Ming dynasty
Shohin
Anyone ordered from the above sites before? Or have heard from others? Price seems too good to be real.
Alibaba or Ali express
- Thread starter Ming dynasty
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Fidur
Chumono
I usually buy from aliexpress. Delivery is quite slow (20-35 days), but as you say prices are really low.
Even so, I've decided not to lean too much in them for my future purchases.... I just have my own political reasons...
Even so, I've decided not to lean too much in them for my future purchases.... I just have my own political reasons...
hampton
Shohin
I’ve ordered a bunch of keyboard and electronics parts from both but never any bonsai related stuff.
Sometimes shipping is a bit more than normal but can be cheaper overall if you have the time.
Similar to Fidur I have been looking elsewhere, although I’m not sure you can escape it entirely
Sometimes shipping is a bit more than normal but can be cheaper overall if you have the time.
Similar to Fidur I have been looking elsewhere, although I’m not sure you can escape it entirely
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I've checked out Alibaba before, but never ordered. Most of the great prices you see are only if you order in bulk.
Like I was looking at pots once. Less $1 each but you had to order a minimum of 500 or they'd get you on the shipping. And like mentioned, shipping often measured in weeks or longer.
Like I was looking at pots once. Less $1 each but you had to order a minimum of 500 or they'd get you on the shipping. And like mentioned, shipping often measured in weeks or longer.
jeremy_norbury
Omono
I use stainless steel bonsai tools from Aliexpress : Tian Bonsai.
They're perfectly fine.
They're perfectly fine.
Ming dynasty
Shohin
Did you ordered soil substrates? If so can I have buyers name.
Ming dynasty
Shohin
I don’t mind the wait. Actually getting them to prep for spring repot
Fidur
Chumono
Aliexpress is not a good source for soils (though you can purchase them there). Instead I use it to buy stuff like this....
also figurines, benches, bridges, little huts........
also figurines, benches, bridges, little huts........
HamburgerTrain
Shohin
alibaba and aliexpress are sister companies. Aliexpress if you want to buy a pair of scissors. alibaba if you want your own branded scissors or just want to buy in bulk.
I've purchased the Tian Bonsai big handle sheers per @jeremy_norbury recommended to me on the Reddit sub. Thanks Jerry for all the help and encouragement you've offered this beginner.
I use Alibaba all the time. I work in electronics manufacturing. Alibaba is what I use when I need custom spec'd electronic components or branded merchandise. They are really hardcore about secure transactions and vetting vendors. All the companies I've worked with were so professional, personable and exceeded my expectations.
I haven't seen trees for sale on Alibaba but I did find a listing on Aliexpress for bulk order of mame chinese elm brooms. I think it was like $5 a tree with an moq off 100. Pretty tempting the idea.
I've purchased the Tian Bonsai big handle sheers per @jeremy_norbury recommended to me on the Reddit sub. Thanks Jerry for all the help and encouragement you've offered this beginner.
I use Alibaba all the time. I work in electronics manufacturing. Alibaba is what I use when I need custom spec'd electronic components or branded merchandise. They are really hardcore about secure transactions and vetting vendors. All the companies I've worked with were so professional, personable and exceeded my expectations.
I haven't seen trees for sale on Alibaba but I did find a listing on Aliexpress for bulk order of mame chinese elm brooms. I think it was like $5 a tree with an moq off 100. Pretty tempting the idea.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
I have bought seeds from those websites with varying results. Can't recommend it.
But for tools and such, it's a good place. Cheap pots too, but expect them to be poorly packaged.
Lab grade hormones too, but here too; don't expect customs to pass a bag of off white powder without a label.
But for tools and such, it's a good place. Cheap pots too, but expect them to be poorly packaged.
Lab grade hormones too, but here too; don't expect customs to pass a bag of off white powder without a label.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I have bought from Aliexpress before without problems - but it was for mountain bike stuff, not bonsai.
All I will say is be very smart about what you buy, because you should consider returns impossible. Order things that ship well. A mountain bike jersey in a padded envelope? No problem. 40 lbs of acadama? I wouldn't recommend it.
All I will say is be very smart about what you buy, because you should consider returns impossible. Order things that ship well. A mountain bike jersey in a padded envelope? No problem. 40 lbs of acadama? I wouldn't recommend it.
Diggumsmack2
Yamadori
I've been ordering from Ali for years now. Honestly never had a problem with items not showing up. No problems with credit cards either.
I've purchased items in excess of $200 and was happy with what I got. Like others have said, the lengthy shipping times are the only negative consideration.
Scorpius
Chumono
OP, there are several great options for ordering substrate in the USA.
Fidur
Chumono
In this pic, two elements came from aliexpress:
The driftwood and the table (5$ , 9$). But I have purchased there all my bonsai tools, soil (not advisible), my misting system,.... even my mobile. Really the last 3 years I've made over 500 purchases, as I don´t like to go shopping. Even so, I've decided not to do anymore, as 100% of those purchases came by plane.
The driftwood and the table (5$ , 9$). But I have purchased there all my bonsai tools, soil (not advisible), my misting system,.... even my mobile. Really the last 3 years I've made over 500 purchases, as I don´t like to go shopping. Even so, I've decided not to do anymore, as 100% of those purchases came by plane.
Ming dynasty
Shohin
Such as?
Ming dynasty
Shohin
Was it a lot cheaper than what’s on Amazon? Just checked and the price seems similar
they are much cheaper if you buy them directly from https://www.tianbonsai.com/
Maiden69
Masterpiece
No bad experiences with Aliexpress. I ordered 2 small pots, came in in a slightly oversize pot, completely rolled up in newspaper. Came in intact. I also order stuff for the cars and home, delivery is super slow as stated above. Between 30-45 days at times. You can find almost the same items in Amazon, but you pay for the convenience of quicker delivery as they are stored in US warehouses. Alibaba is for bigger quantities, very rarely you will find retail sales there.
