Buying from China?

Started by Hoofer, October 25, 2015, 05:51:26 AM

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Hoofer

Has anyone used these China websites for parts or products?

Lightinthebox.com
alibaba.com


I'd like to hear about your experience, good, bad, indifferent, or if you've already decided to buy from an importer instead.
Some of the parts I need are only made in China, buying through an importer has been rather expensive.

For instance, a piece is <$.75 cents direct from china, the exact same part, purchased thru an importer ranges from $1.97 to $5.75. 
Another part is <$12 direct from the manufacturer, thru the importer, $59.

NOTE:  Don't reply if you're going to say something stupid like "buy American".

We just put in a "test purchase" with Lightinthebox.com, if it goes well, we'll try Alibaba.com next... unless there's some red flags not to.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Solar

Not I, but I looked into buying in lots of ten thousand or more for resale.
The horror stories went on for days. Not so much theft, but lack of translation, where ordering mistakes take place, wrong parts, amounts, colors. quality.
But the biggest complaint was a solid lack of quality and no recourse once the order is fulfilled.

I was considering ordering allot of solar panels, but a couple of respondents said that more than 30% of the panels either simply didn't work, or had worthless output.
That would completely negate any reason for ordering abroad killing off the gained profit that would have occurred.

I guess, research, research, and then do some more research to see if the company has any recurring complaints in any given area, like return issues, time to resolve complaints, and quality.
Caveatemptor.
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Hoofer

Yes, I'm hearing similar stories about quality...
Maybe that's why they sell a part for $18-23 ea, and the importer here sells it for $60...?   They're planning on throwing away 30% and doubling the price on what's left?  At that price, it would reduce my selling price to 1/2, and I'd still be profitable, probably selling many more units.

One item I'm looking at, minimum order is 1000, but, I'd rather buy in lots of 100 at a time.   I hate getting stuck with something that won't sell, or won't sell without major modifications.  Like a board I saw at a nut-n-bolt reseller, it was filled with all the mistakes, nuts with no threads, tapered bolts, etc.

We'll see what comes from my first order, and since there is such a language gap, a sample on the other stuff makes sense.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Solar

Quote from: Hoofer on October 26, 2015, 05:05:37 AM
Yes, I'm hearing similar stories about quality...
Maybe that's why they sell a part for $18-23 ea, and the importer here sells it for $60...?   They're planning on throwing away 30% and doubling the price on what's left?  At that price, it would reduce my selling price to 1/2, and I'd still be profitable, probably selling many more units.

One item I'm looking at, minimum order is 1000, but, I'd rather buy in lots of 100 at a time.   I hate getting stuck with something that won't sell, or won't sell without major modifications.  Like a board I saw at a nut-n-bolt reseller, it was filled with all the mistakes, nuts with no threads, tapered bolts, etc.

We'll see what comes from my first order, and since there is such a language gap, a sample on the other stuff makes sense.
A colleague of mine buys only from proven suppliers, like those that manufacture for Ikea, or Dewalt, Kubota.
I'm sure with a little research you could find out who supplies them, though I never inquired, it sounded like solid advice.
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Hoofer

It's going on a week, and customer service actually CALLED me about my order.
I think the "lightinthebox" must have blown a fuse.   about ready to cancel.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

kroz

These complaints are reminiscent of Oscar Shindler's deliberate sabotaging the ammo for the Nazis.  Do you think China reserves it's "seconds" and "culls" for delivery to America?   :sneaky:

I can't imagine that they could stay in business if they deliver poor quality to ALL of their customers.

