Ebay kit buying from China?

[ReccePhreak]

I am wondering about people's experiences on buying kits from Chinese Ebay sellers.

I see a LOT of really GREAT prices, many with free shipping.

The "estimated" delivery time is usually from 1~2 months.

I was curious about other modelers' experiences, both good & bad.

Is it worth the possible risk of never getting their kit, or getting one that is either damaged in shipment or takes a LOOOONG time?

If these questions have been asked in a previous post, please forgive my not finding those posts.

Larry

Edited April 2, 2025 by ReccePhreak
More info

[eraucubsfan]

I've ordered stuff, including decals and I've never really had an issue. Usually, it seems like it doesn't take 1-2 months.  

 

 

[ReccePhreak]

1 minute ago, eraucubsfan said:

I've ordered stuff, including decals and I've never really had an issue. Usually, it seems like it doesn't take 1-2 months.  

 

 

Thanks for that info. I will consider trying something small first, before I order an expensive 1/32 kit.

Larry

[Model-Junkie]

There was a thread about Chinese eBay sellers posted almost exactly a year ago, the main sellers listed were:

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/auroramodelshop

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/flymodel

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/xfreehobby

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/fancykicks

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/peaceful2018

 

 

From my experience, the sellers ship the kits in styrofoam sheets cut to exactly fit around the kit/s and then either placed inside a plastic mailing bag or wrapped in tape and shipped that way.  The majority of the time the kits ship via a courier company to the U.S., usually arrives in CA, and then handed over to USPS for final delivery. 

 

My kits arrived mostly intact but they all had minor dings/creases to the box, luckily no damage to the kit parts.  Delivery times averaged about 2-4 weeks.

 

Edit to add: I buy mostly 1/144, 1/72 or 1/700 kits.  Maybe they use shipping boxes for larger kits?

Edited April 2, 2025 by Model-Junkie

[ReccePhreak]

Thanks for that info Model-Junkie

[Spook498]

I try not to buy if I dont have to but if their feedback count is high and the reviews good, it should be fine. Ive only ordered one or two things, and aside from the wait, there were no problems.

[Dave Williams]

I’ve ordered a number of kits over the years for Chinese eBay sellers.  Usually I go with the popular ones with a lot of good feedback like mentioned above.  Never had a problem.  Mostly order 1/35 armor.

[ReccePhreak]

Thanks Spook498 & Dave Williams, for your input .

[Crease]

I have always been very wary of buying anything on Ebay from China but decided to try it as the prices were excellent (XFree Hobby).  I ordered a 1/72 kit and an accessory on 2/25 and received them on 3/07.  Half of that time the shipment was sitting in New York City customs.  I made my second order (3 kits) on 3/25 and they shipped on 3/30, but are still in Shanghai, as far as I can tell, per the tracking.  Their communication was excellent as well.

[strikeeagle801]

I've bought several things from Chinese sellers (I have a seamless intake and LAU-129's for an F-16 on the way now in fact) and have never had a problem getting the stuff. I have found that 9 times out of 10, the items have arrived earlier than predicted. I'm pretty sure every kit (1/48) I have ordered from China has came in the Styrofoam and plastic mentioned, and I only had one that came to me damaged. The box was very beat-up, but amazingly the plastic inside was ok. 

 

Aaron

[Helmsman]

I had no issues with shipping from China (both eBay or ali express) most of the time. Had one really badly beaten box once (http://scalemodels.ru/modules/forum/viewtopic_p_1658255.html#1658255) but just one broken part which is easily repairable. So I'd say it is quite safe to buy there. It appears that eBay had done a good job getting rid of scammers.

 

P.S. Question to moderators/admins: Is mentioning ali express in one word with capital A and E is now considered a spam? Had it replaced with "I'm a spammer please report this post"

Edited April 3, 2025 by Helmsman

[WymanV]

I've rarely waited more than 3 weeks for something to show up from China. Something that's rather dicey since last summer when the dismantling of the USPS really started to show but I haven't bought many kits lately either. And never an issue on ebay. I only got stiffed once in the last 24 years and ebay reimbursed me within 3 days.

[ReccePhreak]

Thanks for all the great responses about your experiences.

I like WymanV's comment about eBay's quick reimbursement for one bad experience. 

