Chinese TaoTao scooter WARNING

[Seraph]

Just thought id put a quick not in here warning anyone thinking about purchasing a TaoTao scooter from "Offthenet" in Blenhiem to stop thinking about it and get a known jap brand instead

Purchased a "Zumico" for my partner 6 months ago and it's just been a nightmare of issues with ZERO hope of the shop backing up any kind of warantee (multiple emails sent, detailing issues and the danger of them)

To list the issues;

Shoddy front brakes can be turned by hand with the lever pulled hard in
tires have manufacturing faults that cause gyroscopic instability at anything over 30kms!
the battery is inadequate size to start the scooter consistently and now doesn't even charge.
The kick starter sheared 3 teeth off the pinion gear because it actually had to be used because of the crap battery!
locks are shit, already ruined 1 key because they jam.
The headlight shat it's self the day after we got it
to put the icing on the cake tonight it shredded a drive belt that then jammed itself in and locked the rear wheel solid, thankgod noone got hurt but i have a shivering scared senseless gf here who will probably never use it again! (days like these i'm so glad i got her a decent alpinestars jacket..)

Ill be taking to the shop to court to get a refund. If anyone else has had these same issues let me know!

[Akzle]

this one time, i bought cheap chinese shit, and the quality wasn't good.



...i was not surprised. are you?

[slofox]

this one time, i bought cheap chinese shit, and the quality wasn't good.



...i was not surprised. are you?


Not in the least...

[nzspokes]

Just thought id put a quick not in here warning anyone thinking about purchasing a TaoTao scooter from "Offthenet" in Blenhiem to stop thinking about it and get a known jap brand instead

Purchased a "Zumico" for my partner 6 months ago and it's just been a nightmare of issues with ZERO hope of the shop backing up any kind of warantee (multiple emails sent, detailing issues and the danger of them)

To list the issues;

Shoddy front brakes can be turned by hand with the lever pulled hard in
tires have manufacturing faults that cause gyroscopic instability at anything over 30kms!
the battery is inadequate size to start the scooter consistently and now doesn't even charge.
The kick starter sheared 3 teeth off the pinion gear because it actually had to be used because of the crap battery!
locks are shit, already ruined 1 key because they jam.
The headlight shat it's self the day after we got it
to put the icing on the cake tonight it shredded a drive belt that then jammed itself in and locked the rear wheel solid, thankgod noone got hurt but i have a shivering scared senseless gf here who will probably never use it again! (days like these i'm so glad i got her a decent alpinestars jacket..)

Ill be taking to the shop to court to get a refund. If anyone else has had these same issues let me know!

Let the LTNZ know, they may do something.

[neels]

Cheap chinese shit is cheap chinese shit.

Who'd have thought

[EJK]

Like I always say, anyone who buys a cheap Chinese junk deserves all the mechanical faults they'll get.

But then, people who tries to make money off selling these death traps are equal or worse than drug dealers. I say they should be shot in the head :sunny:

[Seraph]

Like I always say, anyone who buys a cheap Chinese junk deserves all the mechanical faults they'll get.

But then, people who tries to make money off selling these death traps are equal or worse than drug dealers. I say they should be shot in the head :sunny:


i didn't expect major quality, but I did expect it to be up to the standard required by law in areas where it matters; tires and brakes mainly.

Am i surprised that the battery and lights crapped out? or that the mirrors are loose? not atall, am i surprised that the brakes don't stop atall after it's supposedly been through a vtnz inspection for being registered? Yes. I'm pissed off that ANYONE is allowed to sell anything that is this life threatening, and don't even care after multiple emails.

apparently "brakes are brakes" and there are no nz standards, according to the seller anyway.

[skippa1]

Just thought id put a quick not in here warning anyone thinking about purchasing a TaoTao scooter from "Offthenet" in Blenhiem to stop thinking about it and get a known jap brand instead

Purchased a "Zumico" for my partner 6 months ago and it's just been a nightmare of issues with ZERO hope of the shop backing up any kind of warantee (multiple emails sent, detailing issues and the danger of them)

To list the issues;

Shoddy front brakes can be turned by hand with the lever pulled hard in
tires have manufacturing faults that cause gyroscopic instability at anything over 30kms!
the battery is inadequate size to start the scooter consistently and now doesn't even charge.
The kick starter sheared 3 teeth off the pinion gear because it actually had to be used because of the crap battery!
locks are shit, already ruined 1 key because they jam.
The headlight shat it's self the day after we got it
to put the icing on the cake tonight it shredded a drive belt that then jammed itself in and locked the rear wheel solid, thankgod noone got hurt but i have a shivering scared senseless gf here who will probably never use it again! (days like these i'm so glad i got her a decent alpinestars jacket..)

