Do you buy things from Alibaba

[chewi]

Alibaba is incredibly successful.

It is largely designed round offering a source of product for industrial buyers, a bit like Compass (the directory) used to do (maybe still does). It is upto the buyer to research the supplier - if you don't do your research and buy lemons - blame yourself - don't blame Alibaba nor 'China'.

Just remember that virtually all anchor chain sold in Europe now - comes from China. Lewmar anchors and CMP anchors and their Titan chain - come from China. Mantus anchors, chain hooks, shackles - come from China. Most shackles in hardware stores come from China (and may well be untested) - possibly excellent for your dog - but if you want one for the boat - buy a branded product. If there are quality issues blame Lewmar, CMP, Mantus - its is the 'brand name' that should have their QC in place (and I've seen appalling issues).

The company that makes Ronstan's LFRs is listed on Alibaba. They will make for you with your own brand name - if you buy in bulk. If you want samples, they charge, and when they arrive they have the Ronstan logo on them (or ours did ). I used the same company to make some components for me - very well made, excellent work - cheap. They specialise in aluminium and for a similar product I used Alibaba to find someone working in duplex stainless. Brilliant work, cheap as. I've bought trial lengths of kermantle rope for testing as snubbers - the rope maker made some extra large ropes specially for me. Excellent quality.

I cannot be bothered working through Alibaba and I use them simply as a directory and then work with the manufacturer direct (there is always someone who speaks english). This does mean you lose the security that Alibaba offer. But our business previously was in China, we think we know our way around - and my wife is fluent in both Mandarin, Cantonese, Scots and we are both slowly learning Australian .

If you want to buy 2 x LFRs - they are really not much use to you - most Chinese manufacturers are geared for bulk. If its a big ticket item they will sell 'one off'. My load cell I bought through Aiibaba, my coating (galvanising) thickness gauge came through Alibaba, my chain block and tackle came through Alibaba. (Does a chain block and tackle have a special name?). My thickness gauge is sold in Oz, through an Oz importer, at 4 times the price we bought at direct - exact same product. Don't blame China for the price differential - consider the importer.

There is a retail operation called, I think, TaoBao - which does have an english website - my wife uses the Chinese version (which is hugely successful and used by most Chinese families in Oz).

Do your homework and Alibaba is excellent for what it is focussed at.

The Xenophobia over China as source is misplaced - the problems usually lie much closer to home. If you are worried about China becoming the 'Midlands' of the world (as Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield was) - it will only get worse (or better).

Jonathan

You're right not to blame china per se, but the problem does not necessarily lie in the importer or brand. I retired from a big multinational that set a policy to buy a percentage of its goods from China. We chose to buy castings and had some initial success with prototypes, but as batches arrived they did not conform to the drawings. In the end we had to send an engineer to hold their hand for 3 months to establish the standards that were on the drawings and had been met in the prototypes. They have a culure to cut corners unless somebody stops it. Every now and then a batch would arrive baased on obsolete drawings.
They also have lax safety. We had to stop a teenager using o linisher that was so crude that when the belt broke it would break her as well. But then they have a lot of spare teenagers..... we had no such problems with the British Supplier that we preferred to use. The chinese can be good, but it takes management.

 

[adamlang]

I've used Ali Express on a few items, not had a major problems and I'm getting bolder with my purchases. I'd recommend with some caveats:

I understand that the postal costs from China are subsidised by western countries through the Universal Postal Union (a UN agency) which helps with the costs. Also things like the EU/UK distance selling regulations don't apply (some items ship from Spain or other EU countries - not sure about the legal difference of that) so this means that you can end up liable for returning faulty items. UK/EU Consumer law includes various presumptions that make returns much easier for consumers (even unfair to suppliers at times in my view e.g. a simple change of mind). The key thing is that a return from Europe/UK to China will cost much more - because its not subsidised I think.

Some other points:

• I don't think its only for bulk buying - although this is encouraged with various discounts. Individual prices are still often good, as with anything check a few different sources.
• Pricing can be confusing. Often there's a range of dissimilar items under one listing which makes the price range present better value in the search results but the lower price is often a different item.
• Discounts and coupons are common throughout the year, but look out for about three major sales throughout the year - very good discounts available.
• Look closely at the seller - their number of sales and reviews and ratings should be listed - I'd avoid anyone without much of a reputation, even paying a bit more.
• It obviously takes much longer than Amazon prime, but if you're prepared to wait its cheaper.
• Much of the same items as on Amazon but often significantly cheaper (40% or so). Given the extra protections and easier returns the discount needs to be worth it for me to use Ali express.
• I probably wouldn't use them for anything over a certain price point, unless it came highly recommended independently e.g. someone I respect on youtube.

Some recent experience:

• I bought a couple of underwater divers torchs, but the switch broke on one - still waiting for a replacement about a month later - not holding my breath - it was only about £15. They also came with 18650 lithium batteries which were under the rated capacity - to be expected I think.
• I've also bought a handful of automatic watches with fairly good results - often looking at youtube reviews to help make my mind up.
• Also bought a 200W solar panel kit also, and they seem fine if a bit inefficient (likely due to the cheap PWM controllern I might upgrade that at some point).
• Recently ordered a battery monitor with a 350A shunt that's meant to count the AH going in and out to provide the capacity. It was £27.89, compared to £45 on amazon for what looks like the same item. Only ordered a few days ago. Also ordered some battery cable lugs and some battery post terminals - all small items - not bought in bulk.

 

[alanvick]

I have the app, but it seems to me it’s a site for buying things in bulk, like a wholesaler. I briefly looked into buying a Onwa chart plotter but was baffled by the whole process. I’ll be interested to here from those who use it too.

Buying from China:
For: can be cheap
Against: VAT and handling fees on importation, no warranty, no support.

 

[Akestor]

Alibaba is great, an with most manufacturers i had great communication. In most cases you will get 1 piece even if it says 100 pieces as minimum quantity. It also has the function of making a query for a product and then different manufacturers communicate with you with an offer. I did this searching lithium batteries and had more than 10 offers.
Aliexpress is crap both in customer service response and delivery of the item... still waiting 3 months for some items..
Banggood is super, with a live chat customer service not a robot, and the delivery is always on time.