I'd like to put in a request for a glow-in-the-dark ceiling stickers--for all those nights we're working late--a hula hoop and a headlamp.

you need to add the part about setting up the account to link with your bank account. I found that to be my biggest problem, not the inputting of data...

Glow-in-the-dark ceiling stickers - brilliant idea sfriedman. I'll get searching now..

Glow-in-the-dark ceiling stickers - brilliant idea sfriedman. I'll get searching now..

Thanks for the heads up policeman.. I will keep an eye out for this when I start setting up my payment methods.

Mr. BundPolice - I also had a lot of trouble setting up the Alipay account to pay through TaoBao. I was told by Alipay that without a Chinese shengfenzheng, I needed to set up the Alipay account at the bank. Eventually, I decided to just use my wife's Alipay account. How did you go about setting up your pay account? What are the steps?

Hahahahahaha Claire this is great!!! I've been curious about Taobao for ages, but like you have been slightly terrified about the translation gap (and the burning hole once I've got my head round that). Thanks so much!!!

Everything you need to know about on-line Chinese payment systems: http://fb.cityweekend.com.cn/Intro How to set up an account, use Alipay, pay through a Chinese bank Web interface.

I'd like to order some aprons for the Bubba's Chili Cookoff. Things are bound to get sloppy....

Its been my experience that these transactions can't be done via a mac, as you need IE 6 or later to make payment, whether by Alipay or direct from bank.

@bill_greyskull : you are partially right - Shanghai Pudong Development Banks offers a cross-platform payment interface (it's actually the only one that works with a Mac)

Had trouble with Chrome, worked with Mozilla though.

I just want to point out that you don't have to register or add an account. Just click on the left tab of any item you want, you'll be taken to a page where you enter your info. The first thing it asks is your phone number, enter it and click the tab to the right, it will send a text instantly with a mi ma (password). Enter that password in the second space. Reason being that the whole process is based on your tel number, NOT your email address! Enter the rest of your info, click submit and you'll be taken to the payment page. Select your bank, and you'll be redirected to your bank's online payment page, as per the article (you'll need a separate online payment password, you have to get this from your branch) I have to admit, the process seems intimidating at first. This is not your eBay or Amazon, the process is different. However, the end result is worth it. I placed an order on Friday afternoon, within an hour I had a confirmation call by the seller, and I had the merchandise delivered on Sunday! Kid you not (how did they do that?!)

Thanks for the tip sunsetlover! It really is astonishing how fast they can deliver some items. Back home in Australia it really is the norm to wait for around one to two weeks for something to be delivered.

Taobao is awesome. Once you're hooked, you'll never stop. Exhibit A : me.

Gosh, I finally got Sina Weibo down. Next is Taobao...trials and errors in the process, but it's definitely a good way to learn Chinese and get out of our very, very, very small "expat" circle.

You can no longer use these cards to make a payment!!! BUT we found out another easy way to do it. Check out this blog for info: http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/articles/blogs-shanghai/expat-affairs/updated-how-to-make-a-payment-on-taobao/

We are always happy to help you search and pay for items on Taobao. Our bi-lingual purchasing staff also has the experience to determine which stores are reliable and whether the product is of good quality. Try us out at www.tao-how.com

Trust a spammer with purchasing decisions.... spammer is just one teeny letter from scammer, so why don't you just FOAD and do actual legit SEO/SEM to promote your crappy site rather than spamming CW.

apologize, we DO NOT take commissions or cutbacks from stores....

and a happy holiday to you foodiedave.....sorry for trying to help people out by giving them an option. To clearify any misconception we don't sell anything and we take commissions or cutbacks from stores. We simply help you find what you are looking for, if you like it we will buy it for you and you can pay via bank transfer or paypal rather than setting up an Alipay account. A friend sent me this link recommending I post on it as he thought expats would appreciate it. My intent is not to "scam" as dave so put it, so to other readers with less profane language I apologize, to dave...well like i said, happy holidays mate!

You guys charge 30RMB per item for the first time, 30RMB for individual items and 15RMB for repeats, yes?

we charge 30rmb per store ordered from, whether it's 1 item or 10, if they come from the same store the transaction fee will only be 30rmb. The 15rmb for re-orders applies to any item that you have ordered in the past.. If you have any other questions please feel free to email us or visit us online.