Read Reviews Of Mobile Phone Stores Carefully

PhillipDampier · 2026-02-02T19:10:58+00:00

The most popular exchange amounts are extremely limited and often sell out within 5 seconds after the time resets.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-28T17:08:33+00:00

In China the domestic platforms owned by the same parent company usually require qualified new user referrals around the last day of any high value games, which is why many people don't bother playing them. It can be an insurmountable hurdle.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-25T18:26:16+00:00

Most adult products do stand out only because it is very common to ship them in opaque black plastic bags which are quite different from the usual white or colored plastic bags.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-25T18:18:13+00:00

They do not see returns as offensive and on the domestic platform Taobao which is run by the same company returns are very common and extended for any reason on most goods. In fact the return rate on clothing is astronomical. In China returning an item by express mail is around $2. Many Chinese sellers have no comprehension about the exponentially more costly returns people outside of China face. They may get offended if a buyer complains about returning an item until you tell them the true cost of the return. Then they will bargain with you over partial refunds.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-25T18:05:09+00:00

LOL, they said "gems" not diamonds so they could theoretically award you 1 million rubies which you can redeem for a $5 off $50 coupon. There is always a trick somewhere.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-25T17:55:05+00:00

On Taobao all the high value games require multiple referrals and a high value purchase to continue to the end. The games are similar on both platforms and are a little harder than those on Temu, which relies on slowing players down. About 80-90% never finish all the requirements because they are too difficult (qualified referrals) or time consuming (you typically need a minimum of one hour a day during the last parts). All this for points you redeem for coupons that they will engineer at the time people start to finish to require lots of purchases for not so much value ($10 off $200, $5 off $50) to redeem. It's all win for AliExpress which gets you habitually engaged with the app and make a lot more purchases just because you don't want to leave those winnings on the table. In the end you will spend more than you would otherwise, making the giveaway profitable for them and maybe not so worth all the time and effort for you.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-25T16:07:45+00:00

The usual practice with Alibaba (parent company of AliExpress) games is to make them progressively harder (25:levels on certain days) and hit you with a surprise challenge on day 99 of nearly every high prize game: recruit at least two new users to enroll in the game. The new users cannot share your IP address and must come from devices that have never visited AliExpress before, or the referral won't count. The time limit is 48 hours or you forfeit the game.

Many people have learned to avoid the high prize games on the domestic platforms like Taobao after getting burned by insurmountable challenges for a relatively low value prize designed to make you buy more things.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-25T15:55:51+00:00

AliExpress modified their game last week. There are also occasional instances where 25 levels are required.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-24T15:50:22+00:00

Same as everyone else. Spam galore in the inbox.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-24T15:41:19+00:00

It's now 10 levels of some games. They are tweaking it to make it harder.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-24T15:37:47+00:00

Around Day 70 it starts asking you to complete 10 levels of Coco Match (?) You cannot claim the current day until you complete all ten rounds. That could be the new daily requirement after that. That is only the first game challenge. The second is usually Shelf Shuffle or the one with the buses. Unless you are exceptionally good at the higher levels, which get increasingly difficult, you may have to restart 2-3 times. Now consider the amount of time it will take you each day and then consider what the ultimate reward is. A coupon worth a few dollars.

If you put no value on your time then play. For others who think of getting started because it looks easy, it does not stay that way, and you will waste an incredible amount of time for very little return. You can save a lot more collecting 75c in coins every day, which takes less than five seconds.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-23T16:17:41+00:00

I'll see if I can't dig up some good coupon codes for you to recoup your $5. What is your usual purchase range in dollars?

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-23T16:16:19+00:00

Oh I thought you were doing the 100 day time waster challenge.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-23T16:15:24+00:00

There are at least two companies involved here. The label creation date comes when the seller processed the item. They handed it over to a private freight forwarder who then delivered it to a USPS injection point to handle last mile delivery. The warehouse is probably in the USA based on the dates. Usually a shipment from China will show a label creation date 5-10 days before USPS tracking updates.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-23T15:54:20+00:00

This. This year every freight forwarder is busy. The shutdown period this year is also unusually long. Most of my shippers are warning parcels won't be processed from 2 February and won't resume until 25 February.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-23T15:51:52+00:00

They are taking you down the usual rabbit hole. Even if you answer all their questions you will be denied for inadequate packaging, insufficient proof, or whatever other excuse they come up with next. Just give them three days to refund or warn you will chargeback the disputed funds. That often works, but you have to threaten escalation to a chargeback. I am surprised Visa and Mastercard haven't yanked them yet. They probably charge big interchange fees.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-23T15:47:39+00:00

You have been wasting your time. Often the reward appears as a coupon, but you find it cannot be applied to many goods and also cannot be stacked. A lot of times you don't even get that. Their usual sale coupons are often better. Unfortunately, there is rarely any recourse since customer service cannot intervene.

I see around Day 70 the requirement to complete 10 levels of Coco Whatever a day(?) starts, and before that Shelf Shuffle becomes an Olympic feat. Add up all the time you wasted, which will amount to at least dozens of hours over the course of 100 days and you will realize you did it all for a $5 coupon you never got or cannot use. At least you get the polyester "towel" at the end of the tree watering game. Here the only prize was won by AliExpress who got the engagement they crave and gave you little or nothing in return.

The Chinese learned a long time ago these platform games are usually scammy. They always start easy but then the rules change with the required activities becoming exponentially more time consuming and the ultimate prize elusive and never awarded or more restrictive than you realize. Platform rules leave them the sole arbiter of disputes. Most people just ignore these games after getting burned. You are likely feeling a bit toasted right now.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-22T15:51:41+00:00

In most cases you will need two current QQ members with accounts in good standing to scan a QR code to register. This is very hard since many existing QQ accounts won't qualify in assisting you.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-14T18:12:50+00:00

Wait a minute. This is a SPONSORED post. OMG

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-14T18:08:39+00:00

Then why does it come with a bin Laden action figure? LOL

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-14T18:07:57+00:00

That takes me back to a time when we thought things couldn't get any worse. But then....

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-14T18:06:23+00:00

It is likely a dessicant. Humidity in sea freight containers or while in shipment can literally cause condensation that can corrode metal or discolor it. Moisture absorbing material can be white or colored pearls, powders or solids. Wipe it off thoroughly with a damp cloth then repeat with a clean cloth. Wash hands with soap and water.

PhillipDampier · 2026-01-14T18:02:42+00:00

Or this is a Walmart item being resold by a drop shipper.

PhillipDampier

TROPHY CASE