"bound or unbound" that is the question.

[RickDan]

Like most drone enthusiasts, recreational or commercial, I am always looking for a deal on a previously owned drone. When I do, I am fully aware of two trains of thought; “It’s too good to be true” and “There is no free lunch”. I recently pursued what I thought was a “good deal” on a Mavic 3T. I was provided with the serial number of the drone by the seller. I contacted DJI, provided them with the serial number and they informed me that the drone was bound to a specific account. No surprise, right? I also learned that the drone in question was still under warranty with a DJI care agreement still in effect. DJI informed me that the seller needed to un-bound the account in order for the drone to be bound to the new owner. DJI indicated that once the new owner binds the drone to the new owner’s account the warranty and care agreement would transfer to the new owner and the drone would become fully functional. Now I am excited. I contacted the seller and was informed that he received the drone as a gift, and he did not bind the drone. The seller informed me that the gift giver purchased the drone, new in the box, from a face book marketplace seller and he was not the person who bound the drone to the DJI account. The seller has no idea how to get the drone un-bound. Negotiations are now stalled unless the seller can un-bound the drone. My lesson is, never buy a used, high value DJI drone unless DJI can confirm that the drone is un-bound. I am not tech-savvy enough to know of a work around to be able to have a fully functional drone that is bound to someone else’s account, nor would I want to. To be clear, I am in no position to suspect the seller of anything nefarious.

 

[msinger]

I am not tech-savvy enough to know of a work around to be able to have a fully functional drone that is bound to someone else’s account, nor would I want to

Other than DJI unbinding it (which they won't do), there is no workaround.

 

[mavic3usa]

Yet another story of a bound drone making the rounds looking for an unsuspecting target to prey upon. Someone who is unaware and will be left with a drone that cannot fly and that person is likely to "give the drone away" to the next person who is ultimately going to sell it, just like what could have happened here. A drone that changes hands half a dozen times, why? Could it be because it's a "brick?" I keep reading about these "gift" drones, I find it hard to believe but yes I've given drone as a gift but to a relative, not a stranger. Now that the current seller knows he is in possession of a brick, will he do the drone community a service and take it out of circulation?

When Care Refresh runs out, the drone (DJI) should unbind it. Problem solved.

 

[DISC]

Is there an easy way for potential purchasers to check the binding state during inspection?
Or does it need to be bound to even demonstrate it works??

 

[Cafguy]

never buy a used, high value DJI drone unless DJI can confirm that the drone is un-bound.

I always contact the seller and insist on a phone or direct Email conversation. Phone is best. If you have the Drone you can look to see the account info (except the password) when you turn the drone on. you will find it.
If you purchased the Drone thru Ebay and it was NOT sold as parts or as a "bound" Drone, Ebay will refund you and go after the seller BUT that takes time. They have rules about selling DJI Drones and they consider selling a bound Drone Fraud.
DJI will NEVER unbind a Drone no matter the problem this is told to you when you purchase the Drone.

 

[Mrprop365]

How do I check if it's bound before I purchase it?

 

[FLDave]

How do I check if it's bound before I purchase it?

You could ask for a screen showing that the seller unbound it from his/her account. You could ask for a signed affidavit that the seller unbound it from his/her DJI account.

 

[Mrprop365]

You could ask for a screen showing that the seller unbound it from his/her account. You could ask for a signed affidavit that the seller unbound it from his/her DJI account.

That could be faked. Where could I search up the sn with DJI?

 

[mavic3usa]

You could ask for a screen showing that the seller unbound it from his/her account. You could ask for a signed affidavit that the seller unbound it from his/her DJI account.

I wouldn't go the with the signed affidavit route. If I were asked to sign and send it to complete my eBay transaction, I would decline. The buyer wouldn't know that document if he saw it and in an Ebay transaction, any side contracts making other promised or offers likely cannot be enforced. Ebay already has a protection policy so even if you got an affidavit, it wouldn't add much to your case if you are right. In fact, it might hurt you: If I had a locked drone (locked by [email protected]) and you asked me for the affidavit, I would send you one saying this drone is unbound by me ([email protected]) and send you the drone. When you discover it's locked, I'll claim you locked it, you are iamathief, and you're just trying to get a refund. I did my part.

