The FastTech Thread For All FastTech Posts

[Jayvaps]

Well two of my three shipment are in Singapore now. I must admit I am a little less patient this go around. I think tracking is not your friend. I find myself hitting track again repeatedly throughout the day. If that wasn't available I would just forget about the order until it got here, period. It's like watching the clock when you were in class on the last day before summer break it seems to make the time go really slow.

Yes, and it does not appear to speed up even once it 'leaves' singapore.

I got the message that it was dispatched to overseas 3 days ago. Nothing after that on any tracking site.

With the old HK Post, it would typically be a day(sometimes even less than a day when you factored in time change) from when it left Hong Kong until it popped up in San Fran. Then you knew at least the most you had to wait for was customs to release it and then normal US shipping to take over.

With the new shipping, it is

*refresh* nothing...
*refresh* nothing...
*refresh* nothing...really?
*refresh* nothing...UGH!
*refresh* nothing...GRRRR! ...!!

lol. At this point, I just dont know what to expect.

Has anyone in the US, that got a tracking number with an LK....SG since around Nov 20th gotten their stuff yet, or even get notification that it made it to the US yet?

 

[tonyorion]

I have one order from Nov. 19 for which I paid expedited shipping for a gift, and two more registered air mail on the 21st. Some friends asked me to order stuff for them since they do not have paypal. There were no batteries in any of the orders.

All were delayed because they were out of stock on some items. Got a tracking number for all three on Dec 1, all going through Singapore. I have been anxiously watching Qantium for days and other than notification of pick up request, there was no movement. Yesterday, the expedited shipment was dispatched to ATC, whatever that means.

My last large order (through them went via Hong Kong post and arrived after 10 days without a problem). Everything was in tip top order with the exception of a missing retainer screw on a carto tank for which I had a replacement.

This time around it's worst than waiting around for a delayed childbirth.

The problems for fasttech with the HongKong post office must have been monumental for them to go over to Singapore. Singapore is not a part of China; it is an independent country in Malaysia and a long way away from Hong Kong. There is no land connection to the Chinese mainland. Fasttech must ship everything by ship to Singapore with a freight company and then have everything stamped and brought over to the Singapore post. This is going to add at least 3 days to every order.

I am wondering why they did not bring the stuff over to Shanghai. Although part of China now, HK still operates in many ways as an independent entity with its own rules.

Well, my stuff is in the system at least.

 

[Jayvaps]

This is going to add at least 3 days to every order.

3 days is way too optimistic imo.

My packages were arriving on average at about 10-14 days from the date shipped to the east coast of the US previous to this.

I am on day 15 now, and it isnt even in the US.

 

[CommaHolly]

I'd be THRILLED if it only added 3 days to the order,,,,,,,,,,

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

You know, this whole battery thing is getting totally out of hand. I am even starting to believe it is to cover up other issues.

Read this notice from Hobby King stating Lipos are now shipping and what services are used:

HobbyKing R/C News

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm very interesting.

Yup...funny how FT was on this quick like yet people STILL are saying FT sucks because of shipping...and I keep telling folks that it's not the wholesale suppliers that are the problem

 

[soupy1970]

Yes, and it does not appear to speed up even once it 'leaves' singapore.

I got the message that it was dispatched to overseas 3 days ago. Nothing after that on any tracking site.

With the old HK Post, it would typically be a day(sometimes even less than a day when you factored in time change) from when it left Hong Kong until it popped up in San Fran. Then you knew at least the most you had to wait for was customs to release it and then normal US shipping to take over.

With the new shipping, it is

*refresh* nothing...
*refresh* nothing...
*refresh* nothing...really?
*refresh* nothing...UGH!
*refresh* nothing...GRRRR! ...!!

lol. At this point, I just dont know what to expect.

Has anyone in the US, that got a tracking number with an LK....SG since around Nov 20th gotten their stuff yet, or even get notification that it made it to the US yet?

My LK.........SG ordered was placed on 11/24 and shipped on 11/25 order seems to be Despatched to USA since the 5th.

