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Post by Scrapper100 on May 2, 2017 1:30:39 GMT
I think I will have try some of these  . |
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motherlemur
Junior Member
Posts: 98 
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Post by motherlemur on May 2, 2017 1:43:02 GMT
O.M.G! I really need to look through Ali Express! I had no idea! I have over $80 in dies in my cart at Lawn Fawn that I have just not been able to pull the trigger on. I've already seen a couple substitutes on that site. This could be real trouble...
Jill
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motherlemur
Junior Member
Posts: 98
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Post by motherlemur on May 2, 2017 2:00:31 GMT
Another question...do they have any stamps that match the dies?
Jill
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on May 2, 2017 2:17:21 GMT
Another question...do they have any stamps that match the dies? Jill I have purchased multiple dies from China/Hong Kong. They seem on par with my US steel dies. I have not looked for matching stamps. However, the stamps manufactured in China/Hong Kong tend to be a lower quality acrylic when compared to the photopolymer most US-based (and I think European-based) companies have switched to. That's not to say you shouldn't look for them, or buy them-- it's just to warn you to be prepared. The acrylic stamps tend to not stamp as nicely as photopolymer or rubber, and it frustrates a lot of stampers. You can try to counter that by using a stamp positioner to allow restamping, or try an ink like Versafine. |
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Post by destined2bmom on May 2, 2017 11:14:13 GMT
Oh, I should have never opened this thread. 😁 Thank you for the enabling and my pocketbook! 😉
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on May 2, 2017 15:15:43 GMT
Well, I made my first Aliexpress purchase on Sunday. On my other message board, someone posted a "Sausage Dog" die that isn't like any I've been able to find anywhere else. And I have a LOT of Dachshund dies. I ordered it and a full length "Singer Treadle Sewing Machine" die to go with it. Funny thing is, it is called a "Knitting Machine"! I have several sewing machine dies but got this one since I was getting the dog die anyway. I liked that it had the entire sewing machine including the treadle. We'll see how long it takes. Most dies here are made in the US but Spellbinders, Gina Marie and a few others are made in China, likely by the same places these are made. I'd rather buy the ones made here but "had" to have that Dachshund die and it doesn't seem to be a copy of one already made here. |
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Post by moraie on May 2, 2017 20:24:09 GMT
Another question...do they have any stamps that match the dies? Jill I have purchased multiple dies from China/Hong Kong. They seem on par with my US steel dies. I have not looked for matching stamps. However, the stamps manufactured in China/Hong Kong tend to be a lower quality acrylic when compared to the photopolymer most US-based (and I think European-based) companies have switched to. That's not to say you shouldn't look for them, or buy them-- it's just to warn you to be prepared. The acrylic stamps tend to not stamp as nicely as photopolymer or rubber, and it frustrates a lot of stampers. You can try to counter that by using a stamp positioner to allow restamping, or try an ink like Versafine. I've tried the stamps from China/Hong Kong, and they are of really, really poor quality. A lot of them aren't even seconds-they're trash. I'd say about 25% of the ones I tried were passable quality, the rest I ended up getting refunded, and I tried about 25 stamps from 7-8 different sellers. Getting refunds was a real pain in the behind, too. They had dirt, bubbles, rips, holes and many would not stamp properly because of the damage. One had some kind of rock like kitty litter throughout the whole sheet. The sellers wanted to "discount" the sheets instead of refunding. Oh--and I bought one set that was planner words, and 50% of the words were misspelled. If you ever have a HAHHOGRAH (mammogram), I have a stamp I'll send your way! |
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Post by scrapaddict702 on May 2, 2017 21:58:48 GMT
A ton of new enamel dot sets have shown up om aliexpress for around $1.67 each. Caught a wild hair and decided to look on eBay and the same sets are there for around $0.75USD. Might have grabbed 18 (3ea of 6 colors) for about $13.50.  Just search enamel dots and arrange price low to high. |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on May 2, 2017 23:16:23 GMT
A ton of new enamel dot sets have shown up om aliexpress for around $1.67 each. Caught a wild hair and decided to look on eBay and the same sets are there for around $0.75USD. Might have grabbed 18 (3ea of 6 colors) for about $13.50. Just search enamel dots and arrange price low to high. Those are next on my shopping list. By which I mean they are already in my eBay cart.  |
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Post by scrapaddict702 on May 2, 2017 23:58:47 GMT
So...apparently you can't have more than 100 things in your cart at AliExpress. Don't ask me how I know.   |
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Post by inksatiablestamper on May 3, 2017 0:44:47 GMT
I love AliExpress. I've purchased some dies from Ebay and they work really well.! I'm addicted to AliExpress LOL
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Post by anniefb on May 3, 2017 6:20:03 GMT
I just caved and bought some dies, washi, enamel dots and stickers from Ali Express. I found some adorable puffy stickers for my niece and some stitched dies that Uve been toying with buying for ages but couldn't justify the cost.
