Shopping Guides for Smart Shopping

Barter Register E-Wallet, Apply for US Visa Virtual Card

This article mainly reveals how to use the Barter e-wallet to apply for a US Visa virtual credit card! Flutterwave is a leading third-party electronic payment platform in Africa, founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, USA. The company has two main products: Rave for businesses and the Barter e-wallet for individuals. Both products offer virtual credit card functionality, but Rave has not yet opened up to Chinese users. I registered and uploaded my passport, but it didn't pass verification. Barter was tested successfully, and here's what is currently known: You can register with a Chinese mobile number and pass verification with a Chinese ID card, but this type of account cannot be topped up, even with a US card. It directly prompts: Charge not yet supported for country CN. Some users have reported that with a Chinese mobile number and Chinese ID, the web version can be topped up using a US credit card. I tested it, and it indeed works. It is said that the web version can also be topped up with a Chinese credit card, but I personally think it's risky. Some experts indicate that topping up with a non-US credit card will lock the account and prevent card issuance. Registering with a US mobile number and verifying with a Chinese passport allows you to top up using a US card, such as 553232 The BIN is 405640, which is a DEBIT type PREPAID card. You can create two virtual credit cards simultaneously, recharge them repeatedly, and delete them only 24 hours after creation. There is no card issuance fee. You can top up using a Debit Card or a US online bank account. The billing address is the same: 333 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. If the platform you are paying on has AVS, you must use this 94105. If there is no AVS, you can use any address. You can start a Netflix trial, but it does not support Airbnb. Some have reported it doesn't support Amazon, neither seller nor buyer accounts. I don't deal with Amazon, so I can't test it. Barter Registration Barter supports web registration and registration via the APP, which is available for Apple and Android phones. Search for GetBarter when downloading; GetBarter is the name of the software. It is recommended to use an iPhone because the recharge and delete buttons for the sub-card were not displayed on my Huawei phone but worked normally on an iPhone. I initially planned to register directly using the mobile APP, but on the iPhone 6s, the default country code was +1 and couldn't be changed to China's +86, as shown in the image: It seems this company's mobile APP was launched without thorough testing, as the Android version also has quite a few issues. Fortunately, there is a web version, soopen the website to register, as shown: Clicking "Create account" from a Chinese IP address had no response. Switching to a US IP address solved the problem. However, a new issue arose: I didn't receive the verification code on my phone, nor did I see the WHATSAPP LINK mentioned in the prompt, as shown: I ignored it and tried logging in directly via the web, only to see the following prompt, which seems to support phone verification: But unfortunately, no call came through either. It seemed I had to switch to the mobile APP, but the result was the same as the web version—no SMS verification code and no incoming call. Checking the registration process, I realized I hadn't added +86 when entering the phone number. This might be why I didn't receive the SMS or call. So, I re-registered. This time, I still didn't receive the SMS, but I did receive a call from Nigeria. After successful registration, I logged in directly via the mobile APP. After logging in, it prompted me to top up. I selected "I'll do this later" to enter the wallet main interface. Topping up without verification is risky because you cannot create cards or transfer funds without verification. First, verify your identity. Click "Profile" in the bottom right corner of the app, then select "Verify your Identity". Users in mainland China can use a Passport, Driver's License, Identity Card, or China Visa for verification. I used the mainland ID card that everyone has. You need to take photos of the front and back of the ID card and a selfie. Adjust the distance while taking photos; the app will automatically capture and upload them. The verification was approved in less than a minute after uploading the photos, indicating it's not manual review. Barter Top-Up Now you can safely top up. Click "Add Money" in the top left corner of the app, then enter the amount you want to add. I started with $5 to test; small amounts multiple times are safer. It shows that Chinese users can only use a Debit Card, and as many users have reported, Chinese users cannot top up: Charge not yet supported for country CN, as shown: As an e-wallet, Barter supports transfers, so you can find someone with a balance in Barter to transfer funds to you. (Minimum $2 per transfer, as per Barter wallet limits). Some users have reported that with a Chinese mobile number and Chinese ID, the web version can be topped up using a credit card. I tested it, and it indeed works. It is said that the web version can also be topped up with a Chinese credit card, but I personally think it's risky. Some experts indicate that topping up with a non-US credit card will lock the account and prevent card issuance. If you want to top up yourself, you can try registering with a US phone number and verifying with a Chinese passport and US visa. Since my first account was set up this way, I can currently top up using 553232. Creating a Virtual Credit Card Click "Cards" at the bottom of the app to create a virtual credit card. You need to enter an amount when creating the card, minimum $1, with no card issuance fee. You can create two virtual credit cards simultaneously. Click on the card face or "Card Details" to see the "Fund this card" button and the "Permanently delete card" button. These buttons are visible on the iPhone, but they were not visible on my Huawei phone. I'm not sure about other Android phones. Cards can only be deleted 24 hours after creation, so you can create a maximum of about 60 cards per month. After deleting a card, the balance returns to the e-wallet with no fee.

