Any Australians purchased T300RS from Pagnian Imports?

[Bedford]

I bought a 'new' T300RS from www.pagnianimports.com.au and received it today. The seals on the box had already been cut and the box was damaged where it had been opened before. The contents inside had clearly been taken out and repackaged.

I contacted them and asked if they had sent me a second hand, or ex-demo model, and they replied saying the importer (Turn Left) opens all the boxes and checks them, and said it was definitely new.

Has anyone else purchased from this company and experienced the same thing?

 

[Punknoodle]

I've bought a Buttkicker from them and it was unopened. In saying that, there isn't really much to a Buttkicker to warrant opening the package.

 

[GT_COL]

I bought a 'new' T300RS from www.pagnianimports.com.au and received it today. The seals on the box had already been cut and the box was damaged where it had been opened before. The contents inside had clearly been taken out and repackaged.

I contacted them and asked if they had sent me a second hand, or ex-demo model, and they replied saying the importer (Turn Left) opens all the boxes and checks them, and said it was definitely new.

Has anyone else purchased from this company and experienced the same thing?

I bought one from them and it had been opened as well.
Everything is working fine so far.

 

[Paul Lancey]

I also got my T300RS from them as well, the box was also had been opened. Everything is working great at present. Other products I've purchased have not been opened.

 

[diesel97]

might be checking that it has the right power supply

 

[tosue]

I bought a 'new' T300RS from www.pagnianimports.com.au and received it today. The seals on the box had already been cut and the box was damaged where it had been opened before. The contents inside had clearly been taken out and repackaged.

I contacted them and asked if they had sent me a second hand, or ex-demo model, and they replied saying the importer (Turn Left) opens all the boxes and checks them, and said it was definitely new.

Has anyone else purchased from this company and experienced the same thing?

my mate and I purchased fanatec csp pedals from pagnian. nothing opened at all. tony

 

[de_Momus]

I bought a 'new' T300RS from www.pagnianimports.com.au and received it today. The seals on the box had already been cut and the box was damaged where it had been opened before. The contents inside had clearly been taken out and repackaged.

I contacted them and asked if they had sent me a second hand, or ex-demo model, and they replied saying the importer (Turn Left) opens all the boxes and checks them, and said it was definitely new.

Has anyone else purchased from this company and experienced the same thing?

I had an identical experience...my T300RS arrived on Thursday, box had been opened and was damaged. Slight ding in wheel rim that corresponded precisely with a puncture to the inside top flap of the box, which could only have been caused if an object struck the box while it was partly open. Also some external damage to the box, crushed corners and very floppy side flaps indicating box had been frequently opened and closed; plastic bags very scuffed and crumpled. The sticky plastic edges of the broken seals had dirt adhering, suggesting that the seals had been cut some time ago. It looks like some of my old equipment boxes stored in my garage. How any employee of the company could have despatched this without excuse or apology escapes me.

My subsequent contact with the company also echoed your own, except in my case they said the importer/distributor opened boxes to insert a 'guarantee sheet' (if so, why was mine missing?).

On setup, I could not get the wheel to do anything at all (as I did not know what to expect, I thought it might be calibrating or downloading something). Then found that the power supply connector was not making proper contact. Every time I pushed it, wheel sprang to life and then when I took my hand away it went dead again. It took quite some time and effort to get the plug to stay put, but I can't say I have much confidence in it. As for the wheel's performance in use, how can I be confident that it has not been jiggered up by a botched firmware upgrade attempt (quite likely if you refer to the baffling 'updates and downloads' section on the TS website), or mistreated in any other way? That is why a sealed box and pristine contents are essential for customer confidence.

It seems more than a coincidence that four customers in this thread so far have received unsealed T300RS consignments in the past few days. I don't buy their explanation that everything is opened before despatch. If that were the case they would soon find business drying up. In fact, as I pointed out to them, their own terms of sale stipulate that goods cannot be returned unless unopened.

 

[Bedford]

So it seems to be normal practice that they send these things out after they've been opened.

I had an identical experience...my T300RS arrived on Thursday, box had been opened and was damaged. Slight ding in wheel rim that corresponded precisely with a puncture to the inside top flap of the box, which could only have been caused if an object struck the box while it was partly open. Also some external damage to the box, crushed corners and very floppy side flaps indicating box had been frequently opened and closed; plastic bags very scuffed and crumpled. The sticky plastic edges of the broken seals had dirt adhering, suggesting that the seals had been cut some time ago. It looks like some of my old equipment boxes stored in my garage. How any employee of the company could have despatched this without excuse or apology escapes me.

