Importing a tent from China?

[Kags1969]

I have been looking at the Fiberglass RTT options and also playing with the idea of importing a RTT via Alibaba directly from China. The price is looking like $1200 shipped vs $2500 for a Bigfoot, $3000+ for Magiolina or James Baroud. I understand that there will be a difference in quality and that I will be on my own for repairs.

Has anyone here besides the major resellers done this?

I understand the "cheap chinese junk" argument, but also carried an Iphone for a long time and can't tell you how many chinese produced items I have in my house... It seems like if you can source from one of the larger manufacturers that the risk is fairly low. Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Kags1969]

It sounds like you are trying to justify your purchase based on the fact that you carry an iPhone. Your phone and the technology behind it was created by the hard work and risks taken by scientists, geeks, nerds employed by North American companies. These North American companies employ your neighbors, children and others across the continent. Feel free to save your money. You will need it when you lose your job. Am I being harsh.... you betcha.

So the RTT that I'm looking at are manufactured in South Africa, Italy and China... I don't carry an Iphone anymore, but there are no phones manufactured in the US. Do you drive an American car?

 

[Airmapper]

Why import it? If your buying a made in China tent, get something like a Smittybilt that is already here, dropped on your doorstep within a week. I think I've even seen some on Ebay that are retailed here in the us for at or under $1000.

I got my Smittybilt for well under $1000. More like under $800, and free shipping.

 

[Kags1969]

Why import it? If your buying a made in China tent, get something like a Smittybilt that is already here, dropped on your doorstep within a week. I think I've even seen some on Ebay that are retailed here in the us for at or under $1000.

I got my Smittybilt for well under $1000. More like under $800, and free shipping.

Thanks for the good question. The hard shells are more like $2500 (Bigfoot is the one I am seeing) unless you can point me to a less expensive one. If I could find one for $1500-1700 it would be enroute... or even better if I could find a used Magiolina or JB for a good price I would go that way... (and may)...

 

[ennored]

Road trip?

http://wv.craigslist.org/rvs/5792523550.html

Older, but cheap. Looks like they evolved into: http://www.coloradocampervan.com/top-bunk

 

[EmersonHart13]

Be sure you know your fees, there will be several that are hard to compute until you actually do it or know someone that has done it. Don't trust the guy selling to you to know everything about your side and to be accurate about it.

You are probably looking at 2 months before you see it.

And if something is wrong, you are kinda screwed... The only way to get good service is to buy a lot of tents.

I recently bought a RTT and it was damaged during shipping, if I had gone the route you did I probably would have been screwed... Thankfully the retailer covered me.

Morale of the story, think it through 4 times over first.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

BTW, most Chinese producers/shippers require a minimum number of units to be ordered together, it has been discussed before on here and not really worth it for many reasons.

 

[Box Rocket]

Taxes/customs fees will most definitely change your all-in cost and in almost every case makes it not worth it. Another factor that many don't consider is warranty claims. What is the process of getting replacement parts when necessary, or even a full replacement if there is a defect that requires a full replacement? Even if the company you plan to purchase from does have the resources and the parts available, there is the time it takes to get the parts to you from overseas as well as the cost involved.
Like has been mentioned, this discussion comes up every month or two and what appears like a really good deal hcan have it's drawbacks since quality is in question and then you factor in the other things I mentioned and the deal can quickly become not worth the hassle when compared to just ordering from an established and trusted company here in the states that will not only handle your purchase but take care of you quickly after the purchase too if the need arises.

 

[paranoid56]

i say go for it, i have bought many things from there all with great success. from a single piece to a half a container.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

I got my awning from China (Sunday Campers) in spring and so far so good. I snapped some knuckles a few months ago, but they should be identical to the Foxwing knuckles, but I temporarily fixed it with some Rhino Rack knuckles (sourced within days and not weeks for the real Foxwing ones). But it's not the awnings fault, they also have the same susptibility of breaking in high winds then a "cheap" Chinese one. I did order my awning from China because I wanted that style, the only other option was directly from Australia, so support wouldn't change much, except my price with shipping was the Oz price sans...and for some flexible knuckles out of a company also down under that I wouldn't mind trying, but they want $80 to ship 6 pieces about the size of my thumb that cost $10 each....

However, a plus for the Chinese company, is that I talked to them about the walls for my awning. I wanted to see if they can invert the doors on the inside wall, which would be more convenient to open, but from the top down, so when open, it would cover the gap under the vehicle for wind and rain, while still having access inside. They came back with an OK, so I'll probably make that order in the new year, but I wonder if other companies are as able and willing to make such custom requests.