Shopping Guides

2020 Dior US Official Website Shopping Guide

Dior is a famous French luxury fashion brand. Founded in Paris in 1946 by French fashion designer Christian Dior, it has significantly contributed to establishing Paris as the world's fashion capital. The brand primarily deals in high-end consumer goods including women's wear, men's wear, jewelry, perfume, and cosmetics. This article introduces a guide on how to shop on the Dior US official website, telling you how to place orders and shop on the Dior US official website. If you also want to order on the Dior US official website but don't know how, feel free to click and check out this Dior US official website shopping guide. 1. Open the website; Dior US official website shopping URL: https://www.dior.com/en_us, click the link to access directly; 2. Register an account; Click on "My Account" at the top right; Friends who have already registered, selectVALIDATE to log in. Unregistered users, select "Create An Account" to register; Enter the registration page; 3. Select products; Add the products you want to purchase to the shopping cart, then click on BASKET at the top right to view the cart and go to the shopping cart page; 4. Click onBASKET at the top right to view the shopping cart, then enter the shopping cart page; 5. Continue to the sample selection page; 6. Click PROCEED TO CHECKOUT to enter the shipping address page; 7. Continue to select the shipping method; 8. Continue to enter the billing address and payment page. Confirm everything is correct, click Purchase now to submit and complete the order; 9. All that's left is to wait for the forwarding company to receive the goods, prepare the shipping details, and sit tight for delivery!

Shopping Guides

Dior 2021 Spring/Summer Collection New Bag Preview

Dior presented its Spring/Summer 2021 collection at the Tuileries Garden in Paris, drawing inspiration from the everyday attire of British 20th-century feminist pioneer Virginia Woolf and American feminist writer Susan Sontag. Blending the brand's iconic Bar jacket with Japanese kimono tailoring, the collection showcases a romantic yet free-spirited, multifaceted femininity. For handbags, matte blue, deep ochre, and light orange serve as the base tones. Through techniques like embroidery, dyeing, and laser cutting, vibrant paisley motifs adorn popular styles such as the Book Tote and Lady Dior. Also featured are the Bobby shoulder bag in crocodile leather and a new bucket bag with dangling fringe, giving the entire collection an exotic flair. The standout piece for next spring and summer is undoubtedly the Book Tote. Its spacious, flat surface is either embellished with dazzling paisley patterns, entirely dyed in indigo floral prints, or etched with exotic motifs using laser-cut leather, showcasing the brand's exquisite craftsmanship. The new Saddle bag is as exquisite as a wood carving, featuring layered, three-dimensional botanical motifs on its brown body created through laser cutting, offering an antique yet intricate visual effect. The Lady Dior presents a striped body in solid colors achieved through embroidery, along with the Diorcamp messenger bag in classic Oblique canvas, making these relatively more suitable for everyday use. The newly introduced clutch features a sleek, elongated rectangular silhouette with a fold-over flap design, accented by the classic CD buckle at the center. Its clean and simple shape exudes a touch of bold, sophisticated elegance.

Shopping Guides

How to Buy GNC Health Products from Overseas! Look Here!

