Importing safe 12v chargers

[Karimbo]

Hi

I have found myself in the LED lighting market on ebay. So far I have only supplied non electrical stuff, diffusers, strips without the power bracket, DC extension cables etc.

I realise now that at some point I will need to immerse myself in the niche as I need to have an estore that serves the entire niche. Not try and snipe different products from unrelated markets.

Trouble is I am extremely hesitant to get into anything electrical. I know that the chinese factories will cut corners whenever and wherever they can. Which makes me extremely nervous.

I'd like to know what can I do to mitigate my risk. Is there a service that I can send my imported electrical to and get them inspected by an electrical engineer. I am worried about the potential cost of sending samples from a batch for an offsite electrical engineer to tear apart and inspect.

The other option would be to not buy the plugs from the Chinese factory and buy the 12v plugs from a UK reseller who is properly compliant and PAT tested.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Buy from RS Components or Maplin

 

[GraemeL]

Pay for a SGS China http://www.sgsgroup.com.cn/en.aspx to test everything.

G

 

[Brown Cui]

1. One option is buy products from China factory and then send to test. You could ask China factory to provide free samples to test. So you need to know the test cost.In this way, you just need to pay the test cost for a time. You could just add the test cost and your benefit in your sale price to your customer.
2. The other option is buy from UK reselle. Of course they already did the test.
This is a easy way, but cost will be more in long run. Cause the UK reselle will add the test cost and their own benefit in their sale price to you.
Check the test cost at first, if its too much or risky, buy from a UK reseller.

 

[DontAsk]

PAT testing is not relevant here. What you must ensure is that they meet CE regulations for EMC, product safety, etc. You, as the importer, are responsible for this. In the first instance buy in quantity from a UK producer/import/wholesaler such as Stontronics or PowerPax, NOT RS or Maplin and the like.

 

[japancool]

1. One option is buy products from China factory and then send to test. You could ask China factory to provide free samples to test. So you need to know the test cost.In this way, you just need to pay the test cost for a time. You could just add the test cost and your benefit in your sale price to your customer.
2. The other option is buy from UK reselle. Of course they already did the test.
This is a easy way, but cost will be more in long run. Cause the UK reselle will add the test cost and their own benefit in their sale price to you.
Check the test cost at first, if its too much or risky, buy from a UK reseller.

That, of course, assumes that the ones that get sent for sale are the same as the one sent for testing.

 

[paulears]

The practical side of things is that HUGE numbers of potentially dangerous products are already on sale in places liker the pound shop. If you go to youtube and look up Bigclive - you will find a whole series of videos by a really knowledgeable guy, who sources interesting items from China and tests them and reverse engineers them to find out how they work. He often finds well designed products as well as many, usually with CE marking, that are actually lethal - price seems to have little to do with what he uncovers, and watching a few gives you an insight into the kinds of issues you will face. In practice, if the items you select and sell (and warranty) are good, then all will be well. Taking a punt on something that appears good, could be a much greater risk than you imagine.

Realistically, buying from CPC (my favourite) and similar can work - but be aware that many of their products are sold on ebay with a tiny margin, by idiots! RS stands for Really Stupid - as their products are for using, not reselling - they're great quality, extremely expensive and not for reselling. Craplin, sorry, Maplin have a pretty feeble and unrepeatable range, overpriced on a large amount, and just poor value. Much is also poor quality too. Find interesting products, do your research, and if you are happy take the gamble.

Maybe even look at the products Bigclive finds to be decent - I know the guy and trust his judgement.

 

[Brown Cui]

That, of course, assumes that the ones that get sent for sale are the same as the one sent for testing.

Coincidence not happen that often. But if your assumption coming ture, just pick one i guess.

 

[japancool]

Coincidence not happen that often. But if your assumption coming ture, just pick one i guess.

Sure it does.

 

[Brown Cui]

Sure it does.

nah

 

[japancool]

nah

Yeah.

 

[Brown Cui]

Yeah.

what could i say? Instead of arguing, just focus on the Karimbo's question. Jeez

 

[japancool]

what could i say? Instead of arguing, just focus on the Karimbo's question. Jeez

You were the one who decided to argue about it. I'm giving Karimbo a caveat that he should be aware of. You say it doesn't happen. I say it does.

 

[Brown Cui]

Yeah, right. Plz read my above answer again, i said "not happen that often". Does this means "doesn't happen" to you?

 

[japancool]

Yeah, right. Plz read my above answer again, i said "not happen that often". Does this means "doesn't happen" to you?

OK, then let's rephrase that. You say it's rare. I say it's not. How does that bite ya?

 

[GraemeL]

Keeping to the point of the thread.....

 

[Brown Cui]

OK, then let's rephrase that. You say it's rare. I say it's not. How does that bite ya?

If you rephrase that, then you are right i guess.

 

[DontAsk]

Realistically, buying from CPC (my favourite) and similar can work - but be aware that many of their products are sold on ebay with a tiny margin, by idiots! RS stands for Really Stupid - as their products are for using, not reselling - they're great quality, extremely expensive and not for reselling.

Sorry, but you've got that the wrong way round. On a wide range of product CPC do not offer the sort of quantity discounts that a reseller would be looking for. CPC started as a spares organisation for white goods and is geared up for low quantity sales to end users. Sister company Farnell is a much better bet for quantity purchases, carrying a different range, although overlapping in places.

RS are now, and have been for some time, on a par with Farnell for service and pricing. You might be thinking of the old days of the printed RS catalogue that only account holders, e.g., your local electrical shop, could order from.

For the OPs specific requirements the markup that CPC add to PowerPax items, and lack of quantity discounts, is eye-watering.

 

[paulears]

Well, I'm pretty happy with my CPC trade pricing - sure, not good on ever line, but I do agree that when they started end user sales, my volume went down significantly - however, they're still useful. For my type of purchases, Farnell isn't so hot. RS are significantly higher in like for like products, but their range and the quality is superior.

 

[BillWong]

Could make a self mold of your own chargers