Often, I get questions from someone in the US or Europe asking if they can buy this item or that item that they see posted on my blog. If I have it, there is a chance I would be willing to sell it. But If I don't, then there is Taobao. Taobao is the mainland Chinese equivalent of Ebay. The only differences are it is in Chinese, but on-line translators can help with that AND... you also need a Chinese bank account and must pay cash.
Say what?
So I have to open a bank account in China to buy something? That doesn't seem very operable. In truth it isn't. And enterprising entrepreneurs in China have realized this and set up brokerages to help foreigners buy from Taobao. Basically, they will bid on, or buy, what ever you instruct them to, then centralize all your orders and ship them to you. You pay them and only them. And you pay upfront. And of course they will take a fee, but if you absolutely have to have it....
And that was the case with these little beauties:
What are they? They are rear badges for each of the famous four brands. Clockwise from the top left: Red Flag, Flying Pigeon, Phoenix and Forever.
These are all for 28" bikes but surely I am going to see about squeezing the Flying Pigeon logo onto my 26" roadster. They would look like this on a bike:
So where do you find these brokers? On E-Bay of course! The one I used was obook. Service was good. Costs were extremely detailed and it all took about 5 weeks from start to the package arriving by registered mail at the post office. You pay via Paypal. It is pricey, and not something to engage in if you need the item by tomorrow. But if you are willing to wait, it is definitely an option
Hi, Love your website. Do you have an email address I can contact you at? I'd love to ask you some questions about bikes. Thanks!
Nathan
Posted by: Nathan | April 10, 2011 at 04:46 AM