Company "DJI Drone Service" out of new jersey a scam?

[aperakh]

I wonder if anyone else has similar experience and how they dealt with it?
This company appears to be holding my damaged drone hostage for overpriced repairs I do not wish to do.
I crashed my Mini and had to replace the flat ribbon cable to the camera/gimbal. There is no other visible damage, but the gimbal goes crazy afterwards and I get a bunch of error messages.
So I figured it needed a camera sync and sent it to these guys.
They offer "free repair quote" with "free shipping" and "free return shipping" even if you decide to not do the work. But it appears to be pretty much impossible to get it back if you don't want to do the work.
After having my drone some extended time they came back with a quote, without detailing the work, that is more than the value of the whole drone. Their email has a link to approve the repair, but NO link to decline it. You have to call. Except they never answer the phone and never return the calls. I tried all different days and hours.
After weeks I finally got a reply to an email that didn't answer my questions, but at least it was someone. The moment I said i didn't want the work, the price dropped (but not enough) and I got an invoice for a camera replacement. When I asked if they were sure it needed the part replacements, they again ignored the question, but sent me a tracking number claiming the drone was on the way back.
Except when I checked the tracking days later, it says the label was, in fact,CANCELLED and NOT SHIPPED at all.
They have ignored my inquiry about it since then.

Any suggestions?

Their website: DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop

 

[Gagey52]

Bloody annoying. unless your prepared to spend more money than the drone is worth they do hold you to ransom. Personal experience has shown me that there is no such thing as free freight. You end up paying for it one way or another. I hope you you get it resolved.
Regards

 

[BSauce955]

I wonder if anyone else has similar experience and how they dealt with it?
This company appears to be holding my damaged drone hostage for overpriced repairs I do not wish to do.
I crashed my Mini and had to replace the flat ribbon cable to the camera/gimbal. There is no other visible damage, but the gimbal goes crazy afterwards and I get a bunch of error messages.
So I figured it needed a camera sync and sent it to these guys.
They offer "free repair quote" with "free shipping" and "free return shipping" even if you decide to not do the work. But it appears to be pretty much impossible to get it back if you don't want to do the work.
After having my drone some extended time they came back with a quote, without detailing the work, that is more than the value of the whole drone. Their email has a link to approve the repair, but NO link to decline it. You have to call. Except they never answer the phone and never return the calls. I tried all different days and hours.
After weeks I finally got a reply to an email that didn't answer my questions, but at least it was someone. The moment I said i didn't want the work, the price dropped (but not enough) and I got an invoice for a camera replacement. When I asked if they were sure it needed the part replacements, they again ignored the question, but sent me a tracking number claiming the drone was on the way back.
Except when I checked the tracking days later, it says the label was, in fact,CANCELLED and NOT SHIPPED at all.
They have ignored my inquiry about it since then.

Any suggestions?

Their website: DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop

Definitely an annoying situation. That's partly the reason I either repair it myself, or send it to DJI.

 

[aperakh]

Definitely an annoying situation. That's partly the reason I either repair it myself, or send it to DJI.

So you've seen this before with them?Know anyone who found a way to get it back and how?
How are there not more warning about these crooks on the groups? I mean, they basically stole my drone.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

I think you will find that gimbal repairs on the mini need not be simple repairs due to the fact that some components in the gimbal assembly are paired to a board or boards in the drone. If the damage means one of these components needs changing then the gimbal assembly and board/s need re-pairing and that needs specialised equipment and software. I welcome correction on that if I am in error.
But taking it to be true, that, if necessary, likely means a fairly expensive repair from an independant repairer.

Meaning no offense but you yourself being unable to spot any other damage does not necessarily mean there is none. I repaired a M2Z that I crashed and it took three attempts to find all the faults/damage. 'New' problems were noticed after each of the first two 'rebuilds'.

Sorry no comment regarding anything else.

