For sneaker enthusiasts outside China, acquiring coveted pairs like the Nike Dunk SB can be challenging. Taobao, China's largest online marketplace, is a treasure trove of unique releases and colorways, but its language barrier, complex payment systems, and direct international shipping limitations can be daunting. This is where Joyabuy, a leading Chinese proxy and purchasing platform, bridges the gap. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of using Joyabuy to secure your next pair of Dunks from Taobao.
What is Joyabuy and Why Use It?
Joyabuy acts as your personal shopping assistant in China. It provides you with a unique Chinese shipping address (their warehouse) to which you can send your Taobao purchases. Once your items arrive at their warehouse, Joyabuy consolidates them, repackages for international shipment, and handles all the export paperwork and logistics to your doorstep. Their key benefits include English-language support, support for international payment methods like PayPal and credit cards, and experience in shipping restricted items like branded footwear securely. Crucially, they can communicate with Taobao sellers on your behalf for inquiries and issues, eliminating a major hurdle.
Step 1: Finding Your Perfect Nike Dunk SB Pair
The first step happens on Taobao. Use their search bar with keywords like "Nike Dunk SB" (耐克 Dunk SB). Be prepared to sift through various listings. Pay close attention to seller reputation (crown ratings and positive reviews), product photos (prefer those with real, detailed images over stock photos), and read the item description carefully. Be aware that prices can vary significantly, and extremely low prices are often red flags for counterfeits. To streamline your research, an incredibly useful resource for comparing different sellers and batches is available: Product Information Spreadsheet. This external spreadsheet, maintained by the sneaker community, is frequently updated with seller reputations, price comparisons, and quality assessments for various Dunks, helping you make an informed choice before purchasing.
Step 2: Registering with Joyabuy and Getting Your Address
While browsing Taobao, simultaneously sign up for a free account on Joyabuy's website. The registration process is straightforward. Upon successful registration, navigate to "My Addresses" within your Joyabuy account. Here, you will find your exclusive Chinese forwarding address, complete with your personal member code. This address is crucial, as it will be your shipping destination on Taobao. Copy this address carefully for the next step.
Step 3: Placing Your Order on Taobao
Go back to your chosen Dunk SB listing on Taobao. Proceed to checkout. Here, under the shipping address section, paste the Joyabuy warehouse address you copied, including your unique member code in the appropriate fields. Select your preferred domestic shipping method in China (standard is usually fine). For payment, you can use Alipay if you have it set up, or Joyabuy often offers an alternative: you can input the Taobao order number into their system and pay them directly via your international methods, and they will complete the payment on your behalf.
Step 4: The Joyabuy Consolidation and Shipping Process
After payment, the Taobao seller will ship the sneakers to your Joyabuy warehouse address. You can track this domestic shipment via the tracking number provided. Once Joyabuy receives your package, they will update your account, often providing photos for verification. At this point, you log into your Joyabuy account, see your new parcel, and can choose to have it shipped immediately or wait to combine it with other items to save on international shipping. You then pay for the international shipping fee to your country based on weight and chosen carrier (like DHL, FedEx, or EMS). Joyabuy will professionally repack your sneakers, declare them appropriately for customs, and ship them out. You will receive an international tracking number to monitor their journey to you.
Pro Tips and Final Notes
Always use the community resources available. The spreadsheet link