One way to save money on cheap 99p eBay items from China

telemarks

I can't believe I didn't spot this before, but buying cheap items direct from China on a different international eBay sites can save 30%.



Its a bit of a running joke in my family but I admit I do buy quite a lot of cheap "bits and pieces" direct from China. I can't see how a watch strap, audio lead or phone case can be shipped from the other side of the world for 99p ... but it can.



However, you can get it even cheaper :rotfl:



If you use your usual ebay login on other ebay international sites (ebay Canada and Australia are my usual goto's, mainly due to language), you can often find the same cheap item, from the same or similar seller, at a lower price.


Obviously its current currency level dependant but for instance a Xiaomi Band watch strap I was going to buy for 99p on ebay UK, is currently C $0.99 or 59p on eBay Canada. The checkout details:

PayPal Balance GBP 0.59
Exchange rate: GBP 1.00 = C $1.68

This can work on any item, due to currency rates changing faster than sellers pricing, but is best on items priced at 99p ... ebay UK's lowest limit, as other international sites have lower limits.


One warning though ... that 99p item could easily suck up hours of your time if you are intent on checking the whole world to save that extra 1p ... :eek::cool:

ballisticbrian

... If you can get past the slave labour thing ...

epm-84

Some claim there's organised gangs in China selling very cheap items on eBay.

theonlywayisup

telemarks wrote: »

I can't believe I didn't spot this before, but buying cheap items direct from China on a different international eBay sites can save 30%.

As it's a money saving site, I should perhaps ask you if you need to buy so many sub 99p items from China.

I know I don't.

barmonkey

epm-84 wrote: »

Some claim there's organised gangs in China selling very cheap items on eBay.

And some say the Earth is flat.

GabbaGabbaHey

telemarks wrote: »

I can't see how a watch strap, audio lead or phone case can be shipped from the other side of the world for 99p ... but it can.

Economic warfare, subsidised by the Chinese government.

ballisticbrian

Amazon say it takes on average 8 minutes to dispatch one item, and it's picked and brought to you by a robot / conveyor. So work out what is left after the item cost and postage, tax if any, and then work out the hourly rate for the worker.

telemarks

ballisticbrian wrote: »

... If you can get past the slave labour thing ...

theonlywayisup wrote: »

As it's a money saving site, I should perhaps ask you if you need to buy so many sub 99p items from China.
I know I don't.

What odd responses. Seem as almost everything "tech" these days is either made in China, or largely made with components made in China, I can't see how the choice of route of buying anything "tech" changes any of this.


If anything, buying direct from manufacturer or local Chinese wholesaler in China probably means more of your money goes to fund the factory.

Buying Chinese goods locally, via retail involves a whole string of middle men, importers, shippers, repackers and wholesalers, all adding margin and driving down input costs, meaning less money back to the factory.

ballisticbrian

What odd responses. Seem as almost everything "tech" these days is either made in China.

When you get down to such tiny amounts of money, it leaves nothing to the imagination as regards wages etc.


The reason these type sellers get the extra scrutiny on this forum is because they are sometimes discussed in the context of selling items delivered for less than the "small parcel" size Royal mail provides which makes it impossible to compete, even if the item cost you nothing.

forgotmyname

Bought some mesh off Amazon 60p with free delivery.. But if you order 2 it adds £4.99 postage. Add 5 and it adds £7.99 postage...

Loss leaders? Or hoping people buy more than 1 and do not check the postage costs. I was curious why my postage was so high with just 2 books that should have added postage. An extra £7.99 postage added for £3 worth of items.

forgotmyname

Catch 22 with the slave labour. My 60p item may only leave 1p for some worker, but if i dont buy them will the worker get anything?

Just because another listing has the item for £5 does not mean the slave workers get get anything extra.