I really don't shop from websites outside my country. But sometimes I have to because either some of the products that I really need are not available in local online websites. I never really had a pleasant experience with other online shopping companies but this time Gearbest gave a coupon from which I made a purchase of a Mi Bluetooth headsets. Coupon given by them with the first purchase and the price deducted it only amounted to ₹1800.I was excited to get it.
Shipment was free and seller was also fine but when I received it, it was the same story as many others. Customs levied charge on it. Almost double. So that is ₹4000 bucks for headphones. I obviously didn't wanted to pay double for what I thought was a steal. Now in such situations what happens is the shipment goes back and you are refunded as product was not used. But I didn't get any. Reason being I opened the package and used it so I wasn't eligible for the refund.
I contacted customer service and emailed them but all in vain as they just said its not the company but the seller who is responsible for returns and refunds and we can't really help you we can only take complaints. Many things happen but didn't get the refund.
The reason I was told the product was used as any product coming to India or imported to India the product is checked for any malicious substance but those idiots in Customs instead of using an x-ray machine opened the package and used it. I mean seriously. No regards for the customers products.
But its not like customs was only at fault. Even in cases like these you are eligible for some refund but I wasn't done any. Its been 3 months now and I haven't had any contact or help from Gearbest. My money is stuck. Its thankfully for me not a huge amount. But still it is my money wasted.
I won't say you shouldn't buy from outside or from international websites but here are few tips you need to follow.
1.Always make sure what is the situation of customs in your area. i. e how they operate. Do they follow proper guidelines or most importantly its easy to recover the product from customs at no cost at all or at some cost.
- Always buy from verified seller having at least the rating of 50k+ as these sellers are most likely to help you or refund you in time.
3.Read the reviews, buyers from your country. The import taxes aren't as aggressive as it is here.
4.Always check the customs charges before buying as what you might think is a steal might be of higher value after import taxes.
Hope this review helped. Please like if it did thanks.
