As you may already know, I'm HOOKED onto taobao. Read more about my previous experience here, here, here and here using agent peeka. It was really easy shopping with Peeka and even though I know it wasn't the cheapest option available, However, it gave me a peace of mine knowing that my items were checked, repacked and shipped straight to me via Buy4u. It also helped when my items were really large in volume, making more sense for me to buy them via sea shipping.
However, after everything for the house was in place, some part of me gathered enough guts to buy direct from Taobao using 4px as the forwarder with my limited Mandarin ability. Mind you, I only scored c6 for O levels and my teacher even told me not to waste my time re-taking it the second time! XD
Anyway, being a freight forwarder, 4px delivered my items really quickly after it left their warehouse. My first batch of items arrived well... but I deleted the photos I took! XD So here are the ones I took from the website.
Lovely tops, each less than 10 bucks!
This was the dress that I wore for B's wedding! I LOVE it to bits! (:
Top and dress!
A really lovely handbag that was on 90% discount during the 9/9 sale!
Thermal food containers!
Our clock! Which we adore!
Skorts! (:
Being so addictive, I ordered again!
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However, as there were more stringent custom checks in the recent weeks couple with China's National Day, I'm patiently waiting for my 2 other parcels to arrive.. Here's what else I bought!
Lots of stickers from the first batch that took a while to reach 4px so I left them for the next shipment.
A dress print that I love to much!
Polka dotted shorts!
Decor tape and correction tape...
Handphone casing...
A super pretty dress!
2 pretty tees!
A belt for hubby!
A belt for myself!
A container for rice...
Skirt and tee, all really really cheap!
Flats!
Cute tees! All about only 5 bucks prior to shipping!
Shorts!
Shorts for home wear and leggings for work!
Watermelon tee!
A super pretty dress!
A tribal print skirt..
Very pretty pens.. only 3+ per pack before shipping!
Loads of masking tape!
Pretty dresses!
I even tried ordering cookbooks.. though they don't have many... but some publications that can be found in Singapore are very much cheaper!
Tongs and rolling pin with levellers!
Rose baking tin..
Stickers and box for masking tapes...
Tape dispenser and more tape! The tape are like really cheap as compared to what is sold in Singapore.
Stickers and stamp.
More stickers! So cute right!!!!!!!!
A holder for baking cookies...
Belts...
And also, many many boxes for storage gifts and cakes!
I've been using some of the boxes I got in the first batch and I really love them! (:
I also got stick on bra, bras and a couple other knick knacks. I'm eagerly waiting for my 2 parcels to arrive soon in SG.... My hands are already itching to buy more stuff! In fact, my next cart is all prepared and I'm almost ready to pay for them! XD
Taobao has indeed been amazing for me... Being Children's Day today, I was delighted to have packed the goodies I got for my kids and give it to them today. Most of them were appreciative and their smiles made all the hard work day in and day out in school kinda worth while.
We even had a class party where the P3 teachers collectively got pizzas and threw a level party! The kids had so much fun! We also performed our version of twisted fairy tale CINDERBOLA and the kids were so amused! (:
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That aside, There are pros and cons using 4px as opposed to using an agent.. but I'm getting pretty hooked to 4px. 4px is cheaper... even though a decent 1kg would cost sgd$6... But if your items aren't too heavy, 4px is a good idea! The only issue that a fair bit of work is required to coordinate with the sellers if necessary and consolidate the orders. Payment can be done via enets with a surcharge of sgd$1 per transaction..
Even so, buying from taobao and enjoying a good price on shipping would require you to buy a fair weight of items... If you're just getting a couple of light items, shipping would cost you a fair bit, making it less worthwhile to pay for costlier shipping.
Okay, taobao is way too addictive. I love taobao! XD (and also Amazon!）
