anyone using taobao (chinese ebay)

Charshy

There's lots of agents out there, just google them for their reviews. I use taobaonow, others use taobaoring, yoybuy... they're all pretty good.

Just DON'T expect them to comment on the quality of your goods - that's not their responsibility, that's yours to know what you're buying. Much like eBay if the price is too good to be true.... it's probably tat. :rotfl:

I'm at work atm but I'll dig out my past order summaries later like steveo has done to give an idea of my best/worst purchases.

J400uk

Very helpful - thanks both. I'm surprised it seems relatively unknown as to me looks like an excellent way of sourcing items from China compared to buying on eBay.

Brooker_Dave

J400uk wrote: »

Very helpful - thanks both. I'm surprised it seems relatively unknown as to me looks like an excellent way of sourcing items from China compared to buying on eBay.

Consider: http://www.aliexpress.com/

steveo3002

charshy it will be good to see how yours compare

does your agent offer all the differant postal services ?

Charshy

Hi all, sorry for delay - I've not been well this week!

Steveo, taobaonow offers me EMS (fastest, tracked) Airmail (cheaper, sign on delivery only) and SAL (Ship). Airmail is cheap if you have small light things, otherwise I always take EMS for the tracking! EMS has a minimum weight requirement so for one-or-two things its usually not cost-effective.

I usually wait about 1-2 weeks for EMS parcels and 3-4 weeks for Airmail.

As for stuff I buy, I tend to buy some specialist alternative fashions which are expensive over here (or unavailable to buy), so my costs for clothes are probably higher than everyone elses - just to set some tone

Currency in ££££ for convenience - items include the cost of DOMESTIC shipping to my agent.

My past orders have been:

December 2012:

a long curly wig with green-dyed tips (from a reputable Taobao store that does colourful wigs) £13
a mini handbag £4
a jewellery stand £2.30

This cost £16.50 in shipping using China Airmail (Small Parcel). Took a while to get to me but was the cheapest option for a very small order.
September 2012:

A pale blue stretchy summer blouse: £17
An unusual black polo-neck jumper with neck details, lace sleeves... it was very detailed! £22
A pair of shorts in the style of a particular designer - £11
Velveteen ballgown with matching hairpiece (quite heavy and warm for winter; custom produced to specification) £62

I'm going to make a 2nd post now this is long in case I lose any info.

Charshy

Shipping for the September order was EMS and cost about £25.

May 2012:

4 x men's shirts in the style of a particular designer (weren't direct replicas, though). Printed all over, long-sleeves. about £8 each

Pair of heavy wedge ladies' shoes fashioned in style of Vivienne Westwood shoes, £36

A necklace in a particular style I wanted with heavy charm, £5

Shipping was expensive because of the shoes, at £40. In retrospect I should have ordered the shoes seperately from the shirts, or else done a bigger order to make it cost-effective - but this was my first order.

I also just remembered I didn't include the 10% service charge on these costs, so add 10% prior to shipping.

So as you can see some things worked out very well and some things less-so, but for me at least, getting stuff (such as Japanese fashions) I simply cannot buy UK-side is totally worth it via taobao.

tiamaria26

taobaonow is really good but the minium charge is £5 or 10% of item which ever is more..then the shipping companys have minium charges too plus the weight..so by the time you add all this up I doubt youd be saving to much on something thats £10 in this country. Im all for saving but if it means waiting 2+ weeks too save a couple of quid youve got to wonder is it worth it?

I have ordered lots of stuff from there before and I find the savings after shipping etc arent worth it..I tend to use it more for things deffo cant get in the uk

Brooker_Dave

Can't all this stuff be found on dhgate/aliexpress?

Plenty of ways to pay and generally free shipping.

Charshy

That's what I do. Also things that are small and light, e.g. blouses. A lovely blouse can be £8 on taobao that would be £30 with high-street "designer" (Next, M&S etc.) labels.

tiamaria26 wrote: »

taobaonow is really good but the minium charge is £5 or 10% of item which ever is more..then the shipping companys have minium charges too plus the weight..so by the time you add all this up I doubt youd be saving to much on something thats £10 in this country. Im all for saving but if it means waiting 2+ weeks too save a couple of quid youve got to wonder is it worth it?

I have ordered lots of stuff from there before and I find the savings after shipping etc arent worth it..I tend to use it more for things deffo cant get in the uk

steveo3002

the stuff i buy doesnt seem to be available on the other sites

all the add ons do increase the original price by alot , but its still a good deal for me , id say the stuff i buy is 1/4 the price i would pay here roughly