Quote:
Originally Posted by VWAllstar If you can post pics and specific links of few of the best products you have bought.
Many of us would get lured by the price and scope of products but then there are issues of defective ones, delivery time, refunds and replacements.
May be group ordering would help spread out the customs' cost and make it more value for money. |
I am extremely happy with the quality of the products i have ordered. One has to be realistic in expectations regarding life and actual performance.
Given the hardening customs stance Group purchase may not be a good idea. Trust me when I say that opting for ordinary post or regitered post works. Only issue is that for medium to large parcels one has to go tho the post office to pick it up. And one needs to have a good rapport with the postal staff.
A few consignments have gotten lost in transit. On raising a dispute I got a full refund.
An elcheapo(around 3K) dashcam, which I had ordered, turned out to be defective. Normally for such a low value i would have just chucked it in the trash. But I decided to see how the replacement process works. After a online chat I sent it back to the seller. For this one has to go to the main post office, show them the item, pack it in front of them and then get it registered as a parcel. Postage was some Rs.170. The seller received it in due course and despatched a replacement. That consignment got lost somewhere in Istanbul(Turkey post). I just gave up. it was not destined for me to have that particular model of dashcam.
My experience is that it take between 20-40 days for the item to reach after despatch. For registered post items one can track the progress online. Invariably the items get stuck in Kolkatta transit. Quite a few times i have raised a complaint on the IndiaPost portal and the items have been tracked down in a few days.
Chinapost items transit through Kolkatta. Normally Aliexpress Standard shipping and Singapore Post transit through Singapore and reaches Mumbai.
In all cases customs clearance for my items has been done at Mumbai. The postal department takes care of everything. Duty, if charged, is to be paid in cash at the post office.
I had a couple of consigments coming in by DHL. One needs to furnish ID documents online and pay the customs, in cash, on delivery.
I am posting some links to give you an idea of the items i ordered. Please note that most of the items are no longer available or newer models have been introduced.
My very first order :-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3231...27424c4dCViNFG
came by speedpost
My very first electronics item:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3232...27424c4dCViNFG
I got it for around Rs. 3500. Excellent value for money. Excellent sound quality. After 4 years I have now upgraded this to a 2 din Blaupunkt. But this unit is now doing duty in a tempo.
Car battery charger:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1844...27424c4dCViNFG
Shirt:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3264...27424c4dtPXZZo
Croccodile clips:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/8576...27424c4dtPXZZo
H11 Led bulb:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3272...27424c4dXSO2Cx
Battery charger:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3281...27424c4dXSO2Cx
Pith helmet:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1464...27424c4dsTczgL
Flashlight:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3282...27424c4dsTczgL
Fog projectors (for a friend):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3268...27424c4dhqhOXx
Dashcam for a friend:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3288...27424c4dhqhOXx
HID ballast:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3288...27424c4dhqhOXx
Camber adjustment bolt:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3274...27424c4dhqhOXx
This is just a selection from over 100 items i have ordered in 4 years.
Lowest value was Rs. 40. Highest was Rs. 20k(incl customs).
The main advantage is getting odd items that are other wise almost impossible to get here. Like the car battery charger or the camber adjustment bolts.
Go forth and search. Best of luck.