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

[Cafguy]

I don't take cash or pay with cash on eBay, it's Paypal/CC only so there is no question about contact info and phone numbers; those come with the payment method. Those are details we used to ask for from the 1990s, in today's online marketplace, all of that is already embedded and verified in the system (and my policy is no changes allowed). Dozens of transactions and not even once have I spoken a single word to the buyer/seller. When I pay with Paypal, I don't care if they live in Miami or Michigan, I don't care if they are using the parent's address or if their phone number is a mobile phone or a house phone. There are hundreds if not thousands of buyers on eBay so I may have been one of those transactions you mentioned: nobody gets my contact details over Ebay *before* they hit the Pay Now button. That's just asking for trouble giving out your details to anyone for the asking who obviously doesn't really intend to buy; hard pass.

If I see a Drone I really want I will be relentless and even ask if you would accept extra cash for the info....
It works more times than not, but yes you need to build up a good buyer reputation also mine is 100% and its not really a good idea to just give out your info. I have had to assure a few sellers for sure but it hasnt really been a problem. I will also say I triple check the seller!

 

[patcarty2]

Having read your initial post, and feel the tone you have used to some replies made to members, I am not at all surprised that you never achieved your aim with the seller, if, and I repeat if, you acted in the same way with him/her.
P.

 

[BlueHeeler]

Apparently no updates on the situation, bummer.

 

[msinger]

Given what we've learned about the intent of this thread, I doubt an update is on the way.

 

[BlueHeeler]

Given what we've learned about the intent of this thread, I doubt an update is on the way.

It sure looks that way.

 

[mavic3usa]

Perhaps some current details on DJI recommendation when buying a drone already binded from a retailer:

Refurbished Drone Still bound to someone else

I recently purhcased a Refurbished DJI Avata 2 from Best Buy and the drone is still bound to someone else's account. I would like to bind this to my account. But Best Buy says I must contact DJI. Is this true? Is there anything that DJI can do to take the other owner of the drone off and add me...

forum.dji.com

 

[lllsr2lll]

I don't see why DJI couldn't unbind the drone simply by deleting that DJI account. I mean the guy did show proof of purchase. Why request that info if you had no intention or had the ability rectify? To deny simply because the original owner didn't replay just doesn't make any sense. Like what was mentioned before the only advantage of even binding a drone is for the flyaway coverage. Is there a way to lock out the drone if it was stolen? A request to unbind should be handled within time reasonable frame, and not the first time buyers fault for not knowing.

 

[msinger]

I mean the guy did show proof of purchase. Why request that info if you had no intention or had the ability rectify?

DJI didn't request proof of purchase. They informed the OP that the drone must go through the unbinding process, which only the seller can initiate.

Like what was mentioned before the only advantage of even binding a drone is for the flyaway coverage

Another advantage is theft prevention, and this case bears telltale signs of a stolen drone being sold.

 

[mavic3usa]

Well, this is news to me; haven't seen this reference to "special handling" before personally: Refurbished Drone Still bound to someone else

 

[Droning on and on...]

Another advantage is theft prevention, and this case bears telltale signs of a stolen drone being sold.

Word

 

[Doug57]

While I understand some concerns of DJI to un-bind a drone, I'm also in the same position. I've tried multiple times to contact the account/seller of the drone, including using DJI's un-binding process, where DJI (allegedly) contact the account, all to no avail. I bought the drone for my grandson birthday on ebay, I sent proof of purchase to DJI, again with NO help from DJI. My daughter bought my grandson the DJI google & motion controller, which he can't use, because of the current binding. I would have thought, that if the drone was stolen, with both DJI & myself sending a request to the previous bound account, he would have contacted the police if stolen. When I last contacted DJI (again) last week, I even included my full postal address & Mb telephone number. My grandson is stuck with DJI google & motion controller because DJI won't un-bind, and to say he's devastated is an understatement. I've done everything I can to get the previous account to un-bind the drone, not being funny, but what if they have passed away. I believe DJI were the ones that changed the policy about unbinding certain drones approximately a year ago, they did previously un-bind them. They still do it for drone bought on Amazon, I purchased via ebay, and are refusing to unbind, one of the excuses is the bound account, i.e. the account credentials are quote "The account & password are considered the user's virtual assets" I believe in instances like this, DJI should un-bind the drone.

