What's with the Store Only Nonsense

[bkushner]

This is CRAP. I have several options where I can buy tax free, the DJI Store isn't one of them. I never order from the store anymore. Tried many times before and they messed every order up. If I were retailers I'd refuse to carry any of their products after this SHADY MOVE.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Yeah... I disagree 100% with you.

Don't buy one if you're upset that you're not being catered to.

 

[MARK (LI)]

If you were a retailer who sold drones, you wouldn't sell too many at all if you didn't have dji products in your store....what is this shady move that they made?

 

[Droning on and on...]

If you were a retailer who sold drones, you wouldn't sell too many at all if you didn't have dji products in your store....what is this shady move that they made?

Only a retailer heading for out-of-business would drop DJI products in a hissy-fit over the company's roll-out strategy.

Further, The A3S didn't have a few features I was hoping for. Should I be mad, disparage DJI, and swear off their products?

Or should I take a more sober, realistic view that the world is not there to serve my wants and desires, and most of the time I don't get everything I want?

I don't want to engage in a lengthy argument, nor does anyone else, so last post in this thread. I've made my opinion clear.

 

[mavic3usa]

I think what he is referring to is in order to get the Air 3S today (launch day) in the US, there is only one place to order it and that's from DJI.com since nowhere else (Amazon, Best Buy, DJI, B&H....) all say something along the lines of Coming Soon, Pre-order, or nothing at all. Apparently that's called a "store only" launch when in reality, the retailers will launch whenever they get product they are allowed to release. I don't see any advantage to DJI.com launching first so I'm not sure that's a "strategy" as much as launching a particular kit or color would be an exclusive.

But I do know there still exists an aversion to buying from the "manufacturer" as buyers continue to have ties and loyalty to their favorites; many people won't just buy from anywhere even though it's the same box from the same factory. People have points, credits, loyalty cards, other perks like warranties. Look, if Amazon wants to go first and have a special product that nobody else offers, Bezos can put in his order for 10M drones and I'm sure DJI can accommodate.

For me, I tend to buy expensive drone kits only at places where there is no sales tax. Not going to pay $300 extra for a $3k drone. The only place I know for sure for everyone is possible is B&H with their Payboo card and they almost never launch first but I understand the frustration of not being able to buy on day 1 because your favorite/desirable location is not participating. We used to have this problem big time when nobody (except me) cared for "mail order" product (now they call it online) and if the product wasn't in the store on day 1 (for drones at Best Buy) then we had a problem.

But those days are gone because people don't have a problem anymore buying expensive stuff over the interwebs. With all the things happening and the delays (bans, storms, tariffs, etc) no telling why everyone doesn't have supplies on day 1. A perfect launch is fleeting and especially with DJI it's almost non-existent. Fortunately our patience level too has also changed, you don't see people lining up at the Apple store on launch day any longer.....few days/week won't hurt you.

 

[Cafguy]

If you send DJI the proper paperwork they will refund the taxes.
I have been dealing with the DJI store quite a number of times never had a problem as far as orders go.

US Sales Tax

US Sales Tax

support.dji.com

 

[Droning on and on...]

If you send DJI the proper paperwork they will refund the taxes.
I have been dealing with the DJI store quite a number of times never had a problem as far as orders go.

How does that work?

When I order from DJI here in Santa Cruz, the product usually is shipped from somewhere in Southern California (I think Coronado?) where they have a warehouse. What exempts this transaction and fulfillment from CA sales tax?

 

[Cafguy]

I have no idea I have just always paid for the Drone. never asked for tax exemption. My business is really a part time thing and I never worried about it. I put a link above tho.

 

[MARK (LI)]

I think what he is referring to is in order to get the Air 3S today (launch day) in the US, there is only one place to order it and that's from DJI.com

That's "shady"...you don't have to like it, but it does not seem like any nefarious activity

If you send DJI the proper paperwork they will refund the taxes.
I have been dealing with the DJI store quite a number of times never had a problem as far as orders go.

US Sales Tax

US Sales Tax

support.dji.com

What would the proper paperwork be?...Unless you are a tax exempt organization, or have a reseller certificate...you pay tax

 

[mavic3usa]

That's "shady"...you don't have to like it, but it does not seem like any nefarious activity

I wouldn't call it shady, I honestly don't think the retailers believe dji.com is directly competing for their sales. They both have a relationship.