Solar

Quote from: kroz on October 30, 2015, 08:14:45 AM
These complaints are reminiscent of Oscar Shindler's deliberate sabotaging the ammo for the Nazis.  Do you think China reserves it's "seconds" and "culls" for delivery to America?   :sneaky:

I can't imagine that they could stay in business if they deliver poor quality to ALL of their customers.
Nah, it's part of the over all package that you accept 30% failure, it's marked into the price of doing business.
It's really not as bad as you think, for example, I used to sell a made in America Surflo 9300 series pump for just under $500.0, with a 30% profit, then the Chinese mkt opened up, they copied the same pump and Northern tool sells it for nearly half that price, exact same pump only crap, china was selling them in bulk orders of ten thousand or more for $30.0 bucks a pop.
So you see, even though 30% are failed product on arrival, the buyer still comes out way, way ahead, especially when one considers all the spare parts he'll have to cannibalize later. :laugh:

That same 9300 pump I used to sell, now goes for $650.0 my cost, retails for $795.0, I just bought one this week.
I refuse to buy that Chinese crap, simply because they do not have any quality control, because they don't have to.
Yes, China is killing us with crap.
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Hoofer

All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Hoofer

OK, so LightIntheBox delivered, and I've had some time to test the stuff.

The cameras are excellent quality, metal instead of plastic, and the price is about 1/5th of similar cameras.
The work really good, 1080P, with zoom lenses, $35 ea., shipping included.  They came with CMS & VMS software, not for the person that can't take the time and figure things out, the documentation is scarce.  Once I programmed in the IP address I wanted, everything started poppin' as it should.   Also works fine with other IP camera software.  Got 3 of those (3 x $35), and 90 degree with IR LEDs ($125 ea).   The real downside, IR is just about useless unless your practically on top of the subject.  also bought 3 IR illimunators, to stragetically place away fromt the cameras...   These cameras are SMALL, resolutions of DI, 720p & 1080P, with mics.  That part of the order is fine.  Since the survellience software is free, and works, I'm using it.

With the order, was 3 5000mha LI batteries... about $5 ea., a bargain, if they showed up.  Nope, I got some kind of 2 & 3 prong power adapter plug, that doesn't fit anything made in the USA or EU.

$15 completely lost in the ordering from LightIntheBox, the rest of the order, easily covers the loss - I am satisfied!
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Traninit

Quote from: Hoofer on October 25, 2015, 05:51:26 AM
Has anyone used these China websites for parts or products?

Lightinthebox.com
alibaba.com


I'd like to hear about your experience, good, bad, indifferent, or if you've already decided to buy from an importer instead.
Some of the parts I need are only made in China, buying through an importer has been rather expensive.

For instance, a piece is <$.75 cents direct from china, the exact same part, purchased thru an importer ranges from $1.97 to $5.75. 
Another part is <$12 direct from the manufacturer, thru the importer, $59.

NOTE:  Don't reply if you're going to say something stupid like "buy American".

We just put in a "test purchase" with Lightinthebox.com, if it goes well, we'll try Alibaba.com next... unless there's some red flags not to.

I just said something stupid to myself...didn't want to break your rule.  :smile:
One more liberal President in 2016 will mean the irreversible, eventual and total demise of our democracy. The rise and fall of democracy IS past the "apathy stage" at this moment. If this  momentum continues on its present path, restoration of democracy will require the least desired of actions.

Hoofer

Well, here's another buy direct outfit.
http://www.dhgate.com

They've got good prices on some of the parts I need, just never heard of them before.
Interesting... exact same stuff, same manufacturer, but smaller quantities, and a bit cheaper...?

American made component $189.00 (wrong size) or China made $53 component (right size), to build something selling for $90 ea.  All the rest of the components are 100% American made.

Sorry, I can't be more descriptive on the product.  See the problem a small business faces?  In order to be competitive, the parts I need are not manufactured in the USA, and haven't been for 2 decades.  If Donald Trump puts Tariffs & Taxes on any of the parts I need to build, I'm DONE - just as we're beginning to see profitability.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Dori

Quote from: Hoofer on February 27, 2016, 08:27:09 AM.  See the problem a small business faces?  In order to be competitive, the parts I need are not manufactured in the USA, and haven't been for 2 decades.  If Donald Trump puts Tariffs & Taxes on any of the parts I need to build, I'm DONE - just as we're beginning to see profitability.

