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Is Amazon China same company as Amazon USA?

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xit2nowhere

Senior member
Evening guys!

This might sound like a strange question, but i'm really puzzled here.
I'm currently residing in china (Beijing). I want to buy computer parts and assemble myself a new system. To my surprise it turns out that computer parts here in china cost more than they do in us. How da hell is it even possible?!! 😀
For example i5 3570k on amazon us is $215, but amazon china has the same cpu for $253.5 (1579 yuan with the exchange rate of 1 usd = 6.23 yuan on dec. 26).
Same thing happens with all other computer hardware.
Another example: Gigabyte motherboard GA z77x-ud3h $148.99 in us, but $184 in china.

Any knowledgeable person could please explain why such difference in prices b/w us and china?

Thank you in advance 🙂
 
Zeze said:
Why would American and Taiwanese product be cheaper in China?
Click to expand...

The USA has the highest per capita earnings. People making $1/day aren't going to be able to afford things at the prices we pay. Knowing this companies sell their products for cheaper (if they can) in foreign markets.

A good example of this is video games. A $60 title in the US might go for only $30 in Russia. That's why you can go to "shady" sites and purchase keys for brand new games at those prices. You're actually buying a key that was meant for the Russian market.

edit: Although, the OP's example with hardware shows it being cheaper in the US. So it's backwards and not sure how to account for that...
 
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1. retail in US has direct contract with the manufacturers, so they get things priced in basement price even though things are made in china. there are export subsidies.

2. the logistic in china is not as good as US, moving things on the road can actually cost more than shipping it across the pacific ocean (think of money to bribe off cops on the road).

3. dealing with chinese is complicated. too many chinese businessmen are dishonest and will try to screw the seller, so it is actaully easier and simpler for them to deal with foreigner.

good luck on not buying fake pc components over there.

i have long came to a conclusion as a joke that the real-est thing you can get in china are counterfeits.
 
crownjules said:
The USA has the highest per capita earnings. People making $1/day aren't going to be able to afford things at the prices we pay. Knowing this companies sell their products for cheaper (if they can) in foreign markets.

A good example of this is video games. A $60 title in the US might go for only $30 in Russia. That's why you can go to "shady" sites and purchase keys for brand new games at those prices. You're actually buying a key that was meant for the Russian market.

edit: Although, the OP's example with hardware shows it being cheaper in the US. So it's backwards and not sure how to account for that...
Click to expand...

Not sure if such rule applies at all for electronics.

I don't picture iPad or CPUs having a different price. It should be same.
 
Before I started comparing prices b/w us and china, I thought computer hardware was cheaper in china, because this is where it is manufactured.
For example western brand clothing is much more expensive in china, because western brands are viewed here as luxury items. But I've no idea why such a descrepancy in hardware. Maybe because western companies buy in larger volumes, so they get higher discounts?
 
Zeze said:
Not sure if such rule applies at all for electronics.

I don't picture iPad or CPUs having a different price. It should be same.
Click to expand...

unlocked iphone 5 is 23% more expensive in the china. they charge more because it is consider "foreign/import"
 
xit2nowhere said:
Before I started comparing prices b/w us and china, I thought computer hardware was cheaper in china, because this is where it is manufactured.
For example western brand clothing is much more expensive in china, because western brands are viewed here as luxury items. But I've no idea why such a descrepancy in hardware. Maybe because western companies buy in larger volumes, so they get higher discounts?
Click to expand...

read this article and you will stop wondering why.
http://www.chinadailyapac.com/article/high-price-symbol
 
xit2nowhere said:
So, do u think I'd better stick with ordering things online from Amazon china then?
Click to expand...

best if you can buy it here in the US and ship it over there. or ask someone to bring it for you. :biggrin:

the only reason to buy certain things in china is for chinese menu or warranty.
 
OP and Fuzzybaby need to get together and have a first ATOT meet in China. I wonder if there are other ATOT members who are currently living in China.
 
xit2nowhere said:
Hi AreaCode707!
So, does it mean then that Amazon CN has the same policies as Amazon US and has the same stuff? So, it is pretty safe to order online from Amazon CN?

Thank you for your help!
Click to expand...

Highly doubt it, shouldn't the Amazon CN site have its own return policy page?
 
xit2nowhere said:
Hi AreaCode707!
So, does it mean then that Amazon CN has the same policies as Amazon US and has the same stuff? So, it is pretty safe to order online from Amazon CN?

Thank you for your help!
Click to expand...

Amazon CN will have its own catalog and inventory, different from the rest of amazon. Not 100% sure about policies, but I'd bet they are different if anything due to local laws.

Still the same company though.
 
Argo said:
Amazon CN will have its own catalog and inventory, different from the rest of amazon. Not 100% sure about policies, but I'd bet they are different if anything due to local laws.

Still the same company though.
Click to expand...
If it is the same company then does it means the risk of getting counterfeit items is pretty much non-existant?
 
does amazon cn have the affiliated vendors like amazon us has? If so I'd buy only from amazon directly only.
 
xit2nowhere said:
Hi AreaCode707!
So, does it mean then that Amazon CN has the same policies as Amazon US and has the same stuff? So, it is pretty safe to order online from Amazon CN?

Thank you for your help!
Click to expand...
Pretty much, yep. Some policies are a little different, varying by country law and whatnot, some services are not offered (or new services are offered, like convenience store pickup in CN but not in the US.) The management of the business in both countries ultimately rolls up into the same people. I used to work with the CN legal team; nice peeps.
 
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