How many here have used Alibaba or AliExpress ?

[LarJea]

Larjea, would it have been possible to pick up the mower in person in Tacoma instead of shipping it to your door? Is that type of thing allowed?

Mind me asking what the shipping for it was from China to Tacoma?

Also, is there any chance of something with no emissions, like a backhoe, getting rejected at customs? What are the odds that a deal for something like a 3pt backhoe would go south?

Is there any resource to know which sellers on alibaba are reputable?

Since I am in no hurry for anything I'm looking for, it is tempting. However, I'm obviously not interested in flat out losing my money. Seems like there is some protection there if a major credit card is used?

My whole idea was to pick up the mower myself at the port, unfortunately when the freight arrived I was told the port of Tacoma no longer allows that.

Shipping from China was $410.00 CFR + something new called ISF (importer security filing fee) that was tacked on to imports after homeland security got involved. I think that cost $125.00. Also the flail mower was shipped tariff and duty free.

I do not know what the tariff and duty tax's are on a backhoe, but if you google HARMONIZED TARIF SCHEDULE it will tell you everything you want to know and if it is forbidden or not.

Alibaba is supposed to check on sellers and make sure they are reputable.

Alibaba is also supposed to insure that the product you receive is exactly what you ordered. You can also order additional insurance.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Larjea, would it have been possible to pick up the mower in person in Tacoma instead of shipping it to your door? Is that type of thing allowed?

Mind me asking what the shipping for it was from China to Tacoma?

Also, is there any chance of something with no emissions, like a backhoe, getting rejected at customs? What are the odds that a deal for something like a 3pt backhoe would go south?

Is there any resource to know which sellers on alibaba are reputable?

Since I am in no hurry for anything I'm looking for, it is tempting. However, I'm obviously not interested in flat out losing my money. Seems like there is some protection there if a major credit card is used?

Emissions is a huge deal, it's the reason that imports of Chinese tractors have slowed to a trickle. Customs won't allow anything with an engine into the country unless it is EPA certified.

 

[LarJea]

Following this with interest.
I have always wondered about buying stuff from here
Now that you said mower - it got me looking. This would be a sweet little mower for our use. (and a good excuse to get those 2 rear remotes I've been wanting LOL)

25-45hp Light Duty Sickle Bar Side Flail Mowers - Buy Flail Mowers,Sickle Bar Side Flail Mowers,25-45hp Flail Mowers Product on Alibaba.com

If it's not 3X the price for freight, customs, tariffs, tax, etc.

The "sickle bar" mower you referenced is actually a side shift/tilt "flail mower" and is the same mower I bought (EFDL 105) from the same company (LEFA). I still communicate with LEFA if you want me to ask them anything, but the total cost when everything is said and done may not be worth the hassle. Might be best to check with a freight broker/forwarder first, because I jumped in to this with out a clue so I probably paid more than necessary. When everything was said and done I was close to paying $2000.00.

 

[N2DFire]

The "sickle bar" mower you referenced is actually a side shift/tilt "flail mower" and is the same mower I bought (EFDL 105) from the same company (LEFA). I still communicate with LEFA if you want me to ask them anything, but the total cost when everything is said and done may not be worth the hassle. Might be best to check with a freight broker/forwarder first, because I jumped in to this with out a clue so I probably paid more than necessary. When everything was said and done I was close to paying $2000.00.

Yea I have noticed their Labeling and text sometimes is a little less that accurate. Oddly enough I was just goofing around looking for a sickle bar mower when I found this one.

Well I have never bought anything and shipped it like this but once I did try shipping a child's battery powered ride-on toy to Australia and in the end it up costing about two times more than what I paid for the toy to begin with - so I have concerns these will turn into the same thing.

I may talk to a couple freight brokers and see what they can tell me.

I was looking at the EFGL 150 (or the 135). Cost and shipping aside - how are you liking the mower?

 

[LarJea]

Yea I have noticed their Labeling and text sometimes is a little less that accurate. Oddly enough I was just goofing around looking for a sickle bar mower when I found this one.

