topic Re: Electric shock?? in Buying

Electric shock??

lilly308 — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:24:49 GMT

Hi, I just purchased a photography lighting set, which includes lamps and umbrellas. I have just finished reading the neutral feedback after having paid for this item, and noticed two separate comments that spoke about the buyers receiving electric shocks from the lights. I am now overly concerned, as this is meant for a Christmas present for my young teenage daughter who does a lot of photography. I am still waiting delivery of item. Any advice??

Also, after having purchased this item, I received 2 emails from this company, or at least they said they were the same, but noticed the way in which they spelt their name was different to that on ebay (they emailed me privately). They have requested my phone number, as they said that the one I have given them isn't valid, and they need the correct one in order to proceed with the delivery (by a courier). I will not supply them with this information, but have contacted them through ebay asking them to verify if they do indeed need my number.

Thanks for all your help, this would have to be the first unpleasant experience I have had on ebay to date (lousy communication and very uncompromising), and it really places a damper on the market place here.:-(

Re: Electric shock??

putney32 — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:37:11 GMT

it is a pity you didnt read the fb BEFORE committing to buy.

I hope you purchased electrical goods from an Australian Seller. as anything electric purchased from o/seas would have to be tested and OKed by an aussie electrician before installing.

if its coming via a courier then yes they need your phone number (is the one on your ebay details up to date?), you can just message them that number via ebay messages.

Re: Electric shock??

lilly308 — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:47:55 GMT

Thanks Putney32,

I am assuming it is an Australian seller, as the company is located in NSW, and the product is sent from there.

I did read the positive and negative feedback, but failed to read the neutral feedback...learnt my lesson here!

And yes, my phone number is up to date, has not changed for a very long time. I live on an island and have requested if they could use Australia Post, as I received a similar item from another company a few days ago, through Australia post, and the product had free postage on it. It came very promptly, and in tact. This product I am speaking about now, packs very snugly into a carry bag, unlike the bulky package I just received, so do not see any reason they could not send it via Aus post.

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated.

Re: Electric shock??

***super_nova*** — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:23:28 GMT

As others said courier does require your phone number. Your seller is big company selling many large items, and they probably have a special deal with the courier, they are not interested running with one item to the PO specially for you.

Re: Electric shock??

foxette-in-sox — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:35:07 GMT

We ship to mainland Australia and Tasmania

Hope you don't run into problems with living on an island but I have a feeling you may.

Re: Electric shock??

kopenhagen5 — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 23:35:20 GMT

It's a hassle I know, but I would definitely have an electrician test it with a meter. If you know of one, take it to him and it will take a few minutes to test.

I also noticed another kit you had purchased which had the following feedback - light kit has been fire,really dangerous.

I am guessing that's due to improper use, and some safety instructions to your miss is a good idea.

Unfortunately so much of the cheaper items come from China and just don't have the safety regulations in place. I prefer to pay more nowadays rather than constantly persevering.

Re: Electric shock??

lilly308 — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 02:46:11 GMT

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. I'll be definitely checking the electricals out on all of these items, before she will come anywhere near them. Thanks for the advice. I have been in contact with them, but no doubt, like previous emails to them over the postage factor, I will not hear from them for at least two days. I have well and truly learnt the hard way over this, and will only be buying Australian products from now on, especially when it comes to electricals...I'd much rather pay the price as well, than have my daughter harmed in any way. I'll be passing this info on to many others who are in the same industry as well.

Re: Electric shock??

***super_nova*** — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:12:02 GMT

but no doubt, like previous emails to them over the postage factor, I will not hear from them for at least two days.

Your buyer is a business, I would not expect them to work 24/7. Definitely do not expect reply until they are back at work on Monday morning, and then they probably have whole list of messages on top of all sort of other things to do.

Re: Electric shock??

leader-of-the-band — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:26:57 GMT

I'll be definitely checking the electricals out on all of these items, before she will come anywhere near them.

I hope you mean you will be getting an electrician to check them out.

You can buy a powerboard from hardware stores such as Bunnings that have an RCD (residual current device) fitted. We refer to them as "orange boxes" at work as they are invariably orange in coulour and box shaped. This may provide some 'portable' protection* against shock. This listing title will show the box I am refering to BRAND NEW ARLEC 4 OUTLET POWER BLOCK WITH SAFETY SWITCH

Take a look at this site for a little more information on RCDs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device

* having the gear checked out by a qualified electrician remains my best advice

Re: Electric shock??

davewil1964 — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:33:00 GMT

Most power boards these days have an inbuilt earth leakage circuit breaker, so if you run it through one it should minimise any issues.

Re: Electric shock??

austeam — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 07:37:03 GMT

Hi lilly308 🙂

In order to sell those lights as well as most electrical appliances "legally" in Australia they must have a compliance number. There are many sellers distributing lighting that does not have these, and in many cases the seller doesn't even know they were supposed to have it.

I would suggest telling the seller up front that you are concerned about the feedback comments and ask if the lights have Australian approval.

Re: Electric shock??

thecatspjs — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 07:47:21 GMT

Gee if buyers only leave neutrals after receiving electric shocks from this sellers products, what would it take for them to leave a negative 😮

Re: Electric shock??

i-once-was-bump — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 07:53:57 GMT

i suppose a fatal shock would be a negative experience.

Re: Electric shock??

2106greencat — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:48:54 GMT

ROFL @ bump :^O

Re: Electric shock??

***super_nova*** — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:53:23 GMT

i suppose a fatal shock would be a negative experience.

well, I guess it would depend how did the bereaved, who I assume would be leaving the FB, feel about the deceased. Maybe they would leave positive saying "thanks for the inheritance" ]:)

Re: Electric shock??

calsof — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 03:45:52 GMT

🙂

Ok, children, you can stop now!

Bad bad kids 😛

Re: Electric shock??

lilly308 — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:02:47 GMT

Well thanks everyone, especially to "Foxette in Sox", who drew my attention to the fact that living on an island could prove to be difficult, and in not understanding that an actual courier would be dropping the products of (all the way from Sydney to Queensland), it was then that I realised the difficulty I was having with the company in terms of what appeared to be incorrect postage costs (and they were caught out as well, with not having had my area listed in their postal quotes). In the end, they must have been estimating how far away we were living away from the mainland, and quoting me on that alone, without realising there is no bridge, and therefore, no courier would have been able to deliver the goods anyhow. Upon realising the mistake that we both had made, they were more than happy then to cancel the transaction because of that. So thank goodness I did not have to deal after all with the electric shock element, only the shock of the postage costs!! I think we both have learnt a valuable lesson from this, and I thank you all for your advice. You have all been too kind:)