淘宝网Great Buys - March 2013

Its gonna be a long lengthy opening, so here's a random picture of Spring around my compound.

Ahhh...you gotta love 淘宝网. I am proud to share the loot of my pillage from the website, but not without warning you about the amount of time you will spend on it. Too lazy to write this in my own words, so here's a definition from Wikipedia.

Founded by Alibaba Group in May 10, 2003, Taobao Marketplace facilitates consumer-to-consumer (C2C) retail by providing a platform for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs to open online retail stores that mainly cater to consumers in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.[2]

Because of its great accessibility, vendors of all sectors and size gather to sell you wares far beyond your imagination. I once heard a ridiculous story about a firearms syndicate being nabbed because they were stupid enough to post their wares on 淘宝网.

Mind you, when I was first introduced to 淘宝, I was whacked silly by dishonest vendors. After paying enough school fees, I am proud to say I have graduated with top honors. I can easily pick out genuine sellers and radar in on cheap and quality products. Don't ask me how it is done. It is a steep learning curve, and if you are serious about it...first, get yourself to China!

Here's a tip I can dispense that might help. Instead of the normal search description, narrow down your search with keywords such as 外贸 (export)，原单 (original)，正品 (genuine). If you are a worrying wort, and so afraid of getting conned; buy from 天猫 (Tmall). Ok gonna borrow form wiki again.

...spun off from Taobao, operated in the People's Republic of China by Alibaba Group. It is a platform for local Chinese and international businesses to sell quality, brand name goods to consumers in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Difference is 天猫 has a gathering of legit and established brands. Thus the buys are usually more reliable than vendors from 淘宝.

Measures 32 x 32 cm. Huge rite?

Since I am such a savvy buyer of  淘宝, I have decided to share worthy buys on a monthly basis (hopefully...). Here are 2 of my proud acquire for March.
This chip and dip ceramic ware is a treasure in a mountain of junk. I didn't expect to find this in a shop that sells mainly sundries, but it just stood out amongst it's other wares (stockings, recycle bags and other stuff...). The picture on the site didn't do it justice but the seller was meticulous about the specs. Thus after much reading (I'm doing my Chinese 老师 proud!), I realise the plate is a sample commissioned by a US retail giant. At an irresistible price of CNY$24 (Under SGD$5!!!), I just have to buy it.

Product sticker still intact. Thank you Phyllis!

Cream and champagne. Comes in white and silver too.

The other winning buy is a simple 2.5l stainless steel thermos air port. Thought its produced for the Japanese market, it is neither a tiger nor an elephant. Therefore I didn't have to pay a lot for it. In fact it was obtained over a flash sale (秒杀) at a reasonable CNY$158 (under SGD$32). It looks simple and clean, exactly what I want for the kitchen.

Not all internet deals are made in heaven. So be extra wary when reading the descriptions (especially between the lines). Do your homework and ask a lot of questions before you make any purchase. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Also depending on the seller's attitude when answering queries, a cannot be bothered answer is usually a cannot be bothered product. Bottom line is always check out their return policy. 4 in 10 buys over the internet usually required return attention. Whatever it is, enjoy yourself and don't get conned...too much!