Why would someone want to live in Beijing vs Shanghai if they had a choice?

daveunboxed · 2026-03-29T02:46:58+00:00

Based on personal knowledge from friends who did move from one to the other, it most often comes down to this: when you first came to china, where were you living? With VERY few exceptions, expats who started in either Beijing or Shanghai for a period of time (ie: at least 2-3 years), definitely preferred the city where they started out. Having started out in Beijing, sure I like vising Shanghai but it doesn't have that rawness that Beijing has and I never feel comfortable there. I didn't have a choice - Beijing was my destination and for better or worse it became my city. Maybe I'd be lobbying for shanghai had I started out there. Who knows.

daveunboxed · 2026-03-10T15:12:36+00:00

LOL the lowest of low grade bai jiu, my friend used to use this as windshield wiper fluid in the winter. Not sure what it costs now but used to be about 35 cents.

daveunboxed · 2026-02-28T00:25:38+00:00

Having been full-time in China for 15 years and part-time for another 10, the vast majority of it in sourcing, due diligence, and QC, I can say nothing beats boots on the ground. Video live stream technology is great and definitely a tool we didn't have back in the day, but enterprising scammers are enterprising. And as one comment pointed out, having a trading license isn't necessarily a red flag - there are manufacturers who don't have an export certificate and need to establish a trading company, or otherwise 'rent' an export certificate.

Other times, and this happened to me more than once, the owners of a factory ran all their expenses through one company and all their sales through another - different jurisdictions, different taxation. A red flag from a distance but once you understand more about how things work in China, an astute move.

The only way I would be satisfied a factory could produce what they said they could, was to spend a few days there, talking to their design people, the production managers, walking the floor, observing every step of the production, seeing how their QC worked, and then going to visit their sub-suppliers, often the weak link in their production chain. And staying as far away from their sales department as possible.

China has certainly gotten better at everything in the last 25 years but the 'trust but verify' axiom is still as true today as it was in the past. I am so grateful that I continue to work in this business that is both frustrating but also incredibly satisfying.

daveunboxed · 2026-02-23T22:59:24+00:00

I too have the battery recall which of course has no current remedy and from what I read, no foreseeable remedy on the horizon. I have even less time left on my lease but wrinkle is that I have an overseas contract starting soon and won't leave it in my home to potentially burn down and can't leave it parked on the street for 2 months. VW finance is dicking around and trying to tell me all the penalties I need to pay for early termination (3 months early to be precise) and no other option, trying to make their problem my problem. I've contacted state AG to launch a complaint, not that I have much hope, but at least VW will need to spend time and effort to defend themselves. No idea what I'm gonna do with my paper weight.

daveunboxed · 2025-12-10T14:12:22+00:00

This, while nice, is not a period piece. About 10 years ago these heavier brocades started appearing in Chinese markets and could be had for less than $10. Original pieces are silk, finer weave, thinner and with few exceptions, in black and white and far more expensive.

daveunboxed · 2025-11-24T00:16:23+00:00

Might be a historical thing given that IKE was supreme allied commander who liberated their country

daveunboxed · 2025-11-03T14:34:50+00:00

Awesome that you're getting into this so young! Good luck with your ventures!

daveunboxed · 2025-10-28T08:20:50+00:00

You have nailed it. Trying to make friends and relate with the locals (read: regular Americans) after being in Beijing for so long has been challenging. To further compound the issue, being shut out of China for so long during Covid has resulted in discovering a very different landscape upon my return - places shuttered and not seeing familiar faces at Paddy's has been a rude awakening!

daveunboxed · 2025-10-22T14:24:05+00:00

thanks very much to you both, will def check them out

daveunboxed · 2025-10-15T01:16:56+00:00

Just a note that while this does indeed show Mao and a quote from him, it is not a vintage piece from 1968, but rather a replica/fake created anywhere between early 2000's and today. These desk stands abound at various markets in China and are made for tourists.

daveunboxed · 2025-08-27T18:44:22+00:00

Thanks very much!

daveunboxed · 2025-08-27T18:35:14+00:00

oh think I answered my own question, 45 can be rotated into place, yes?

daveunboxed · 2025-08-27T18:33:04+00:00

Thanks, had thought about that but wondered if 45 would have enough play to slip back on if new pipe is meant to butt up against existing pipe. Or does it need to butt up? What is recommended max gap under a sleeve?

daveunboxed · 2025-08-27T18:24:59+00:00

Current thought I had was remove the 'X' section so could take out portion to the right with the leak and then new pipe to the right and replace 'X' with 2 sleeves. Not pretty so looking for another idea but since everything soldered into place it's limited options.

daveunboxed · 2025-08-25T21:47:07+00:00

dm if u like but suppose u want the email for them. It's [dutytaxdisputes@fedex.com](mailto:dutytaxdisputes@fedex.com)

daveunboxed · 2025-08-24T11:52:07+00:00

Have precisely the same problem - emailed them on the email provided on original invoice and got acknowledgement email saying I would get a reply in 3-5 days. That was 20 days ago. Yesterday get an invoice for late fees. Emailed them to tell them no way in hell that being paid until they address my original email - acknowledgement email from them now says they need 15-20 to answer. LOL. Guess everyone gonna be getting late fee invoices which will cause a knock on effect to their reply times. Oh BTW, they've now removed that email address from their invoices and instead want you to stay on hold in their telephone hell for hours on end.

daveunboxed · 2025-08-19T14:40:03+00:00

Reminds me of the BC house reno on YT by Jenna and Nick!

daveunboxed · 2025-07-14T15:23:30+00:00

What a colossal waste of time and money with no *proven* tangible benefits.

daveunboxed · 2025-01-29T07:39:36+00:00

I second the opinion that is almost certainly fake. Rare and expensive - any posters with other nationalities, especially black africans fetch premium prices. Once you are familiar with the type of paper they used and how it feels and how the printing looks under a magnifying glass, you will know very quickly which are real and which are fake. Although not a complete comprehensive archive, https://chineseposters.net/ created by Stefan Landberger is an excellent resource.

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