 

[patcarty2]

While I understand some concerns of DJI to un-bind a drone, I'm also in the same position. I've tried multiple times to contact the account/seller of the drone, including using DJI's un-binding process, where DJI (allegedly) contact the account, all to no avail. I bought the drone for my grandson birthday on ebay, I sent proof of purchase to DJI, again with NO help from DJI. My daughter bought my grandson the DJI google & motion controller, which he can't use, because of the current binding. I would have thought, that if the drone was stolen, with both DJI & myself sending a request to the previous bound account, he would have contacted the police if stolen. When I last contacted DJI (again) last week, I even included my full postal address & Mb telephone number. My grandson is stuck with DJI google & motion controller because DJI won't un-bind, and to say he's devastated is an understatement. I've done everything I can to get the previous account to un-bind the drone, not being funny, but what if they have passed away. I believe DJI were the ones that changed the policy about unbinding certain drones approximately a year ago, they did previously un-bind them. They still do it for drone bought on Amazon, I purchased via ebay, and are refusing to unbind, one of the excuses is the bound account, i.e. the account credentials are quote "The account & password are considered the user's virtual assets" I believe in instances like this, DJI should un-bind the drone.

In a way, I am glad DJI are sticking to their rules, as it could have been mine or another user's drone and sold without permission. You also say little to nothing about eBay, or if you tried using their refund process.

 

[GadgetGuy]

While I understand some concerns of DJI to un-bind a drone, I'm also in the same position. I've tried multiple times to contact the account/seller of the drone, including using DJI's un-binding process, where DJI (allegedly) contact the account, all to no avail. I bought the drone for my grandson birthday on ebay, I sent proof of purchase to DJI, again with NO help from DJI. My daughter bought my grandson the DJI google & motion controller, which he can't use, because of the current binding. I would have thought, that if the drone was stolen, with both DJI & myself sending a request to the previous bound account, he would have contacted the police if stolen. When I last contacted DJI (again) last week, I even included my full postal address & Mb telephone number. My grandson is stuck with DJI google & motion controller because DJI won't un-bind, and to say he's devastated is an understatement. I've done everything I can to get the previous account to un-bind the drone, not being funny, but what if they have passed away. I believe DJI were the ones that changed the policy about unbinding certain drones approximately a year ago, they did previously un-bind them. They still do it for drone bought on Amazon, I purchased via ebay, and are refusing to unbind, one of the excuses is the bound account, i.e. the account credentials are quote "The account & password are considered the user's virtual assets" I believe in instances like this, DJI should un-bind the drone.

You can "believe" all you want, but DJI's policies regarding this have been made very clear. Blaming DJI for your purchase of a used, still bound drone, on eBay is unfair. They didn't sell it to you. That's on you, for buying a used drone that wasn't first properly unbound by the seller.

Your solution is to buy an unbound drone for your grandson, so he can use the goggles and motion controller. You can keep complaining about DJI, but that won't "unstick" your grandson from being "stuck" with equipment he cannot now use because you bought a paperweight for him for his birthday, instead of a working drone. Just buy him one that works already!

 

[BlueHeeler]

Oh No, not this **** again

This falls under that " Learn the Hard Way " Column. It is unfortunate that used drone buyers almost always fall into this
pitfall, again the secondary market is not DJI's responsibility.

