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Hoping that I am not limited on the number of questions I can ask here on the ECF due to what another seems as logical or within the scope of a philosophical viewpoint. You say yours had tracking on the return. I don't know how shipping to Germany works, and if they send a new tracking ID if it is rejected in customs. It seems a reasonable question for me to ask. Granted, I have 0 idea on the subject, so maybe it sounds like a stupid question to someone else. But that is why I am on this forum, to have a better than 0 idea.
It was nice of you to give me what information you did. I contacted Dicodes and they do not have mine unfortunately. Going forward I will try to ask you fewer followup questions. It's not the sentiment I have experienced thus far on the ECF but maybe I am too new to this rodeo or something.
Please ask as many questions as you want. People are always glad to help if they can.
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When I sent mine back I used USPS. Tracking was useless once it reached Franford. On the return trip, the tracking was useless until it reach NY. Dicodes even told me because of a special way they send with DHL it couldn't be tracked.
Here's my complete story.
My Dicodes V2 is back home. Here's the tail of it's journey
2020-01-31 - I mailed it USPS from my hometown in PA
2020-02-03 09:54, GERMANY, FRANKFURT, Departed -> Your item departed a transfer airport in FRANKFURT, GERMANY on it's transit to the destination.
Then there was no tracking information updates. I had been tracking it using 17track.com and it just stopped updates.
I tried the tracking number at the DHL site, but it wasn't even found there.
2020-02-13 I get an email from Dicodes saying "Today we returned your Dani Box V2 to you"
I emailed them back asking for a tracking number and was told "
"We are sorry, but with the special service „DHL Warensendung“ the packages normally cannot be tracked. It lasts a little bit longer, but it works fine. Nevertheless please find attached the corresponding label."The 'number' on the mailing label didn't help me track it until it reach NY and was transferred to USPS.
2020-02-14 it was processed through Franfurt
2020-02-16 it arrived in NY
2020-02-19 it was delivered registered mail to my door.
Actually I was out for a walk around the neighborhood and my mail man pulled over and asked if I wanted to sign to a package. So it was delivered directly to me not my door. Bob, our mailman, is a great guy. I appreciate having a good mailman after some of the horror stories I heard of other people getting the mail and packages.
So total turnaround time was around 20 days and it cost me $23 to ship it to Germany.
PS: the day I got it back I placed an order with Creme de Vape for another V2. So now I'm waiting again for a Dicodes to show up. One must have backups
That's the consensus I'm getting. Will just have to wait and see...
Much obliged. ECF has been an invaluable resource and a great community.
Just providing a reference point regarding Dicodes servicing. It is excellent in every way.
My V1 Dani Box started having display problems. It's either 4 or 5 years old (too lazy to check) and has been used daily since new. So I sent it back to Dicodes.
Part of the process was over a weekend, but they turned the thing around in about 3 days. Not only do I have a nice bright screen again, it looks exactly as it did when I took it out of the box when I first received it. I take care of my gear and honestly thought it still looked great when I sent it to them. The difference in what I just received is remarkable.
Their support was very good, with emails pretty much daily letting me know what was happening and quick responses to any questions I had. Though I have to admit the shipping costs was something I'd rather not had to deal with, I think I got full value for every penny of the money I spent.
It's nice to know that even years after production and years after warranty expiration, they are a company that is serious about taking care of their customers.
My V1 Dani Box started having display problems. It's either 4 or 5 years old (too lazy to check) and has been used daily since new. So I sent it back to Dicodes.
Part of the process was over a weekend, but they turned the thing around in about 3 days. Not only do I have a nice bright screen again, it looks exactly as it did when I took it out of the box when I first received it. I take care of my gear and honestly thought it still looked great when I sent it to them. The difference in what I just received is remarkable.
Their support was very good, with emails pretty much daily letting me know what was happening and quick responses to any questions I had. Though I have to admit the shipping costs was something I'd rather not had to deal with, I think I got full value for every penny of the money I spent.