Why am I commenting on this? I think it's well known that I abhor the DJI locking process and I find it absurd the drone community has had to resort to "affidavits" to conduct the normal course of business with personal property in a 3rd party marketplace.

 

[RickDan]

I got the serial number from the seller. contacted DJI they informed me that it was bound. I did it all by live chat with dji. seller, in my case didnt know it was bound. so he says. if they wont give you a serial number, walk away.

 

[Lazerbrains]

If the bound account is still logged into the controller/app, the seller can easily unbind the drone before sending it to you. I recently purchased a refurb and it was bound, and it was easy to unbind it and then log out of the account in order to bind it to mine.

 

[buschman31]

OK let me put this out there so I can put feedback. Just recently bought a Mini 3 pro from local pawnshop. I did check the RC controller and it did not have an account on it. No problem. After getting out of layaway, I then did the video verification and purchased the 1yr care refresh. I later learned that it was still bounded to another persons account but I can still log in and fly the drone. DJI is telling me to get an authorization letter from the pawnshop stating that the drone was sold to me and that they have no objection to unbinding the unit. The store manager dont have authority to write such a letter and her area manager will decline do it saying the receipt showing my name and the unit serial number is POF (proof of purchase).

I want to sell the drone but state to the buyer that its still bound to the previous owner's account but is still flyable. What can i do in this case? Returning it is not an option since I've already bought the care refresh.

 

[Cafguy]

The only thing you can do really is sell it on Ebay as a "For Parts only" Drone. That is Ebays policy about selling Bound Drones It may be flyable at the moment but it won't stay that way.

 

[buschman31]

The only thing you can do really is sell it on Ebay as a "For Parts only" Drone. That is Ebays policy about selling Bound Drones It may be flyable at the moment but it won't stay that way.

Has anyone bought an used drone still bounded but flyable and is still flying it? If so for how long has it lasted? Is it possible that it will still fly for a long while?

I did buy the POM (piece of mind). Its like a warranty you can buy extra for either 15 or 30 days. My other option is to call the Corporate office for the pawnshop and get their help if possible.

 

[Cafguy]

Has anyone bought an used drone still bounded but flyable and is still flying it? If so for how long has it lasted? Is it possible that it will still fly for a long while?

If someone does an update and it logs out of the account or if some future user logs out...... The Drone is a Paperweight. I have purchased "bound" Drones ( to get the Arms off of it, or a compass etc... If you Ebay it, They will demand that you sell it as "parts only".
If you list it as any other Ebay will side with the buyer if there is a dispute.

 

[buschman31]

ok so what if i log into my account on the controller when its online and update for the drone, think it will cause any problems?

 

[Cafguy]

If the update logs you out of the current account You will be stuck with a Brick.
B.T.W. You can get a refurbished Drone only for around 300

 

[buschman31]

If the update logs you out of the current account You will be stuck with a Brick.

Hmmm, makes me wonder if I should update it when shows up on the screen when i keep logging in?

 

[Cafguy]

One day you will go flying with it and it will ask you to log in ...Someday... If I were you I would fly it until that day and During that time get a Drone only from a store such as CamRise as a replacement. You can use this one for parts later or sell it off as parts

 

[mavic3usa]

wow, another new twist to the same old problem. here we have a buyer who checked for the problem first only to learn later that you cannot really fully check for the problem in person but only if you possibly reach out to the manufacturer to verify. and....the person who bound the drone refuses to release it even though that person sold it to you.

in america, there is only one legal answer to this lunacy and it's call the court room. take the pawn shop to court.....please. write a letter to them explaining they either release the drone or take it back for a refund or else we go to small claims court. post the letter here, we will help you. we'll see if they feel comfortable with explaining their position in a legal setting. this is not legal advice but only my personal opinion.