DJI's horrific support in unbinding a drone - SHOUT OUT

[gmatj]

@gmatj it's important to note that it's not DJI’s responsibility to assist in unbinding a drone you purchased. While I understand how frustrating this situation can be, the binding process acts as a deterrent against theft and unauthorized resale, among other internal measures DJI may have in place.

I am afraid my friend IT IS THEIR RESPOSIBILITY. They have to help me solve it . I would understand it not to be if the drone was reported lost or stollen which aspparently is NOT. They would have to help me find this ignorant person to unbind it, and if this proves not possible to unbind it themselves. I wish this guy is alive and kicking , but what would be the extreme case an owner was deceased or suffered from dementia ? Wouldn't this be a trick so that the drone is thrown away and they make you buy more drones from them ?

Since you purchased the drone via PayPal, you should have the seller’s contact information. If the seller is unwilling to cooperate, you can return the drone and request a refund. PayPal provides robust buyer protection and will support you through the dispute process if needed.

As a final option, if PayPal cannot resolve the issue and you paid with a credit card, you can dispute the charge through your card issuer. However, this can be more complex, so I'd recommend keeping it as a last resort.

My friend I am not worried about compensation from the seller - I am quite familiar with all the procedures you describe above. However it pisses me off , the dead end and that they do not have any procedure in order for the dead end not to happen. It also pisses me off that all this is not made clear in any place in their site , which is totally unacceptable

 

[gmatj]

DJI is to be commended for not overriding a binding concern.

@TonyPHX

Unless you are an DJI employee fearing to loose his job I do fail to unserstand your statement
And since you did not elaborate in your reply, I would suggest reading my reply to msinger above.

 

[Cafguy]

You seem to have become angry over the fact you need to ask for a refund.
Life can be hard sometimes and we all do things in life we don't enjoy. For me its going out to the yard and picking up after the dogs For you its refund procedures I get it BUT to be a much happier person in this world I think you should do it.
You purchased a product from A PERSON that sold it in an unusable condition It is not DJI's responsibility to make sure the seller clears it from their account They put it in writing tho and it is common knowledge that DJI Drones have a binding process that requires a personal "account" with DJI. Might I ask if someone sold you a used car with problems and then ghosted you would you call up the FORD motor company demanding to be made whole?
You have been given some good answers for your problem and believe it or not you are not the first to come here with that problem only to be told a hard truth. IF YOU CANNOT GET HOLD OF THE SELLER FOR THIER INFO........YOU GOT SCAMMED......SORRY really I am But if you are looking only for answers that satisfy you personally I Think the right-fighters forum is looking for new Members!

Call your credit card company and get a refund !! That is the only thing you can do DJI will not help you. DJI has NEVER unbound a Drone from another persons account and NEVER WILL!! It is their POLICY.
You found this forum after you got your Drone, its a shame you didnt come here to research your purchase!
The many members who replied and tried to help are correct and I would trust their opinions.
The members you are calling out above are VERY Knowledgeable about Drones AND DJI.. I would listen with my ears and not my feelings.!

The only thing DJI is obligated to do is send a code to the person on the account that allows them to change the password of the account THAT'S IT...... NOTHING MORE
Thank you for your time.

 

[gmatj]

You seem to have become angry over the fact you need to ask for a refund.
Life can be hard sometimes and we all do things in life we don't enjoy. For me its going out to the yard and picking up after the dogs For you its refund procedures I get it BUT to be a much happier person in this world I think you should do it.
You purchased a product from A PERSON that sold it in an unusable condition

I would disagree that the drone is unusable - As long as there is no problem with the drone and/or the RC , the drone flies normally and does everything it is supposed to do 100%. The drone can be flown in any way possible. Only if something happens to either unit both will rendered useless.

It is not DJI's responsibility to make sure the seller clears it from their account They put it in writing tho and it is common knowledge that DJI Drones have a binding process that requires a personal "account" with DJI. Might I ask if someone sold you a used car with problems and then ghosted you would you call up the FORD motor company demanding to be made whole?

