Most expats are comfortable with online shopping back home because they know how to spot the deals while avoiding the fakes and scammers. But in China it is not as easy with language and cultural barriers. As a result many don’t even try to dive into the world of online shopping in China, but really you are missing a lot. It’s time to get your feet wet, and we can help.
Taobao: The Holy Grail of Online Shopping
Taobao (www.taobao.com) is probably the most well known of all the Chinese online shopping options and a fantastic starting point for would be online shoppers. It is well worth a browse just to see the massives cope of online shopping available in China. Taobao is the daddy of online shopping platforms in China and the equivalent to www.ebay.com throughout the rest of the world. Taobao’s platform differs from Ebay in two distinct ways: Firstly, it focuses on being a collection of stores with customizable spaces. In turn, this creates the second difference, that being the shopping system in Taobao relies less upon auctions, it allows for more instantaneous communication and bargaining with vendors via ‘WangWang’, Taobao’s instant messaging platform.
Getting Started on Taobao
The most convenient way to make payments for online shopping in China is with an Ali pay account www.alipay.com. Although, it should be mentioned that certain online shopping service providers, such as a great many Taobao stores, give shoppers a ‘cash on delivery’ option when making a purchase. This is also a good way to safeguard against receiving goods being delivered that do not match their description.
It is also worth noting that you can purchase Bian Li Tongtop up cards from vendors that sell telephone cards, should you not want to go to the trouble of opening a bank account. This method is also a good option when a cash on delivery option is not available.
Getting the Goods – Shopping Online in China
I arrived on the online shopping scene rather late in the game, and I honestly had no idea what I was getting into. It was only once I’d heard my Chinese co-workers talking about their purchases around the watercooler, checking out clothing online, and receiving deliveries from the post man at their desk at work, that I decided I might like to try for myself. Online shopping has taken China by storm, and the most popular site is Taobao, which is like a Chinese version of eBay, although Amazon (in conjunction with the Chinese company Joyo) has a share of the market too. Taobao is to China what ebay was to America about 5 years ago, taking the country by storm, turning everyone and their dog into home-grown entrepreneurs, and providing a vast array of goods to people who would otherwise have no access to them.
And who is in more need of hard to find goods than expats in China? Expats frequently complain about China’s lack of English language books, good coffee, cheese, large sized clothing, and Western brand “stuff,” from toys to baby formula to laundry detergent. And delightfully, all of these are available to be purchased online, from your home, and will be delivered straight to your door, practically anywhere in the country. Putting it plainly, sites like Taobao are an expat’s lifesaver. But there’s just one catch –Taobao, and other China-based sites, are all in Chinese, no option for English.
Maybe you need taobao english site? For expats starved for a taste of home, online shopping can be a life saver, and once you get started, you won’t be able to stop. Luckily online shopping is often more affordable than trips to fancy expat grocery stores, or import bookshops. The clothing you buy online is cheaper than what you’d buy in a shop because the overhead is less. Online shopping is an affordable, convenient, even fun way to get your fix of the goods that you miss in your day to day life.
2016年1月21日 星期四
2016年1月11日 星期一
Why Buy a Balance Scooter?
When I look back at my own childhood it felt like I was out riding a bike from a very early age. So when I tried to teach my own children at about age 4 I was quite deflated when it just didn't happen for them.
Even with stabilisers on they seemed to tip up on every corner (and going over on stabilisers is far worse than without if you've ever seen it!). Some kids just don't have the balance at that age. But in fact, when I spoke to my parents about it, turns out I didn't actually start riding a bike until I was 7!
Many parents, myself included, all seem to want their kids to be much more able at an early age these days. Perhaps it's a little bit of 'keeping up with the Jones' kid's next door' who were crawling first, walking first and scootering down to the shops by age 2!
Talking with other parents, one tip I did pick up which seems to make a lot of sense (and I wish I'd known about earlier) is to help them balance first, then add pedals later. And it's that idea which led to the creation and subsequent surge in demand for balance bikes.
From the basic cheap plastic ride on's, to themed character ones, to real quality models crafted well enough to be handed down through the family, balance bikes are a fabulous way to get your kids starting to understand seated balancing whilst on wheels BEFORE having to think about (or have their ankles shredded by!) pedals.
In fact, with my second child I actually ditched the stabilisers half way in and went right back to basics with a borrowed balance bike. I was amazed at how quickly my son's confidence grew as he wobbled down the slight incline outside our house (and actually had a smile on his face, rather than the look of sheer panic!)
These beautiful balance bikes are of the utmost quality and are actually 3 bikes in one, which is great as we admit that they are not cheap! However, if you have more than one child or plan to sell on after use, all Wishbone products are made with superb craftsmanship that will last and last. Part of their desire is that the bikes start life as a trike so can be used from a really early age. The three wheeler bike can then simply adjusted to a 2 wheel balance scooter and again converted to make a higher ride position for older children.
I only wish I had this product in the warehouse when my kids were younger! They both mastered it in the end... but I'm sure I have a few more grey hairs as a result!!!
Even with stabilisers on they seemed to tip up on every corner (and going over on stabilisers is far worse than without if you've ever seen it!). Some kids just don't have the balance at that age. But in fact, when I spoke to my parents about it, turns out I didn't actually start riding a bike until I was 7!
Many parents, myself included, all seem to want their kids to be much more able at an early age these days. Perhaps it's a little bit of 'keeping up with the Jones' kid's next door' who were crawling first, walking first and scootering down to the shops by age 2!
Talking with other parents, one tip I did pick up which seems to make a lot of sense (and I wish I'd known about earlier) is to help them balance first, then add pedals later. And it's that idea which led to the creation and subsequent surge in demand for balance bikes.
From the basic cheap plastic ride on's, to themed character ones, to real quality models crafted well enough to be handed down through the family, balance bikes are a fabulous way to get your kids starting to understand seated balancing whilst on wheels BEFORE having to think about (or have their ankles shredded by!) pedals.
In fact, with my second child I actually ditched the stabilisers half way in and went right back to basics with a borrowed balance bike. I was amazed at how quickly my son's confidence grew as he wobbled down the slight incline outside our house (and actually had a smile on his face, rather than the look of sheer panic!)
These beautiful balance bikes are of the utmost quality and are actually 3 bikes in one, which is great as we admit that they are not cheap! However, if you have more than one child or plan to sell on after use, all Wishbone products are made with superb craftsmanship that will last and last. Part of their desire is that the bikes start life as a trike so can be used from a really early age. The three wheeler bike can then simply adjusted to a 2 wheel balance scooter and again converted to make a higher ride position for older children.
I only wish I had this product in the warehouse when my kids were younger! They both mastered it in the end... but I'm sure I have a few more grey hairs as a result!!!
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