How to best source stuff from ebay.com and chinese suppliers
Posted: 09 Feb 2015 15:53
It's a Western culture just to pay the 'Ticket' price on something.. but this is not the norm as most cultures don't mind negotiating or haggling a better deal. You see something on ebay for say $8.0 and you just buy it.. But could you of got a better deal by asking for a discount price ?
The answer usually is YES .. I've bought a lot of ICs from China and soon discovered that talking to the seller direct I could get most stuff less than half price. An IC that was say $5.00 on ebay.com I could get for $2.0 direct, just by asking for 'Best Price' This obviously doesn't normally work when only buying one IC , but if your buying a reasonable amount, say spending $30+ then it works fine!
How it works...
Make a list of what you want !
Get an idea of the individual prices from the net
Email your list to a supplier and ask for their Best Price and give your target price
Negotiate a good deal
pay direct... normally using PAYPAL
Stuff then arrives as it would normally...
Yes I hear you say... but that sounds risky !! and yes there is some risk , but I’ve found the Chinese suppliers I’ve dealt with to be genuine and honest. probably more honest than most UK suppliers ! And the stuff I’ve ordered always arrives OK.. though it does take some time !
Stuff that would cost me say $75 on ebay.com , I can get for $35 .. which is a big saving .. especially considering it's exactly the same stuff !
But !!! Whatever you do, do not sound Nerdy or naive as this is like blood to a shark as sales people love to diddle Nerdies !
The answer usually is YES .. I've bought a lot of ICs from China and soon discovered that talking to the seller direct I could get most stuff less than half price. An IC that was say $5.00 on ebay.com I could get for $2.0 direct, just by asking for 'Best Price' This obviously doesn't normally work when only buying one IC , but if your buying a reasonable amount, say spending $30+ then it works fine!
How it works...
Make a list of what you want !
Get an idea of the individual prices from the net
Email your list to a supplier and ask for their Best Price and give your target price
Negotiate a good deal
pay direct... normally using PAYPAL
Stuff then arrives as it would normally...
Yes I hear you say... but that sounds risky !! and yes there is some risk , but I’ve found the Chinese suppliers I’ve dealt with to be genuine and honest. probably more honest than most UK suppliers ! And the stuff I’ve ordered always arrives OK.. though it does take some time !
Stuff that would cost me say $75 on ebay.com , I can get for $35 .. which is a big saving .. especially considering it's exactly the same stuff !
But !!! Whatever you do, do not sound Nerdy or naive as this is like blood to a shark as sales people love to diddle Nerdies !