Do not Purchase ZTE routers

I purchased a ZTE MF297D 4g Router from Amazon two weeks ago
But it intemittently shuts down and the only way re-boot, is you use 192.168.8.1 and restart the Router internally - the internal LTE icon is displaying Red
Switching Power on/off has no effect nor using the Mobile App to "restart Route"
I contacted ZTE in China, with a one line reply "Push the Reset-Button"
After a week of more disruptions, I sent them screen shots of the internal displays
Today I received another response telling me to fall back on the after-sales service offered by the Supplier, as ZTE can no longer offer any assistance
Since when has Amazon Tech Support
The moral of this tale is that ZTE will offer you no help whatsoever with their product failures

Send it back to Amazon as faulty. ZTE are unlikely to listen to a lone punter in a faraway land of which they know nothing. You have more leverage with an Amazon seller, who might decide that the product is more trouble than it is worth and ditch that particular product.

Is this ZTEs fault? Have they opened up a retail sales channel lately, or are the people selling their devices buying them up and reselling them without understanding that they're meant to be the ones handling support?

Not sure why you are using a Mobile App to configure the router it is usually a http://x.x.x.x

Worth double checking you are inserting the SIM the correct way also as it can sometimes not be obvious on 4g routers (do not force it in the wrong way)

Pressing the reset button is sound advice as it will completely reset all settings so should be able to configure from scratch again

Did you purchase from Amazon or a Third Party seller listing on Amazon?

If you purchased on a Sold By and Despatched by Amazon return it to Amazon

If you purchased from a 3rd Party Seller on Amazon contact them and see if they can help and if they can't return to them

It should all be possible by logging onto Amazon, Account, Orders and use the appropriate Ask Question (or whatever it is) or Return or Replace Items buttons next to your order.

The only way to re-boot the router is via
192.168.8 1 or the ZTE MF297D app
it was purchased from Amazon where it was shipped from Poland by ZTE- Six day delivery
I just thought that as ZTE were the manufacturer, after only two weeks of use they should shoulder some responsibility for the problem
However, they are not in the least interested
I could get a replacement from Amazon but the 30 day guarantee only applies for one period
So a replacement with a six day delivery, could leave me without any Warranty at all, not worth the risk

Your legal rights are much longer and with the company you paid money to. Most likely Amazon.

See which?’s article for details.
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/c...

Personally I would try to return it for refund and perhaps buy something suitable from ebay from a well feedbacked UK seller.

Not sure of your budget but plenty of good values models, used, refurnished or new, 4g and even 5g

If you find something decent on ebay obviously check if it is on Sold By Amazon as returns are much simpler though.

kitz.co.uk Forums also has a good forum for Mobile Broadband / Routers - plenty of help and suggestions in their.

I have never had to deal with a 3rd party seller on Amazon so I am not really sure on best course of action.

Normally I would just Chat To An Amazon associate if you can get past the AI bot (and find the Chat link) and explain you have lost confidence in the product and want a full refund and they should advise on how to go about it. Explain the seller said they can't help any further and Amazon will need to help. Tell them it is not acceptable service to just send a one line reply not addressing the problem.

Hopefully someone else with specific experience will hopefully reply as I may be completely wrong.

@Bure,

FTR, I would NOT purchase anything off of Amazon that is shipped from ANYWHERE outside the UK. You can NOT trust that that the item you're receiving is 100% authentic. For routers and other network devices you might end up with a device that is loaded with malware, viruses and a whole host of nasty things that you would NOT want to have. It's also a lot easier to receive support from UK suppliers than it is from foreign suppliers and also when it comes to returning things it's easier from UK suppliers.
In the future, if I was you, I would stick to UK sellers on Amazon (or eBay, just FTR).

HTH,

I have just been informed by Amazon (UK) that ZTE new Routers carry no warranty/guarantee whatsoever
I just have the 30 day money back return from Amazon
So after 30 days and the router fails, its only fit for the bin

In reply to a post by bure:

So after 30 days and the router fails, its only fit for the bin

Not true, the Consumer Rights Act is in charge. Amazon as the seller to you is responsible. They can't pass this to a third party.

In reply to a post by bure:

I have just been informed by Amazon (UK) that ZTE new Routers carry no warranty/guarantee whatsoever
I just have the 30 day money back return from Amazon
So after 30 days and the router fails, its only fit for the bin

If Amazon are going to allow you to return to them I would do that.
You say it isn't working correctly anyway so return it.
You only have an easy 30 day warranty on it
It could be worse - you could be having to return it to Poland and pay the postage!
Treat it as a learning experience and stick with Sold and Despatched By products on Amazon
As the last resort make sure the 3rd Party seller is UK based if it is a difficult to find product elsewhere

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Not true, the Consumer Rights Act is in charge. Amazon as the seller to you is responsible. They can't pass this to a third party.

Strictly true but I wouldn't want to try to persuade Amazon of it.
If the router isn't working correctly it should just be returned ideally to Amazon to keep things simple.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by bure:

So after 30 days and the router fails, its only fit for the bin

Not true, the Consumer Rights Act is in charge. Amazon as the seller to you is responsible. They can't pass this to a third party.

💯 know your rights as a consumer. B2B different, but that’s contracts law.

Amazon just sent me this screenshot
The link appears on the right side of the page where you pay for the item
I see today the Router has a price hike from £79 to £100


EU products may differ from UK products. Additional terms apply.(Link to)

Amazon Global Store
International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labelling or instructions.
]Manufacturer warranty will not apply.
Please review Amazon’s return policy, which usually offers free returns within 30 days of receipt.
Depending on your delivery address, VAT may vary at Checkout.

Not sure if the Consumer Rights Act is forceable when I purchased this Router outside the UK
Ie Amazon Germany and ZTE Poland

Perhaps my Subject Heading should read "Do not Purchase from Amazon Global Store"

You're still within the 30 days return policy - return it to Amazon as DOA and they are legally refund you. Use the Amazon online chat - I had more success with this method.

I use Amazon for most purchases, local retailers seldom have stock, my two last items have arrived 24 hours after ordering although I don't use Prime, I find returning products is easy and refunds are prompt. Just follow the returns procedure as laid down in your account page.

Yes, it`s on its way back