PSA: Warning on Gearbest "free shipping"

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

I have been screwing around with Gearbest for a week over a lost shipment. I ordered two knives on Nov 16, 2017, so it has been well over 2 months. When the Gearbest "due date" had passed, I submitted a ticket. I was then told that the "deadline date" was another 30 days. So, after that date also passed, I entered another ticket and asked for a refund. After a couple of back and forth canned responses, I finally received this:

We sincerely apologize for this delivery issue.

As you are value customer we are happy to resend a new parcel by post registered to you free of charge though you didn't pay the shipping insurance.

There will be a tracking number.

Please note that this is only one exception as the proof of our goodwill.

Here are our terms and conditions for your reference: http://www.gearbest.com/about/terms-and-conditions.html

So, now I get to wait another 30-60 days to see if I receive this package. If you look at their terms & conditions, it includes this little tidbit:

Any orders that do not have shipping insurance will not be the responsibility of GearBest and the customer takes full liability for their package during the shipping process.

Wait, wut? So, if I do not buy the insurance, they are under absolutely no obligation to actually see that I receive my order? How the heck do I know whether they even shipped the order? Just because they post some fly-by-night Azerbaijan tracking number next to my order lets them just moonwalk away from any issues? That's just messed-up.

So - buyer beware. My advice is to NEVER use the Gearbest free shipping, and better yet, just don't buy from Gearbest at all. Regardless of whether I ever receive this package, I won't be buying from them again.

And before you ask, Fasttech does NOT have the same policy. Their T&Cs give a much more reasonable statement:

All orders reported as "delivered" by USPS are considered delivered. FastTech cannot be made liable of non-delivery in this case.

That's the way it should be done.

[jerryd6818]

I hear ya Terry. I made one purchase from GearBest. Even though I received the product, it was slow as molasses and I was NOT happy with the service. They've been on my no more list ever since.

[Captain O]

I have only bought from FastTech and have no intention to trust a company with a track record such as this. Forewarned is forearmed.

Thanks for the warning.

[bighomer]

Twoflowers thanks for the heads up, hey l may go into business, l don't have a product but you don't really need one huh, just send me the money and I'll tell you it's lost in the mail.

[Producer]

TwoFlowers
I had the same situation with Gearbest regarding a non delivered package.
Previously I had no problems with them about deliveries or content.
After the waiting period and initializing a ticket they sent out the package [two Ganzo knives].
I received it in less than two weeks.
It seems that something has changed and not for the better involving their courier.
At any rate they made good on it so hope you get your purchase soon.
Harold [producer]