Valuebasket reliability/experience(NOT recommended/trusted)

[rekalAL]

I searched for Canon 6D, their site stated there are 4 units available. So, I made the purchased somewhere in the 1st week of Aug. after 3 days, then they update the order has been approved. And the next couple of days, nothing heard from them. 10 days later, there's still no update of my purchase so I chatted them via the live chat.

One thing about them is that their customer service is very good. Their excuse was that there's a high orders and they are clearing the back log orders and will send out my order as soon as they can. But to me was that, that's the 'lamest' excuse! After some pressuring, the guy offered me the upgrade of my deliver to 'express'. And will be delivered to me the following week. (I chatted with them over the weekend).

So on Wednesday, there's still no news and it'll take at least 3 working days for FedEx or DHL to be delivered from Hong Kong or Australia. Then I started talking to their customer service again. Ad this time, they explained that the warehouse is full with orders and the stock have ran out. I was really amused with their excuses and shoot them directly that its a con job! 1 customer service staff said the stock is ther and the other said its not. And offered to upgrade me to 'express' delivery again and will deliver to me the following week.

That's where I knew that they are buying time and sound fishy. I immediately sent a cancellation and inform Paypal to stop the payment. And luckily the order was stopped and the amount was returned to my credit card the next few days.

One time I also bought a Nikon lens with them...Same with you, status is with stock...I need the lens for an event...then same as you, delayed after delayed due to stock etc...Crazy, for in the first place it is on-stock in the first place...In the end the event pass by without the lens so I cancelled my order...took me almost 2 months to get a refund...the inconvenience is not worth it....

Better buy locally....we all know most probably their units are coming from grey market in the first place...

 

[keithwee]

Sounds exactly like how they deal , glad u did a cancel and got your money back. It's not worth going thru the hassle of chasing them and fighting their excuses for that bit of savings.

 

[roadster55]

I created a separate thread. Don't buy from Valuebasket. I ordered a flash from them on ebay for a good price. They took forever to ship it out after me chasing at least 4 separate times. Then they used an incompetent shipper, who simply did not turn up for 2 pre-arranged scheduled deliveries. I am now claiming a refund from Paypal as neither the delivery company or Valuebasket seem interested in getting the box delivered, as far as they are concerned they have each done their job. This is the worst purchasing experience I have ever had in 15 years at ebay, which is saying a lot.

 

[stuck]

For all the negative feedback, my experience with them was neutral.

Ordered a pair of headphones (almost as cheap as amazon, which does not ship to SG for this item), took longer than original projection to ship (after I chased one time, thanks to this thread), but eventually delivered to my office as promised.

Take home message: only order if you can afford to wait, use C.O.D., have patience and you may get a good deal out of them. My set cost more than $150 cheaper than retail (around one third off essentially) - great deal in my book at little risk (COD).

 

[pelangi15]

Agree with stuck.

I didn't opt for C.O.D option as the amount involved is not much (that's why I can afford to try).
Ordered around 19 jan and received on 4th feb after cny. Based on the tracking info, it's with Toll since 27 jan. So, never trust the 2-8 delivery time stated on valuebasket website. I did send an online form once to ask why is the order status not changed and received the same kind of replies mentioned earlier but luckily the status did change after a few days.

Package is quite nicely packed compared to the only overseas lens I bought from robertscamera.

 

[akika]

I ordered a Sigma 17-70mm lens (Contemporary model) from them on 3 June last year, planning to use it for my Taiwan trip on 15 June. Received a confirmation email stating that the item will be shipped out within 3-5 working days, and I should receive it in 7-10 working days.

After the 3rd day, I went to their website to track my item and the status was 'Order handling'. Checked again on the 5th day, still no change in the status. Emailed them on 8 June and they replied confidently that I would receive the item within 10 working days.

Checked again on 10 June, still 'Order handling'. Called them and the customer service officer told me my item was in queue and offered free 'expedited delivery' when I questioned them about their delivery promise. He said confidently that the item should be delivered to me within the next few days.