USPS tracking
Origin Post is Preparing Shipment
December 5, 2013 , 2:20 pm
Processed Through Sort Facility
SINGAPORE S?5, SINGAPORE

Quantium

131124462993 HONG KONG Nov 26 2013 2:11AM 1 1.20100 USA DESPATCHED TO OVERSEAS DESPATCHED TO COUNTRY : UNITED STATES / CITY : LOS ANGELES
Status Updated Date Updated Location Remarks
CONFIRMED PICK UP REQUEST 26/Nov/2013 10:33:08 HONG KONG
PICK UP ARRIVED AT ORIGIN HUB 27/Nov/2013 20:39:10 HONG KONG
ITEM PROCESSING AT ORIGIN HUB 28/Nov/2013 17:10:39 HONG KONG
ITEM DESPATCHED TO TRANSSHIPMENT HUB 28/Nov/2013 21:52:28 HONG KONG
ITEM RECEIVED BY TRANSSHIPMENT HUB 03/Dec/2013 09:35:09 SINGAPORE
ITEM LODGED INTO TRANSSHIPMENT HUB LOCAL POSTAL AGENT 03/Dec/2013 10:13:48 SINGAPORE
DESPATCHED TO OVERSEAS 05/Dec/2013 14:20:00 SINGPOST DESPATCHED TO COUNTRY : UNITED STATES / CITY

 

[soupy1970]

I also have a RQ.........SG package that was shipped on 11/25 and has been stuck at Despatched to USA since 11/30.

 

[Heavyrocker]

I think the ban on shIpping batts BY PLANE is bogus,cant they put the batts is a fire proof container?how bout iphones and other puter stuff?

 

[crxess]

LOL - Ordering from China is like playing the stock market.

You have to know when to jump in and when to Bail out!

This is the wrong time of year to attempt to get anything in a reasonable time unless you are willing to and can afford FedEx or DHL

Shipping will be on a down hill slide for the nest 2-3 months. March will start to see the beginning of normalization and April should be fairly smooth(fairly) May to end of Aug. is Good to go, then Sept. starts the down hill slide all over again.

No one over there seems to know or care how to fix this.

 

[Jayvaps]

My LK.........SG ordered was placed on 11/24 and shipped on 11/25 order seems to be Despatched to USA since the 5th.

USPS tracking
Origin Post is Preparing Shipment
December 5, 2013 , 2:20 pm
Processed Through Sort Facility
SINGAPORE S?5, SINGAPORE

Quantium

131124462993 HONG KONG Nov 26 2013 2:11AM 1 1.20100 USA DESPATCHED TO OVERSEAS DESPATCHED TO COUNTRY : UNITED STATES / CITY : LOS ANGELES
Status Updated Date Updated Location Remarks
CONFIRMED PICK UP REQUEST 26/Nov/2013 10:33:08 HONG KONG
PICK UP ARRIVED AT ORIGIN HUB 27/Nov/2013 20:39:10 HONG KONG
ITEM PROCESSING AT ORIGIN HUB 28/Nov/2013 17:10:39 HONG KONG
ITEM DESPATCHED TO TRANSSHIPMENT HUB 28/Nov/2013 21:52:28 HONG KONG
ITEM RECEIVED BY TRANSSHIPMENT HUB 03/Dec/2013 09:35:09 SINGAPORE
ITEM LODGED INTO TRANSSHIPMENT HUB LOCAL POSTAL AGENT 03/Dec/2013 10:13:48 SINGAPORE
DESPATCHED TO OVERSEAS 05/Dec/2013 14:20:00 SINGPOST DESPATCHED TO COUNTRY : UNITED STATES / CITY

our items are 10 minutes apart on the final tracking.

CONFIRMED PICK UP REQUEST	25/Nov/2013 15:11:16	HONG KONG
PICK UP ARRIVED AT ORIGIN HUB	28/Nov/2013 15:45:36	HONG KONG
ITEM PROCESSING AT ORIGIN HUB	28/Nov/2013 18:42:52	HONG KONG
ITEM DESPATCHED TO TRANSSHIPMENT HUB	28/Nov/2013 21:50:19	HONG KONG
ITEM RECEIVED BY TRANSSHIPMENT HUB	03/Dec/2013 09:34:50	SINGAPORE
ITEM LODGED INTO TRANSSHIPMENT HUB LOCAL POSTAL AGENT	03/Dec/2013 10:12:58	SINGAPORE
DESPATCHED TO OVERSEAS	05/Dec/2013 14:30:00	SINGPOST	DESPATCHED TO COUNTRY : UNITED STATES / CITY : LOS ANGELES

What is interesting(besides how I just posted that into a table...I dont know how I did that..lol) is that mine 'shipped' from FT several days before yours(mine was the 22nd), but yours was 'picked up at origin hub' a day before mine, then have been right next to each other.

I guess we are now in the same boat....hopefully not a literal boat. :/

 

[jjcordone]

Personally, I'll never buy from them again.
I ordered an iTaste VV in October and I still don't have it.
They should have noted that they would be walking to RI to hand deliver it.

