Title: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 10, 2012, 06:32:59 pm
Post by: matseng on August 10, 2012, 06:32:59 pm
Local shops are nice when you need a few parts right *now*, but they tend to be rather expensive. If you need a dozen or so of the parts it might be better to purchase from one of the regular major suppliers like Digikey, Mouser or Element14/Farnell, they have usually cheap overnight shipping and somewhat better prices than one of your local smaller shops.
Then there's eBay where you can find some really good deals, especially if you buy in (small) bulk quantities like 100 leds or 100 micro-usb connectors. Of course you'll be hit with a 14-20 days delivery time unless you are in the same country as the seller - usually China or USA.
But if you want really low prices on parts in bulk (or even small) quantities you should have a look at TaoBao.com. They are like a Chinese eBay where you can find electronic parts (and almost anything else) for prices that will amaze you. The site is in Chinese only, but if you're using Chrome it will automagically translate the pages to a very strange, but somewhat understandable, English. "Item" is translated to "Baby" so the search box says "Looking for what baby?" :-)
The shopkeepers normally don't ship overseas and only accepts local payment, so you need to use an agent to make your purchases. You add the url's of the items you want to purchase at the agents website. You'll then pay the agent by credit card, bank transfer or paypal and they will order all your items and collect & repack them to a single box in a warehouse in China. Then they tell you how much to pay for the shipping to you plus their agent fee (varies between 4 and 15% of the total purchase values). Once you have made this second payment they will ship the box from the warehouse to you. Usually they have rather good discounts on the standard EMS/DHL/Fedex rates.
They also usually remove all invoices and other information with prices and then put a low value on the goods in order to reduce the risk of having to pay customs & taxes in your country.
These are some of the parts that I've just bought from TaoBao. With prices like this it's easy to order a few hundred, or in case of the switches a few thousands, of them to have a small stock at home in your lab.
$0.50 100 pcs of 6x6 mm tactile switches
$0.11 SMD 16 Mhz crystal (small 5x3mm, not big HC-49)
$1.60 OLED display 0.96" 96x64 pixels
$0.03 Piezo beeper/transducer encapsulated & wire-leads
$0.07 IR 38Khz Receiver module
$1.10 LiPo battery 3.7volt 240 mAh
$3.45 Full reel of 5000 pcs 0805 resistors
Try matching these prices at Digikey or even eBay... :-)
One thing that I didn't buy was this 40w Laser Cutter/Engraver. For $283 it's a steal even if the quality might be shitty. Unfortunately the shipping costs would most likely be another $283 :-) Link to laser cutter (http://http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1.0.146&scm=1007.77.0.0&id=13006737689&ad_id=&am_id=&cm_id=&pm_id=)
Then there's eBay where you can find some really good deals, especially if you buy in (small) bulk quantities like 100 leds or 100 micro-usb connectors. Of course you'll be hit with a 14-20 days delivery time unless you are in the same country as the seller - usually China or USA.
But if you want really low prices on parts in bulk (or even small) quantities you should have a look at TaoBao.com. They are like a Chinese eBay where you can find electronic parts (and almost anything else) for prices that will amaze you. The site is in Chinese only, but if you're using Chrome it will automagically translate the pages to a very strange, but somewhat understandable, English. "Item" is translated to "Baby" so the search box says "Looking for what baby?" :-)
The shopkeepers normally don't ship overseas and only accepts local payment, so you need to use an agent to make your purchases. You add the url's of the items you want to purchase at the agents website. You'll then pay the agent by credit card, bank transfer or paypal and they will order all your items and collect & repack them to a single box in a warehouse in China. Then they tell you how much to pay for the shipping to you plus their agent fee (varies between 4 and 15% of the total purchase values). Once you have made this second payment they will ship the box from the warehouse to you. Usually they have rather good discounts on the standard EMS/DHL/Fedex rates.
They also usually remove all invoices and other information with prices and then put a low value on the goods in order to reduce the risk of having to pay customs & taxes in your country.
These are some of the parts that I've just bought from TaoBao. With prices like this it's easy to order a few hundred, or in case of the switches a few thousands, of them to have a small stock at home in your lab.
