Chinese sellers on eBay: some positive comments!

[MrSlack]

I really give the Chinese their due for their brazen attitude towards local taxation and general attitude to things. I've criticized them in the past but I think this was unfair.

I ordered a few random things off ebay stocked in the UK recently for incredibly low prices but not quite international China Post stuff. Everything arrived within a couple of days delivered by Royal Mail 1st/2nd class services. All good quality items although you have to wade through a sea of crap sometimes to get to them.

The hilarious thing is that the seller is registered in China but has an address in Milton Keynes or Hemel Hempstead here in the UK and is labelled with that as a collection location by RM. Clearly they're drop shipping or bulk importing and selling UK stock without a penny of VAT paid. If HMRC catches them at it, then they just disappear and open up shop somewhere else. At worst, you get a paypal transaction reversed if they go under.

And if you do order from China/HK then everything is marked as as gift or low value and misses the tax threshold. Cleverly I ordered 50 of one particular item and they all came individually packaged over the space of 5 days so as to avoid duty. Postman was miffed about that.

Ignoring the local consequences, which there are really none other than some self-entitled local business folk (read Royston Vasey local shopping types) and tabloid whinging about foreigners, this is really good for us buyers. Saved a ton of cash this year which I have already paid income tax on and it's not even the end of Jan yet!

Good show China!

[dannyf]

"Ignoring the local consequences, which there are really none other than some self-entitled local business folk (read Royston Vasey local shopping type"

You really think so? What happens to your town and its finances if everyone evades local tax collection?

Beware of the high cost of low prices.

[MrSlack]

It's a service economy so requires physical presence which you can't outsource. There are no tangibles sold worth mentioning past food. So nothing.

Low prices are not a problem. Poor business models and expectations are.

[Muttley Snickers]

I cant say that I have had that many dealings with far east sellers but a few that I have had left a bitter taste, particularly when I make a point in correspondence prior to any order to specifically ask that the items be tested or inspected prior to shipping, this request seems to be ignored on regular occasions but it does leave me in a better position should a claim be required.

The few that come to mind are one large heavy order for linear rails, bearings and lead screws, they arrived not as per the original order or as discussed, the seller did make good by sending us replacements at no extra expense but all they had to do was to read and comprehend our initial order and drawings, again ignored or over looked. (picture below)

Another one was for a quantity of 5 digit counters modules again the request was made for the items to be tested prior to shipping and we were happy to pay extra for this service, 4 were found to be faulty and after an exchange of emails and pictures the seller replaced them, the worst was the Hobby King Horror, this took a toll on my health.

Overall I much prefer to keep the money local as I expect most people do but in some instances it is simply not practical or financially viable to do so, generally most sellers will come to the party when push comes to shove, we are not looking for bargain basement prices just a fair deal and the goods as ordered or promoted.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/have-experience-with-www-rigoloscilloscope-com-au/msg653522/#msg653522

[rdl]

I don't buy much stuff from China on ebay, what I do buy is mostly cheap electronic parts and modules. I don't expect much for the price and I'm usually pretty happy with what is received.

Occasionally they make dumb mistakes, but so far they've been more than good at fixing them. I usually end up feeling a bit sorry for them.

One time I ordered a bunch of cheap female header sockets, they sent me two plastic breadboards and some jumper wires. Another time I was supposed to get 10 binding posts, two each of five different colors, I got 5 red and 5 black.

In both instances the sellers just sent the correct items and told me to keep the incorrect items.

[Brumby]

I don't buy much stuff from China on ebay, what I do buy is mostly cheap electronic parts and modules. I don't expect much for the price and I'm usually pretty happy with what is received.

Occasionally they make dumb mistakes, but so far they've been more than good at fixing them. I usually end up feeling a bit sorry for them.

I have to say the same.  I've found one merchant whom I'm happy to go back to for much the same reasons.

[cdev]

The only time Ive ever gotten burned on ebay it was by an American seller. That left a bad taste in my mouth. There have been a few times Ive gotten items which were not quite what i was hoping for but by and large Ive had better experiences with sellers in Asia than in the US due to this one person. (Who seemed to be a pro at what he did)

[dannyf]

whenever they do not collect, I do not pay, such as use tax.

When you start to file your tax returns quarterly, you may want to think again about that practice.

[MrSlack]

In the UK the tax burden is on the suppliers and there is no VAT+duty due on items <£15 (most of aliexpress). Works out nicely.

[Refrigerator]

I've been having good luck with eBay sellers so far (*knocks on wood) as long as you're polite and don't leave feedback untill you get your item.
Seems like the chinese sellers fear bad feedback and that can be used to your advantage.

[Falcon69]

Yes, but NEVER EVER threaten to leave them bad feedback if they don't do what you ask, whether it is a refund or resending the item.  eBay then will reward in their favor because of blackmail. It happened to me.

I will try and find the email eBay sent me, but I think they said it is 'holding a feedback rating as ransom' or something like that and was against their rules.

[MrSlack]

Indeed. Always be superficially polite even if you're pissed. That applies to anyone anywhere really

I've only ever had one thing disappear and the poor guy at the other end pasted an entire half a page of canned apology and then sent out another one which arrived in 5 days. All over £0.79 of stuff.

If the same thing happens in the UK, they make you wait until RM says the package is lost or don't even bother responding half the time.

[Galenbo]

And if you do order from China/HK then everything is marked as as gift or low value and misses the tax threshold.

Not in Belgium. I don't know based on what,(weight, frequency, sender, receiver,estimated value?...) but sometimes this is taxed too.

[Refrigerator]

Yes, but NEVER EVER threaten to leave them bad feedback if they don't do what you ask, whether it is a refund or resending the item.  eBay then will reward in their favor because of blackmail. It happened to me.

I will try and find the email eBay sent me, but I think they said it is 'holding a feedback rating as ransom' or something like that and was against their rules.

I always attach a message to my order saying that i will leave feedback as soon as i receive and test the item.