Anyone here have any experience with buying large items overseas?

[sodamo]

I agree you can purchase things overseas for less cost and I do it. But I don’t blame America for the problems. We have things like OSHA for worker protection, the EPA insures we have clean water and air, health insurance,disability insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity leave blah blah. These programs cost a lot and for the most part we the American people demanded them. Trust me China, India et al doesn’t have them. Then there’s the hidden QC issues like maybe the 304 stainless doesn’t have quite the same chrome content as the ASTM spec calls for. Not saying programs are bad, when I started my career wasn’t uncommon to have multiple deaths on a large construction project now we celebrate a million manhours without a lost time accident. So instead of blaming America we all need to look in the mirror.

Ok rant over

I’d say common link to above - unions.
Too bad they didn’t stop when they did good.

 

[1930]

I’d say common link to above - unions.
Too bad they didn’t stop when they did good.

+1 greed

 

[TractorGuy]

Two of my friends are Italian, and they order stuff from Italy all the time. What Marco told me was that when they don't need a whole shipping container of stuff (they do specialized metal work in the city - like railings and doors for rich people) they sublet a portion of a container off another person. I don't know the specifics, but maybe that is what the brokers are doing? They all go back to Italy form time to time, so the language barrier doesn't exist for them.

I don't want ANYTHING made in Italy. Especially if it's made from steel or rubber. Early Fiats used to rust out from the inside their steel was so bad. Fiat was run out of America because of their poor quality and unsafe vehicles. I am surprised they were able to buy Chrysler and sneak back in. Panteras suffered the same fate. So far my Italian made New Holland cab hasn't suffered the same but I just replaced an Italian made hydraulic hose that was 3 years old and dry rotted like it was 50.

 

[dfkrug]

What Marco told me was that when they don't need a whole shipping container of stuff ... they sublet a portion of a container off another person. I don't know the specifics, but maybe that is what the brokers are doing?

For container shipping, a freight-forwarder will consolidate shipments from multiple customers into one container. They call that LCL shipping (Less than Container Load). It works like LTL truck shipping (Less than Truck Load). That way, you don't have to pay for the whole container (or truck).

In my excavator shipment experience, the actual shipment by containership from China to California was a small part of the overall cost to get my goods (customs, tariffs, broker fees, freight-forwarder fees, warehouse handling, port fees, fee fees, etc). The process is not for the impatient or easily frustrated.

 

[California]

... fee fees. The process is not for the impatient or easily frustrated.

Tell us what you really think!

You're braver than I am. Harbor Freight quality can be uneven needing some exchanges before you have what was advertised, minor stuff from China via Ebay sometimes has surprises. Sending tens of thousands of $ into the unknown without recourse if quality specs aren't met, isn't for the timid!

Seems to me a complete shop to re-work stuff if needed would have to be part of the process.

 

[1930]

I have some questions, obviously I have no experience with this, chances are most of you are more educated than I am, if you are able to answer a few questions and keep them as basic and simple as possible it would be very much appreciated.

I would like to get the well drilling deal made in China, from what I see in the pictures its by far better engineered than anything being sold here in the U.S and more than half the cost if only comparing the actual product price.

At this point I have contacted the manufacturer and below I will paste the words we have exchanged

Me: Hello, I am interested in the purchase of this machine. Is it avail to be sent to the USA and do you have any experience with this type of transaction? My e-mail is jhason2@yahoo.com Thank-you

Her: Yes

Her: Here

Me: Shipping on Alibaba website shows 5000 plus to U.S. That is way too much. There must be other cheaper shipping options? Can you suggest to me what might be avail.

I would rather have it take longer to arrive to me and pay less

Her: hello Jason,

Please let me know how many meters depth and hole diamter you need , so that caculate shipping frreight by sea and which sea port you need ,because we can ship you by sea will be reasonable .

my whatsapp is +8613506383711

regards

suki

Me: 6 inch hole ( 15.24 CM ) diam. and Id like the capability of going down 200 feet. ( 60.96 ) I will need enough drilling rod to make this depth.

Port Tampa Bay located in Tampa FL is the closest port to my home.

Thank-you



This is all so far, my first question to you is this

1- Am I handling this wrong so far? Should I contact an avail broker in the area to correspond with Suki on this matter. If I should be letting a broker handle this is there anything I should be looking for when deciding which broker? I know nothing about brokers and hadnt even heard of them before I started researching buying from Alibaba.

2- I have read about trade assurance ( just a little ). Most of it I do not understand but it sounds like a paypal deal where if I dont get what I think I should be getting someone will step in to make things right. Is this true and how in your words does this work?

This Lhh Deep Water Well Drilling Rig Machine Water Well Drilling Equipment - Buy Water Well Drilling Equipment,Water Well Drilling Rig Machine,Water Well Drilling Rig Product on Alibaba.com

is one of the machines I am considering, do you see any issues with dealing with this seller? ( viewing their Alibaba profile )

2-Is it true that I ( or someone ) needs to get in e-mail an absolute accurate description of what I think I should be receiving, I have read that if I do not ask for assurance that there will be all the pistons inside the gas engine ( as an exaggerated example ) that I may get a gas engine that will never run because it is not complete.

What can I do exactly to not have any issues like Ive suggested above assuming there is a possibility of an issue?

Im not losing a ton of money if the deal goes sour for whatever reason but of course it would be real nice if I got a machine I could use without too much ( if any ) problem with the mechanicals of the unit.

3- What might I expect to pay the broker to handle this for me? Would it do any good to call around to get the most experienced broker and what should I be looking for? Should I expect the broker to handle everything for me from A-Z or is part of the process ( other than signing check and picking up unit ) gonna fall on my shoulders and if so what is that part?

4- Am I supposed to pay broker or Suki for the actual machine and what can you suggest as safest way to pay.

5- Is the broker in any way obligated in any of this to make sure I get what I think I should be getting in a timely manner?

Thanks again for your time and effort, Im sure Ill have more questions assuming I go thru with anything

 

[California]

I'm impressed by the description. Aside from shipping cost that looks great, if it is as described.


Only the hoist capacity at 10 tons sounds a little optimistic.

One issue to resolve, you might need to spec an EPA- qualifying gas engine so it doesn't get stopped at US Customs.

 

[sodamo]

Did you look on AliExpress? They seem to have US shipping figured out. They seem to have several offerings.

 

[California]

Re EPA-qualifying engine: Possibly order it less engine and add that yourself, here. Note they specify a 1500 rpm diesel.

 

[dfkrug]

Did you look on AliExpress? They seem to have US shipping figured out. They seem to have several offerings.

Yes, Alibaba can now do what is needed to handle shipping, customs, etc. I could not use it last year, as the smallish Port of Oakland was not included. This year it is, so this year's FCL shipment from Qingdao was handled by Alibaba. Much easier. Dunno is Tampa is on the list.

In looking at the above listing for a Deep-Rock style of drilling rig, I see that the seller has good history with Alibaba, so I would go thru them for purchase, shipping, etc. Also, there are probably numerous sellers on Alibaba selling the same thing, so an RFQ query may be appropriate.

I looked into buying a Deep Rock rig back in the 90s. It was expensive, but my plan was killed by the State of CA, as it is one of only 2 DIY construction activities forbidden without the right license.