My subsequent contact with the company also echoed your own, except in my case they said the importer/distributor opened boxes to insert a 'guarantee sheet' (if so, why was mine missing?).

On setup, I could not get the wheel to do anything at all (as I did not know what to expect, I thought it might be calibrating or downloading something). Then found that the power supply connector was not making proper contact. Every time I pushed it, wheel sprang to life and then when I took my hand away it went dead again. It took quite some time and effort to get the plug to stay put, but I can't say I have much confidence in it. As for the wheel's performance in use, how can I be confident that it has not been jiggered up by a botched firmware upgrade attempt (quite likely if you refer to the baffling 'updates and downloads' section on the TS website), or mistreated in any other way? That is why a sealed box and pristine contents are essential for customer confidence.

It seems more than a coincidence that four customers in this thread so far have received unsealed T300RS consignments in the past few days. I don't buy their explanation that everything is opened before despatch. If that were the case they would soon find business drying up. In fact, as I pointed out to them, their own terms of sale stipulate that goods cannot be returned unless unopened.

My experience seems to be exactly the same as yours, except I haven't tried to use the wheel yet. I've been waiting until Christmas.

The box was all banged up and the corners were worn like it was a really old box. The plastic seals looked like they had been cut quite some time ago and the internal plastics were all scrunched up.

I spoke to them and they just keep reiterating its normal. It's how they all come. They also told me it was so a warranty sheet could be put in there, but again there wasn't one!

They have offered me a refund. I'm tempted to take it and order one from somewhere else. I'll let you know what I decide on.

Meanwhile, I can't believe these things get sent out like this. Very disappointing.

 

[Bedford]

I've decided to take the refund. I don't have any confidence in their product and their flimsy excuses for why the box would be opened, and it doesn't account as for why the box looks so old either. I can just see headaches in the future if I ever need anything done relating to warranty. I spoke to Pagnian Imports again today via email and requested a refund. They've asked for the pickup address and said they will send a courier to collect it tomorrow.

During my conversations with them they admitted they don't actually even look at the product they're sending out. It comes already wrapped on a pallet and they just send it out from there without ever opening the wrapping. I think they'll be surprised when they see the state that I received the wheel in. In saying that though, I have already sent them photos.

Their last reply included a response from their supplier aswell. They spoke with them about the product and the supplier's reply was that the box is only ever opened for an Australian Warranty Card to be put inside. Again though, the warranty card is not in there.

I've spoken to a retailer who stocks them and asked if they come brand new and sealed or if theirs are all open prior to sale aswell. This retailer said the boxes are 100% sealed and brand new. When I queried them on getting the price closer to that of Pagnian Imports, they stated the only way someone could do it at those prices are if they were a grey market import.

So.. based on the fact the boxes are opened, unpackaged and repackaged (and the fact de_Momus is having power supply issues) leads me to believe they are infact imports that come with a different power supply. They are unpackaged, power supply changed, repackaged, Australian Warranty card added (allegedly) and then resold as Australian stock at a lower price than our normal retailers.

That's merely speculation, and you would probably never know if they took more care in what they did. But they don't, and I think I'm just going to cough up some extra dough for a retail one and have the peace of mind.

 

[jimipitbull]

I've spoken to a retailer who stocks them and asked if they come brand new and sealed or if theirs are all open prior to sale aswell. This retailer said the boxes are 100% sealed and brand new. When I queried them on getting the price closer to that of Pagnian Imports, they stated the only way someone could do it at those prices are if they were a grey market import.

So.. based on the fact the boxes are opened, unpackaged and repackaged (and the fact de_Momus is having power supply issues) leads me to believe they are infact imports that come with a different power supply. They are unpackaged, power supply changed, repackaged, Australian Warranty card added (allegedly) and then resold as Australian stock at a lower price than our normal retailers.

That's merely speculation, and you would probably never know if they took more care in what they did. But they don't, and I think I'm just going to cough up some extra dough for a retail one and have the peace of mind.

When a company's name includes the term 'imports', you should expect imported goods. No need to speculate.

Imported or retail, they all come from the same factory. Power supplies are cheap, easy to replace.
Also, a normal retailer would have higher overheads compared to an online retailer, which contributes to that price difference.

 

[Bedford]

When a company's name includes the term 'imports', you should expect imported goods. No need to speculate.

Imported or retail, they all come from the same factory. Power supplies are cheap, easy to replace.
Also, a normal retailer would have higher overheads compared to an online retailer, which contributes to that price difference.