GNC is a well-known health supplement brand with great value for money in the US. Its products also enjoy a strong reputation in the domestic market, and I am one of its loyal fans. Founded in 1935, GNC covers almost every part of the human body and all daily needs, including basic nutrition, beauty and weight loss, fitness and body shaping, and immunity enhancement. As the only official online sales channel for the GNC brand, the GNC official website features nearly all of GNC's products. You can find any product you want on the GNC website, and it frequently runs promotions such as Buy 2 Get 1 Free, 25% off for a limited time, special prices at $9.99, etc. Their grape seed extract and fish oil are particularly popular among international shoppers. Currently, the GNC official website supports direct shipping to China, but order cancellations may occur. It is recommended to register an account before placing an order to avoid being unable to find order information after checking out as a guest. Now, let's take a look at the mobile ordering guide: 1. First, log in to the GNC official website, click the menu in the top left corner, and click Register or Log In: 2. Click Register an Account and fill in the required information as prompted on the website: Fill in the US forwarding address as follows: Fill in the direct shipping to China information as follows: Additionally, GNC has launched a new rebate system this year. You can choose to join this promotional system when registering an account. This way, when you place an order on the GNC official website, you can earn corresponding rebates that can be used to deduct amounts later, similar to a domestic shopping points system. After filling in the information, click Submit: 3. After successful registration, select your desired products, choose the specifications, quantity, and purchase frequency, then add them to the shopping cart: 4. After adding items to the shopping cart, you can still modify the product information, add products to your wish list, or click Continue Shopping to browse and select other products you need. The GNC official website often has promotions. If you have a discount code, you can enter it at the bottom of the page to get the corresponding discount. Once all the above information is confirmed correct, click Proceed to Checkout. 5. The first step in checkout is to select the shipping address. This address was already entered when registering the account, so here you just need to further verify and confirm the address. For US forwarding addresses, select the shipping method. Orders over $49 qualify for free shipping within the US, so consider this when purchasing products to save on shipping costs. Then proceed to confirm the billing address: For direct shipping to China, the official website currently uses DHL direct shipping. So after verifying the entered domestic shipping address in China, select DHL. The shipping cost to China is fixed at $9.99 (regardless of order amount, the shipping fee is fixed; customs duties are automatically collected during checkout, and domestic delivery is handled by 4PX): 6. Proceed to the billing address section and verify the address again. If you didn't enter a discount code earlier, you can still enter it at the bottom of this page to get the corresponding discount: 7. After confirming the address is correct, proceed to the payment section. Currently, the GNC official website supports credit card payments, PayPal payments, and Alipay payments. For domestic users, being able to use the familiar Alipay is very convenient. If you choose credit card payment, fill in the following information as required by the website. Once confirmed correct, click Continue to place order to go to the final review page: 8. On the review page, confirm all information is correct one last time, then submit the order. The shopping process is now complete. Here are a few things to note: 1. Currently, there is a certain chance of order cancellation on the GNC official website. It is recommended to register an account before placing an order to avoid being unable to find order information after checking out as a guest. 2. There may be a delay in receiving emails from the website. If you use Alipay for checkout and don't receive the order email, you can check the order in your Alipay account. 3. Given recent issues with GNC orders where the deducted amount in the email doesn't match the checkout amount, it is recommended to keep screenshots of the page showing the successful use of the discount code and the discount amount. If there is a problem with the deducted amount in the order confirmation email, contact GNC customer service (by phone) promptly to avoid unnecessary losses.

Shopping Guides

New! Yeezy QNTM Releases New Colorway!

Following the release of the Yeezy QNTM basketball shoe in Teal Blue, this popular model has recently been revealed in four new colorway renderings. These four colorways are all based on the Sample shoes previously showcased by Kanye West. Two of them feature Kanye's signature earth tones, offering a high-end and versatile look that will definitely look stylish on foot. The other two are rendered in striking yellow and blue tones, also boasting a very high aesthetic appeal. No release dates have been announced for these colorways yet, so fans who are interested should keep an eye out.

Shopping Guides

Kiehl's US Official Site Order Success Tips

The recent deals on Kiehl's US official website are just too good, whether it's buy-one-get-one-free or 60% off sets, you can't help but place a few orders! However, this website is very unfriendly, extremely unfriendly. Since I had successful order experiences in previous years, I decided to give it another try! It actually went through, so here are some tips to share with everyone! Ranked by importance below: 1. Shipping Address This is the main factor for order cancellations. Even with a US card and US address, orders can still be canceled, especially if you've placed too many orders! I specifically chose a very niche shipping forwarder, and it worked! 2. Credit Card Make sure to use a card you don't use often. I used a China Merchants Bank Mastercard (I've also successfully used a China Merchants Bank AE card before). So, it's important to always have a credit card on hand that you don't use frequently. 3. Timing As soon as there's a discount, place the order immediately!! If your order is placed right at the start of the promotion, the chance of cancellation is slightly lower.

Shopping Guides

Andie Swim, US Internet Swimwear Brand, Raises $6.5M in Series A Funding

American swimwear startup Andie Swim (Andie for short) announced on Thursday that it has completed a $6.5 million Series A funding round, which will be used to further expand the company's business scope. Led by U.S. venture capital funds CityRock Venture Partners and Trail Mix Ventures, Andie will expand its female team, create inclusive new product lines, and attract more female partners. Not long ago, Andie hired its first international marketing director. With this capital injection, Andie will hire more employees. Founder and CEO Melanie Travis hopes to double the current staff of 12. Since this summer, Andie has launched swimwear suitable for pregnant women and children. With expanded marketing investments, including promotions on podcasts and television, Andie has become increasingly popular among consumers, and the company plans to further expand its product categories in the future. Andie's product design is based on the concept of "fit, comfort, easy to buy and wear," and its business model is also unique. During conversations with customers, Travis found that consumers dislike trying on swimwear in stores but are not always confident in online shopping. So she launched a direct-to-consumer swimwear model, where customers can try on several swimsuits sent by Andie during a trial period, keep only what they need, and mail back the rest. In 2018, Andie completed a $2 million seed funding round to accelerate product development and e-commerce business experience, and expand its core team. As a direct-to-consumer (DTC) internet brand, Andie, founded three years ago, sells only online and focuses on the swimwear sector. The brand's swimwear has been favored by many consumers during the ongoing pandemic. Travis said, "Many people think swimming is often associated with vacations or travel, but it turns out you need a swimsuit even if you're not going anywhere else. During the pandemic, our product sales really surprised me." Travis did not disclose the brand's specific sales revenue, only stating that "sales exceed $20 million." She noted that since its official launch in April 2017, the brand's sales have grown by an average of 400% annually.

