Mavic 4 bought in Japan, currently in US, and needs warranty repair. What are my options?

[Theoriginalgregtoo]

I purchased a Mavic 4 Pro in Japan this past November. I'm currently in the US and suddenly am receiving a "power system hardware failure" error indicating a problem with the ESC. The drone has been flown delicately a small number of times and never crashed. I've not ever dealt with a warranty claim through DJI and I know the current US ban causes all kinds of complications. I do have friends in Japan which I can ship the drone to, but I'm not entirely sure what that process looks like for either the warranty claim or the customs/tariff component. Would greatly appreciate any insight this community might have as to how I can handle this situation.

 

[MS Coast]

Contact DJI support first.

 

[Theoriginalgregtoo]

Contact DJI support first.

Is there a possibility that doing so will blacklist me in any way?

 

[PINEBARON]

Is there a possibility that doing so will blacklist me in any way?

Not at all.

 

[MS Coast]

Is there a possibility that doing so will blacklist me in any way?

Who would blacklist you? DJI? They'd be upset that you purchased their product?

 

[Theoriginalgregtoo]

Who would blacklist you? DJI? They'd be upset that you purchased their product

I wasn't sure how they were handling foreign bought goods being used in the US. I know some companies consider these grey market, and I don't want to have my warranty voided if at all possible.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I wasn't sure how they were handling foreign bought goods being used in the US. I know some companies consider these grey market, and I don't want to have my warranty voided if at all possible.

It is a grey market product, once brought into the U.S. from Japan, which is completely legal and not a breach of your DJI Japan warranty. However, DJI USA has no responsibility whatsoever, and cannot help you, even if they wanted to. They have no refurb Mavic 4 Pro units in the U.S. even for paid repairs, let alone warranty replacements.

Your warranty claim, if valid, is exclusively through DJI Japan, where you purchased it. You will have to contact DJI Japan and open a case through them, which will involve shipping the drone to them for evaluation of your warranty claim, and a decision as to whether it is covered by the DJI Japan warranty or not. If not, the repair cost would be entirely at your expense. It would then be up to you to figure out how to get the refurbished replacement aircraft from Japan back to the U.S.. Fortunately, no one else here has yet to deal with this circumstance. You are the guinea pig, but are fortunate enough to have helpful friends in Japan who can assist, unlike most of us.

 

[MS Coast]

I wasn't sure how they were handling foreign bought goods being used in the US. I know some companies consider these grey market, and I don't want to have my warranty voided if at all possible.

Why would DJI void the warranty in Japan just because you took the drone to another country.

Just ask them how they're handling such cases. Worst case, you won't care for the answer, but they've not going to be vindictive because you asked.

 

[Jim Martin]

I wasn't sure how they were handling foreign bought goods being used in the US. I know some companies consider these grey market, and I don't want to have my warranty voided if at all possible.

Things are crazy right now and I don't blame you for being cautious.

I've purchased 2 drones on eBay from South Korean sellers, and registered those drones on my existing DJI account without any problem.

As others have said, start by contacting DJI and be candid. Just a guess, but they will tell you that it is covered under warranty, but that they won't ship a replacement to the US, it would need to be shipped to the country of purchase, and if you have someone in Japan as you mentioned, you at least have that option.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[PINEBARON]

As others have said, start by contacting DJI and be candid. Just a guess, but they will tell you that it is covered under warranty, but that they won't ship a replacement to the US, it would need to be shipped to the country of purchase, and if you have someone in Japan as you mentioned, you at least have that option.

That's absolutely correct. I have spoken to DJI at lenght on this subject.