• HW Installation Support

  • Purchase experience and customer support feedback

Hello DUDU team and prospective users and customers,

I am writing this post to raise awareness and share my feedback about my experience purchasing this "product." My intention is to provide information to new users before they make their purchase and choose the model and options they want for the future.

I placed an order on AliExpress for a 10.36'' 8/128GB unit on December 27, 2024. The good part was that the unit was advertised as being shipped from a French store, meaning no customs and "quick delivery." Before purchasing, I carefully reviewed the webpage, reading about the advertised options to ensure I understood everything correctly and avoided mistakes.

As we all know, product pages often feature appealing images showcasing different options. At the time, I was unaware of the distinctions between Mekede, DUDU, and various stores. I was simply a customer who had landed on a product advertised in a specific way. In my case, I was particularly excited by the many options showcased on the webpage. One feature, in particular, caught my attention: 360-degree camera support. Seeing this advertised, I thought, "This is a great feature to have" and considered it a major selling point.

I made my purchase feeling confident that I was buying one of the best, if not the best, aftermarket navigation systems available.

The Issue Emerges

A day later, I decided to look online for others' experiences installing these units. As an electrical engineer, I wasn’t expecting significant difficulties since I rarely encounter problems I can’t resolve—especially those that depend on me.

Nevertheless, I started researching and found discussions on XDA Developers about the software and its features. This brought me to this forum. Here, I saw people discussing how the chip for 360-degree camera support is optional. This surprised me because one of the main reasons for my purchase was the advertised presence of this feature.

I joined a Telegram channel to ask about the chip's status. A user informed me that while it used to be optional, it now comes included with higher-spec units by default. This reassured me, but I still decided to confirm with the seller.

To my surprise, the seller said the chip was not included. I explained that I wanted this feature and that, according to the webpage where I made the order, it should be included. The seller was slow to respond, answering only a few of my questions. Eventually, he offered to communicate via WhatsApp for faster responses. This seemed suspicious, but I had little choice, so I started speaking with an individual named Henry.

The Proposed Plan

  1. I return the unit to a warehouse in Germany (address provided by Henry). I was told not to open the box upon receipt and to return it as is. No problem; this seemed fair.
  2. Once returned, Henry would issue a voucher for the amount I paid, allowing me to purchase a 12/512GB unit with the 360-degree chip. I agreed and told him I didn’t mind paying extra to get what I originally wanted.
  3. Since units with the specifications I wanted were unavailable, Henry said I would need to wait. Once they became available, he would notify me.

What Actually Happened

  1. I returned the unit as agreed. When I received it on a Friday, I immediately went to the post office to send it to the German warehouse.

    • The Shocking Discovery: Before sending it, I checked the box and found the unit was 9.5 inches, 6/64GB—the cheapest model available. The 360-degree chip wasn’t even part of the discussion anymore because the unit wasn’t what I ordered!

      I messaged Henry to inform him that the unit was incorrect, but he ignored my message. I still returned the unit and provided Henry with the tracking number. The unit was delivered successfully less than a week later.

      However, Henry’s responses became even slower, and the "verification" process for confirming receipt of the unit took nearly a week. Eventually, he confirmed it was at the warehouse.

  2. I was told no units with the desired specifications were available and advised to wait. While I was okay with waiting, Henry soon disappeared entirely and stopped responding.

  3. I later received a message from the AliExpress Mekede store, stating that units were now available. I asked about the voucher Henry promised and was told to request a refund for the first unit instead. This was completely different from what Henry and I had agreed upon.

    I asked again about the voucher to pay the price difference but received no response. Fearing they would stop responding altogether, I requested a refund for the first unit and purchased a new one with the desired specs. I also bought the cameras, hoping this would ensure the inclusion of the chip.

    When I asked about the refund for my first order, the response was:
    "I cannot decide that."

Final Thoughts

I am sharing this not to complain about the €400 I might lose, but to warn others who are considering making a purchase. The way items are advertised on AliExpress is often misleading, but I expected better from Mekede and DUDU.

Even if my new unit arrives with the correct specs and I receive my refund, the bitter experience with customer support will remain.

DUDU/Mekede team, please do better communication with the customers. I'm not saying satisfy all of their requests, but at least talk to them.

Thank you,
a customer.

    Sounds like the Mekede team has done a great job helping you resolve the problem in a timely and efficient manner.

    As you have learned and shared, its always best to inquire with the sales team about optional accessories and their functionality prior to purchase. Assumptions can be frustrating.

    Thanks for sharing your experience.

      stefan35 I have had not a good experience too. Ordered on 12th November and shipped on 21st, charged a shipping fee of $27 and still shipped using the pathetic China Post.

      Took 49 days before I went 350KM to the International Mail Office and took the delivery of it. They weren't sending it unless I go there.