$0.50 100 pcs of 6x6 mm tactile switches
$0.11 SMD 16 Mhz crystal (small 5x3mm, not big HC-49)
$1.60 OLED display 0.96" 96x64 pixels
$0.03 Piezo beeper/transducer encapsulated & wire-leads
$0.07 IR 38Khz Receiver module
$1.10 LiPo battery 3.7volt 240 mAh
$3.45 Full reel of 5000 pcs 0805 resistors
Try matching these prices at Digikey or even eBay... :-)
One thing that I didn't buy was this 40w Laser Cutter/Engraver. For $283 it's a steal even if the quality might be shitty. Unfortunately the shipping costs would most likely be another $283 :-) Link to laser cutter (http://http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1.0.146&scm=1007.77.0.0&id=13006737689&ad_id=&am_id=&cm_id=&pm_id=)
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: spanner888 on August 11, 2012, 03:42:00 am
Post by: spanner888 on August 11, 2012, 03:42:00 am
Everything above is true ... but the risk of poor quality is really very very high. You MUST be prepared for frequent failures and even total failures!
Do your homework and only use shops that have good ratings (skip the hearts go for 3, preferably 4-5 crowns!), and **even then** you will still get failures (see below). Also be prepared that that items listed as in stock will suddenly not be in stock after you purchase and for substitutions to occur WITHOUT asking you!!! The substitutions is really common in clothing - were it is common to give you a different colour or size to what you purchase!
The Xinchejian hackerspace in Shanghai made five different purchases of microcontrollers ICs over the last year and only ONE lot of chips worked! In the end they bought from Mouser in USA! But the hackerspace and it's members still routinely buy pretty much everything (except microcontrollers!) from Taobao (and enjoy the approx $1 delivery, usually next day!)
To get some impression of where all those dud ICs might come from, have a look at http://http://shanghaiscrap.com/2012/07/the-land-of-a-million-scrapped-televisions/ and http://http://shanghaiscrap.com/2012/05/offline-until-june-3/
Do your homework and only use shops that have good ratings (skip the hearts go for 3, preferably 4-5 crowns!), and **even then** you will still get failures (see below). Also be prepared that that items listed as in stock will suddenly not be in stock after you purchase and for substitutions to occur WITHOUT asking you!!! The substitutions is really common in clothing - were it is common to give you a different colour or size to what you purchase!
The Xinchejian hackerspace in Shanghai made five different purchases of microcontrollers ICs over the last year and only ONE lot of chips worked! In the end they bought from Mouser in USA! But the hackerspace and it's members still routinely buy pretty much everything (except microcontrollers!) from Taobao (and enjoy the approx $1 delivery, usually next day!)
To get some impression of where all those dud ICs might come from, have a look at http://http://shanghaiscrap.com/2012/07/the-land-of-a-million-scrapped-televisions/ and http://http://shanghaiscrap.com/2012/05/offline-until-june-3/
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: spanner888 on August 11, 2012, 03:47:47 am
Post by: spanner888 on August 11, 2012, 03:47:47 am
.. forgot to say also watch out for minimum purchase quantity, some shops quote a price that is for bulk purchasing, even though it appears to be for one item. There may or may not be some words that "hint" at minimum purchase quantity.
This will usually stand out if compare the price against other shops!
This will usually stand out if compare the price against other shops!
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 11, 2012, 07:23:46 am
Post by: matseng on August 11, 2012, 07:23:46 am
That good advice - don't ever buy microcontrollers or any other hi-value ICs there. I'm sure that many of them would be fakes or factory rejects. I did purchase 1000 pcs 74HC595 once before and I got lucky, they were the real thing - but parts with a price of 10 cents aren't worth faking.
A full reel of SMD resistors or jellybean caps for $4-$7 is probably also rather hard to fake at a profit. And for that price I'm willing to take the risk. :-)
I stay away from shops with low ratings and no sales. And if they say 100000 or 1000000 "in stock" I avoid them as well.
The minimum purchase quantity can be a bit tricky to spot. But often those parts are low value parts and I want a lot of them anyways. Like the 0.02 yuan tactile switches. There had a min quantity of 2000 - not a big deal 0.02 yuan times 2000 is only $6.50.
A full reel of SMD resistors or jellybean caps for $4-$7 is probably also rather hard to fake at a profit. And for that price I'm willing to take the risk. :-)
I stay away from shops with low ratings and no sales. And if they say 100000 or 1000000 "in stock" I avoid them as well.
The minimum purchase quantity can be a bit tricky to spot. But often those parts are low value parts and I want a lot of them anyways. Like the 0.02 yuan tactile switches. There had a min quantity of 2000 - not a big deal 0.02 yuan times 2000 is only $6.50.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: RichF on August 11, 2012, 04:20:58 pm
Post by: RichF on August 11, 2012, 04:20:58 pm
[quote author="matseng"]
The shopkeepers normally don't ship overseas and only accepts local payment, so you need to use an agent to make your purchases. You add the url's of the items you want to purchase at the agents website. [/quote]
Can you recommend an agent for USA buyers?
The shopkeepers normally don't ship overseas and only accepts local payment, so you need to use an agent to make your purchases. You add the url's of the items you want to purchase at the agents website. [/quote]
Can you recommend an agent for USA buyers?