 

[aperakh]

I think you will find that gimbal repairs on the mini need not be simple repairs due to the fact that some components in the gimbal assembly are paired to a board or boards in the drone. If the damage means one of these components needs changing then the gimbal assembly and board/s need re-pairing and that needs specialised equipment and software. I welcome correction on that if I am in error.
But taking it to be true, that, if necessary, likely means a fairly expensive repair from an independant repairer.

Meaning no offense but you yourself being unable to spot any other damage does not necessarily mean there is none. I repaired a M2Z that I crashed and it took three attempts to find all the faults/damage. 'New' problems were noticed after each 'rebuild'.

Sorry no comment regarding anything else

I know all that. That is why I tried asking some questions from them about it and sent it in in the 1st place.
But none of that is even the point anymore. The point is not being able to even get my drone back. It's still worth $100-200 to me in parts.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

OK

 

[eEridani]

Call the BBB at the location the company is in, the the state attorney general's office, ask for the fraud department.

US Businesses are usually licensed and have rules they are legally bound to follow in order to operate legally in the state. Also counties and cities have license requirements, too.

As a last resort, hire an attorney to write them a letter to return the product per their free quote policy. The attorney will cost you a few bucks, but the next step is small claims.

You can also call the local police department and tell them your experience. Sometimes they'll send an officer to the storefront to ask why they are keeping your property.

 

[eEridani]

Take a look at the delivery address on the shipping label, see if it matches the company address.

I did a quick Google Maps inspection of fumfie.com at 42 Montgomery St, aka Power Photo ...

Not exactly what I'd consider reputable.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7047249,-74.2356838,3a,75y,337.15h,94.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sar9CfVsKZmjauw6PUwkRjw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/place/43+Montgomery+St/@40.7050121,-74.235619,178a,35y,337.15h/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c3ad248064fd07:0xa28b9f863cb1039e!4b1!8m2!3d40.7041611!4d-74.2353878

 

[Drone Master]

They are a legit company and are a vendor with us.
They have been a honest and a reputable company for my needs.
Sorry to hear your having issues with your aircraft.
I am sure that there is just some misunderstanding or communication error.
You can try to contact them thru their member status here @DDS

 

[offtheback]

I wonder if anyone else has similar experience and how they dealt with it?
This company appears to be holding my damaged drone hostage for overpriced repairs I do not wish to do.
I crashed my Mini and had to replace the flat ribbon cable to the camera/gimbal. There is no other visible damage, but the gimbal goes crazy afterwards and I get a bunch of error messages.
So I figured it needed a camera sync and sent it to these guys.
They offer "free repair quote" with "free shipping" and "free return shipping" even if you decide to not do the work. But it appears to be pretty much impossible to get it back if you don't want to do the work.
After having my drone some extended time they came back with a quote, without detailing the work, that is more than the value of the whole drone. Their email has a link to approve the repair, but NO link to decline it. You have to call. Except they never answer the phone and never return the calls. I tried all different days and hours.
After weeks I finally got a reply to an email that didn't answer my questions, but at least it was someone. The moment I said i didn't want the work, the price dropped (but not enough) and I got an invoice for a camera replacement. When I asked if they were sure it needed the part replacements, they again ignored the question, but sent me a tracking number claiming the drone was on the way back.
Except when I checked the tracking days later, it says the label was, in fact,CANCELLED and NOT SHIPPED at all.
They have ignored my inquiry about it since then.

Any suggestions?

Their website: DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop

If you get it back,try Thunderdrones in Georgia.I have dealt with them and their integrity is high and pricing fair.They will promptly answer questions too.

 

[dirkclod]

I wonder if anyone else has similar experience and how they dealt with it?
This company appears to be holding my damaged drone hostage for overpriced repairs I do not wish to do.
I crashed my Mini and had to replace the flat ribbon cable to the camera/gimbal. There is no other visible damage, but the gimbal goes crazy afterwards and I get a bunch of error messages.
So I figured it needed a camera sync and sent it to these guys.
They offer "free repair quote" with "free shipping" and "free return shipping" even if you decide to not do the work. But it appears to be pretty much impossible to get it back if you don't want to do the work.
After having my drone some extended time they came back with a quote, without detailing the work, that is more than the value of the whole drone. Their email has a link to approve the repair, but NO link to decline it. You have to call. Except they never answer the phone and never return the calls. I tried all different days and hours.
After weeks I finally got a reply to an email that didn't answer my questions, but at least it was someone. The moment I said i didn't want the work, the price dropped (but not enough) and I got an invoice for a camera replacement. When I asked if they were sure it needed the part replacements, they again ignored the question, but sent me a tracking number claiming the drone was on the way back.
Except when I checked the tracking days later, it says the label was, in fact,CANCELLED and NOT SHIPPED at all.
They have ignored my inquiry about it since then.