Shopping Guides

OW x AJ 5 "Sail" Release Date Confirmed!

The OFF-WHITE collaboration is undoubtedly the gold standard for limited-edition sneakers, especially when paired with the classic AJ series—it's hard not to be a massive hit. The OW x AJ4 "Sail," released in July, has already hit an exorbitant resale price of over 10,000 RMB (for sizes 44 and above)! So, there's no need for us to elaborate further on this OW x AJ5 "Sail"! In terms of colorway, it shares a similar design language with the previous OFF-WHITE x Air Jordan 4, featuring a cream-yellow upper and a circular cutout mesh. The tongue and midsole are infused with red shark teeth detailing, exuding an OG vibe, while the 3M reflective tongue is a classic element of the AJ5. Enthusiasts who are interested should definitely keep an eye on the release information! Release Date: October 24

Shopping Guides

DECORTé AQ Meliority Foundation Collection Launching October 16

DECORTé AQ Meliority has launched a new base makeup series, set to be released on October 16, 2020. The new "AQ Meliority" series consists of four types of base makeup products: powder foundation, cream foundation, primer, and loose powder. Based on the concept of "skin care," these products make your skin feel reborn after use. They contain the same beauty ingredients as the "AQ Meliority" skincare line, such as an extract from "Benifuuki" tea leaves grown on the UNESCO World Heritage site "Yakushima." While replenishing moisture, they also enhance skin elasticity. DECORTé AQ Meliority Cream Foundation, SPF25 / PA ++, 30g, 7 shades, ￥25,000 + tax What is particularly noteworthy about this cream foundation is that, although it is a base makeup product, it contains serum-like ingredients that boost skin moisture and firmness. It offers a comfortable feel, as if you are applying a high-quality nourishing cream for skincare, while evening out skin tone and texture, leaving the skin clear and refined. Simply use it after your skincare routine. DECORTé AQ Meliority Treatment Powder Foundation, SPF10 / PA +, 11g, 7 shades, ￥19,000 + tax (includes refill, case, and sponge set). *Refill only: 7 shades, ￥16,000 + tax; Compact case: ￥3,000 + tax (with sponge). This is a powder foundation that blends seamlessly with high-quality liquid foundation, giving your skin a radiant glow as if light is shining from within. The texture is moist and smooth. It delivers a moisturizing sensation you wouldn't expect from a powder, wrapping your skin like a soft veil for a smooth, translucent finish. DECORTé AQ Meliority Treatment Primer, SPF12 / PA +, 30g, ￥10,000 + tax This is a daytime primer with a fresh, soft base that hydrates all skin types. It provides natural coverage that diffuses light, offering a luminous glow after skincare, leaving the skin plump and firm. The color is pink, which evens out skin tone and enhances transparency. It contains red pearls to give your skin a more natural look. DECORTé AQ Meliority Treatment Loose Powder, 30g, ￥20,000 + tax *Includes puff. *Refill: ￥17,000 + tax; Puff: ￥1,000 + tax. The loose powder contains numerous beauty ingredients, offering strong moisturizing ability and a sense of transparency without any powdery finish. The ultra-fine, moist particles fill in pores and fine lines, correcting dullness and uneven color through a light-diffusing effect. Each product features a fresh green floral woody fragrance, allowing you to enjoy your makeup moment.

Shopping Guides

LVNDR BEAUTIQUE Cloud Magic眼线胶 10月19日新品上市

LVNDR BEAUTIQUE Cloud Magic Eyeliner Gel Launching October 19

LVNDR BEAUTIQUE is launching a Cloud Magic eyeliner gel, which is also said to be usable as a lash glue. The shades are named simply and intuitively after their colors. With a brushstroke as soft as a cloud, it is waterproof and sweat-resistant. These colorful eyeliners add richness to eye makeup. Available on the official website on October 19th, in 5 colors: Black Pink White Purple Blue