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 11, 2012, 05:15:52 pm
Post by: matseng on August 11, 2012, 05:15:52 pm
I've used taobaofocus.com both when I was living in Dubai as well as here in Malaysia. They are trustworthy and I got a partial refund once for parts that got damaged due to bad repacking in their facility. They deliver to most parts of the world including USA.
Currently I'm using 65daigou.com who specializes in deliveries to Malaysia and Singapore, being a VVIP level customer I only pay 4% in agent fees instead of their regular 8% :-)
Currently I'm using 65daigou.com who specializes in deliveries to Malaysia and Singapore, being a VVIP level customer I only pay 4% in agent fees instead of their regular 8% :-)
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: erdabyz on August 11, 2012, 09:30:58 pm
Post by: erdabyz on August 11, 2012, 09:30:58 pm
Lol it's funny because I bough a couple of L3G4200D triple axis gyros off taobao at 1/3 the price in normal places. I payed about 3€/each. I thought I had found a good deal but I was ready for the worst case scenario.
Yesterday I tested one. One of the axis outputted an oscillating reading of about 1000 in one of the axis, and the other two had horrible drifts. The chip wasn't mistreated during soldering...
Still have to test the other but I expect similar if not worse results xD
So yeah, cheap components but be ready for the worst. I also bought other components and they turned out fine. It's a hit or miss
Yesterday I tested one. One of the axis outputted an oscillating reading of about 1000 in one of the axis, and the other two had horrible drifts. The chip wasn't mistreated during soldering...
Still have to test the other but I expect similar if not worse results xD
So yeah, cheap components but be ready for the worst. I also bought other components and they turned out fine. It's a hit or miss
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: Zeta on August 11, 2012, 10:37:55 pm
Post by: Zeta on August 11, 2012, 10:37:55 pm
When I buy from ebay I can get good deals when buying 50-100pcs and get free shipping (not to mention you have buyer protection on ebay further reducing your cost). But when I look at Taobao, despite prices being so cheap I could only see 10Yuan local shipping plus 20Yuan (the cheapest) international shipping that pretty much kills any deal unless you place an order of higher value.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: dpropicweb on August 12, 2012, 12:00:47 pm
Post by: dpropicweb on August 12, 2012, 12:00:47 pm
I've had excellent results with bulk purchases (tantalum caps, 32.768KHz crystals, 2mm and 2.54mm male/female headers) from www.aliexpress.com (http://www.aliexpress.com) but don't expect the seller to know anything about the items they're selling other than what they've listed in the description.
smd switches; smd micro USB sockets; smd resettable/fast fuses; 0805/1206 LEDs, ceramic caps and resistors are cheaper in bulk from eBay (not all from Chinese vendors, some from US/Canadian vendors).
PICs, of course, are cheapest from Microchip (who've recently reduced international courier delivery charges from $17 to $14 per order). Don't forget to check out their discount parts for some bargains (not the latest revision or simply overstock).
smd switches; smd micro USB sockets; smd resettable/fast fuses; 0805/1206 LEDs, ceramic caps and resistors are cheaper in bulk from eBay (not all from Chinese vendors, some from US/Canadian vendors).
PICs, of course, are cheapest from Microchip (who've recently reduced international courier delivery charges from $17 to $14 per order). Don't forget to check out their discount parts for some bargains (not the latest revision or simply overstock).
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: arakis on August 14, 2012, 12:18:53 pm
Post by: arakis on August 14, 2012, 12:18:53 pm
[quote author="matseng"]
But if you want really low prices on parts in bulk (or even small) quantities you should have a look at TaoBao.com. They are like a Chinese eBay where you can find electronic parts (and almost anything else) for prices that will amaze you. The site is in Chinese only, but if you're using Chrome it will automagically translate the pages to a very strange, but somewhat understandable, English. "Item" is translated to "Baby" so the search box says "Looking for what baby?" :-)[/quote]
Thanks for the tip, may we share your writeup on the blog?
But if you want really low prices on parts in bulk (or even small) quantities you should have a look at TaoBao.com. They are like a Chinese eBay where you can find electronic parts (and almost anything else) for prices that will amaze you. The site is in Chinese only, but if you're using Chrome it will automagically translate the pages to a very strange, but somewhat understandable, English. "Item" is translated to "Baby" so the search box says "Looking for what baby?" :-)[/quote]
Thanks for the tip, may we share your writeup on the blog?
