Looking to buy Chinese phone online. Any sites having a good reputation?

[tomx2]

Hi.

I am planning on buying Xiaomi redmi 3s smartphone online. 16 GB/2G ram, 4100 mah battery, under $150.00 and compatible to U.S. Freq bands Since I reside in the USA 4 months a year, this would be a nice backup phone. It is a Chinese product. That said, I will have to deal with Chinese sellers(or their agents) online for my purchase. I have found a few sites that sells this phone at the discounted price stated above.

Aliexpress, Fasttech, Gearbest, Geekbuying.

Reading a few buyers feedback, it appears some have had problem with their Tech products and/or shipping.

 

My question is, can someone from the TV forum suggest some reputable online sites selling Chinese mobile phones or give a Thumbs-Up to any of the online sites I listed above?

 

Thanks.

TC.

[Xircal]

Read this post before you buy a Xiaomi phone.

[guzzi850m2]

I bought a UMI super from Gearbest and didn't pay any import taxes,  okay took app 12 working days to arrive but happy enough with the service as delivered right to my house.

[tomx2]

@Xircal

Thanks for the Heads-Up. Will keep that article in mind when deciding on this Xiaomi mobile.

 

@guzzi850m2

Thanks for the feedback.

I read online Gearbest only accepts payment through Paypal, but not CC directly.

Do you know if this is true?

 

TC.

[dddave]

I've purchased more than 20 items from Gearbest and  have had only one problem which was resolved pretty quickly.

I purchased a Xiaomi Note 2 from them and am very happy with it. 

Most orders with free shipping arrive within 10 days.

[keemapoot]

AliExpress is great, but it probably depends on the vendor (choose a vendor with a good order history and rating). I just ordered an electronic product from one vendor there, and it arrived in Thailand faster than ordering from Lazada, and at a much, much cheaper price (includes customs duty). Choose FedEx as your delivery method and they will clear customs for you in Thailand and get you the best customs broker discount.

 

Anyway, Alibaba owns both AliExpess and majority interest in Lazada now, so basically the same giant parent.

[mtls2005]

Which provider(s) do you use in the U.S.? Which do you use here in Thailand?

 

Typically there are two (or more) variants of any particular model, one for the U.S. with more U.S.-centric bands supported and one for ROW.

 

It looks like there are several versions of this phone.

 

Just make sure you get the variant which meets your Thai, U.S. and other(?) requirements.

 

I think they are selling this model in the U.S. ~ $160 USD (32 GB, 16 GB is ~ 130 USD).

 

 

[2008bangkok]

If you are in Thailand now just get it from Lazada, literally just ordered a Xiaomi MI Max this morning, currently they have 8% promotion with code "Maskot"

Btw i looked at the specs and the Redmi Note 3 is actually better specked 2/16 priced at 5419 with discount and 3/32 at 6615 that choosing the person on Lazada with the lowest price.