Yup I agree with Global Milind on the above. Mine which was bagged for delivery, status on 31 May 2011. Status has still not changed in IPS Web Tracking online till date but the package reached today. It was 1.5 Cuft by volume.

Got reply from Hobby King this morning regarding my missing items in the parcel. They refused to own up responsibility for missing items in the parcel. This is a warning to all the members here, as this can happen to any body.

1. I found the package in which the material sent by this Chinese supplier is inappropriate, as many users have verified this fact on this thread.There are always chances of loosing items out of it. Don't wait for the day your luck runs out.

2. Calculate your final landing cost of order, and think twice if they are really cheapest, remember my initial days on this forum, many member opposed my thoughts of seeking for other options also, As far as I know there are other Chinese and Singapore suppliers with similar products as HK with competitive pricing and reasonable postage and shipping charges. So do not order blindly seeing prices what are displayed on their web site always calculate final price after shipping.

3. I found quality of many of their items as crap, my couple of Turnigy  batteries puffed badly and holding on charge, after using them for couple of flying sessions. so think it again are they really cheap for quality they are supplying.

4. As many of the members have pointed out on this forum issues of delays in getting their parcel tracked, even after getting track nos from HK. This goes above my head that how come items are un traceable after getting track nos. their should be some thing fishy with this.

Keeping all these things in mind I suppose many of the members would agree with me, that it makes sense to explore other options and calculate final costs vise-a-vise quality, before ordering from HK.
  For all the orders I have placed with hobby king, I think if I might have bought all that from LHS, it should have worked out cheaper for me.
I shall certainly think many-many times before I buy any of the HK products, even sold by Local HK shadows.

All the Best
AkshayB

Oh I was about to update how good hk is. I cancelled my ordered twice as I dint review my cart before ordering, and all points got accumulated as bonus points. Then I created a new cart to order with my bonus points, to my surprise bonus points cant be used to compensate the shipping cost.
I contacted online cust care, and they told they would refund my money so that I could reorder.

My history shows I have ordered for around 500$ till now but never a single item was missing.

Dear Akshayb Sir,

Kindly dont be offended by my comments below. this is how i feel about HK.

1. Yes their packaging is poor. 
2. I have calculated final price for many products and they are still cheaper on HK including shipping than other online stores. Also HK items are mostly quality items. 
3. Quality of batteries are not very good as they say u get what u pay for. But their nanotech batteries are by far the best available anywhere.  Look at the prices of other online stores for even normal LIPO.
4.Tracking system definitely is very poor and needs to be taken care of by India post.

I agree with u on most points but for your grievance kindly raise a dispute through paypal if u paid by them. I also suggest all the members to use Paypal for all online purchases as it keeps ur money safe in most cases.

I have repeatedly ask HK to provide more shipping options like DHL, UPS, Fedex etc to be included but they have not done anything regarding my request. I hope if all of their India customers stop buying until they introduce a reliable shipping option they will definitely listen.

Thanks

As I see it, the problem with tracking is not with HK but with the Indian Postal department. They are slow in updating the information. Fortunately, I am in Mumbai and find it convenient to follow up on the phone. It often takes several tries to get through but the DO give you the current status. The usual delay is because of the customs. They are very tardy in assessng the parcels. I had two  parcels shipped on the 7th. One arrived on the 13th. The other is "held up" and I have not had the time to chase them.

EMS is a fairly good option if you want things faster. Considerably cheaper than DHL, etc. Do note that FedEx and their ilk will make most things effectively priced very high as the shipping will often be more than the cost of the item/s!

I am not sure which tracking site you people use, but for me http://www.17track.net/IndexEn.html works the best. It gets info from most of the available sites and updates.

Hi foamy Builder you are a lucky guy if so. But I think there can be other way round some day.

I am so sorry to say that I want to contradict if any body says, What you pay what you get, It's much of matter of convenience, which many of the forum member have adopted, to order from this chinese supplier.

This can happen with any body so word of caution from my side.

I do not think there is a problem with India post, You just can't track with any of the postal administrations web for several days even after getting a Track no.

One thing the HK buddy code thread pointed out is how many people and how often they are purchasing from HobbyKing.  It points out a glaring opportunity for LHSes to capitalize on, and I think the shadow ones and now RCBazaar may be starting to fill that niche.

I think Akshay should be more vocal about HK on other forums too... especially the HK one itself, and on the 3 main US forums.

Right now I'am very happy with HK. For example recently I got two 2200 mAh 3S nanotech lipos for $33.25 including shipping i.e one battery for less than 800 rs, its a steal IMO. Ordered on 29 may, delivered on 8 jun tracking was fine until my package landed in India

First of all I donot think these so called "Nanotech" batteries worth paying that much , and it becomes very difficult for me to understand what's "Nanotech" in them, have any body heard about any  nanotech lipo battery product other than HK, I think Hk should apply for patent on this so called "Nanotech" battery, another eye wash from HK.

