wallism would not shop at Techrific Australia again.
Very Dodgy Supplier
DO NOT BUY FROM TECHRIFIC (TECHRUBBISH)
Techrific is dodgy.
They do not have an advertised phone number or street address, the only way to communicate with them is via email and a P.O. Box.
In 2013 VIC Consumer Affairs issued an enforceable undertaking regarding their dodgy warranty practices: http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news-updates/brus-australia-pty-ltd-techrific-australia-and-hendrik-wijaya-enforceable-undertaking
I can see why some people would give 5 stars for service. If there is nothing wrong with your product the delivery was prompt (although I suspect a number of the five star ratings have been manufactured by the company itself). The BIG problems begin when there is a problem with what you were sent.
The long version of my experience with them is more or less outlined in my letter of demand that I have included below.
The short version of my story is this. They sent me a dodgy phone, then after alot of pushing they agreed to send me a replacement (they did not offer to cover my costs of returning the dodgy phone). That phone was also dodgy, so again I returned it at my expense and requested a full refund. I made it very clear that I did not want another dodgy phone sent, all I wanted was a full refund. After weeks and me threatening that I would report them to consumer affairs they finally agreed to refund me.
Great, right? No. They did process the refund, however, I paid $480, they refunded me only $380.80, with NOTHING to explain the lessor amount! On top of that they refunded me via PayPal and did it in such a way that I was charged the merchant fee of $10.20!
My response to this was the letter of demand below. I will be launching legal action (if they have not already disappeared back to Indonesia) so if anyone has a similar story please post it on the Facebook community page "Techrific Faulty & Unreliable" , maybe we can take some kind of joint action against them. I don't really care about the money any more, this is a matter of principle and I am sure they are ripping other people off too and I would like to see that stopped.
If you still think it's a good idea to buy from them...you're a fool but good luck to you.
--- The long story --- This is the letter of demand I recently sent(thanks to the very talented legal practitioner who put this together for me!)...and received absolutely no response to:
Dear Sirs I refer to the my purchase of an iPhone from your website “www.techrific.com.au” on 18 June 2015. The Order ID for the iPhone is 76969. A copy of the electronic invoice dated 18 June 2015 I received for the iPhone, from email address “enquiry@www.techrific.com.au" is attached to this email. The total price of the iPhone, including shipping, was$478.00.
In late June 2015, I received the iPhone from you (First iPhone). The First iPhone was defective, in that it would not charge and I could not turn it on. After some negotiation, I arranged for the First iPhone to be returned to you (at a cost of $13.25 to me for postage and handling), on the basis that you would supply me with a replacement iPhone. In or about 28 July 2015, I received from you in the mail a replacement iPhone (Second iPhone). Like the First iPhone, the Second iPhone was also defective as the battery would travel from fully charged to exhausted in a space of minutes. Upon taking the Second iPhone to an Apple Genuis Bar, it was confirmed the Second iPhone’s battery was defective and would need to be replaced.
As neither the First iPhone nor the Second iPhone were of an acceptable quality, I chose to exercise my rights under the Australian Consumer Law by returning the Second iPhone to you (again at a postage cost to me of $13.25) and requesting a refund. After further negotiation, you agreed to provide me with a refund. As to this, you insisted that the refund be made by way of “paypal” despite the fact that I purchased the iPhone by credit card. When I received the refund this week, it was for$380.80,which is $100.00 less than the amount I paid for it. In addition, I had been charged a paypal merchant fee of $10.20.