Fair call, but just because their name includes the term 'import' doesn't mean their products should induce the term 'inferior'.

Like you said, they all come from the same factory. Why is one in such poor condition, but another pristine? Is it the case that this was some kind of factory second, or refurb? If so, just say so. Own it. You're selling a slightly 'inferior' product at a cheaper price. But don't advertise it as brand new and unopened when it clearly isn't.

Meanwhile, for what it's worth, I would still recommend Pagnian Imports. Excellent communication. They did try and negate the situation and say that's how the products come all the time, but when they received pictures and were questioned again they were very forthcoming in the fact they didn't open the packages and just sent them out. I don't blame them. They're obviously working on very small margins, and unfortunately this transaction will have cost them money.

Within about 6 hours of me telling them I wanted to send the product back and wanted a refund, they had organised a courier to collect it, had it collected, requested the consignment number on collection, and refunded the entire amount to me. Stellar effort. Seriously.

Pagnian Imports may have sold me a product that was fairly questionable, but their customer service was second to none.

 

[Blue028]

i recon they had some issues with the tx wheels that didnt even boot up when plugged in (i had one myself, doa), they're probably just checking to make sure the wheels work this time

 

[Bedford]

I ended up buying another one from a 'normal' retailer, and had it delivered (www.gamesmen.com.au). I ordered it at 10:30am and they delivered it the same day. It arrived, packaged inside of another box for protection. I opened it, and found the Thrustmaster Box inside to be in pristine condition. However, it had been opened already aswell!

In this case though, everything about it still looked new. I contacted The Gamesmen and queried as to why their box had been opened. And they replied saying it is opened to record the serial number and a note should have been inside of the box explaining this. They apologised for the note not being in there.

I've since taken this one out, set it up and had about 8 hours use with it. It's working perfectly.

I still find it super odd that all these boxes are being sent out opened. $550 and you can't even get a sealed box. There's something wrong there.

 

[de_Momus]

You are quite right. Mail order companies need to bend over backwards to ensure they maintain customers' trust. Sealed goods are the least they can do. If you buy electrical goods that have been opened, demonstrated, loaned out etc., you should be told and a discount applied. I bought a preamp last year from a hi-fi shop which had been used as a demonstrator (and probably loaned to customers) but I paid about half price for it, and it broke down within a year; then I was without it for a month while it was being repaired. All this has to be factored into the initial price you pay.

Meanwhile my T300RS has developed a loud squeak like a rusty hinge. It also has an odd humming vibration sensation on long bends which has nothing to do with feedback from the car or road (I have been playing GT since 1998 through many different wheels and never experienced this before). Maybe they are all badly made, but how do I know?

I can think of three possible reasons why our boxes were unsealed, and the goods inside unwrapped:

a) returned (possibly faulty goods) sent out under cover of Christmas;
b) to void the warranty deliberately (goods can't be returned once they are opened - Catch 22); or
c) to test the wheel before despatch, because they are getting a lot of returns.

All of these are equally depressing. Merry Christmas.

 

[Blue028]

It also has an odd humming vibration sensation on long bends which has nothing to do with feedback from the car or road (I have been playing GT since 1998 through many different wheels and never experienced this before).

Did any of your previous wheels have brushless motors? i had the same sensation from my TX wheel, like a huming comming from the wheelbase. i put it down to the brushless motor when its under heavy load but i could be wrong though, i didnt have any problems with it for the short time i used it (once i got a working wheel)

 

[Punknoodle]

I can think of three possible reasons why our boxes were unsealed, and the goods inside unwrapped:

a) returned (possibly faulty goods) sent out under cover of Christmas;
b) to void the warranty deliberately (goods can't be returned once they are opened - Catch 22); or
c) to test the wheel before despatch, because they are getting a lot of returns.

Or, to do exactly what they said in the email and record the serial number, which I can understand them doing to avoid false warranty claims. If everything looked pristine and undisturbed then this sounds entirely plausible.

 

[de_Momus]

Nothing that sophisticated - previous two were the G25 and DFGT. What I am observing increasingly is a tumbling ball-bearing sensation when taking long bends fast - say the ring at Cape Ring - but not due to loss of tyre grip. Compared with the G25, there seems to be a layer of vibration on top of the feedback from the road. One of the things I noticed about the G25 was an improved more subtle feedback after recent GT6 updates, particularly with high pp cars such as the Aston Martin VGT. You could really feel the tyres scrabbling around for grip at the limit. That effect is now masked by all the spurious vibrations within the T300's motors. I would like to know whether others have experienced anything similar, or is my wheel faulty?