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 14, 2012, 12:53:32 pm
Post by: matseng on August 14, 2012, 12:53:32 pm
arakis: Sure, if it's blog-worthy just put it there :-)
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: arakis on August 15, 2012, 12:01:43 pm
Post by: arakis on August 15, 2012, 12:01:43 pm
[quote author="matseng"]arakis: Sure, if it's blog-worthy just put it there :-)[/quote]
Thanks, it's be up in a couple of days..
Thanks, it's be up in a couple of days..
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: smok on August 16, 2012, 05:05:35 pm
Post by: smok on August 16, 2012, 05:05:35 pm
This laser cutter is $1800 now: 
I used Google translate to view your link.
I used Google translate to view your link.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 16, 2012, 05:41:45 pm
Post by: matseng on August 16, 2012, 05:41:45 pm
No, not dollar. It's only the Chrome translator that converts the Yuan / RMB currency symbol to a dollar-sign, but the the value is still in Yuan. You need to convert the 1800 to your currency by yourself.
I use Google to get the value in dollars; https://www.google.com/search?q=convert ... uan+to+usd (https://www.google.com/search?q=convert+1800+yuan+to+usd)
The reply from Google is ; 1800 Chinese yuan = 282.7566 U.S. dollars
I use Google to get the value in dollars; https://www.google.com/search?q=convert ... uan+to+usd (https://www.google.com/search?q=convert+1800+yuan+to+usd)
The reply from Google is ; 1800 Chinese yuan = 282.7566 U.S. dollars
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 16, 2012, 06:51:55 pm
Post by: matseng on August 16, 2012, 06:51:55 pm
Sometimes it can be really hard to find what you’re looking for. Then I usually just visit some random electronics stores and see if I can find a similar product there. I then copy the Chinese description of the item and paste it into http://translate.google.com (http://translate.google.com) and then remove as many as possible of the Chinese characters until the translation is only the words your searching for. Then copy and paste the Chinese characters into the searchbox in TaoBao. That usually gives a better result than just searching for the English terms.
Here are some stores to get started from:
IR Receivers: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 2302968313 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.21&id=2302968313)
Oled: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 6826568645 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.186&id=6826568645)
Piezo buzzes: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=201 ... 0541506669 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1.M-6VnQmb.9&id=10541506669)
Tactile swicthes: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=12680405306& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=12680405306&)
Crystals: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252&)
LiPo Batteries: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 3414797681 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.1&id=13414797681)
CR2032 Battery holders: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 3256080672 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.111&id=13256080672)
Here are some stores to get started from:
IR Receivers: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 2302968313 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.21&id=2302968313)
Oled: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 6826568645 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.186&id=6826568645)
Piezo buzzes: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=201 ... 0541506669 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1.M-6VnQmb.9&id=10541506669)
Tactile swicthes: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=12680405306& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=12680405306&)
Crystals: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252&)
LiPo Batteries: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 3414797681 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.1&id=13414797681)
CR2032 Battery holders: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 3256080672 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.111&id=13256080672)
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: nabilt on August 17, 2012, 05:57:00 am
Post by: nabilt on August 17, 2012, 05:57:00 am
Thanks. I was going to buy a few OLED displays from a chinese ebay reseller, but buying from the source looks much cheaper.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 17, 2012, 07:16:32 am
Post by: matseng on August 17, 2012, 07:16:32 am
I bought 110 pcs of the OLED I linked to so I saved a small fortune by getting them from there and not from Mouser/Digikey :-)
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: touch on August 18, 2012, 12:09:21 am
Post by: touch on August 18, 2012, 12:09:21 am
I found this seller has a tons of different parts in stock:
http://00dz.taobao.com/ (http://00dz.taobao.com/)
Know of any other sellers that stock a lot of different useful/interesting parts?
http://00dz.taobao.com/ (http://00dz.taobao.com/)
Know of any other sellers that stock a lot of different useful/interesting parts?
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: hahihula on August 19, 2012, 06:29:08 pm
Post by: hahihula on August 19, 2012, 06:29:08 pm
Seems really interesting, bud the Minimum commission fee 35RMB and additional 15RMB per each seller from taobaofocus is little bit unpleasant :( Probably it's only convenient if I buy whole lot of parts and sell part of them locally. Or do someone know any better agent for orders from Europe?
