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Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Does anybody know how to buy from tao without a greedy agent and not beeing in china without chinese credit card.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

As non Chinese you would use an agent.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

So there's no way to get around them? Because these guys don't just make it 10 or 30% more... they douple or triple the price... which makes it unattractive.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Maybe reach out to wise chinese members on the forum then...search and PM for tips

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

You need a non-greedy agent then.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Currently there isnt really an effective way for you to do this without an agent or a friend.

Like others have said here you need a better agent or at least explain to him that you can see the price hes paying and ask for a better rate.

Will taobao adapt to a more accesable platform for foreign users in the future? Well coupled with low HK postal prices this would pretty much finish off most ebay sellers....

There was a beta english version a few years ago but they seem to have given up on this for now.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

My plans have currently changed to the point that I'll travel personally to china to establish contacts. I think this will be more effective then to chat with reseller. One of my friends who is naturally from guangdong will come with me.
Yesterday I talked to him and he said that the tao and dh sellers were just resellers. To get to their sources one has to travel there and meet with the real wholesellers or factories.
Will keep this thread updated.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

I don't think going there is necessary unless you want to do it anyways.
I have some very loyal and friendly factory.partners in china. It did take a long time to build these relationships.

When you are chatting make sure you are talking to a factory employee and not a third party reseller to start.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Well this seems to be quite difficult due to the fact that many claim to be factory employees when they are not. It would be a long trial and error process.
As I do have some bonus miles we'll have a free round trip. Although meeting with factory employees or owners is no guarantee too but it seems one pitfall can be put beside.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

The local culture sounds interesting for sure as well. Fish head soup. I hear about how amazing this fish head soup is :)

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Yummi... :faint:

But honestly I'm really into this topic (finding direct business contacts not resellers).
We plan to travel to Guangdong and HK

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

I deal with a factory in Ningbo and another Xiamen. These are small single owner factories. It seems like it would need drastic actions such as traveling there to do business with the big factories.

You plan on making arrangements with each factory before going? How long do you plan to stay?

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Small factories would work well for me. Big factories propably wouldn't do business with me yet. The flow of information is often better with smaller companies than with big players with multiple branches (at least in the the field I worked)

We plan to stay 14 Days. First 3 days in GD to do recon.
Then travel to HK for another 4 days (to form a company and open bank acc if needed)
Afterwards returning to GD for meeting with factory owner(s) / employees
If needed there is a buffer of 4 days to travel to another city.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Sounds awesome!
I would not do it but if I had a friend and someone I trusted who was fluent and could translate maybe I would.

HK company is very helpful in many ways.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Yep, HK Compnay can be used as offshore vehicle or as a trading company. To open a bank account it's easier to be directly there, even if HSBC or BOC provide interview via skype. But to establish a good banking contact there could be very helpful.

I'll keep this thread alive and post here before, while and after travelling. :)

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

That would be very cool Ar3s!

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

sounds very cool indeed... give me another reason to visit the motherland soon. hopefully i can make some connections while there.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Hello,

I buy only small amount of items from taobao (50 units max) and I get those items through a supplier I met on Aliexpress. They just charge me a service fee of 2% on the total price. Also many sellers on taobao wont even bother selling to international buyers, especially the high rated sellers. My best advice is try to build a relationship through Alibaba/Aliexpress or you can even try Freelancer.com. At the end of the day people always want to make extra $$$ and redirecting your order won't take them that much time to do.


GOOD LUCK

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Hello
i am live in China,i am not Chinese,i always using taobao,you must have Chinese bank account for buy some stuff

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

The products really very cheaper in tabao,and but if you are not in china ,and you really need a local agent to do the payment and shipping for you.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

HI ,
I'm in China and I'm HongKonger, I can help you to buy from taobao,
and the fee is reasonable, if anyone want to purchase from taobao or 1688,
I can help you and give you advise.
let pm me. look foward to the opportunity of
being of service to you.

Re: Buying from taob. as non chinese
 

Bro what are you talking about 30%? I know three major agents that charge between 8-12% of cost. Google it