Zapals Not Honouring Warranty, What to do?

Korban Dallas on 03/04/2018 - 13:57
Last edited 03/04/2018 - 13:58

Mi Band 2 LCD is getting really faint, bought it in May last year. Could not get a hold of Xiaomi Global to fix. Sent numerous emails, no reply.

Then I contracted Xiaomi USA who said to talk with the Seller. So I did, got an email back from Zapals:

Sincerely sorry to tell you that your item is out-of-warranty now. We suggest you find a local store to have a check for it. Your understanding will be highly appreciated. Have a good day.

With best regards,
qiao xu

The Mi Band has a 12 month warranty. What other avenues do I have?

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Comments

  • zealot42 on 03/04/2018 - 14:17
    +3

    I had a very stressful experience with zapal in the past. I eventually used PayPal to get my money back

  • pformag on 03/04/2018 - 14:19
    +1

    Paypal?

  • Wampus on 03/04/2018 - 14:42
    +1

    I've had horrible experiences with Zapals, I think their terrible customer service is exacerbated by a huge language gap. Not sure if Paypal will come to the party if its this far down the track after purchase.

  • whooah1979 on 03/04/2018 - 14:44

    The Mi Band has a 12 month warranty.

    Do you’ve a link?

      • whooah1979 on 03/04/2018 - 15:31

        This warranty is provided by the manufacturer. You must contact the manufacturer and get a rma.

        • Korban Dallas on 03/04/2018 - 15:44

          Xiaomi Global is not responding to my emails. [email protected] 18th and 26th of March.

        • whooah1979 on 03/04/2018 - 15:55

          @wooldogs:

          Did you tell them that you’re from Australia?

        • Korban Dallas on 03/04/2018 - 16:25

          @whooah1979:

          Yep, I ended up emailing all of the different service areas to try to finally get through to Global, and I got templated responses from HK and the Philipeans that didn't answer my question and they didn't read my emails (possibly due to the language barrier).

        • Clear on 03/04/2018 - 16:59

          @wooldogs: Sorry to burst your bubble but that warranty isn't global despite mi.com saying Global in its title. There are actually 2 links on that page which list a US Warranty and a EU Warranty. Since you're in neither and Xiaomi don't sell into Australia officially you have no warranty with them.

          Your warranty on the Mi Band is going to be under Zapals terms.

  • salem on 03/04/2018 - 16:22
    -2

    In Australia you have the consumer guarantees to apply to the seller (not manufacturer). It's not a specific time period, but an item should last for as long as one would reasonably expect it to last considering the quality and purpose etc. 12 months is perfectly reasonable for a mi band 2, especially if the manufacturer themselves warrant it for that long.

    ACCC lists the guarantees, but the place to go to get help is the relevant consumer affairs department in your Australian state. They will help you force zapals to repair, replace or refund your item. The ACCC does not help with individual cases.

    https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees…

    • AdosHouse on 03/04/2018 - 17:15
      +1

      You are kidding right? You think that any Australian Government office could force a Chinese store to do anything?

      • Korban Dallas on 03/04/2018 - 19:44
        -1

        They have an ABN so. we will see how that goes. Reported to ACCC, let's see how it goes.

        Zapals.com are refusing to fix or repair my Mi Band 2 or even assist me with getting in touch with Xiaomi (there [email protected] has been unresponsive). I have informed them of their requirements under consumer law but they are saying it is out of their 6 month warranty.

        I believe that ABN is associated with this company: https://abr.business.gov.au/SearchByAbn.aspx?SearchText=5061…
        https://au.linkedin.com/company/zapals-corporation

        • whooah1979 on 03/04/2018 - 20:09

          they are saying it is out of their 6 month warranty.

          six months is the standard consumer protection period in china for items like the one you purchased.
          https://tinyurl.com/y8ve9rhp
          article 23 & 24.

        • Korban Dallas on 03/04/2018 - 20:11
          -1

          @whooah1979:

          I am not Chinese.

          Filed an ACCC report, now submitting for paypal refund.

          Stage 2 is to email my 120k forum subscribers in next months email campaign.

      • marcozmitch on 05/04/2018 - 04:05

        Just try to do it under paypal…
        I think that it is OLED not LCD? Hence the reason for it getting faint: mine is too…OLED will get faint over time.
        I have a Stratos coming so I am not too worried.
        See what this says?
        Known issue?
        $20 device?
        http://en.miui.com/thread-744363-1-1.html

    • chumlee on 03/04/2018 - 18:48
      +2

      You have the right to remain silent

    • whooah1979 on 03/04/2018 - 18:52

      consumer affairs department in your Australian state. They will help you force zapals to repair, replace or refund your item

      you may not know this, but fair trading doesn't have any real powers to force a retailer, supplier or a manufacturer to supply a remedy. they've the power to advise, investigate, prosecute through the courts, etc.

      • Korban Dallas on 03/04/2018 - 19:08

        There have been some overseas companies that have been reported to ACCC and got their ass handed to them.

        I intend to do the same.

        • whooah1979 on 03/04/2018 - 19:11

          overseas companies that have been reported to ACCC

          do you've a link?

        • whooah1979 on 03/04/2018 - 19:29

          @wooldogs:

          https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/online-shopping/buying-on…

          the cases against bxt and tcf was related to misleading
          advertising, which is offences the accc takes very serious.
          https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/catchdeal-techrific-an…

          a $60 item that's not covered by manufactures warranty isn't something they'll investigate.

        • dizzle on 03/04/2018 - 19:37

          Try reading this from the ACCC website - effectively they have NO power for online purchases made overseas - only for Australian online stores (which does include australian stores operating overseas like Kogan. Zapals, not so much). It even suggests for you to try whatever consumer protection agency is in the sellers country.

          https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/online-shopping/shopping-online

          "Shopping online with an overseas business
          If you buy from an online seller based overseas, you should be aware that you may experience practical difficulties in obtaining a remedy from them.

          If your seller is based overseas and writing to them doesn’t resolve your problem, try asking the consumer protection agency (link is external) in their country if it can help."

          Also, you should be aware of your rights when buying parallel imports online (i.e. products that you buy from a seller who does not have specific permission from the manufacturer to sell those products in the Australian marketplace)".

  • Rifraf on 03/04/2018 - 18:42

    You have rights Wooldogs!!!!
    Probably the best one to use here is the right to remain silent.

    Time to start really reading the feedback on cheap Chinese companies before parting with your hard earned mulah

  • Store Repzapals @ Zapals on 12/07/2018 - 12:09

    Hi dear customer, sorry for this, but Zapals lists that Xiaomi Mi Band 2 only has 6 month return to base warranty. You said you bought this in May last year, and in April this year, the warranty is indeed expired, hope you can understand.Thanks a lot.

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