Well,

I was around very much when hobby king came to this hobby, no doubt they changed the way hobby functioned in the world, many big names folded up, some struggled to stay afloat, one of the many reasons how rcindia came about is discussion about hobby king I believe

Off late if you notice

1. Their prices have gone up hell of a lot

2. Ever item of their is just above the threshold weight, like 1098 gms, Click Here to see an example

3. Some of the items do not have cheaper shipping options

4. Their Singa Post shipping sucks big time, items takes months on end to reach

5. They don't ship insta set, CA etc any more, i thought this restriction was due Indian customs. But then from honk kong i got two 1/2 litre  bottles of CA accelerator and some bottles of foam safe CA

Does it mean Hobbyking.com is going down the rabbit hole ? hell no ? but if they continue like this, someone will call their con and they will be done for good. Many hobby shops from china are making their name today !! thanks to bad business model of Hobby King, they sure are loosing business. hope they are listening !

It's become a latest trend with Hobbyking now a days. Now a days I don't order anything which is more than 300 gms from HK and only if it higher unique  item then it's ordered.

Unlike earlier days I check the checkout twice before actual order so that there is no last min change of shipping category due to HK Jumla.

You just can't imagine to order models they are all 3.5 Kg and up. And they go into expensive shipping due to either over size parcel or higher weight category. Even the laser cut kits go up due to over size parcel add on. These are just 25 size models and kits. You just can't imagine ordering size 46 and above model to India.

So where do you gys get your RC Stuff from ? Planning to buy some esc's, Vtx Rx, quanum diy goggles etc

Banggood is one of a good option I suppose.

Yes true. I bought some items worth $50 but when I was trying to checkout, it becomes $75 with shipping that also with normal air post! I cancelled the order.
I have also bought some stuffs from aliexpress. Till now the experience is good. Just need to do some smart searching. pretty cheap and free shipping available for most of the sellers. Try to read the feedback of the sellers before ordering.
Also banggood and goodluckbuy are good. cheap and free shipping.

I'm really sure the package weight is false, is hobbyking trying to get some extra or are they trying to compensate??
other option would be banggood.com but you cant find everything there, also if you need anything from banggood.com at the earliest contact Mr.Kaushal (Kausha on forum), he gives 9 days delivery. But the issue is not about other HS but why is HK doing this, could we do something??

sometimes i think they are trying to compensate, for example-
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__69215__FX070C_2_4GHz_4CH_Flybarless_RC_Helicopter_Ready_to_Fly_.html

This heli is almost half the price of other Chinese sites like aliexpress and banggood.
But once you add in the shipping the price goes more than twice and the weight is nowhere near what is mentioned elsewhere.

JK

Its just business tactics, just like Ola cabs...First get customer volumes...then increase the prices

I would request you guys to support lhs instead

Free Shipping for 48 Hours for orders more than 150USD. Even ARF through EMS is free shipping.   .

Looks like somebody is reading this thread.

Using Bump the boss ! i did "Bump the boss" was it Mr Hand or someone else, i dunno, they did respond !! let's hope something good comes out of this

I am so tempted to place an order for Composite 70mm EDF Viper jet its already in the cart with some ESC to make it 150 USD. Wonder how our Customs treats Models through EMS.



Dry weight is 950 gms but the package classification is in 3450 gms. Wonder how much more is required to be jacked up for volume and packaging.

Delhi I don't know, most corrupt Mumbai Customs will swallow it for sure (a) Sell it, auction to the highest bidder (b) Make you cough up the money you saved in shipping as bribe (c) If you knock the door of grievance cell, and up the ante, levy hefty customs on you

Either which way, it's loose loose for you, you are better off with LHS.

PS
I also heard whispers that some LHS are hand in glove with customs, how far is it true, remains to be verified

Customs hand in glove lhs
Lol

Unlike yesteryear's when I used to order using credit cards, today I order anything of value using Paypal only to enable easy refund on non receipt. HK sends anything of value through EMS or FedEx only. Which has been more of a recent development basically stemming from the aspect in the hearsay Chintal.

Its more easy for the LHS to cultivate customs in their gloves. Not so much for the commoners