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Post by rhhdk on May 3, 2017 20:38:27 GMT
I buy from an app called Wish, they have a lot of the same as Ali Express. Rescently I bought a leaf-die (3 piece) Before hitting the buy-button I made that 2 because I often cut out a whole sheet of cardstock, and at that price I thought it was worth it, and timesaving
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Post by pas2 on May 4, 2017 9:32:16 GMT
I have purchased multiple dies from China/Hong Kong. They seem on par with my US steel dies. I have not looked for matching stamps. However, the stamps manufactured in China/Hong Kong tend to be a lower quality acrylic when compared to the photopolymer most US-based (and I think European-based) companies have switched to. That's not to say you shouldn't look for them, or buy them-- it's just to warn you to be prepared. The acrylic stamps tend to not stamp as nicely as photopolymer or rubber, and it frustrates a lot of stampers. You can try to counter that by using a stamp positioner to allow restamping, or try an ink like Versafine. I've tried the stamps from China/Hong Kong, and they are of really, really poor quality. A lot of them aren't even seconds-they're trash. I'd say about 25% of the ones I tried were passable quality, the rest I ended up getting refunded, and I tried about 25 stamps from 7-8 different sellers. Getting refunds was a real pain in the behind, too. They had dirt, bubbles, rips, holes and many would not stamp properly because of the damage. One had some kind of rock like kitty litter throughout the whole sheet. The sellers wanted to "discount" the sheets instead of refunding. Oh--and I bought one set that was planner words, and 50% of the words were misspelled. If you ever have a HAHHOGRAH (mammogram), I have a stamp I'll send your way! |
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Post by marg on May 4, 2017 22:00:42 GMT
This is the shop I bought from, but there are literally hundreds out there. The friend who bought some ended up ordering from the shop I ordered washi from in the past, but their store is down right now, so I'm not going to bother linking it: www.ebay.com/sch/1st.vzu/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=They sell a lot more than just dies, so you might want to do a search in the store...you can get markers and other things. FYI, for people interested in the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers, you can get bundles for right around $1 a marker (MSRP is $3.50 each) from overseas as well. Do you know if they're real ZIG markers, or knock-offs? I'm tempted to buy some, but I've heard that there can be fake ones out there that dry up quickly. SaveSave |
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Post by scrapaddict702 on May 4, 2017 23:24:12 GMT
This is the shop I bought from, but there are literally hundreds out there. The friend who bought some ended up ordering from the shop I ordered washi from in the past, but their store is down right now, so I'm not going to bother linking it: www.ebay.com/sch/1st.vzu/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=They sell a lot more than just dies, so you might want to do a search in the store...you can get markers and other things. FYI, for people interested in the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers, you can get bundles for right around $1 a marker (MSRP is $3.50 each) from overseas as well. Do you know if they're real ZIG markers, or knock-offs? I'm tempted to buy some, but I've heard that there can be fake ones out there that dry up quickly. SaveSaveI can't say for certain, but many stationery companies are big (if not bigger) in Asian countries which explains why certain brands can be found here for much cheaper if you buy overseas instead of in the US. I'd order from sellers with a lot of positive reviews and look specifically for reviews related to the item you're interested in buying. In the end...buying anything, domestic or not can be a risk. The upside is that buying through places like eBay protect the buyers so if you do end up with a knockoff, you can dispute the transaction in order to receive a refund. |
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Post by katieanna on May 5, 2017 15:06:43 GMT
Oh, Ladies, where would I be without you? I can't answer that one but I'd probably be a bit richer! I had to check out ebay.com and for a little over $18 I was able to purchase 8 packages of the metal dies, half of them were sets. I love the metal dies but always hesitated because of the cost. I can't believe that I purchased eight packages (including sets) for the same price that one set of dies would cost me. Now that's my kind of enabling!  |
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Post by marg on May 5, 2017 21:26:47 GMT
The upside is that buying through places like eBay protect the buyers so if you do end up with a knockoff, you can dispute the transaction in order to receive a refund. Thanks, I didn't realize I could dispute knock-offs, that's good to know. |
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Post by scrapaddict702 on May 5, 2017 23:06:35 GMT
The upside is that buying through places like eBay protect the buyers so if you do end up with a knockoff, you can dispute the transaction in order to receive a refund. Thanks, I didn't realize I could dispute knock-offs, that's good to know. You can dispute anything that's not as advertised. If something is advertised as genuine and you receive something that clearly isn't, you can dispute it. This goes for name brand things like Samsung/Apple phone batteries or chargers...scrappy things aren't the only things that might claim one thing and deliver another. |
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xhevoice
Shy Member
Posts: 10
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Post by xhevoice on Jun 13, 2017 8:51:31 GMT
So, to level set expectations. Make sure you convert the die sizes to inches and be sure you know the sizes you are purchasing. Of the 30 or so dies from China I purchased all cut with one pass in my Cuttlebug except 2. Both are intricate. One of the 2 cuts all the way with 2-3 passes. the other will not cut all of the butterflies no matter how manybpasses, and I even tried alumninum foil. So, I will contact tge seller.
I purchased 4-5 card overlay dies. Only one, the butterfly die that won't cut all the way, will overlay a card front. The other dies are rather small. I could make them work by using with a dry embossing folder, but I was very disappointed in the size.
I purchased a die set that looked familiar, but I couldn't remember where I saw it. Turns out it's a knockoff of my favorite things blue print happy birthday balloon card. All pieces in that die set are usable, except the card front, it is too small to be useful.
I will probably not purchase anymore, unless it is a die that catches my eye and I don't want to use my Cricut Explore Air to cut. Easier to use manual dies with my scraps.
Overall, aside from the long wait, those die factories are probably the same ones Sizxix, Spellbinders and many other big name companies use.
I ordered some clear stamps. Check the description to see if they are photopolymer. I haven't had the same problems with stamps another user described, but I only ordered 2. I have one set, that I haven't stamped yet, and the other one is a jillibean.
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xhevoice
Shy Member
Posts: 10
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Post by xhevoice on Jun 13, 2017 9:01:56 GMT
Wait, I just rechecked my stamps. The clear stamps are thinner and smell weird, they are from China. Then I purchased unmounted rubber stamps from an American that are a piece of crap. The seller only responded after I gave her a negative review. I am more disappointed in the rubber stamps. They don't have foam or pictures on them. Looks like someone made the stamps in thier garage. Not even professionally cut.
At least the Chinese clear stamps are factory made, clean, nicely packaged and what they claimed.
I'd post pics, but it wants an image url, doesn't allow me to upload them.
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Post by pas2 on Jun 13, 2017 11:29:01 GMT
I keep a cm ruler with a piece of washi on it marking the inch marks handy. That way when I check the size I can quickly see it's comparison in inches. I have only had one that required multiple passes.
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Post by threegirls on Jun 13, 2017 15:00:24 GMT
I bought three dies from China. The shipping time really wasn't too bad. I think it was three weeks.
Of the three, one didn't cut all the way through. It is very intricate. I just put a very thin piece of paper under it and then it cut like butter. I am happy with the dies. I never would have known about them if it hadn't been for the Peas.
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