Shopping Guides

Pandora Jewelry Releases Latest Quarterly Report

Recently, Danish fashion jewelry brand Pandora released its key financial data for the third quarter ending September and updated its full-year performance expectations. Sales declined by 2% year-over-year, with an organic decline of 5%, while online sales saw an organic year-over-year increase of 89%. The EBIT margin reached 17%, higher than expected, mainly benefiting from sales growth. The complete financial report will be published on November 3. Due to the unstable and unpredictable macroeconomic environment caused by the pandemic this year, the brand still hopes that full-year profits will exceed previous expectations. In the third quarter, Pandora showed further growth in most key markets, with strong momentum for future development. The brand noted that extremely high purchase conversion rates from the reopening of physical stores, along with strong online sales growth, largely offset the sales decline caused by reduced store traffic. Overall, 90% of Pandora's physical stores resumed operations in the third quarter, and it is expected that up to 95% of physical stores will be operational by the fourth quarter. As of now, Pandora has over 7,400 sales points in more than 100 countries, including more than 2,700 concept stores. The brand stated that it will continue to invest in potential development opportunities while preparing for the peak trading season in the fourth quarter. "However, temporary store closures due to the pandemic, social distancing measures, and reduced operating hours at some stores will continue to impact the brand's performance."

Shopping Guides

L'Oréal restructures business, will close some US stores

According to foreign media reports, L'Oréal is planning to close its U.S. stores to restructure its luxury division's operations. The restructuring process will last six months, and some employees will undergo position adjustments. Faced with the changing shopping habits of American consumers who are increasingly visiting physical stores less often, L'Oréal USA's luxury division is investing in fast-growing areas such as e-commerce and other digital businesses. In 2019, global beauty giant L'Oréal's sales in the United States fell by 0.8%, totaling 7.5 billion euros. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the sales decline, with the company's first-quarter 2020 fiscal year sales in North America dropping by 15.2%. Following health initiatives advocating mask-wearing, cosmetics and perfumes became poorly performing "hot" sectors, and these two areas are particularly important for L'Oréal's luxury division in the United States. The French cosmetics group is not the only beauty company restructuring to address the crisis. In August, New York-based Estée Lauder announced it would lay off 1,500 to 2,000 employees and take other economic measures, following a quarter in which store traffic significantly decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. company's restructuring strategy primarily involves the Europe, Middle East, and Asia (EMEA) region, as well as North America.

Shopping Guides

adidas Limited Edition | Michelle 2 Death Match Day Colorway Revealed

To celebrate the traditional Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead," major brands are pulling out all the stops. Yesterday, we showed you the four Day of the Dead colorways Nike released. Today,adidas has also unveiled its Day of the Dead sneaker colorway. adidas has created a brand new "Day of the Dead" colorway based on Mitchell's second signature shoe, the adidas D.O.N. ISSUE #2. This colorway features a white base, incorporating elements like cartoon skulls, flowers, and spiders, accented with colorful touches. The overall vibe is playful and eye-catching, fully capturing the "Day of the Dead" atmosphere. The outsole uses a translucent crystal material, also decorated with colorful prints, showing great design commitment. It is reported that this adidas D.O.N. ISSUE #2 "Day of the Dead" will be released at the end of this month. Fans who are interested should keep an eye out. adidas D.O.N. ISSUE #2 "Day of the Dead" Release Date: End of October 2020

Shopping Guides

How to Successfully Place an Order on Lancome US Official Website

I wonder if you managed to grab the recent buy-one-get-one-free deals on the Little Black Bottle and the Creme de la Mer? I often see friends complaining about order cancellations, cancellations!! So I decided to give it a try—using a Chinese credit card and a forwarding address—and it worked on the first go. Let me share some tips with you. 1. Try placing the order via a VPN This time, I tried using a VPN, a US address, logged into my account, and the order went through successfully! 2. Forwarding address Again, I emphasize using a niche, even more niche forwarding service—one that few people use. The website might recognize it as a private US address, increasing the chances of a successful order! 3. Credit card This time, I used a China Merchants Bank Visa card. However, I've also had success with American Express and Mastercard before. The key is to use a card that isn't frequently used, especially one that hasn't been used on this website for a long time. 4. Timing As soon as there's a discount, place the order immediately!! If you order right at the start of the promotion, the chances of cancellation are a bit lower.

Shopping Guides

Amazon Policy Shifts Frequently, Independent Sites Finally Ignited!

