TB101 - WHY TaoBao in Malaysia?

England is mar-mar-dei, let's just go straight to the point. For better experience, read the Chinese post please.

I've recently completed my house's renovation and with 11.11 Double Eleven around the corner, the need of filling the empty house sparked my interest in Online Shopping, particularly on the renowned 淘寶TaoBao.
My mum so happened to mentioned that a friend of her wanted to explore TaoBao yet language barrier deterred her to do so and I thought.... why not I write something since I finally have first hands experience?
Ironically, Horse Cloud Jack Ma founded Alibaba 18 years ago and TaoBao around 15 years ago. He recently announced his retirement at age of 54, and here I am, first time writing about TaoBao.
There's plenty of such websites with guides and tutorials, but I believe none of them are written in such poor language. You are welcome.

So...

WHAT IS 淘寶TAOBAO? 天貓TMALL?  AND 阿里巴巴 ALIBABA? 

In the simplest terms, Alibaba is the BOSS, mother of things that made Jack Ma rich. It is an online business platform, it comprise of B2B, B2C, C2C, payment gateway and is recently branching into InsureTech. Companies under Alibaba Group that Malaysian Consumers would have heard of are those like TaoBao, TMall (TianMao), AliPay (ZhiFuBao) and YouKu. Alibaba is also the major shareholder of Lazada, the largest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, since 2016.

Now, TaoBao is like a giant Pasar Malam, like the one in Taman Connaught (Wednesday night) or the Chatuchak, but much larger. It's a marketplace for Small and Middle Business Owners or Individuals to showcase their products, like the Ebay from the Western world. People bring their kuih-muih, layout on a table (like there's no flies or dust) under the giant umbrella awaiting customers to fall into the trap. There's no warehouse, no stock piling at TaoBao's end, people do business directly with the consumers (C2C), paying a fees to TaoBao just like renting a space in Pasar Malam from DBKL etc.

TMall (or TianMao, Cat in the Sky) on the other hand is like a giant Shopping Mall. Flagship stores like XiaoMi or other famous brands open their Shop Lot in this mall call TMall (B2C). TianMao itself also source for suitable products in the market and put them on sale in its mall, i.e. their warehouse. This extra layer of filter is what makes TMall perceived to be more exclusive or premier over TaoBao. FYI, JD.com (JingDong) is another e-commerce platform in China. JD to Lazada is like Shopee to TMall.

In the remaining of this article, TaoBao refers to both TaoBao itself and TMall. In fact they are almost "seamless" except that the logo on the top right corner of the webpage is different. It's like you planned to go Pasar Malam to get some nasi ayam bakar for dinner, and all of the sudden you are right in the middle of the Gardens, wearing those ah pek white color singlet + slippers.

WHY TAOBAO IN MALAYSIA?

- CHEAP VERY CHEAP SUPER FRIENDLY PRICE TAG-
Why shop online for something selling down the streets? Why even shop in a China-based platform?
It all boils down to CHEAP lah! If not why buttock so itchy go bother exchange rate, shipping blah blah blah

Some would argue that TaoBao is not THAT cheap after all, most likely when they are paying for the shipping fees. Unlike local platforms where shipping fees are quite fixed or included in the price of the product, one of the biggest pain-point on TaoBao is paying for shipping fees! But it's all psychological (you pay the money twice, pain two times, key in credit card details two times, receive TAC code two times, mafarn two times). Ultimately, even after including shipping fees, the total price you are paying is still easily lower than buying locally for around 20%.

For example, IKEA's very popular Trolley / Shop Cart or whatever you name it, selling for RM149 in store. Average price seen in Lazada is slightly higher + a shipping fees for around RM10~20.

You can easily find something around RMB130 (RM80) on TaoBao (Note: the price you see when search results pop out - like the ones in the screenshot below - are the price for the basic items, e.g. 2 layer cart / without handle etc., compared to the ones showing in the pictures, which are usually "upgrades" with higher price)

There's no way to obtain the exact shipping fees at this point. One can private message the "shopkeeper" for an estimated weight or volume but most likely they only respond in Chinese. Assuming this cart to be around 10kg (actual or volumetric weight), shipping by sea could be as low as RM30~40 (whereas by air would be miserably more expensive).

In short,
IKEA = RM149 + Petrol + Parking + Mouth itchy went to buy karipap
Lazada = RM159 + RM15 Shipping
TaoBao = RM80 + RM40 Shipping ---> WIN

Verdict: IKEA didn't pay me commissions for ads, Mr. Ma didn't gimme pocket money, I have healthy relationship with Lazada, but whenever something comes into your mind, check TaoBao first bro! Lazada is expensive, not sure if they are earning from shipping (their stocks are from China as well) or from translation .... English mah, atas a bit.

- Pattern A Lot Variety -

Let's talk about broomstick & dustpan.
This are the ones we would usually see when we go jalan-jalan:

this is not a video, stop clicking! 

Sweeping is definitely one house chore I dislike the most (among all, vacuum cleaning is the most soothing one for me LOL)
The broom is always dirty, hair or whatsoever always tangled and .... it's just a mess.
And here's a quick solution I see on TaoBao, but not in the local stores:

Want something more adorable? Pay extra RMB3 to get cute ears on the broom =..=

FYI this broomstick set ain't cheap, and I haven't used it yet (still in transit in the time of writing)
I'm not in anyway related to this store, but I "borrowed" above pictures from here: BroooOOOoooOOom

(Note: Please log in to TaoBao before clicking above link, or else you would be welcomed with broomstick set selling at RM166. The discounted price of RMB39.90 only appears after logging in)

- 5-Star Service - 

You will definitely be surprised. Your mobile service provider, your banks, your friend that says he's just 5 mins away, are no contestant to the level of service TaoBao is providing.

