Andi and the GizChina team regularly give us excellent technical reviews and all the latest rumours but I thought you might like something a bit different! So here it is my very personal journey to owning a Jiayu G4.
It started last December last year when I decided to update my phone. I have a Samsung Wave S8250 which has been reliable but does let me down in a few key areas. It runs Bada which is a sort of early cut down Android. Very limited Apps and pretty useless Web facilities. One of my phones main uses is as an MP3 Player. It has a 32GB TF card so it is full of music (300 Albums) but it is very slow in handling the display of so much album and track information. Also the 3.3 “ screen is tiny compared to modern phones and my fingers are just too big for it. 
I decided on a Chinese phone…. I had bought one two years previously on Ebay. It was a very early (too early) Windows phone and it was about 3/4” thick! When it came I hated it and I was very glad when after a month it ‘slated’ and I had an excuse to return it and get my refund. In the mean time I have had three Chinese tablets 7”, then 8” (both Android 2.2…rubbish) and now have a 10” MID 970 running Android 4.0 ..much better but slow on Internet access.
I found some Chinese phones on UK Ebay and came up a few I liked. I wanted a phone with dual sims. I decided on a dual processor MTK 6577 but the phone I wanted was only available on import from China or Australia. I picked a vendor and sent my questions….the black one I wanted wasn’t in stock but would be available in a few days. I hung on and hung on and three weeks later gave up.
Lesson: don’t ever believe vendors promises, all they want is your business and they often don’t know when stock is coming in.
After the New Year, I decided I may as well take the risk and buy direct from China. I researched into other MTK6577 phones and stumbled across GizChina. I had found a reliable source of information and unbiased reviews. The only problem was there was so much information on promised phones which were always so much better than current ones. I liked the upcoming Jiayu G4 because it was perfect sized screen for me, I liked the shape, it didn’t have a silly name, it would take a 64Gbyte TF card (twice as much music!) and it was fast! Perfect.
I did my homework which reinforced my decision. I found Jiayu to be well thought of and when there were problems they correct them. It was promised for Mid March, I was happy to wait a couple more weeks and I expected that Jiayu would have learnt their lesson from the ‘fiasco’ if the G3 launch.
Gizchina News of the week
Lesson: Don’t assume Chinese manufacturers change, they aim only for the home market and have to promise to better their domestic competitors.
I searched for a vendor and quickly found there were a number of sites offering presale deals. I picked Jiayumobile.com as I assumed from the site that they were the international reseller part of Jiayu. Wrong. I didn’t even post my intention to order from them on GizChina. I sent them an email asking them to confirm they were part of Jiayu and asked when the G4 would be in stock. They wrote back confirming they would be having G4 in stock Mid March.
Lesson: Don’t believe a vendor site until you have verified it or at least asked others opinions.
I placed my pre-order via Paypal for delivery two weeks later and booked DHL and gave my shipping address. I was locked in. Next day I posted on GizChina that I had one on pre-order and I quickly found out that Jiayumobile wasn’t part of Jiayu and then later on that they weren’t even an approved reseller.
The next three months were a bumpy ride with different rumours of delivery dates and specifications. Jiayumobile even posted that they had 500 in stock and were just waiting for a licence. They answered my questions as best they could but if they didn’t know or didn’t think I would like their answer they just didn’t respond or responded in part, the easy part. In the meantime I wrote to them stating that I had changed my address and they confirmed that this was ok.
Eventually Jiayu released some G4s and I got an email asking for the balance, I replied saying that I only wanted the phone if OTG was working. They didn’t respond. I also restated my change of address and they confirmed. So I paid the balance with Paypal and they despatched the phone via DHL to the wrong address!
I asked for a refund on the DHL they didn’t respond.
Lesson: Don’t pay for anything you don’t actually need (like DHL) when you pre-order.
Lesson: Vendors don’t remember anything from one email to the next, specify your exact requirements on every communication.
So I have my phone but it is 1500 miles away. I will get my hands on it in two weeks. Apparently it’s great!
Lesson: Don’t pre-order unless you are happy with the risks. Better to wait till the phone is officially released and in stock for the sake of a couple of weeks.
