First post,
Not the best price ever but Cost per TB is $26/TB ($470), Cheers.
[UPDATED PRICE]Cost per TB is $24.98/TB ($449.79)
According to CamelCamel Lowest price was $434.35 Mar 23, 2021
Might want to wait and see as the sales goes for 10days and the price may drop again.
CamelCamelCamel.
Was the seller Amazon?
Yes
Did you return it?
@fredblogs: No. I did the below tests and it had zero power on hours anyway. The third party power adaptor didn't matter as I had to get WD to send me an AU anyway
@justtoreply: Hi how did you contact WD for au power adaptor?
Scratch that. Just called them. On its way
Mine has arrived with a Ktec branded Non AU power supply. I would like to verify it using the tests below like you did but curious how I should first check the drive hours before I power it for the first time. Thanks
Smart data. HD sentinel
K-tec is normal I think (3 of 4 of mine were k-tec)
Oh okay, I thought it would have been WD branded if original?
I'll run that anyway. Thanks
@SgtBatten: Yeah it's weird.. I thought the same.
I'll have to check my replacements that came straight from wd
@gadgetguy: https://www.westerndigital.com/support/international-numbers…
1800001685
You tell them you bought a drive and need an Australian power plug
It's free. They just ask for a serial number.
Before committing your data to it:
(courtesy of "Nom") Use HDSentinel, do a Drive Quick Test then a Drive Extended Test, then a Full Surface Test with the "WRITE" option (destroys all data but tests writing to every sector). This whole process will take a few days. After all that, the drive should still show 100% health - it's OK to start filling it with data.
Have a backup anyway. Preferably on a drive that's a different model & manufacturer, but as a minimum not backed up on the same product purchased at a similar time. So.. don't order two of these right now then use one as the backup of the other.
Is Step #1 something that should always be done with new drives? I've never done anything before besides just plugging it in and formatting it for use straight away. I am paranoid about a massive HD failing though
I always do. See "Bathtub curve" on Wikipedia.
Basically a drive, or most things really, are mostly likely to fail when they are brand new, or very old.
Step #1 is just accelerating through brand new period, before you commit to putting large amounts of data on.
I'll definitely be doing that from now on
This or wait for black Friday deals?
Slept on it, wake up, got it cheaper. Win!
With this price reduction cost per TB is back to PRE-COVID level.
Yeah just had a look and I got my last one $15 cheaper back in May 2021… So not bad I suppose
If you look on this line of products for personal external hard drive, I would like to suggest you to look further to WD my cloud home series. Honestly speaking this line of products had its used by date on today’s technology. People had turned into cloud, build up your home cloud with many function to suit you need on the go. The amount of money spent on this one could get you a 8T drive on your home cloud.
Saving Pr0n on Home cloud is a bit tricky …
But joke aside, some may already have a NAS and use this as a back up solution for the NAS itself.
Yep that's what I'm going to use it for.
Need to decide whether to get another two to fill the NAS, currently two 8TB's in it.
This is now listed within amazon's Black Friday deals (at the same price) so I don't think we will see it lower, at least on amazon.
That's what amazon wants us to think - they're testing the pricing waters. 14tb wd's have been 199usd for a while now at Best Buy, hopefully Amazon matches the pricing like it has numerous times before.
$449.79 is rather tempting… less 3% with discounted gift cards too.
Well bought.. figured if it does drop by BF then prob can't be too much more, already lowest cost per TB going so cest la vie
Forgot cashback like cashrewards or whatever but prob wasn't much %, and guessing that's prob gonna be the BF dealio way
It's been BF since midnight last night.
Unfortunately now limited to 3 per customer!
Bugger :-(
Any suggestions?
I need 6 for RAIDZ2 to replace a very old NAS.
2 Transactions? 2 Amazon Accounts? A friend's Amazon account?
Thank You, unfortunately that would be too easy.
I prefer to pay for it myself but unfortunately Amazon has all my payment methods already in my primary account.
Regards
You can use the same payment details, though.
Might not be eligible for a second prime trial, though (but YMMV).
Bought one. I doubt it will drop before BF/CB.
$5 Amazon credit with a $75+ Amazon card purchase and $25 back from Shopback tonight beween 6-8 for all categories that's an extra $30 off making it $23.32/TB. Won't get better than that.
Could be wrong but I'm pretty sure using the $5 credit nullifies CB.
Accidentally deleted my reply.
I've only had that issue with ebay using Shopback as you enter the coupons/gift card at checkout. Amazon gift cards are added as account credit beforehand and It's never affected my cash back before. Some details here
and the others…
Cashback ineligible for purchases with the use of any Codes entered manually in the 'Promo Code' Field
Cashback is ineligible on orders with Promotional Balances applied, Pre-ordered items scheduled to ship over 60 days post purchase and Reoccurring Subscribe and Save Orders
Cashback is ineligible when products are Returned, Exchanged, Cancelled, OR use promo/voucher codes not listed on ShopBack
Frequently bought together
WD 18TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive - USB 3.0, Black+Kleenex Eucalyptus Facial Tissues 95 Sheets
Total Price:$450.08
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Bit the bullet and ordered 2.
