ABR - Sidewinder........Thumbs Down!

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 17:25
ThreadID: 98887 Views:11617 Replies:11 FollowUps:21
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Hi to Everybody,

I recently used this forum to do a search on this ABR - Sidewinder company and found a lot of people very happy with the quality of the products and service, however I think I need to give a balanced perspective with my experience with it.

Having found a product I wanted on eBay being sold by this company and the good reports on this forum, I went ahead and bought it. DC to DC Converter 24V to 12V



However the item I received was identical to this item ?, made in China by Jiadiwei. DC 24V to 12V Voltage Reducer Converter



I love how the Chinese think writing "Hi Quality" makes it true.

He does have a disclaimer on his listing "Please note: Some units are in alloy housings, colour may be black or silver." But the unit sent out also states a lower max power rating on the package than the one listed.

I contacted him and basically to sum up, after a very blunt discussion where he thinks he has done nothing wrong, he told me to get lost and take it up with PayPal.

I wouldn't call that good service.

Anyway, that's my story, I think the listing is deceptive, if there are two separate items they should be given two separate descriptions (including image) or listed separately. The whole experience leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I cannot speak for any of his other products, but I won't be going back.

Sorry for the rant, but I thought it best to put this here for anybody that does a search like I did.

Cheers


Oh! and I have no affiliation with ABR - Sidewinder!
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Reply By: Gnomey - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 17:43

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 17:43
Hmmm. " best to put this here for anybody that does a search like I did."

Oh, ok then, in the same selfless spirit I'm happy to post that I've made 5 or 6 purchases from Derek and was so impressed by the quality of the service I made a point of saying so to him unprompted. I'm talking the quality of the stuff, the advice given and his promptness and courtesy in supplying all the above. Happy to back any of that up with any detail reasonably requested.

So my own experience and absence of detail what the alleged discrepancy might be makes me wonder how you managed to get up Derek's nostrils to the point where he told you "to get lost."

Cheers
Mark
AnswerID: 498036

Follow Up By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 17:51

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 17:51
I must agree on the lack of detail on the problem.

Although I have not dealt or purchased from Derek, I have found his comments here on this website unbiased and helpful.

So I am fascinated to know what was wrong and the conversation that made Derek bite....
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FollowupID: 773968

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:05

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:05
Hi Mark thanks for the reply

Just let me clarify, the initial service was good, it wasn't until I questioned about the different item delivered and questioned the quality, that he started to get abrupt.

I would like to know if the items you purchased from ABR are made in China and how long you have had them for. Aside from the service issue, I have had a number of Chinese items fail after about 12 months eg 24v solar regulator and 24v power inverter. Both were a number of the power MOSFETS failed, they don't like the heat I think.

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773969

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:16

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:16
Hi tony,

He pulled the pin when I asked for "registered" return postage, I think this is fair protection, if I post unregistered and the item does go missing, then I am left with no item and no money.

Do you think the listing is deceptive?? Are the Items different?

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773970

Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:25

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:25
Bush_Basher - They are different listings?

Derek's listing is not the same as the other listing, units even look different.

So I see no issues with the listing, that is if you got one that looked like the one in Derek's listing and not in the other listing?

If Derek supplied the one looking like the other listing, then I agree that would be deceptive as the units are different?

Regards Tony
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FollowupID: 773973

Follow Up By: Gnomey - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:46

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:46
Jim, I'm still a bit unsure about the nature of your beef with Derek.

Yes, quite a few things I've bought were manufactured in China for Derek and largely to his specs if not design as I understand it. No mystery to me there.

I've had most of them for two years or so. I'm assuming your failed regulator and power inverter were supplied by Derek too. If not I don't see the relevance.

Here's a Derek story about service. One the first things I bought from him was a cheap LED torch/trouble light. It worked fine until it fell from the top shelf of the troopie, onto the floor, bounced out the back door, and clipped the step on the way into the grass. After that I had a few problems with LEDs failing. Surprise, surprise.

Almost in passing and for a laugh at my expense I told Derek the story as I was ordering one of his better, more expensive ones. Like I said to him, if the first one had cost twice as much I might have been a bit taken aback. He gave me a big discount - unasked for and unexpected. Don't think he sells the cheapies anymore. Mileage varies I guess. Replacement light still works perfectly.

Cheers
Mark

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FollowupID: 773975

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:32

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:32
Hi Mark

Yes, it's not just China thing, if ABR is getting their products made in China to specifications and knowing where the components come from, that would be ok, that's why the silver one branded ABR would be ok, but the one I got shows no reference being specialy made, just off the shelf from China.

FYI... the Chinese manufacturer copies of Name Brand semiconductors and use them in their products( as I understand it there are no copyright laws in China), its not just the making in China it is the components used. If you know the source that would be ok, like most of the branded electronic goods that may be made in Taiwan are under contract to use certain components in the manufacture.

