MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I currently have an urge to purchase a kayak and I have a reasonably generic model in mind. A search on Alibaba shows the same item available from the Chinese manufacturer at a significant saving. Any reason not to purchase directly? Anyone an idea of taxes, duty etc. Purchase price is £230 less than half of the RRP and is available as a single item
Including shipping?
I am awaiting a quote on the shipping costs, should I brace myself?
Have a look on face-ache or gumtree for s/h. For the time it takes to ship from China something practically unused will come up in that price bracket. My recent purchase:
Ive bought a few things on AliExpress, all turned up within the alloted time they told me about.
All items were fine.
All items, however, were cheap £2-3.
But yeah, basically just like using any other online shop.
What type of kayak, out of curiosity?
Most of the good brands in the field I like are manufactured in the actual area the company is officially based.
Does it come with something to keep you warm?
I've used AliExpress (rather than Alibaba) heaps. Probably 100+ purchases, mostly smaller electronics purchases and bits and pieces for home brew (beer). Up to maybe $200 (GBP100) for some items. All good to date, delivery times can be a bit random but I have low expectations. I've had small items worth $2 with free shipping arrive in about five days, and other stuff in five weeks.
Most of the UK brands manufacture in the UK. By the time you ship them and the better quality control, means that there is no cost benefit for making decent stuff in the Far East. I would be very wary of the quality.