Have you ever heard of these direct-from-china websites that cater to English speaking parts of the world? They're usually a good source for rare electronics finds and a bit of "engrish" humor, but in some rare cases, it's a source of complete frustration.
My last interaction with one of these china-direct websites comes with an ongoing story. On Jan 4 2009, I purchased a Playstation 3 controller to accompany the super-awesome PS3 I got for christmas. I was too cheap to go out to EB games and shell out $56 for a genuine Sony Playstation controller. I thought I'd save some money and use some of the balance I had in my paypal account. My purchase came to $31. This particular PS3 controller was a steal considering it featured Bluetooth, which allows me to wirelessly controll my Ps3 system.
Unfortunately, when I received the controller, I found that it does not feature Bluetooth connectivity. The product listing was incorrect. The controller came with a Dongle I had to plug in to the PS#. The problem with the dongle is that it blinks red every second. The dongle and the blinking are pretty distracting.
I decided to contact the customer service department to see if I could get a replacement controller; a controller that featured Bluetooth.
Here's how my conversation went. Please understand that I've been dealing with this company for almost 3 months on this issue. I'll be paraphrasing below because they've been deleting my on-line messages in shame.
Me - Hello, the controller you sent me does not function as described. It looks exactly the same as the one you have in the description, except it does not feature Bluetooth, nor does it come with a USB cable.
Liu - I'm sorry to hear sir, please send us a photo.
Me - Do I really need to send you a photo? It's the exact same thing you have on your site. The packaging is the same and everything. It's just that your product description is incorrect.
Sammy - I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with your purchase, please send us a photo.
Me - your site doesn't allow me to pate links to the photos. Do you have an email address I can send to
Michelle - Sorry, our site doesn't work right now. Please send us an email.
[I send them a photo of the item]
Me - I sent you a photo. Did you get it?
Mike - no, please send again.
[I send through another photo of the item]
Me - Did you get the email? I haven't gotten a response in a while
[It's moon festiva, the country shuts down for a few days]
Michelle - Sorry, we have been on vacation for days. We got your photo thanks
Me - Ok, what should I do now? I would really like a controller that has Bluetooth. Evidently, your description is incoorect, and this one does not have Bluetooth.
Michelle - I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with your product. Please send it to Hong Kong. Address Attached. We will send you a new controller that features Bluetooth.
[I send this thing over and it costs me $10. This means I've paid $41 for this controller now]
Me - Hi, I checked the tracking and it appears that you got the return a week and a half ago. When can I expect my replacement bluetooth controller?
Lilly - Hello, yes we did receive it a week ago. We will be sending you out a new controller for the asap
[I finally get this thing on March 18. That's a month after they said it would be sent on the asap. I guess asap means something different in engrish]
Me - Hello, I received the replacement controller, but it's the same one I was sent originally. Please re-read the chain of messages again.
This webpage item description is incorrect. Item #GCO21B does not feature Bluetooth. The item you sent me is the one listed on your site, except your site incorectly lists Bluetooth as one of the product features. I want a controller that features Bluetooth.
Zoe - We are so sorry to hear that. But could you please send us photos of the parcel including products? You can use URL or just send it to info@focalprice.com. Please let us know after you send it. We will deal with it as soon as we receive it.
Me - Do you really need a photo again? This is the exact same product that you have on your site. My issue has to do with an incorrect Description.
Zoe - We are so sorry to hear that. But could you please send us photos of the parcel including products? You can use URL or just send it to info@focalprice.com. Please let us know after you send it. We will deal with it as soon as we receive it.
[I send them a photo again]
Michelle - Hello, would you accept a $3USD discount?
Me - I would not accept a $3USD discount as it cost me $10 USD to return the controller. What I would accept is a replacement controller that actually had Bluetooth.
Lily - Dear Stephen,
We feel sorry for any inconvenience.
Would you mind paying $3.5 for resending a new one.
and you would send it back, dur to the expensive shiping fee.
please advise you opinion.
Thanks for your patience and support.
Me - Hi Lily, I dno't understand what you mean. Would you like me to return the product I currently have, and pay $3.50 USD for a new controller that has bluetooth?
Cherry - We mean that you pay $3.5 and we send you a new again. As for the wrong item, you can hold it. If you agree, please send payment to focalprice@gmail.com. Please let us know after your payment. We will arrange new shipment of the exact same item to you again.
Me - Will the new GS021B have Bluetooth? The last twe I received do not have Bluetooth. Remember, the issue is that this product has an incorrect description on your site.
Michelle - The item is as the description. It has bluetooth.
[Now, I'm trying to decide. Is english the barrier, or are they trying to confuse me enough that I'll just leave them alone. Unfortunately, I'm like a Barak Obama Joke about handicapped people - I just won't go away]
Me - The problem is that the item does not have bluetooth. The description is wrong. The item is wireless, but does not have bluetooth.
Michelle - I am afraid there is something wrong with the purchasing department. Would you like to accept it with some discount ?
Me - Hello, I do not want a discount. If possible, I'd like a controller that actually features Bluetooth. Is that possible? You once sold a Genuine Sony controller with Bluetooth on your site.
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