Sounds like a plan -- for you -- a protected buying experience if you have a back-up there or contacts. For the typical shopper, that is not the case. In my case, I need to go through intermediaries i.e. Amazon, a big-box store where my money is protected and there is some quality assurance. That is what the price difference pays for between what you would pay directly buying in China and what I would pay for the same item through Amazon.com. If I get free shipping with Amazon, then that is an added value -- bonus.
As I have an associate who ships internationally thru an online store portal, I am aware of how a typical $1 - $2 per order overage on shipping costs can add up in bottom-line revenues year-over-year. Even so since I do not buy enough to justify paying for the Amazon free shipping service, their prices are generally a good buy.
An exception everywhere now in my experience is clothing made in China by Chinese designers that has yet to reach the quality standards I will pay full price for in women's apparel. The problem I have read in Comments and have experienced is the difference in size between American and Chinese or Asian women.
That's where for me Ross for Less, Marshal's etc. come into the picture. Sometimes I buy quality through trusted online sellers (J.W. Crew, Land's End, Eddie Bauer, L.L. Bean, etc.). But even then the quality of workmanship and fabric can be wildly varied despite the price of the item.
The global economy does have its challenges. The current state of the consumer economy has forced me, therefore, to buy less, and to make what I have last longer through care and cautious use, as well as periodic maintenance where appropriate.
As I have an associate who ships internationally thru an online store portal, I am aware of how a typical $1 - $2 per order overage on shipping costs can add up in bottom-line revenues year-over-year. Even so since I do not buy enough to justify paying for the Amazon free shipping service, their prices are generally a good buy.
An exception everywhere now in my experience is clothing made in China by Chinese designers that has yet to reach the quality standards I will pay full price for in women's apparel. The problem I have read in Comments and have experienced is the difference in size between American and Chinese or Asian women.
That's where for me Ross for Less, Marshal's etc. come into the picture. Sometimes I buy quality through trusted online sellers (J.W. Crew, Land's End, Eddie Bauer, L.L. Bean, etc.). But even then the quality of workmanship and fabric can be wildly varied despite the price of the item.
The global economy does have its challenges. The current state of the consumer economy has forced me, therefore, to buy less, and to make what I have last longer through care and cautious use, as well as periodic maintenance where appropriate.