Waited till 14 June, really fed up, emailed them to check and they informed me that the item would be delivered once they have cleared the earlier purchases. I asked them if they have actually shipped out the lens, the customer service officer did not answer me directly, just assured me that I would get it in the 'next few days'.

I cancelled the order straight away and got back my refund of S$629 the next day. Bought my Sigma lens from Taipei's camera street for S$570.

 

[magga]

I have same experience. Bought on 26 feb. Now they are still allocating the part.... Unbelievable slow. Too bad after just found this thread today.

 

[keithwee]

I have same experience. Bought on 26 feb. Now they are still allocating the part.... Unbelievable slow. Too bad after just found this thread today.

Read what akika wrote , if the wait is unreasonably long , consider canceling the order unless the discount price is really worth it. All the best

 

[Mutton chop]

Horrendous horrendous experience.. From what seemed to be a pleasant experience to purchase what I wanted, it was a total nightmare dealing with them from numerous emails to phone calls. Bouncing me from this department to the next and telling me excuses after excuses.

After a month, my patience is TOTALLY USED UP.

Now to wait for the cancellation and refund process. Which is going to be another BIG headache.

 

[keithwee]

Horrendous horrendous experience.. From what seemed to be a pleasant experience to purchase what I wanted, it was a total nightmare dealing with them from numerous emails to phone calls. Bouncing me from this department to the next and telling me excuses after excuses. After a month, my patience is TOTALLY USED UP. Now to wait for the cancellation and refund process. Which is going to be another BIG headache.

Is the refund settled by now ? Been quite a few days already.

 

[flitstoned]

I recently ordered a tamron via valuebasket on 24th aug and hv nt receive it till now. Called the customer service and they mentioned there is a delay in shipping though stock is available. Shld i just wait or request for a refund? Mistake was that i paid via credit card.

I bought a Tamrn 70-300. Local shops quoted S$ 650 bit I got it for a bit over S$ 400.00 (Not too expensive so I took the risk) . Took a week or so but I was informed at every stage of the delivery. I found it to be equal in service to Amazon. No Complaints on the lens but check prices. When I wanted a Sony a6000 I found it far cheaper at local stores. The Canon 60d was almost the same prices as local stores. So don't assume that because it is an online store selling export sets, it will be cheaper . They have a Paypal option too so it is quite safe.

 

[x-man]

I bought a Tamrn 70-300. Local shops quoted S$ 650 bit I got it for a bit over S$ 400.00 (Not too expensive so I took the risk) . Took a week or so but I was informed at every stage of the delivery. I found it to be equal in service to Amazon. No Complaints on the lens but check prices. When I wanted a Sony a6000 I found it far cheaper at local stores. The Canon 60d was almost the same prices as local stores. So don't assume that because it is an online store selling export sets, it will be cheaper . They have a Paypal option too so it is quite safe.

:sweat:

such site should be warn, am adding to this thread just to bring to thread up.

just to add, once u pay, your credit is been transferred almost right away. Unlike others (Amazon) only charged when shipped.
Their refund..takes super long just to process and you never know will u be able to received..

i will avoid to even look at this site at all cost!

 

[mp412c]

Please avoid. Their service is horrible in pretty much every aspect. They say they have stock, but they don't. Want to escalate your problem? Customer service says they don't have that capability. Please, please avoid.

Want to know for sure? Try calling the hotline. Explain that you have a problem that you've already called 3 times before and need to escalate. They will ask for your order number but tell them you have already done that with a few other agents and got nowhere. Insist on getting escalated. See how they handle your issue.

Alternatively, Google their reviews. Some people have even posted on YouTube their conversations with support. Listen to even one of them and you'll probably never want to buy from them.

 

[starrats]

Thanks everyone.

I almost placed an order. Heng I found this thread in CS
BTW, I got suspicious and started googling when I found that their account registration page is not secured (SSL). This means that the password and other personal details you have entered in the form would be sent from browser to their Web server "in the clear".