Daypack from AliExpress ('chinese ebay') Positive Experience

[HarryCallahan]

Recently bought this daypack from AliExpress.

http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/266447413.html

I left a feedback review which was very positive and which I'd like to copy and paste here, but for some reason their reviews take time to appear.

Basically what you see is what you get, and there's no quality issues; frankly I can't see how it could be made any better. Materials are top notch. The air back is permanent, sewed in, but it's rubberized wire and I think should go the distance. There's a metal frame keeping the back concave shape. Raincover included in bottom pocket.

They call it 40L but really I think 30L is more correct. The dimensions 27cm*21cm*54cm give a 30L a box.

Deliver was 2 weeks.
Seller was prompt and communicative, didn't have my selected colour and asked for alternate.
My impression is that AliExpress is quite safe, with usual provisos (stick with high volume, high feedback sellers). Someone at AliExpress actually checks your order before it can proceeed, unlike eBay - and checks the seller is legit, I'd imagine.

Obviously the brand isn't going to win you any cred points but I don't care much for that. The only 'Chinglish' is on the tags which you cut off (pic attached, it's level 10 Chinglish!). For the price, about $62 AUS, I consider it a very good deal. Obviously current currency rate will come into it; if you could get it under $50 AUD it would be a dead set bargain. The price includes delivery.

This seller has many different models to choose from, something for everyone, and most daypacks cost less than this. Do check dimensions for size rather than trusting the litre capacity.

Lots of pics on the site but will attach some of my own. BTW I'm 173cm tall and it fits just right.

Also bought a bum bag while I was there, it's fine too.

Inside

Attachments

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[blacksheep]

That packs makes you head all blurry .

[Strider]

Have you used it yet?

[MickyB]

That packs makes you head all blurry .

[HarryCallahan]

Have you used it yet?

No haven't used it, not properly. It might be a few weeks before it gets a receives a good test. I'll report if it falls apart

And no don't blame the pack for my blocky head, it's a gene defect I have to live with.

[David M]

Looks nice. I hope they didn't violate anyone's intellectual property.

[HarryCallahan]

Looks nice. I hope they didn't violate anyone's intellectual property.

I was going to say no, but then... Lone Ranger!

Oh dear, how do I delete a thread?!? Before the feds see it

[GPSGuided]

Looks nice. I hope they didn't violate anyone's intellectual property.

Yawn!

[HarryCallahan]

"outdoor sports has become a local young people living in an indispensable part of."

They got that from North Face!

[slparker]

Looks like my deuter, which is $150 retail, $90 online from the UK ... probably same factory.

[GPSGuided]

Given the amount of OEM there, it's a matter of time before local manufacturers gain enough knowledge to come out with good/best quality stuff. It's just normal economic development. No surprise at all. Forget about IP violation. IP is not universal. Unless there's a granted patent in a particular jurisdiction, there's no violation. As for the ethics of IP violation - Just look at the number of IP litigation cases b/n US companies in the US... Come again. Lay people's concept of IP is very different to legal and real life practices.

[perfectlydark]

Most cars have 4 wheels and an engine. If they were invented today no doubt companies would be screaming violation..

[HarryCallahan]

Possibly discounted BlackWolf might come close, and obviously you're getting a known brand and warranty (Torpedo7 right now). The Deuter 28 can be had for close to $100, also Osprey Quantum same.

Though considering $60'ish includes international delivery it's not bad.

This was another model I was looking at, different brand...

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Brand-Me ... 23394.html

Quite a few sellers have that.

[GPSGuided]

This was another model I was looking at, different brand...
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Brand-Me ... 23394.html
Quite a few sellers have that.

US$60? Internally they are selling for CNY178 ie. US$30. And that was the first I came across on Google.
http://item.jd.com/1015317416.html
What can I buy for A$33 in a local store? One Exped waterproof stuff sac?

Last edited by GPSGuided on Tue 01 Oct, 2013 8:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Strider]

Given the amount of OEM there, it's a matter of time before local manufacturers gain enough knowledge to come out with good/best quality stuff. It's just normal economic development. No surprise at all. Forget about IP violation. IP is not universal. Unless there's a granted patent in a particular jurisdiction, there's no violation. As for the ethics of IP violation - Just look at the number of IP litigation cases b/n US companies in the US... Come again. Lay people's concept of IP is very different to legal and real life practices.

