[SpainAmbassador]

Hello everyone,

For the past few days I've been trying to SE myself a handheld computer from different companies. One of them is called GPD.

I began emailing support a few days ago about how the battery on my device was leaking and that I was asking for warranty support. I also claimed that the device was under warranty.
They asked for proof of purchase and I hit them a couple times with the corrupted file method.
Eventually they gave up and said that without POP they coulnd't send me a free battery.
I emailed them right after saying that I didn't want a free battery, but that I wanted my device to be repaired or replaced, under the warranty that is still valid.
They just sent me an email saying to send the device to Hong Kong via UPS, DHL, FedEx or similar.

The weight of the device is 550 grams.

So this looks like a great oportunity for boxing or FTIDing them, and then asking for a new device.
However they didn't provide me with any prepaid labels, and I'm not sure if they will be responsible for the loss of the package. My gut instinct is saying no.

There's something interesting in their email though:

Please also kindly declare the value of the item LESS THAN USD 150.00, and DO NOT mention it as faulty or damaged device, otherwise, we can not clear customs and get it

That doesn't sound very legal to me, but I'm not sure how I could use this in my SE.
There is very little to no information about their terms and conditions, so again, not sure if they would be responsible for a package lost in customs.

Since I stated that the battery is faulty, I could outright claim that the battery started smoking when attempting to charge it,  and I had to dispose of the device for health and safety concerns.
It would be a terrible idea to send a smoking battery through mail, but looking at what they said in the email, they may push me to do it anyway.

Not really sure of where to go from here and which option would be the best, so I'm open for suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

[mothered]

Please also kindly declare the value of the item LESS THAN USD 150.00, and DO NOT mention it as faulty or damaged device, otherwise, we can not clear customs and get it

^ They're putting the responsibility on you, hence you'd be liable for a false declaration.

They seem pretty dodgy. What not opt for another company?

[SpainAmbassador]

Please also kindly declare the value of the item LESS THAN USD 150.00, and DO NOT mention it as faulty or damaged device, otherwise, we can not clear customs and get it

^ They're putting the responsibility on you, hence you'd be liable for a false declaration.

They seem pretty dodgy. What not opt for another company?

Thanks for your reply!

I agree, definitely dodgy.

I'm currently also emailing another company, OneXPlayer, with the same premise.
They said that I would have to send the device for service, but first I have to provide SN and POP.

So I'll deal with them and I'll post an update when anything relevant happens.

Should I forget about GPD? I wouldn't mind pushing them some more.

[mothered]

I'm currently also emailing another company, OneXPlayer, with the same premise.
They said that I would have to send the device for service, but first I have to provide SN and POP.

So I'll deal with them and I'll post an update when anything relevant happens.

It's great to read you're performing an In depth research - It's crucial to know exactly what you're up against, prior to the SE.

We shall await updates.

Should I forget about GPD? I wouldn't mind pushing them some more.

I wouldn't mind pushing them some more.

^ Yes, there's no harm In hitting them with more ammunition.

Your findings may well be to your advantage.

[SpainAmbassador]

Just a quick update:

- I gave up on GPD, too shady and seems like a waste of time.
- I sent the POP to OneXPlayer but I didn't hear back from them yet.

- I'm trying yet another company, Aya Neo. I was able to procure a serial number and POP from eBay, so I contacted them with the same premise as the other two.
They responded immediately saying that it's best to send the device for repair, and they asked me for my personal information so that they could come to my house and pick it up.
They work with DHL.

Would it be possible to box them? Or should I go with the "battery caught fire, disposed of device" route?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Forgot to add that the weight of the Aya Neo device is 648 grams.

[SpainAmbassador]

Another small update:

- I said I gave up on GPD, but I told them my battery exploded and I sent them a picture of a bandaged hand. It's a last resort and I've got nothing to lose, so if it works, it works.
- OneXPlayer hasn't responded, so I sent them another email.

- Aya Neo support told me to contact the seller, which in this case was a company called Droix. After sending POP and SN and doing a little troubleshooting, they offered me to send the device for repairs.
Here are some relevant parts of the email:

Send us the boxed device with all the original accessories. Please return the item within 14 days, otherwise your return may no longer be accepted.
Package the item securely. It is your responsibility to ensure that the item is not damaged on its way back to us.

Ensure that you back up any important data before sending the item to us. All returned devices are fully wiped for security and testing purposes, and we are not responsible for any data loss that occurs as a result.
Please ensure that your parcel is sent to the following address. We are not responsible for parcels sent to an incorrect address.

Once you have posted your parcel, please send us the tracking number. Do not discard any receipt you may have received.
Once the tracking number indicates that the parcel has arrived, please allow up to 7 working days for the item to be processed according to your request.

So, I think I could box them.
FTID is out of the question, it wouldn't work in this situation.
Not sure if relevant, but they are located in the UK.
Could also go with the battery explosion story, but I'm not sure that would work either.

@mothered, do you have any advice in this situation? Thank you very much in advance.

[mothered]

So, I think I could box them.

the weight of the Aya Neo device is 648 grams.

Is that the precise weight of the device?

but they are located in the UK.

Will you be shipping the return aboard?

[SpainAmbassador]

Is that the precise weight of the device?

Yes, that is the weight that is indicated on the company's website.

Will you be shipping the return aboard?

Yes. They don't have a location in Spain, so they gave me their address in the UK.

They haven't provided me with a label, they are now waiting for me to send them a tracking number.

[mothered]

Yes, that is the weight that is indicated on the company's website.

They don't have a location in Spain, so they gave me their address in the UK.

I was thinking of the boxing method but given It's travelling to another country, It will be very difficult, If not Impossible, to calculate the dry Ice sublimation time.

As you've stated earlier, the disposed of the faulty Item method can be used.

They haven't provided me with a label, they are now waiting for me to send them a tracking number.

Are they supposed to provide you with a shipping label?

[SpainAmbassador]

I was thinking of the boxing method but given It's travelling to another country, It will be very difficult, If not Impossible, to calculate the dry Ice sublimation time.

As you've stated earlier, the disposed of the faulty Item method can be used.

I understand that boxing to a different country is complicated.
What about LIT? I was also thinking about paying someone experienced to do that for me.

Are they supposed to provide you with a shipping label?

I haven't asked, but I'll send them an email just in case.

Thank you so much for all the help.