[templatic_contentbox type=”author” title=”About the Author”] Brian Jackson – Chinese Gizmo addict. Thirty years IT and Telecoms experience including IT Strategy Manager for one of the UK’s largest Insurance companies and Project Manager of the software development for the UK’s Local and Main digital telephone exchanges Signalling Interworking Subsystems. [/templatic_contentbox]
You are not the only one in same situation i still waiting for my…… and evry week i get this week will be send…
The case is same with almost all Chinese OEM’s, they target the home customer base. As it is the home ground provides more than enough sales.. so there is hardly any support for overseas orders. a friend of mine is facing this exact fiasco with his UMI X2! hopefully in the distant future they may start paying attention towards the international market!
That’s China for you! Kept telling customers that most sellers will say yes to all your questions just to get a sale. Once they have done that then problems will surely follow.
I’m used to this kind of behavior and I expect it which is why I’m not so angry at Jiayu. It’s not even their fault that resellers pre-sell their phones at the mention of a device.
For all of you, like, that have ordered the Jiayu G4 Advanced Version, just accept that it’s not coming out till later and don’t get too obsessed about it. That way you will be less stressed and when the phone actually launches, you’ll actually be happy =]
Yes you are right. Although JiaYu and others don’t help themselves with their early leaks and slow development, it’s the online resellers who cause a lot of these issues. I’ve seen some online stores list the Neo N003 in stock even though we all know it won’t be available till late this month.
+1 totally true.
Lesson: Be patient!
🙂
+1, and Thanks to gizchina & Andi who are keeping us updated on when the phones get available.
Norman can u say when the g4 advanced edition will be released? In China! Was there any official statement?
Nope sorry. No official statement yet. I’ll keep a lookout on the Jiayu Forums and tip off Andi if I happen to see any launch date.
Will do 🙂
Excellent article.
This is typical of China really. Moral really being don’t trust pre-sell. Just wait till it’s really in stock, and if you can, and have someone in China, better to use them as a proxy.
If not, just wait till it’s in stock, released and shipping.
Thanks
You guys make me feel really lucky. I got my Newman K1 in just a week from they’re website. Really sorry for those who are waiting.
you bought a phone that was already in stock
the real rule is don’t pre-order, i think reservations are OK but pre-sale is not especially when it comes to chinese phones, and i don’t have any experience on the matter, because i’m yet to receive my 1st chinese phone, but it was in stock and i did my research that way even if something goes wrong i won’t blame myself for it
pls mention the website you placed order on?
Always be sure that the phone is actually released from the manufacter not from the online store 🙂 and wait for some real user comments. Then you can buy it.
And of course if there is a big demand they can have shortage although it is listed as stock.
I wish I’d seen this post before ordering a Jiayu G3S Silver from fastcardtech.com last week. It’s only after ordering they tell me it’s out of stock – but I’ve done more research and the silver MTK6589 is not even released yet. I’ve asked for an alternative MTK6589 phone from stock, but even after 3 days I still don’t have a tracking number. If it goes on too long I’ll just report them to PayPal.
I’ve heard a lot of similar stories about them. Anyone wishing to post an article about their dealings with FCT?
Just received this email:
Hi, Dear xxx xxx:
Your order SNxxxxx.
We have shipped your package on 2013-06-06 18:05:20. EExxxxxxxCN
Your package tracking number is;EExxxxxxxCN
**It takes 1-3 business days for your tracking number to be updated online**
**All package shipped out from china must pass custom check and will update**
**Because some country custom problem, we maybe will change shippment service for buyer, different part shippment fee we will refund buyer**
Fingers crossed you get it soon 🙂
They are sending my Vowney V5 , but only the standard, not the pro model.
I got fed up waiting and the constant faceless emails with no real information. As a western consumer I expect e-commerce to be sharp and also prompt. The tracking number was never updated for a week, luckily a PayPal claim has refunded the payment.
Check this tracking number…
Personally, i’m using EMS (rather than DHL) and the page
http://www.ems.com.cn/mailtracking/e_you_jian_cha_xun.html
is the good way to check.