Not a good example my friend.
Think about another example I buy a used car , I take it for a test drive everything works super fine, my mechanic checks it all is good. I buy it and take it home. Then after some time I need to change the oil and Ford Motor Company tells me that I need to unbind the OIL cup because it is locked and the only thing they can do is to email previous owner to unlock it !!! Previous owner has deceased so I am left waiting for his resurrection !!!!!

You have been given some good answers for your problem and believe it or not you are not the first to come here with that problem only to be told a hard truth. IF YOU CANNOT GET HOLD OF THE SELLER FOR THIER INFO........YOU GOT SCAMMED......SORRY really I am But if you are looking only for answers that satisfy you personally I Think the right-fighters forum is looking for new Members!

Surely I I would like to thank alll members for their advice what to do - which was not really my point - My point was an exchange of opinions

Call your credit card company and get a refund !! That is the only thing you can do DJI will not help you. DJI has NEVER unbound a Drone from another persons account and NEVER WILL!! It is their POLICY.

I surely will get my refund but I would still not be happy with all this experience

You found this forum after you got your Drone, its a shame you didnt come here to research your purchase!

That is correct - I surely do wish to have found this forum before my purchase

The many members who replied and tried to help are correct and I would trust their opinions.

My sincere thanks to all of them - however the question was not really what to do - It was the DJI's policy

The members you are calling out above are VERY Knowledgeable about Drones AND DJI.. I would listen with my ears and not my feelings.!

Always listen with my ears (but feelings are still there!!) and I never never doubted on their knowledge. I just had a completely different but 100% justified opinion on DJI's policy

The only thing DJI is obligated to do is send a code to the person on the account that allows them to change the password of the account THAT'S IT...... NOTHING MORE
Thank you for your time.

Well we may have a slightly different opinion on business ethics

To summarize thank you and all the other members for taking the time and effort to reply.


P.S. To use another car example :
I wanted to buy a used car for my son who just got his driving licence without minding if he crashes it it a bit !! and when he has practised enough to buy him a new one. Well **** happens ! - I now have to buy him a new one earler than anticipated

 

[Cafguy]

I don't agree with the binding thing at all myself and I would be angry too but its their company and if customers could dictate company policy Taco Bell would still sell the encharito!
I do apologize for your experience really but While the binding procedure is a HUGE P.I.T.# DJI likes it that way, and there are times when I do too!
It is of some comfort that if my Drone is stolen at least it cant be flown and if sold I have a Good chance of its recovery since any buyer of it may just call DJI trying to get it going, and when DJI asks for the serial number DJI will then let me Know.
Some learn this the easy way and a very unlucky few learn the hard way. My apologies and don't let what I said OR your experience now make you decide not to stay with the Forum OR get a Drone for that Matter You will be missing out on a Great bunch of people and a wonderful Hobby.

 

[Cafguy]

What is the procedure to unbind a drone for sale?

DJI Fly App Account and Device Binding/Unbinding Guide

After unboxing your new product, it is important to promptly bind it to your DJI account. Failure to do so will result in your inability to produce a DJI Care Aircraft Flyaway Report in case of a flyaway incident. To bind your aircraft and remote controller, or to perform an unbinding operation...

support.dji.com

 

[gmatj]

I don't agree with the binding thing at all myself and I would be angry too but its their company and if customers could dictate company policy Taco Bell would still sell the encharito!

I am 68 and I run my own s/w company for 38 years, and I always listened very carefully to my customers complaints and comments. Companies exist because there are customers and companies thrive because there are happy/satisfied customers

I do apologize for your experience really but While the binding procedure is a HUGE P.I.T.# DJI likes it that way, and there are times when I do too!

It is of some comfort that if my Drone is stolen at least it cant be flown and if sold I have a Good chance of its recovery since any buyer of it may just call DJI trying to get it going, and when DJI asks for the serial number DJI will then let me Know.

Well this could become a never ending conversation - I myself do would have like the policy for he same reason , if the drone was lost or stollen - but if not, for all the other reasons discussed I would be angry (which I am !!)

Some learn this the easy way and a very unlucky few learn the hard way. My apologies and don't let what I said OR your experience now make you decide not to stay with the Forum OR get a Drone for that Matter You will be missing out on a Great bunch of people and a wonderful Hobby.

