[Elecraft] OT- item return upon dead on arrival (DOA) - usual commercial practice

[Johnny Siu]

Hello Group,

It is absolutely OT and you can press your DEL button now.  However, I do need your advice.

In mid December 2013, I purchased a LiFe battery pack known as Energy Bar 250 from a dealer, Aircraft Spruce:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/sunsocket11-12101.php?clickkey=1056768

Unfortunately, the unit was found to be defective two days after arrival.  I returned the defective unit to Aircraft Spruce and asked for a replacement.  The replacement unit is now on its way to Hong Kong.  However, I was charged with the shipping cost of this replacement unit from USA to Hong Kong.

From my past experience of purchases from US dealers (including Elecraft, HRO etc), I was only responsibile for one way shipping cost from Hong Kong to USA when returning a defective item for replacement / repair under warranty or DOA.

Could any of you advise whether my experience with Aircraft Spruce (i.e. charging me the returning shipping cost from USA to Hong Kong) is normal?  Is it a usual market practice in US?

I should be grateful if you could let me have your advice off-the-list and thank you for the band width in this mail reflector.

73

Johnny VR2XMC