Allchinabuy Finds
As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I've always admired Salomon's exceptional footwear technology. The Salomon XT-6 has particularly caught my attention for its perfect blend of trail performance and urban style. However, finding authentic pairs at reasonable prices outside China proved challenging until I discovered OrientDig, a Chinese reverse purchasing platform that facilitates international buyers to shop from Chinese e-commerce sites like Tmall.
OrientDig operates differently from traditional shopping platforms. Instead of maintaining inventory, they specialize in what's known as "reverse purchasing" or "代购" (dàigòu) in Chinese. This means they act as purchasing agents for international customers who want to buy products exclusively available in the Chinese market. Their service is particularly valuable for limited edition colorways and regional releases that rarely make it to Western markets.
The platform initially confused me with its operation method, but after consulting their detailed product spreadsheet, I understood how their tiered service works. They offer everything from basic purchasing to comprehensive quality verification and consolidation services.
My adventure began with creating an OrientDig account, which was surprisingly straightforward despite the language barrier. Their website offers adequate English translation for international users. I then browsed Tmall through their integrated browser to locate the exact Salomon XT-6 model I wanted—the beautiful "Phantom Brown" colorway that had sold out everywhere in my country.
After copying the product link, I pasted it into OrientDig's order form alongside my specifications (size, color preferences, etc.). The platform immediately calculated the total cost, including domestic Chinese shipping to their warehouse, international shipping to my location in Canada, and their service fee. The transparency in pricing was impressive, with no hidden costs appearing later in the process.
A crucial step was consulting their product comparison spreadsheet
Perhaps OrientDig's most valuable service is their comprehensive authentication process. The Salomon XT-6 has numerous counterfeits flooding the market, making verification essential. OrientDig personnel thoroughly inspected my shoes upon arrival at their Guangzhou warehouse, checking stitching quality, material authenticity, and packaging details.
They provided high-resolution photographs from multiple angles before proceeding with international shipping. This quality assurance gave me confidence that I was receiving genuine products rather than the sophisticated fakes that sometimes deceive even experienced buyers.
Their expertise proved invaluable when they identified a potential issue with the original seller's inventory and proactively sourced my shoes from a more reputable Tmall vendor instead. This attention to detail and customer protection far exceeded my expectations for a purchasing agent service.
The shipping process took approximately 12 days from warehouse departure to delivery at my Toronto address. OrientDig offered multiple carrier options with different price points and delivery timelines. I selected their standard shipping method, which appropriately balanced cost and speed.
Notably, they handled all customs declaration paperwork, specifying appropriate product categories and values to prevent unnecessary import duties. The shoes arrived in perfect condition with original packaging intact, including the special edition box that Salomon uses for their premium models.
Throughout the shipping process, I received regular updates via email, including tracking numbers for both the domestic Chinese leg and international shipment. Customer service representatives were responsive when I had questions about potential delays due to weather conditions.
Breaking down the costs: the Salomon XT-6 itself cost ¥1,180 on Tmall (approximately $165 USD), OrientDig's service fee was ¥85 ($12 USD), domestic Chinese shipping ¥15 ($2 USD), and international shipping ¥210 ($29 USD). The total came to approximately $208 USD—still significantly cheaper than reseller prices in North America, where the same model often sells for $280+.
My experience with OrientDig exceeded expectations in almost every aspect. The Salomon XT-6 I received was authentic, in perfect condition, and delivered within the promised timeframe. While the multi-step process requires more involvement than standard e-commerce purchases, the cost savings and access to exclusive products make it worthwhile.
I would particularly recommend OrientDig for sneaker enthusiasts seeking limited Asian-market releases and anyone interested in high-quality outdoor gear from Chinese marketplaces. Their expertise in authentication and customer-focused approach transform what could be a risky endeavor into a reliable purchasing channel.
For first-time users, I strongly suggest consulting their product information spreadsheet