Absurd DJI after-sales service

Chris_YY

Member
I want to share an absurd and irresponsible after-sales service I received from DJI support. Please read it through before replying it's my fault causing the crash.

Long story short: my Mavic Air lost balance after takeoff and crashed into the salt water while I was traveling in Bolivia. After shipping the drone to the repair team, I received the response that my drone ran out of battery and crashed in my second flight, despite the fact there were 4 flight logs in total on that day.

Screen Shot 2018-03-15 at 3.55.42 PM.png Screen Shot 2018-03-20 at 10.42.43 AM.png

(The last two flights were less than 2min because the gimbal was tilted and I was calibrating. There was no way the drone could fly after the crash in salt water.)

So I made a complaint online and one of your US supervisors contacted me. I told him the repair team ignored my description in the email and missed the last two flight logs. Also I have the video recording to show my drone was still flying after “the crash”.

After 5 days I received the exact same conclusion as the first time, still saying my my drone crashed in my second flight, yet they refused to mention the two flight logs after “the crash”. The supervisor gave me 20% discount on the repair fee and just CLOSED my case.

Screen Shot 2018-03-20 at 10.43.01 AM.png

I tried to reach them again by email and by phone but no one answered. I contacted DJI online support but it's a dead end.

To be honest, I was big fan of DJI and planning to purchase my third DJI drone. Now I just want to thank DJI for saving me 800 dollars after this experience.

Word of advice: Make sure your drone is recording during the takeoff and landing of your every flight, in case the same thing happens on you and you have no evidence.

I made another post "Truth about DJI Care Refresh" http://quadcopterforum.com/threads/truth-about-dji-care-refresh.15421/

crashed drone.jpeg

Answers for some expected replies:
1. This post is about DJI customer service, not my pilot error. Any pilot error is NOT an excuse for terrible customer service.
2. On the second flight, it was in low battery and I cancelled return to home because the ground was covered in salt water and I had to do palm landing, that's why I walked to the drone and the flight logs ends in 1.3m height. The drone successfully landed on my palm in the end of second flight.
3. I didn't buy DJI Care Refresh because I don't like refurbished drone and I definitely wouldn't pay $515 for a refurbished drone.
4. I had three batteries and I did not fly it with an empty battery on the last two flights. The last two flights were less than 2min without images because the gimbal was tilted and I was calibrating.
5. There were 2 hours between the second and third flight on that day, I don't think any Mavic can survive after 2-hour corrosion by salt water.

UPDATE on March 23:
After I post my experience on Chinese social media, I received a phone call yesterday morning from a DJI supervisor. This time he told me my drone crashed in the third flight on that day after further data reviews. He promised me he would sent me an email with more explanations but it's been 3 business days and so far I've got NOTHING.
 

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Man, that's bad luck with your quad. Sorry that happened. I know I'd be mad/frustrated, too.

Definitely a good reminder for people to be careful, especially around water.

Not a DJI expert, but don't they have DJI care that covers water damage. Sounds like you didn't have it or you wouldn't be looking at regular warranty.
 
I used to be scared of heights but done a bunjee jump a few times & I'm OK.
But I get the same feeling when my quad goes near water, in my belly as ther is one of mine sleeping with the fishes already. Not worth a dive for a £20 frame.
 
Man, that's bad luck with your quad. Sorry that happened. I know I'd be mad/frustrated, too.

Definitely a good reminder for people to be careful, especially around water.

Not a DJI expert, but don't they have DJI care that covers water damage. Sounds like you didn't have it or you wouldn't be looking at regular warranty.

No I did not buy DJI Care, also I made another post "Truth about DJI Care Refresh" http://quadcopterforum.com/threads/truth-about-dji-care-refresh.15421/
 
This is a typical checklist, may help you in the future


-Battery charging

-Smartphone
-RC control
-Mavic Batteries
-Firmware, Software updates
-Remove, clean and inspect props
– re-install on opposite motor
-Verify springs and motor screws
-Data card inserted – adequate room on the card
-verify air intake is clear
-verify air exhausts are clear
-rear
-belly ahead of lenses
-Clean lenses, install gimbal lock and cover
-Wi-Fi/RC switch : RC
-Pack bag
-drone and batteries
-spare props
-automobile charger
-card reader (optional)
-documentation (FAA registration if travelling to US)
-Sectional and/or VTA maps
-Survey the operations are on Google Maps/Earth
-Is the operation area in class C airspace? (SkyVector.com)
-Is the operation area close to an aerodrome of any kind?
-Is RTH set correctly (91 m)?
http://mavicpilots.com/threads/rth-setup-checklist.11447
-Max distance fence on? Max distance radius?
-Is Obstacle Avoidance OFF for RTH? (This is my preferred setting)