      Similarly, another head unit I purchased on the same day, was delivered on 12th day, 24 November. I paid $5 shipping fee for that and the DUDU store on AliExpress was clueless about it and when I asked in the WhatsApp group, they just reply that "ask the store you purchased from".

      Since 2015, none of my orders took more than 15 days to deliver (except some ordinary packets).

        picasso1850 They should clearly mention in every ad page/image that 360 chip can only be added if cameras are purchased. Why do some dubious marketing just to sell the product and frustrate customers?

            abidali When I think about it, I'm glad I didn't pay more money for the radio because it had a pre-installed 360-degree camera chip that 99% of users would never have used. This demonstrates smart business money management, not misleading marketing or intentional scamming of consumers, imo

            This is a niche stereo product, primarily targeting DIY enthusiasts and intended mainly for cars built before 2020. Less than 10% of cars manufactured during that period have factory-installed 360 cameras. This is an extra/optional feature because 99% of consumers are buying Android head units for streaming music and video functionality, not for 360-degree camera systems. It's the end-users' assumptions about the functionality of optional accessories that often lead to frustration.

            Only 0.01% of Dudu buyers will want to install a brand new 360 camera system. This is a realistic estimate. If Dudu sold the head unit and cameras without informing the buyer that they needed an additional chip, then yes I would fault them for poor sales communication. otherwise no.

            I'm sure selling this product to the general public is very challenging for Dudu, as even though it's mostly plug-and-play, it still involves a highly technical installation process for the general public due to their lack of expertise. Just imagine how frustrating it would be for Dudu to have to teach each user of extremely specialized and unique car wiring harnesses how to install their particular car radio.

            alas, its all perspective and personal experience.

              The Story Continues

              Today, I received a notification from AliExpress customer support stating that they are refusing to refund the unit I returned. Upon seeing this, I immediately contacted Mekede customer support to ask why my refund was being denied, even though I had returned the unit. Their response was:

              “We cannot refund you because there will be a penalty for us.”

              From what I understand, AliExpress fines the seller a small amount when the return reason is the seller’s fault, such as sending the wrong product—which, in my case, is exactly what happened. As mentioned earlier, I ordered an 8/128GB 10” unit but received a 6/64GB 9” unit instead.

              However, Mekede believes I should bear the consequences of their mistake. Not only did I pay for the return shipping, but now they want to avoid any responsibility for sending the wrong item. To avoid being fined, they forced me to change the return reason to “Item no longer needed.”

              At this point, I’m exhausted and willing to do whatever it takes to resolve this. So, I followed their instructions and updated the return reason as requested. Now, I’m back to waiting—who knows how long this will take.

              During this process, I repeatedly asked Mekede customer support if there’s anything else I can do to help resolve the situation. Unsurprisingly, they ignored my questions. Frankly, I don’t think there’s anything more I can do on my end.

              Poor Customer Support and Misleading Practices

              I can’t understand how it’s possible to run a business like this. While some users claim the seller is doing a good job, they’re likely unaware of the frustrating delays and the poor quality of communication. Different representatives at Mekede customer support provide conflicting information, leading to confusion and making you question whether they are capable of resolving your issue at all.

              One glaring problem is their failure to clarify crucial information. For example, regarding the 360-degree camera support, many users are unaware that this feature requires an additional chip that must be purchased separately. Despite claiming the feature is supported, they fail to clearly state that it is not included by default.

              Here’s a simple solution:
              • Add a clear, bold message on the product page saying:
              “To enable 360-degree cameras, you need to purchase an additional chip from a separate product page.”
              • Include a picture of the chip with a clickable link so customers can easily find and purchase it.

              This is standard practice for most sellers on AliExpress, but Mekede fails to implement this basic level of transparency.

              For example, while there’s a vague hint about the chip on the official global Mekede store, no such information exists on the French Mekede store for the same product. This inconsistency effectively turns the claim of 360-degree camera support into false advertising.

              Why This Matters

              Every day, I see posts here and on the Telegram channel from customers confused about missing features, particularly the 360-degree camera functionality. They’re frustrated to learn that something advertised as “supported” is incomplete because of the hidden requirement to purchase a separate chip.

              This lack of clarity not only creates a poor customer experience but also damages trust in the brand. Mekede could easily fix this issue by being transparent and upfront with their customers. Instead, they leave buyers in the dark, leading to misunderstandings, complaints, and situations like mine.

                stefan35 I wonder....maybe all your drama could have been avoided if you had first talked with a sales rep prior to ordering on your own. You made assumptions that turned out wrong but you want to place all the blame on the manufacturer. You researched after ordering, not before......victim based crocodile tears....

