Anyone imported from China?

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BigMal

899 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 100328 9-Apr-2012 14:59

Hi,

I want to buy a bulk load of fitness equipment (free weights, not machines) but have never imported from China before. Does anyone here have experience importing using the likes of alibaba.com ?

I've read horror stories about people import tech stuff and getting replicas or rip-offs but the products I'm after are unbranded so I'm not concerned about counterfeit, I'm more concerned about paying someone and the product not arriving.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Zeon

3499 posts

Uber Geek

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# 607087 9-Apr-2012 16:14

Importing some strip LED lights. Haven't arrived yet but hope they work!

Speedtest 2019-10-14

jeffnz

2868 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

# 607094 9-Apr-2012 16:31

Well not experienced in the type of gear that you are bringing in but as a suggestion I would find an agent who will look for you, yes they charge a bit more but at the end of the day they know what they are doing.

Secondly, depending on the weight and volume get an NZ freighting compnay to organise for you as most of the reputable ones have licenses in China and know that they are doing be it LCL or FCL. If its only small amounts then disregard the above ;)

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BigMal

899 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 607095 9-Apr-2012 16:32

Zeon: Importing some strip LED lights. Haven't arrived yet but hope they work!

From alibaba?

ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

# 607128 9-Apr-2012 17:40

Hi, yes I imported some LED bulbs and plastic vuvuzelas from alibaba. They were OK.

BigMal

899 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 607139 9-Apr-2012 18:27

jeffnz: Well not experienced in the type of gear that you are bringing in but as a suggestion I would find an agent who will look for you, yes they charge a bit more but at the end of the day they know what they are doing.

Secondly, depending on the weight and volume get an NZ freighting compnay to organise for you as most of the reputable ones have licenses in China and know that they are doing be it LCL or FCL. If its only small amounts then disregard the above ;)

Thanks for the tip. How does one go about finding an agent? I'm not even sure what to google? "Importing agent" ??

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 607180 9-Apr-2012 20:12

I ordered a new radiator for my classic mini from Aliexpress - shipped fairly promptly (just outside the standard 48 hour window), and arrived about 8 days later (so about 10 days after ordering) via EMS. Payment was held in escrow by Aliexpress and held until I confirmed receipt of goods, or 28 days after the shipment date unless there was a dispute (e.g. goods never arrived).

Fairly impressed, would do it again (especially when I paid less than 50% of the price of an identical product locally including shipping)

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 607220 9-Apr-2012 22:22

I've used AliExpress before.

Ordered a few GPS's, and various small items.

A few of them didn't arrive, but I received a refund from AliExpress.

One of those was an obvious price mistake that I should've avoided, and the others were sellers with low feedback.

I've had no problems with reasonably priced items and sellers with decent feedback.

NerdGirl

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 615986 27-Apr-2012 12:54

Hiya,

I import from China/Hong Kong and so does my father (albeit totally different stuff to what you're talking about, but still the same principals).

I have been doing this for a couple of years and only ever had one issue with something not arriving - the seller quickly resent another package with no issues.

My father used to import alot of large items (furniture etc) and hasn't had any issues that I am aware of.

I use alibaba and aliexpress mostly.

Are you looking at drop shipping or are these items for personal use?

Ta

[Edit] PS: I would recommend you sign up for their 'chat' system TradeManager and read all feedback before placing orders)