Goodluck with your order. It will take about 1-2 weeks for the tracking no to start working and 2-3 more weeks for it to arrive (depending on your location). I personally find EMS China to be rather slow but you won’t have to pay tax.
Sorry to be the only one without any problems, but, that’s it, i’ve never had problems with them :/
I’ve already bought 7 articles from them, during 1 year and a half now, and, sorry to repeat myself, no problem either.
Yes, tech support is weak.
Yes, answers are copy-paste.
But, most of the time, informations and specs are neither better nor worst than other sites. (BTW, i always compare a dozen of websites).
FCT doesn’t pre-sell like others: looking for a UMI X2, i’ve waited patiently for it to in “InStock” (2 months?) before I ordered last week (should be around in 10 days now, as “usual”)
My last purschase, on May,30th, was a GooPhone X7 for my son: it just arrived yesterday, as promised and stated in my Member Account.
So, guys, really, i don’t understand you on this subject.
(BTW, i have no stock options at FCT 🙂
How does EMS, rate compared with Singapore Post ?
Any chance of a Goophone X7 review if you get the time ?
if you asked for price, EMS/DHL are around 25€. No idea about SingPost, never used Free Shipping (0$ ? 🙂 ) or Surface Mail…
if you asked for delay, EMS takes 7 working days for France, and no taxes so far (taxes are systematic with DHL)…
Otherwise, i’ll try to find some time to make a review of Goophone X7, if Andi does agree with…
I just wondered how long Singapore Post took, as from what I gather if you choose free shipping you avoid import duty compared with courier delivery (where you may have to pay unless your lucky) from what I gather.
Which is exactly what you said about DHL, so I would prefer not to use them.
Never tried SingPost, sorry.
Its fine.
I’ve never heard a single good response from FCT. Either their service is shit, their full of lies or the products they sent out does not meet the client’s expectation. I’ve always been attracted to the FCT website but due to their bad reputation I would never allow myself to buy anything from them. Try and get a refund ASAP!
Well. FCT answer my questions politely. When I needed a document with the real price to the custom office in my country they send me one fast. Also when I pay for several articles and there was one that wasn’t in stock and for this delaying the shipping they were enough kind to cancel that article (a Bluetooth headphone) and send my cell phone, and refunds the difference of course.
The bad part was that that cell phone, and in internet I saw several people has the same problem with the star a1000 zero, has a defective touch screen.
I think that’s responsibility from FCT, but then again I was buying a el cheapo Chinese cell phone and when I bought it I knew it was a bit of lucky, sometime you could get a great cell phone, and others garbage. Still I use the cell phone, I have to press the touch screen in certain way in the times that it seems unresponsive, but the darn thing still works and I read a lot in it and I’ve taken great photographs. I hope the cell phones today are better made and they don’t be a purchase based in the luck…
I’ve never had a single email response from FCT. Maybe you actually have to purchase something first before they will respond. Apparently they are in Canada (along with Merimobiles).
Yes, True, bottomline is that Chinese product prefer a established store, check it personally and pay across the counter. Having paid through Bank or other channel, Buyer is at receiving end, the same story is going on for some 9,000 Indian Customers who have paid 14,000 per hand set, and UMI is just busy in uploading the photos and review, and not committing anything on Confirm Delivery Date.
I got the phone a week ago.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ousrvbveie3z2oz/Z2m5h5TXCr
everything perfect but the GPS does not work in Italy with this ROM.
where did you buy it from and how much please?
Ask the sellers to aliexpress to show the phone in webcam on Skype.
did you try the common tricks such as installinger FasterGPS and deleting the gps file?
I need a MTK6589(t) phone with decent gps. it’s the main reason why I buy a new phone
I tried it with fasterGPS and I installed the new gps file. Then I put the phone 30 minutes outdoors with the application Sygic or other, but nothing.
Did you try the EPO and the AGPS option under the GPS menu?