Your certainly not alone in that boat.  It's like putting the toothpaste back in the tube to reverse what's happened. 

Also the trade imbalances.  How can you shore that up?  Like with China.  Who gets hurt if we only import as much as we export to them?

The danger to America is not Barack Obama but the citizens capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency.

Hoofer

Quote from: Dori on February 27, 2016, 09:13:19 AM
Your certainly not alone in that boat.  It's like putting the toothpaste back in the tube to reverse what's happened. 

Also the trade imbalances.  How can you shore that up?  Like with China.  Who gets hurt if we only import as much as we export to them?

It took time to get this way, it'll take time to reverse it.  Gonna sound like Donald for a sec...

Unlike China, America is a free and open country, where ideas spark innovation and inventions, making this country the world's leader in technology, a super-power and a land of opportunity.  The best these communist & corrupt countries can do is steal from us, enslave their people and try to out-produce us. 

Before we slap Tariffs on China, we need to look at what's been happening since we started trading with them.  Their economy has boomed, the people have gotten better educated, wealthier, and you can bet, everytime they see an Iphone they're making for the USA market... they're thinking, "I want one of those!" 

We don't need to punish their people for producing goods for less, or Mexico, we need to unleash the American Dream again, here and restart the engines of small businesses - which sounds simplistic, but actually alot easier than politicians want to admit.  Government needs to do NOTHING, just get out-of-the-way.  We can grow in technology, productivity, wages, innovation - everything that made us one of the best countries in the world for manufacturing, if the Federal Government would allow it.  Remove the regulations, the economy will rebound.

Take Fracking for instance.  The USA is now the energy powerhouse of the world, because American ingenuity coupled with know-how changed the whole landscape of how gas & oil is released from the ground.  We're leveraging our resources, ahead of, and far beyond the other nation's technical know-how, we can control that market.  Saudi Arabia is scared to death, the world's biggest consumer of oil, their customer, just walked away.  So, we're worried about China, Saudi is worried about the USA...  somebody is always worried about someone.

During the Reagan administration, we scared the Russians with the "threat" of SDI, or "star wars".  They went 'broke' trying to spend their way to innovation.  Pretty stupid, the communist system doesn't allow for freedom of thought, innovative thinking, they just demand it out of a few elite "family members".

In a conference in Chicago, mid 1980s, the presenter showed and demonstrated a single-board, mini-computer for us.  It was going in the Space Shuttles.  Innovation not locked up by the communist party bosses, but right there, where every kid could pick it up, see surface mount technology being developed, offer ideas, learn & have his/her mind stimulated for greater things.  In Russia or China, that kid might have been carrying water, digging potatoes, lending his/her back as manual labor, instead of expanding their minds to become the next generation of inventors.

America has the "right environment" for world leadership - we need to change out the leaders more often... it will take time to regain the world crown, with the help of visionary leadership.
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

TXborn

Being a kid of the late 40s 'n 1950s, all the really crappy products were made in Japan --- hence JAP CRAP. Now, it's made in China --- hence CHINESE JUNK. To this date, while I'm sometimes forced to buy items made in Japan (like electronics) or kitchen appliances made in China, I REFUSE to buy Japanese automobiles & CHINK-made items like industrial tools, food products, clothing 'n footwear, rubberized waders, or home building products..!!
Loyalty above all else except Honor

Hoofer

Quote from: TXborn on March 18, 2016, 03:11:23 PM
Being a kid of the late 40s 'n 1950s, all the really crappy products were made in Japan --- hence JAP CRAP. Now, it's made in China --- hence CHINESE JUNK. To this date, while I'm sometimes forced to buy items made in Japan (like electronics) or kitchen appliances made in China, I REFUSE to buy Japanese automobiles & CHINK-made items like industrial tools, food products, clothing 'n footwear, rubberized waders, or home building products..!!

I walked through a outdoors specialty store Wednesday - hard not to notice all the "made in china" stickers...
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...