ckling
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[Official Poison Thread] EDMW Taobao How-to Buying Guide
[Disclaimer]
This is my personal sharing on how I go about shopping in Taobao (淘宝）
[Why I started this thread?]
My earlier thread sparked many interests and asking me to write a guide. You are feel free to contribute to this thread too.
[Why buy from taobao?]
Because many products are made in China, so you can get much better deal there. You can almost find anything there.
[Some Glossary to understand]
[Prerequisite]
[Where to look for daily good deal?]
[Steps to buy at Taobao & Tmall]
[How to use ADD.COM.MY]
[How much the shipping cost?]
You can use my method (ADD.COM.MY) or Charlene Zhang's Method at Post #21 (Direct CITI-LINK EXPRESS)
The shipping cost, first kg $7.50, subsequent $5 per KG
For shipping using Citylink, this promo can help you save some $$ by reducing the volumetric weight charge by air freight.
How to calculate volumetric weight?
[How to pay & communicate to ADD.COM.MY?]
[Why use forwarder and not agent?]
[How long the whole process take?]
Great Tips
[How to pay or Top-up Alipay?]
What if I don't want to handle all this hassle?
Why do we need a forwarder address from china?
How to search for items in Taobao?
Is it safe to buy? Forwarder reliable or not?
What to buy there?
How to ship big ticket item?
What to take note when placing order?
What are some other forwarders to choose from?
What other good shopping websites in China? *NEW*
[Disclaimer]
This is my personal sharing on how I go about shopping in Taobao (淘宝）
[Why I started this thread?]
My earlier thread sparked many interests and asking me to write a guide. You are feel free to contribute to this thread too.
[Why buy from taobao?]
Because many products are made in China, so you can get much better deal there. You can almost find anything there.
[Some Glossary to understand]
1. Taobao = 淘宝
2. Alipay = 支付宝， is the middleman that processes your CC payment when purchasing items from taobao
3. Warehouse = The address given to you by your forwarder, for example mine is:
4. Aliwangwang = 阿里旺旺 (a Communication tools with the seller)
5. 价格、一口价 = Product Cost
6. 物流运费 = Courier Fee
7. 订单编号 = Order no
8. 运单号码 = Courier Tracking No
9. ADD.COM.MY = the forwarder which receives and stores your taobao items as your accumulate your purchases.
2. Alipay = 支付宝， is the middleman that processes your CC payment when purchasing items from taobao
3. Warehouse = The address given to you by your forwarder, for example mine is:
4. Aliwangwang = 阿里旺旺 (a Communication tools with the seller)
5. 价格、一口价 = Product Cost
6. 物流运费 = Courier Fee
7. 订单编号 = Order no
8. 运单号码 = Courier Tracking No
9. ADD.COM.MY = the forwarder which receives and stores your taobao items as your accumulate your purchases.
[Prerequisite]
1. Understand basic Chinese
2. Register a Taobao account, follow this guide, it is Easy!.
3. Get Alipay account with your taobao account. Simply login to alipay using your Taobao account. [Select Overseas > Singapore]
<<Important>>
4. Register for a forwarder account and you'll be given a China Address & for you to manage your shipment. In my case I use ADD.COM.MY, they are Partner with CITI-LINK Express, I will explain why I choose this below. [Update]:Now is DEX-i then RoadBull for SG delivery > Credit to alvinalf
5. Must have either Credit Card (DBS/POSB/Any others), or ATM Card
[Where to look for daily good deal?]
