Another Chinese scenario: Typically, shipping from China is dirt cheap on many items because the Chinese government provides free or next to free shipping for their exports. ( How would you like that perk here!) I don't know the specifics on all items BUT the rub is, you may pay a very reasonable shipping charge. The seller frequently advertises that they accept returns. I bought a pair of shoes last year. I thought they shipped from the U.K. as the site was listed as such. Shipping was $10.00 I wanted to return them. My cost to do so would have been $55.00 as the authorized return address was China. It was a lesson learned.
Warning: China-Hifi-Audio.com
I just wanted to pass along some concerns with this dealer.
I ordered a tube amp a couple weeks ago that was shown in stock (actually listed as a discounted customer return). and after 8 days of waiting for a shipping notification I asked about the status and was told it was delayed because the owner had to verify his UPS account. ??? They listed DHL Fedex and UPS as shipping services with 3 - 7 day delivery time for the $595 shipping charge I paid.
Since that response I have asked several times to cancel the order and even thru Paypal communications but am now being ignored. No refund and no shipment. So now it is in Paypal claim and I will be waiting many more days to see a refund.
Very disappointing experience with this dealer.
I ordered a tube amp a couple weeks ago that was shown in stock (actually listed as a discounted customer return). and after 8 days of waiting for a shipping notification I asked about the status and was told it was delayed because the owner had to verify his UPS account. ??? They listed DHL Fedex and UPS as shipping services with 3 - 7 day delivery time for the $595 shipping charge I paid.
Since that response I have asked several times to cancel the order and even thru Paypal communications but am now being ignored. No refund and no shipment. So now it is in Paypal claim and I will be waiting many more days to see a refund.
Very disappointing experience with this dealer.
183 responses Add your response
Buying a few tube amps from some Chinese brands that have come up with some nice designs will not change the geo-political situation in our world. Stop shopping at Walmart and on Amazon if you really want to make a difference. As someone with an engineering degree and who has scratch built guitar tube amplifiers I can say that what I have received from Willsenton and Muzishare had been excellent quality for the money including point to point wiring and components from Germany and Japan. I have enjoyed trying them. My Yamaha A-S2200 sounds like an AM/FM radio in comparison. |
Amusing that some so vehemently attack Chinese products while simultaneously fully supporting and overly enthusiastically encourage the purchase of brands that incorporate Chinese parts, for example speakers loaded with Wavecor drivers. You have to wonder why they don't pressure their favorite American designers/builders to find some non-Chinese components. Likewise, some use and strongly encourage the purchase of items they like such as Shumann Resonators and Nobsound springs both made/sold my Chinese companies. But oh well, their self righteous blather will continue. |
I would like to share my experience with China HIFI, I bought ampli Willsenton R8 and separately speakers Sound Artist LS3/5A, both exceptional products at great prices. Customer service from Yong Lee (Owner) was also very professional and attentive. Only issue is that his English is not the best so one should be very clear when communicating with him. I find it unfair to smear somebody's name before all the facts are in and think it would be a good idea if Audiogon and calieng provided a clear disclaimer about this warning. Please let me know if I can help and I will be more than happy to contact Yong Lee and make sure this issue is resolved. |
"I would like to share my experience with China HIFI, I bought ampli Willsenton R8 and separately speakers Sound Artist LS3/5A, both exceptional products at great prices. Customer service from Yong Lee (Owner) was also very professional and attentive. Only issue is that his English is not the best so one should be very clear when communicating with him. I find it unfair to smear somebody's name before all the facts are in and think it would be a good idea if Audiogon and calieng provided a clear disclaimer about this warning. Please let me know if I can help and I will be more than happy to contact Yong Lee and make sure this issue is resolved." There is no smear only facts - He sold a product he did not actually have in stock. He ignored messages. Did not promptly refund when asked to cancel the order. He lied about having issues with UPS when he actually usually ships Fedex or DHL. He is TubeAmplifierStore on Amazon.com and has been doing ongoing business during this period. It is fine to make a mistake or be overworked but do not lie about UPS to cover for it. Make of it what you will but FEEDBACK about this merchant has been provided! |
Unfortunately it's still the Wild West out there (Wild East?). Their government has no interest in enforcing western business standards, presumably feeling their people should be modelled in their own image. Don't expect improvement any time soon. Yes they've got thrown together crap, and knock-offs a-plenty, but since they manufacture about half the world's stuff, there's plenty of good quality too. But yes, Quad78, much safer to buy it at home. |
There is always a risk involved in ordering from overseas, including China. I paid a bit over $400 s/h for new Jungson JA 99-C power amp and JC-1 preamp. I knew there was a risk, but took a plunge. For my case, it went pretty good. The amp/preamp arrived within 10 days since I paid. It's been about 5 months and so far so good. The amp/preamp sounds really good for their price. I guess you might expected something similar to my experience, but you know it does not always turn that way when dealing with gears from overseas, especially from China. But I think the dealer in China is not a crook. He is a businessman who tries to make a living, and sometimes goes for more aggressive practice in sale, like advertising something they don't have under their possession yet. Will you be ordering any gear from China after this experience? |