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: touch on August 19, 2012, 10:03:07 pm
Post by: touch on August 19, 2012, 10:03:07 pm
I found some more shops that stock a lot of parts:
http://mayidz.taobao.com/ (http://mayidz.taobao.com/)
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15551084639& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15551084639&)
http://jxdz83895.taobao.com//search.htm (http://jxdz83895.taobao.com//search.htm)
http://gomcu.taobao.com/ (http://gomcu.taobao.com/)
http://shop59543443.taobao.com (http://shop59543443.taobao.com)
http://aaadz.taobao.com (http://aaadz.taobao.com)
I havent placed an order yet through taobaofocus, but I plan on it... Even with fee's, its much cheaper than eBay... Plus there's a lot of interesting parts/development boards on there that I cant even find on eBay! Too bad we couldn't do a group buy or something...
http://mayidz.taobao.com/ (http://mayidz.taobao.com/)
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15551084639& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15551084639&)
http://jxdz83895.taobao.com//search.htm (http://jxdz83895.taobao.com//search.htm)
http://gomcu.taobao.com/ (http://gomcu.taobao.com/)
http://shop59543443.taobao.com (http://shop59543443.taobao.com)
http://aaadz.taobao.com (http://aaadz.taobao.com)
I havent placed an order yet through taobaofocus, but I plan on it... Even with fee's, its much cheaper than eBay... Plus there's a lot of interesting parts/development boards on there that I cant even find on eBay! Too bad we couldn't do a group buy or something...
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 20, 2012, 06:21:15 am
Post by: matseng on August 20, 2012, 06:21:15 am
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14734354901& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14734354901&) - Saleae 8 channel logic analyzer clone
Original = $149.00
Clone = $6.60
If I purchased the clone I'd feel obligated to send like $50 to Saleae to support their hard work with the original product....
Original = $149.00
Clone = $6.60
If I purchased the clone I'd feel obligated to send like $50 to Saleae to support their hard work with the original product....
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 20, 2012, 06:33:48 am
Post by: matseng on August 20, 2012, 06:33:48 am
From the department of funny auto-translations:
Small vibration motor = Full-length 16MM mobile earthquake sub-motor 100 from the set
Quad 7-segment led display = 0.5-inch forty-eight-clock digital tube highlighted yellow green light overcast
Crystal = New crystal 49S 12MHZ passive crystal 12M genuine authentic fake a compensable
Small vibration motor = Full-length 16MM mobile earthquake sub-motor 100 from the set
Quad 7-segment led display = 0.5-inch forty-eight-clock digital tube highlighted yellow green light overcast
Crystal = New crystal 49S 12MHZ passive crystal 12M genuine authentic fake a compensable
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: nabilt on August 20, 2012, 09:27:07 pm
Post by: nabilt on August 20, 2012, 09:27:07 pm
Lipo battery: "If you do not understand the safe use of lithium rule, please do not shoot this product !" Good advice :-)
On that note, how do you feel about buying potentially explosive batteries from an known source like this?
On that note, how do you feel about buying potentially explosive batteries from an known source like this?
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: nabilt on August 21, 2012, 04:31:01 am
Post by: nabilt on August 21, 2012, 04:31:01 am
wow, I've had a terrible time registering for an account on taobao and taobaofocus.com. taobao wouldn't send a verification email so I can't see what is in my cart and taobaofocus has a broken auth system. It doesn't accept special characters (bad sign) and after your "successfully" register the login page doesn't recognize the account. Tech support said try a different browser or a different computer or "connect with internet or computer"...
Well, I guess this is the trade-off you make for awesome deals.
Well, I guess this is the trade-off you make for awesome deals.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 21, 2012, 07:36:59 am
Post by: matseng on August 21, 2012, 07:36:59 am
nabilt: I assume you mean "unknown source". Well, it'd be the same getting them from eBay, Seeedstudio or most small local electronics- or R/C-shops - they are all ultimately from an unknown source. Not to speak about all the cheap mp3/mp4 playes, bluetooth headsets and other cheap small rechargeable gadgets...
The only way of being reasonably certain of the source & quality would to purchase brand name batteries from a proper supplier like Farnell/Digikey/Mouser.
As long as the batteries got protection circuity included in the assembly I feel secure enough. I suppose that an easy way to see if the protection parts actually works and is not just a fake unit would be to discharge the battery. If it's protected there normally should be an undervoltage cutout at 2.75-2.8 volts.
But of course, lipo batteries, especially the more beefier versions, are quite scary. Lot of power in a small package that easily can be discharged very fast.
An account at Taobao? Why? I've never needed one, but maybe it can be good to have one if there is like a wish-list for saving items in when researching different stores.
The only way of being reasonably certain of the source & quality would to purchase brand name batteries from a proper supplier like Farnell/Digikey/Mouser.
As long as the batteries got protection circuity included in the assembly I feel secure enough. I suppose that an easy way to see if the protection parts actually works and is not just a fake unit would be to discharge the battery. If it's protected there normally should be an undervoltage cutout at 2.75-2.8 volts.
But of course, lipo batteries, especially the more beefier versions, are quite scary. Lot of power in a small package that easily can be discharged very fast.
