Taobaobuying,Dear Celine,Chess Story,69th Department,BouBou,Kidsyoyo,HMHM,R Series,Fox Cherry Review
I usually order with Taobaospree. I have never had a problem with them. But I wanted to try something different. I ordered from Taobaobuying.com this time. Their review is as follows :
Their site is easy to navigate. It does have annoying music (I'm sure you can turn it off though, somewhere) which may irritate some people. The order form is much easier than Taobaospree. You simply enter your items into a block on the site, you don't have to fill out an excel, they do that for you once you have ordered.
Items ordered: December 16th
Items Arrived: March 6th (this is due to custom orders and slower shops )
Communication: 5/5, Popeye was my agent, he answered my questions very quickly during their business hours, and let me know about items that were out of stock, items that I may like that were similar to the out of stock items, price differences, etc. English was on par with taobaospree. he understood most of my questions and I understood his answers.
Fees: 10% plus the domestic shipping, Taobaospree is also 10%, I will give them 4/5 for fees as I believe single SS will charge less, I just have never worked with a single person before.
Edit: Adding in a small shipping note: Taobaobuying uses EMS, they gave me a tracking number, and they told me the weight. I do not remember how much they claimed on the box, but I was not charged for any custom fees (US shipment)
Packaging: 5/5 in my experience, I saw Taobaobuying as being the best packaging I've found. I've had some really thrown together boxes from taobaospree. Picture follows:
Now you may ask yourself, is that a tiny dog, or is that a huge box. Answer: THE DOG IS MEDIUM SIZED.
All items were packaged individually with care. One plastic bag had a rip, but no damage (individual bags are probably from the stores themselves, not taobaobuying).
For my first time dealing with Taobaobuying, I really enjoyed it. They were prompt, courteous, and willing to let me exchange out of stock items I had already paid for, towards other items in the middle of my order. I would order from them again in the future.
Items
I will start with accessories.
Fox Cherry:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103Lwo6.3-3s99B.h-1HDJpD&id=13457357803&
very warm, lots of stretch, soft fabric, fit nicely.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103Lwo6.3-3s99B.h-1HDJpD&id=13140607833&
Cute clip, the bow is velvet, the seal itself is not very detailed up close, but cute from afar, hot glued onto clip
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103Lwo6.3-3s99B.h-1HDJpD&id=12384394286&
velvet bow, cluny lace, netting is soft and finished on the end, though I wish they would finish the outer edges too, will need to be steamed to get the wrinkles out.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13456673055&ad_id=&am_id=&cm_id=&pm_id= (I ordered like 3 of these collars and I had to switch a few because some were sold out, not sure if this is the correct link for the black one)
The faux fur is very soft and fluffy, it is held together by a plastic snap, lining is nice. Cluny lace on velvet bow.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103Lwo6.3-3s99B.h-1HDJpD&id=13456766329&
Long, feathery type of faux fur. Also has a weird lining that doesn't show on the site. Cluny lace, cute charm.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103Lwo6.3-3s99B.h-1HDJpD&id=13141543615&
The shorter faux fur (not feathery), velvet bows with little wing charms, cluny lace on band.
Accessories from that store I forgot the name of:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=11022ktI.3-3vhq.h-FiLp&id=10432361094&
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=11022ktI.3-3vhq.h-FiLp&id=10429696168&
Cute necklace and bracelet. They aren't really a set because the beads are different shapes, but I think they go ok together. Some kind of polymer for the roses.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1102756m.3-L5LZ.h-dWJzV&id=5382450012&
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1102756m.3-L5LZ.h-dWJzV&id=12646437812&
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1102756m.3-L5LZ.h-dWJzV&id=13239354005&
Not sure why I bought the mini hat. Maybe because mini hats are awesome. The bow is soft and the swan charm is really cute. Simple clip/pin combo on backs, hot glued together.
R-Series and Chess Story:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1101_2fy.3-1sze2.h-zYT8l&id=8303169748&
has that 'feathery' faux fur. Really lovely faux leather and the charm is very nice. I have one other pair of gloves from them that are very tight, these however feel much better. Also come in a cute box.
Chess Story
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103wEIN.3-4JFfJ.h-4g7qJy&id=13189816473&
Soft lace, ribbons could be finished nicer, the cream color is really pretty and the pearls and charms are very cute.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103wEIN.3-4JFfJ.h-4g7qJy&id=12641216357&
soft lace, the elastic is a little wonky, but the bows are stable and the pearls are cute.
Classical Puppets:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1101*ixu.3-9wEK.h-2gHzN&id=3401713800&
This is a picture of the huge hole it had when I pulled it out of the bag... I sewed it up for the rest of the pictures, but I thought these guys had the best pettis?
So this is what it looks like... I'm not sure how to fix it. It's lumpy and way too short, I didn't realize it was so short. Is there something I can do? I want it to be even and longer, it hits about 4-6 inches above the end of all my skirts (this is my only a-line petti) so I'm not sure what to do with it. In all my clothing pictures coming up I've used the petti underneath everything, and I think it looks like crap. But I'm a noob so maybe I'm supposed to do something to it first. Needless to say, I was really disappointed in this. I would not buy from them again.
Edit: The site has a measure of 42 cm long (which is what I was expecting) but this measures at 35-37 cm long, hence why I was surprised at the shortness.
Clothing
I always order everything custom sized. I send in a body chart with my order, and everything labeled in CM to help. I have always been really happy with custom sizing, even though I have to pay more for their time.