That's why I like to use eBay, plus I pay with PayPal, who will also help with any "issues".

 

Larry

[Scott Smith]

I bought a 1/32 F-16D from a seller in China 5 or 6 years ago.  It got delayed a real long time after the seller said it would be there.  I requested a refund and got it.  
It arrived the next day.   😐  Sent the seller another message telling him to PayPal invoice me again since it arrived.  He was ecstatic at my honesty.  
 

Right now I’m waiting on a package from Super Hobby  in Poland.  It disappeared somewhere between the USPS or Customs on Feb 13th. I sent them one email over a month ago asking if they could assist some how.  Nothing they could do. I’m giving it another week then requesting a refund.  If they push back, I’m going to request PayPal to do a refund.  

[Robert Garelli]

I order majority of my kits directly from China via Ebay or I am a spammer, please report this post.. Honestly, I get my kits and accessories within 2 to 3 weeks with no issues. Been happy so far, normally save anywhere from 20% to 60% than what it would cost me to order from within the U.S. Also get some good prices out of Poland with decent shipping. 

[ReccePhreak]

6 minutes ago, Robert Garelli said:

I order majority of my kits directly from China via Ebay or I am a spammer, please report this post.. Honestly, I get my kits and accessories within 2 to 3 weeks with no issues. Been happy so far, normally save anywhere from 20% to 60% than what it would cost me to order from within the U.S. Also get some good prices out of Poland with decent shipping. 

Apparently, you used a word or phrase BANNED by ARC. 😲

Don't know what that word or phrase was.

Larry

Edited April 7, 2025 by ReccePhreak

[Robert Garelli]

7 minutes ago, ReccePhreak said:

Apparently, you used a word or phrase BANNED by ARC. 😲

Don't know what that word or phrase was.

Larry

it was Ali Express

[ReccePhreak]

4 minutes ago, Robert Garelli said:

it was Ali Express

WOW! How come it wasn't "blocked" this time?

[Dave Williams]

I think making it two words defeats the filter.

[Robert Garelli]

12 hours ago, ReccePhreak said:

WOW! How come it wasn't "blocked" this time?

As David mentioned, I originally typed it as one word. I figured the same and made it two words to see if it would take it. 

[Jon Krol]

On 4/3/2025 at 3:01 PM, ReccePhreak said:

Thanks for all the great responses about your experiences.

I like WymanV's comment about eBay's quick reimbursement for one bad experience. 

That's why I like to use eBay, plus I pay with PayPal, who will also help with any "issues".

 

Larry

Plus, Paypal gives you six months to file a complaint with a seller. Ebay, only 90 days.

[ReccePhreak]

1 minute ago, Jon Krol said:

Plus, Paypal gives you six months to file a complaint with a seller. Ebay, only 90 days.

That's good to know!

[TravisVaughn]

On 4/2/2025 at 8:46 PM, Model-Junkie said:

There was a thread about Chinese eBay sellers posted almost exactly a year ago, the main sellers listed were:

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/auroramodelshop

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/flymodel

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/xfreehobby

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/fancykicks

 

https://www.ebay.com/str/peaceful2018

 

 

From my experience, the sellers ship the kits in styrofoam sheets cut to exactly fit around the kit/s and then either placed inside a plastic mailing bag or wrapped in tape and shipped that way.  The majority of the time the kits ship via a courier company to the U.S., usually arrives in CA, and then handed over to USPS for final delivery. 

 

My kits arrived mostly intact but they all had minor dings/creases to the box, luckily no damage to the kit parts.  Delivery times averaged about 2-4 weeks.

 

Edit to add: I buy mostly 1/144, 1/72 or 1/700 kits.  Maybe they use shipping boxes for larger kits?

ecent packaging but box dings are pretty common. The 2–4 week delivery timeframe sounds about right

[Crease]

Just received my second order from xfree-hobby (three 1/72 kits).  Ebay order placed on 3/25 and received at my Indiana doorstep on 4/09.  Packaging was excellent with no damage.  They are now 2 for 2 in my experience.

Edited April 9, 2025 by Crease

[evilmedic13]

I've ordered from China a bunch of times, and never had a problem. The items usually show up faster than expected, and if there has ever been a problem ,they've contacted me before I knew there was an issue. There's quite a few sellers in the US that I cannot say the same about, that's for sure.