It's nice to know that even years after production and years after warranty expiration, they are a company that is serious about taking care of their customers.
I think I am going to order a Number 6, kind of my last chance I think. 
KAS
KAS
I think I am going to order a Number 6, kind of my last chance I think.
KAS
I would never try and talk anyone out of buying a Dicodes mod, and I like my Number 6 a lot. But be aware that it is edging into Provari Mini territory where finding good batteries is becoming more of a problem.
I bought mine when the model was first released, checked Mooch, and bought a pair of Basen blacks. They are still doing well years later. But Basen is a rewrapper and was wrapping a good battery at the time. Evidently, that source is no longer being used and I'm pretty sure they are no longer a recommended brand. Just the nature of a 26650 means that it sees a lot fewer cycles than 18650s.
A year or so ago I decided to get some backups, so I got the purple Efest that Mooch had tested. But again, there are no OEM 26650 batteries for sale in the retail market as far as I know, and I'm thinking that just like Basen, Efest changed their supplier. I'm already having problems with them in holding a charge with one even being tricky to get a charger to recognize.
So not only have I rained on your parade a bit, but now I'm going to have to try and find some good ones so that's something for me to worry about.
buy an 18650 adapter tube, and vape that 6 until the end of daze!!!I would never try and talk anyone out of buying a Dicodes mod, and I like my Number 6 a lot. But be aware that it is edging into Provari Mini territory where finding good batteries is becoming more of a problem.
I bought mine when the model was first released, checked Mooch, and bought a pair of Basen blacks. They are still doing well years later. But Basen is a rewrapper and was wrapping a good battery at the time. Evidently, that source is no longer being used and I'm pretty sure they are no longer a recommended brand. Just the nature of a 26650 means that it sees a lot fewer cycles than 18650s.
A year or so ago I decided to get some backups, so I got the purple Efest that Mooch had tested. But again, there are no OEM 26650 batteries for sale in the retail market as far as I know, and I'm thinking that just like Basen, Efest changed their supplier. I'm already having problems with them in holding a charge with one even being tricky to get a charger to recognize.
So not only have I rained on your parade a bit, but now I'm going to have to try and find some good ones so that's something for me to worry about.
I would never try and talk anyone out of buying a Dicodes mod, and I like my Number 6 a lot. But be aware that it is edging into Provari Mini territory where finding good batteries is becoming more of a problem.
I bought mine when the model was first released, checked Mooch, and bought a pair of Basen blacks. They are still doing well years later. But Basen is a rewrapper and was wrapping a good battery at the time. Evidently, that source is no longer being used and I'm pretty sure they are no longer a recommended brand. Just the nature of a 26650 means that it sees a lot fewer cycles than 18650s.
A year or so ago I decided to get some backups, so I got the purple Efest that Mooch had tested. But again, there are no OEM 26650 batteries for sale in the retail market as far as I know, and I'm thinking that just like Basen, Efest changed their supplier. I'm already having problems with them in holding a charge with one even being tricky to get a charger to recognize.
So not only have I rained on your parade a bit, but now I'm going to have to try and find some good ones so that's something for me to worry about.
I did not know that, I guess I thought that finding a quality larger battery was going to be easier then a 21700 for example. I might still get one, I am not sure, if I wait I am risking not being able to ever get one, because 9/9/2020 is just around the corner.
KAS
So good news about my shipment. I got word from Dicodes that it arrived today. To put it in context, I shipped it out July 15.
On July 22, it appeared to be stuck in customs, as all it stated for about a month was:
Finally on August 21, I got a strange update:
Which made me think I was going to have to pony up some cash or something to get it out of customs. Then mysteriously later that day:
Then on August 24:
Overall, USPS provided the most updates. Whereas DHL Global and Deutsche Post provided fewer details. In the end though, all websites marked as delivered. My limited efforts to obtain more information by contacting my shipping service resulted in literally no help.
I am not sure why in my case the shipment took so long but I think next time I will attach invoice and repair instructions to the outside of the box as well as the inside to facilitate customs inspection.