Anyway Best Regards from sunny Athens, Greece

 

[dart106]

Pretty obvious you’re very upset. Is it really at yourself for trusting the seller without verifying the binding status and getting taken advantage of, or DJI for sticking by their business practices? Regardless, the very long rant, laced with bold capitalization and red distracts in getting to the point.

 

[gmatj]

Pretty obvious you’re very upset. Is it really at yourself for trusting the seller without verifying the binding status and getting taken advantage of, or DJI for sticking by their business practices? Regardless, the very long rant, laced with bold capitalization and red distracts in getting to the point.

It is also Pretty obvious that you read without the slightest wish to comprehend , I am sorry to say.
It is easy to play clever but not the wiser choice.

 

[msinger]

I am afraid my friend IT IS THEIR RESPOSIBILITY. They have to help me solve it . I would understand it not to be if the drone was reported lost or stollen which aspparently is NOT. They would have to help me find this ignorant person to unbind it, and if this proves not possible to unbind it themselves

While it was considerate of DJI to attempt to contact the seller on your behalf, they are under no obligation to assist with unbinding a drone you didn't originally purchase. From their perspective, it's possible the drone was stolen, and a fake email address was provided, or the seller may have stolen the drone and is now avoiding the situation since unbinding wouldn't be an option. While I'm not suggesting that's the case here, it's the type of scheme someone might attempt with DJI.

It seems you've invested a significant amount of time and effort pursuing the wrong channels. Instead, consider opening a case with PayPal, as this will require the seller to respond directly to PayPal.

 

[YVRGUY]

If DJI can check to see if a drone is bound or unbound then why don’t we first check the said drone’s status before we make a purchase through private sellers??? Ask DJI to confirm via an email to the seller if they are aware of the issue. If the seller is aware of the issue then a request to have the drone unbound can be made. If NOT… move on.

 

[gmatj]

While it was considerate of DJI to attempt to contact the seller on your behalf, they are under no obligation to assist with unbinding a drone you didn't originally purchase. From their perspective, it's possible the drone was stolen, and a fake email address was provided, or the seller may have stolen the drone and is now avoiding the situation since unbinding wouldn't be an option. While I'm not suggesting that's the case here, it's the type of scheme someone might attempt with DJI.

It seems you've invested a significant amount of time and effort pursuing the wrong channels. Instead, consider opening a case with PayPal, as this will require the seller to respond directly to PayPal.

Please read the posts - and then write one !!!

 

[msinger]

Please read the posts - and then write one !!!

I've read everything above. If you're genuinely looking to resolve your issue, take a moment to read my responses. However, if you're only here to vent, then perhaps a solution isn't what you're after.

 

[gmatj]

I've read everything above. If you're genuinely looking to resolve your issue, take a moment to read my responses. However, if you're only here to vent, then perhaps a solution isn't what you're after.

With all due respect I have said in earlier posts/replies that the way I am going to get a solution would be to return the goods and get a refund - You either have not read it or pretend to. So your last comment is totally invalid.

You are correct to note that this is not my main issue, my issue is to pinpoint and elaborate about the notorius unbinding procedure / policy and the dead end that a dji drone pilot to be, will face.
May I repeat in case you missed it above (though all in capital letters and red color\0

A FIRST TIME DJI BUYER IF HE GOES AND BUYS A SECOND HAND DRONE THAT FULLY WORKS AND IT IS DEMONSTRATED THAT DOES WORK FINE -
ONE DOES NOT KNOW ALL THOSE COMPLEX DETAILS WITH REGARDS TO BINDING/UNBINDING BEFOREHAND.
THAT IS WHY I AM SAYING DJI HAVE GREAT RESPONSIBILTY FOR ALL THIS CRAP - IT SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED AND PLACED IN A PROMINENT PLACE IN THEIR SITE AND IT IS NOT.

So what I am after is to elaborate the above - Unfortunately I did jon this site after buying the drone - Wish I had done this before and knew about all that. I do hope after all this noise no other pilots to be find themselves in my position (and I am lucky that I will get a refund!!)

