DOA - Nitecore TM11--- So disappointed

I received my Nitecore TM11 flashlight V1.12-1111 today but unfortunately the flashlight is DOA.

The parcel arrived in perfect condition. I unpacked the flashlight and inserted the batteries (4 fully charged 18650 panasonic 3100 mah blazers), the power switch gives me four red flashes followed by 2 more, the red light then flashes every 3 seconds.

I followed the instructions supplied with the flashlight on how to turn it on but I get no response at all from the button presses. I tried 4 different sets of batteries with the same result.

I am sitting here watching the button flash red and I am almost in tears.

Noooo!!!

Where did you order it from? Can't you just send it back or activate a claim.

First thing is to contact the seller explaining the situation (don't lose your cool with them). You may not even have to send it back, sounds as if a video showing the non-functionality might be enough to get you a replacement. If the seller does want it back (they often do with pricier items) make sure they agree to pay return shipping. Sorry for your disappointment, that really sucks

Designed by Microsoft Xbox360 team, with the signature red rings of death :)

Tell us who the Vendor is please?

Thanks guys for the support. :)

The seller is Gun Safari, I emailed them that the TM11 is DOA and that I live in Australia. I asked them could they help me find an authorised Australian distributor for replacement, instead of having to return the flashlight to Gun Safari.

I received the following reply this morning:

Contact Dorri at nitecore and she should be able to help you locate a distributor in Australia or get it replaced direct

dorri_lu <dorri_lu@nitecore.com>.
I have emailed dorri_lu and I am waiting for a response.
It is not Gun Safari's fault, theses things happen.
Such is life, but as I said before, after waiting for the light to be shipped from the USA it is very disappointing.
I will keep you all updated, and hope dorri_lu replies soon.

That would just peeve me to no end. Waiting all that time for a shiny new photon emitter and get an overpriced blinky light. Hope things work out for you.

Welcome to BLF Mr Wolf. Sorry to here about the nitecore

Hi again guys,

I need your input on what to do. I received a reply from Dorri Lu from Nitecore, if it is ok I will just paste the reply that I received, and also my reply back to her. (mods if this is not ok, please feel free to edit this post)

Dear Tony,

Hello. This is dorri from nitecore.

I'm so sorry you receive the defective light.

Then how about send your light by the cheapest way to us in china?

Thanks.

Best regards,

Dorri lu

My reply:

Hello Dorri,


If I send flashlight back to you in China will you resend a replacement at your cost? And if so how long will this take?
Do I need a RMA number and what address do I post too?

To be honest with you, I do not understand why you do not have a authorised Australian distributor that I can return it too.

I have already paid US$20 postage to have the light shipped to me from Gun Safari. I hope you can understand that this is going to cost me a great deal of money and time because I trusted that your product was the best.

I am at this time thinking of returning this flashlight back to Gun Safari for a refund, and purchasing another brand of flashlight.

Please reply to my email with all the details on where and who to send the defective flashlight, and after I receive that information I will make up my mind what I intend to do.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Regards,
Tony

I have been a member here for a while,but mainly just read all the post with great interest and enjoy all the information and the friendly help you guys share with each other. This is a great hobby.

Also thank you edc for your warm welcome.

Cheers.

I'd say that's a pretty good email from you. My only reservation would be that you seem to imply that you'll pay return shipping yourself; this would be out of the question for me here in the UK due to cost. Maybe it's a bit cheaper from Oz? Also, if you get a chance in the next email, perhaps drop a heavy hint that, after all, this isn't a budget flashlight.

The only other thing I might suggest is that you're perhaps letting Gun Safari off the hook a bit easily. This DOA light may not be their fault, but as your retailer, it IS their responsibility. Your contract is with them, THEIR contract is with Nitecore. You shouldn't have to do too much chasing of manufacturers or suppliers just to get what you've already paid for.

Good luck mate, and please keep us posted.

I feel ya. Even with the big brand names, this sort of stuff happens. And having to go to manufacturers is a pain.

Is there any chance it could be in lock-out mode?

Aloha and welcome to BLF mrwolf!

Sorry to hear about your nitecore problems. I have a couple nitecore edc's and luckily I haven't had any issues with them.

RedForest UK may be right, your TM11 could be locked out.

mrwolf, to deactivate lockout, fully depress the button 3 times under 1 second. It's worth a shot.

Actually, having just had a look at the online manual I'm now quite confident it is in lock-out mode, so don't send it anywhere just yet!