[Steps to buy at Taobao & Tmall]
[How to use ADD.COM.MY]
Steps may seem long, but many is 1 time setup
1. 注册会员 Register
2. Fill in your details and then 登录 Login
3. 会员中心 > 货仓资料 (Warehouse Details) Use this as your taobao Shipping address
4. 提交新运单（红色字）(Submit New Shipping order)
5. 填写包裹资料并保存添加至 我的包裹车 (Submit your items details to the cart)
6. 包裹默认状态是未到,当包裹抵达仓库后,则会修改为已到 (By default the status is 'not yet arrive', when it reached will update to 'arrived')
7. 勾选要代运的包裹 (Submit the packages that you want to ship)
8. 填写收货信息 (Fill in your Singapore address)
9. 点击确认存档,生成运单 (Submit Order)
10. 确认生成的运单无误后,点击确认下单 (Make sure your info correct, submit)
11. add安排发货事宜 (They will arrange for the shipment)
12. 打包好的,重量和费用就会更新上去 (Total weight and cost will be updated)
13. 支付运费 (Pay the shipping cost, via POSB/UOB/Standard Chartered bank transfer)
14. 在家等收包裹 (Wait for your package)
You can chat with them via aliwangwang, or using LINE
LINE ID is add1987, don't worry they are very friendly, you can seek their advise for any taobao matters also
1. 注册会员 Register
2. Fill in your details and then 登录 Login
3. 会员中心 > 货仓资料 (Warehouse Details) Use this as your taobao Shipping address
4. 提交新运单（红色字）(Submit New Shipping order)
5. 填写包裹资料并保存添加至 我的包裹车 (Submit your items details to the cart)
6. 包裹默认状态是未到,当包裹抵达仓库后,则会修改为已到 (By default the status is 'not yet arrive', when it reached will update to 'arrived')
7. 勾选要代运的包裹 (Submit the packages that you want to ship)
8. 填写收货信息 (Fill in your Singapore address)
9. 点击确认存档,生成运单 (Submit Order)
10. 确认生成的运单无误后,点击确认下单 (Make sure your info correct, submit)
11. add安排发货事宜 (They will arrange for the shipment)
12. 打包好的,重量和费用就会更新上去 (Total weight and cost will be updated)
13. 支付运费 (Pay the shipping cost, via POSB/UOB/Standard Chartered bank transfer)
14. 在家等收包裹 (Wait for your package)
You can chat with them via aliwangwang, or using LINE
LINE ID is add1987, don't worry they are very friendly, you can seek their advise for any taobao matters also
[How much the shipping cost?]
You can use my method (ADD.COM.MY) or Charlene Zhang's Method at Post #21 (Direct CITI-LINK EXPRESS)
The shipping cost, first kg $7.50, subsequent $5 per KG
For shipping using Citylink, this promo can help you save some $$ by reducing the volumetric weight charge by air freight.
How to calculate volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight (kg) = length x height x width (cm)/ 6,000 for City-Link Express
some other daigou use /5000 which may incur more cost
some other daigou use /5000 which may incur more cost
[How to pay & communicate to ADD.COM.MY?]
They accept DBS/POSB/UOB/Standard Chartered bank transfer.
See this FAQ
[联系方式]
LINE ID: add1987
阿里旺旺：执行目标 or 路人仙
Email: sieng1989@hotmail.com
Skype: sieng1989@hotmail.com
Facebook Groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/add.com.my/
See this FAQ
[联系方式]
LINE ID: add1987
阿里旺旺：执行目标 or 路人仙
Email: sieng1989@hotmail.com
Skype: sieng1989@hotmail.com
Facebook Groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/add.com.my/
[Why use forwarder and not agent?]
1. By using forwarder you can have more freedom, you can take your own sweet time to order, liaise with the buyer, asking for better price, or ask to customize....etc
2. Door step delivery, some daigou required you to collect at certain place.
3. You can gain much more experience, points...etc
4. Can buy limited time sales item.
2. Door step delivery, some daigou required you to collect at certain place.
3. You can gain much more experience, points...etc
4. Can buy limited time sales item.
[How long the whole process take?]
Well, it depends.
1-3 days from your seller to the warehouse located at GuangZhou.
2 -3 days From GuangZhou to your Singapore address. (Sunday no delivery)
1-3 days from your seller to the warehouse located at GuangZhou.
2 -3 days From GuangZhou to your Singapore address. (Sunday no delivery)
Great Tips
1. Buy your items from least seller, can save some local postage.
2. Can combine your shipment with your family members, friends, colleagues. It can save your international shippin cost.
2. Can combine your shipment with your family members, friends, colleagues. It can save your international shippin cost.
[How to pay or Top-up Alipay?]
If you have DBS/POSB Credit Card, you can pay direct. Some people said other credit card also can, I am not sure.
See here
新加坡星展银行（DBS）快捷支付操作流程
新加坡星展银行（DBS）信用卡快捷支付的限额是多少？
If you have ATM Card, proceed to AXS station to buy 'Gift Card'.
如何使用支付宝购物卡充值？
如何使用支付宝购物卡付款？
Or you can get help from Bro MRC.