"OK, I understand your situation, I just wanted to share my very good experience with Yong, I emailed him about this exchange and look forward to his reply that I will promptly post in this discussion. " You are welcome to do that. Both sides should be heard. Also ask why he represents himself as TubeAmplifierStore on Amazon with address : 1520 Orchard street, RACINE WI 53405 when the items actually ship from Chini-Hifi in China. I know because that was where my Muzishare X7 came from thinking I was actually buying from a US distributor. I have all the details including a message from them...Amazon Message: "Hi Chris, Do you have MUZISHARE R100 available? ===YES. We have stock. Do you have your own website to look at items available?====We could create a link for you on AMAZON soon or you could go to China hifi audio com to find it. Thank you!" I |
It is deceitful for China-Hifi to represent themselves as a USA distributor and also a lie that there were issues with UPS that delayed my other order. TubeAmplifierStore (China-Hifi) shipped Muzishare X7 by DHL during the same week I was being ignored about the status of my other order and ignored about processing a refund. I am angry they fooled me (and apparently others) into buying from them again and thinking we were supporting a USA distributor! DHL Shipment info from TubeAmplifierStore based in USA!!! More Shipment DetailsTotal Pieces1Delivery Date / TimeMarch, 23 2021, 13:39 Local timeTo protect your privacy, more delivery details are available after validationElectronic Proof of DeliveryPiece IDJD014600008677510162CloseAll Shipment Updates Tuesday March, 23 2021
Tuesday March, 23 2021
Monday March, 22 2021
Friday March, 19 2021
Thursday March, 18 2021
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Some years ago I had a Jungson amp. Defective, in-warranty, they sent two guys out to see for themselves what it was doing. Instead of replacing it like they said they would do they promised to send one, left, and from then on refused all phone calls. My dealer ultimately made good on it out of his own pocket. Jungson needless to say is China. The two guys who came out, Chinese nationals. I am shocked, shocked to hear of problems with China. Shocked. |
I recently purchased a tube integrated from this vendor. They were pretty clear about shipping delays at the time of purchase (within 2 days). The unit arrived at my door in less than a week from the ship date. Sorry to hear you didn't have a great experience, but at least received the refund you had asked for. I've read of worse, actual scam, stories here from vendors within the US. |
jdane- Glad to hear that so many audiophiles apparently do not own cars, don't have cell phones, don't feed their dogs, never eat anything but wheat and beef, don't read printed books, and believe the phrase "packed for [some sh*tcan town in the US]" means "grown or processed in the good ole USofA." We're talking about China. I think maybe you meant to say, "don't eat their dogs"? |
"...the world's most dangerous and pernicious surveillance state." Surveillance And Local Police: How Technology Is Evolving Faster Than Regulation : NPR |
"I am angry they fooled me (and apparently others) into buying from them again and thinking we were supporting a USA distributor!" How hard is it to register your company in Wisconsin? I got aware of people from around the world who have registered in Delaware while never having set foot on American continent. They have perfectly legal, U.S.A. based, companies in Delaware. |
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I have been ordering kit from China for years, never had a problem with any company I have dealt with. Customer service has always been A1, even when there is a problem with an item it has always been resolved quickly, often just sending a new one with low value items, and not even wanting the other one returned. In my experience the average Chinese company seem to be very helpful, their Government is another story!! What puzzles me is how a company can sell a piece of used kit that they haven't had sight of. They have no idea what condition it will be returned to them in, so how do they advertise it? |
$595 for shipping definitely seems excessive but you should price it out yourself (FedEx / DHL) and see that it is 'reasonable'.. It also includes US customs paperwork.. It's very heavy and is coming from around 6000 miles away.. In the USA, we have very reasonably priced shipping. I have bought DACs and Linear power supply from APOS and they are totally legit and super easy to work with. Unfortunately, they don't carry tube amps similar to the ones mentioned here. APOS is more focused on headphones. |
I've bought audio and other stuff direct from China and never had a problem. Currently using an Icepower amp purchased for $160. No problems. The only thing I would not buy from China is a tube amp unless you are sure the output transformers are of good quality. Or you could buy a Chinese tube amp with plans to replace the output transformers if they are not up to expectations. |
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I've had bad experiences with buying things from china through ebay NOT RECOMMENDED! There doesn't seem to be any quality control or pride in what or how they do business. I've been "cheated" from not getting what was described , to not getting anything at all. And NO refund policy or ways to recover my losses! Thankfully I learned my lesson at a much lower price.. Basically you're dealing with another country's business ethics and no way to enforce or recover the losses. Our way of doing business. money back offers (refund policy, money back guarantee ect.) isn't enforceable over there because we don't seem to have an agreement with china. not to be trusted until this changes |