Ill be taking to the shop to court to get a refund. If anyone else has had these same issues let me know!
Seriously? You fucken numpty :lol::lol:

[Seraph]

Seriously? You fucken numpty :lol::lol:

Yes seriously, the importer doesn't give a shit about the potential for causing harm and is continuing to sell them and will do so until someone makes him accountable.
I know they're dangerous and so now have a responsibly to ensure they are removed from NewZealand roads.

My partner has nearly had a head-on with an oncoming vehicle due to these manufacturing defects, not something i find funny or take lightly.

Everyone complains about high acc levies, but noone does anything to get the dangerous shit that causes many of the accidents off the streets.

[nzspokes]

Yes seriously, the importer doesn't give a shit about the potential for causing harm and is continuing to sell them and will do so until someone makes him accountable.
I know they're dangerous and so now have a responsibly to ensure they are removed from NewZealand roads.

My partner has nearly had a head-on with an oncoming vehicle due to these manufacturing defects, not something i find funny or take lightly.

Everyone complains about high acc levies, but noone does anything to get the dangerous shit that causes many of the accidents off the streets.

Thinking about it, give the commerce commission a call tomorrow. They will act.

But dont buy cheap crap.....

[biggo]

apparently "brakes are brakes" and there are no nz standards, according to the seller anyway.

All new moped do need to meet a brake standard should be on a statement of compliance supplied by the manufacturer , not sure about the credability of some Chinese vendors though

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/entry-certification/i-and-c/brakes/service-brake-and-park-brake

[Mike.Gayner]

Despite the usual dick heads in here, you're doing the right thing taking them to court Seraph. Importers and retailers need to stand behind their products - they're legally obliged to, but the moral imperative should be enough. If it isn't, they shouldn't be trading in this country. Best of luck, not that you'll need luck to win this one, it's a pretty obvious case.

[Seraph]

All new moped do need to meet a brake standard should be on a statement of compliance supplied by the manufacturer , not sure about the credability of some Chinese vendors though

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/entry-certification/i-and-c/brakes/service-brake-and-park-brake



I never saw a statement of compliance as the registration was taken care of by the importer at an extra cost of $200, as far as i can see the brake shoes have no manufacturer markings atall and have a truly shocking stopping distance.

[Seraph]

Thinking about it, give the commerce commission a call tomorrow. They will act.

But dont buy cheap crap.....


I'd totally forgotten about them i will do!

the options at the time were limited by both funds and situation (partner needed immediate independent transport for starting a new job and has no car, and is on her learners) the tossup between an unknown history second hand brand name scooter or a new Chinese one with supposed warantee cover was hard, in the end the shiny new one won and now 7 months later here we are.
This is the first experience I've had with a really terribly produced Chinese product, We also have a pair of chang pitbikes that have been thrashed with not so much as an oil change and still soldier on without missing a beat (far better brakes too..)

seems abit hit or fall of a cliff....

[Seraph]

Despite the usual dick heads in here, you're doing the right thing taking them to court Seraph. Importers and retailers need to stand behind their products - they're legally obliged to, but the moral imperative should be enough. If it isn't, they shouldn't be trading in this country. Best of luck, not that you'll need luck to win this one, it's a pretty obvious case.

thankyou for the words of support! I really feel for everyone else who has been suckered into buying one of these shit boxes, but has no previous experience to draw the conclusion from that they're not anywhere near upto standard for road use. I hate the fact that instead of maning up and admitting his fault the importer just ignores emails and pleas to seriously review the faults, I think the devil must have eaten his sole.

[jellywrestler]

My partner has nearly had a head-on with an oncoming vehicle due to these manufacturing defects, not something i find funny or take lightly.

. odd that despite knowing there are multiple defects that could cause a head on you still let here ride it, i 'm picking she's insured and there's another kitchen bitch lined up if for when she goes eh.

[Seraph]

odd that despite knowing there are multiple defects that could cause a head on you still let here ride it, i 'm picking she's insured and there's another kitchen bitch lined up if for when she goes eh.

maybe i phrased that wrong. those are the issues it HAS had since we got it. Everything remotely dangerous has been taken care of before I've sent her on her way at OUR expense that should have been covered by warantee but no the seller is more of an ass than you. Don't make assumptions.

The drive-belt snapping could not have been forseen or prevented, I inspected it 3 weeks ago when the kickstart shat it'sself and it was fine.

