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Frequently Asked Questions

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General

Order Guide Customisation

USB Flash Drives

Product Technical

Audio

Product Technical

USB Car Charger

Product Technical

General

How can I order from Flashbay? What do the symbols mean in the product description? What is a virtual proof? How can I retrieve my password? What are your Lead times? Where can Flashbay deliver to?

What's the minimum order quantity?

If you wish to order USB Flash Drives branded with your Logo, the minimum order quantity is 10 units for our most popular models. Please contact us for a full price list, you will see that even for small quantity orders, our prices are very competitive!

Many other companies have a minimum order quantity of 50 or as high as 250. At Flashbay, by keeping our order processing as efficient as possible, we are very happy to accommodate smaller orders for USB Flash Drives.

For other products, our minimum order quantities vary slightly depending on the requirement, so please get in touch.
How will the products look when they arrive? Resellers

Flashbay Warranty

Does Flashbay grant a warranty on all products?
Yes, all products appearing on the Flashbay website are warrantied to be free from defects in materials and workmanship at the time of delivery.

After delivery, how long is the warranty period for different categories of products?
Please see table below that lists all of our product categories and their warranty periods. 

Product Type Warranty Length
USB Flash Drives 10 years
Power 2 years
Audio 2 years
Drinkware 2 years
Gadgets 2 years
Pens 1 year
Bags 1 year
Caps 1 year
Notebooks 1 year
Accessories 1 year
Apparel 1 year

For Merch Packs the warranty applies to the individual items in the merch pack separately as detailed above.

What does the warranty not cover?
The warranty does not cover the repair, replacement or exchange of products where damage is intentional or has resulted from neglect, misuse, accident, modification, unsuitable physical or operating environment, incorrect maintenance or failure caused by a product for which Flashbay is not responsible. Damage caused by fair wear and tear (including damage to custom branding) is also excluded.
  • USB Flash Drives: Failure or undesirable operation is excluded where products are used with specialist or custom hardware or software or used in an application other than general storage of non-critical data.
  • Drinkware: Damage caused by abrasive chemicals, abrasive cleaning methods and dishwashers is excluded.
  • Pens: Ink cartridges are a consumable item. Warranty applies only to the body of the pen.
  • Bags: Damage caused by overloading is excluded.
  • Caps: Changes in shape are expected from repeated use and are excluded.
  • Apparel: Changes in shape are expected from repeated use and are excluded. Fading or deterioration of custom branding after repeated washing is excluded. Damage caused by washing other than in accordance with specified care instructions is excluded.
  • Notebooks: Damage caused by food, drink and/or liquid spillages or general lack of care is not covered.

Do you offer samples?

Yes we offer free samples. These are non-functioning units that are designed to show you the look and feel of each model. We find this is a huge help for our customers trying to decide which model to choose.

How do I pay and what are your payment terms?

After your order has been placed, you will receive instructions on how to pay via email. It's quick and simple - we accept all payment methods from credit card to bank transfer. For some repeat customers, public sector and larger companies, we can offer credit terms. Note that before we can ship the order, we need to have received payment from you unless you have agreed credit terms with us.

What is Your Returns Policy?

We take great care to ensure that every order we produce is just right but if we get it wrong we will work hard to put it right very quickly. Simply contact your dedicated Account Manager for further assistance if you experience any issues with your order.

As all our products are manufactured on demand and customised to your specifications any cooling off periods or cancellation provisions of the Consumer Rights Directive (and/or equivalent international provisions) do not apply.

I need more help. Who can I contact?

We’re here to help. Simply contact us via our phone number or via our Contact Us page. Alternatively, if you have an Account Manager you can contact them directly.
What is the best file format for my logo file? How Do We Add Your Logo?

USB Flash Drives

Are all USB Flash Drives created equal?

How do I use a USB Flash Drive?

Just plug your USB Flash Drive into the USB port of your computer or other USB-equipped device. If the flash drive has a light (LED), it will flash to indicate it's operational.

Your computer may recognise a new drive has been detected, and prompt you to open the drive (or run files already on the drive). Choose the option to 'open' or 'explore' the new drive.

If you are running Microsoft Windows as an operating system, you can also see the new drive by clicking 'My Computer' on the 'Start' menu which lists all your computer's drives, including the flash drive. Double click the flash drive to open it.

Drag the files you want to copy to the flash drive into the folder that appears on your screen. Your files are now transferred to your USB Flash Drive (normally instantly but it can take a little longer if the files are big).

You can unplug your flash drive at any time, as long as files are not being read from or written to the flash drive. Ensure the LED is not flashing if your device has one.