–
Tell me please what about the notification led? Has it?
yes it have 3 colours. blue, green and red near speaker.
thanks a lot
Could you confirm if Bluetooth is only 2.1 or it is 4.0 as in first specifications?
thanks
After a series of research, I think the best alternative to all dis MT6589 phone is ZTE V987(Grand X)… Why? 1. Firstly, it is a phone from an established brand. 2. There are good positive reviews on the net. 3. Nice design and good quality 4. Their is a special ROM made by a guy on the xda-developers site dat activates OTG function. And countless other advantages…
Hey Andi,
Can you suggest me 3-4 good websites to buy these chinese phones from?
I’m aware of FastCardTech (bad reviews), Antelife (looks promising), Mixeshop (mixed reviews), Aliexpress (As always, need to find a good dealer), Android-sale (looks ok to me, but always out of stock for good phones). Is there anything else i’m unaware of? 🙂 I just want to be 100% sure that I get my product as soon as possible. Don’t mind paying 45-50$ for shipping as well. 🙂
Well any website that doesn’t show their products are actually in stock i don’t trust them. And from that list there are few. I would say to the contrary that fastcardtech is one of the best in this list, good customer service, always tell you the real stock and no lies at least with me.
@ Andy, somehow this comment plugin is acting weird, i posted an other comment earlier that was ‘waiting moderation’ and was not published :/
I’ve noticed that comments with URL are moderated…maybe the reason..Andi?
you are true my first order was fron fascardtech through dhl but was successful
You can check:
http://www.merimobiles.com
http://www.pandawill.com
http://www.android-inside.com
lightake.com
to name a few…
Merimobiles has a good “live chat” where you can get fast answers (and honest)
Anyway, as said by Fred, only a few show a “Pieces remaining” count beside pricing…
Traitor 123, I have always had email responses from:
Merimobiles
Uredeal
Etotalk
ChinapadMall
RealPricesFromChina
IBuyGou
Liaow
These people have always responded to whatever query I have had. A host of others I have never had any response from.
Forgot to mention Chinavasion too.
Does anyone know whether the approved reseller http://www.jiayuofficial.com ?
Non jiayu official , i think this website is owned by fct !!!
+1
I wouldn’t say “owned” but “feeded” 🙂
there are numerous sites or blog-like sites using FCT material for review and redirecting to main site (somehow)
Yes I have noticed that too !!!
Nobody mentioned minideal.net, they are using SingPost for faster shipping. I have ordered 1 phone and 1 tabled and they were received at Bulgaria for ~10-15 days. Also a lot of friends here have order without any issues. The main thing is that they have accurate “in or out of stock”
Singapore Post was free shipping and you received the goods falrly quickly ?
This maybe the most valuable post ever on this website, finally you did it!
I mean i saw lately a lot of newcomer with questions, i think this a good starting point for anybody who want to buy a chinese phone.
Eventually these resellers (i don’t blame most manufacturers) will change and be more mature, i still don’t understand who you can have an ecommerce site having customers paying you without any information if the product is in stock.
I mean In US or EU we are used to better standard in ecommerce so some of us can be mislead easyly. what is the regulation in China, for once i think it should be more strict
Buying a Jiayu in China Deens to be even more difficult. Have been walking around Chengdu but can’t find any store selling Jiayu (or UMI). Looked on Tizu and Taisheng street but it’s all Samsung,Apple,Nokia,HTC,Oppo…
Does anyone know a physical store in Chengdu carrying Jiayu?
The point where you mention, the sellers don’t remember anything my comment is the firstly chinese sellers need to understand what you are saying to understand. Their english standards are pretty bad and coupled with the customer care’s lack of technical knowledge makes communicating with them like communicating with a deaf-dumb + mentally challenged person. Previously bought quite a few items from china and now after realizing what an irritating experience it is I don’t bother anymore.
Abir in terms of smartphones, have you therefore given up on these chinese brands then ?
I was always impressed by the level of english used by Merimobiles, I then found out that they are actually based in Canada, Montreal to be precise. So if they ever play “dumb”, just start conversing in French.
Sorry I meant:
”i still don’t understand how an ecommerce site can have customers paying without any information on the product availability”
Hmmm, wish I had read this a couple days ago! I just purchased an Mlais MX58 Pro from Lightake.com which says the phone will be in stock on June 10th.
