|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,910
|
Buying from China
Does anyone have experience buying from China/Hong Kong? I am in the market for a full color outdoor LED sign for my office. It seems that the manufacturers/sellers are all in China or Hong Kong. I do not know anything about Import/Export. Is there anything regarding importing or customs that may be an issue? I certainly don't want to buy a sign and not be able to get it off the loading dock.
How about as far as payment any such thing as COD with a foreign purchase? Thanks for any help. |
||
05-15-2011, 08:01 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 7,286
|
I bought several things from HK and China through ebay, mostly inexpensive electronic stuff. most of the time, HK is fine but China stuff not that great. There were once, I bought 2 GPS. Both items are POS, never work right. I had the hell of a time to get my $ refund after shipped it back. Finally, I had to rely on Paypal. Their philosophy basically is "you buy it, it's yours".
__________________
Fat butt 911, 1987 |
||
|
05-15-2011, 09:37 AM
|
|
|
Virginia Rocks!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Just outside the beltway
Posts: 8,497
|
What kind of a sign? Something with your business name in it or a generic "open" sign? If the former, you should find someone who you can work with to get what you need made (even if they make it in China). Nothing would be worse than trying to get something spelled/worded correctly for your business and you can't due to the language barrier/import.
__________________
Rosewood 1983 911 SC Targa | Black 1990 944 S2 | White 1980 BMW R65 | Past: Crystal 1986 944 na Guards Red is for the Unoriginal
|
||
|
05-15-2011, 09:41 AM
|
|
|
1980 911 SC
|
We just got a quote for a 4'X5' LED sign for the entrance to the restaurant, it was a little more than $2000. It's a local shop.
Do you think they are cheaper by going overseas? What about shipping? Just curious.
__________________
Life's a Beach |
||
|
05-15-2011, 10:25 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,910
|
VaSteve, It's a full color programable LED sign. Basicallly a mini version of a jumbotron. It hooks up to a computer and can be programmed to show anything. You see version infront of banks, Walgreens, and convention centers.
Sailchief from my intial reserach they look to be cheaper some include shipping. Is the sign you had quoted full color and programable? That seems like a great price if it is. I havent come across anything that large for $2,000.00. I have seen a 22x78 for $5,300.00 
|
||
|
05-15-2011, 07:10 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 17,495
|
Hong Kong I would not have problem with. China is questionable in terms of quality.
|
||
|
05-15-2011, 07:27 PM
|
|
|
|
Cogito Ergo Sum
|
*disclaimer*
I work in the sign industry, I do install LED signs *Disclaimer* You DO NOT WANT a cheap Chinese message center. They do not last long at all, the picture quality is CRAP, and parts are pretty much always NLA. Do yourself a favor and buy a little smaller and buy a good one (Daktronics, SignCo EDS, Watchfire, Yesco, etc.) Do you *Need* full color, or just want full color. In many applications a monochrome is just as effective. Also good luck getting one of those Chinese bastards installed when you get it in... We won't touch one, and when it dies, good luck getting parts... I can get Daktronics parts next day.... |
||
|
05-15-2011, 07:59 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,910
|
Thanks Sidney,
This is part of the information I was looking for. Installation is not an issue but repair and parts sure are. I don't need full color I want it. I think it will look more professional and draw more attention. How about MEGA or Olive? Have you heard of them? Any good? |
||
|
05-16-2011, 04:52 AM
|
|
|
Cogito Ergo Sum
|
Never heard of either, but they both look cheesy on the websites, and appear to be made in a "pacific rim country"(communist China)...
Here is prime example... A local school just bought a chinese scoreboard, it has been up maybe a month and it is already needing 8 digits replaced, yes 8! This is not even the first time it has broken either. Every time we call for parts they send us something "new and improved". The new and improved still looks like junk. The cabinet on this thing is already losing paint, etc etc.... One of our EDS units started giving trouble after ~3yrs of flawless service, we called, described the problem, and they gave us a temporary fix until they can send us a new board. The new board will be free as well, 5yr warranty. Most of the chinese companies go out of business before then, or just file chap11 and start under a new name. Seriously, save yourself the headache, spend a little more money, and buy American. Call or email Daktronics, they will have someone get in touch with you I am sure... Contact :: Daktronics |
||
|
05-17-2011, 11:27 PM
|
|
911SC
1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