 

[Felix le Chat]

While I understand some concerns of DJI to un-bind a drone, I'm also in the same position. I've tried multiple times to contact the account/seller of the drone, including using DJI's un-binding process, where DJI (allegedly) contact the account, all to no avail. I bought the drone for my grandson birthday on ebay, I sent proof of purchase to DJI, again with NO help from DJI. My daughter bought my grandson the DJI google & motion controller, which he can't use, because of the current binding. I would have thought, that if the drone was stolen, with both DJI & myself sending a request to the previous bound account, he would have contacted the police if stolen. When I last contacted DJI (again) last week, I even included my full postal address & Mb telephone number. My grandson is stuck with DJI google & motion controller because DJI won't un-bind, and to say he's devastated is an understatement. I've done everything I can to get the previous account to un-bind the drone, not being funny, but what if they have passed away. I believe DJI were the ones that changed the policy about unbinding certain drones approximately a year ago, they did previously un-bind them. They still do it for drone bought on Amazon, I purchased via ebay, and are refusing to unbind, one of the excuses is the bound account, i.e. the account credentials are quote "The account & password are considered the user's virtual assets" I believe in instances like this, DJI should un-bind the drone.

Most of the time, people interested in buying a drone look at the prices charged by the manufacturer or accredited re-sellers first. Then when they see a 'bargain' (compared to the costs they have already looked at) they like the idea of getting what they want for less than they want to pay.

Unfortunately, many people buying second hand drones through on-line sources find they've paid for something they can't use... and quite a few people selling these crippled drones on eBay etc. have been caught out the same way themselves, they're just not honest enough to admit to it while they're trying to claw back their own lost money by passing their problem on to another gull.

You'll even encounter exactly the same problem buying a second hand drone from registered businesses (Cash Converters/CEX etc.), buying any drone 2nd hand is an evens kind of bet - it either will be unbound... or it won't... at least with a shop sale, you stand a chance of getting your money back relatively easily.

It's easy to say "should've done your homework before you clicked on the pay button" but people who've never owned a drone aren't savvy about the scams and problems surrounding user accounts and hardware binding.

I'm afraid you'll just have to chalk this up as an expensive learning experience.

As a newcomer to the scene: its best to never buy a drone from anywhere other than an accredited dealer. Yes, you'll pay top dollar, but you'll be sure that the drone you pay for is brand new, unregistered, unbound and not featured on a lost or stolen list.

 

[MARK (LI)]

While I understand some concerns of DJI to un-bind a drone, I'm also in the same position. I've tried multiple times to contact the account/seller of the drone, including using DJI's un-binding process, where DJI (allegedly) contact the account, all to no avail. I bought the drone for my grandson birthday on ebay, I sent proof of purchase to DJI, again with NO help from DJI. My daughter bought my grandson the DJI google & motion controller, which he can't use, because of the current binding. I would have thought, that if the drone was stolen, with both DJI & myself sending a request to the previous bound account, he would have contacted the police if stolen. When I last contacted DJI (again) last week, I even included my full postal address & Mb telephone number. My grandson is stuck with DJI google & motion controller because DJI won't un-bind, and to say he's devastated is an understatement. I've done everything I can to get the previous account to un-bind the drone, not being funny, but what if they have passed away. I believe DJI were the ones that changed the policy about unbinding certain drones approximately a year ago, they did previously un-bind them. They still do it for drone bought on Amazon, I purchased via ebay, and are refusing to unbind, one of the excuses is the bound account, i.e. the account credentials are quote "The account & password are considered the user's virtual assets" I believe in instances like this, DJI should un-bind the drone.

Have you tried contacting ebay?...did you pay with paypal?...did you try them?

 

[mavic3usa]

Clearly this is a dispute that has only one way left to resolve and that's for it to end up in a courtroom and the "facts" decided by a judge or jury. Consumer have rights if they are damaged, they have a right to make a claim and be heard. Whether this ends up as an individual case or some sort of class action lawsuit, I have no idea. Mobile phones used to be locked "forever" but it took awhile to change that but not after a lot of people got hurt. With drones and with a DJI monopoly, that may never come to fruition. I hate to say this but I'm not a big fan of this idea but it might come down to the EU (legislation) have to make that call as they have done so many times in the past with similar "consumer" issues.

I disagree 100% on the current method used by DJI lately specifically their zero-tolerance policy. Not because I support crime but because I know and recognize sloppy, unprofessional work when I see it and I also realize the policy hurts honest, innocent buyers disproportionately and does close to zero to prevent theft of DJI drones. But I understand when knowledgable DJI owners come to the DJI defense and promote the DJI policy as effective until it happens to them. By then it's going to be too late.

