Buying tooling directly from Asia

[projectnut]

It is getting much better, but you must read the sketchy descriptions carefully. I purchased what I thought was a set of countersinks for a really great price. I hit the button and three weeks later received one countersink. It was my fault but the Chinese are master advertisers! I will take a picture of some of the items that I purchased. Some so cheap I bought several and gave them to my buddies.

This is more the norm than the exception, especially on eBay. They show a picture of a set of something like screw drivers, countersinks, chisels, etc. and a sketchy description with an appealing price. Lower on the page in the “description” they sometimes note it’s a price for a single item. Sleazy at best, and downright illegal in some cases.

The sad part is it takes more time. effort, and money to try to rectify the problem than it’s worth. They keep the money and you get nothing. If they violate the rules often enough they get thrown off the site. It really doesn’t matter to them because they are selling the same merchandise through a dozen or more vendor names.

 

[tarawa]

I have been having a blast on Wish.com
I have bought and sold a lot on ebay. It was better when it was a real auction site. I bid on something as if a live auction and if I didn’t do my homework, shame on me. Now you can sell something just to find out that the buyer decides he don’t like the item (or he is a scammer) and six months from now ebay awards him with a refund and the sellers gets $$ deducted from his account. The buyer already sold the item to someone else.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

My experience has been just about the opposite of those previously responding. Over the yeaRs I’ve tried to buy a few items directly from China. It’s never worked out. Each time the product either wasn’t as advertised or was badly damaged

One time the vendor tried to deny they sold me the product claiming I must have them confused with someone else. Another time when a product came damaged I was told that was to be expected considering the distance it had traveled. On a third occasion I was told the product was no longer available at the quoted price. If I wanted it the new price was more than double the quoted price.

Needless to say I no longer attempt to buy directly from China. Even when looking on eBay or Amazon I avoid Chinese companies if at all possible. That’s sometimes hard to do on eBay. Many vendors claim to be from the USA but when you lookup their profile they’re from China

This was my experience 20yrs ago, but lately they have been on point.

Only disappointment I've had lately was with back orders or out of stock, but that is telling in and of its self.

The Chinese carbide inserts are better than some top brands we get at work for use on small machines.

Get the Aluminum cutting inserts for small machines, they have better geometry for the small machines that sometimes lack rigidity.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

It is getting much better, but you must read the sketchy descriptions carefully. I purchased what I thought was a set of countersinks for a really great price. I hit the button and three weeks later received one countersink. It was my fault but the Chinese are master advertisers! I will take a picture of some of the items that I purchased. Some so cheap I bought several and gave them to my buddies.

This is more the norm than the exception, especially on eBay. They show a picture of a set of something like screw drivers, countersinks, chisels, etc. and a sketchy description with an appealing price. Lower on the page in the “description” they sometimes note it’s a price for a single item. Sleazy at best, and downright illegal in some cases.

The sad part is it takes more time. effort, and money to try to rectify the problem than it’s worth. They keep the money and you get nothing. If they violate the rules often enough they get thrown off the site. It really doesn’t matter to them because they are selling the same merchandise through a dozen or more vendor names.

Caveat emptor applies with buying from any source.

I jumped on a too good deal and got one insert tool holder when I thought the ad was for a set.

I didn't get upset, rather I researched the buying options and found that while confusing, the ad was not deceptive, my brain was.

I got what I paid for and it was good quality. I also had a lengthy discussion with the vendor and realized it was a cultural and translation issue. They have since simplified the ad to eliminate any confusion,

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Ran into a prime example of what was mentioned just this morning.

12" lathe for $358?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805404182303.html?ug_edm_item_id=3256805404182303&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%21%24598.00%21%24358.80%21%21%21%21%21%40212a7d0717026716334757704d6ac2%2112000033666528281%21edm%21%21&edm_click_module=alg_products&tracelog=rowan&rowan_id1=aeug_edm_56673_1_en_US_2023-12-16&rowan_msg_id=5670biz_add_cart%3A0%3A0_574710326%24328d96d40d1347898ef43d93fdc9a98e&ck=in_edm_other&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Well, no.

