y-cam homemonitor ending free cloud recording

memsaab

These are ip cameras and like all of them if Y-cam really wanted to they could just issue new firmware allowing you to use the cameras to send recordings to Dropbox, via FTP to some other 3rd party service and even email.

Having followed and read the threads here and other forums I am surprised no Y-cam users have demand them to update their firmware to allow the above. Don't be fobbed off they can easily do this.

But I suspect they want to try and get as many unfortunate users to cough up begrudgingly than to do the decent thing and offer their customers alternative solutions.

I work for another UK IP camera maker so I know for a fact this can be done. So come on Y-cam either refund your customers or update your firmware to allow your long standing and loyal customers to keep using the cameras they have paid for after all.

MS

FrugalMav

This is the crap response i got from Y cam after requesting a full refund as the cameras are no longer fit for purpose as they can no longer provide the free 7 day cloud storage. Think its time to contact my credit card company.

(Purchased late 2016)

Thank you for providing your Y-cam order details. Based on the length of time the cameras have been used by you, and serviceability, the refund that I am able to provide is 50% against the amount originally paid. On the original order you paid £181.99, so the refund once everything has been received will be £91.00.

Please let me know if you accept this, and I will arrange to sent you a freepost label, and once received a refund can be processed.

Timmy

memsaab wrote: »

These are ip cameras and like all of them if Y-cam really wanted to they could just issue new firmware allowing you to use the cameras to send recordings to Dropbox, via FTP to some other 3rd party service and even email.

Having followed and read the threads here and other forums I am surprised no Y-cam users have demand them to update their firmware to allow the above. Don't be fobbed off they can easily do this.

But I suspect they want to try and get as many unfortunate users to cough up begrudgingly than to do the decent thing and offer their customers alternative solutions.

I work for another UK IP camera maker so I know for a fact this can be done. So come on Y-cam either refund your customers or update your firmware to allow your long standing and loyal customers to keep using the cameras they have paid for after all.

MS

People have requested just that on their facebook page and Y-cam have responded saying it isn't possible. We of course know that's a load of nonsense, they are simply choosing not to do so. The cameras really weren't that great in the first place anyway, it was the free storage that made them an attractive purchase. I would have thought even if they did offer a firmware update freeing the camera from the Y-Cam cloud, most would soon end up buying a better camera for the job as they can be had for a fraction of the cost of the Y-cams.

Personally I don't see that as an acceptable compromise anyway. Either continue with the promised free storage for existing customers or fully refund those that choose to leave.

FrugalMav

Timmy wrote: »

People have requested just that on their facebook page and Y-cam have responded saying it isn't possible. We of course know that's a load of nonsense, they are simply choosing not to do so. The cameras really weren't that great in the first place anyway, it was the free storage that made them an attractive purchase. I would have thought even if they did offer a firmware update freeing the camera from the Y-Cam cloud, most would soon end up buying a better camera for the job as they can be had for a fraction of the cost of the Y-cams.

Personally I don't see that as an acceptable compromise anyway. Either continue with the promised free storage for existing customers or fully refund those that choose to leave.

They are not making it easy to get a full refund... Are they calling my bluff that they have chatted to Trading standards? Need to check this with Trading standards or get in contact with my credit card company but this is like trying to get blood out of a stone, but im not giving in.

"Thank you for getting back to me.

We have had a meeting with Trading Standards, and based on the price point, reasonable usage and serviceability 3 years can be expected on average. As you have stated you wish to receive a refund, as there has been use of the camera, and service then the refund is adjusted accordingly.

The refund offer is 50% against the original price paid which is £91.00"

Timmy

Well even if they have had a meeting with Trading Standards as they claim, there's no telling whether or not they've put the full story across. Since the announcement I've seen them post outright lies in defence to peoples comments so I wouldn't take their word on anything!

awatkins

Hi all, I purchased 6 of these cameras in 2015, in fact almost £1,000 worth over a period of months. Having tried to contact Y-Cam three times and having NO RESPONSE whatsoever, I then raised a complaint with amazon. I provided amazon with all the relevant information, including the product shots with the 'LIFETIME' promise on, as well as various other bits of information already included on this thread. I also made the point that amazon were the main distributor for Y-Cam in the UK (other than Y-Cam themselves) and therefore they had a responsibility.
It's taken a few weeks, but after numerous emails to their Executive Customer Relations team and they had consulted with their legal department, I have to say amazon have been BRILLIANT.
Having removed and returned all the cameras to amazon, I've now received a full refund, albeit in giftcard credit.
Fantastic service from amazon, who I assume have agreed with us consumers that the change in terms by Y-Cam in is breach of the original purchase contract.
Very poor on Y-Cam and will never buy or recommend them again.

FrugalMav

WHY DID I NOT BUY THROUGH AMAZON!!!!!

Has anyone had any luck getting a full refund through Y-CAM directly?
They said they will only give me 50% refund as i have had them since mid 2016. Debating which is better to contact trading standards or my credit card company to take this forward?

longwalks1

Has any of you found a decent alternative IP camera with free cloud storage, even if its for a few days?

buglawton

Xiaomi Mi series of cameras. If you can work your way around a mostly-English part-Chinese app, movement triggered MP4 clips are held in their cloud for free, time and quantity limitations obviously apply. I tried one from one of those sellers like Gearbest. Good camera and system with IOT integration possible too. You never know how long the free storage will last of course. The cameras are cheap if ordered direct from China, so not too much to lose if the storage deal vanishes.

https://www.gearbest.com/ip-cameras/pp_356786.html

Timmy

buglawton wrote: »

Xiaomi Mi series of cameras. If you can work your way around a mostly-English part-Chinese app, movement triggered MP4 clips are held in their cloud for free, time and quantity limitations obviously apply. I tried one from one of those sellers like Gearbest. Good camera and system with IOT integration possible too. You never know how long the free storage will last of course. The cameras are cheap if ordered direct from China, so not too much to lose if the storage deal vanishes.

https://www.gearbest.com/ip-cameras/pp_356786.html

How long are the stored clips? YI Cameras offer the same thing but the free stored clips are only six seconds long. The app is English though and they can be bought from Amazon UK with regular promotions making them very cheap indeed!