The Amex $20 off $100 at amazon came through on my account today so I placed 2 separate orders. Will TRS these as well so net price will be about $387.
Still need another 2 at some point though.
Ok limit 1 per customer now.
So is the warranty still valid if you shuck it?
Also what's the warranty on this?
No i don't think the warrannty is still valid if you shuck it. Isn't that modifying the actual product as in the WD Elements Desktop external hard drive product. That stuff voids the warranty.
If you dont break the clips and be very very carefull its possible, but gotta take alot of care keeping the clips from snapping,
I always keep one hot spare and 1 close to usable case (you always break a few clips but it holds together enough for an RMA in my experiance :D )
I ordered two. One for storage and the other as backup. No Nas here. Might try using them as usb3 drives and if does not suite will endeavour. Need all the help I can get.;)
Welp. Saw there was only 3 left in stock so placed my order at $448 only to have Amazon cancel the order and re-list the remaining units at $713 :(
Holy cow, glad I ordered yesterday. Sorry Doc
Glad ordered mine last night
Yeah, no sh!t.
I held off on the previous ones, then held off again on this one waiting for today like many. However, I ended up grabbing it barely two days ago purely because of the shopback $25 back thing (which has tracked fine incase anyone was wondering from my previous post).
I would have kicked myself and been absolutely furious had I waited until today.
FFS should have seen this coming /slams head on desk
Arrived today.
The retail box was put in an Amazon paper bag not a box with padding. Not even a padded envelope.
Any thoughts if the poor packaging would increase the risk of future failure?
I’d rather return it for a refund than going through the hassle of a return.
The box the drive comes in is designed to protect it from factory to consumer.
Did you receive the correct model?
The one that arrived here today (ahead of schedule) was clearly a 10TB WD Elements on the front of the package!
However, the underside had Amazon warehouses own barcode label of the 18TB model slapped on for scanning…
Negative $200 for a not-a-bargain incorrect item vote with a lengthy returns process!
Amazon is otherwise usually a good experience. Exacerbated by different rules for Amazon AU via US, UK.
I’d rather return it for a refund than going through the hassle of a return.
I'm confused, aren't the two options in this statement both referring to a return
It is hassle time
You can use a hard drive testing tool like HDSentinel. Generally okay with the standard packaging.
Sorry that wasn’t very clear.
I guess I’m keen to avoid the hassle of doing a rma due to drive failure.
Did you receive the correct 18TB model?
@Russticles: I haven’t opened it yet to confirm
The sticker on the box says 18tb
And the sticker with the model number is
WDBWLG0180HBK-EESN
So it looks right so far.
Beware of the WD listing options where Amazon ships a different capacity drive from overseas… like 1TB instead of 4TB or 10TB instead of 18TB.. resulting in double the price per capacity for a negative OzBargain!
No replacements or partial refunds offered.
How can they not offer a refund or replacement? It's literally wrong item delivered.
Credit card charge back always an option
I end up bought this deal and shipment is still on the way from UK. Wondering what packing will be look like, also the product warranty process be like when it needs it, back to UK or just WD Australia. I only found out you would have to pay import tax duty when amount exceed $1000 from Amazon overseas. So the product you buy is not the price you originally get and plus trimming of the shipment is in doubt. Is it worth to buy special from Amazon overseas warehouse?
Amazon this morning delivered me a book packed and sent from NSW instead of the WD 18TB, albeit the tracking still showed that the HDD was packed in UK. I called and they offer me refund, which is not fair as I was waiting for the deal for a long time. What should I do?
Mine hasn't arrived yet but it did arrive in Australia well over a week ago and has since gone off the radar. Even the tracking changed twice and Amazon don't know what's going on or where it is as it was received in Australia but not put back in the system again.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of these drives are being intercepted and being switched out here in Australia by some dodgy pricks either on the receiving or delivery end. It's happened before and it's far more likely than the incorrect item being shipped out occasionally by Western Digital themselves.
(This post now says shipped from Amazon US but mine is from Western Digital UK)
Now the price has dropped again and it's switched back to Shipped from Amazon UK.
The price on amazon? Or on your order?
@gadgetguy: Amazon.
It had dropped to $580 and was back to UK with 2 more in stock, now it's back up to $734 and Amazon US again.
Seems like i'm not the only one receiving a different item, I received a 6TB in a brown bag instead of a 18TB, what a waste of time.
I'm surprised there isn't more comments in this post.
May be others have not received their order delivered yet.
I've got two due one Monday and Tuesday. Gonna be mighty pissed if its a con.
I just received 2x 18TB from this deal and… they're legit! Phew!
Running extensive tests on em now before I shuck them. Sucks to anyone that were sent the wrong drives, how annoying
What tests are you gonna run?
Just the "extended test" in hd sentinel
I received my drive yesterday which is the correct capacity but failed the extended test due to too may errors. Running it again now
How to do this test?
Download the DATA Lifeguard from western digital site
Got my drive today after buying it on November 25. It has a non genuine power supply in the box so i'll definitely be running a full check before shucking
So it seems you have to pay for HD Sentinel in order to run any tests? Even during the 30 day "trial"?