A Patent is not required to legally claim damages against a breach of IP. Otherwise legal action would be taken against breach of Patent instead.

[GPSGuided]

A Patent is not required to legally claim damages against a breach of IP. Otherwise legal action would be taken against breach of Patent instead.

Without a patent, there is no enforceable IP, unless the IP was criminally obtained prior to public release. Otherwise, without patent protection (provisional or granted within the jurisdiction), it's public domain once the product is out in the market place. And for all the backpack designs, it doesn't take a genius to see the essence and make the same. Nothing illegal about it. Then there's the whole question of worth to start a litigation. Fact is, the best way to defeat commercial copy cats is to continue to innovate and be at the forefront in the eyes of the consumers. IP protection is often over-rated with these short life-cycle, mass retail consumer products.

[Strider]

Yes a Patent is a mechanism for protecting IP, but does not denote the existence of that IP to begin with.

Anyone contracting manufacture (to anywhere) would be pretty stupid to not include "copycat" clauses within their contracts.

[forest]

Comments about the pack withholding I just thought I would shout out that my one and one only time purchasing via aliexpress would be my all time worst experience with online shopping.
There is no backup at all in any way with fraudulent sellers, any hope of dispute resolution and aliexpress becoming involved will just waste your time and patients. I know eBay has its fair share of vices but at least the few times I've had issues either eBay or PayPal have become involved (eventually)
I don't normally trash out threads like this but like I said, it was a low point for me online shopping. And I love international online shopping and generally have had positive experiences. I thought fellow bushwalkers should know.

[GPSGuided]

Yes a Patent is a mechanism for protecting IP, but does not denote the existence of that IP to begin with.

Absolutely, but, IP is money. If an invention is of no commercial value, then there's no reason to obtain IP protection. Similarly, if an invention's commercial value is lower than the cost of obtaining IP protection (serious dough over 17 years) and potential loss of market, then there's no reason to apply for IP protection. As such, it's public domain and any one is entitled to use the idea. Discussion on IP doesn't even come into it under the circumstance.

The only potentially useful scenario with these short life-cycle consumer products is to obtain provisional patent (at relatively low cost) and use it as a potential delay tactic. But with a product like backpacks, there's hardly anything that's truly patentable, at least claims that can stand up in court. It's futile. As far as that particular backpack is concerned, there's hardly any patentable technology in there. Colour mix and generic shape design of that type are hardly patentable, be all defeated on ground of prior art.

[HarryCallahan]

This was another model I was looking at, different brand...
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Brand-Me ... 23394.html
Quite a few sellers have that.

US$60? Internally they are selling for CNY178 ie. US$30. And that was the first I came across on Google.
http://item.jd.com/1015317416.html
What can I buy for A$33 in a local store? One Exped waterproof stuff sac?

Yeah I know, I did check taobao which is the real 'chinese eBay' (aliexpress is international) and noticed prices in that ball park. I suppose online in China is even cheaper than in store in China, if they're like here.

Can't really trust their quoted shipping price because often sellers charge less for shipping but make up for it in the item price. Obviously the 'free shipping' ones do that!

[HarryCallahan]

Comments about the pack withholding I just thought I would shout out that my one and one only time purchasing via aliexpress would be my all time worst experience with online shopping.
There is no backup at all in any way with fraudulent sellers, any hope of dispute resolution and aliexpress becoming involved will just waste your time and patients. I know eBay has its fair share of vices but at least the few times I've had issues either eBay or PayPal have become involved (eventually)
I don't normally trash out threads like this but like I said, it was a low point for me online shopping. And I love international online shopping and generally have had positive experiences. I thought fellow bushwalkers should know.

I'd prefer you did report your adverse experience, so everyone knows. My one was good but only one.

I did use a seller with good feedback and the reviews are usually from people in Russia and other eastern euro countries, who I imagine are looking for decent outdoor gear.

I wonder was your experience recent? AliExpress say full refunds are given

http://www.aliexpress.com/buyerprotection/index.html

It all appeared good from what I saw but I know that can change pretty quick when the **** does hit the fan. I've been given the run around with Chinese sellers on eBay and know promises (contractual) can mean nothing to them. I'd reckon it's in AliExpress's best interest to do all they can to overcome the bad image of Chinese businesses.