Traversing the Taobao Trail: How to Pay for Things on Taobao in 6 Steps

Traversing the Taobao Trail: How to Pay for Things on Taobao in 6 Steps
May 22, 2014 By Danielle Martin , eChinacities.com

“Hi, my name’s Danielle and I’m a Taobao-aholic” …

This should be the opening line I use whenever I meet new people; I spend that much time surfing the hallowed highway of this site. Trying to think back to a time when I lived without Taobao in my life, I can’t picture it all. So for those of you who have no idea what this phenomenon entails, take a look at this must-read guide to getting clued up, registered and purchasing in next to no time….

So, what is Taobao? Answer: It’s an online shopping website with a plethora of sellers, selling literally anything you could ask for at rock bottom prices, all competing with each other, hence the reason it’s so popular.

“How do I register” I hear you cry?!  Well, read on for a few hints and tips on how to navigate your way around and become a Taobao pro like the Chinese …

Taobao
Photo: bfishadow

1) Download Google Chrome
First things first – don’t run before you can walk. As you’re aware, Taobao is a Chinese shopping site so it’s in Chinese. This is completely useless to those of us who can’t read hànzì (汉字). The advantage of downloading and installing the Google Chrome browser is that it automatically translates pages into the language of your browser. An absolute blessing since comparing items you like the look of but being unable to understand the descriptions of is a minefield.  This is a very easy process – after downloading Chrome, go to the ‘Settings’ tab. Scroll down to the bottom and click ‘Advanced Settings’ and then ‘Languages.’ Here, you can select the language of your browser along with any languages you wish to be translated when viewing web pages.

2) Register for online banking with your bank
In order to set up an account and pay for your items, you must have a handy little USB key (as given by the Agricultural Bank of China) or security device, provided to you courtesy of your bank. The type of security devices given vary from bank to bank. Bank of China customers for example, are given a device that is not a USB-style plug-in but a stick that automatically generates a unique code when you log in to your online account. Regardless, this is a security feature installed on Taobao – no security key, no purchase.

This is actually a great idea because it means that even if somebody finds out your PIN number and tries to buy something online, they can’t unless they also have access to your key, which has its own separate password (double indemnity if you will). Your bank may or may not charge you a small fee (10 – 20 RMB) for it.

Ideally, take a Chinese speaker along to the bank with you to go through the process of obtaining above-mentioned key. For the purposes of this article, I will explain the process for ABC (Agricultural Bank of China) as this is who I bank with. Please note: the processes for obtaining the device and registering online may vary from bank to bank.

When you go to the bank and request online banking, the staff will give you a USB key. The security staff will then take you to a machine and ask you to choose an eight digit password for the key which you must enter three times. They then set up the key for use and give you a receipt. Now, this is what they may not tell you: On the receipt are two codes: an authorisation code and a verification code. Both have a 14 day validity period and need to be used within this timeframe in order to download the security certificate that enables the key for use on your computer.

3) Download security certificate onto your computer (if with ABC)
This is a two-part process, the first of which is automatically done when you plug the key into your computer. The computer should recognize the new device and open an installation wizard. Follow the steps for downloading the security suite, which is the platform that manages the certificate. The second part requires you to log on to your bank’s website and manually download the certificate itself, now validating your key and making it ready for use. Customers from other banks may not have to deal with this step but they will have to download and install a security feature from their banks.

4) Set up an account
As foreigners, we have fewer options open to us for registering our details and setting up an account. The Chinese use a system called Alipay which links their bank account directly to their Taobao account. Using this system, they can then deposit money into their Taobao accounts at the drop of a hat whenever they run low, much like using PayPal and making sure it has available funds. However, we can’t do this since we don’t have a Chinese ID card, which means there is only one available method left for us to use: linking your bank card directly to your account and pay using that – instant payment via a debit card. This is where the USB key is needed since you are accessing your funds directly to purchase something, so security is tighter.  

To set up the account, log on to www.taobao.com. On the top left hand corner click ‘Register Free.’ This opens a registration page. Complete the information to set up your account and away you go!

5) Paying for goods
Please note: paying for goods can only be done through Internet Explorer. This is currently the only supported browser for making payment, so although you can browse in English on Google Chrome, you must pay for your items in Internet Explorer.