 

[MARK (LI)]

If someone is taking a survey please make note that mavic3USA also votes not shady

 

[mavic3usa]

If someone is taking a survey please make note that mavic3USA also votes not shady

I don't know their relationship but I don't see how DJI can be shady with US retailers like Amazon or Best Buy who I think are DJI "customers" and are equal partners if not more so heading up that relationship. If Amazon wants an exclusive, they can probably get one. Obviously there could be exceptions but all the times I have known Best Buy, they were the ones who decided what skus they would take on and how many. It's like that with pretty much everybody including mobile phones and computers and TVs. There are plenty of TV sets that are Best Buy only and if you come with a mobile phone in five different colors, you probably won't get all five on the shelf (unless you're Apple). Use to be if you didn't have your goods ready before October, you can pretty much forget it until next year; retailers had commitments. Personally I think DJI needs those two at least but that's my opinion I guess.

 

[bkushner]

Only a retailer heading for out-of-business would drop DJI products in a hissy-fit over the company's roll-out strategy.

Further, The A3S didn't have a few features I was hoping for. Should I be mad, disparage DJI, and swear off their products?

Or should I take a more sober, realistic view that the world is not there to serve my wants and desires, and most of the time I don't get everything I want?

I don't want to engage in a lengthy argument, nor does anyone else, so last post in this thread. I've made my opinion clear.

Wait a minute. So you think my dislike for the drone is why I'm not happy about not buying it from my dealer? I wouldn't be buying it if I was unhappy with the drone. I've just.had horrible luck with DJI direct. For instance, it said order now and drone shios today 10/15..guess what. It didn't ship..this is the nonsense you go through. B&H has it to you the next day and no tax. That's all I'm saying.

 

[bkushner]

If you send DJI the proper paperwork they will refund the taxes.
I have been dealing with the DJI store quite a number of times never had a problem as far as orders go.

US Sales Tax

US Sales Tax

support.dji.com

My B&H Tax free is through their payboo credit card. So that won't work with DJI direct.

 

[MARK (LI)]

Wait a minute. So you think my dislike for the drone is why I'm not happy about not buying it from my dealer? I wouldn't be buying it if I was unhappy with the drone. I've just.had horrible luck with DJI direct. For instance, it said order now and drone shios today 10/15..guess what. It didn't ship..this is the nonsense you go through. B&H has it to you the next day and no tax. That's all I'm saying.

You said you don't order from them any more....so you did go and order it?..And at 11:49 EDT posted that it had not shipped?.....They do ship from California...3 hours time difference....and if they did not ship it in time,,,,that would suck....still not shady....not to tarnish the excellent reputation of B&H...they are really good...but that is just how things go sometimes

 

[Dustydoug]

This lack of availability at retailers comes down to supplies, how many drones they had already built and how fast they can build them to meet demand. One day out from release day and you can’t get the higher end fly more package from DJI. They are understocked.

Yeah I am disappointed that my local BB does not have one or that I can’t get one elsewhere online. I can also understand and even empathize with the OP’s frustration. But it is what it is.

 

[Cafguy]

My B&H Tax free is through their payboo credit card. So that won't work with DJI direct.

Now you are just confusing me did you make a tax free purchase or not???? I would simply purchase from B&H. Many here in L.A. buy from them and no-one else.

You said you don't order from them any more....so you did go and order it?..And at 11:49 EDT posted that it had not shipped?.....They do ship from California...3 hours time difference....and if they did not ship it in time,,,,that would suck....still not shady....not to tarnish the excellent reputation of B&H...they are really good...but that is just how things go sometimes

Exactly!! You could park a fleet of jets in the DJI Cali Warehouse. That doesnt mean they have enough to send to everyone on that day. Are you actually angry with DJI because they did not foresee their opening Day Sales?
DJI shipped the next Day That's pretty fast Have you seen that warehouse you could get lost for weeks!
If you are expecting Tax free merchandise sent to you seconds after you order it. From every company you order from.... then I can imagine that you deal with a lot of "nonsense" when you are buying online.

 

[davidarmenb]

Put in the order about a hour after release. What I didn’t like at all was seeing that my Air 3S is shipping via DHL from DONGGUAN, CHINA.

 

[Cafguy]

If the warehouse runs out you will get one sent from China.

 

[DanJ]

Don't buy one if you're upset that you're not being catered to.

More like if you don't like being gouged.
Edit: I just checked and they are being sold at regular retail outlets in Canada. Maybe this is an American thing?