Cheaper Versus More Expensive! Things to note when buying on Taobao and other shopping sites!

Those who had shopped on Taobao will know that for the same item, there could be a range of price and brands. They can all look the same (with same descriptions and photos) but differs in price.

I've bought 2 bags that looked exactly the same on Taobao (with same description and photos), but of different brand and price. One of them cost ~SG$26 (after shipment) and the other ~$20 (after shipment). I'll admit, I actually wanted to get both the bags from the $20 store but they've ran out of the colour I wanted! But it's a blessing in disguise, I actually got a better quality bag from another store!

When I received them, I realised why the SG$26 one was more expensive... Now I'd do some comparison and you can see for yourself.

*Note: All photos are not edited. So the picture quality might not be as good. I apologise in advance.

Both bags have similar dimension, 38cm x 27cm x 12cm.

Can you guess which is the more expensive bag?

Yes, it's the one on the right, the Blue/Grey one!

See the differences? Anyway, let's go into the details ...


Material and Weight

The more expensive bag is made from water-proof nylon while the cheaper one is from water-poof canvas.

The cheaper bag is slightly lighter than the more expensive bag and that is due to the difference in material.



Carrying Strap 

This is actually the most important factor that I look for (and I guess many) when it comes to bigger bags such as these - The strap must be durable and comfortable so that your shoulders wouldn't hurt so much after long hours of carrying.

Left: More expensive Bag, Right: Cheaper Bag

The thickness of the strap doesn't look too different on the front. Perhaps some might even like the one on the right (the cheaper bag) a little more due to the design.

However, when it comes to the bottom of that strap, it becomes obvious, who is better. The one on the left is that of the more expensive one and it much thicker, softer and more comfortable. The strap of the cheaper one is more stiff and uncomfortable. The strap on the more expensive one is also more sweat proof.

Left: More expensive Bag, Right: Cheaper Bag

This is the strap that connects to the bottom of the bag. The more expensive bag (top) has a much thicker strap.

Top: More expensive Bag, Bottom: Cheaper Bag

The cheaper bag have a somehow weird design for adjusting the length of the carrying strap. It's made in such a way that you've to pull UPWARDS to adjust and I can tell you, it's quite annoying because, it usually won't budge! I very much perhaps the design on the more expensive bag, which you just need a slight downwards tug to adjust the strap.

Top: More expensive Bag, Bottom: Cheaper Bag

Hooks, Zips and other "joints"

Both bags have zips that work smootthly. However, the zips on the more expensive bag is of much better quality.

Top: More expensive Bag, Bottom: Cheaper Bag

 Left: More expensive Bag, Right: Cheaper Bag

The leather clipper on the bags... I guess you can see on your own. The one on the more expensive bag is thicker and feels much more sturdy.

Left: More expensive Bag, Right: Cheaper Bag

Left: More expensive Bag, Right: Cheaper Bag

Left: More expensive Bag, Right: Cheaper Bag

Left: More expensive Bag, Right: Cheaper Bag

Workmanship

Workmanship on both bags are quite good. However, the one on the cheaper bag have slightly more flaws like the velcro on one of the compartment is not properly aligned. I know this kind of nitpicking but I don't see such an obvious one in the other bag.

Gifts

The cheaper bag does come with a free gift but not the more expensive one.

Well, that's my comparison of 2 similar bags from Taobao with a few dollars (~SG$7) different! Which would you prefer? Do you think the more expensive bag is worth the price different?

Disappointment

I've been away for quite sometime. Now, I'm back, feeling tired and whipped.

Why?

I've been active on a writing site. It's a pay-to-write/read kind of site that pays points to the users. The points are then converted into cash. Minimum payout is $10 for some payment processors.

I won't mentioned the name of the site, although I'm quite sure some of you could guess it.

Anyway, something unpleasant happened on the site... It's more of like a different point of view that well, you can't say anyone is wrong.

Basically the site has quite some bugs, some get solved but there are a few that are reoccurring. Or rather to put it bluntly, never solved.

Communication were never there ... almost everything that were feedback/asked to the admin team were ignored. Problems continue to occur and many get frustrated. Some even went to leave negative reviews on other sites. (To be honest, those reviews are mostly stating facts, with maybe one or two exceptions)

Then came someone who would like to clear up all the negatives - I don't really know in what sense does he mean negatives. He said that if you write something negative about something, you need to include something positive about it too.

Hmm ... I understand that a review needs to be balance and as neutral as possible, so yes, I do agree with him. But he seems to skew towards that "the users are not grateful". I kept getting this feeling that if you write about a problem you found on that site, you're automatically categorize as "negative" and "ungrateful".

So I went in and gave my point of view, which seems to be unpopular. I don't know why... perhaps I just don't have enough understanding about humans ... I just came from the point of view of a user which is opposite to his.

He got aggressive and even try to imply that I owe the site (huh?!), so I told him I'll not respond anymore.


Basically I see a cycle, perhaps he never see. The admin doesn't want to communicate and hence many users left in anger and confusion. Some of them assume the site is broken or even closing down due to the lack of respond and long standing problems. They left after such unpleasant experience and naturally would not have a positive opinion about the site!

I believe the "negatives" would remain until the questions are answered or at least some form of communication is made.