                    I wouldn’t call this a drama—it’s just a situation that’s happening and will eventually resolve one way or another. As I’ve stated before, I’m not here to complain or “cry like a little girl.” I’m simply sharing my story, hoping it might be helpful to others. That’s all I’m doing.

                    To address your point, yes, this situation could have been avoided in several ways. To make it clearer, I’ll outline some of them:
                    1. Not ordering at all.
                    This would obviously prevent any issues, as there would be no purchase and therefore no “drama,” as you put it.
                    2. Not trusting the advertised features and extensively researching online.
                    While this approach could help clarify certain doubts, it’s not a guaranteed solution. Some information might be incomplete, hard to find, or even unavailable.
                    3. Relying on the product page for accurate information.
                    Ideally, the product page should contain all necessary details in a clear and comprehensive manner. If any information is missing, reputable manufacturers usually provide datasheets or other documentation that fully describes the product’s features and options.
                    Unfortunately, in this case, the product page didn’t include a link to any such supplementary information, leaving customers without a complete understanding of what they’re purchasing.

                    As someone who works for a company that manufactures high-end products, I can tell you that transparency is key. Disclosing as much information as possible is not just beneficial for customers—it’s essential for maintaining trust and reputation.

                    If my company were to handle things the way this situation was managed, we would quickly lose credibility and, eventually, go out of business. Reputation is everything.

                    When mistakes happen, we take full responsibility. Here’s how we approach it:
                    1. We prioritize solving the issue immediately, ensuring the customer’s satisfaction.
                    2. We often offer discounts for future purchases or services as a gesture of goodwill.
                    3. In some cases, we go further and provide a service or product entirely for free.

                    Doesn’t that sound like good business practice to you?

                    Now, let me ask:
                    • Do you believe businesses should take care of their customers and correct mistakes?
                    • If a mistake is made, should the customer bear the cost of fixing it?

                    In my case, the seller sent me the wrong unit entirely—a completely different product from what I ordered. Isn’t that reason enough for me to return the item and expect a refund?

                    If so, why should I be responsible for paying the return shipping costs?

                    We don’t even need to discuss the chip issue to see that this is a fundamental failure. The seller failed in the most basic responsibility: sending me the correct product.

                      stefan35 Well to be honest I don't believe your story in full, you know what they say, every story has three versions. yours, mine, and the truth. 🙂

                      If a business mails the wrong product then the customer should not be charged a return or restocking fee, unless they opened said product upon delivery acceptance after being advised not to. Or if a customer orders the wrong product on their own accord based on their incorrect assumptions and knows this a day after ordering and attempts but is unable to stop the order delivery schedule then all shipping and restocking fees should be the customers responsibility. I don't know all your specific details, but I understand you're disappointed and frustrated.

                      My money is still on you installing and using their product and loving it for all that it offers.

                        stefan35 I myself ordered a 6/64 13” unit from the French store on the 20/01/25. I did my research beforehand, decided on the cheapest specs w/o 360 and pulled the trigger when a coupon from Ali made available.
                        I feel your frustration but it will become your experience dealing with Ali. Better to pay by Paypal. Trust the seller only if it’s a well established store with many years record. Otherwise, you should raise dispute with Ali directly, they can send you free return label. If all else fails, you still have the protection from Paypal. For the case of Mekede, there are 2 French stores, differs only by a “-“. I negotiated with one store seller beforehand for a free canbus and frame but ended up ordering from the other store by mistake. I thought they are the same. Quite sketchy!

                            I get the impression that you may not fully believe what I’ve said, and that’s fine. If I need to provide proof, I can, but that’s not my intention here. My goal is to highlight issues related to product presentation, customer support performance, and problem-solving skills. These are key areas that, in my opinion, require significant improvement.

                            I’m confident that I’ll enjoy the product once I finally receive what I ordered. I’m passionate about technology, innovation, and advancements. For over 10 years, I’ve been using Chinese head units, so I’m no stranger to the challenges they can present. I’ve dealt with cases where I had to replace chips on main boards or make other hardware enhancements to keep things running.

                              Tbui Getting the one that you ordered is already a good start.
                              The Ali experience, yes. I don't know how old is my account there but I would think it's more than 10 years. Most of the time I order cheap stuff that I can throw in the bin when something is not correct. In this case though it is important to resolve the problem the correct way.
                              Paying through PayPal now sounds like a good idea to me. I will look to do that for more expensive purchases. Thanks for the advice.

                              • Tbui replied to this.

                                  stefan35 For the most part, Ali after sale service is good. I have returned 2 head units w/o problems due to their false marketing of android version. Full refund, shipping label provided. They can also propose partial refund for you to keep it as well. I was aware of the 360 camera chip implication before buying but decided to go without. I have seen sample images and they are too gimmicky to be of any use for my case.

                                    stefan35 I understand you can't provide proof to fully validate your story, but you still can't take ownership of the original problem you created either.