To transfer the items on your USB Flash Drive onto another computer, explore the files on the flash drive as above, and the drag them to a location on the new computer.
How much data can a USB Flash Drive hold?

Can I store and transfer music files with my USB Flash Drive?

The short answer is YES. In general, USB Flash Drives use mass storage class drivers, therefore any system that supports mass storage class drivers should be able to access the content from the USB flash drive – including music files!

Will my USB Flash Drive work with any computer?

USB Flash Drives use the USB protocol to operate with PCs, Macs and other devices with a USB port. Typically USB Flash Drives use mass storage class drivers that are incorporated in Windows Me, Windows 2000 and Windows XP or later as well as Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X or later as well as Linux 2.4.6 or later. Some manufacturers offer drivers for Windows 98 SE or Windows NT. Apple offers a mass storage class driver update for Mac OS 8.6. For more information, please consult with the manufacturer of the USB Flash Drive.

Advantages of using a Flash Drive over an External Hard Drive, DVD-R or Floppy Disk.

At the size of a pack of chewing gum, USB Flash Drives are far smaller than external hard drives, and with no fragile moving parts that can break if dropped, they're more easily transported. USB Flash Drives also do not require the time-consuming configuration required to connect an external hard drive to your computer.

USB ports are much more common than CD and DVD burners, so USB Flash Drives will work with more computers than CD-Rs or DVD-Rs. Also, the process of uploading files from your computer to a USB Flash Drive is much faster and simpler than burning a CD or DVD. Additionally, USB Flash Drives act like portable hard drives to which you can add and delete files as many times as you like. With CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, you can only add data once, and you can't remove data once it's burned onto the disc.

And it’s needless to remind that a standard floppy disc, holding only 1.44 MB of data, doesn’t stand much of a chance in front the very large storage space (up to 128GB) that a USB Flash Drive can offer nowadays.

What happened to 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB flash drive capacities?

These memory capacities have now been superseded by capacities such as 2GB, which cost the same yet offer better value for money.

If you are looking for a low cost flash drive, and only need a tiny amount of memory, 2GB usually represents the cheapest capacity on the market.

NAND flash memory below 2GB is no longer produced by major memory chip manufacturers like Hynix, Samsung, KIOXIA*, Sandisk, Micron & Intel in large quantities. Occasionally we are able to source sufficient amounts of 1GB memory and make these available to our customers, but the long term trend is towards larger capacities. 

Some flash drive producers still offer 128MB, 256MB and 512MB memory capacities. They will be using unbranded, inferior quality NAND flash which we strongly recommend you avoid as not all flash drives are created equal


*Toshiba Memory was rebranded to Kioxia on Oct. 1, 2019.

What is a USB Flash Drive?

A USB Flash Drive is a compact USB flash memory drive that acts like a portable hard drive, letting you store and transport your most precious computer data. They hold incredibly large amounts of information and are small enough (about the size of a pack of chewing gum) to slip easily into your pocket, conveniently around your neck like a necklace, or on your key chain.
NAND Flash and price change On the Go Flash Drives (OTG) explained What Controller do we use in our USB Flash Drives? How do you setup AutoRun function? What are the USB Flash Drive read and write speeds? What is WEEE? Do we format as Removable Storage or Local Disk?

How can I protect my computer from viruses when using a USB Flash Drive?

In general, the best way to protect your computer against virus attacks is through various security methods. These may include an Internet fire wall, a virus scanner and other tools screening incoming files for viruses. In the case of USB Flash Drives, you might want to consider running a virus scan on the contents of the drive before accessing any files.

What are SLC, MLC and TLC?

NAND flash memory can be sub-divided into 3 broad categories SLC, MLC and TLC.

SLC is an abbreviation of 'Single-Level Cell':

SLC memory stores one bit in each cell, leading to faster transfer speeds, lower power consumption and higher cell endurance. The only disadvantage of Single-Level Cell is the manufacturing cost per MB, meaning that the SLC flash technology is used in high-performance memory cards where speed and reliability are important.

MLC is an abbreviation of 'Multi-level Cell':

MLC memory stores two bits in each cell. By storing more bits per cell, a Multi-Level Cell memory card will achieve slower transfer speeds, higher power consumption and lower cell endurance than a Single-Level Cell memory card. The advantage of Multi-Level Cell memory is the lower manufacturing cost. MLC flash technology is used mostly in standard consumer memory devices.

