So yeah, last weekend I put in 2 orders of lots of products. Both got tracking numbers, However, 1 tracking number is attached to literally nothing, as if the order just isn't there (any time I click on it, nothing shows up but an error message to an empty order).

While the other works just fine even though I can't read chinese.

This is my first time dealing with TF-Direct I took a gamble knowing they aren't in the US and so far it hasn't been the ideal experience for me.

Tried communicating with their customer service and it's very sparce. Their replies limited to nothing helpful. but preprogrammed super short sentences.

Is it even ran by real people? Or is it ran by Bot programs with preprogrammed auto responses who don't understand what I'm trying to ask?

I'm starting to think the over 360 bucks of my money and the order that has a non functional tracking number have disappeared into a puff of smoke like a ninja. never to be seen or heard from again.

Has anybody else in the USA used TF direct? Did you guys experience any issues? Was the customer service support just as terrible for you?


1st Order with the Broken Tracking Number:


2nd Order with Working Tracking number:

 

Well there is that landmark thread about the guy claiming they scammed him out of 10 ironhides that was a comedy goldmine. Maybe there was really something to that...

Edit: Found it CHINESE SELLERS: SCAM, FRAUD!!!

 

Maybe we should pin one if these TF-Direct threads...

Anyway, they're legit, and they're fine as long as you're buying in-stock merchandise. I've ordered from them several times. I just recommend that you don't preorder anything. You'll pay a deposit, and they make it difficult to cancel even if it looks like it's never actually coming out.

 

That's really strange that you say that about cancellations of orders there.
Of the many times I've asked for a refund I have no issues with getting my money back.
Usually the very next day after I email them.

But you're right about not buying preorder items. In fact, I doubt these days you'd ever need to preorder anything since there is so much on the market and most of the time it rarely sells out. The 3rd party stuff anyway.
I think MP36 has been the only thing that sold out literally within the first month of release !!

But back to topic, TFDirect is legit.

 

I cancelled a pre-order from them last week with no fuss at all, fwiw. E-mailed me back and refunded the deposit in less than 24 hours.

 

Maybe they've gotten better? I had a hard time cancelling an MP10v trailer last year (that still hasn't come out).

 

Bought from them multiple times. Always a great experiance for me.
When I had to ask a question, I was answered quickly and to the point.

 

Their shipping is extremely slow, but I only bought from them once so it could have been an aberration.

 

So... what about the order I made with the bogus tracking number that leads to nowhere?

What should I do? Sadly too late to cancel the order. They claim it's shipped but I have zero way of really knowing. :/

Welp I guess if I don't see anything about it in the next week or so, I'm chocking it up to a loss and never ordering form them again. It's all I can sadly do.

It's just so bizarr to me that the tracking number doesn't work and they claim it's shipped. all information ends after the 06/24/2017 date.

OH well at least my second order's tracking number is legit and works perfectly fine. (perhaps some employee misplaced my first order and didn't bother to refund my 379 dollars. I hate the uncertainty of not knowing just what's going on, and the lack of any communication.

I'll keep updating as I find out more.

 

I have had no issues with TF-Direct. I would, however, suggest only buying items that are actually in stock.

 

I just pre ordered the kbb voyager sized Optimus and trailer from them. I assumed the June in stock date was this year. Should I be worried?

 

I've ordered plenty of times from them, both instock and pre-order items. I've even had orders that contained instock/pre-order and they have shipped items seperately as they come in. No issues with shipping, usually takes a week (two max) but I think for US you need to allow a longer time frame.

Have you gotten them to double check the tracking number for you? I usually track my items via ALL-IN-ONE PACKAGE TRACKING | 17TRACK

 

I made quite sure the items ordered were already in stock. No worries there.  

Also, First post edited: Added screenshots showing my orders and the issue.  

Now for the million dollar Question:

If the tracking number on the 1st order leads to nothing and is non functional, how could they possibly know the order was shipped?

 

When did it ship? What was the shipping method?

 

Never had an issue with TF-Direct. Even had a broken part and they promptly sent me new pieces.

I would just double check that whatever question you're asking is very clear and to the point.

 

they claim on the screenshot I posted on the first post, that it shipped on the 24th on this month. in terms of shipping method, it's USPS. (Granted, I got no idea what's used on China's end) the tracking is done through some site service I never heard of. (must be china based)

 

If it shipped 4 days ago then you could just be looking at normal lag in china post, or just sh*tty tracking from USPS if it's already managed to get to them. It can take several days for tracking numbers through chinapost to become "active", in my experience.

As it happens, I had a package coming to the UK that started off with USPS in the states. The item arrived safe and sound today, but the USPS-provided tracking number still says "Awaiting collection by USPS" and that's dated the 21st of this month. Based on that it's just as likely that USPS just haven't scanned the package properly when it's moved through the system as anything else. Give it a couple of weeks before you start to panic man, especially when it's coming in the post from the other side of the planet  

 

Will do my best. Though a couple weeks is a bit much. I'll try waiting another 3-4 days for the properly functioning Tracking number. XD

I just sent them another email, this time posting screenshots. I really hope something gets done.

 

Not had much trouble with them myself. My Overlord Carnifex upgrade kit did take a little longer than usual to get to me, but other than that I've had no issues.

 

China shipping is bad in terms of tracking and overall speed. It's a crap shoot every time as to if it will update properly, and sometimes I get packages within a week, sometimes it takes way long. Tf-direct itself is A+ in my books including pre-orders, customer service, replacements, cancellation requests and everything else you can think of.