-Video settings (.mk4, 7.2K 24/30, VStyle Art or None …)

PREFLIGHT

CONTROLS

-Check RC battery level is sufficient for flight
-Check phone charge and set to Do Not Disturb mode, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off.
-Install phone into RC
-Unfold Antennas and set initial orientation
-Check flight mode switch set to P-Mode

OPERATIONS AREA

-No danger or nuisance to public
-No obstacles in a reasonable radius
-No overhead obstacles (think of RTH too)
-Wires, high fencing, netting, towers?
-Cell towers?
-High tension power lines?
-Alternate landing location(s)
-landing pad

AIRCRAFT

-Ensure aircraft battery level is sufficient for flight
-Unfold arms
-Ensure battery is positively latched in place
-Verify SD card in place
-Verify Wi-Fi switch set to RC
-Verify access covers closed
-Remove gimbal cover
-Remove gimbal clamp
-Check gimbal vibration mounting board is in place under the three drop-hooks
-Check gimbal for obstructions
-Clean camera lens if required
-Mount ND filters if used

-Ensure battery is positively latched in place (again).

-Unfold propellers
-Power on tracker (if installed)
-Launch DJI GO App
-Power on controller
-Confirm battery level is at least 30% for a single flight
-Power on aircraft – do not power up props
-Check/Set Failsafe Height
-Check SD Card status
-Wait for ‘Ready to Go (GPS)’ in app
-Verify location in app

-Check for tracker cellular (if installed)
-Start motors
-Touch screen to focus – in AF – set MF
-Set exposure
-Start Video recording
Takeoff plan
-straight up to 10 metres and hold 5 seconds (for automatic landing prep)
-reset focus and exposure
-start video recording (because you forgot to above)

After Flight – Aircraft

-Power off aircraft
-Remove and power off tracker
-Reinstall gimbal clamp
-Reinstall gimbal cover
 
Pretty extreme, but just making the point that if we just charge our battery, turn on our radio and go, bad things happen. I'm just as guilty as anyone.
 
Is this your first quadcopter?
To answer you question, this is my second drone.
My point is my drone did not crash because it ran out of battery, otherwise there won't be third or fourth flight on that day.
I don't think your Mavic can fly after it crashed into salt water.
Also, their supervisor just contacted me, he told me after further data analytics, my drone crashed in my third flight on that day. (I have 4 flight logs)
 
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Flight logs don't lie, it was user error and not a hardware issue. They gave you a $130 discount, I'd be grateful
I agree that flight logs don't lie, so could you please tell me how could my drone fly two flights after "the crash" into salt water in the second flight on that day?
 
Flight logs don't lie, it was user error and not a hardware issue. They gave you a $130 discount, I'd be grateful
I'm not here to debate if it's user error or hardware issue causing the crash in the end, since I got no evidence.
With 20% discount or not, I'm not gonna pay $515 for a refurbished drone after the worst customer service I've ever had.
 
It's quite possible that your Mavic functioned for a short period after you dunked it in the ocean. But salt water cause damage very quickly. I've done a lot of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and if we don't thoroughly clean the boat with fresh water when we're done, every single screw and fitting will be rusted in a matter of a few hours.
 
It's quite possible that your Mavic functioned for a short period after you dunked it in the ocean. But salt water cause damage very quickly. I've done a lot of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and if we don't thoroughly clean the boat with fresh water when we're done, every single screw and fitting will be rusted in a matter of a few hours.

As you said, salt water causes damage very quickly. There were 2 hours between my second and third flight on that day. I don't think any Mavic can fly two flights (40m in total) after 2-hour corrosion by salt water.

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So you're denying the fact that the accident even happened? I'm confused
I'm not denying anything. My drone crashed after the fourth flight on that day, while DJI support told me it crashed in my second flight and refused to give any explanation about the last two flight logs.
 
They are not counting the flights with less than 5 minute flight time.

If you flew it until the battery was too weak to bring it back in, then unfortunately it is your fault. I have had 2 good dealings with DJI repair.

Both issues were my fault. Here is a pic one of mine that was fixed.

P1040180_preview.jpeg
 
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