Wakrak:Not Chinese but worth an honourable mention: Hekka (Singapore)
Just had a quick look and it seems to be a generic clothing and electronics retailer, is there something I'm missing there?
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Wakrak:Not Chinese but worth an honourable mention: Hekka (Singapore)
Just had a quick look and it seems to be a generic clothing and electronics retailer, is there something I'm missing there?
Linux:
None I avoid all of them
Id be interested to know the reason why you avoid them ??
I understand there may well be Political reasons why folk may not want to support these sites.
Im not trying to stir here
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neb:Wakrak:Just had a quick look and it seems to be a generic clothing and electronics retailer, is there something I'm missing there?
Not Chinese but worth an honourable mention: Hekka (Singapore)
Now and then they items like the Mi Band 6 ($40) or WUBEN C3 Rechargeable USB-C Flashlight ($25) at a good price.
psychrn:
Linux:
None I avoid all of them
Id be interested to know the reason why you avoid them ??
I understand there may well be Political reasons why folk may not want to support these sites.
Im not trying to stir here
@psychrn All good I just do not trust them I would rather support a New Zealand based retailer even if I have to pay double / triple for a similar item
My fav is TaoBao, it's all in Chinese but you can use Google Translate. You also need to use a freight forwarding company in China, as TaoBao sellers only ship within China - it's the Chinese equivalent of TradeMe.
I use TaoBao over other sites like AliExpress as the prices are much cheaper being intended for the local Chinese market. AliExpress prices I find are somewhat inflated, as sellers know overseas markets are willing to pay more - additionally there's no GST on TaoBao purchases, you only get stung on arrival in NZ if customs see the total value is over $1000 I think it is.
I have had many things on banggood sit on waiting to ship for ages and then they email me saying they cant send it. Same thing is available on aliexpress for more shipping and when looking at the item now on banggood it will just not allow shipping to NZ, but AU and US are still fine. That IMO is lying to me about it, they can get it they just dont want to pay the price that they had listed before.
Mainly on bigger tool type things. A hot plate for SMD soldering, a vaccum pump and chamber, some big clamps.
richms:Wish is big with US warehoused items, which is why so many promoted things that direct to there are "sold out" when the app opens and sees where you are.
Amazon do that as well, "hey, you got an X a while back, here's a Y that goes with it!" and when you click on the link to the Y it says "Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock". As soon as you change to a US address it miraculously comes back in stock again.
gareth41:
My fav is TaoBao, it's all in Chinese but you can use Google Translate. You also need to use a freight forwarding company in China, as TaoBao sellers only ship within China - it's the Chinese equivalent of TradeMe.
I use TaoBao over other sites like AliExpress as the prices are much cheaper being intended for the local Chinese market. AliExpress prices I find are somewhat inflated, as sellers know overseas markets are willing to pay more - additionally there's no GST on TaoBao purchases, you only get stung on arrival in NZ if customs see the total value is over $1000 I think it is.
I see stuff I like on TB but I haven't found a reliable freight forwarder. Can you share whom you use and your experience with the?
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Linux:
psychrn All good I just do not trust them I would rather support a New Zealand based retailer even if I have to pay double / triple for a similar item
Makes me smile to see the same items in store.
A while ago I needed an air filter for my briggs and stratten motor mower engine. I had a look around on Ali and found them for $5 but I couldn't wait, the grass at home was already too high and another 3 weeks would have put me into hay making territory.
I popped down to the local mower shop and asked for a filter. Sure enough, what comes out is the exact same coloured item in a no-name bag, for $15.
Unless I need whatever it is NOW, I poke around on Ali to see if I can get the same thing for pennies, and I usually can. Cost of living , etc etc.
Generally the quality on Ali is fine but one thing to look out for is the product photographs. Since the specifications are usually non-existent the photos may be all you have to go on.
One thing that seems common on Ali is to photograph products only in flattering perspectives or to use people with tiny hands so the item looks more substantial than it is.
Definitely a case of caveat emptor.
Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21
elpenguino:One thing that seems common on Ali is to photograph products only in flattering perspectives or to use people with tiny hands so the item looks more substantial than it is.
Another common trick is to photograph the item they're selling you a knockoff of, not the knockoff they're selling you. This happens a lot in e.g. woodworking tools, so you have to be aware of what the original is and then figure out what a knockoff would be like.
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