51nb / lcdfans waiting times

[penartur]

Since the communication with lcdfans could be somewhat erratic, I think it would be useful to create some place where people could tell of their experience, so that there will be some stats on how long does it usually take.

My experience so far:

• June 15th, ordered a laptop (modded X230, original motherboard) from lcdfans, Jacky received the money.
• June 21th (+6 days), asked Jacky about time estimate, he said that he thinks he'll ship the laptop in two weeks (that was the last message from him so far).
• July 17th (+32 days), I've asked Jacky about time estimate a couple of times during the last week, but got no response.

[rocketnine]

Thanks for making this thread. I tried to share my current experience on reddit and was down-voted (to ZERO!) and essentially told to wait patiently, as I really "should have known" what I was getting into

Email chain: https://www.scribd.com/document/384123435/T70Emails
Reddit thread: https://imgur.com/a/Bz5ZLwD

March 21st: Order is placed and bank transfer is initiated
March 30th: Jacky confirms he has received the funds
May 29th: The last time I have heard anything from Jacky

I've sent three emails asking for an update since May 29th.

[daslu]

Hi.

My experience with Jacky from lcdfans was very pleasant!

Jacky was very kind and responsive through the process. He was also happy to make some adjustments that I asked.

Jacky got the money on April 26th.
There was some misunderstanding on my side (some bank commission was subtracted), and I fixed it only later (June 18th).
The machine was sent on July 14th and arrived 10 days later.
Through the process, I assured Jacky that I was not in a hurry.

The machine was packaged with much care. Everything seems to work just fine, so far.

I am very happy with the choice to buy through lcdfans.

[penartur]

Since the communication with lcdfans could be somewhat erratic, I think it would be useful to create some place where people could tell of their experience, so that there will be some stats on how long does it usually take.

My experience so far:

• June 15th, ordered a laptop (modded X230, original motherboard) from lcdfans, Jacky received the money.
• June 21th (+6 days), asked Jacky about time estimate, he said that he thinks he'll ship the laptop in two weeks (that was the last message from him so far).
• July 17th (+32 days), I've asked Jacky about time estimate a couple of times during the last week, but got no response.

Full timeline:

• June 15th, I've made an order, Jacky received the money.
• June 21th (+6 days), Jacky answered that he thinks he'll ship the laptop in two weeks; that was the last message from him.
• July 17th (+32 days), Jacky shipped the machine, according to the tracking information.
• July 19th (+34 days), my last question to Jacky about whether he started building the machine or not. Jacky did not answer to any of these inquiries.
• July 31th (+46 days), the package was delivered by EMS courier. Thanks to the tracking number on the package waybill, I was able to find out the date Jacky shipped the package. Other odd things: Jacky did not write any return address on the waybill; and declared that the package only contains a "computer motherboard" worth $20 (it contained full barebones X230 laptop, as expected).

[dr_st]

Other odd things: Jacky did not write any return address on the waybill; and declared that the package only contains a "computer motherboard" worth $20 (it contained full barebones X230 laptop, as expected).

This (undervalued inaccurate package description) seems normal practice for Chinese sellers.

[penartur]

This (undervalued inaccurate package description) seems normal practice for Chinese sellers.

Undervalued, yes, but of several dozens products I've ordered on aliexpress, not a single one had inaccurate package description.

[FryPpy]

I have X62 and X210 bought from Jacky and all was correct. Delay was with X210 and mainly because Chinese New Year. I expected that he managed to send out before the holidays, but alas - it did not happen. Any way they are not a factory. They are small group of ThinkPadders and it is very probably that delays will occur. Cut contacting can occur either because he have many problems outside of ThinkPads, even he can get sick.
I have lost contact with Hope and his advices is very needed to me.

Undervalued, yes, but of several dozens products I've ordered on aliexpress, not a single one had inaccurate package description.

I have other experience with AliExpress. With combined shipping or hard to describe things they use simple description that can be understood by anyone - mainly custom guys. For example if he write geeky: "full barebone X230 with special nb51's M.B." someone on custom may read this like "Ticking time bomb" Undervalued - yes. Ex. Top notch T70 is goes over our free tax limit (1000Eur). And many european countries have smaller limit. It is alreay expensive project and more taxes makes it less demanded.

I think they do right steps in right directions. Smal batches with small incremental bugfixes. Postal delivery. Interactions with customers and even some warranty period. But i think they should strengthen Jecky with couple Thinkpadders who can help him contacting with us - foreigners

X200s-AFFS, later -PVA

What LCD you have used to go to PVA. I have done some mods with AFFS (HX121WX4-120) and one mod with MVA (LTN121AP02-001). And as for me AFFS is superior. But, of course, they both better than any TN.

[penartur]

I have X62 and X210 bought from Jacky and all was correct. Delay was with X210 and mainly because Chinese New Year. I expected that he managed to send out before the holidays, but alas - it did not happen. Any way they are not a factory. They are small group of ThinkPadders and it is very probably that delays will occur.

It is understandable that delays can occur. What was totally unexpected is that there will be no communication after purchase. You wire them some money, and then you have to wait for some time in total suspense (it could be one month, it could be half a year), Jacky ignores all your messages, and then one day you get the call from EMS courier who is at your front door with your package... or not (rocketnine still did not receive their laptop, and it's been 4.5 months since payment and more than 2 months since the last response from Jacky).

That's why I created this thread: so that other people can look at it as the guidance of how long can it take. They cannot get this information from Jacky, but at least they will be able to get it there.

I have other experience with AliExpress. With combined shipping or hard to describe things they use simple description that can be understood by anyone - mainly custom guys. For example if he write geeky: "full barebone X230 with special nb51's M.B." someone on custom may read this like "Ticking time bomb"

Very precise and complex description is not the only alternative to the completely incorrect description. What could be easier than declaring "repaired used laptop"?
If anything, someone at customs, when X-Raying the package, may think that it's a ticking bomb since it is definitely not a motherboard which was declared.

I think they do right steps in right directions. ... Interactions with customers and even some warranty period. But i think they should strengthen Jecky with couple Thinkpadders who can help him contacting with us - foreigners

I don't see any post-sales interaction with customers. I don't believe in their warranty either. If Jacky ignores inquiries on whether they have already sent the laptop (especially when they did sent it) - inquiries that could be answered in a minute - then what will prevent them from ignoring your RMA request?
Ironically, Jacky **is** the person who is supposed to help modders contact with us foreigners. AFAIK Jacky is no modder, the only reason they're there is to sell 51nb wares to western customers. So you basically have an agent who was supposed to talk with foreigners and to keep with them in touch, but who does not quite speak English and ignores their inquiries, and the solution is to add another agent who will do all this? Why would we need Jacky then?

What LCD you have used to go to PVA. I have done some mods with AFFS (HX121WX4-120) and one mod with MVA (LTN121AP02-001). And as for me AFFS is superior. But, of course, they both better than any TN.

I think it was MVA. It was a long time ago. IIRC all the compatible IPS/AFFS screens back then were glossy.

[spikeofax]

I've posted this elsewhere, but for completeness, here it is too. Ordered X210 15th Sept 2018, arrived 21st Jan 2019. Good comms from Jacky (tho don't expect them to be by return). There was also a notification in December on the fb page that the 3rd batch would be ready for shipping in early January, which ties in. Hope this helps.

[L29Ah]

Just received X210 kit, only five months after payment.

[dmdsoftware]

Jacky sells on ebay, so if you don't want to wait, buy there with Paypal. Typically shipping time is 1-2 weeks and you have Paypal protection.