Thanks! I've just learned something, because I've never shopped Ebay, and there may be a whole new world out there...!
I didn't learn about it till I had lived in Mexico for years. Some tips: Always use Paypal. It's really easy. I always use "Buy it Now" and pay the fixed price. The bidding process is really hard to succeed in, the way it's structured, and you have to spend too much time watching it. If you don't receive an item within 30 days, open a "case". If you wait too long, your time to open a case will expire and there's nothing you can do about it. The vendors are really, really afraid of getting a bad feedback, or even a mediocre feedback from you. I'm actually waiting for 6 items from Ebay right now. I'm addicted.
It has added security and guarantees and it is becoming so widely accepted. In fact, many vendors won't sell any other way. Ebay actually owns Paypal. In anothe thread, I explained how I transfer money from my American bank, through Paypal, to my Mexican Paypal account and to my Mexican Bank, in 4 days with minimal cost. So, I'm pretty sold on Paypal.
OK, thanks, Tristan! Now, could you have a look at the "SIMI" thread, where I have another question for you!
I buy things from china as well using dhgate.com, aliexpress.com and tinydeal.com - the shipping is always free. The last two orders I placed were for 10 iphone 5 cases, which took 5 weeks, and a specialist thing for my car which took 3 weeks. Both were shipped to my work address. Customer service has always been great as well.
All the Chinese sellers on Ebay are actually from these companies or ones similar. I just feel safer buying through Ebay cause you can't lose.
