Where are the DJI Care Refresh options for US drones?

[mavic3usa]

Upon checking DJI.com for US region, I don't see any Care Refresh options available for *any* drones. When I change my location to Canada, they all appear again.

Rumor says they are undergoing some sort of "adjustment" period. Perhaps they are trying to resolve the issues with getting replacements back into the US more quickly and speeding up the repair process. Lots of horror stories of drones taking many many weeks (delays acknowledged by DJI) to replacements being held or tariff'd and/or confiscated by customs on the way back into the US which puts both the customer and DJI into a bind (no pun intended). Maybe the system is being revamped or DJI plans to offer an alternative solution and will lift the temporary freeze shortly when the situation improves.

Likely if you cannot buy a new DJI drone in the US (all showing out of stock) then it goes without saying you cannot buy DJI Care Refresh, for the most part, but as you know, there are other reasons to buy Care besides new drone purchase. Fortunately, when I check my existing drones, the service plan still shows as valid; so far those are not cancelled or turned off. However, Care might be "worthless" or "ineffective" given the current conditions.

Pretty sure customers are demanding refunds and/or compensation for the inconvenience and the delays so did DJI put the hammer down on all new DJI Care Refresh activations and renewals in America? Time to [re]explore other options.

This *ss* just goes from bad to worse.

 

[Starz]

cannot buy a new DJI drone in the US (all showing out of stock

For some, that could be an issue.
My closet is fully stocked, so I won’t be looking for a shoulder to cry on.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Upon checking DJI.com for US region, I don't see any Care Refresh options available for *any* drones. When I change my location to Canada, they all appear again.

Rumor says they are undergoing some sort of "adjustment" period. Perhaps they are trying to resolve the issues with getting replacements back into the US more quickly and speeding up the repair process. Lots of horror stories of drones taking many many weeks (delays acknowledged by DJI) to replacements being held or tariff'd and/or confiscated by customs on the way back into the US which puts both the customer and DJI into a bind (no pun intended). Maybe the system is being revamped or DJI plans to offer an alternative solution and will lift the temporary freeze shortly when the situation improves.

Likely if you cannot buy a new DJI drone in the US (all showing out of stock) then it goes without saying you cannot buy DJI Care Refresh, for the most part, but as you know, there are other reasons to buy Care besides new drone purchase. Fortunately, when I check my existing drones, the service plan still shows as valid; so far those are not cancelled or turned off. However, Care might be "worthless" or "ineffective" given the current conditions.

Pretty sure customers are demanding refunds and/or compensation for the inconvenience and the delays so did DJI put the hammer down on all new DJI Care Refresh activations and renewals in America? Time to [re]explore other options.

This *ss* just goes from bad to worse.

When the assumed liabilities of any insurance or repair program exceed the premiums, it become unprofitable. Just like homeowners insurance companies abandoning California due to its unprofitability, and State Farm refusing policy renewal of anyone after making a claim on their PAP "drone" insurance, DJI cannot reliably or profitably offer new Care Refresh on any DJI drone with no more in country refurb stock to support it.

No one is demanding refunds or compensation for circumstances beyond DJI's control. DJI is continuing to support existing policies to the best of their ability by sourcing refurbs from DJI Canada, which may take 60-90 days instead of 2 weeks.

However, when I bought my Air 3S last December from Adorama, the handwriting was already on the wall, and I did not even consider purchasing Care Refresh for all of the reasons above.

Edit: to correct the missing "not" above…

 

[mavic3usa]

However, when I bought my Air 3S last December from Adorama, the handwriting was already on the wall, and I did even consider purchasing Care Refresh for all of the reasons above.

Do you mean "did not" even consider....

 

[Dave Pitman]

DJI is being driven from the US market. That has been the goal of a segment of the gov't for some time. It has been a pleasure using DJI gear for over 10 years.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Do you mean "did not" even consider....

Indeed! Thanks for catching my mistake. Corrected now.

 

[GadgetGuy]

DJI is being driven from the US market. That has been the goal of a segment of the gov't for some time. It has been a pleasure using DJI gear for over 10 years.

…and it will continue to be a pleasure, until they "pry the last one from my cold, dead hands!" LOL!

 

[mavic3usa]

Indeed! Thanks for catching my mistake. Corrected now.

I asked because as I mentioned before, I have three NIB drones that I have not yet activated. An FPV single ready to fire up when my current FPV is finally so badly beaten up it's unsafe to fly. I had planned to get Care on it but I wouldn't be surprised if it has been end of life on FPV. I also have an unactivated Avata 2 that came from DJI with Care Refresh that I will activate once my Avata 1 is used up which I expect this year. And I have a NEO that I'll get around to one day that I would have wanted to buy Care because it's so cheap. I wonder if Care can still be purchased thru the drone during the activation and setup. Maybe I don't really need Care for these.....

 

[GadgetGuy]

I asked because as I mentioned before, I have three NIB drones that I have not yet activated. An FPV single ready to fire up when my current FPV is finally so badly beaten up it's unsafe to fly. I had planned to get Care on it but I wouldn't be surprised if it has been end of life on FPV. I also have an unactivated Avata 2 that came from DJI with Care Refresh that I will activate once my Avata 1 is used up which I expect this year. And I have a NEO that I'll get around to one day that I would have wanted to buy Care because it's so cheap. I wonder if Care can still be purchased thru the drone during the activation and setup. Maybe I don't really need Care for these.....

DJI Care has really been more of a luxury convenience than a necessity. It's biggest benefit was Express Replacement. Given that DJI has stated that it will currently take 60-90 days to fully process any claims, rather than the 1-2 weeks normally, and repairs and warranty replacements are also taking just as long, if you want to keep flying, having one or more backup drones is now essential for flying during those 2-3 months. In the past, you could be flying within 2 weeks with Care Refresh, and not necessarily need a backup drone. I have plenty of backup drones, so tying one up for a 3 month evaluation and replacement is not that big of a deal for me. Sure, the repair may cost more than DJI Care plus the deductible, were it available, but that difference should be painful enough to remind us to be more cautious. Prop side up, skids down for a safe flight!

 

[alfo2010]

I sold my Mini 4 pro last weekend and for the first time in a long time I'm down to one drone my Mavic 4 Pro. I thought that I would sell the Mini ahead of the release of the Mini 5 Pro in case I had trouble selling it but it sold and was picked by the buyer in four hours. I sold the Mini on FB Marketplace and was swamped with messages from potential buyers. The common thread of the buyers way that they didn't have the money to buy a new one, my Mini was in like new condition with some accessories. There is lots of product availability to buy a new Mini here in Canada. I am wondering if the Mini 5 Pro will be available in the USA? The pre-release information looks like there are going to be some serious upgrades from the Mini 4 Pro.

 

[Dave Pitman]

I am wondering if the Mini 5 Pro will be available in the USA?

Not likely under the current environment.

 

[alfo2010]

I think that the US government thinks that all DJI drone are a national security threat (BS) so i doubt that the drone will not be for sale in the US. Here in Canada and most of the world it will be available. I think that every drone flyer in the US should have a drone buddy in Canada to take care of their DJI purchases.

 

[mavic3usa]

I think that the US government thinks that all DJI drone are a national security threat (BS) so i doubt that the drone will not be for sale in the US. Here in Canada and most of the world it will be available. I think that every drone flyer in the US should have a drone buddy in Canada to take care of their DJI purchases.

Unfortunately that no longer works since under this administration, the border is effectively closed.

 

[alfo2010]

Drone are being shipped into the US by third parties from different parts of the world so I interested to know they are accomplishing that? Maybe the shipping label does not stae that the package contain a drone?