Buying parts from China Shipping/fees/etc

racerx1690

Active member
Joined
Nov 24, 2006
Messages
2,125
Reaction score
21
Location
Wichita Falls, Texas
I am fixing to do my first buy from a Chinese company for 60 in 1 boards, coin comparitors, video converters, etc. Just so I dont get any suprises, what kind of shipping is usually involved, fees, any weird stuff? Can anybody describe the CGA VGA converters for me? Has anybody ever bought those ready to go cocktail multicades before? How many do you have to buy?
 
You have to buy in large quantities to offset the shipping charges and make it worthwhile. You can buy stuff for pennies on the dollar but you will have heavy shipping charges. Another concern is long lead times and chances of your stuff getting hung up in customs for weeks.
My brother went to China a couple years ago and made friends with a guy who works for his company over there. Here is the interesting thing...the guys wife is from a family who owns a huge electronics manufacturing company. Were getting ready to look into having a few things made up.
 
Getting stalled in customs can be a problem.

When placing an order, ask the company which shipping methods are the cheapest and what the usual transit time might be expected. If you buy with a credit card, normal procedure is that you must _fax_ the company an authorization form that states that they are authorized to charge the card. Also, there are some higher fees on your credit card purchase. I think doing a bank draft is cheapest.

It would be nice if someone could setup a deal to get new 19" or 20" monitors and universal replacement chassis.

Here's one of those parts suppliers:

http://www.uniarcade.com/
 
Last edited:
So like what kind of outrageous shipping are we talking about? Do you double the price of whatever the item is to compensate for the shipping cost, or is it not that bad. Like one of those ready to go cocktail games for example. Would shipping be $100, $200, $300? I am thinking they could fit a bunch of the stuff in the cabinet. The waiting period isnt really that much of a concern as long as it isnt months. I know how easy it would be to get something screwed up into the country and take out the state of California, so I want them to be anal about inbound shipments.
 
Customs can take up to a month sometimes.

Ask the manufacturer what the usual price quotes are for the different shipping methods.

It all depends on the size of the package and the weight.

When we bought a 48-in-1 board the freight was $20 along with a $10 fee on the credit card for the entire transaction.
 
There will be a 4% fee if you pay via PayPal, and a 3.5% fee if you pay via Credit Card (plus any fees from your credit card company for exchange rate, etc.).

Shipping for ONE multiboard will cost you $24, and is sent air mail first class, and can be at your door in as little as two days (UPS), although sometimes they ship via the post office and it can be held up in customs in Chicago for a week.

Each additional board will cost about another $12 in shipping (so, 2 bds = $36, 3 bds = $48, etc).

Also, they require you to fill out the address info and sign it to verify the order, then fax it back to them along with payment. If you PayPal, just pay and let them know your PayPal address (if different from the one you contact from). If you pay via Credit Card, you will have to fill out another form with the card info and sign it and fax it.

If you don't want to pay for an international fax, you can print the form, fill it out, scan it, and e-mail it back to them and they will ship once paid....
 
Getting stalled in customs can be a problem.

When placing an order, ask the company which shipping methods are the cheapest and what the usual transit time might be expected. If you buy with a credit card, normal procedure is that you must _fax_ the company an authorization form that states that they are authorized to charge the card. Also, there are some higher fees on your credit card purchase. I think doing a bank draft is cheapest.

It would be nice if someone could setup a deal to get new 19" or 20" monitors and universal replacement chassis.

Here's one of those parts suppliers:

http://www.uniarcade.com/

I love there Power Supply prices :)
Product Name: 110 Watt Switching Power Supply
Unit Price: $7.60 USD
 
OK, so its looking like you add 1/2 of whatever the total cost to the price for a fairly close shipping estimate. So like $50 for every $100 for a total of $150 shipped. My order is gonna be right around $1500-$2000 so I am guessing $700-$1000 to ship it all. I am hoping there is a cheaper way to ship when I talk to them on the subject. I am also waiting on an email from the monitor/monitor chassis guys.
 
Some interesting monitor chassis models from Rodotron:

CH-248 EGA only, for 14" to 20" tubes.

CH-288C/E CGA/EGA dual resolution selectable, for 26" to 38" tubes.

CH-888A CGA only, for 14" to 20" tubes.

CH-688 CGA only, for 14" to 20" tubes.

CH-666-20 CGA/EGA/VGA tri-res selectable, for 19" and 20" tubes only.

More chassis are in the archive:

http://web.archive.org/web/20080102055101/http://www.rodotron.com.tw/list.htm

This company also has some monitor chassis:

http://www.mindongpower.com/en/product.asp?class_code=0008
 
Last edited:
I have been trying to work out a deal with Jen-Shinn to start carrying their chassis.
It's not worth my time.
Long story short, a person would end up with $70 into each chassis. I have to make money - so I add ~$30 and finally add on $10-$12 shipping per item ...... why would anyone buy from me when they can buy from someone else way cheaper. There is no room to make any money.
 
Mainly my objective is to buy parts/games for work, and sell off any residual stuff, or things I could cram into the shipping container/box cheaply. Right now it is looking like I will be able to get 1. (1) New 32" LCD Guitar Hero, 2. (2) New 21" Multicade 60 in 1 cocktail table arcade game, 3. New Time Crisis 4 game, 1. (20) DY-330CS electronic coin comparitors, 2. (20) Coin Selector Vertical, 3. (2) CGA to VGA 1 video converter, 4. (20) Multicade 60 in 1 PCBs, 5. (2) Capcom 18 in 1 PCB, 6. (1) Metal Slug 6 cartrige, 7. (10) Jamma Harnesses, 8. (4) 25" Wei-Ya monitor chassis,and a few other items for less than what the Time Crisis 4 cost here in the states.

Crazy huh?

Granted I still have to get the boss to approve it all, but he asked questions instead of saying hell no. LOL
 
I just got off the phone with Alva Amusements. They also sell Wei-Ya brand chassis and it they sell for ~$25-$30 less than 8liners. I could be wrong but it appears no one is carrying Jen-Shinn chassis anymore. Why I have no clue and no one has been willing to state why either.
Instead of you trying to buy 4 chassis directly from overseas it appears you'll fare better buying through Alva.
 
OK, Ill give that a look. Well it looks like I am going to do an order. I am fixing to narrow it down some, and get it all hammered out. My boss is still skittish, but trust me on saving money. Time Harvest is who the first order is gonna go through.
Has anybody dealt with them before?
Also what is the difference between a HS and a Wei-Ya monitor chassis?
 
Last edited:
I haven't ever purchased from them, but I am definitely interested in those 60 in 1 cocktails, so let us all know how those work out. If they are good quality I will inquire about ordering a couple of those to go on craigslist around here.
 
Back
Top Bottom