As I have said most people seem to think he is ok, I just think he didn't like me questioning his "Bait and switch".

Sorry no the Reg and Inverter were not from there, just an example of how bad Chinese products can be if you don't know the source.

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773983

Reply By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:15

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:15
I have also purchased from Derek and was happy with the quality of the service - I got a replacement for an item that failed, no questions asked. The dealings were prompt and professional.

Sorry you had an issue - Was there more to it than just a blunt discussion? :-)

Cheers Tony
AnswerID: 498038

Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:17

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:17
Bush_Basher - You answered my questions in the post above - Fair enough I would say to you

Regards Tony
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FollowupID: 773971

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:19

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:19
Hi Tony

What was it and how long did have it for before making a claim?

Did you buy online?

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773972

Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:29

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 18:29
Yes brought online

It was a 30amp Smart Charger - Only lasted a couple of trips and failed.

It got it replaced with a 25amp smart charger (30amp sold out). But I admit that has also since failed (after about 2 years).

Replaced it with another brand from Super Cheap :-)

Regards Tony
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FollowupID: 773974

Follow Up By: Warren B - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:05

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:05
I bought a sidewinder dual battery isolater, and it failed. I notified Derek we had a discussion about them not failing and to check this measure that etc. In the end I gave up. 1/2 charged AUX battery in place 900 odd k's later still 1/2 charged. Swaped Batts over 900k return trip 2 fully charged batts. I 'm mot a rocket scienctist but when the aux terminal on the isolator has no power under any condition and by changing the position of both batteries the flat one charges then i say the isolator fails.
Cheers
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FollowupID: 773976

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:45

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:45
Hi Warren,

Thanks for the reply

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773986

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:01

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:01
Bushbasher, the Ebay produnc you pointed out has nothing to do with the product you bought from Sidewinder. I don't get your gripe.

It seems exactly the same to me as going back to a BMW dealer and asking for a $50,000 refund because my car is 2.0L just like the 2.0L Hyundai up the road that has a bad reputation. Geez, they are both a petrol sedan too, so you ripped me off.

AnswerID: 498040

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:12

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:12
Hi Boobook,

The silver unit is the item advertised by ABR (hence the sticker) 5A continuous and 8A surge max and the black unit (identical) is the item I received 5A continuous 6A max.

Sorry, I don't get the BMW analogy, are you saying you have a BMW with a Hyundai motor?

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773978

Follow Up By: gbc - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:17

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:17
If you'd have read his post, he ordererd the thing that looked like the one in the sidewinder add, but got sent the one in the other add. I'd be bleep as well. I live around the corner from the shop, but have never bought from them as most of their products are rebadged/repackaged chinese product. Not that there's an issue with that, just that I prefer to do my own importing and save a squillion over what people retail them at. Sidewinder isn't Robinson Crusoe here, there are heaps of aust resellers.
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FollowupID: 773980

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:26

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:26
So I am confused. Who did you buy it from??? Ebay or ABR?
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FollowupID: 773981

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:30

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:30
Oh and are you complaining about their specs or the other persons specs?

I am lost???
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FollowupID: 773982

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:43

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:43
Hi Boobook,

Have a look at the link..... ABR sells on eBay.

Which one do you think has the better specs?

Yes I bought the silver one and got the black one ( lower power specs apart from not being a Sidewinder product)

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773985

Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:11

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 19:11
I still struggle to see what your beef was with Derek's product, perhaps you didn't explain it.
IF it was false advertising take it to what ever Consumer Affairs in your state rather than potentially unfairly denigrating his business. If your beef is upheld, then air your disappointment here?

I couldn't be happier with his products and service. I recently bought a 12V air compressor, it arrived with a smashed Pressure gauge, probably sent that way from China. I contacted him within a couple of days of receiving it and a replacement one was promptly sent.
What you get (normally) when dealing with someone like Derek is back up service, you don't get that on e bay.
For the price where did you think it was made?

Mark
AnswerID: 498041

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:03

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:03
Hi Mark,

"I still struggle to see what your beef was with Derek's product, perhaps you didn't explain it.
IF it was false advertising take it to what ever Consumer Affairs in your state rather than potentially unfairly denigrating his business. If your beef is upheld, then air your disappointment here?"

The beef is.... is the black unit a Sidewinder product? this is exactly what I received "identical no sidewider markings!"

I think you are bias, people can come on here and say what a nice guy, but I can't say that he appears not to be to me, as I have only dealt with him once.

"I couldn't be happier with his products and service. I recently bought a 12V air compressor, it arrived with a smashed Pressure gauge, probably sent that way from China. I contacted him within a couple of days of receiving it and a replacement one was promptly sent.
What you get (normally) when dealing with someone like Derek is back up service, you don't get that on e bay.
For the price where did you think it was made?"

