We've likely created a small industry for reselling drones in South Korea

[GadgetGuy]

this is the important point: only consider products shipped by Amazon. That means they are fulfilled by Amazon and that is the only way you can be protected by Amazon's return and refund policy

Absolutely correct, because anything else, even if Next Day Prime or Two Day Prime, unless it specifically ALSO states "Shipped by Amazon" is the worthless A to Z Guarantee in the Wild West of crooked third party sellers who will screw you over any way they can, with Amazon backing them up, taking their side every time, with 50-100% restocking fees for their deliberate screwups like sending the wrong merchandise or selling used returns as new, or shorting the quantity of batteries, or just never shipping at all!

 

[Chip]

Got a box today from SK. Product was intact in sealed box from manufacturer. But that box was in two other boxes. Outer box was sealed in green tape marked USCBP Examined by line was left blank. Has anyone else received box in two boxes with sealed USCBP tape? I am thinking someone must have opened it given the tape and the presence of a loose item (an electrical plug of some type) that I do not recognize.

Addendum: the loose item is a small two prong Chinese converter plug.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Got a box today from SK. Product was intact in sealed box from manufacturer. But that box was in two other boxes. Outer box was sealed in green tape marked USCBP Examined by line was left blank. Has anyone else received box in two boxes with sealed USCBP tape? I am thinking someone must have opened it given the tape and the presence of a loose item (an electrical plug of some type) that I do not recognize.

Addendum: the loose item is a small two prong Chinese converter plug.

Seller thoughtfully included the loose item for you: SK/KR to US adapter, as the KR version only comes with a KR plug.

 

[GadgetGuy]

https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Beginners-Omnidirectional-ActiveTrack-Batteries/dp/B0F6XN1J7K/

Mini 5 Pro Plus Combo shipped by Amazon is now back at $1159 from Air Foto in the Buy Box, and there is no way to directly link to the AirFoto Store inventory of it, so @msinger is mistaken about being able to circumvent the Buy Box by directly linking to the Air Foto Store link. Copying the Air Foto Store link creates a link to the BUYER BEWARE WHILE WE TRY TO SCREW YOU "Buy Box" with the more expensive Standard battery version and A to Z Guarantee on all other versions displayed OTHER than the $1159 Air Foto shipped by Amazon for delivery Dec 17-Dec 27.

 

[msinger]

Mini 5 Pro Plus Combo shipped by Amazon was back at $1159 from Air Foto in the Buy Box, and there is no way to directly link to the AirFoto Store inventory of it, so @msinger is mistakenly about being able to circumvent the Buy Box by directly linking to the Air Foto Store link

You're always slipping those little jabs in there. And you never disappoint when it comes to spreading more misinformation.

Of course it's possible to link directly to that item. You can find that $1,159 Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo Plus deal from Air Foto here.

 

[GadgetGuy]

You're always slipping those little jabs in there. And you never disappoint when it comes to spreading more misinformation.

Of course it's possible to link directly to that item. You can find that $1,159 Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo Plus deal from Air Foto here.

View attachment 186809

Not spreading misinformation. Correcting it.

That's helpful, but that's not a direct link to an individual listing for a specific product configuration in the Air Foto Store. It is merely a search, which came up empty last time.



"Amazon.com : "mini 5 pro""

The last time Air Foto's $1159 Plus Combo deal appeared in the corrupt "BUY BOX" it was NOT listed in the Air Foto Store.
Care to explain how that is possible?

 

[msinger]

Not spreading misinformation. Correcting it.

Unfortunately, you're not correcting anything. We can agree to disagree if you'd like though since you refuse to accept anything but the most unreasonable explanations.

That's helpful, but that's not a direct link to an individual listing for a specific product configuration in the Air Foto Store. It is merely a search, which came up empty last time.

It takes you straight to a page where you can add that item to your cart. You can also use this direct link if you'd rather visit the product page and add it from there.

Again though, these links are not going to show results if you come back later and Air Foto no longer has those items in stock.