Almost all of the stores on TaoBao are staffed & managed by well-trained customer service reps. They reply around the clock, almost instantly, and I sometimes thought how could I have so many admirers sweet talking with me. They are so successful in creating the illusion that you are talking to your closest friend, even though you actually know he/she might be just an old ahpek behind the keyboard.

Most other services are only available within mainland China, e.g. on-site installation (furniture / electronic appliances), free return or exchange, extended warranty etc.
Here's an interesting one I seen recently: providing LIFETIME FREE "mop head" with purchase of their mop.

LIFETIME, for FREE. You can request new mop heads every month by only paying a minimal shipping fees of RMB8 (or it could be waived if you purchase any items in that store).
Advertisement: This "Self washing / drying flat mop" is available in Mr. DIY, selling around RM75, even cheaper than the ones on TaoBao. Quality is deng gua gua also, I bought 3 of these recently ...... a very happy buyer and user here. (Note: Mr. DIY didn't pay me any advertising fees one)

They are also capable of customizing almost everything. I recently purchased a door curtain (like these) on TaoBao. Besides selecting the range of default length x width, you can get in touch with the customer service for any size you like. They would even suggest whether you should buy a curtain holder, or if you prefer not to, they can sew Velcro right onto it for your convenience.

As for things like racks, you are free to choose any width, length or height combination, 3 or 4 or 5 layers, extra thick or normal, and of course self-defined dimension.

- As Happy As Kena ToTo FUN - 

TaoBao is highly addictive. Let's begin with the positive experiences of online shopping in general:
- Window shopping without walking
- Unlimited supply of stuffs you knew or you never did to be explored
- Waiting for delivery like Cinderella waiting for her "white horse prince"
- Boxing day~
- Start to show off here n there

The name
淘(Tao) = Dig, like you are digging for gold （淘金）
寶(Bao) = Treasure
explains it all.

And finally, TaoBao App (App Store, Google Play), now the most frequent app I launch in my phone:

It is so happening, pack with promotions / games / events, making sure you log in everyday and every now and then. Sadly, all of them are in Chinese characters:

淘金幣 "Gold Coin Digger"（首頁 Homepage > 淘金幣）
Simplified version of FarmVille
Plant > Water > Ask you friend help you water > go water your friends plant > steal their vege > collect your own vege
All these converts into "Gold Coins" and every 100 coins is equivalent to RMB1, for shopping.
1 week into these games and I'm accumulating around 3,000 coins.
There are also mini games, where you could compete with other users, either winning their coins or losing yours to them.

野生小伙伴  Some Endangered Animal Awareness Mini Game（我的淘寶 > 野生小伙伴）
Like a Tamagotchi game, but cute cute animal and nicer graphic
Alibaba promises to do some charity ...... (ok la I didn't really go check what is this about HAHA)

There's also something like Face Scan - Sleep Analyzer 
Upload a photo and the program will analyze how many hours of sleep you lack for the week, how many crow's feet you have (yea like we can't count ourselves), how GG is your eye-bags etc.
Of course, it is only for reference, but..... creative mah, give some credits lo...

WHEN BETTER NOT TO TAOBAO IN MALAYSIA?

1. "Sensitive" or Banned Items (for shipping across border)
   Weapons, powder (white color those) or stuffs with battery are some of those. Check with the seller or logistics end before placing order.
   Pay attention to the product name too, one of my 11.11 order was rejected by the logistic warehouse because the product name includes "plants" (plants are prohibited to be shipped cross-border) even though the full product name reads "Plants Canvas Printings with Frame".
    
2. XXXL-size Items
   TaoBao's shipping and third party logistics companies often have limitation on the parcel's weight and size. It is crucial to communicate with your logistic "partner" regarding the items you are buying. And it is best not to buy if you are unsure, note that the fees for return / exchanges are borne by the buyer.
   Also, items that are light in weight but take up a lot of space (e.g. trash can) demand shipping fees typically higher than your expectation because the volumetric weight (discussed later if I still got mood) prevails.
    
3. Pricey electronics appliances / gadgets.
   Voltage dunno ngam or not, the plugs or sockets different also. Warranty is very mafarn if you really need to claim it some day, would rather advise to buy from local stores.
    
4. Fragile Items.
   That being said, my recent purchase of glass bottles, "Japan Diatomite Vermiculite Absorption Foot Pad" (took me awhile to find this translation) and racks all received in good shape and perfect condition. Next to receive are some plastic containers & dustbin, let's see if they are nicely wrapped / protected too.
   These really depends on LUCK, so I would suggest only buying items that you can afford to throw away / live with the subpar condition (if any). 

Wrap Up

My plan was to write something about How to TaoBao if your brain haven't install Chinese Language package. Manatau write har write har become Introduction to TaoBao (in Rojak English). LOL.

Anyway

This is one of my few attempt to write in English (again). And I'm very good at giving up or not finishing what I ambitiously initiated.

For your information, this blog's tagline roughly translates into:
“四散呾” = Si Sua Ta = Talk Crap (TeoChew)
“黑白講” = Oh Beh Gong = Black White Talk = Talk Crap (Hokkien)
“沒有根據” = No research / lazy to find supporting information / sometimes even no logic
“沒有限制” = No restrictions (on what I'm about to say, please consume with care)
“不負責任” = Ain't gonna take any responsibility on what I said / wrote, like Donald ...... Duck
“不定期發表” = Only post when I got time, got mood, got feel ...

In short, don't hoot me for things I wrote wrongly. You are free to feel offended or have hard feelings, but I don't really care. So...... don't so serious la can?