As things presently stand, I am $133.90 out of pocket for the purchase of the iPhone, calculated as follows:
$97.20 [difference in cost of iPhone and refund received] + $10.20 [paypal merchant fee] + ($13.25 x 2) [postage costs for returning the First iPhone and Second iPhone] = $133.90
By reason of this shortfall, you are presently in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. As to this:
1. In selling the iPhone to me, Techrific guaranteed that the iPhone was of acceptable quality, in that it was fit for all purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly supplied and free from defects (s.54, Australian Consumer Law);
2. Techrific’s supply of the First iPhone and Second iPhone failed to comply with Techrific’s guarantee in that the goods were not of an acceptable quality. Techrific’s failure was a “major failure” as the goods were, among other things, “substantially unfit for their usual purpose” (s.260, Australian Consumer Law);
3. As Techrific’s failure to comply with its guarantee was a “major failure”, I was entitled to (and did) notify Techrific that I rejected the goods (s.259(3), Australian Consumer Law);
4. Following my rejection of the iPhone, Techrific became obliged to refund to me “any money . . . paid for the goods” along with all other consideration I paid for the iPhone, such as postage and merchant fees (s.263(4)(a), Australian Consumer Law).
Having reviewed the ‘returns policy’ on your website (https://www.techrific.com.au/return-policy) you appear to be aware of these matters. I therefore demand that you refund to me the amount $133.90, net of all transaction fees, within 7 days of this email.
In addition to the matters referred to above, it is apparent that Techrific has committed an offence under the Australian Consumer Law in that it has made false and misleading representations to me that, among other things, the iPhone was of a particular standard, quality and value. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of $1,100,000.00 (s.151, Australian Consumer Law). It is also apparent, having researched your company, that Techrific’s misrepresentations to me were by no means a “one off” occurrence. It is reasonably clear that Techrific routinely misrepresents the quality of the goods it supplies, and refuses to refund customers the full amount of their defective purchases. Techrific’s website also contains numerous, glaring misrepresentations about its products.
Please be aware that, if Techrific fails to repay me $133.90, net of all transaction fees, within 7 days of this email, I will report Techrific’s conduct to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and recommend that it prosecute Techrific for its no doubt numerous offences under the Australian Consumer Law. I will also commence proceedings against Techrific in the New South Wales Civil and Administration Tribunal to recover all monies owed to me, including my legal costs.
I look forward to the prompt payment of all monies owed to me by Techrific.
DaveG would not shop at Techrific Australia again.
Off to court (VCAT)
I recommend you don't buy anything from Techrific, you'll likely not get what is advertised.
My daughter dropped the iPhone from Techrific at school and the screen detached from the phone and cracked. I took it into Apple, intending to pay as it was a non-warranty repair. After a couple of hours of back and forward Apple told me: - The phone was not new but purchased in Canada 13 months prior, they had details of the owner. - When originally sold it was pink, now green. - The phone had been heavily modified with non-Apple parts. They're unsure of the reason for the modification but can see the GPS feature had been disabled. - The screen was not sealed as the factory so prone to the failure that occurred. I had glass screen protector and mil-spec case which should have protected it.
Apple confirmed the phone was not new, not unused (as it had been owned) and not genuine due to heavy modification. They couldn't see why a newish phone hadn't been returned to Apple for refurb if there had been a problem. Their verbal speculation was the phone had been stolen in Canada the colour changed and then hacked to disable the ability to locate the phone. They would not touch it.
I wrote to Helomolto(EBay)=Brus Australia=Techrific and requested refund as the phone is not new, unused or genuine. Their responses have ranged from refusal to pure idiotic, I've also found on EBAy there are 25 complaints of second hand phones and ipads sold as new. EBay doesn't seem interested that consumer law is being broken. The EBAy description should be 'Second hand and modified/refurbished by other than the manufacturer'. Actually if you read the EBay page for any product they sell you'll now see Techrific still says new, unused and genuine then has weasel-words further down to say the gear is second hand. Descriptions changed since I bought the phone.
So I've lodged the VCAT complaint as I am Victorian and look forward to a hearing soon.
Won VCAT court case on Thursday, Techrific/Brus/Helomolto/TCF or whatever they call themselves didn't show up. Cowards. The Member (judge) said in the judgement that Helomolto EBay advertisements break consumer law as they clear intend to deceive the buyer. He judged the actions in their correspondence to me were illegal also. Anyway, I get my $425 back. Cheers.