TLC is an abbreviation of 'Triple-level Cell':

TLC memory stores three bits in each cell. By storing even more bits per cell, a Triple-level Cell memory card will achieve slower transfer speeds, higher error rates and lower cell endurance than both Multi-level Cell and Single-level Cell memory cards. The advantages of Triple-level Cell memory are that the memory chip will be physically smaller than SLC and MLC chips for a given memory capacity, it requires less power to operate than MLC memory and is cheaper to produce. TLC flash technology is used mostly in low-end memory devices where speed and reliability are not important.
What is Windows ReadyBoost?

What is USB 2.0?

Simple Answer: USB 2.0 gives a faster data transfer speed than the old USB 1.1. There are no problems of compatibility between USB 1.1 ports and USB 2.0 Flash Drives (and vice-versa).

More Detail: Finalized in 2001, Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 is a complete overhaul of the Universal Serial Bus input/output bus protocol which allows much higher speeds of reading and writing data than the older USB 1.1 standard.
What is USB3 or SuperSpeed USB?

Audio

What audio sources can I use with the Bluetooth® devices?

Our Bluetooth® devices can be used with any Bluetooth®-enabled audio source. Some of our Audio models also feature an auxiliary cable input to connect your device with. In this case, enabling Bluetooth® on your device is not necessary.

Is it safe to take my Bluetooth® devices on the plane?

Yes, they are safe both as hold and hand luggage.

How can I pair my device with the Bluetooth® speakers or headphones?

To pair your audio device, ensure that you have activated Bluetooth® on your device and that the speaker/headphones are switched on. Then, select the name of the speaker/headphones (e.g. Tab) shown on your device in the ‘Compatible Devices’ menu and follow any further on-screen instructions. Your Audio device name may also match the Logo name branded on it. The Audio product will beep to signal a successful connection. 

Can I answer calls with the Bluetooth® Headphones?

Yes, our Bluetooth® headphones have this functionality.

Can the Bluetooth® Speakers function as a speakerphone?

You can use the Bluetooth® Speaker as a speakerphone when making calls.

USB Car Charger

What is a Promotional USB Car Charger?

A Promotional USB Car Charger allows for the charging of portable devices via a USB port whilst driving. The Promotional USB Car Charger plugs into a car’s 12V/24V Auxiliary charging socket. This socket is standard on almost all cars. Typically, it is located in the centre console of the car, or in the lower dashboard area, and sometimes doubles up as a cigarette lighter. 

The Promotional USB Car Charger can be customized and branded with your own logo, serving as a practical and highly effective marketing tool every time your client is driving.

How do I know if the Promotional USB Car Charger is charging my device?

Your device will show a charging screen or charging light to indicate that it’s charging. Some of our models also illuminate to indicate that charging is in progress.

Does my car need to be switched on or moving for the charger to work?

The car must be switched on, but does not need to be moving for the charger to work.

How much power/ fuel does it consume?

Less than 30mAh. The Car Charger will only consume power from the Car's Battery source if a device is plugged in.

What devices can a USB Car Charger charge?

The USB Car Charger can charge all phones, tablets and other digital products that can be connected via a USB port.

How quickly can a USB Car Charger charge my device?

Let’s assume a typical output of one USB port is 5V/3A. If the charging current of the device is 3A and the battery is 2500mAh, that’s 2500mAh/3A = approximately 50 minutes.

However, there are three further factors to consider:
  • The maximum supported charge rate of your device will impact charging time. Many devices only charge at 1A. Charging at 1A takes twice as long as charging at 2A.
  • Our USB Car Chargers have 2 USB ports. If you are simultaneously charging 2 devices that each support a high charge current of 2A, the USB Car Charger's total output will be shared between the devices. If the maximum output of the USB Car Charger is 3A, each device will receive 1.5A.
  • In the real world, inefficiencies relating to energy losses of the circuitry, cable and battery, means the charge time could be up to 30% longer than a simple theoretical calculation indicates.

Is charging slowed down if two devices are simultaneously charging?

The maximum output of the USB Car Charger is 3A if two devices are simultaneously charging, giving the following matrix:
Two Devices Total Output    Slow down?
1A Device + 1A Device (e.g. two iPhones) 2A   No
1A Device + 2A Device (e.g. iPhone™ + iPad™) 3A   No
2A Device + 2A Device (e.g. two Samsung S6s) 4A   Yes

How is the USB Car Charger connected to the car's power supply?

The USB Car Charger is connected to the car’s power supply via 12V/24V Auxiliary charging socket. This socket is standard on almost all cars. Typically, it is located in the centre console of the car, or in the lower dashboard area, and sometimes doubles up as a cigarette lighter.
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