Has anyone who preordered FT-19 Apache received notification from their seller that it is now in stock?

 

I never did business from TaoBao. I use A3U (Ages 3 and Up), eBay or from fellow board members from different TF sites for my MP purchase. I try to stay away from Japanese online markets.

 

Why?

 

Taobao isn't Japanese, fyi...It's Chinese. And it's bigger than Amazon+eBay combined

 

I thibk that North American markets are better than Asian Markets

 

Ok.

 

Just out of curiosity, why comment on a thread about buying from an Asian market then? I'm confused.

 

I guess just do what works for you. As for me I've saved $$$ a grip going with Chinese site Taobao. No North American markups.

 

ok, question, usually if i use US credit card on foreign purchases which is not based on Dollar, i'll get a foreign exchange fee for around 3%. Does this means i'll get double charged by both of my bank AND AliPay?(6% would be alot)
Also, does Taobao Cargo offer any kinds of protection in cases of your shipment getting lost?
Thanks

 

Correct on the 6%. Factor in also variable FX rates I guess, which someone may do if they're buying from certain sellers on eBay who don't post in your local currency.

For me in Australia, this 6% fee results in costs that are sometimes well below eBay or any local retailer. Worst case it's a few dollars dearer but the shipping speed is so much faster.

 

ok, thanks for the info!

 

FYI - check out getting a Chase Bank Credit card. Most of their cards have no charge for transaction fees, shaving that 3% off the cost. I have a Chase Amazon card that i just use for overseas TF purchases and for Amazon.com.

 

Just some interesting observation though - a lot of items in Amazon and e-bay are exact items that you see in Taobao/Aliexpress/DX etc.

Even Lazada seem to have a lot of items directly from Aliexpress.

 

Girder and Meteor just reached the warehouse. Just waiting for Apache to join them then I'll ship 'em out.

 

i'm thinking about getting mpp10 and mpp10 trailer from taobao, however it seems like the shipping itself is probably going to kill the deal because of the weight

 

For JCEX, where do you find your tracking number? I've tried my Logistics Order Number (LP000880120XXXXX), my International Delivery Ticket Number (8746XXXXX), and my Taobao Cargo Order Number (968984045331XXXXX) at 17track and Aftership, but none seem to work to give me tracking info. Am I doing it wrong?

My consolidated shipment status for the last several days has been: "Out of the library. Your package has left the warehouse, sent overseas, waiting for the buyer to receive the goods" I think my stuff is on a plane somewhere, but I'd like to gage progress.

 

To get your overseas JCEX tracking number there are 2 options.

Option 1. Fastest method.
Go to http://www.jcex.com/
It is a Chinese website so if you don't read Chinese set your Chrome browser to automatically translate the page to English....just like you can do with Taobao.com.
Scroll to the middle of the page.
Enter the Taobao overseas waybill number where shown.
Click Inquire.


You will then be taken to another translated page where you will see this.


Option 2.
Simply send an email to JCEX Customer Service at
cs@jcex.com.cn
Tell them that you would like the USA tracking number for (whatever your Taobao overseas waybill tracking number is).
They will promptly respond within 24 hours, in some cases a couple of hours.
If they say the number is not ready set try back the next day.
Once they provide you with the USA Fedex/USPS you can continue to email them back again in the same chain in case you have
questions like wanting to know where the package is now or something like that.

Option 3.
Go to English site JCEX Tracking - AfterShip
Enter the Taobao overseas waybill number to track the package.


Big ups to @connseanery for puttin' me up on game.

 

So a quick update to this for anyone in Australia that's interested. After constant separate chat's with 4PX, and immediately after ending my last one about 1/2 a week ago, these were ready to be paid for shipping. It looks like they sat around for a while and my constant hounding prompted someone to look for them. Especially since I found the domestic courier's website and showed them the tracking and that it had been signed for.

In my limited experience this is the first time I've had any trouble with 4PX. Could be in part due to 11/11 but I'll now seek out local courier tracking if there are any future issues.

 

Should be due to 11/11.

I bought something on 17/11, it arrived at the warehouse on 18/11, but unlike normal times, I was not notified. I checked manually on 21/11 (wasted two days at least) and shipped it out. I got a notice from the last-mile courier that it would be delivered to me today (30/11), but there is no sign of it even now (6pm).

Even ordering one week after 11/11 is not safe. It can take some time to clear the overseas backlog.

On a good week, I can get my items in 5-6 days.

Ironically, I bought something else on 22/11. I received it two days ago.

 

My Taobao order for Girder will be no more than $44 shipped......an even better deal than on Ebay. It'll be even less once I combine ship with other items.
As for my Fanstoys FT-19 Apache, the Taobao seller just shipped it out to the warehouse. It should be ready for overseas shipping in another day or two.