If I have a choice, I buy from a country that is somewhat of an ally.These days I look at each piece of clothing or whatever and buy from somewhere other than China if I can. No country has a perfect human rights record. But what the Chinese government is doing to the people within its borders is a justifiable cause for great concern.And we may only know a small amount, as was the case with the so-called "Great Leap Forward" in China in the late 50s and early 60s. |
Hmm last year right before the lockdown, I ordered a pair of Psvane ACME 300b tubes from them. And yes, it was a gamble to save some money by buying from them vs Grant Fidelity, but lucky for me, I got my tubes in a reasonable amount of time and the tubes have been rock solid. In fact, in my Cayin HA-300 tube amp (bought from New York-based Musicteck), 10/10 times I prefer the headphone output from it vs my Chord HUGO TT2's own headphone amp because of the more beautiful tonality, much larger soundstage, air, and transient. So yeah, going back to the point, I was happy with them for my purchase. |
I've done business with them 3 times. Never had a problem. Pretty quick with shipping too and I always got answers to my emails. Late last year I had a quad of tubes ordered and they were taking a bit longer than usual. I emailed them and it was explained they were a bit backed up with shipping. They apologized and then refunded me 10% off the order. I received the tubes about 8 days later. |
Another big +1 for apos.audio. A warning that ordering from them can be habit-forming... |
I bought a couple of Leica camera lens from dealers in Hong Kong this year. Their customer service surpassed anything I have experienced. Items were better than described and ultra fast shipping. In one case I received the lens the next day Fedex overnight service. And in all cases received within a couple days max. That is why it was so shocking to see the absolutely poor customer service from these Chinese amp dealers. But then they are in mainland China with maybe a different ethic about customers than Hong Kong. You would think for $595 shipping they would actually get it to you in the 3 - 7 days they advertise. But for those bashing the product I say again they are really good for the money. Too bad the dealers mostly suck. |
I knowingly try not to order anything directly from China anymore. Even when an item has free shipping to you, in case you need to return it you have to pay $$ and fill too many forms to ship it back. If it's made in China and I really want it, I try to find a seller that already imported it and will ship inside the US. |
I had the same problem with the same seller regarding a purchase of the same amp. PayPal made excuses and dragged thier feet. I got CC company involved. The seller even stooped so low as to offer me 0.01 if I agree to take the black model instead of the chrome model. That infuriated me. The guy from Thomas and Stereo got involved (I think they are connected) but the CC company prevailed in the end. I will not buy from them again. Yes, the shipping price is ridiculous. |
You can"t avoid it but I minimize buying anything from China. I don't care if by unanimous vote of every audiophile if they made the best amp in the world and sold it for $100. Its a question that the government is corrupt, it is presently committing genocide, slavery, repression of their own citizens and worse repression over those they control (think Tibet). They spy on us in every way possible especially hacking our defense, manufacturing, etc, you name it, they do it. Like Joseph Stalin said 1 death is a tragedy, a million deaths are a statistic.To support their industries is to support that. for a few bucks, c'mon . Think about what your $s do before you spend them. I don"t know what my price is to sell my morals, my values, my humanity but it's certainly not a few hundred or a few thousand "American" dollars. Peace and Love to you all,Mark |
Exactly why I stated at the beginning of this thread...always use your CC Company and NOT Paypal to file claims. Paypal is not your friend. On 3 separate occasions over the past few years when filing a claim with my CC company not only did I immediately get a Full Credit of my purchase BUT because the Sellers didnt respond to the Inquiries my CC Company sent to them I got to keep all 3 Items Free of Charge. PAYPAL will NEVER do that for you. They will ALWAYS make you send the product back at your own expense and then make you PROVE that the item was returned before issuing a refund. Try sending something back to almost ANY Foreign Country and get ABSOLUTE PROOF that the person got it. The 3 Items I was credited for and were able to keep were a pair of Harbeth SHL5+ $3500, Wilsenton R8 Amp and a Vintage Sansui Amp valued at around $1400. In the future think very hard about who's really got your back!! |
I see an article in Dec 2020 pricing that at $1295. Wow, inflation on China products seems to go up fast. Lots of markups. I’d avoid that amp it’s approaching better quality brand prices. Already on eBay at $3k+ Look at the Vincent SV-237MK for a nice sounding integrated. Designed in Germany, made in China or go for the PrimaLuna gear used. That amp is no longer a steal, it’s expensive now. |
I would not bank on PayPal covering anything. A $700 guitar purchased from china comes to mind. Twisted neck. A Dewalt table saw I purchased on the web from a company supposedly based in Washington state and I received two paper covid masks instead, from China, I sent pictures and of the masks and tracking to PP and PP sided with the Chinese. |
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