As a sneaker enthusiast living outside China, accessing the vast inventory of Taobao has always been a dream, fraught with logistical nightmares. Language barriers, payment issues, and international shipping obstacles often stood in the way. That was until I discovered Orientdig, a Chinese proxy and purchasing agent platform designed to bridge this exact gap. My recent mission? To snag a pair of the coveted Nike SB Blazer Mid sneakers, a model highly popular on Taobao for its colorways and prices. This is a detailed account of my experience, aiming to provide a fresh perspective on using such a service.
Why Choose a Service Like Orientdig?
Unlike direct international e-commerce sites, Taobao's primary market is domestic. Platforms like Orientdig act as your personal shopper. They provide you with a local Chinese address for shipping from the Taobao seller, consolidate your packages, handle customs documentation, and finally forward them to your country. For items like limited-edition sneakers or products with significant regional price differences, this is a game-changer. Orientdig, in particular, stood out for its user-friendly English interface and transparent fee structure, breaking down the infamous "Great Firewall" of Chinese e-commerce for global buyers.
The Hunting and Ordering Process
My journey began with research. I had a specific Nike SB Blazer colorway in mind. Instead of browsing Taobao directly initially, I used a fantastic resource I found: https://finds.cheap/. This external link leads to a well-curated spreadsheet detailing various products, including sneakers, with direct Taobao links and sometimes even price comparisons. It was invaluable for finding reputable sellers and the best deals without needing to read Chinese. Once I found my target listing, I copied the product URL.
On Orientdig's website, I pasted the Taobao link into their order form. The system automatically pulled in the product details, images, and options (size, color). I confirmed the price in Chinese Yuan (CNY), selected my preferred shipping method (air freight with tracking), and paid the total cost—which included the product price, domestic Chinese shipping to Orientdig's warehouse, their service fee, and the estimated international shipping cost. Payment was smooth, accepting major international credit cards and PayPal, a huge advantage over platforms that only accept Alipay.
From Warehouse to My Doorstep
The wait began. I received notifications when the seller shipped the item and, crucially, when Orientdig's warehouse in China received it. They provided photos of the received package, a service known as "quality check," allowing me to verify the shoe box condition before international shipment. This step is crucial for avoiding disputes later. After confirmation, they professionally repacked the shoes, removing excess retail packaging to minimize volumetric weight for shipping—a pro move that saved me money.
The international transit took about 10 days. I was provided with a tracking number that worked with my local postal service once the package cleared customs. The entire process, from clicking "buy" on Orientdig to unboxing the pristine Nike SB Blazers, took just under three weeks. The sneakers were exactly as described, authentic, and the total cost, even with all fees, was notably lower than reseller prices in my home country.
Final Reflections and Tips
Using Orientdig for this purchase was remarkably straightforward. The key to a successful proxy shopping experience lies in leveraging resources like the Finds.cheap spreadsheet