I will perhaps submit a guest column based on my experience, but hoping it’s a little smoother than this G4’s journey!
^^ this one is cute too!
Ive also just bought a tablet for my daughter from Lightake so much better than my G4 experience:
http://lightake.com/detail.do/sku.Aoson_M33_Quad_Core_RK3188_9.7_Inch_IPS_Screen_Android_4.1_Tablet_PC_2GB_16GB_-64095
very good price, delivered to her door within 2 weeks, tracked airmail delivery, no import tax..super tablet would recommend it! Lightake do seem very honest if its not in stock they say so! But they cant predict when new technology actually becomes available!
Phew, well I feel a little better anyway having read your comment. Yes, can’t blame them if the stock doesn’t show up I suppose, but fingers crossed the phone will be there as promised and June 10th and ready for it’s journey to Canada!
Hi Brian sorry to bother you but Andy told me to ask you about 3G reception on the Jiayu G4 in UK. Somewhere I have read it may not work here hope this is not the case as I have one on the way. Also could you tell me which sim is 3G data sim is it the micro or the standard regards
Tim that looks a very nice phone, all the best with it.
So… What is the best online international site that sells the G4 ?
I’ve been trying to cancel my pre order with China Pad all for JIAYU G4 for over a week. The reseller doesn’t want to cancel, keeps trying to switch me to other phones. I decided I would order when the phone is made and I know what I am getting. Many sites show it in stock…… Fastcardtech shows it in stock, it hasn’t been released.
Check out the description and read carefully below SD card and color: only “Version: 1GB Ram” is available to order. The title is misleading tho, i do agree 😉 but i’ve learned to read between the lines on FCT 🙂
Yeah, read the comments that’s also a good way to figure this out, usually FCT put stock only if they have, this time due to the high demande of this phone they did like the others and offered pre sales but once they knew the phone was real not like pandawill for exemple who putter it in presales since early march… that’s robery if you ask me.
+1
True, reading “User comments” is a good way to figure out.
And, most of the time, there are funny or candid ones 🙂 either from buyers or seller.
I’m way better I ask for a refund and the next day the money was back ! Now I have order it from other seller I hope this one post the phone!
Epic Playa!
if u want to buy then i suggest buy directly from taobao
Taobao is the website that manufacturers sell their goods? Or is something similar to aliexpress filled with resellers ?
I’m saying that many manufacturers are selling in taobao but that site is written in Chinese and i do not understand a word, also i think it doesn’t accept paypal so how are we gonna pay ?
Anyway can you search for jiayu g4 in taobao and post here a price in $ ???
(post link if possible)
Thanks in advance !
No, TaoBao is actually a sister site of AliExpress, and meant only for China, and it requires you to have a bank account in China. Having said that, some sellers do ship internationally, and there are numerous ‘TaoBao agents’ who will buy from TaoBao for you for a fixed profit percentage. Zarmark is one agent I know of, you can Google for more.
Thanks for your answer !
You think it worth it buying at taobao via agents or it will cost the same as purchasing from aliexpress ?
Would it be a good idea to have a poll listing online vendors so that it’s easy to pick out the trusted ones?
great idea…lets hope Andi reads this….
+1
I’ve made these purchases this year from China, with delivery to the UK.
1. PIPO M9 10.1 inch tablet arrived within 7 days via DHL and on time, but it did take 5 days for the tracking number to show up on my order. (SPEmall)
2. iMITO MX1 Android TV stick and other accessories arrived within 10 days, FREE delivery Singapore Post. (Geek Buying)
3. iOcean X7 Youth Smartphone ordered 4 days ago via DHL, I’ve been told it has been shipped but again no tracking tracking number received yet. (SPEmall)
4. Various small items sent via Free Delivery using China Post, usually a 3 week wait or longer. (DX extreme)
My personal observations,
a) So far none of the items have attracted UK customs duty, maybe I’ve just been lucky.
b) Free delivery by China Post is by far the slowest method to get your items, about 3 1/2 weeks for me.
c) If you use Free delivery and you have a choice then Singapore Post is faster.
d) No problems with DHL so far, usually delivered in 1 week from date ordered, definitely worth paying the extra cost IMO.
e) Avoid newly released hardware that everyone is gagging for, usually on a waiting list. Pipo M9 tablet is a prime example, first batch released in March with a poor display, 2nd batch released in April with new display, new circuit board and new firmware. From my experiences wait until the phone or tablet is out in Europe and see what the owners think.
f) Always ask the China e-tailer for a discount voucher, or free gift, usually worth around $5.00 depending on what you’ve ordered
caveat emptor, good luck.