The last time Air Foto's $1159 Plus Combo deal appeared in the corrupt "BUY BOX" it was NOT listed in the Air Foto Store.
Care to explain how that is possible?

The item was out of stock. If it's not showing in the seller's store, you will not be able to add it to your cart or buy it. Try refreshing the page next time and you will see that it really is not available.

 

[GadgetGuy]

It takes you straight to a page where you can add that item to your cart. You can also use this direct link if you'd rather visit the product page and add it from there.

Again though, these links are not going to show results if you come back later and Air Foto no longer has those items in stock.

The item was out of stock. If it's not showing in the seller's store, you will not be able to add it to your cart or buy it. Try refreshing the page next time and you will see that it really is not available.

Your "direct link" above is just another search link that takes you back to the CORRUPT AND MISLEADING "Buy Box" to lead lambs to the slaughter:

"https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Beginners-Obstacle-ActiveTrack-Rotation/dp/B0F6XK911R?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rWwq8tQSFQ9Bepf8vi8biyc2gHS9hwEKoS-s2JYWnNDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.g0H5HCT7LW6T7eXGHtE0sGzk6tq0tjvaWoATO36yf44&dib_tag=se&keywords="mini+5"+|+mavic&m=A20D0M8L9NGH5J&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1764910010&s=merchant-items&sr=1-1&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=ddhdp-20&linkId=bb29532157bc0e9775a4ca5a75c55335&language=en_US&"



Bottom line, there is no way to directly link to a specific seller's offering when it is part of the "Buy Box" which was what you had previously maintained. At best, you can only construct a search URL which will still take you back to the deceptive slaughterhouse "Buy Box" from which you still must know exactly how to select it, and how to discern a regular battery combo from a Plus offering combo, because you yourself, as knowledgeable as you are about Amazon, previously erroneously concluded a Standard battery offering had to be a Plus battery offering, when it clearly was not. If you can be fooled by the Buy Box, so will everyone else. 99% of Amazon buyers have no clue about any of this higher level sophistication regarding Buy Boxes.

So, are you saying it is impossible for an in stock offering in the Buy Box to not simultaneously appear on that seller's store on the same terms? Why would the item still appear in the Buy Box for that seller, if it was already sold out, why would it not be immediately replaced by the next seller in line? Shouldn't just clicking around in the Buy Box automatically refresh the page?

 

[Riptide]

https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Beginners-Omnidirectional-ActiveTrack-Batteries/dp/B0F6XN1J7K/

Mini 5 Pro Plus Combo shipped by Amazon is now back at $1159 from Air Foto in the Buy Box, and there is no way to directly link to the AirFoto Store inventory of it, so @msinger is mistaken about being able to circumvent the Buy Box by directly linking to the Air Foto Store link. Copying the Air Foto Store link creates a link to the BUYER BEWARE WHILE WE TRY TO SCREW YOU "Buy Box" with the more expensive Standard battery version and A to Z Guarantee on all other versions displayed OTHER than the $1159 Air Foto shipped by Amazon for delivery Dec 17-Dec 27.

View attachment 186808

Thanks for the heads up, has plus in the title this time, comes out slightly cheaper than Korea, and has the ability to be returned until Jan 30th. Purchased.

 

[msinger]

Your "direct link" above is just another search link that takes you back to the CORRUPT AND MISLEADING "Buy Box" to lead lambs to the slaughter:

"https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Beginners-Obstacle-ActiveTrack-Rotation/dp/B0F6XK911R?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rWwq8tQSFQ9Bepf8vi8biyc2gHS9hwEKoS-s2JYWnNDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.g0H5HCT7LW6T7eXGHtE0sGzk6tq0tjvaWoATO36yf44&dib_tag=se&keywords="mini+5"+|+mavic&m=A20D0M8L9NGH5J&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1764910010&s=merchant-items&sr=1-1&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=ddhdp-20&linkId=bb29532157bc0e9775a4ca5a75c55335&language=en_US&"