Great news Dave. I am still working on recovering my money but should get there. My concern is that too many people are being ripped off by these fraudsters but do not know or do not care enough to pursue them. The law is an ass and does nothing to stop them from operating.
Is there no end with these halfwits? They haven't paid the VCAT order now I have to go to Magistrates court to have the debt enforced. Thought they would pay the VCAT order to shut me up, does any business want to be dragged through courts so all know they are complete lowlife for a measly $425?
Marcia would not shop at Techrific Australia again.
BUYER BEWARE
My whole experience with Techrific has been a 6 month nightmare!
After purchasing a phone (Samsung Galaxy Note $700+) in February from a supposed Australian Company, it arrived from Hong Kong complete with a dodgy adaptor! Two months later it was no longer working. After weeks of negotiations I was finally instructed (by Techrific) to post my phone & battery in the Samsung Box (at my own cost) to Sydney Cellular Repairs.
After weeks Sydney Cellular Repairs sent the phone back without the Box or battery! They clearly lost the box and battery and lied about ever receiving it. I then had to buy another battery (at my own cost) to confirm the phone was repaired. Six months later I'm still trying to be compensated for the lost battery!
Techrific prides itself on their customer service and guarantees. I have received appalling customer service. Their stalling techniques are unbelievable!
Techrific also trades as & Brus Australia Pty Ltd I can't stress strongly enough to stay clear of these companies.
nak895 would not shop at Techrific Australia again.
LG Google Nexus 5 Android Smart Phone 32GB D821 -
No phone total scam I am reporting to police fraud squad
Hi, It is now 25/2/16 and I have not received my phone purchased online 16/2/16. Why did I pay for express post???????????????????????// Clearly the item is not in stock!!!!! Not in Australia!!!!!!!!!!!! This is fraud to advertise a product and claim to be an Australian company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are mainland China based are you not?????????????????????????????????? Either send the phone or a full refund???????????? Also I request a refund of the $30 express post fee, what a joke! I am registering a complaint with Pay Pal, fraudulent representation and non delivery of item ( 10 days+). Pissed off Customer
Techrific is dodgy.
They do not have an advertised phone number or street address, the only way to communicate with them is via email and a P.O. Box.
In 2013 VIC Consumer Affairs issued an enforceable undertaking regarding their dodgy warranty practices:
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news-updates/brus-australia-pty-ltd-techrific-australia-and-hendrik-wijaya-enforceable-undertaking
I can see why some people would give 5 stars for service. If there is nothing wrong with your product the delivery was prompt (although I suspect a number of the five star ratings have been manufactured by the company itself). The BIG problems begin when there is a problem with what you were sent.
The long version of my experience with them is more or less outlined in my letter of demand that I have included below.
The short version of my story is this. They sent me a dodgy phone, then after alot of pushing they agreed to send me a replacement (they did not offer to cover my costs of returning the dodgy phone). That phone was also dodgy, so again I returned it at my expense and requested a full refund. I made it very clear that I did not want another dodgy phone sent, all I wanted was a full refund. After weeks and me threatening that I would report them to consumer affairs they finally agreed to refund me.
Great, right? No. They did process the refund, however, I paid $480, they refunded me only $380.80, with NOTHING to explain the lessor amount! On top of that they refunded me via PayPal and did it in such a way that I was charged the merchant fee of $10.20!
My response to this was the letter of demand below. I will be launching legal action (if they have not already disappeared back to Indonesia) so if anyone has a similar story please post it on the Facebook community page "Techrific Faulty & Unreliable" , maybe we can take some kind of joint action against them. I don't really care about the money any more, this is a matter of principle and I am sure they are ripping other people off too and I would like to see that stopped.
If you still think it's a good idea to buy from them...you're a fool but good luck to you.