An account at Taobao? Why? I've never needed one, but maybe it can be good to have one if there is like a wish-list for saving items in when researching different stores.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: nabilt on August 21, 2012, 08:25:36 am
Post by: nabilt on August 21, 2012, 08:25:36 am
[quote author="matseng"]
I suppose that an easy way to see if the protection parts actually works and is not just a fake unit would be to discharge the battery. If it's protected there normally should be an undervoltage cutout at 2.75-2.8 volts.
[/quote]
I do feel a bit better purchasing from seeedstudio or sparkfun because I'm assuming they have done the research to find the ones that don't explode to protect their brand. If you are gonna buy from the source checking a few like you've suggested seems like a good idea.
[quote author="matseng"]
An account at Taobao? Why? I've never needed one, but maybe it can be good to have one if there is like a wish-list for saving items in when researching different stores.[/quote]
That is exactly what I'm using it for. I've already found a lot good deals on stuff like usb microscopes, leds, resistors, oled lcds and batteries.
I suppose that an easy way to see if the protection parts actually works and is not just a fake unit would be to discharge the battery. If it's protected there normally should be an undervoltage cutout at 2.75-2.8 volts.
[/quote]
I do feel a bit better purchasing from seeedstudio or sparkfun because I'm assuming they have done the research to find the ones that don't explode to protect their brand. If you are gonna buy from the source checking a few like you've suggested seems like a good idea.
[quote author="matseng"]
An account at Taobao? Why? I've never needed one, but maybe it can be good to have one if there is like a wish-list for saving items in when researching different stores.[/quote]
That is exactly what I'm using it for. I've already found a lot good deals on stuff like usb microscopes, leds, resistors, oled lcds and batteries.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 21, 2012, 09:00:38 pm
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 21, 2012, 09:00:38 pm
Guys, I love this, can't you post some more links to great deals on TaoBao!!!
Also, Mats, was that a Swedish accent on the video from the hacker space?? Your projects looked cool, do you have a blog somewhere?
Rickard
Also, Mats, was that a Swedish accent on the video from the hacker space?? Your projects looked cool, do you have a blog somewhere?
Rickard
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 22, 2012, 08:59:49 am
Post by: matseng on August 22, 2012, 08:59:49 am
Yes, after living more than six years out of Sweden I still got the accent, and will probably never get rid of it
:-)
Well, I have a blog at http://http://www.smallroomlabs.com but it was a long time ago that I wrote anything there. Maybe I should start blogging again....
:-)
Well, I have a blog at http://http://www.smallroomlabs.com but it was a long time ago that I wrote anything there. Maybe I should start blogging again....
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 25, 2012, 02:07:59 pm
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 25, 2012, 02:07:59 pm
How come you ended up away from Sweden for so long?
I particularly like the led-shield you did, any plans online for it?
I particularly like the led-shield you did, any plans online for it?
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 25, 2012, 05:50:54 pm
Post by: matseng on August 25, 2012, 05:50:54 pm
The design & libraries for QuarterK shield is available at https://github.com/SmallRoomLabs/QuarterK (https://github.com/SmallRoomLabs/QuarterK)
After 40 years in Sweden I got bored with the climate, food and people there, so got a job in Dubai and got the h*ll out of Sweden. Only been back for two days. Nowadays I'm relaxing in Malaysia and working a bit in Bangkok. Life's good.
After 40 years in Sweden I got bored with the climate, food and people there, so got a job in Dubai and got the h*ll out of Sweden. Only been back for two days. Nowadays I'm relaxing in Malaysia and working a bit in Bangkok. Life's good.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 27, 2012, 07:21:20 am
Post by: matseng on August 27, 2012, 07:21:20 am
Today I finally got my order from Taobao, delayed by hurricanes in Shanghai, the national day in Singapore and and the Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan) celebrations in Malaysia...
[attachment=1]
I got 110 pcs each of the OLED displays, the LiPo batteries, the IR receivers and the SMD 16 MHz crystals. 2000 pcs of the 6x6mm SMD tactile switches and 2000 pcs of the 3x6 mm switches and 200 pcs of the tiny piezo beepers.
[attachment=0]
[attachment=1]
I got 110 pcs each of the OLED displays, the LiPo batteries, the IR receivers and the SMD 16 MHz crystals. 2000 pcs of the 6x6mm SMD tactile switches and 2000 pcs of the 3x6 mm switches and 200 pcs of the tiny piezo beepers.
[attachment=0]
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 27, 2012, 07:35:07 am
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 27, 2012, 07:35:07 am
Wow, great! What did you pay and do you have urls for the screens, lipos and crystals. Making my order now.
Thanks for the URL to the shield!!
Thanks for the URL to the shield!!
