Author Topic: Replica Factor Ostro VAM  (Read 47690 times)

BeR

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #240 on: February 11, 2025, 05:17:40 PM »
I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon unless I saw pics of the interior first.  Just because the V1's that F-C sells (and occasionally delivers) are very high quality is no guarantee that the other frames they offer are of the same quality.  Additionally, I think it's a bit fishy that F-C and RK are both still "on vacation" even though it's now Feb 11.   There is now another Ali store that has the same V1 pics as F-C.  Maybe this is their latest storefront:  Polar Bicycle Store https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453

Which store will you recommand ?

jerozilla

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #241 on: February 11, 2025, 06:24:26 PM »
Which store will you recommand ?

I can only recommend the one i dealt with which is F-C who has shown to deliver reproducible quality, they also seem to only focus on two frames (the blurred out Pinarello TT frame and the Factor) soon to be the v2 Factor. Whereas Taiwan Eisen is selling every single high end frame copy, I'd trust the store/reseller who focuses on one specific thing over the one saying they can perfectly produce you a Colnago fake, Madone fake, SL8's etc.

After seeing the interior of the other frame in here there is definitely not just 1 factory pumping all these Ostro V1's out, they are very different quality interiors.

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #242 on: February 11, 2025, 10:01:51 PM »
Aren’t the black inc wheels an RD270-esque hub and commodity rim anyways? I say get some novelty logos on Wheelsfar or something from Peter.

TidyDinosaur

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #243 on: February 12, 2025, 01:17:53 AM »
I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon unless I saw pics of the interior first.  Just because the V1's that F-C sells (and occasionally delivers) are very high quality is no guarantee that the other frames they offer are of the same quality.  Additionally, I think it's a bit fishy that F-C and RK are both still "on vacation" even though it's now Feb 11.   There is now another Ali store that has the same V1 pics as F-C.  Maybe this is their latest storefront:  Polar Bicycle Store https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1104205453
You can check the registration documents of every store in Aliexpress. If you see they are in the same address, you can be rather certain it's just the same people with a different store front.

tenet3

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #244 on: February 12, 2025, 01:39:48 AM »
That sounds very suspicious. There are clearly at least two different types of Factor frames in this thread. One EPS molded with very smooth inside and the other one which looks a bit more rugged inside (I think it was from taiwan factory bike parts Store). I am not saying one is worse/dangerous whatever, but I find the statement above hard to believe.

Is that the same store as taiwan eisen?

BeR

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #245 on: February 12, 2025, 04:03:37 AM »
I can only recommend the one i dealt with which is F-C who has shown to deliver reproducible quality, they also seem to only focus on two frames (the blurred out Pinarello TT frame and the Factor) soon to be the v2 Factor. Whereas Taiwan Eisen is selling every single high end frame copy, I'd trust the store/reseller who focuses on one specific thing over the one saying they can perfectly produce you a Colnago fake, Madone fake, SL8's etc.

After seeing the interior of the other frame in here there is definitely not just 1 factory pumping all these Ostro V1's out, they are very different quality interiors.

But you said " I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon".

F-C is First class carbon, right ? I miss something :D.

acino

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #246 on: February 12, 2025, 05:55:57 AM »
But you said " I would not buy an Ostro V2 from First Class Carbon".

F-C is First class carbon, right ? I miss something :D.

I don't see anything wrong with this, especially since the second part of his statement was "...unless I saw pics of the interior first". Just because F-C sells (so far) decent v1, it does not mean v2 will be the same. It could be from a different suppliers, there could be early manufacturing flaws/waeknesses etc. So I would not order v2 before I saw photos either. It's a Schrödinger frame at this point.

« Last Edit: February 12, 2025, 06:02:07 AM by acino »

ttgolf

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #247 on: February 12, 2025, 10:35:44 AM »
After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update. 

I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected. 

F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online. 

As a comparison, I ordered my wheelset from Peter@Xiamen Carbon.  They charged me about $100 for shipping and I received the package in less than 5 days. 

I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up. 
« Last Edit: February 12, 2025, 10:55:49 AM by ttgolf »

BeR

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #248 on: February 12, 2025, 10:53:06 AM »
After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update. 

I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected. 

F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online. 

I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up.

I think that they will come back on 20th february.

rasch

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #249 on: February 12, 2025, 12:44:49 PM »
After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update. 

I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected. 

F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online. 

As a comparison, I ordered my wheelset from Peter@Xiamen Carbon.  They charged me about $100 for shipping and I received the package in less than 5 days. 

