I will delete this thread after 24 hours. The reason is that I wanted someone to summarize the key points in the first post in the thread, and not have another long thread about HK.  I will update the first post as needed (like the "Mega list of shops" thread).

In short, what we want is a summary/FAQ   It is creating the summary that we need help with... creating a new thread is the easy part !

Okiee no issues...

Thank you for your understanding. I guess we can also keep this thread as a starting point for the summarization efforts.  Here is some stuff I would like to see.

Q1.  Why not buy from local stores instead ? 

A1.  Hint : Customer service, fast, they need your support etc.  But when items are out of stock/unavailable or price difference is significant, then look outside.

Q2.  Are HobbyKing products reliable, how is their quality ?

Q3.  What about after sales support  and warranty ?

Q4.  What are the payment methods ?

Q5.  What shipping options are available, and what is the best choice for shipment to India (considering customs and postal service issues).

Q6.  What is the processing and shipping duration ?  How to check the current status of the shipment ?

Q7.  What if the shipment is held in customs for too long ? How long is too long to wait before taking action ? What action to take in dealing with customs ?

Q8.  What is the customs duty levied ?  What about invoice value declared ?

Please feel free to add more, and also post concise responses to the above (preferably numbered, so that we can refer to them later on).

surely would love to buy from LHS but they charge 15% to 20% more on almost all product and on TX/RX almost 40% to 50% more i think if they charged just 5% on the retail price more people will buy from LHS dont you think so Anwar and i think LHS are monopolizing this market unnecessarily making big issue with customs   

I guess you have not read the relevant threads   There is an immediate customs duty factor, and then there is also VAT, which bumps up prices significantly.  Shipping is another factor.  I think the RCDhamaka folks posted in detail earlier, on the issues that LHSes face as compared to external sellers.

maybe i haven't read those threads but thing is everyone have there own opinion see customs don't charge you duties if its for personal use but it as to be under certain amount mostly it has to be under 10,000Rupees but if they feel it is for commerce then they charge duties cess and taxes but if one can prove it is for personal use and not for commerce there are minimum duties and taxes and some times customs don't put any duties on very small amount


i am not saying that people shouldn't buy from LHS actually i personally would love to buy from LHS one of them is in my home town pune indianhobbies.com and surprisingly there TX/RX price is little less then other LHS i am thinking of buying Spektrum DX6i 6-Channel Radio 2.4GHz from them very soon  

Right, but we are discussing why LHS prices tend to be higher.  LHSes do not import under the pretext of "personal" use, so like you said, they do end up paying customs.  In short, charging just 5% more is not an option for them in many/most cases (at least, that is what I understood).

there is better way all LHS should unite  and get radios and other stuff in bulk QTY that way end users we can buy stuff for less price         

Are their Turnigy LiFePO4 batteries good?

There Are already enough threads on RCI that would answer all the questions. And regarding product reviews, its already at HobbyKing!


Its a nice initiative, but its better that a thread be specific to an issue, rather than merging all topics in once as it might get confusing.

Judging by people's repeated questions, it looks like having one thread on the whole array of related matters would really help !  Like the "Mega list of shops", one stop answer !!

BTW, still looking for help with summarizing answers for the issues 

Anwar bhai! As hellyflyer advised me to ship item in batches...
I did is,on the date 19 oct 2010, I ordered Motor, Servos, Propeller, ESC, Charger, batteries in one batch through Registered air mail[500 to 750gms] (87.16$ including shipping charges), and HK 2.4Ghz Rx/Tx set in another batch through the same service[750 to 999 gms](43.11$ including shipping charges) at hobbyking and declered 100% of the cost in both orders...
The status looks "Processing"
Do you have any idea about how much would I have to pay at customs exactly...
As per the other posts,It is 14.75% approx. Can it be more in such cases?

HK 2.4Ghz Rx/Tx set  ---- This has chances of not coming through,.,,,...

Reason?
And solution if you have...

You should have read the forum  regarding what to import and what NOT. Radio transmitter are 'Restricted' item under Indian customs rules. You need an import license for the same.

There are people though who have succeeded in getting thru, using various means. Contact Anam_funny who is offering imported Tx.

This is what happens when u don't go through the forum in detail. Many people have had problems with the import of radios. It is always advised to buy radio from Local hobby shops. You could have bought the radio from anam bhaiya who has a deal of HK radio at a very reasonable price. This would have saved u from custom hassles. Now just hope that the TX reaches u.

Just wait some........... You have a 50-50 chance that it will get through.
Even if it gets held up at customs, a humble letter stating hat it is for personal hobby use and a little something will see it through - worked for me. And it is a gr8 radio for its price especially if u put a lipo in it.

Sumeet, getting a radio cleared off customs is damn painful, there have been cases where people are not allowed to carry radios even in their baggages at airports. Customs are very particular. But there are chances it may get cleared if it arrives at Mumbai customs...so wait for few weeks.

Also you don't have to declare 100% cost in the invoice, more the price declared - more hassles for you...our officials have a tendency to create unnecessary stoppages for costly items and other than the duty, they will ask for bribes telling you all the stories in the world, if you don't accept to give them money, they will charge you with the duties which are out of this world...

For now keep your fingers crossed and wait...

Anam - Dude, if need be you can help sumeet, you have a good experience dealing with the Customs for the radios...

So, if custom create problems then what am I supposed to do...?

If they charge you with just a Customs Duty, you'll have to pay it when the postman comes to your place to deliver the package or they may call you to the head post office for the same.

If they impound our package, then you'll get a letter from the customs department, in that case you may have to visit them with an application letter from your side stating the purpose of the shipment, you can mention it to them that its for one of the college projects or a RC competition taking place at IIT Powai in 2011. You'll have to pay some money to the officials and they will release your package.

If nothing goes through then as per the law the shipment is sent back to the sender i.e. Hobby King, in that case HK will give you some shopping coupon for an equivalent amount which you can use for future shopping with HK....

Well, I am already participating in IIT powai sp4mm3r. Do you know anybody partcipating there around you...?
Thanks for the detail...
One and last question, How much time does it takes to ship the package from hobbyking through Registered Airmail.

Approx 20 days... but have patience

I ordered my JR DSX7 DSM2 through DHL and it was cleared by Mumbai customs without any issues (related to the radio import) .... so there is a definite chance it getting through

Many get radios successfully, but only we see problematic reports here, hence the negativeness, Since HK radios dont look expensive, high chances u may get it. Wait and watch.