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14th August 2012, 09:39 PM #1Senior Member
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Using Alibaba.com to source goods.
Has anyone had any buying experience that they would like to share with sourcing product through this buying group?They would appear to be Chinese based.
Bob
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14th August 2012 09:39 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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14th August 2012, 10:50 PM #2Intermediate Member
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Hi krisfarm,
Just beware as a lot of scumbags in this site. Only use those with escrow payment company. Also, try to avoid those "Too good to be true".
Cheers, Phil
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14th August 2012, 10:58 PM #3Intermediate Member
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- Mar 2012
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- Sydney
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In fact, I'm also searching some metal works machineries from this site as the price of Chinese products are in fraction. There's nothing wrong to buy Chinese as u will find out Hare and Forbes own brand are mainly made in China. However, it is hard to choose the rite company and the rite product in this site unless u take a personal visit to their factories. Also warranty issue is a problem as well. Therefore really need some feedback from the members here who ever use Alibaba service.
Cheers, phil
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15th August 2012, 09:29 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
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- Jul 2006
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- Adelaide
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I have used AliExpress several times and apart for 1 experience all was good
the bad was when I bought a 1.5k canon lens for around half price...
it never arrived but paying thru escrow I got it all back plus a small profit due to the fluctuating dollar.
that experience hasnt stopped me from us AliExpress...but as someone said above only use Escrow...Do Not Send Money to a bank account or use any other payment method the supplier may ask you to do.
If you look at the AliExpress site they ask you to notify them if a supplier asks one to remit money any other way.
one other point..most stuff is chinese made .....so you know what your gettingLast edited by eskimo; 15th August 2012 at 09:30 AM. Reason: spelling
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15th August 2012, 03:43 PM #5Senior Member
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- Apr 2009
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- Ballina N.S.W.
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Thanks to macmac and eskimo for your input. I will do some further investigating to check out the supplier.
Bob
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15th August 2012, 05:55 PM #6
Alibaba and the forty thieves? Or is that another Alibaba?
Hugh
Enough is enough, more than enough is too much.
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15th August 2012, 08:01 PM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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- Sep 2006
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- Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
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HI,
I was going to ask something along those Lines. I have been looking at some Electronic Micrometers on Alibaba. I thought I might Buy direct from the Source and avoid the Middleman. Do You get Hit with Import Tax on small Tax or only on Bigger more Costly Items ?. So Escrow is the way to go.All The Best steran50 Stewart
The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.
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15th August 2012, 08:37 PM #8Senior Member
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15th August 2012, 08:44 PM #9
Hi Bob,
Just my personal experience, but I've been buying electronic components through contacts established on alibaba.com, for several years and have had no problems. Generally I've had more bad experiences on ebay than dealing direct with chinese companies.
Only suggestion I'd make is to try and establish that you are actually dealing with the manufacturer rather than a middleman. There are some companies who are just small re-sellers.
As always, Caveat Emptor.
Oh, and ask for samples...
Regards
Ray
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15th August 2012, 09:05 PM #10
I've bought some solar panels off of aliexpress.com and had no troubles. The alibaba.com site seems to be a bit more aimed at larger quantities of goods whereas you get an instant idea of price and shipping costs on the aliexpress site. Most of the companies on there will be more than happy to chat with you - all money is good money to a good portion of these manufacturers. The escrow payments protect you from shady dealers. Only thing is to note that free or very cheap shipping from the orient will take anywhere from a week to a month depending on your luck.
All the best with it.
Tom.
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16th August 2012, 09:09 AM #11GOLD MEMBER
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- Jul 2006
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- Adelaide
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Steran50...no tax payable providing goods and postage/freight is under $1000.00
as soon as you go over there is the GST (10%) to worry about...and it is applied to both the goods and postage/freight
also being form China the parcel may be opened and inspected by aus customs...which they are entitled to do but it seems to be more often with China (or a RoC) posted stuff than USA or elsewhere
yes, make sure payment is thru Escrow at Aliexpress,,,dont remit monies any other way even if the seller tells you to...you wont have protection
extract from Aliexpress help page
- My supplier won't accept Escrow, what should I do?
- If your supplier refuses to accept Escrow, please report them to us. Escrow is the only option currently available to suppliers on AliExpress.
My supplier won't accept Escrow, what should I do?
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16th August 2012, 10:06 AM #12
You couldn't be worse off on alibaba. I'm currently chasing 3 purchases made from "reputable" online suppliers. There are plenty of dodgy people on ebay nowdays. You just have to be cautious.
search "buy in coins". Quite a few ebay sellers are drop shipping from them and adding an appropriate margine. They aren't always cheaper but can be signifigantly cheaper than ebay. Mostly electronic toys and other small items.I'm just a startled bunny in the headlights of life. L.J. Young.
We live in a free country. We have freedom of choice. You can choose to agree with me, or you can choose to be wrong.
Wait! No one told you your government was a sitcom?
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18th August 2012, 10:49 AM #13Banned
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- Feb 2012
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- Adelaide
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- 73
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- 153
Alibaba
I've enquired about items on Alibaba twice: the first item they quoted me $26, not a bad price considering the item is over $160 in Aust. Trouble is, they wanted a surcharge of $150 if I only bought 1 of them. The second item was $47 plus $54 for postage, the same item in Australia is $87.
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19th August 2012, 12:44 PM #14GOLD MEMBER
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