'3. Each time batteries are inserted or the light is put into lockout mode, the
power indicator light will blink in various patterns to show the battery
voltage (accurate to ±0.1V). For example, when the battery voltage is at a
maximum charge of 4.2V, the power indicator will blink 4 times in quick
succession, followed by a one second pause and two more blinks,
indicating a total battery voltage of 4.2V.'

'With the light turned on:
Press the switch all the way down and release within one second to enter
into standby mode. In this mode, the light will consume small amounts of
power to maintain the settings in the MCU (micro control unit) but appear to
be turned off. When in standby mode the power indicator light will flash once
every three seconds to show the location of the light.
With the light turned on:
Press the switch all the way down and hold for more than one second. The
light will turn off and enter into lockout mode. Lockout mode consumes
almost no battery power and prevents the light from accidentally turning on.
To exit the lockout mode, simply press the switch three times within one
second.
NB: When in lockout mode, the power indicator will flash to indicate specific
battery voltage. Please refer to the “Power Tips” section of this manual
for details.'

The 4 flashes followed by 2 more would be the voltage read out; so 4.2v from freshly charged cells, followed by one flash every 3 seconds to indicate lock-out.

Although it could be going in and out of lock-out and standby modes as you press the button and the issue being only with the main LEDs.. But still, well worth a try before shipping it back somewhere at your cost.

Hmm the only thing that would make me suspect it's not in locked-out mode is that he indicated "...watching the button flash red...". In lockout mode, the indicator will not flash every 3 seconds. If however, he simply meant that it's upon inserting batteries and he's getting a voltage read out but with no additional flashing then indeed I believe the TM11 is in lockout mode.

Also I was wrong, the button doesn't need to be fully depressed, it can just be 3 quick half-presses (as when changing the mode) and then once more quickly to turn the light on.

Cheers,

Tim

mrwolf, I hope you used a credit card to purchase the TM11. I've been in the same situation in the past and my credit card company took the payment back from the seller and credited me with it, they told me not to return the product at my cost, to wait until the seller sent a prepaid return box for me to return it in.

In this day and age of Paypal and other payment services people forget that most credit card companies return your money faster without jumping through a bunch of loops and will double the manufactures warranty on products bought with their card.

Hi guys,

Ok I have tried everything again that you guys have suggested,(thank you to all) until my thumb could take no more and still no light,except the red flashing light.

Thank you RedForest UK for taking the time to post the manual, as my eyes are not as young as they use to be ( I am not old either ) but reading instructions on the screen was much better. At the top of the manual the first line came to my attention...'With the light turned on"....... I can't turn it on, but I have completed from A-Z as instructed many times.

I even watched the demo video on the Nitecore website.

I have had a second email from Dorri " i am so sorry for the trouble that brings to you, I will try to find out the best solution for you tomorrow when I am back to the office. Thanks." so i will wait and see what she can do for me.

And yes I paid by paypal using my credit card, so as Telman2 suggested (thank you) if all turns sour I have that as backup.

Again Guys, thank you for the help, I owe you all big time.

Cheers for now.

Hi guys,

Received a email from Dorri Lu regarding the defective TM11. She is now asking me to send the light back to China as the Australian dealer will not help because I did not buy in Australia.

Anybody in the know do not buy Australian as all retailers are ripping us off,even when the AU$ was 10% above the US$ we are paying sometimes double what the rest of the world pays.

Anyway I will paste here the reply for Dorri lu as I think she wants me to break the law by signing a false declaration to customs when I post the item back.

I think I will have to contact Gun Safari again, and see if they will come to the party as postage/tracking/and insurance is going to cost me over $40. I will have to open a dispute with Paypal if we can not work something out. ( I do not not want to go to a paypal dispute, but we are not talking about penny's here).

Dorri Lu email response:

Dear Tony,
Please send your TM11 to ADD: SYSMAX Industry, Rm1407-08,Glorious Tower,850 East Dongfeng Road,Guangzhou,China 510600. TEL: +86(20)8386 2000. We will be in charge of the freight sending out the replacing brand new TM11 to you. You can choose whatever way that is most favorable to you to send us the light back. And please undervalue the commodity value while filling out the invoice, like $1 for a sample flashlight.
I have talked to our australian dealer and he is not so willing to give you a replacement since you don't buy from him or any other retailers in autralia.
Please feel free to contact me if you need anything.
Thanks.
Best regards,
Dorri lu
Cheers guys,
Tony

I have talked to our Australian dealer and he is not so willing to give you a replacement since you don't buy from him or any other retailers in Australia.

There's a word for that !! OK, maybe 2 words...