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 27, 2012, 07:53:05 am
Post by: matseng on August 27, 2012, 07:53:05 am
OLED http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 6826568645 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.186&id=6826568645) - paid RMB 10 ($1.57) each
Crystal http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252&) - paid RMB 0.70 ($0.11) each
LiPo http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 3414797681 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.1&id=13414797681) - paid RMB 7 ($1.10) each
Total agent fees and international shipping ended up at $60 - the shipping costs was rather high since the displays was securely packed and very bulky. The actual total weight of the displays is 0.17 kilos, the weight of them boxed is 0.93 kilo, but due to volumetric charges is was calculated as 4.3 kilos :-(
Crystal http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252& (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13839004252&) - paid RMB 0.70 ($0.11) each
LiPo http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... 3414797681 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.10.1&id=13414797681) - paid RMB 7 ($1.10) each
Total agent fees and international shipping ended up at $60 - the shipping costs was rather high since the displays was securely packed and very bulky. The actual total weight of the displays is 0.17 kilos, the weight of them boxed is 0.93 kilo, but due to volumetric charges is was calculated as 4.3 kilos :-(
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 27, 2012, 08:14:06 am
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 27, 2012, 08:14:06 am
Thanks. I clicked the "remove packaging"-button on my ATMEGA-order and got an picture from the warehouse of 20 chips in bobble wrap.. :O I seeing this first order as a learning-experience, but I'm getting some pretty sweet deals already it seems.
I found these guys, http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=6227695008 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=6227695008) they are 1/10th of the price on Ebay. Going to build one of these http://www.digitalunderpants.com/?p=219 (http://www.digitalunderpants.com/?p=219) Or 20 as I seems to have ordered a few more than I needed for one. I also ordered them in white, going to look great with a lasercut clear case.
Btw, what do you plan to build with all those screens and batteries? Or are you a horder like me. ;)
A few questions. How come you got the screens for RMB 10? Did you haggle?
Also, I get a lot of "Item is out of stock and the seller does not know when will be available again" from my agent (taobaofocus). It seems strange, do any of you know why?
Rickard.
I found these guys, http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=6227695008 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=6227695008) they are 1/10th of the price on Ebay. Going to build one of these http://www.digitalunderpants.com/?p=219 (http://www.digitalunderpants.com/?p=219) Or 20 as I seems to have ordered a few more than I needed for one. I also ordered them in white, going to look great with a lasercut clear case.
Btw, what do you plan to build with all those screens and batteries? Or are you a horder like me. ;)
A few questions. How come you got the screens for RMB 10? Did you haggle?
Also, I get a lot of "Item is out of stock and the seller does not know when will be available again" from my agent (taobaofocus). It seems strange, do any of you know why?
Rickard.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on August 27, 2012, 09:06:47 am
Post by: matseng on August 27, 2012, 09:06:47 am
The OLED's were on sale when I got them.
Ohhh... The decade switches looks nice, could definitely get a few of them for some future project :)
Most of this shipment will, together with a PIC18F25J50, go into making conference badges for the speakers and staff at the HackInTheBox security conference later this fall. I'll have a lot of soldering to do before then.
It is not uncommon that the shops don't have proper inventory levels displayed. If I seen an item with 10000 , 100000 or some other even number I consider them just made-up and will move on to the next shop.
Ohhh... The decade switches looks nice, could definitely get a few of them for some future project :)
Most of this shipment will, together with a PIC18F25J50, go into making conference badges for the speakers and staff at the HackInTheBox security conference later this fall. I'll have a lot of soldering to do before then.
It is not uncommon that the shops don't have proper inventory levels displayed. If I seen an item with 10000 , 100000 or some other even number I consider them just made-up and will move on to the next shop.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 27, 2012, 07:02:24 pm
Post by: Rickarddahlstrand on August 27, 2012, 07:02:24 pm
Which agent did you use? Taobaofocus just keeps telling me things are out of stock and I cant order batteries.
Rickard.
Rickard.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: touch on August 28, 2012, 04:38:00 am
Post by: touch on August 28, 2012, 04:38:00 am
[quote author="Rickarddahlstrand"]Which agent did you use? Taobaofocus just keeps telling me things are out of stock and I cant order batteries.
Rickard.[/quote]
Same thing here... Looking for a good agent that I can buy from, tons of interesting stuff on Taobao I'd like to get. Trying to find agents via google gives nothing but spam.
Rickard.[/quote]
Same thing here... Looking for a good agent that I can buy from, tons of interesting stuff on Taobao I'd like to get. Trying to find agents via google gives nothing but spam.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: CircuitMart on August 30, 2012, 04:41:56 am
Post by: CircuitMart on August 30, 2012, 04:41:56 am
There is no love without a strong reason,
no cheap things without a reason.
