I never bought from Taobao but have successfully bought a bunch of tea and teaware direct from China without problems. The only time the merchant was slow in responses was when they were up in the mountain picking teas. I’m sorry you didn’t get your book, but don’t let one incident discourage you! Besides, you are still able to get a refund, so that’s a good sign!Mark-S wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2020 5:30 pmI don't know if you remember the book I purchased on Taobao (Tmall) about 45 days ago. Unfortunately, the seller does not ship it, so I had to ask for a refund today. Another reminder not to buy something directly from China even if the seller has good reviews... It's a pity that you cannot buy this book in the West.
Yixing
@pantry
Maybe Taobao is as bad as it's reputation... I don't know. Hopefully, their customer protection is not that bad.
Maybe Taobao is as bad as it's reputation... I don't know. Hopefully, their customer protection is not that bad.
I selected local shipping to a Chinese warehouse. The seller obviously sold something he did not have...
-
- Posts: 723
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2017 8:16 pm
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Contact:
There is normally nothing wrong with buying stuff directly from China. Shipping delays and missing items related to Covid-19 is an issue right now though.
You should be able to get full refund unless you used a shady service.
@Bok
Maybe I'll try it again some time if they refund my money.
@Chadrinkincat
Oh, I did not know that Covid-19 is still a problem in China. I thought they would have recovered from the crisis by now. Shipping from Italy works fine again. I paid via Alipay (credit card). It was the safest option available.
-
Moved... viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1517
Maybe I'll try it again some time if they refund my money.
@Chadrinkincat
Oh, I did not know that Covid-19 is still a problem in China. I thought they would have recovered from the crisis by now. Shipping from Italy works fine again. I paid via Alipay (credit card). It was the safest option available.
-
Moved... viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1517
Last edited by Mark-S on Sat May 30, 2020 10:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
@Mark-S China is not the problem. No commercial flights in the air with which normal parcels travel. So only DHL and the likes with their own planes can still deliver. Inner Europe you have other means of transportation.
The rest of your question you should open up in a different thread, we’re going off-topic here...
The rest of your question you should open up in a different thread, we’re going off-topic here...
I don't think Taobao's reputation is all that bad. I use it a lot (but mostly when I'm in China), never had a bad experience. But of course anything involving millions of individual sellers is likely to have more than a few that do not satisfy. But I'm surprised you were able to place an order with a European shipping address, I didn't think this was possible using the the default order form and that you would need to arrange something with the seller through private messages in advance of making the purchase.
Is this still true? I've received packages from China in the last month where there is no trace of courier services being involved.
-
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Tue May 19, 2020 3:24 am
- Location: Germany
Hello,
I wanted to show two pots I own of which I know less to nothing.
The Shuiping is supposed to be Hongni clay but I don't know the exact production date. I'm sure the experts here can tell me more about it.
With the second one I don't even know what clay it might be. The craftsmanship is rather poor and I basically wanna get sure that I can drink out of it without poisoning myself.
Thank you for your help, guys.
I wanted to show two pots I own of which I know less to nothing.
The Shuiping is supposed to be Hongni clay but I don't know the exact production date. I'm sure the experts here can tell me more about it.
With the second one I don't even know what clay it might be. The craftsmanship is rather poor and I basically wanna get sure that I can drink out of it without poisoning myself.

Thank you for your help, guys.
Shuping is no older than late 80s, I'd say. Is the clay as shiny, or is it patina from use? Looks, like it wants to be one of the (sort-of-famous) "please drink China Oolong" teapots, but not in an authentic way.Jules_Ludwig wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 1:48 amThe Shuiping is supposed to be Hongni clay but I don't know the exact production date. I'm sure the experts here can tell me more about it.
With the second one I don't even know what clay it might be. The craftsmanship is rather poor and I basically wanna get sure that I can drink out of it without poisoning myself.![]()
Brown is probably some sort of Zini. No idea about the vintage, probably modern.
-
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Tue May 19, 2020 3:24 am
- Location: Germany
I don't think it's that shiny, probably just looks more intense on the pictures. I've been using it for several years now so there is a developed patina.Bok wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 4:05 amShuping is no older than late 80s, I'd say. Is the clay as shiny, or is it patina from use? Looks, like it wants to be one of the (sort-of-famous) "please drink China Oolong" teapots, but not in an authentic way.Jules_Ludwig wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 1:48 amThe Shuiping is supposed to be Hongni clay but I don't know the exact production date. I'm sure the experts here can tell me more about it.
With the second one I don't even know what clay it might be. The craftsmanship is rather poor and I basically wanna get sure that I can drink out of it without poisoning myself.![]()
Brown is probably some sort of Zini. No idea about the vintage, probably modern.
- TeaTotaling
- Posts: 434
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:08 pm
- Location: Ohio
@Bok, and anyone else with experience. Does LQ/ER clay take time to awaken, before it really shines, as opposed to aged clay used for making modern pots. Bok, I know you mentioned in the other thread that 60's Hongni took a little time to come into it's own again. Linear thinking would have me to believe LQ/ER might take even more time before the true performance of the clay is revealed. Would this be mostly true?
Greatly appreciate everyone's valuable insight, it has been incredibly helpful thus far!
Greatly appreciate everyone's valuable insight, it has been incredibly helpful thus far!