Any suggestions?

Their website: DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop

I and @BigAl07 both have used DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop
and have always highly recommend them .
@aperakh I will look into this for you and Steive is a member here also.
@DDS . Maybe somethings going on we don't know about.

 

[hiflyer201]

Has anyone ever received a repaired drone from DJI? I've always received a new one and I don't recall a shipping charge.

 

[tlswift58]

I know all that. That is why I tried asking some questions from them about it and sent it in in the 1st place.
But none of that is even the point anymore. The point is not being able to even get my drone back. It's still worth $100-200 to me in parts.

Maybe a member in NJ near the company can do a recon / assist for you if you can't contact them directly.

If they are a "preferred" vendor of the forum; the moderators / admins maybe can assist if further contact by you is not working.

 

[dirkclod]

If they are a "preferred" vendor of the forum; the moderators / admins maybe can assist if further contact by you is not working.

As I have already posted I’m on it.
Now no need in anymore on this till the vender answers my e-mails
or messages. Then I will reopen this so he can respond.
But as of now this is temporary closed per this guideline

Manufacturer/Distributor/Vendor and Customer Disputes
This community is not intended to be a mechanism for people to vent frustrations about manufacturers, distributors or sales from private parties. Please settle your differences with the seller, manufacturer and distributors through other means but not through our community.

 

[BigAl07]

I've personally dealt with DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop on several different aircraft and issues. Each and every time they handled my repairs/evaluation with the best Customer Service I've experienced in this industry.

We are reaching out to them to try and find out what has happened in this instance and hopefully to get it resolved ASAP.

Keep in mind, during these crazy times, almost every company is struggling to do "business as usual" of they are able to even still do business.

 

[BigAl07]

I've spoken with the owner of DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop and he has reached out to the OP to get personal info so they can look into this and see what has happened. We should know more one the OP provides his information to them.

Allen

 

[offtheback]

I've spoken with the owner of DJI Drone Service - Your Drone Repair Shop and he has reached out to the OP to get personal info so they can look into this and see what has happened. We should know more one the OP provides his information to them.

Allen

I hope for the OP's sake this a misunderstanding as no one should have to appeal to the forum's moderators to get help from an approved vendor.

 

[DDS]

Although no word from OP as of yet we did just get a BBB complaint w/ the same dialogue. So safe to say this is for our ticket # 239579

Timeline
9/2- OP Creates a free ticket for his Mavic Mini
9/9- Drone received in our facility
9/14- Quote sent for a new gimbal and calibration
9/14- Emailed and left VM w/ quote waiting for a response
10/4- OP emails asking what is wrong w/ the drone although was already quoted a new gimbal.
10/5- Rep reached out and left another VM to cust
10/6- Cust Declines the repair and or replacement. Offered a discount on the labor (takes an hr to calibrate a new gimbal on a MM) We were waiting on OP response as we try to avoid sending back broken drones
10/13- Due to a lack of response we sent his unfixed MM back Via Fedex tracking 284846695833 shows will be delivered today 10/18

So as advertised. "free quote free shipping BOTH WAYS you only pay if we fix" is clear in this case.

We will try our best to improve and make it a more streamlined process with better communication w/ our clients. We also were short a tech for the past 2 weeks w/ a breakthrough covid case... Thankfully hes fine was just following quarantine protocols and his first day back was today so we are back in full force....
Best!
Steve

 

[BigAl07]

Thank you Steve. We genuinely appreciate the deep and thorough update.

Allen