                                        picasso1850

                                        Your reactions are those of a happy user, not a user who has been misinformed. This has nothing to do with smart marketing, but with misleading. Most times everything is just fine and works out, but I have read dozens and dozens and dozens of stories on XDA and 4PDA where these kind of things happened. Sometimes by fault of the user, sometimes by fault of the supplier.
                                        I even had it myself where it costed me a 140 euros to Joying as my unit had a faulty motherboard, and they only wanted to send me another unit if I paid for all the travel and customs costs for return the old unit and shipment of the new unit. This took 3 months where the replies took longer and longer, just as @stefan35 mentions. In the end I paid the 140 euros, otherwise I had paid for a unit and still had nothing. It was my last Joying. It is sometimes terrible doing business with a Chinese company behind AliExpress and behind the "Chinese wall" .
                                        Everything that can bring their rating down on AliExpress of bring costs to them via AliExpress, is a reason to "sabotage" the negotiations as long as they can.
                                        Note: I have had 4 Joying units (incl. the replaced one), a Mekede and now a dudu7 (also a Mekede). 5 times happy, one time really annoyed. It really does happen as @stefan35 describes.

                                        Edit: So far my experiences with Mekede and Dudu are excellent.

                                            picasso1850
                                            Stop. Just stop defending what many are actually having to deal with. I am in the same boat. I am a very savvy tech buyer and user and like many, have been falsely advertised to regarding the 360 chip. No where on their page does it say you must buy the chip separately. No f-ing where. That is a fact (or was ant time of purchase) and stop saying that we are the ones to blame. Just because you had a good experience or probably getting paid from Dudu, it doesn’t mean others are having issues.

                                                surfer63

                                                Hey Homie, I'm Tony.

                                                I’m pretty satisfied with the Dudu head unit. It’s not the pinnacle of Chinese engineering, but it’s far from scam-tier junk & marketing lies. My responses were crafted to counter Stefan’s overly dramatic story telling — his chapter-like breakdown and bolded headings was more performance art than genuine feedback, imo.

                                                I get the frustration of dealing with companies across time zones, we live in an instant-gratification world where patience runs thin. But this isn’t Samsung or Sony — they don’t have massive support teams working 24/7. Maybe the marketing could be seen as confusing or misleading to some people; like claiming LTE compatibility with only a few bands and limited speeds. Is that deception or a lack of understanding the technical specs? Perspective maybe...

                                                They don't lie about what Android OS version it runs or fail to provide ongoing software support like many Chinese resellers. We all researched and made the decision to buy this product based on our expectations and assumptions. But managing our assumptions is key. I’ve ranted before about my unmet expectations but they were based on my own assumptions and expectations. There is middle ground between my points and stefans story...

                                                  Tswire Sorry, no can do. He ordered the wrong product based on his own assumptions without consulting a sales rep and bought from a third party website. The problems that followed weren’t Mekede/Dudu’s fault, but he frames it that way. Balance is key.

                                                    Interesting opinions for which, I'm grateful.

                                                    For the ones saying that I ordered the wrong product based on my assumptions.
                                                    How about the fact that I ordered 8/128GB 10'' and got 6/64GB 9''. Which assumptions are wrong in this case?
                                                    It is not about the chip at all at this point. There is not even a single parameter that matcher my order. What would you have done in this case? Would you just say - "Ah, I probably had wrong assumptions and it is totally fine that I paid more for less."
                                                    What about not getting answers for days, and when you have them, they are 3 to 4 words long and are not clear at all?
                                                    What about different people from support giving you different instructions all together?
                                                    What about not trying to take any responsibility for making such a fundamental mistake?
                                                    I don't think you guys are reading my posts in their entirety.

                                                    As I said before, I'm sharing my experience the way it unfolds. I'm not judging, I'm simply reporting. I'm sure when I get an actual product, I will be pleasantly surprised. At this time, I paid for two and I have empty hands.

                                                    About the way I write my posts. This is simply because I come from a working environment that is fundamental to know how to present information, that's all. If some of you perceive my story as dramatic, it is probably because it is. I never said that I'm creating a drama, I even denied it.
                                                    Most of us haven't seen such a customer support level and that's why it also can sound unbelievable. I admit that if I was listening to someone explaining this, I would be at one point skeptical but this does not make it untrue. What is true is true, and nobody can change that.

                                                    I'm glad that most of you have had a positive experience with Mekede/Dudu. This is the reason I did a second purchase. One way or another, I will get what I want. You know why, because I paid for it. This is my part in this transaction, the rest is the sellers responsibility.

                                                      stefan35

                                                      I tried to be respectful at the start of this thread but there's a reason why I know you live in Texas, drive a Prius, and lied about this whole story. I won't respond to this thread or you again.