Remi,
With your orders coupled with DHL, you not have not had to pay any import duty ?
How fast/slow is Singapore Post ?
Thanks
I like the look of the new Pipo M7 Pro, but on your advice I think I should wait !
GUYS…???? so juss wass prowling on the comments… since already the first wek f june is over… just wanted to know if anyone has any news of the G4 Advanced model… ???
T___T … sometime i just want to shoot myself with a SHOTGUN in me head… !!!
Has anyone experience delivery from China to Indonesia. tx
Brian check out a French company called Mega High Tech, they have been going since December, and plan to offer an english site in July.
There website is MegaHighTech.fr
Their*
After reading the comments I am scared to buy Chinese stuff online. I know a friend who visits Hong Kong for business purpose. If anyone could let me know when can he buy the phone in hongko ng then it would be nice for me. As I would get the phone in few days and buying from a shops seems to be more trusted option that buying online… apart from that there is a huge price difference between the retail price and price offered by the resellers online.
From what I’ve been reading, it’s difficult to get your hands on one of these in the local market, availability is online mainly. Your friend can possibly order via TaoBao for you, good deals there.
Yeah his anoother trip will be ina months time…. will then it be available in shops
Just one question if I may. From what I know Samsung wave has a full fledged android ROM going the rounds. Using it a little basically turns the phone into a Nexus S which makes it far better than most Chinese phones out there… The new jiayu is certainly a better choice but anything else from 6 months ago at least I’m not so sure…
Thanks for the post. Hope you get your hands on the phone, and good to know Jiayumobiles isn’t a con artist.
Anyone heard of android-inside.com…..Cant seem to find any review on them????Should i trust them and buy?
I have seen one of their adverts on this site.
They look rather safe…i mean its the only one without bad reviews or any reviews for that matter….maybe Andi can help…wonder if he reads this comments..
Visiting this site twice a week: nice design, good information and not too many products listed, only chosen ones (+ popular OEMs SunnyCube, FAEA,HDC, GooPhone…)
Never bought there, but they have PayPal and buyers’ comments are not fake.
Never belive in chinese whishper…huh!
nice mobile devise getting journey, very touching
I bought Jiayu G4 Advanced from aliexpress from aseller with 99.9% positive feedback for £150. 2 days to confirm payment. 7 days to dispatch. Then got a fake dhl tracking no. . After waiting for a week i opened the dispute. After that one week for dispute time. Then one-two weeks for refund. I got my money back after a month but i was lucky that at the same time Jiayu G4S was released and i got it from spemall for £125 and it was delivered within 3 days to UK
After a lot of deliberation I bought a Jiayu G4S from spemall. I purchased on a Wednesday and paid for the express DHL delivery and had my phone the following Tuesday.
I installed the dodol input keyboard and I dont want to have to root my phone but I cant remove the Baidu (and other chinese) apps that are on the phone.
I was going to buy off cest-shop as they had a good review of the phone on youtube but send an email and didnt get a response and spemall got good reviews here so chose them instead.
Worst after sale service ever.They don’t answer to the e-mails.They are just dealers and that’s it !!! I took 3 phones and two of them they had problem to the android menu.
I sent my phone(to reinstall ROM because i had reboot problem) to Minideal at November 16th 2015 as a registered package to Greek Post Office( i paid 12 euros). Today (March 9 of 2016) they still fool me that i must pay 18 dollars to take back the phone from the service (i had 6 months warranty and expired because they had my phone more than 3 months!!! Plus they told me they want 8 more dollars to send it back to me the phone!!!
Greek mobile shops they give you 2 years warranty.And the price of phones now are more reasonable than older.Sorry about my bad english.