Also, on the customs declaration, I marked it as "gift" when perhaps I should have marked it as another option. I think there was something on the customs form like merchandise for repair. As for the declared value on the package, I don't think there is any way around that. In the case of an insurance claim, it is based on the declared value of the package.
Hope this helps anyone who finds their shipment taking a month or longer to reach Dicodes.
On July 22, it appeared to be stuck in customs, as all it stated for about a month was:
Processed Through Facility
GERMANY
GERMANY
Finally on August 21, I got a strange update:
Payment of charges - Item being held, addressee being notified
GERMANY
GERMANY
Which made me think I was going to have to pony up some cash or something to get it out of customs. Then mysteriously later that day:
Processed through Facility
FRANKFURT/FLUGHAFEN, GERMANY
FRANKFURT/FLUGHAFEN, GERMANY
Then on August 24:
Delivered
GERMANY
Your item was delivered in GERMANY at 9:09 am on August 24, 2020.
Strangely enough, I wasn't informed until today that they received it. Maybe it was just in queue at their HQ waiting to be opened.GERMANY
Your item was delivered in GERMANY at 9:09 am on August 24, 2020.
Overall, USPS provided the most updates. Whereas DHL Global and Deutsche Post provided fewer details. In the end though, all websites marked as delivered. My limited efforts to obtain more information by contacting my shipping service resulted in literally no help.
I am not sure why in my case the shipment took so long but I think next time I will attach invoice and repair instructions to the outside of the box as well as the inside to facilitate customs inspection.
Also, on the customs declaration, I marked it as "gift" when perhaps I should have marked it as another option. I think there was something on the customs form like merchandise for repair. As for the declared value on the package, I don't think there is any way around that. In the case of an insurance claim, it is based on the declared value of the package.
Hope this helps anyone who finds their shipment taking a month or longer to reach Dicodes.
This is what Dicodes told me to put on the outside of the package. I had my fingers crossed that if it got lost in transit and never appeared at Dicodes they would make good on it since it was declared as no commercial value. So filing an insurance claim would have been fruitless.
"Please add a note to the package “Defective device returned under warranty. No commercial value.” which might help being blocked by customs. If it is blocked, the return is delayed by about one week."
Yeah, that part is a little confusing. It has no commercial value, but does it have no declared value? I chose to declare the value. I wouldn't mind paying extra on shipping to have insurance. I wouldn't feel super comfortable relying on Dicodes to just send me a new mod if mine got lost or confiscated.
I tried getting around any duties by claiming 'gift' on the package, as I have noted CDV has done on my packages, but shipping to Germany and shipping to the US is entirely different I have come to realize. They are probably more... German about that kind of thing.
As far as the documentation, I put that inside the box instead of on the outside. Again, an incorrect assumption on my part that they were going to just open the box anyway to inspect.
Good to know they fixed it. A little worried that it required repair in 4-5 years. I need mine to last 20 years each by my optimistic post-PMTA calculations, lol. Hopefully Dicodes will be around in 40 years. Maybe they will start selling the chipset they use on the Mini at some point and I can stock up on a few...
Well even with what I was told last night about finding quality 26650 batteries, I did order a Dicodes No. 6 tonight. I don't have any 26650 devises, and I kind of feel if I didn't order one I would always regret it. 
@GeekyGeezer If I find some good batteries I will let you know. I also ordered 2 each of the 60 and 80 boards, and 4 spare screens. I am shipping DHL to my place of work, the restrictions on personal shipments to our office have become relaxed, sense our company was bought out.
KAS
@GeekyGeezer If I find some good batteries I will let you know. I also ordered 2 each of the 60 and 80 boards, and 4 spare screens. I am shipping DHL to my place of work, the restrictions on personal shipments to our office have become relaxed, sense our company was bought out. KAS
Just grab Sanyo 20650 batteries and use rubber band, spacer, or even tape.
They are very solid performers.
They are very solid performers.
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