Dodgy Chinese eBay seller

[bluerob101]

I recently purchased a bike light from a company located in China (a rechargeable LED) and after using 2 times, I went to recharge it, only to have the item blow my circuit board.

Thankfully, I was home as the unit started to smoke with some sparks. It's a real pity that this purchase has been a bad experience in dealing with traders located in China as I've purchased other items (from different traders with no problems).

In future, I will not buy anything that is electrical and based in China as you can't trust the quality.

5 messages from me and eBay contacting the seller has got me nothing.

I missed the 45 day limit as I was in hospital for 3 weeks and couldn't lodge a claim.

In Australia, we have a 12 month warranty on new goods. Maybe ebay and Paypal should have a 12 month reporting period on goods purchased from China?

[echoandtango10]

Yes we had the same problem with a set of LED spotlights for outside that we bought from China. One of them caught on fire

[*new2vintage]

Don't expect Chinese made items to be high quality and reliable.

[tall_bearded]

There is an important lesson here.

If you buy an item from overseas you are the one responsible to ensure it is Australian standards compliant, and in most cases, electrical items purchased direct from China are not.

So if you bring into the country an electrical item and it is not Australian Standards compliant, and if it arcs out and burns your house down, then it is more likely than not that your insurer will refuse the claim.

Furthermore, if you bring into the country an electrical item which is not Australian Standards compliant, and should you not want it and on-sell it, and should it arc out and burn some-one else’s house down, then you could well find yourself in court, not only for having imported an item which is not Australian Standards compliant, which in itself is an offence (and the fact you were not aware it was not compliant is not a defence), but you would also, in all likelihood, be required compensate the buyer for the damage caused.

Then of course there’s the worst case scenario; someone get hurt: in which case not only will all of the above apply, but you could also find yourself subject to criminal prosecution for causing a death or injury by negligence.

All of a sudden that bargain from China you bought on line doesn’t look all that cheap.  

[jerryman12a]

Was the item easily available in Australia ?

Unfortunately I don't think I've ever heard many positive stories on electrical items / batteries or PC components ( and that includes USB/Dongles etc) coming from China.

It's not worth the risk , as you've unfortunately now found out .

Buyers need to be cautious .

[carly2579]

a  good lesson why australian made lights etc are  the best

[dylan11235813]

There is an important lesson here.

If you buy an item from overseas you are the one responsible to ensure it is Australian standards compliant, and in most cases, electrical items purchased direct from China are not.

So if you bring into the country an electrical item and it is not Australian Standards compliant, and if it arcs out and burns your house down, then it is more likely than not that your insurer will refuse the claim.

Furthermore, if you bring into the country an electrical item which is not Australian Standards compliant, and should you not want it and on-sell it, and should it arc out and burn some-one else’s house down, then you could well find yourself in court, not only for having imported an item which is not Australian Standards compliant, which in itself is an offence (and the fact you were not aware it was not compliant is not a defence), but you would also, in all likelihood, be required compensate the buyer for the damage caused.

Then of course there’s the worst case scenario; someone get hurt: in which case not only will all of the above apply, but you could also find yourself subject to criminal prosecution for causing a death or injury by negligence.

All of a sudden that bargain from China you bought on line doesn’t look all that cheap.  

I was planning on importing lights from china and agree totally. Not everything is dodgy from china though, I could count quite a few items in my house made in China and they are ok (7/10) but they "pass" Australian Standards.