[Akzle]

.

The drive-belt snapping could not have been forseen

I foresaw it, because it's cheap chinese shit.


but never mind all the srs people. phone the herald, stuff, tv3, start a facebook group. it' like any cunt actually reads kb.

[Grumph]

If by Court you mean Small claims then get as much expert paperwork as you can before going in. The total cost is under their ceiling so it's the right place to go. As has been said, talk to LTSA and the Commerce Commission, they may step in on your behalf.
Go see some of the shops in Timaru and ask if anyone would be prepared to do an assessment and write a report on your behalf. You'll have to pay but it's in their interest to get this shit off the road.

Trademe should be interested too.

[nzspokes]

If you keep saying "Offthenet" in Blenheim, this thread about "Offthenet" in Blenheim will come to the top of the google search when looking for "Offthenet" in Blenheim.

So "Offthenet" in Blenheim will start to not do so well. Sucks to be "Offthenet" in Blenheim.

ComCom will beall over "Offthenet" in Blenheim once reported.

[awa355]

Troubles,, Chinese? You must have bought a dud :innocent::innocent: or one assembled on a Friday.

[Seraph]

Even if it had been up to standard for NZ roads chances are you would not be able to get any spare parts if anything wore out anyway.

Fortunately the internet us a wonderful place and parts are easy to come by and reasonably cheap, however since there all oem it's only a temporary patch since they'll just keep breaking. After having so many fail im wondering whats going to break next. I had a brief call with the seller and seemed to confuse me with another customer who had on with a broken frame...... Reguardless he has not bothered to return any emails.

[Seraph]

Troubles,, Chinese? You must have bought a dud :innocent::innocent: or one assembled on a Friday.

Or one assembled by an incompetent money hungry dirtbag.

[Seraph]

If you keep saying "Offthenet" in Blenheim, this thread about "Offthenet" in Blenheim will come to the top of the google search when looking for "Offthenet" in Blenheim.

So "Offthenet" in Blenheim will start to not do so well. Sucks to be "Offthenet" in Blenheim.

ComCom will beall over "Offthenet" in Blenheim once reported.

reported to ComCom and they have replied! Just finished forwarding all emails, can't believe at some of the dumb things he said!!! (Craig Love - owner operator "OffTheNet")
I guess i just have to hope for a positive outcome for me, not so much for him.

[DangerMice]

Seraph, any update on this. Anybody take any action?

[Akzle]

Seraph, any update on this. Anybody take any action?

ehh fock cunt.
option c) no cunt gives a fuck it's chinese shit so, like, well duh!

[Seraph]

Hey guys nothing yet but hearing is on Tuesday next week! Will let you know what happens.

[Seraph]

We have a win! The guy didn't even show up but the referee was horrified at the problems and considered the scooter life threatening with substantial failures. that's a TAO TAO ZUMICO from OFFTHENET ltd trading as 8PM on trademe! AVOID AVOID AVOID!

Seems that a little goes a long way when you actually stand up for yourself!

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::bleh:

[awayatc]

Well done......

We'd all be better of if a lot of substandard crap wouldn't be allowed to be brought into the country

[AllanB]

Well done......

We'd all be better of if a lot of substandard crap wouldn't be allowed to be brought into the country

Agree - is there not some minimum standard road going vehicles have to meet?

[nzspokes]

A win is nice, next step is getting him to comply with a court order.

[pritch]

I seem to recall that a year or two back The Warehouse had to pull a range of pushbikes. As has been suggested it'd be better if there were standards that had to be met. If nobody had complained about the pushbikes they might still be selling them.

Pushbikes might not be relevant but I wouldn't be considering a no name scooter. Or pushbike either actually.

[nzspokes]

I seem to recall that a year or two back The Warehouse had to pull a range of pushbikes. As has been suggested it'd be better if there were standards that had to be met. If nobody had complained about the pushbikes they might still be selling them.

Pushbikes might not be relevant but I wouldn't be considering a no name scooter. Or pushbike either actually.

There is a bicycle safety standard.

[Seraph]

A win is nice, next step is getting him to comply with a court order.

So far nothing, no contact at all. Looks like it'll go to debt collection or court..

[Swoop]

So far nothing, no contact at all. Looks like it'll go to debt collection or court..

Go the court route first.

Then debt collection. Once you use DC they get credit ratings affected which causes much twisting of panties... which businesses don't appreciate.



OR, do both!





Anyway. If it says "chinese" on it, avoid! Especially when supermarket shopping for food.