Online Chinese Purchasing Experiences - Good & Bad

Shinobollo

I'm posting this in the hope that people who have bought phones and / or tablets from Chinese Online Stores will be kind enough to share their experiences. I've been looking at phones for a few months now and I'm at a loss as to who is reliable and who to avoid. There are so many scare stories around from people who say they've been shafted it's hard to know who to trust.
It would be great to hear from those brave souls who've already been down this road of their experiences good bad or indifferent and to have this info in one place.
This way we all get to learn from each other without throwing away money we don't have (otherwise we'd probably just buy locally).
Anyone willing to kick this off ?
Thanks in advance
Shino

tallaghtmick

Shinobollo wrote: »

I'm posting this in the hope that people who have bought phones and / or tablets from Chinese Online Stores will be kind enough to share their experiences. I've been looking at phones for a few months now and I'm at a loss as to who is reliable and who to avoid. There are so many scare stories around from people who say they've been shafted it's hard to know who to trust.
It would be great to hear from those brave souls who've already been down this road of their experiences good bad or indifferent and to have this info in one place.
This way we all get to learn from each other without throwing away money we don't have (otherwise we'd probably just buy locally).
Anyone willing to kick this off ?
Thanks in advance
Shino

I have used a few and I have to say www.merimobiles.com would be the best.

good one

hi,
I've bought 3 phones from merimobiles.
No complaints so far, good enough follow up service.
No problem recommending them.

Shinobollo

Positive review for hongkonggeek.com from michael999999...

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056851139/57/#post85011032

ED E

Bought a cheap chinapad from DX, bad idea. Battery exploded.

C.O.Y.B.I.B

Shinobollo wrote: »

Positive review for hongkonggeek.com from michael999999...

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2056851139/57/#post85011032

+1 for Hongkonggeek , fast delivery , no "Hidden Charges" and the price was spot on aswell. I bought an Ainol Nova 8GB which as an aside has exceeded my expectations as an entry level 7" tablet.

Shinobollo

ED E wrote: »

Bought a cheap chinapad from DX, bad idea. Battery exploded.

Hi Ed
What was DX response / customer service like in response to battery issue ? You can tell a lot about a company from their customer service.
What make and model was the tablet ? It's unfair to label all Chinese tablets as Cheap Chinapads. Some manufacturers have good reputations for quality. Thanks. Shino

Copper_pipe

Got a tablet from this seller and had no problems


http://www.aliexpress.com/store/100712

ED E

Shinobollo wrote: »

Hi Ed
What was DX response / customer service like in response to battery issue ? You can tell a lot about a company from their customer service.
What make and model was the tablet ? It's unfair to label all Chinese tablets as Cheap Chinapads. Some manufacturers have good reputations for quality. Thanks. Shino

Lol, DX, customer service? No such thing with them buddy.

It was a Dropad A8, otherwise known as a Haipad and a few other "brands". Obviously not all china pads are the same, but just know that those savings come from somewhere, good quality lithium packs dont come cheap.

seamey beag84

Got a 7" YUANDAO (WINDOW) N70S tablet from HONGKONGEEK back at Christmas. Delivered in about 10 days and they labelled it as a picture frame so got it through customs avoiding the tax! I'm now looking to get the Jiayu G4 but they dont have it in stock so gonna give Pandawill a try.

(edit)

Went with SPEMALL.com in the end for the G4. Paid for the express delivery so Ill (hopefully) be back in a few days with a review

toastedpickles

Bought a battery for my phone from www.tmart.com

When it got here it was completely dead, kaput, tried charging it and nothing, went to the customer services and told them what the story was, and they replied to me in very broken English, which I could barely understand, in fairness they were probably the same with me, so they offered to send me out "a new battery for free"

Here's to hoping this one does the job

deckie27

Focalprice.Com

Very good service

Access

For those of you who bought from the above mentioned sites... did ye just get it delivered via chainapost to an post or have ye used the faster Dahl options?

Also, has anyone got items via parcel motel with success?

Edit: (sorry... ment to say DHL)

Access

Access wrote: »

For those of you who bought from the above mentioned sites... did ye just get it delivered via chainapost to an post or have ye used the faster Dahl options?

Also, has anyone got items via parcel motel with success?

Yes. Chinapost was delivered in 2-3 weeks and DHL was delivered in 5 days.
As for PM, if you are charged customs, PM will refuse it.