 

[Scope666]

I think the ban on shIpping batts BY PLANE is bogus,cant they put the batts is a fire proof container?how bout iphones and other puter stuff?

There's a whole bunch of 18650's in a full size laptop battery ... just sayin. ;-)

 

[sbc83]

I'm not a huge fan of pipe mods but these look neato.

$28.33 Pipe Style Telescopic Mechanical Mod Kit - locking ring / 2.4ohm / 1.2mL at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[soupy1970]

There's a whole bunch of 18650's in a full size laptop battery ... just sayin. ;-)

I wonder if they are marked. I might have to take a old one apart to see what typ/brand is in there. It would be nice if one could order a $10 laptop battery off Amazon and open to get a bunch of name brand batts that work good for Mods.

 

[Maggiemw]

I wonder if they are marked. I might have to take a old one apart to see what typ/brand is in there. It would be nice if one could order a $10 laptop battery off Amazon and open to get a bunch of name brand batts that work good for Mods.

I've done this.

I had an old unusable Toshiba laptop and took the battery pack apart last weekend. Very carefully, and following the instructions you can find on the net. I 'harvested' 8 perfectly useable Sony US18650GR batteries. I had them checked for safety and condition by an electrician neighbour and have been using them happily ever since.

Yes, it is a good way to procure 18650s, but definitely read up about it, arm yourself with a multimeter and some serious safety sense.

I have read that it is a good idea to find the manufacturer's original battery packs, not no-brand replacements.

 

[boomerdude]

After one of my packages sat at HK PO for 30 days I filled out a tracking request. I got an email answer from D. Chen and subsequently, in further emails got the following information. The majority of packages not sent on to their destination is due to not following packaging rules. Not so much including batteries but because so many items are stuffed in First Class envelopes to beat higher postage costs. Vendors know this but continue the practice. Some pieces are held for 60 days before being returned to the vendor because it's more cost effective.

That's why FT's website says Ego type batteries and liquids are allowed by HK Post but your package still doesn't move.

I guess from now on I'll split my orders into separate shipments. Which cost FT more.

 

[Maggiemw]

I guess from now on I'll split my orders into separate shipments. Which cost FT more.

Uh, I hate to break this to you, but you do pay for postage. It is included in the price of the item, just like any other seller offering 'free' postage when you hit a given order total. So it isn't costing FT more to ship multiple packages to you.

And before the conspiracy theorists arrive in outraged shock, this is pretty normal business practice...

 

[soupy1970]

What is interesting(besides how I just posted that into a table...I dont know how I did that..lol) is that mine 'shipped' from FT several days before yours(mine was the 22nd), but yours was 'picked up at origin hub' a day before mine, then have been right next to each other.

I guess we are now in the same boat....hopefully not a literal boat. :/

What is yours saying on USPS tracking? I have 3 total shipments from that day (only 2 LK..SG) but only the one I just posted tracking on is saying anything on USPS.

When you figure out how that graph showed up let me know. I posted a shipping update a few days ago that showed the graph but not until I edited the original post.

 

[soupy1970]

Uh, I hate to break this to you, but you do pay for postage. It is included in the price of the item, just like any other seller offering 'free' postage when you hit a given order total. So it isn't costing FT more to ship multiple packages to you.

And before the conspiracy theorists arrive in outraged shock, this is pretty normal business practice...

It cost them more to ship multiple packages no matter how you want to look at it. It's a no brainer that free shipping has to be paid by someone. It's not like they are offering one item at $10 free shipping and the same item again for $5 with $5 shipping.

 

[soupy1970]

I've done this.

I had an old unusable Toshiba laptop and took the battery pack apart last weekend. Very carefully, and following the instructions you can find on the net. I 'harvested' 8 perfectly useable Sony US18650GR batteries. I had them checked for safety and condition by an electrician neighbour and have been using them happily ever since.

Yes, it is a good way to procure 18650s, but definitely read up about it, arm yourself with a multimeter and some serious safety sense.

I have read that it is a good idea to find the manufacturer's original battery packs, not no-brand replacements.

What kind of danger are we looking at here? I have repaired many laptop screens that require pretty much disassemble of laptop but have never opened a battery. I was thinking it would be just a casing I need to take apart and the batteries would be sitting in there just like any item that takes batteries. I realize the casing isn't going to open up as easy as the battery lid on a toy. I guess I will go youtube it and see what one looks like on the inside before I start.