In another thread I outlined all the reasons why I believe this is true so I won't repeat them here. I received very little legitimate pushback because there is no good rebuttal and the few replies I got were hey it's all about theft and hey you just need to do your research or your concerns are just some weird corner case. Never in my life have I heard of a product where the owner dies and is able to take their earthly goods with them, this has to be a first. No one wants to debate the facts but that's ok, DJI has the power to do whatever they want with their drones. OP, a few of us hear you but you are in a forum full of DJI lovers and drone experts and some folks who would rather deflect than debate and it's going to take a lot to convince them otherwise so I wouldn't bother honestly; you won't get anywhere here.

 

[EricJT]

Clearly this is a dispute that has only one way left to resolve and that's for it to end up in a courtroom and the "facts" decided by a judge or jury. Consumer have rights if they are damaged, they have a right to make a claim and be heard. Whether this ends up as an individual case or some sort of class action lawsuit, I have no idea. Mobile phones used to be locked "forever" but it took awhile to change that but not after a lot of people got hurt. With drones and with a DJI monopoly, that may never come to fruition. I hate to say this but I'm not a big fan of this idea but it might come down to the EU (legislation) have to make that call as they have done so many times in the past with similar "consumer" issues.

I disagree 100% on the current method used by DJI lately specifically their zero-tolerance policy. Not because I support crime but because I know and recognize sloppy, unprofessional work when I see it and I also realize the policy hurts honest, innocent buyers disproportionately and does close to zero to prevent theft of DJI drones. But I understand when knowledgable DJI owners come to the DJI defense and promote the DJI policy as effective until it happens to them. By then it's going to be too late.

In another thread I outlined all the reasons why I believe this is true so I won't repeat them here. I received very little legitimate pushback because there is no good rebuttal and the few replies I got were hey it's all about theft and hey you just need to do your research or your concerns are just some weird corner case. Never in my life have I heard of a product where the owner dies and is able to take their earthly goods with them, this has to be a first. No one wants to debate the facts but that's ok, DJI has the power to do whatever they want with their drones. OP, a few of us hear you but you are in a forum full of DJI lovers and drone experts and some folks who would rather deflect than debate and it's going to take a lot to convince them otherwise so I wouldn't bother honestly; you won't get anywhere here.

So if the buyer of a DJI drone in the "aftermarket" gets it at a price too good to be true, possibly because it is stolen, then that is acceptable? I firmly believe in Caveat Emptor and if the buyer is uneducated, gullible, or chooses to turn a blind eye, his or her decision should fall back on the manufacturer?

Buying a stolen car could not be seized by the law? Just asking.....

 

[tstr14]

Buying a stolen car could not be seized by the law? Just asking.....

It can and will be seized, at least here in the US. If an insurance claim was made against it, you might be able to negotiate with the insurance company but the person from whom it was stole would have first claim.

 

[mavic3usa]

So if the buyer of a DJI drone in the "aftermarket" gets it at a price too good to be true, possibly because it is stolen, then that is acceptable? I firmly believe in Caveat Emptor and if the buyer is uneducated, gullible, or chooses to turn a blind eye, his or her decision should fall back on the manufacturer?

Buying a stolen car could not be seized by the law? Just asking.....

No that's not acceptable. But the binding problem were are discussing has nothing to do with the price you paid for the drone. You can pay full MSPR and still get shafted, right?

The rest of the items you bring up aren't relevant. I asked that we have a rational discussion and you want to talk about stolen drones which has nothing to do with the binding process. Show me anywhere we DJI mentioned the binding process is in any way related to stolen drones. Furthermore the DJI binding process is applicable to *all* drones even the one's bought legally.

If you know of a way to only impact stolen drones, please let DJI know this and I will support you and DJI in the implementation; no problem with that. But you'll quickly find out that even the binding process can't ground a stolen drone. What exactly do you think will happen when the thief steals both the drone and the controller? Can he immediately unbind the drone on the spot or not?