Bottom line, there is no way to directly link to a specific seller's offering when it is part of the "Buy Box" which was what you had previously maintained. At best, you can only construct a search URL which will still take you back to the deceptive slaughterhouse "Buy Box" from which you still must know exactly how to select it, and how to discern a regular battery combo from a Plus offering combo, because you yourself, as knowledgeable as you are about Amazon, previously erroneously concluded a Standard battery offering had to be a Plus battery offering, when it clearly was not. If you can be fooled by the Buy Box, so will everyone else. 99% of Amazon buyers have no clue about any of this higher level sophistication regarding Buy Boxes.

It's quite clear that you are the only person being fooled here. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.

Here's a direct link to FlySafe CR selling the Plus combo at $1,419, which is not the current buy box price:

https://amzn.to/3MIGl8E

So, are you saying it is impossible for an in stock offering in the Buy Box to not simultaneously appear on that seller's store on the same terms? Why would the item still appear in the Buy Box for that seller, if it was already sold out, why would it not be immediately replaced by the next seller in line? Shouldn't just clicking around in the Buy Box automatically refresh the page?

All I'm saying is that any item a seller has in stock will also show up in their store.

If you were able to grab a screenshot from an old Amazon product page that hasn't been refreshed in a while, that doesn't mean the item is still available to buy. Just like most online stores, Amazon's pages do not auto refresh when you leave them open in your web browser.

 

[GadgetGuy]

It's quite clear that you are the only person being fooled here. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.

Here's a direct link to FlySafe CR selling the Plus combo at $1,419, which is not the current buy box price:

https://amzn.to/3MIGl8E



All I'm saying is that any item a seller has in stock will also show up in their store.

If you were able to grab a screenshot from an old Amazon product page that hasn't been refreshed in a while, that doesn't mean the item is still available to buy. Just like most online stores, Amazon's pages do not auto refresh when you leave them open in your web browser.

I am not being fooled by ANYTHING here, including you!
Your insults are completely uncalled for.
You refuse to accept that Amazon has deliberately created a slaughterhouse of bait and switch deals in their Buy Box.

I am exposing all the shenanigans that Amazon is engaging in by using a "Buy Box" that makes it impossible to share a direct link to the seller and the terms and price that are shown there. You have clearly confirmed that by having to create a search link to simulate a direct link that only takes one back to the bait and switch Buy Box!

What does a direct link to an overpriced A to Z sale have to do with the Buy Box offerings, other than proving that even YOU cannot create a direct link to a seller's Store offering? You are promoting yet another overpriced A to Z seller in the Buy Box disguised as a Prime offering, but where the seller is the shipper, which is yet another trap for the unwary! No Amazon return privileges! Covered only by the worthless A to Z Guarantee, with restocking fees and sellers making up all their OWN policies!

The Air Foto listing in the Buy Box was not listed in the Air Foto Store when you last claimed it would, several days ago, and it was still available for sale in the Buy Box, from just having refreshed the page at that time.

Your assumption that I must have been grabbing a screenshot from an old Amazon page is incorrect. It was directly linked to contemporaneously when testing your assertion that a direct link to the Air Foto Store would prevent the Buy Box bait and switch, which it DOES NOT, even when available. Copying the link in the Air Foto Store takes you directly back to the bait and switch Buy Box!

I never claimed that a random seller's random offerings not included in the Buy Box would not appear in their Store. However, the previous Air Foto deal in the Buy Box did not appear in their Store. That is a fact, and it wasn't because the Buy Box had not been refreshed.

Clearly, I have successfully managed to help @Riptide get the same deal I previously got, shipped by Amazon. However, all you are doing is promoting your affiliate links to whatever is currently in the Buy Box at inflated prices and covered only by the worthless A to Z Guarantee!