See here
新加坡星展银行（DBS）快捷支付操作流程
新加坡星展银行（DBS）信用卡快捷支付的限额是多少？
If you have ATM Card, proceed to AXS station to buy 'Gift Card'.
如何使用支付宝购物卡充值？
如何使用支付宝购物卡付款？
Or you can get help from Bro MRC.
What if I don't want to handle all this hassle?
You can support the local retailer.
You can ask many expert here to buy for you, give them some token (some people offer $20...haha)
1. Charlene Zhang
2. Me (ckling)
...haha
You can ask many expert here to buy for you, give them some token (some people offer $20...haha)
1. Charlene Zhang
2. Me (ckling)
...haha
Why do we need a forwarder address from china?
Because most of the Taobao seller do not ship to Singapore direct, even if they do it is expensive.
so a forwarder can help to save cost by consolidate your multiple packages and send it to your Singapore address.
so a forwarder can help to save cost by consolidate your multiple packages and send it to your Singapore address.
How to search for items in Taobao?
Is it safe to buy? Forwarder reliable or not?
Taobao
For Taobao, the Alipay act like a middle person, so you're protected.
When you pay, Alipay will hold the amount, you can release payment after you received the items.
Don't be too cheapskate and buy something 'too good to be true' if price difference with other sellers is a lot.
But if you compare with local retailer, many things really is 'too good to be true', very high profit margin here.
Well, rental kills, I know.
Forwarder
I have used them many times, so far great experience, the package i received pack compactly in the box, price reasonable, no bill shock and can be contacted via many channels, (LINE, Aliwangwang, Handphone, FACEBOOK...)
ADD.COM.MY currently is storage free, no limit how long your package can store in warehouse, so if you're not in hurry can buy over a period of time then send it together to SG. Can save a lot.
For Taobao, the Alipay act like a middle person, so you're protected.
When you pay, Alipay will hold the amount, you can release payment after you received the items.
Don't be too cheapskate and buy something 'too good to be true' if price difference with other sellers is a lot.
But if you compare with local retailer, many things really is 'too good to be true', very high profit margin here.
Well, rental kills, I know.
Forwarder
I have used them many times, so far great experience, the package i received pack compactly in the box, price reasonable, no bill shock and can be contacted via many channels, (LINE, Aliwangwang, Handphone, FACEBOOK...)
ADD.COM.MY currently is storage free, no limit how long your package can store in warehouse, so if you're not in hurry can buy over a period of time then send it together to SG. Can save a lot.
What to buy there?
For me, books, cable, adapter, handphone accessories, DIY stuff etc.
For ladies, clothes, shoes, bag...
For me usually I buy those things made in China one... you want branded go USA website.
If possible, compare the price with retailer (so that you know how much you saved), if not much saving just support local store loh.
For ladies, clothes, shoes, bag...
For me usually I buy those things made in China one... you want branded go USA website.
If possible, compare the price with retailer (so that you know how much you saved), if not much saving just support local store loh.
How to ship big ticket item?
What to take note when placing order?
1. For bulky item, you need to estimate the shipping cost before purchase. Can chat with the seller for packaging size, also can get a quote from ADD.COM.MY or do a simple calculation yourself.
Only buy if you think is worth it, support local retailer if possible.
2. Singapore custom rules for GST free limit is SGD 400, keep it below.
* if you want to under declare, you bare the risk yourself
City-link express will prepare a invoice like this for clearance purpose. The details is what you declare at ADD.COM.MY
Only buy if you think is worth it, support local retailer if possible.
2. Singapore custom rules for GST free limit is SGD 400, keep it below.
* if you want to under declare, you bare the risk yourself
City-link express will prepare a invoice like this for clearance purpose. The details is what you declare at ADD.COM.MY
What are some other forwarders to choose from?
What other good shopping websites in China? *NEW*
Please join #官方新加坡EDMW买家#Singapore EDMW Shopping Spree
(Created by 美女队长Charlene Zhang zz/mm)
[Here you can share good deals you saw, purchased, tried...]
我可以用扫货小分队做什么？(What can I do with the group?)
http://service.taobao.com/support/knowledge-5601362.htm?spm=0.0.0.0.MUNP2g&dkey=catview[Here you can share good deals you saw, purchased, tried...]
我可以用扫货小分队做什么？(What can I do with the group?)
(I think less vids this year also)