--- The long story ---
This is the letter of demand I recently sent(thanks to the very talented legal practitioner who put this together for me!)...and received absolutely no response to:
Dear Sirs
I refer to the my purchase of an iPhone from your website “www.techrific.com.au” on 18 June 2015. The Order ID for the iPhone is 76969. A copy of the electronic invoice dated 18 June 2015 I received for the iPhone, from email address “enquiry@www.techrific.com.au" is attached to this email. The total price of the iPhone, including shipping, was$478.00.
In late June 2015, I received the iPhone from you (First iPhone). The First iPhone was defective, in that it would not charge and I could not turn it on. After some negotiation, I arranged for the First iPhone to be returned to you (at a cost of $13.25 to me for postage and handling), on the basis that you would supply me with a replacement iPhone. In or about 28 July 2015, I received from you in the mail a replacement iPhone (Second iPhone). Like the First iPhone, the Second iPhone was also defective as the battery would travel from fully charged to exhausted in a space of minutes. Upon taking the Second iPhone to an Apple Genuis Bar, it was confirmed the Second iPhone’s battery was defective and would need to be replaced.
As neither the First iPhone nor the Second iPhone were of an acceptable quality, I chose to exercise my rights under the Australian Consumer Law by returning the Second iPhone to you (again at a postage cost to me of $13.25) and requesting a refund. After further negotiation, you agreed to provide me with a refund. As to this, you insisted that the refund be made by way of “paypal” despite the fact that I purchased the iPhone by credit card. When I received the refund this week, it was for$380.80,which is $100.00 less than the amount I paid for it. In addition, I had been charged a paypal merchant fee of $10.20.
As things presently stand, I am $133.90 out of pocket for the purchase of the iPhone, calculated as follows:
$97.20 [difference in cost of iPhone and refund received] + $10.20 [paypal merchant fee] + ($13.25 x 2) [postage costs for returning the First iPhone and Second iPhone] = $133.90
By reason of this shortfall, you are presently in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. As to this:
1.
In selling the iPhone to me, Techrific guaranteed that the iPhone was of acceptable quality, in that it was fit for all purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly supplied and free from defects (s.54, Australian Consumer Law);
2.
Techrific’s supply of the First iPhone and Second iPhone failed to comply with Techrific’s guarantee in that the goods were not of an acceptable quality. Techrific’s failure was a “major failure” as the goods were, among other things, “substantially unfit for their usual purpose” (s.260, Australian Consumer Law);
3.
As Techrific’s failure to comply with its guarantee was a “major failure”, I was entitled to (and did) notify Techrific that I rejected the goods (s.259(3), Australian Consumer Law);
4.
Following my rejection of the iPhone, Techrific became obliged to refund to me “any money . . . paid for the goods” along with all other consideration I paid for the iPhone, such as postage and merchant fees (s.263(4)(a), Australian Consumer Law).
Having reviewed the ‘returns policy’ on your website (https://www.techrific.com.au/return-policy) you appear to be aware of these matters. I therefore demand that you refund to me the amount $133.90, net of all transaction fees, within 7 days of this email.
In addition to the matters referred to above, it is apparent that Techrific has committed an offence under the Australian Consumer Law in that it has made false and misleading representations to me that, among other things, the iPhone was of a particular standard, quality and value. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of $1,100,000.00 (s.151, Australian Consumer Law). It is also apparent, having researched your company, that Techrific’s misrepresentations to me were by no means a “one off” occurrence. It is reasonably clear that Techrific routinely misrepresents the quality of the goods it supplies, and refuses to refund customers the full amount of their defective purchases. Techrific’s website also contains numerous, glaring misrepresentations about its products.
Please be aware that, if Techrific fails to repay me $133.90, net of all transaction fees, within 7 days of this email, I will report Techrific’s conduct to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and recommend that it prosecute Techrific for its no doubt numerous offences under the Australian Consumer Law. I will also commence proceedings against Techrific in the New South Wales Civil and Administration Tribunal to recover all monies owed to me, including my legal costs.
I look forward to the prompt payment of all monies owed to me by Techrific.
DO NOT BUY FROM TECHRIFIC (TECHRUBBISH)