Not to order batteries from FT?

[Martin Jeong]

Hi

I've been checking FT for batteries and found 'Sony US 18650VTC3 1600mAh
$11.76 Sony US18650VTC3 18650 1600mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries (2-Pack) 2-pack - 30A discharge at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

But I remembered reading about their shipping being delayed, so checked FT forum here then saw some people suggesting to not to order batteries from FT.
Can someone please tell me why it's not a good idea to order it from FT? I'm sure that their qualities aren't bad though..

 

[DancingHeretik]

fasttech, along with some other China suppliers, are having trouble getting batteries shipped out of the country. If you order batteries from them, you stand a very good chance of never getting them. They will refund your money. But, that just ties up your funds in the meantime.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

As DancingHeretik mentioned a very good chance of them being returned. From the page your batts are on:
What items are restricted or potentially restricted by the customs and/or air mail shipping services?: FastTech - Gadgets and Electronics - Worldwide Free Shipping
and shipping methods- note most methods do not accept cylindrical batts:
What are the available shipping methods?: FastTech - Gadgets and Electronics - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[Martin Jeong]

Thank you DancingHeretik and Vapoor eyes er.

Any suggestion on online website that does international shipping?

I'm staying here in the Philippines and couldn't find any good batteries such as Samsung INR18650 20R or Sony us18650vct3/vtc4 even AW 1600mAh...

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Batteries-Chargers-Flashlights-Only The Best is reputable and sells quality batts.

Edit: You may find someone here that can help:
http://pinoyvapers.com/
Best of Luck.

 

[Dakota Jim]

My 2 cents

Fasttech is having issues shipping anything in a timely manner right now

I am still waiting on an order (no batteries and no eliquid) that was supposedly shipped on Nov 23 but the tracking info was updated only once so far after I submitted a ticket to Fasttech inquiring about the order
no other tracking info updates in the last 7 days

it's only a good price if you actually receive the items you order and pay for (Fasttech does not give refunds - only credit - if you never receive any shipments from them what good is the credit?)

Sorry for my rant but I am getting frustrated (made the mistake of 1 big order instead of many smaller orders)

 

[DancingHeretik]

They do give refunds. But, they may make you wait awhile, until they actually receive the returned package from the shipping company.

 

[KenD]

Fasttech does indeed do refunds. At the moment they'll only ship batteries via DHL express, which is incredibly expensive ($61 to Sweden). Hopefully they'll find a way to ship batteries with a free/cheaper method soon

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

[stylezuk]

Yeah i had a refund on SVD was my first order and has totally put me off ever using again, yes prices are good but is it worth the difference in frustration of waiting for tracking numbers and getting non adequate answers from tickets.. IMO no.

I know that they had 70% returns on Sept & Oct so until they sort shipping out then the above applies.

 

[Jimi D.]

The last package I received had a label on it. It stated this package has been opened, and passed inspection. Now if you guys have batteries shipped. Hong Kong Post will not ship them.

 

[Amraann]

I just pay the extra for a US company so as not to have to worry about this.

 

[wonner]

I just pay the extra for a US company so as not to have to worry about this.

And you get them 5 weeks sooner, so they are fresher.

 

[Steamix]

Fasttech does indeed do refunds. At the moment they'll only ship batteries via DHL express, which is incredibly expensive ($61 to Sweden). Hopefully they'll find a way to ship batteries with a free/cheaper method soon

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Wouldn't count on it too much - UPS freighter plane crashing after take off from Dubai, Asiana freighter plane disappearing from the radar off Jaeju Island, both calamaties have been attributed to lithium batteries cooking off. There have been numerous incidents where no lives were lost. Batteries on thermal runaway may be entertaining to watch on youtube, but I doubt very much you'll find it amusing if the very same reaction would take place in a plane's cargo hold right under your seat somewhere over the ocean...

The regulations have been in place, but apparantly postal outfits in China turned a blind eye until recently. Now they're enforced with a vengeance. FT & others are now facing problems, as their ' free shipping ' calculations are based on postal rates and not the costlier express rates of DHL / UPS / FedEx and others. From what I hear on the grapevine, FT is trying to negotiate specials with various logistics providers but that could take some time.

I still use FT , but I do split my orders: Batteries are in one order, everything else in another. This way I avoid getting the whole consignment snagged because of one or two batteries. For the batteries themselves then I am aware that I am going to be in for a loong wait or some hassles about refunds in case they don't make it. Alternatively, one could shop for batteries locally ( if available ).

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

FT is not on my Vendor List at this time. After 15 successful purchases, the last two were problematic. Shipment in September with none of the forbidden goodies - never arrived. More than two months and FT refunded PayPal account. Order from late October arrived today. First showed up in New York about a week ago. I'm in Nevada and my Pacific Rim purchases always c0ome through SF or LA, Weird. IO paid extra for the six week shipping, which showed no tracking for 5 of the 6 weeks. They have some nice stuff, and it's improving all the time, but I'm not gonna do it again.

 

[Amraann]

And you get them 5 weeks sooner, so they are fresher.

Exactly!!! I have no patience so waiting does not work out for me so well

 

[Camay]

I just received the ticket that FT was going to refund my money for an itaste v v3 (ordered: 10/30; received at HK post 11/05; returned to FT 12/07). Way to much hassle when U.S. vendors are lowering their prices and getting the product to you in a timely fashion. Until they get the HK post situation straightened out or find a cheap alternative method of shipping, i would suggest avoiding FT right now for ANY purchases.

 

[Adam Schuster]

Man, I wish I would have known about all these shipping issues with FT before I placed an order with them. I have a Vamo v5 and an I2 charger on the way, or so I hope...

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

FT is not on my Vendor List at this time. After 15 successful purchases, the last two were problematic. Shipment in September with none of the forbidden goodies - never arrived. More than two months and FT refunded PayPal account. Order from late October arrived today. First showed up in New York about a week ago. I'm in Nevada and my Pacific Rim purchases always c0ome through SF or LA, Weird. IO paid extra for the six week shipping, which showed no tracking for 5 of the 6 weeks. They have some nice stuff, and it's improving all the time, but I'm not gonna do it again.

Also a Fasttech fanboy and received my last order just before the clampdown but wouldn't recommend them until the shipping issues are dealt with.