Let’s take the process for a t-shirt …

Taobao 
Once you’ve selected the item that you want, click on the payment button to complete the purchase.  This will load the next screen which will confirm the price, number of items and the address it is to be sent to plus any delivery costs to be incurred. Click next if this information is correct.

After this is the payment screen. Here, a list of banks will appear for you to choose from. You should only choose the one at the bottom of the page listed beneath Internet Banking, like this:

Taobao

After clicking next, you will be asked to input your USB password, then your debit card password, then your USB password again before clicking OK. (For Bank of China users, you must submit your username and password, obtain a security code via text message and input the code from your security device).

Et voilà …. Purchase complete!

Tip: It is common practice to set your shipping address as the address of the company you work for rather than your home address. There are a few reasons for this.
1) It’s generally safer since packages are usually delivered and signed for at reception. 2) If you work Monday to Friday 9-5pm, or similar, then you’re at work more often than at home so there will be nobody to accept and sign for your package.
3) If it does go to your house and you’re not there, it will be lost in postal service heaven and may be difficult to locate the warehouse it has been sent back to.

6) Returning an item
In the event that you should need to return an item you should talk to the seller first to advise them of this and to obtain a return address and telephone number. They will not refund your money until they have received the returned item, usually 7-10 days. If you want to swap the item then this is fine, they will send you another once they have received the returned item. However, be aware that you are liable for the delivery costs of returning the item unless you have pre-purchased shipping insurance on the payment page. The costs are usually 12 RMB for small / light items and around 20 RMB for larger / heavier items. It is your responsibility (or ask a Chinese friend if you are unable to communicate that well) to contact a local courier company. They will then collect your package and send it back to the seller. 

That concludes our guide to helping you on your way to accessing and using one of the most popular websites in China. As with many things here though, procedures are constantly being updated so check with your bank for the most up-to-date information with regard to online banking procedures.

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Keywords: Taobao online banking China how to pay for things on taobao

12 Comments

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defresnay

Hi I did read full blog of Danielle "How-to-Pay-for-Things-on-Taobao-in-6-Steps" i ever been registered at there but for a long time now, I must go further now using a self payment. Of course I partially succeed using my visa but some sellers dont accept it. So, you propose to open account at ABC bank but I was told that must be resident in order to be accepted. I tried unsuccessfully with Alypay cause "unavailable in France". Last way should be to use sim card via application but I really dont know. This last technology is not so often used here and even I dont know if Taobao gives this possibility online? How did you registered in a Chinese bank? Do you work or are resident in China? Thanks for your comments about that..

Nov 04, 2017 22:57 Report Abuse

ChefKitten

Helpful indeed! Taobao is great, and it could be even better if we could search items in English.

May 27, 2014 13:45 Report Abuse

Guest2336698

The Alipay account isn't only for Chinese. You can register for Alipay account using your passport number and link your Debit card to your account. I'm using Alipay account for more than 5 years.

May 26, 2014 10:54 Report Abuse

cjh

I have also used Alipay for a number of years; however, I have yet to figure out how to link my debit card (every time I try, it asks for my Chinese ID number). Can you explain how you did it?

May 28, 2014 15:49 Report Abuse

defresnay

unavailable everywhere... to be resident to open bank account in China, I dont know which app would work with (pre-paid) sim card?

Nov 04, 2017 23:18 Report Abuse

bresch

Awesome;i needed this.Thanks.

May 25, 2014 21:52 Report Abuse

GeorgeJersey

Thanks! Very clear tutorial! I hope I can see an article about how to link your e-bank with cab hailing apps (嘀嘀打车, etc.). I've heard of some foreigners succeeded at it.

May 23, 2014 14:40 Report Abuse

ChefKitten

It is said you could get refund if you use it. Have anyone here succeeded?

May 27, 2014 13:48 Report Abuse

Guest14322506

The best bet is to use your Wechat Wallet

Jun 28, 2015 17:53 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Finally! An article that can actually help expats! And it wasnt lazy at all! Superb job! Please keep up the good work. Writers like you are rare in these parts.

May 22, 2014 12:29 Report Abuse

bill8899

Well done.

May 22, 2014 08:01 Report Abuse

Comradova

Wow, thank you for this! Godsend, really!

May 22, 2014 04:09 Report Abuse