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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: 443330 on Mon, 14 November 2011, 05:35:20

Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Mon, 14 November 2011, 05:35:20
Hey there, I am interested in buying a KBC Poker kb from Taobao as I believe it is the cheapest place to purchase from (am I right?).
So is it impossible to buy from their without an agent? I live in New Zealand and I don't believe there is an option for payment. Its all Chinese banks.
If it is possible please explain how, if not which is the cheapest buying agent for Taobao?
Cheers guys.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: calavera on Mon, 14 November 2011, 06:26:38
Well, you can use the link below. They act as a broker and buy it and ship it to you. You obviously have to pay for all shipping and broker fees.

https://buyfromtaobao.com/


If you were in the states, the link below would be the cheapest and quickest:

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Mon, 14 November 2011, 07:11:12
Hi thanks for your suggestions. Anyone else? I read somewhere I may be able to open an account with a Chinese bank and sign up to Taobao with that. Im a little concerned though.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: Gfresh404 on Mon, 14 November 2011, 08:10:28
Quote from: 443330;451738
Hi thanks for your suggestions. Anyone else? I read somewhere I may be able to open an account with a Chinese bank and sign up to Taobao with that. Im a little concerned though.

What kind of switches did you want to get? Ebay  (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=kbc+poker)has a bunch for sale by sellers that ship worldwide.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Mon, 14 November 2011, 21:29:40
Hey, I do some fps gaming so I believe either MX blacks or MX reds. I have seen the sellers on ebay but noticed that most of them actually are middle men from places such as Taobao and pchome. So there is a mark up. I'm also on a budget and I am super frugal :\
Title: TaoBao
Post by: imsto on Tue, 15 November 2011, 04:02:39
try give me a email   lol
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Tue, 15 November 2011, 04:11:08
Pmed you
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 20:41:17
So I have heard you cannot buy a KBC Poker MX Reds, with engraved PBT caps anymore you have to buy them separately is this the case even from Taobao?
And also I have heard you can set up an account with a Chinese bank and purchase through taobao yourself, this would be the cheapest option. Is this true?
Also what are the most recommended Taobao agents?
Cheers guys
PS How much does it cost to buy the PBT engraved caps separately?
Title: TaoBao
Post by: demik on Sun, 20 November 2011, 21:44:53
i dont think they ever sold engraved pbt as stock with any board. they have pbt, but it has print on them.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 21:51:52
Hi is it the same as these caps?
http://www.overclock.net/t/1115457/f...s-red-switches
Title: TaoBao
Post by: demik on Sun, 20 November 2011, 21:56:04
yes
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 21:57:53
Ah okay, I am fine with that. I have also heard you can set up an account with a Chinese bank and purchase through taobao yourself, this would be the cheapest option. Do you know anything about this?
And do you have any recommended Taobao agents?
Thanks. :)
Title: TaoBao
Post by: demik on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:03:01
why don't you just purchase it from qtan? http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/

trusted seller, MANY happy customers and fast shipping.

i dont trust opening bank accounts in countries i dont live in just to save a few bucks.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:08:01
I thought about that, but I can save nearly 30% roughly 50 NZD if I made the purchase myself, considering I have other peripherals to upgrade this would be very helpful as I am low on funds at the moment.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: demik on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:12:25
IMO, i don't think it's worth the trouble opening a bank account in another country all for just one keyboard.

either a) find one in classifieds, b) save up till you have enough money to not deal with all that c)go through an agent and STILL not have to worry about opening accounts in places you don't live or d) open the account and have to deal with all that for one keyboard.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:29:13
Yea, I see your point. The account wouldn't be for just one keyboard there is a real nice set of headphones on there that I would be getting too. I think my best bet is to go with an agent because if I purchase the keyboard and headset through them they can combine shipping and also get around 40-50% off the shipping.
That 40-50% off shipping might equal to the savings I could get from purchasing myself.
Does that sound like a good plan?
Title: TaoBao
Post by: demik on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:37:41
if it sounds good for you, go ahead.

what im getting at is, opening account would be fine if you were doing a HUGE order.

2 items? kind of dumb, especially since chances are you can get said items for a tiny bit more if you really looked.

but it seems like you have a plan that works for you, so godspeed.

also, i wish i could recommend some agents.. but i've never bought from taobao.


have you seen if pchome has what you're looking for? might be cheaper
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:39:34
haha, I actually don't have a plan that works for me yet that's why I am listening to your advice ;)
Just want to say thanks again.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: demik on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:51:02
no problem, but give pchome a try. i know they have cheap shipping and it's pretty fast. if you're lucky, you might find what you want on there.

or go here, see if you find a place close to you:

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Geekhack+WorldWide+Shopping+Links

courtesy of ripster.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:52:57
I searched for the KBC Poker on pchome but could not find any. Maybe I am searching in the wrong place.
I have also read the wiki :)
Title: TaoBao
Post by: demik on Sun, 20 November 2011, 22:56:32
ah, well looks like it's either agent or qtan
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Sun, 20 November 2011, 23:16:34
I have read the wiki, the only relevant information for me living in New Zealand is the links to Taobao buying guide, and the taobao agents. And that's what my questions are directed at :D
Title: TaoBao
Post by: kaiserreich on Mon, 21 November 2011, 12:27:42
In addition to the Chinese bank account, you will need an Alipay account. It's kinda like the Chinese paypal system.
Actually, you don't even need that Chinese bank account. If you can find someone to reload your Alipay account, you are good to go. However, shipping is another problem as most of the sellers at Taobao do not ship internationally, so you'll need some one to forward it for you. Qtan did mention that if you can pay him via Alipay, he can offer prices similar to Taobao + whatever shipping that is needed to reach New Zealand.

Good luck in solving those two requirements before you can order and ship anything. They can be solved, I did, but the sources I have only limit the service to my country, so I can't help you there.
Title: TaoBao
Post by: 443330 on Mon, 21 November 2011, 19:54:22
Hey kaiser,
Thanks for the tip mate. I heard I could also set up an e-pay system through the Bank of China. It sounds similar to what you are telling me. I only need to purchase two things off Taobao, a KBC Poker and a pair of headphones. I was thinking it may actually end up being cheaper in the long run if I go with a agent as they can combine shipping and get big discounts off shipping. So I will have to do a bit more research.