First, let's review the recent Amazon policy adjustments: Ban on non-essential product inbounding From March 17 to April 5, Amazon announced it would prioritize the delivery of medical supplies and household essentials, stop inbounding non-essential FBA products, and prohibit the creation of shipments for non-essential items. This policy applies to the U.S. and European markets. Priority inbounding for some products After April 5, only certain products were accepted for priority inbounding, leaving many sellers' restocking plans on hold. Extended return window Extended the return window for U.S. customers to after May 31. Suspension of Amazon Shipping service Amazon will suspend its Amazon Shipping service in June. Postponement of Prime Day Prime Day is usually held in July each year, but this year it will be postponed until at least August. Restrictions on shipment quantities On April 18, all products on Amazon U.S. became eligible for restocking, but shipment quantities were restricted. In fact, these policies indicate that Amazon is not slowly returning to normal, but has become stricter than before! Many products that previously had no quantity limits are now heavily restricted. What's the use of being able to send 1,000 units before but now not even 100? Multiple sellers expressed: The shipment restriction operations are too surreal, showing that the platform is getting increasingly strict. Under the pandemic, Amazon has gradually figured out ways to cope, ultimately forming a long-term new normal for shipping, and the situation ahead may become even tougher. On one hand, sellers face limited restocking; on the other hand, Amazon is also trying to restrict consumer purchases: Amazon has removed deal pages and product recommendations from its homepage, canceled common group-buy lists for each product, and stopped accepting new discount coupons from brands. These changes will reduce the frequency of consumer shopping on Amazon. Overall, for merchants looking to launch new products or boost sales of existing ones, there are fewer and fewer places to reach new customers on Amazon. Thus, launching new products becomes more difficult, and the platform becomes even harder to navigate. It is precisely in this "sluggish" atmosphere that independent websites have emerged, especially for pandemic-related products. Due to strict controls on listing pandemic supplies by third-party platforms, many sellers are turning to independent websites to sell such items. According to sellers, sales exceeding ten million are not uncommon. Additionally, a survey released by Yuguowang shows that 25% of sellers are already selling pandemic supplies on independent websites. In fact, over the past two years, independent websites have been popular among sellers. Under the global pandemic's influence, the fuse for independent websites has finally been lit. Many platform sellers are transitioning to test independent websites, not only because of the business opportunities revealed during the pandemic but also due to the inherent characteristics of independent websites. (1) Independent websites are not restricted by platform policies: For example, Amazon blocks the listing of new products related to COVID-19 and no longer accepts sales applications for such products. However, on independent websites, there are no such restrictions, and sellers can freely sell goods. Recently, stories of counter-trend growth have mostly focused on independent websites. (2) Independent websites allow customer accumulation: On platforms, no matter how good the sales are, customers ultimately belong to the platform, and sellers cannot access any user data. With independent websites, sellers can obtain first-hand customer information and use accumulated user data to create marketing plans targeting different groups. Example: Beer and Diapers When Walmart analyzed consumer shopping behavior, they found that male customers buying baby diapers often also grabbed a few beers to reward themselves. So, they tried a promotion placing beer and diapers together, which unexpectedly led to a significant increase in sales of both diapers and beer. This is precisely because the platform itself has access to first-hand user data, enabling targeted marketing strategies. Sellers on the platform cannot see relevant data, so the best way for sellers to develop data-driven marketing plans is through independent websites. In the past, when independent websites were easy to manage, everyone flocked to them; when Amazon's dividends arrived, everyone crowded onto Amazon; as competition on platforms like Amazon intensified, people started considering independent websites again. In 2018, I also wrote an article like this: Imagine if you had started an independent website back in 2018, before competition got fierce, before the concept of independent websites spread to the average seller, and before advertising traffic costs were high—by now, you would have accumulated a large user base. Currently, as the number of independent website sellers increases, the traffic costs from advertising channels have also risen, which can be seen as a direct result of competition. However, compared to platforms, the market boundaries for independent websites are still very broad, making it less likely for sellers to have direct confrontations. In short, operating an independent website is not as complicated as sellers might imagine. If your main product category is struggling to break through in the short term, you can appropriately offer some pandemic-related products (masks, hand sanitizers, etc.) to maintain performance and accumulate users. Moreover, due to the special nature and essential demand for mask products during this period, the effectiveness of every promotional channel will be 5 times, 10 times, or even higher than that of ordinary products in the past, leading to exponentially increased user accumulation. After the pandemic passes, you can switch back to your main product category on the website and use email to conduct secondary marketing to the users accumulated during this period. In the long run, operating an independent website is about building an asset! Whether in the future or now, the retained user information holds immense commercial value.