I received 10TB instead of 18TB!
I was so confused at how this could happen as packing slip was 18TB, but then realised on closer inspection they had a sticker on box in error - those small stickers with barcode and 'NewItem'. I think these stickers may happen when a customer returns the item in new condition. So assume when dispatching the warehouse scanned 18TB sticker instead of the actual barcode of the item.
Now I have to do return which cost is covered but will take a month for refund :(
I just received a 10TB as well….
I received 2 that I ordered, both are correct 18TB drives. Power supply looks good and capacity in Windows is correct too. Lucky not to have the issues listed above.
Currently running testing using Data Lifeguard
Me too, ran the WD disk check on one of them and the other is in progress. Takes over 24 hours but looks okay so far.
I finally received my drive today and cannot initialise it due to fatal error! lucky me
Try a different cable or USB port?
Tried different usb cable, different port a pc and a laptop. Will try another laptop tomorrow.
Ran a surface test and tried rebuild etc. with AOMEI no difference
So mine was supposed to have arrived by today. Amazon couldn't see where it was either until today. Now it's passed the delivery date, suddenly the Australia post tracking updated to say it was Delivered on Monday which is BS.
AP backdated it with times and dates today but on Amazons side, it shows it never left the local AP distribution center.
After I contacted Amazon, the AP tracking updated to show picked up from Sender on the 6th AFTER Deliveredon the 3rd which exposes it all, unless they change it yet again. Yet it is still marked as delivered though and AP considers it finalised.
Amazon said to wait until the 14th as that's the date set on their side now, then I have to open a dispute with Australia Post. Some real dodgy crap going on with these drives.
I will mention that the Amazon agent said to contact them if it arrives and looks like its been tampered with in any way, so I'm guessing some crap has been going on with these drives after arriving in Australia.
Wow you have had a crappy experience. Sounds like some dodgy shit going on with your delivery.
Thankfully mine was straightforward, I got the genuine product and both drives have now passed the 24 hour+ test. Both now shucked and good to go.
Sorry to hear about your horrible experience!
I ordered two of these 18TB drives. For the past two weeks, the tracking info has just shown that Australia Post Global has it at their center in the UK. Tracking has not updated in two weeks.
Emailed them about it today and they said the delivery was delayed due to a flight cancellation, but my parcel is booked on the next flight out, and I should give them until next week to get the parcel into Australia.
If by "local AP distribution center" you mean the center in the UK, then maybe your parcel is also stuck there with mine.
Mine left the UK and arrived in Australia 11 days ago and I was then given two tracking numbers. One via email and one on Amazon. Australia post had it but it has now just disappeared according to Amazons Global AP tracking but according to AP tracking, it's been "delivered" to me THEN was picked up from Sender.
Someone's playing silly buggers, I've contacted AP but only got a message saying it will be at least 15 days until someone even looks at the case. I'll probably get a refund but I'd much prefer the drive, but judging by many comments here and what Amazon told me, even that looks a little doubtful.
I had same scenario and packaage showed late. I endedup getting refund. I can see that WD got too many orders and then played this dirty trick. It cant happen to all of us at same time
So basically, it seems mine was stolen. Amazon just refunded me and told me to reorder it from the US store now at the higher price and to also select priority shipping, then they will reimburse me the difference and shipping on arrival. Can't complain about their service.
Fingers crossed again.
Yeah think I am in the same boat. Got one fine. The other one will need to cancel and reorder. Did they refund you the difference?
Also can you send me the link to buy again from us this time? Thanks
They were going to resend but there was no UK stock and only US stock was available. They said to order from the US when they refunded me, but as soon as I received the refund, the UK magically had stock again and I had to order from there.
I reordered and they still haven't shipped despite priority shipping and Prime and the arrive date being the 20th. They will refund the difference once I receive it, but to be honest, I'm calling BS on this again. Something F'd up is going on there.
Wow. I am thinking I will wait in that case. Give mean update if yours shows up. Will do the same. I have called Amazon 7 times now and each consultant says will call back and no call back. They ask me to contact Australia Post global. Not sure who they are as I couldn't find a contact number.
@Mrsash: It's Australia post. I contacted them and they looked into and said there's no information because despite Amazon UK saying it's been handed over to APG awaiting procesing, it hasn't. They will then say to contact Amazon and get them to contact Australia post and Amazon will likely just refund you instead.
@Freezies: Thanks. Yeah just got an email saying order was cancelled. Called Amazon. They said will cover for difference but not priority posting. WTF. She goes we only doing once this one time. Seriously!
CHECK YOUR DRIVE WHEN YOU RECEIVE IT. I ORDERED ONE IN MARCH AND IT WAS USED. Could tell because it came with an aftermarket power supply. The drive itself still had 0 power on hours count though.
If it looks like either of these you've got a second hand drive:
https://www.amazon.com.au/PJAKE-Adapter-Compatible-WDBAAP000…
https://www.amazon.com.au/CAAIN-Freeagent-Compatible-Externa…