Wondering if DX is test marketing stuff

Put in an order for a Trustfire TR1200 the day it was announced in November.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30683 Got the dreaded "Temporary Stock Shortage".

Thought I'd wait for it but then the SST 50 lights were announced so at the start of February I cancelled the order and asked them to send me one of the just announced Aurora SST50 lights.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33615

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33616

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33617

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.33618

Three weeks later I get a response. OK it was Chinese New Year but the request was in for over a week before the holiday. But they didn't actually have any of them. By which I assume they couldn't get any as I don't imagine they hold much stock at all. Knowing what land and property prices are in Hong Kong I'm absolutely certain they don't have a warehouse in HK.

So I'd try for the more expensive Uniquefire SST90 light http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.32591 Guess what?

None of those either.

So they'd send out a Paypal refund by yesterday.

Does make you wonder...

Hi

Im new here. Ordered the UniqueFire AA-S1 3W OSRAM 160-Lumen LED Flashlight http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24220

as a cheaper version of the Akoray 106 to try with 14500 type battery. Ordered the batteries from DX too, but it kept showing waiting

for supplier or something.

After 3 weeks I cancelled the order. 12 hours later they responded and refunded me through PayPal.

They may be slow in delivering items, but you cant blame them for being slow in making refunds if

my experience are the norm.

It wasn't really that - the refund will happen in due course, but they seem to be advertising things they either can't or won't deliver. Or the factories try making a very small batch and decide that the profits are inadequate.

Hi Don

Im sorry that I did not express myself properly. My batteries were in stock when I ordered

according to the DX website, but in reality they were not. So its the same thing.

I dont think they have a warehouse, but order from suppliers as the orders from customers roll in.

I wonder what their margins are? UK retail is normally 5-35% except for stereo gear which used to be about 90% (early 1980's figures when I sold cameras)

The postage may cost them very little, but given that returning anything would usually cost me more than I paid for it, it has to be a significant part of the price.

Owning stock is expensive - in the camera retail business anything we hadn't sold in 3 months was costing us money. Even with a 35% markup.

It is annoying when they say it is in stock when what they mean is they think the factory has a batch available.

I wonder too. I bought this charger http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4151 from DX for 8.81$,

and it covers everything from manufacture, profit, packaging and postage. I shake my head in disbelieve.

In spite of this the chinese people seems to live and even be more each day.

As you said: For 9$ you cant even send the item back!

Hi there Nautic, welcome!

I also wonder about their margins. It can't be much. I've had an Ultrafire C3 SS that has been stuck for three weeks as "in stock" "ready" and "temporary stock shortage" at the same time. They are being just plain dishonest this time.

Thank you. Very nice forum.