 

[Chip]

I am not 100% certain the point in dispute but the thread has been very informative and prompted me to shop very carefully for the exact Mini 5 combo package to get. So thank you. I ended up getting the cheapest (3 regular batts and RC N3) which saved a little money but in hindsight as someone else pointed out, if the drone is over 249 grams anyway, why not pay a little more for the set of 3 Extended Flight Plus? Its incredible to me how much more punch the Plus pack at same size. Of course, once I read that I had to buy one Plus which is neat and everything but eroded the purpose of buying the cheapest Mini 5 kit.

Going back to using my phone and the N3 felt like a step down as far as convenience. But, I watched a YT video where guy said the N3 technically transmits better signal than RC 2 (not the RC Pro) so I felt I got some ground back there at least!

 

[moldorf]

I'm looking at these Mini 5 deals at Amazon, and I'm noticing estimated delivery dates:

Dec 19 - 31
Dec 22 - 30
Dec 18 - 23

my question is what happens on the 23rd if the NDAA provision takes effect. More specifically, we know that DJI has already been shutting down links in the USA. I had to switch to the Canada store to just download the LUT's for the Mavic 4 Pro

so, you get your ordered drone delivered after the 23rd. Will the link for activating the drone from a USA IP still work? Does anybody really know for certain?

 

[GadgetGuy]

I'm looking at these Mini 5 deals at Amazon, and I'm noticing estimated delivery dates:

Dec 19 - 31
Dec 22 - 30
Dec 18 - 23

my question is what happens on the 23rd if the NDAA provision takes effect. More specifically, we know that DJI has already been shutting down links in the USA. I had to switch to the Canada store to just download the LUT's for the Mavic 4 Pro

so, you get your ordered drone delivered after the 23rd. Will the link for activating the drone from a USA IP still work? Does anybody really know for certain?

For clarity, DJI USA links to the Mavic 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro were never active since release on each, but all information is still readily available through DJI Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK in English. The drones activate and register just fine, even though not sold by DJI into the U.S..

The Mini 5 Pro is already fully FCC approved, so it should be unaffected by any immediate consequences of the December 23 deadline. Same with the Avata 360, which already has received FCC approval, but has not yet been released.

Activation over the internet from the U.S. remains unaffected. Nothing about the December 23 deadline should affect activation, nor FCC registration of previously approved FCC drones. Even the remote possibility of retroactive revocation is a very long drawn out process with hearings and an opportunity for the company to litigate the issue.

Worst case scenario, if any of this drastically changes, as long as your order is shipped by Amazon, you are fully protected with the ability to return it until January 31, or an instant refund if your order is not delivered by Amazon within the promised time frame.

 

[msinger]

You have clearly confirmed that by having to create a search link to simulate a direct link that only takes one back to the bait and switch Buy Box!

See my link in post #70 above. That's not a "search link", whatever that means.

It's clear that you don't fully understand how Amazon works, and it also feels like you're more interested in arguing than having a real conversation.

 

[mavic3usa]

This thread is about eBay but it has a lot of Amazon detail and it looks like Amazon is up to tricks again by pricing down the NEO 2 to help stem some of the traffic going to Korea. Clearly the Chinese vendors are not "giving away" their inventory so Amazon is "helping" meaning you'll only see the low price from "shipped from Amazon" selections and not from the 3rd party seller.

If you are in the market for a NEO 2, now is a great time. Amazon does this, they price the drone super low, drive the traffic to break the momentum to eBay, then you barely ever see these prices again while you focus on Amazon daily. Deals on all 3 packages (except the best package) that no one probably really wants at this late stage. Use the link below to see my thread over at Neopilots.com.

Obviously at this low price, I had to buy a 2nd NEO 2 package for the 3 batteries, I'll probably sell the "Drone Only" later for anyone who wants a backup drone.

NEO 2: They're going for cheap at Amazon.com (limited time)

Since Amazon doesn't sell the NEO 2, the 3rd party sellers are the only merchants you can buy from on Amazon.com; however, the drones are often shipped and/or fulfilled by Amazon. You will have to hunt and peck for a good deal but they're there but not for long. Also it's starting to look like...

neopilots.com