Beware of this HK retailer

[hikouki]

I posted my experience on Wings900 some weeks ago:

http://www.wings900.com/vb/273464-post1.html

That retailer, Alvin Lui otherwise know as "crairways" at W900 has since refunded me the amount I paid for the defective model, only after I reported him to the HK Tourism Board, the HK Consumer Council and the HK Police. All three agencies have been very supportive in me filing a case at the HK Small Claims Court. I alerted this merchant, Alvin Lui of my pending action and he refunded me the full amount without me having to file all the papers.

Anyway, I know that there are several Pinoys here who have bought from him and continue to buy from him (tsk, tsk, Jao...) so please beware.

Other HK retailers have told me discreetly that Alvin Lui actually buys "reject" units from the mainland and sells them as brand-new models. Further he also labels second-hand as brand-new and makes a profit out of them.

Remember Jao that I was surprised you bought that Cathay set from him when you could have bought it at a lower price from an authorized CX dealer? Worse, he could have given you a second-hand unit.

[jao]

Well.....it's sad to hear about this but thanks for the warning. I had some problems with Alvin too but not as big as yours. Basically, I have problems dealing with HK sellers.....most of which are individual sellers and not store owners. As HK people are known to be merchants, I just close an eye if I really want to purchase such model even if I know they are marking the price much higher than what the model should be. That is one of my problems with Alvin. Other than that, I think he delievered me models that are not sub standard.....but that is just my opinion as I am not as picky as other collectors. I do not recall buying any CX models that can be readily available from CX shops from Alvin but I do remember buying the Phoenix CX B777 models from him. I usually buy my CX models from 80M bus located in front of Westmain. I also bought once from Westmain a CX B747 as I was given a price lower than that of 80M bus or what the retail price is. Since the CX models are sealed, I do not inspect them anymore. More often than not, I found no problems with my CX models....but that is just me again. Another problem I encountered with Alvin is that we exchanged alot of mails regarding a PAL A300 NC. He agreed to sell me that model but when I arrived in HK he suddenly told me that he could not find the model. I just let it pass. I found the PAL A300 NC model from another HK seller(Wilson) and as what I expected he is asking for a price off the charts. I just bit the bullet since I have been looking for this plane for years already and just to complete my 1/400 PAL collection. Another HK seller who has steep price is Owen. I go to HK once a month but my main destination is China. I only use HK as transit since there are more flights to and from Manila which makes my schedule more flexible. In reality,my stay in HK would comprise about 2hours. I have to travel from China to HK. Reaching HK around 1:30pm. My flight back is usually the 6pm flight so I have to be at the airport by 4pm. With a big luggage weighing more or less 25kg with me, it is quite frustrating sometimes to do our diecast shopping in just a few minutes. Imagine having to bring the luggage up and down MRTs and having such an awkward luggage with you inside the Mall while wearing a suit,tie,and coat. This is the reason why I sometimes ask Alvin/Owen/Wilson to look up for some of the models I needed. I pay them much higher than retail but I save myself the hassle and have the models delivered right where I am(airport/in-town check in). I only do this though if my schedule is really uptight as I am more fond of going to Westmain and Toymax to shop by myself and have a chitchat with the owners there. I'm sorry once again to hear your problems with Alvin. The models that you asked me to buy for you were bought from 80M bus models and not from Alvin. My last contact with Alvin was 1st week of September and has since lost touch with him. I do hope that other FILDAC collectors will not fall prey to what ever probelms you had with Alvin. Thanks for the heads-up

[Inaki]

His alias is a dead giveaway CRairways...you won't get anything from him but crap

[hikouki]

@ Jao...From now on, I will only order by mail from Westmaintoys. I know this guy, Joseph (you met him before) and he always tries to give a personalized service...

Toymax has good service but they refuse to use shipping other than EMS (we know what headache that is).

@Inaki... CR Airways was a real airline in HKG. "China Rich Airways" used to operate regional flights with CRJs. I think they flew to Clark and/ or Laoag. They changed their name to HK Airlines after being taken over by Hainan/ Grand China Air.

[jao]

Yeah, Joseph is an extremely nice guy. One of the reasons why most of my orders from abroad are coming from Westmain.