[_pmf_]

> That's in Shenzen. Might as well be Mars for most people.

Ah, yes, if only some smart people could invent some kind of global network for people to buy things remotely, and created some site where you could order these things. They could call it, for example, Ali Baba.

[mikecane]

Still Mars. Unknown companies, unknown quality, unknown warranties (as in mostly non-existent). And sending it back to China to exchange a defective unit? Suddenly that $30 isn't.

[vidarh]

A wide range of these products are available at reasonable markups via a variety of Amazon Marketplace resellers.

That's how I got my first one. But since then I've started ordering direct from Alibaba/Aliexpress and for many products the savings are large enough to "self insure" and still be worth it with a good margin.

[canttestthis]

$30 is cheap enough for most people that they wouldn't expect warranties and excellent build quality.

[sixbrx]

Have a link?

[briandh]

http://www.alibaba.com/wholesale/categories/Mobile-Phones_50...

or

http://www.aliexpress.com/category/5090301/mobile-phones.htm...

depending on the quantities you would like to purchase