I'm glad everything is good for you and you are happy, He is not going to tick everybody off, otherwise he would have no business.

As I pointed out earlier, if ABR is made in China under contact for ABR, hence the Branded name, that's fine, but I didn't get an ABR Branded product.

He sells on eBay!

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773990

Reply By: Lyn W3 - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:09

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:09
WOW.......

Seems as though the rest of us have been dealing with Derek for years with no problems, he has always been extremely satisfied with his products and service. I remember once someone was looking for an inline switch and Derek had it sourced and available within a week.

Personally I'm always a little wary of the motives of someone's very first post on this Forum when they bag someone.
AnswerID: 498043

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:25

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:25
Hi Lyn W3,

Yes, he sells a lot of stuff, but the issue still is......is he doing the wrong thing now, by listing one item and sending something else?

I have been to this forum a number of time to get 4X4 answer from the archive, but had not joined.

There is a first time for everything!

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773991

Follow Up By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:58

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:58
Jim,

Thank you for your time and patience in describing what has happened.
You have a right to comment on your situation and you have allowed yourself to be dragged into any other opinions.

No matter what or how people comment, only you and Derek can sort this out. I hope that this happens.

PayPal may be the option as you received a different product to the one described on eBay.

Good luck
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FollowupID: 773994

Reply By: Ross M - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:29

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:29
I read all that!
I worked out fairly quickly the item sent was not the item purchased from the Ebay Sidewinder site. Different to the intended purchase.

All the comments show that many people can't understand a clear statement for some reason.
It is written in English, not some other language.

Anybody receiving a different product to the one they saw and purchased would be a little upset.
As to the disagreement of the parties, we don't know the full exchange there, but the fact remains, wrong item, same money.
AnswerID: 498044

Follow Up By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:47

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:47
Hi Ross,

Thanks for that, I thought I was going batty. No doubt he has a lot of loyal followers and I have nothing against that, he seems to have helped a lot of people, but this situation I feel is blatant.

A good point too, everybody remember this is only my side of the story.

Cheers
Jim
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FollowupID: 773993

Reply By: Bush_Basher - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:38

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:38
Hi Tonyfish,

Thanks for your reply about the battery charger. From what I here Supercheap has a great nationwide product backup, so if something does go wrong there are plenty of places to take it back.

"If Derek supplied the one looking like the other listing, then I agree that would be deceptive as the units are different?".........This is the correct statement.

Cheers
Jim

AnswerID: 498046

Reply By: howesy - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:47

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 20:47
So what if it's made in China so are plenty of other quality brand items if you care to check,,,, the issue is if it is made to quality specs and checks,,,, sidchrome are made in Taiwan but they are definately not the same quality as other taiwan made products.. Its irrelevant where they were made, its quality will be determined by its longevity and user recommendations from happy customers
AnswerID: 498047

Follow Up By: Hunter Gatherer - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 21:21

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 21:21
He is not complaining about where they are made, but rather he was sent a different item to the one advertised, seemed pretty clear to me that he has a genuine complaint.
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FollowupID: 773997

Reply By: Bazooka - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 21:05

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 21:05
Ignoring what may have gone on in your discussions with Derek - who certainly gets positive feedback on here from time to time - if the item supplied is not as described and you cannot get the seller (him) to resolve the issue then I agree you should start a Paypal dispute - or contact your bank to recoup your CC payment as the case may be. PP will facilitate a message system between the parties and quarantine seller's funds while the dispute is being negotiated. Ultimately if no compromise can be reached they will determine "guilt" so to speak. I've had two (Ebay/PP) disputes over non-supply of items in the last couple of years which have both been resolved in my favour and resulted in the return of my payment. It might take a week or so but the seller must respond to your issue and explain his side of the argument otherwise he/she risks losing the payment (and probably the goods supplied).
AnswerID: 498048

Reply By: steved58 - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 21:25

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 21:25
I cant see the problem if the item supplied is 6amp surge and the item ordered is 8 amp surge then you have not been supplied the correct item purchased if the supplier ABR in this case will not correct the problem then hand it over to consumer affairs that is what they are there for and at no cost Then tell us the outcome I myself have bought several items from ABR expensive items and cheap no problems so far with my dual battery isolator in its second vehicle still running well after 6 years If the supplier is deceptive consumer affairs will soon sus that out if you supply all the correct documentation to them Ps I notice that the listing states that the buyer pays return postage for exchange which is very common
Good luck Steve
AnswerID: 498049

Reply By: ModSquad - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 22:48

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2012 at 22:48
We are locking this thread and have sought a response from Derek
Moderation is just rules

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AnswerID: 498057

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