Shopping Guides

Guide to Using Credit Cards for Overseas Shopping

A credit card is essential gear for overseas shopping. Credit cards used for international purchases usually start with 4 or 5 and have a Visa or Master logo on the back. These cards have a foreign currency account, allowing you to spend abroad. You can apply for a foreign currency credit card at any major bank, both online and at the counter. Here's a detailed introduction: A dual-currency card (local currency + one foreign currency) is a collaboration between banks and VISA or MASTERCARD. It supports both RMB and USD settlement. This means you can use it for RMB settlement via UnionPay in China, and when shopping abroad or on foreign websites, you can make purchases at merchants that accept VISA or MASTERCARD, with settlement in USD. Dual-currency credit cards are internationally accepted cards where you spend first and repay later. They offer an interest-free period of up to several tens of days (20-50 days, depending on the bank) and allow you to repay foreign currency transactions with RMB. A multi-currency card (local currency + multiple foreign currencies) is ideal for global shopping. It waives currency conversion fees and saves you the hassle of carrying multiple cards. Foreign currency bank cards can be categorized into VISA, MASTER, and AMERICAN EXPRESS (abbreviated as AE). Among these, VISA cards are the most common (recommended for linking to PayPal accounts), MASTER is a long-term co-promotional partner of AMAZON, and AE cards are accepted on more US websites. So, if you only want to get one card, I strongly recommend getting an AE card! When choosing a credit card, always keep these four points in mind: First: Security. Why emphasize this? Let's look at the differences between domestic and international card usage: See the difference? Overseas, no password is required for purchases, and there are no features like Alipay. What's more, for your convenience, many websites can directly save your credit card information. The next time you shop, you just click checkout, and the website deducts the amount from your card. Isn't that con (dan) ve (gerous) nient? Plus, domestic banks take a long time to investigate card fraud, usually around 60 days. Online fraud, in particular, can be nearly impossible to trace. Second: Lots of perks. This is secondary for us, but we all love a good deal, right? Okay, okay, let's go for credit cards with great perks! Third: Diversity. Besides shopping from the US, we'll gradually explore shopping from Germany, Italy, the UK, Japan, and various other places. If you only use a dual-currency card, the bank won't tell you that you'll incur a currency exchange fee of 1-1.5%. Fourth: Comprehensive supporting services. If you can get a credit card that also offers travel insurance, that would be even better. If you already have a dual-currency card, how can you ensure its safe use? Here are some tips: Method 1: Lower your credit card limit to minimize potential risks. Method 2: Enable SMS notifications. If the credit card website supports it, also enable WeChat notifications to stay informed of every transaction in real-time and avoid any potentially risky transactions. Method 3: Apply for a virtual credit card. This is separate from your main card, allows you to set a different credit limit, but is more complicated to operate. Not recommended. Regarding credit card applications, many people complain about low credit limits. I think if your approved credit limit is low, you should consider whether you already have too many credit cards under your name, or if the limits on your other cards are too high. Because every bank, besides reviewing your information with them, will also check your personal credit report. If the limits on some of your credit cards are too high, it can affect the approval of limits for other cards. For example, if your credit report shows a total credit limit of around 100,000, and your other cards add up to about 95,000, then your new card might only get a limit of 4k or 5k. Of course, this depends on each bank's review strictness and whether they need to attract more customers at the time. So, if you have cards you rarely use with high limits, you might consider: 1. Lowering the limit 2. Cancelling them directly I hope all this information is helpful to you!

Shopping Guides

Top 7 Reliable Websites for Buying Baby Formula Overseas

As parents, we all want to give the best to the next generation. A baby is the continuation of life, and this is especially true for new moms and dads. Milk powder is a staple that parents need to prepare for their babies in advance. There are many channels for buying milk powder, and some parents choose to buy it through overseas shopping. With so many shopping websites, choosing a reliable one is particularly important. So, which website is more reliable for buying milk powder overseas? 1. BA Proximity Pharmacy Official website: https://www.ba.de/ Proximity Pharmacy is a well-known online pharmacy in Germany, selling over 10,000 products online, including maternal and baby products, personal care, cosmeceuticals, prescription and non-prescription drugs. It is a state-approved online pharmacy in Germany and has been established for over a decade. It is a relatively reliable website for overseas milk powder shopping. 2. Windeln Website Official website: https://www.windeln.com.cn/ A large German online retailer for infant and toddler products, selling not only milk powder but also baby food like complementary foods, as well as daily necessities like diapers and pacifiers. The key point is that Windeln supports direct shipping to China and accepts payments via UnionPay and Alipay, which is very convenient for domestic users. However, the direct shipping cost is slightly higher. 3. Amazon Germany Official website: https://www.amazon.de/ Germans are known for their meticulousness, and they are especially cautious when it comes to milk powder for babies. Milk powder sold directly by Amazon Germany can be purchased with confidence. The prices are affordable, and the quality is guaranteed. However, the stock is limited and restocked irregularly, so whether you can buy it or not depends on luck. 4. Babyneo Official website: http://www.babyneo.de/ Another well-known German baby product website, mainly selling items including milk powder, diapers, and bath products. The prices are cheaper than Windeln, but Babyneo does not accept Chinese credit cards. Domestic users need to pay online via PayPal. There is an additional 5% handling fee for non-EU buyers, and shipping is faster than Windeln. Overall, the website is reliable. 5. UK TLC Chinese Website Official website: http://www.tlcpharmacy.cn.com/ TLC is a relatively large pharmacy chain group in Scotland, owning multiple professional chain pharmacies affiliated with the UK's National Health Service (NHS). It is also the largest supplier of medical aesthetic products in Scotland. The UK TLC (Tender Loving Care) launched its Chinese website in 2014. 6. Amcal Australian Pharmacy Official website: https://cn.amcal.com.au/ Products on the Amcal Chinese website are shipped directly from Australia. Popular milk powder brands that everyone is familiar with, such as Bellamy's, a2 Platinum, Wyeth S-26, Aptamil, and Blackmores, are all available for sale. It supports Alipay and UnionPay payments, offers direct shipping, and is relatively convenient for purchasing. 7. CW Australian Pharmacy Official website: https://www.chemistwarehouse.hk/ Everyone is familiar with this Australian pharmacy. Its Chinese page also ships from Australia, sharing the same warehouse as the CW English website. Purchasing from the CW Chinese website in Australia does not involve issues like shipping from domestic bonded warehouses or logistics fraud. The Chinese page is simply set up to better serve Chinese users. Of course, you can also switch to the Australian CW official English website to make purchases. In short, it is a reliable website for overseas milk powder shopping. In fact, besides the websites introduced above, there are many other websites for overseas milk powder shopping. We hope everyone does their homework before shopping overseas to find a reliable and suitable website for their baby's milk powder. ?

