Ordering toys on ebay from china

[Crazypetlady]

Hi I am looking on ebay for toys and things for ds 22weeks . Has anybody ordered toys from china on ebay for christmas and were you impressed with the quality? The shipping takes a while so I don't want to buy it only to have to rush out and buy more.
Thanks

[WeAllHaveWings]

honestly I wouldn't bother. I've used Aliexpress a few times and its been false economy.

Minecraft plush toys were ok, a champions league football was ok albeit a bit heavier than UK footballs. A pair of footie boots for ds were so cheap he couldn't wear them safely, also got a footie shirt which looked good and has adidas tags but it scratches when wearing so he doesn't anymore. Returns to China will be at your cost and sending back through customs difficult if you declare the value over £15.

China is very hit and miss, for young children's toys I wouldn't as I would be too wary of the quality mainly for safety reasons (sharp edges, chocking hazards, cheap pigments in plastics etc).

[MrsDeathOfRats]

I order heaps of stuff from China on eBay. But I only order small things.
Stickers, hair stuff, little stocking filler toys, bracelets, etc
These are often quite poor quality but I pay mere pennies so can't complain!

DP just ordered a torch that he paid £10 for and it's clear that it just isn't made properly and doesn't work.

[Nonnainglese]

I wouldn't because of health and safely, their standards are pretty shoddy.

[FartemisOwl]

Personally, I wouldn't order any toys for small children that have come from China via EBay just for safety reasons. They don't have the same regulations as us and some have been found to contain harmful substances in the past. I just wouldn't risk it.

[ninna29]

TBH I find it a bit hit and miss. I had a brainwave last year of buying presents from ebay (most of which came from China) and had to rebuy and bulk out the presents as what I got really wasn't all that good, think bad poundshop toys :(. To me that seemed a false economy so this year I have started early and used shop promotions like 3 for £20 and discounts etc. However, my sister seems to find all sorts of great stuff on ebay, so maybe you are a lucky finder like her lol.

[VulcanWoman]

When it's cheap there's usually someone paying in blood, sweat and tears, some of their factories have suicide nets and children tied up because the workers can't afford childcare.

[DingbatsFur]

I bought some plush minecraft toys last year and they were great. Just like the ones for sale in the toy shop.
This year I've ordered minifigures and stocking stuffers, as well as another minecraft plush and two minecraft swords. I would not order anything electrical or that they might put in their mouth.

[Crazypetlady]

Thank you for all the responses if I were to buy would stick to safer things but I have now been put off anyway.Thanks Vulcan I wasn't aware of this how sad. I will look more in the Uk and europe as I think they have similar safety standards and are more ethical

[DingbatsFur]

I suspect a lot of toys sold by the major manufacturers are made in China anyhow, I was under the impression that buying directly from the manufacturer just cuts out the middle man.
Poor wee kids though :(

[VulcanWoman]

I know, is it really too much to ask to have an in house creche for the workers, the owners should be ashamed.

[FeelingSmurfy]

I wouldn't buy anything for a child of that age who will put things in their mouth.

I would buy a few things for older kids but nothing electrical or flammable (teddies, clothes etc).

Things like origami paper, bracelet, hair slides, stationary I would buy

Yes the UK stuff we buy has probably come from China but its also been safety checked and has to meet certain standards

[Stompylongnose]

I buy stuff from China because my children aren't at the stage of mouthing toys.

[MARGUERITE18]

Lots of it is carcinogenic, fire hazzard or full of bacteria

[Crazypetlady]

Thank you , going to stick to the U.K , there are some good deals on ebay /facebook and in the shops anyway

[LibidinousSwine]

As PP's have said I wouldn't risk it for a young child. However 11yo DS has a plush Enderman from China to poke out the top of his stocking which cost me all of £2- in fairly certain he's past the age of chewing toys and I can't see it will cause any harm perched on a shelf

[FeelingSmurfy]

Crazypetlady I'm glad, I hate that all of the deal websites, Facebook pages etc keep sharing these as bargains and I see hundreds of people saying they have ordered.

I'd rather a child go without than be put at risk, the price they end up paying may be far bigger

[Crazypetlady]

I agree feeling I have decided top buy some bits secon hand from ebay/facebook selling groups this year ds won't now plus help the planet a bit with all the plastic. Its a lot safer and lower costs.

[MARGUERITE18]

Watch the Jeremy Kyle special dispatches type show about fakes being dangerous due to not passing laws- lots contain hazardous chemicals. Also someone I know in the USA got a frozen dress for dd from ebay china seller, the dress turned her DD's skin blue and she got a rash!