This thread, and my comments, originally related to Pagnian Imports, whose reason for opening boxes was to insert a warranty sheet, but neither Bedford nor I received one. Bedford's replacement wheel came from a different dealer, but their excuse is equally lame, since the serial number is on the underside of the box.

 

[jayzzie]

Hey guys, sorry to bring up an old thread but I'm looking to get a Thrustmaster TX wheel for my Xbox One and stumbled across your comments. I purchased a Fanatec GT3RS from Pagnian in 2011 with no dramas but I'm a little hesitant to buy from them again after reading that four customers on this thread received a T300RS that was already opened.

Has anyone purchased a TX from Pagnian? Was it opened and/or damaged when you received it?

Has anyone purchased and had to make a return with Gamesmen? Was the process easy? I'm just wondering because of the issues that some people have had with their Thrustmaster wheels shortly after purchase.

Cheers.

 

[Clevohead]

Even if you purchase from Gamesmen you will find box has been opened as well, as this is the practice of the Australian Thrustmaster distributor not the companies selling them.

There is nothing to worry about, if you are that concerned about it, give Hess a call @ Pagnian, he will be more than upfront about it.

 

[jayzzie]

Cheers for the reply Clevohead. I wasn't aware that it was the distributor who is opening the boxes. I haven't ruled out buying from Pagnian but I might contact them as you suggested to put my concerns at rest. Would you or anyone happen to know who is the Australian distributor for Thrustmaster?

 

[Clevohead]

I do, but they don't deal with the public direct.

 

[CLIFFO_83]

I ended up buying another one from a 'normal' retailer, and had it delivered (www.gamesmen.com.au). I ordered it at 10:30am and they delivered it the same day. It arrived, packaged inside of another box for protection. I opened it, and found the Thrustmaster Box inside to be in pristine condition. However, it had been opened already aswell!

In this case though, everything about it still looked new. I contacted The Gamesmen and queried as to why their box had been opened. And they replied saying it is opened to record the serial number and a note should have been inside of the box explaining this. They apologised for the note not being in there.

I've since taken this one out, set it up and had about 8 hours use with it. It's working perfectly.

I still find it super odd that all these boxes are being sent out opened. $550 and you can't even get a sealed box. There's something wrong there.

I purchased a TX from the gamesmen 2 yrs ago and the box had been opened. When I questioned them they said the boxes are opened to switch power supplies to aus 240v. 2 yrs later wheel failed & returned for refund.

Last week I purchased a t300rs from jbhifi, Seals were broken & box had been opened. Took the wheel home to test & it wasn't calibrating correctly, random button presses & wheel rim had marks all over it. I returned it for refund.

Yesterday I purchased yet another tm t300rs gte from pagnian & then I read this thread. If I get screwed again I'm absolutely done with all these bs retailers & tm in general.

 

[FPV MIC]

I purchased a TX from the gamesmen 2 yrs ago and the box had been opened. When I questioned them they said the boxes are opened to switch power supplies to aus 240v. 2 yrs later wheel failed & returned for refund.

Last week I purchased a t300rs from jbhifi, Seals were broken & box had been opened. Took the wheel home to test & it wasn't calibrating correctly, random button presses & wheel rim had marks all over it. I returned it for refund.

Yesterday I purchased yet another tm t300rs gte from pagnian & then I read this thread. If I get screwed again I'm absolutely done with all these bs retailers & tm in general.

Hopefully everything works out okay for you this time. I've bought a T500 rs (in 2013) a T-GT (late 2017) and a Buttkicker Simulation Kit From Pagnian and never had an issue with them (apart from the ''normal'' broken springs on the T500 V1 pedal set), and never had an pre-opened box either.

 

[CLIFFO_83]

Hopefully everything works out okay for you this time. I've bought a T500 rs (in 2013) a T-GT (late 2017) and a Buttkicker Simulation Kit From Pagnian and never had an issue with them (apart from the ''normal'' broken springs on the T500 V1 pedal set), and never had an pre-opened box either.

Here's hoping

 

[CLIFFO_83]

Well what do ya know. My t300rs gte arrives and the box has been opened & the base has marks on it which tells me its 2nd hand. Even after I spoke with a rep from pagnian imports before wheel was sent out whom assured me that they had just received a batch direct from thrustmaster which were untouched. Bunch of jokers! So over this p#ss poor customer service from online retailers & thrustmaster themselves. Absolutely disgraceful.