Dear Celine
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=110Dcyi.3-7K_H.h-1G4Sd&id=10003476947&_u=m1r7mh788a0
Somehow I ordered this (they were out of the blouse I really wanted I think) without realizing it has pink buttons. I'll just have to replace those. The fabric is really cute eyelet fabric. It does not fit the dummy as well as it fits me, I'm very happy with the fit and the fabric. (I only buttoned the bust to show no gaps, it also fits my body better than the dummy as the back waist on the dummy isn't correct)
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=110Dcyi.3-7K_H.h-1G4Sd&id=12700075464&
I love this blouse. The fit is perfect, and I had no standing collar blouses until this shipment. The front yoke is just really perfect for what I wanted. It also came with a big neck bow. The buttons are silver and have little bows. It has a side zipper as well.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=110Dcyi.3-7K_H.h-1G4Sd&id=13765308567&
I really love this dress. The velvet accents have a soft shimmer and the brocade is really pretty. The halter straps are velvet as well. This also has the CP petti underneath.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=110Dcyi.3-7K_H.h-1G4Sd&id=4237269177&
They are very soft, and warm. Lined for extra warmth.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=110Dcyi.3-7K_H.h-1G4Sd&id=13874143487&
You've probably looked up from your monitor and said 'Holy sweet jesus, is that corduroy?
Eyes back here: Yes, it is. Three tiers of silk ruffles in a kind of overskirt back, red lacing. It's fantastic.
HMHM
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=11022h4O.3-ifiB.h-4b7IS&id=7842853012&
This is a soft knit and the lace/collar is really soft and lovely. I really was happy to wait for this (I think this may be an MMM rep? I didn't know when I bought it, but I saw something really similar from MMM afterwards, dunno) it has long sleeves with really cute cuffs as well.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=11022h4O.3-ifiB.h-4b7IS&id=10135372534&
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=11022h4O.3-ifiB.h-4b7IS&id=10135848676&
I have wanted this skirt since I saw it. It is a really thick and heavy (almost canvas like) textured fabric, it's really lovely. The pleats need to be pressed, and I'm not sure if the CP petti is helping the look at all. The lace and little bows on the ends are also really delicate and nice.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=11022h4O.3-ifiB.h-4b7IS&id=5278180256&
Really happy with this bolero. The knit is not super stretchy because it is thick, which I like. The sleeve caps are really cute, and the lace and ruffles are nice as well.
Kidsyoyo:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=11020yxW.3-1_4Qw.h-QwriP&id=12775383441
I loved this dress when I saw it on the site. The fit is off, they didn't pull up the arm holes for some reason, it gaps on me at the armpits, but It's not a huge deal, the bust fits well as does the waist. The fabric is light for spring time, and the skirt is HUGE. I'm not sure how to fill up the whole skirt so it doesn't fold, I'm sure I can stack something, maybe my bell from DC and the CP petti. The pintucks are lovely, the bodice details are great. I don't really like the 'gold glitter' dots on the print, seems like they will flake off, but that's ok. Edit : You can really see how short and lumpy the CP petti is underneath this dress, the stock photo of this dress has an a-line, which is why I bought the petti in the first place :\
BouBou:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1102aavC.1-2he70.b-3dG64m&id=8125767572
This is the only item I could not custom size. However, Popeye let me know that the seller said it would fit my measurements anyway. It it a thick knit with some of that feathery fake fur around the collar and really cute button up back. Just three buttons on the back of the neck I mean.
69th Department:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1101*FMR.3-9S2mT.h-4gFMA8&id=7632457421&
Yes, I've read your mind, more amazing corduroy. This is the most ill-fitting of all the custom orders. The neck is very tight and it is tight in the shoulders. It's not a horrible fit, but the rest of the shops did a better job with the sizing. At least it fits in the bust.
I didn't check seams or finishes. I'll go over the items more carefully, but on first inspection nothing is amiss with the construction. The variety of fabrics was really impressive to me. I am really happy with this order and the SS, aside from the CP petti, but maybe someone has an idea to make it not retard mode.
Thanks for your time.
final edit : Seams and seam finishes are all done nicely. The invisible zips catch when they hit a seam line, but that is just something that use will fix. Some lose threads, to be expected as well. The HMHM headdress has the handstitching visible on the back of the bow, while not professional, it was kind of nice to see the handstitching haha (even though I wouldn't have finished my product as such, makes it look a little rushed). The print on the Kidsyoyo actually stops about 1/2 an inch away from each side seam. It's uniform, but I don't like the white gap (I can upload pictures if needed). My last crticism on the construction is the HMHM black drop neck knit blouse has regular serging thread in the bottom hem (where the ruffles are) instead of a 'wooly nylon' serging thread, which is a thread used to stretch like elastic. So when you put it over your head it's hard not to stretch/pop the serging thread on the bottom, which is something that is a huge pet peeve of mine.
Custom fit is great, except for the gaps on the kidsyoyo jsk which will have to be fixed, and the tightness of the 69th department blouse, which I'll just have to deal with.
Lowest quality pieces include the hotglued hair accessories, and the Kidsyoyo jsk for materials. the Dear celine and HMHM fabric choices are what I would expect for the prices, i really love the textured heavy fabric of the HMHM skirt, and the knits they used are really nice and not too thin or stretchy.
FINAL EDIT: In reference to the HMHM skirt: The fabric is terrible to work with. It wrinkles just by staring at it (even after ironing it thoroughly) and because of this I have not been able to wear it out confidently, because as soon as I begin to walk around, dents and wrinkles start showing up on the skirt. I would not recommend this skirt to anyone because of this. I believe the fabric is too heavy for a spray starch to solve this problem. It is also a lint magnet, and because of the slight cream color, almost always looks stained due to picking up lint and dust wherever it happens to be (aka hanging in my closet it just looks dirty :\)