Click the items on the page and you will clearly see that this is for the DRO only, the lathe its self is 2K+.

Do you really think you were getting a 12" lathe with cabinet for $358?

 

[Mitch Alsup]

The Chinese carbide inserts are better than some top brands we get at work for use on small machines.

Get the Aluminum cutting inserts for small machines, they have better geometry for the small machines that sometimes lack rigidity.

Also note:: I mainly use <Chinese> CNMG inserts for <everything> but when I want that perfect surface finish I swap out the CNMG for a CCGT <with the sharp upturned cutting edge> using the same tool holder.

 

[SouthernChap]

Ran into a prime example of what was mentioned just this morning.

12" lathe for $358?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805404182303.html?ug_edm_item_id=3256805404182303&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%21%24598.00%21%24358.80%21%21%21%21%21%40212a7d0717026716334757704d6ac2%2112000033666528281%21edm%21%21&edm_click_module=alg_products&tracelog=rowan&rowan_id1=aeug_edm_56673_1_en_US_2023-12-16&rowan_msg_id=5670biz_add_cart%3A0%3A0_574710326%24328d96d40d1347898ef43d93fdc9a98e&ck=in_edm_other&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Well, no.

Click the items on the page and you will clearly see that this is for the DRO only, the lathe its self is 2K+.

Do you really think you were getting a 12" lathe with cabinet for $358?

Honestly, I always assumed that aliexpress or bangood or the like would be a soft form of bait and switch so I always check the description and the various 'colour' options. As you say, some form.of reality checking common sense is required.

That said, even with that due diligence, sometimes what exactly you're getting is pretty well obfuscated.

The combination of poor translation, deliberately confusing presentation and a **** poor UI make these sites places where you have to tread carefully.

Finally, one wise approach to take is that once you've spent your money, accept that this money is gone. Sure, it might say 'free returns' and/or a poorly translated version of 'no quibble refunds' but you'll have no recourse should the party you're buying from decide not to honour the stated 'policy'. Buying from AliExpress, Bangood and the like, is always a gamble and one should only ever gamble with what one can afford to lose.

 

[markba633csi]

Had good luck with Aliexpress- but never anything physically large or bulky. Small parts and fasteners only. ICs,
Arduino stuff and LCD displays. It's a goldmine for electrical stuff.

 

[Eyerelief]

For me, if I expect to get lots of use out of it, want to own it for a long time, will depend on it for income etc., I likely wouldn't buy it from Asia. Its not that it is all bad, its that its not all good. If I'm wanting something I don't need, then I might give them a try. A prime example of this me buying a coaxial indicator years back. Got along fine for years without one but wanted to see what life would be like with one in the drawer. Bought one for sale 7600 miles away at a cost of $35. I learned on it and it worked just fine. Started using it on a regular basis so I invested in a Blake. The Blake is more repeatable so I trust it more. When I get around to it, I will sell the import.

I think that if you set your expectations to the motto "You get what you pay for", you will be just fine.

 

[G-ManBart]

I generally try to avoid buying stuff from China when possible...I don't dislike the people of China, but their government is another matter. With that said, there are times when it's simply too much of a price difference to ignore. I've found three vendors on eBay that have been absolutely perfect with the items matching the description, having reasonable shipping times, and good quality. I have also noticed that I regularly get eBay coupon offers from them, so this is handy for things that I want to stock up on.

The last couple of things have been solid carbide boring bars and CBN inserts. The boring bars would be $150-250 from the big sources and they're like $25-30 from the eBay retailer. Same thing with the CBN inserts...$30-100 each versus $8-10 each from China.

Like others have said, their carbide insert prices are crazy low. What I've done is add a pack of an insert I want to try when I order something else. If I like them, I order a bunch...they don't take up much space, don't go bad, and they'll only go up in price. I've been shocked with the quality of the Blue Nano/Nano Blue inserts...I used one for like a month and it still was fine.

I wish I could be a purist, but when you're talking $150 versus $30 it's hard to ignore. So far I haven't been burned, but if I do, I figure I'm still money ahead in the long game.