 

[mavic3usa]

This is how Apple addresses the problem: About Activation Lock on Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support

They clearly lay out the purpose and how to properly manage the settings for both buyers and sellers. The Apple product has a lot of sensitive and confidential information on it which needs to be protected and that is the primary focus of their Activation Lock rather than to protect the equipment (which is secondary). Still, I don't believe Apple will absolutely refuse to properly handle any issues that arise because they understand the laws of this country.

 

[gmatj]

This is how Apple addresses the problem: About Activation Lock on Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support

They clearly lay out the purpose and how to properly manage the settings for both buyers and sellers. The Apple product has a lot of sensitive and confidential information on it which needs to be protected and that is the primary focus of their Activation Lock rather than to protect the equipment (which is secondary). Still, I don't believe Apple will absolutely refuse to properly handle any issues that arise because they understand the laws of this country.

Excellent comment - thanks for posting

 

[msinger]

This is how Apple addresses the problem: About Activation Lock on Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support

They clearly lay out the purpose and how to properly manage the settings for both buyers and sellers. The Apple product has a lot of sensitive and confidential information on it which needs to be protected and that is the primary focus of their Activation Lock rather than to protect the equipment (which is secondary). Still, I don't believe Apple will absolutely refuse to properly handle any issues that arise because they understand the laws of this country.

DJI has a similar page detailing their binding process here:

DJI Fly App Account and Device Binding/Unbinding Guide

After unboxing your new product, it is important to promptly bind it to your DJI account. Failure to do so will result in your inability to produce a DJI Care Aircraft Flyaway Report in case of a flyaway incident. To bind your aircraft and remote controller, or to perform an unbinding operation...

support.dji.com

They have another page here on the topic of rebinding when buying second-hand drones:

Precautions for Rebinding Second-hand Drones

Precautions for Rebinding Second-hand Drones

repair.dji.com

 

[Droning on and on...]

Good suggestion my friend but you miss my point - Now I know cause I have read so many things -
HOWEVER A FIRST TIME DJI BUYER IF HE GOES AND BUYS A SECOND HAND DRONE THAT FULLY WORKS AND IT IS DEMONSTRATED THAT DOES WORK FINE - DOES NOT KNOW THE LITTLE DETAILS WITH REGARDS TO BINDING/UNBINDING.
THAT IS WHY I AM SAYING DJI HAVE GREAT RESPONSIBILTY FOR ALL THIS CRAP - IT SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED IN A PROMINENT PLACE IN THEIR SITE AND IT IS NOT.

No need to yell.

I understood you. I was chiefly addressing your statements regarding proof of legitimate purchase, and presentation of that to DJI. The point simply was a thief can credibly offer all this, it's no proof the sale is legit for a used aircraft.

Binding is DJI's method for policing this. So, noob ignorance notwithstanding, DJI will not unbind a drone for a new owner no matter what.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Can you explain your thoughts ?

Since I concur, I'll give you mine.

If my drone was stolen and then sold to someone else, I'd be pretty upset that DJI enabled the success of that theft without checking with me, the customer whose account the drone was bound to

Then, since the new owner was able to successfully bind and fully use the drone, they're not going to be too happy when I come after them to recover my stolen property.

DJI does a service to bother owners, and potential buyers of their drones this way. While I do truly understand your frustration and irritation over this, your beef is with the seller and no one else.

DJI drones are complex, technically sophisticated products. It's likely there are other "gotchas" you're unaware of that you may run into until you've studied the manual cover to cover 5 times.

 

[Droning on and on...]

I am afraid my friend IT IS THEIR RESPOSIBILITY. They have to help me solve it .

No they don't. You have no relationship with DJI. You did not register and bind the drone. The original owner did.

They have a responsibility to the registered owner whose account the drone is bound to. From DJI's perspective, you're some anonymous person demanding they dissolve they ownership from someone based on your word alone. The only person that matters here to DJI is the registered owner the drone is bound to. If they're unresponsive, DJI reasonably isn't going to spend money finding out why.

The drone may actually be stolen. How do you know? The owner may have written it off, and doesn't care to follow up. You have unrealistic expectations of DJI.