Shopping Guides

Adidas Yeezy Official Size Chart

For sneaker lovers who are loyal to running shoes, everyone knows the brand Adidas. It can be said to be a household name in China. After all, Adidas is a German sports brand with nearly a century of history, and it has always stood as a "pacesetter" in the global sporting goods brand lineup. ? For the super popular Yeezy from Adidas, many sneaker fans choose to buy from the Adidas official website through overseas shopping. But how should you choose the right shoe size when purchasing? ① First, let me introduce the shoe size conversion chart: Look carefully and choose according to your foot size, and you're good to go! ? ② For choosing the right shoe size, nothing is more accurate than the length of your foot. You can measure your foot length using the method shown in the image below, as this will really help with your selection (returning items from overseas shopping can be troublesome). ③ Finally, shopping on the Adidas official website through overseas channels not only offers lower prices but also has some discount promotions, making purchases more cost-effective. We will regularly update the official website's discount information, so feel free to keep an eye on it. When placing orders, you can pay with international currency credit cards like PayPal, Visa, AE, or Master. You'll need to use a forwarding service, and newcomers can also enjoy a 15% discount.

Shopping Guides

Australia CW Pharmacy Official Chinese Website

Australia's Chemist Warehouse (CW) is one of the most popular websites for domestic shoppers looking to purchase health products and medicines overseas. The site offers a wide range of products, including maternal and baby items and health supplements, making it a great choice for many. However, many newcomers may not know the exact official website address of Australia's Chemist Warehouse. Today, let me explain! ① First, here is the shopping link: https://www.chemistwarehouse.hk/ It is very convenient to access anytime. Simply click or copy and open it in your browser. ② It is recommended to use a browser with built-in translation features (such as 360 or Google Chrome). ③ Since 2018, Australia's Chemist Warehouse has launched a Chinese official website specifically for Chinese users. The site supports direct shipping and forwarding, as well as most domestic payment methods. All orders from the CW Chinese official website are shipped from Australian warehouses, ensuring safety and reliability. ④ It is very convenient. When placing orders on the Australia CW official website, you can use international cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. ?

Shopping Guides

What to Do If You Get Taxed on Farfetch?

Many of you may not have heard of Farfetch, but it is incredibly famous. Farfetch is a boutique store from the UK. Although it was only founded in 2008, it collaborates with nearly 300 boutiques. It has always been dedicated to promoting emerging independent designer brands and is a globally renowned fashion shopping website! Farfetch official website: https://www.farfetch.cn/ In October 2014, it launched a Chinese website to enter the Chinese market. However, many of you are still worried about what to do if Farfetch gets taxed and the probability of being taxed! ① If we really get taxed, first we need to actively cooperate with customs work to pay the tax, and at the same time contact the Farfetch official website to see if there are any tax subsidies or other issues. ② In fact, most orders on the Farfetch official website will have customs duties paid in advance. Therefore, generally speaking, there is not much to worry about when going through customs. But this does not mean all products have it. ③ If taxed, you can also choose to return the items, but you will need to bear the shipping costs yourself. The official website will also refund you all the customs duties and other fees paid when placing the order. ④ In fact, when placing orders normally, since Farfetch supports direct shipping, forwarding, and payment methods like Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, Visa, and Mastercard, it is super simple and convenient. For normal forwarding and as long as a single order is not excessively large, the probability of being taxed is still very low. So everyone can rest assured! ?

Shopping Guides

Shopping Guides for Smart Shopping

Recommended Deals