I have found at-least three advantage:
1. Quicker throttle response, motor throttles up quicker.
2. Charging at 5C, 2200 mAh 3S battery charges up in 15 mins.
3. Almost same discharge till the end of the cycle.

+1 , I have pretty much completely moved to NanoTechs, for the stated advantages.

Remember that when Hyperion first came with batteries that could be charged at higher than 1C (not sure it was 3C or 5C), they cost much much more !  NanoTechs are absolutely worth the money, from my experience so far.

Everyone's opinion is respected- Some have good experiences while others don't!

I feel pity about missing items which Akshayb encountered, I can understand how frustrating it is. But, never mind, it happens...
After all, these simple little things can be reordered anytime, but spoiling your happy mood is just not worth over it! Be Happy!

Nano-Techs are better, no doubt, but TURINGY are also good, I use TURNIGY as well and I find no issues at all.. If you care your batteries, don't discharge them below a certain limit- then I'm sure you can get the best of it! People use their LiPos for years...
I stop the battery use after 15 minutes and the voltage is around 11.50V, I don't go below 11.20V, and batteries are always smiling!

Quote from: globalmilind on June 15, 2011, 01:56:40 PM
I stop the battery use after 15 minutes and the voltage is around 11.50V, I don't go below 11.20V, and batteries are always smiling!

The 15 minutes is not a generic measure, but the 11.5 volts (more like 3.7v per cell, which would be 11.1v for 3s) is a generic measure.  Coupled with that, do not store lipos fully charged for long, and your lipos will last for a long time.

+1 always use storage feature of charger if you dont plan to go to field for a month or so.

Thanks Global Milind for nice words.

I just wanted to warn all the fellow RCer on this forum, it can happen to any body.

And regarding HK batteries, have any body tried and compared other brand of batteries scientifically or on the test bench with proper measuring equipments, what life we are getting, who much  total fly time we can from them in their entire life. Just saying they are the best doesn't prove a point at least not in my eyes. There are many battery manufacturers in china and they supply RC batteries to almost all rc shops world over, and HK don't manufacture their own batteries and AFIK they even do not have any proper QC in place, they sell what they get.  
Are we simply praising them without using other brands, because every body else is doing the same.

@Anwar: That's right, storing LiPos fully charged is not a good idea!

@Akshayb: My pleasure, and thanks for you concern, you should share your experiences! One thing more- my name is not 'Global-Milind', LOL! Its only Milind

Don't know about others, but I have been though about 7 brands or more now (Thunder Power, Air Thunder, Flight Power, Outrage, Align, V-Plus, Zippy, and some others). And yes, Turnigy Nanotechs have been the best value for money for me. And "convenience" is a large part of that "value". Being "best" and "best value for money" are often different. 

Not sure how many people have the equipment, time and inclination to test the 10s of brands out there. And no one here is claiming that any one brand is THE best.  It is what worked best FOR THEM (so far... and it can change in future).  I hope that distinction is clear with out even calling it out !

You are not the first one to have a bad experience with HK, and you will not be the last one   But the same holds for any other shop.  It is all about percentages, where the vast majority feels that they can expect MOST (not ALL) of their interaction with a particular shop (or even product) to be positive.  And I do feel HK works well in that regard.

And your warning still stands !  With the choices available these days, people should look more and more locally.

Quote from: Akshayb on June 15, 2011, 02:20:13 PM
I just wanted to warn all the fellow RCer on this forum, it can happen to any body.
...
Are we simply praising them without using other brands, because every body else is doing the same.

Sir, why would anyone pay 3000 for a 3s battery while u can get one below 1000. second ur missing items are because of mishandling by India Post. their service is utterly incompetent and one of the worst in this world. kindly read this thread
http://www.rcindia.org/chatter-zone/indian-postal-services-customs/

Raise a dispute on paypal and never accept a damaged parcel. always take some pics before opening the box and after. Thx

Yes Anwar Bhai, it's correct if some one cheats a person out of 100s it's matter of percentage. Because 99% people will vouch for his/ her honesty.


Regarding batteries it's still very hard for me to digest reviews of heavily inclined people towards HK, If there's really nano tech lipos exists in this world and that's only with HK than why don't they go and patent it. Like so I can say they are worst lipos I have ever come across. Any ways I still have to see a nanotech battery in Bangalore's RC world.

Hey crazy pilot I think you are closely associated with all the postal systems world over.

And how can you surely say that my items are missed by India post

are you aware India post is one of the largest in this world. with highest no of post offices. And if it is worst how come all the members are getting their parcels safely every time?

Sorry buddy if I have been bit harsh.

Sir, one more example of being largest is Indian Railways which is also the largest employer. So many trains, thousand of Km network and blah blah but you still wont travel in Railways General class and eat the food they provide. need i say more.

PS- the worst rating was for handling the precious parcels.
PPS- I am not associated with India post or Railways but i have availed their services at some point or other.

All stars to Turnigy for VFM and performance(for the money paid) from my side  

Oh boy... is this becoming a "who is FOR HobbyKing versus who is AGAINST it" ?