Buying From Asia

[stuey]

I seem to recall seeing threads on here about buying stuff from China or India, and that the shipping costs were really low. For example, I have a quote from a guy in India who states that the parts I want can be shipped to Canada for $2.00US! If this is true, how can they do it for so little?

[jackthehat]

The 'stuff' may well be poor quality knock-offs manufactured for peanuts.....and may never arrive.

[stuey]

That obviously crossed my mind, Jack; however, I'm sure I've read on here that people have actually received articles from over there at a really low shipping cost.

[Prudie]

Don't know about Canada but I bought a dress from a Chinese site. Took 5 weeks to get here and had to pay about £28 import duty. It didn't look like the picture and I've never worn it.I think it's a bit hiss and miss.

[retrocop]

Beats me. I often order shooting kit on E-bay from China. Postage is dirt cheap or free and it gets here quick. I notice that it is dispatched from Hong Kong or Singapore even and not mainland China.
Better than the outrageous rip off charges from Canada Post I experienced a month or two back.

[stuey]

So, Retro, that's precisely what I'm asking. The things I'm thinking of ordering plus shipping come to a total of $10.00US, so I'm hardly going to be distraught if things go amiss:)

[wolf63]

Do you not pay in Canadian dollars stuey - with you being in Canada. ??

[stuey]

The US dollar is usually quoted in over-seas transactions rather than the weaker Canadian dollar.

[retrocop]

It's those inscrutable chinamen again !! :-)

[wolf63]

You would rather infer that you were a US citizen instead of the superior Canadian? That would be like me saying that I am English and not Scottish. Never going to happen! :-)

I've received a few cheap things from China/HK from ebay sellers. Never had any problem. Usually really really cheap stuff.

[stuey]

Wolf63, I did not imply that at all. It's a financial fact that the US dollar is preferred. If I buy stuff from the States I pay in US dollars Most international sellers give quotes in US dollars, Euros, of even GBP.

[stuey]

I forgot to ask you: was the shipping cheap?

[wolf63]

Yes, cheap postage. I am not sure where they made their profit. I bought a wire thing for my Laptop and the cost in total (inc postage) was cheaper than the UK based sellers. I have no idea how they can make money - but they obviously do.

:-)

[retrocop]

stuey
I will go to my e-bay account and check back what I bought from China and how much shipping. I know,as stated earlier,dirt cheap or free for shipping.

[mikey4444]

I have bought some fountan pens on ebay in China, and the p+p is either very low or zero. The items have been £5 or less, disparched from Hong Kong and normally arive in less than 4 weeks and I have been very pleased with the outcome. But how there can be any profit in it for the seller I fail to see !

[gingejbee]

I've bought several inexpensive items from Asia and have been really pleased. For example, this set of 10 mini files, diamond-coated, for £1.97, postage included! Took a while to arrive, but really rather good.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Needles-File-Set-Jeweler-Diamond-Wood-Carving-Craft-Metal-Glass-Stone-Tool-/351397017911?hash=item51d0e4f937:g:a0UAAOSwf-VWVtIB

[SirOracle]

Slave labour Mikey.....no trade unions over there.

I am surprised at you.!! :-)

[237SJ]

Have you ever seen the docks on the way into the city from Hong Kong airport? There are massive, massive cargo ships loaded up with huge amounts of containers. To buy a small space in one of those containers would cost peanuts.

[retrocop]

Stuey
Gone back to my e-bay purchase history to 2013
46" Tactical Rifle Drag bag (quite bulky) cost £25 shipping £8. 60p
2 Flip up scope covers £2. 99p Shipping Free
Travellers Digital luggage scale £5 .49p shipping Free

I had no dramas with delivery times. Very quick in some cases.
I waited 9 weeks last year for some small pieces from Germany for my Bench Grinder and about 7 weeks for a small threaded lever for a bipod from Belgium ???

[trt]

I have bought loads of stuff from Asia Stuey, still do and its always free shipping, and it depends what you are looking for if its any good or crap.

The delivery times range from 2 to 5 weeks, depending if it comes from Hong Kong or mainland China, and they try really hard to please.

I have never had problems with customs, and even bought a few illegal pepper sprays for family & friends.

http://www.aliexpress.com

http://www.tinydeal.com/

[stuey]

Thanks for all your responses. One more question. The seller wanted me to pay by PayPal, but I don't have an account. He suggested that he send me a PayPal invoice, and I can pay by credit card. If I do this, is there any way that the seller gets hold of my card #?