To seek bargain with TAOBAO, first you better can speak at least write Chinese,
secondly you must have eyesight to indentify parts could still be used.
per my own knowledge, most parts are second handed, refurbished, they are
good for a trial run, but better to use brand new parts for mass production.
You guys must have heard such news as space shuttles or rockets fall down because of
a second hand past outsourced from kitchen companies.
And I know there is a city in southeastern China, they make a good living
by taking second hand parts from scrapped equipments, and washed first in
the river, and the river grows grayer and grayer these years, not too exaggerated.
I DO buy parts for clients' assembly service, but not always from taobao. For cheap
things like resistors, I dare to have a try, for very crucial and expensive parts, I have to be very
alert when dealing with taobao guys, I myself was cheated 2 times, undertake all shits
by myself.
no cheap things without a reason.
To seek bargain with TAOBAO, first you better can speak at least write Chinese,
secondly you must have eyesight to indentify parts could still be used.
per my own knowledge, most parts are second handed, refurbished, they are
good for a trial run, but better to use brand new parts for mass production.
You guys must have heard such news as space shuttles or rockets fall down because of
a second hand past outsourced from kitchen companies.
And I know there is a city in southeastern China, they make a good living
by taking second hand parts from scrapped equipments, and washed first in
the river, and the river grows grayer and grayer these years, not too exaggerated.
I DO buy parts for clients' assembly service, but not always from taobao. For cheap
things like resistors, I dare to have a try, for very crucial and expensive parts, I have to be very
alert when dealing with taobao guys, I myself was cheated 2 times, undertake all shits
by myself.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: nabilt on September 06, 2012, 01:28:11 am
Post by: nabilt on September 06, 2012, 01:28:11 am
I also recently got my parts from taobao Focus. Unfortunately, there don't ship batteries. Here are the details.
10 x 12 RMB 0.91'' OLED - http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z ... 8982688479 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0d.1.1000638.60&id=8982688479)
3 x 12.88 RMB 0.84'' OLED - http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=7085782089 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=7085782089)
First payment
Items price: 158.64 RMB
Domestic shipping: 15 RMB
Subtotal: 173.64 RMB
Commission (10%): 35 RMB
Total: 208.64 RMB
Total in USD: 34.43 USD
Shipping fees
International shipping fee: 176 RMB
Total in USD: 29.04 USD
Difference first payment: -12.37 USD
Second payment total (including order balance): 16.67 USD
Ordered on August 21
Arrived at TaobaoFocus on August 25
Arrived in Canada on Sept. 5
Total $63.47
10 x 12 RMB 0.91'' OLED - http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z ... 8982688479 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0d.1.1000638.60&id=8982688479)
3 x 12.88 RMB 0.84'' OLED - http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=7085782089 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=7085782089)
First payment
Items price: 158.64 RMB
Domestic shipping: 15 RMB
Subtotal: 173.64 RMB
Commission (10%): 35 RMB
Total: 208.64 RMB
Total in USD: 34.43 USD
Shipping fees
International shipping fee: 176 RMB
Total in USD: 29.04 USD
Difference first payment: -12.37 USD
Second payment total (including order balance): 16.67 USD
Ordered on August 21
Arrived at TaobaoFocus on August 25
Arrived in Canada on Sept. 5
Total $63.47
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on September 06, 2012, 03:51:01 am
Post by: matseng on September 06, 2012, 03:51:01 am
So did it become cheaper compared to ebay? Our was it too few and too bulkily packaged parts so the shipping costs caused the total price to be same-same?
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: nabilt on September 06, 2012, 03:56:23 am
Post by: nabilt on September 06, 2012, 03:56:23 am
I would say it was less than half even tho I ordered from 2 different stores. Not bad :) The same LCDs on ebay are $12 each. I plan to order in bulk next time for even more savings. Thanks again for the tip!
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: ginpb on December 03, 2012, 03:21:59 pm
Post by: ginpb on December 03, 2012, 03:21:59 pm
shipping fee was a little pricey or not?, how big and heavy can be a package with 13 oleds.
Title: Re: Cheap components - TaoBao
Post by: matseng on December 03, 2012, 04:43:50 pm
Post by: matseng on December 03, 2012, 04:43:50 pm
As I said in an earlier message: My 110 displays had an total weight of 0.17 kilos, the weight of them boxed was 0.93 kilo, but due to volumetric charges is was calculated as 4.3 kilos.
Volumetric = If the box being sent is very light but still large you are getting charged for the volume it takes up instead of the weight.
Volumetric = If the box being sent is very light but still large you are getting charged for the volume it takes up instead of the weight.