I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up.

It was Chinese new year.
Shipping method varies and depends on the delivery company, not on thr seller most of the times.
Tarifs are impacting customs transit. Especially in the US.
It's part of a China project. Get used to it eheh

A.V.G

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #250 on: February 12, 2025, 02:40:02 PM »
After about a month, my V1 frame still shows "Arrived in linehaul office." F-C is not providing any additional information. One day, I was told it was on a ship, and the next day, I was informed it was in a US warehouse and would be shipped to me as soon as possible. I keep receiving basically the same message without any real update. 

I filed a return/refund request with Aliexpress, but it was denied because F-C states it is still in transit. I finally called my credit card company and received a refund. I don't mind them charging me again if I finally get my frame. But for now, I am protected. 

F-C is responsive to my communications, but the shipping method is unsatisfactory considering they charge us $130. I’m glad some of you received your frames. However, I won't recommend F-C unless you can find a way to use a reputable shipping company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. Lastly, F-C is no longer listed on Aliexpress. They have been on vacation since the end of January. I don't feel confident buying another frame from them, even if they come back online. 

As a comparison, I ordered my wheelset from Peter@Xiamen Carbon.  They charged me about $100 for shipping and I received the package in less than 5 days. 

I will wait another month or two to see if anyone has more information about the V2 frame. Who knows, maybe one day the V1 frame I ordered will show up.

^^^ THIS!!!  I got the same treatment from F-C, but mine has been 'in-transit' since Dec 7.  I also bought a wheelset from Peter, which actually was a FIRST CLASS experience.  I also bought a 105 Di2 groupset from a random store on Aliexpress and they shipped via UPS Expedited.  That too, was a positive experience. I don't like the suggestion that Aliexpress sellers are just at the mercy of the platform's shady shipping methods - good Alexpress stores know WTF they're doing.  F-C is not one of those sellers, IMHO.  If you were lucky enough to have received your V1 Ostro from First Class Carbon (aka "F-C") or RK Ultra, you are golden!!!

I won't fault others here for rolling the dice with F-C for a V1 but you had better have a plan B in mind if/when your frame never shows up.  And Serge_K warned all of us back in November that F-C was shady.  I realized buying from F-C involved risk - risk that turned into reality.  Now I'll likely have to waste money on tariffs.  Even if I get my money back from F-C, I'm still out money and I'm pissed about F-C's incompetence. 

At this point I'm reevaluating my options, and I'm leaning toward buying a V2 from Taiwan Eisen.  I don't expect the quality will be as good as the F-C V1, but what difference does that make if I can't actually buy a V1 from F-C???

-----------------------------
Final edit Feb-22-2025:  My Ostro frame was eventually delivered after ~75 days in transit and 90 days after order. See page 19 for more info.
« Last Edit: February 22, 2025, 12:45:06 PM by A.V.G »

ttgolf

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #251 on: February 12, 2025, 03:46:49 PM »
It was Chinese new year.
Shipping method varies and depends on the delivery company, not on thr seller most of the times.
Tarifs are impacting customs transit. Especially in the US.
It's part of a China project. Get used to it eheh

Yes, I understand there was a Chinese New Year holiday. However, according to the Aliexpress tracking information, it arrived in the U.S., cleared U.S. customs, and was handed over to a local delivery company on Jan. 23, which was almost a week before the Chinese New Year. The lack of movement for nearly a month now is unacceptable for a shipping charge of $132. 

acino

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #252 on: February 12, 2025, 04:00:07 PM »
Yes, I understand there was a Chinese New Year holiday. However, according to the Aliexpress tracking information, it arrived in the U.S., cleared U.S. customs, and was handed over to a local delivery company on Jan. 23, which was almost a week before the Chinese New Year. The lack of movement for nearly a month now is unacceptable for a shipping charge of $132.

Did you consider calling the local delivery company?

Is it just my impression or everyone who has not received their frame is in US? Is there anyone from US who successfully got a frame from FC or RK?

A.V.G

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #253 on: February 12, 2025, 04:20:28 PM »
Did you consider calling the local delivery company?

Is it just my impression or everyone who has not received their frame is in US? Is there anyone from US who successfully got a frame from FC or RK?

Yes - rhenders bought from F-C.  Hopefully he'll chine in here.  I don't want to speak for him.

A.V.G

Re: Replica Factor Ostro VAM
« Reply #254 on: February 12, 2025, 04:23:14 PM »
ttgolf - Did you try your tracking number on USPS.com?