we have the black version". It's like talking to a four year-old. I'm leaning towards dealing with the clusterfuck that is getting anything from the UK to the EU just to avoid having to deal with Chinese people.