Well I have never bought anything and shipped it like this but once I did try shipping a child's battery powered ride-on toy to Australia and in the end it up costing about two times more than what I paid for the toy to begin with - so I have concerns these will turn into the same thing.

I may talk to a couple freight brokers and see what they can tell me.

I was looking at the EFGL 150 (or the 135). Cost and shipping aside - how are you liking the mower?

I really like it a lot. If I had to do it over again I would have ordered it with a float function on the control valve for the tilt. I am going to get rid of the control valve that came with it and go with the Kubota OEM stacked valves with float for the tilt for next summers use.

 

[sodamo]

I was having a problem with my diesel generator, built in Az, Mostly Chinese parts, couldn't even get them to properly diagnose the problem let alone provide appropriate parts somewhat in desperation I found what I and some others thought was the appropriate part, a fuel pump/governor. Pics looked alike, same #, so I ordered it. When I ordered I also stated what I was using it in. Next day, I got a very nice email asking me for a second number and pics of my unit if I could. Sent that info and received a very nice reply that there was a slight difference in the advertised unit vs the one I needed and an apology that it was a few dollars more. I got it all n relatively short time, a bout two weeks. Bottom line total, it was still cheaper than the US supplier. It was a perfect replacement and installed without problem. I have since ordered both oil and fuel filters that even with shipping were half the US cost for same item. At this point I have no more hesitation using Alibaba/Aliexpress than EBay.
If any complaint it would be the numerous, short emails LOL

 

[N2DFire]

I really like it a lot. If I had to do it over again I would have ordered it with a float function on the control valve for the tilt. I am going to get rid of the control valve that came with it and go with the Kubota OEM stacked valves with float for the tilt for next summers use.

Totally agree. I have not long (semi) finished installing a 3rd function on our loader for a grapple and was looking to put the rear remotes on while I had things torn apart. My understanding is Kioti makes a 2 valve kit for our tractor w/ the 2nd one having a Float position (which I already want in the event I ever get a hydraulic top link).

Just for "giggles" I went over to e-bay to see what was under Flail Mowers. Funny some of these exact same units are listed there in the $3-4K range so I don't think you ended up too bad off.

 

[dfkrug]

I like using E-Bay from China.

I do that too. The last thing I got from China, an electrical part for an m/c, arrived in a week. I have
had mostly great service, buying from China on eBay, and what rejects I have received were always
refunded and/or replaced quickly.

Never tried Alibaba. Glad it seems to be working well.

 

[LarJea]

Totally agree. I have not long (semi) finished installing a 3rd function on our loader for a grapple and was looking to put the rear remotes on while I had things torn apart. My understanding is Kioti makes a 2 valve kit for our tractor w/ the 2nd one having a Float position (which I already want in the event I ever get a hydraulic top link).

Just for "giggles" I went over to e-bay to see what was under Flail Mowers. Funny some of these exact same units are listed there in the $3-4K range so I don't think you ended up too bad off.

Yeah, I still came out ahead of the game. I am sure it would have been better had I had shopped around for a local freight forwarder to pick up the mower at the port so I could pick it up at their dock. As a freight hauler I used to pick freight up at the ports and see private parties picking up freight, so I figured it was still the same.....live and learn.

 

[N2DFire]

Yeah, I still came out ahead of the game. I am sure it would have been better had I had shopped around for a local freight forwarder to pick up the mower at the port so I could pick it up at their dock. As a freight hauler I used to pick freight up at the ports and see private parties picking up freight, so I figured it was still the same.....live and learn.

Well I have played around getting quotes today and everyone is coming in around $1k with all the fees & add-on's. The Pre-Haggle price for the 150 mower is $1400 and while $2000 - $2400 still isn't a bad price for that mower; I just don't *need* a flail mower and I can't justify that kind of $$ for *wanting* a flail mower.

Now if we got a bunch of folks together and filled a container so we could split the shipping ... :laughing: