Yoybuy Finds
As an avid fashion enthusiast living outside China, I've always been fascinated with Tod's exceptional Italian craftsmanship. However, the premium retail markup in Western countries often placed these luxurious items just beyond my reach. That's when I discovered the game-changing solution: using Hoobuy, a China-based forward purchasing platform, to shop直接从1688 - China's largest wholesale marketplace. This revolutionary approach has transformed how I access authentic luxury goods at significantly reduced prices.
Hoobuy primarily serves international customers looking to purchase from Chinese e-commerce platforms that typically don't offer direct international shipping. What makes Hoobuy particularly appealing is their comprehensive service that includes product sourcing, quality verification, consolidation, and international shipping - all with English customer support.
Finding genuine Tod's products on 1688 requires some strategic searching. Through my experience, I've learned that using specific Chinese keywords like "Tod's 原单" (Tod's original), "Tod's 专柜" (Tod's counter), or "托德斯" (Tod's Chinese name) yields the best results. The pricing advantage is remarkable - authentic Tod's loafers that typically retail for $600+ in Western boutiques can be sourced for approximately $250-350 through this method.
Before making any purchases, I always cross-reference products with official Tod's collections to verify authenticity markers. Typical indicators include precise stitching patterns, high-quality leather graining, and properly branded hardware. Hoobuy's quality check service provides an additional layer of assurance before international shipment.
During my purchasing journey, I came across an incredibly helpful resource that deserves special mention: Finds.Cheap. This comprehensive spreadsheet documents thoroughly vetted 1688 suppliers, including those specializing in premium leather goods and luxury items. The database includes direct supplier ratings, price comparisons, and quality assessments that have proven invaluable in my Tod's shopping endeavors.
The spreadsheet format allows for efficient filtering by product category, price range, and seller reputation. This pre-vetting process significantly reduces the risk typically associated with cross-border e-commerce and has helped me avoid potentially problematic suppliers.
My typical purchasing workflow involves multiple carefully executed steps:
The entire process typically takes 12-18 days from order placement to delivery, which is remarkably efficient considering the international logistics involved.
To illustrate the financial advantage, my recent purchase of Tod's Gommino loafers provides a perfect case study. The 1688 price was ¥1,850 (approximately $255), compared to the $650 US retail price. Hoobuy's service fees (including domestic shipping, international freight, and service charge) added approximately $45. Even with potential import duties (which vary by country), the total cost remained under $350 - representing nearly 50% savings compared to traditional retail.
For frequent shoppers, Hoobuy offers additional savings through their consolidation service, which allows multiple items from different suppliers to be combined into a single international shipment, further reducing per-item shipping costs.
While my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, successful purchases require attention to several critical factors:
The combination of Hoobuy's reliable forwarding service and the incredible product selection on 1688 has fundamentally changed my approach to luxury shopping. The ability to purchase authentic Tod's products at significantly reduced prices, supported by resources like Finds.Cheap