Buying from China....The downsides!

[TropicalEV]

Hi guys...I was cruising the net and found these wheel rim motors and a skype address to contact them...http://e-motor-cn.com/.(linky thing at the botton..Sorry).They had no prices on the site and I was curious. He came on line today and the conversation is below...Gave me a chuckle it can be painfull dealing with these guys at times...I take my hat off to importers who deal with it every day.

[2:53:05 PM] e-moto1: hi
[2:53:28 PM] *** Call from e-moto1 declined. ***
[2:53:34 PM] *** Call ended ***
[2:54:19 PM] ken and lynne: hi there
[2:54:20 PM] e-moto1: hello
[2:54:24 PM] e-moto1: yes
[2:54:30 PM] e-moto1: are you intrested in our ev ?
[2:54:48 PM] ken and lynne: how are you?....I was hoping to get some more info on your electric motors
[2:55:09 PM] e-moto1: good ,i would like to ask more
[2:55:51 PM] ken and lynne: are you in production with them yet?...How many KW are they...How much will they cost?
[2:56:18 PM] e-moto1: yes ,we are in production them ,and total 7.4 kw
[2:56:31 PM] e-moto1: the cost 4950USD fob ningbo
[2:56:55 PM] ken and lynne: !!!!!!how much???...that's VERY expensive!
[2:57:32 PM] e-moto1: i think you shold check the quality before evluate the price
[2:58:29 PM] ken and lynne: LOL...there are plenty of motors available which aren't wheel motors for a much lower price...these ones take a tyre on the motor itself don't they?
[2:59:02 PM] e-moto1: you are right
[2:59:16 PM] ken and lynne: Are they fitted to your toy EV?
[2:59:18 PM] e-moto1: but you should check all parts of ev
[2:59:46 PM] e-moto1: yes ,they are
[3:00:05 PM] ken and lynne: how much is it to buy one of your EV's?
[3:00:22 PM] ken and lynne: are the rims made to Australian road standards?
[3:00:37 PM] e-moto1: 5200USD
[3:00:56 PM] e-moto1: yes ,they are made to Australian road standards
[3:01:34 PM] ken and lynne: So for $4950 us I can have one wheel motor...But for $5200us I can have a car with 4 of them on it!...it makes no sense
[3:02:21 PM] ken and lynne: 7.4 kw..it that peak?
[3:02:49 PM] e-moto1: no
[3:03:13 PM] e-moto1: it can be more
[3:03:13 PM] ken and lynne: no what?
[3:03:45 PM] ken and lynne: ahh.....so that is continuus...does it include controller...what voltage does it run at?
[3:04:23 PM] ken and lynne: and you did not answer question on price of one motor VS price for whole car
[3:04:23 PM] e-moto1: yes ,it concludes the controller
[3:04:43 PM] e-moto1: 630usd if you want motors only
[3:04:46 PM] ken and lynne: ok...what will the controller do?...can you send me specs please?
[3:04:56 PM] e-moto1: yes ,i can
[3:05:38 PM] ken and lynne: wait on...$630 for the motor only...But $4950 if i want motor and controler?
[3:06:10 PM] e-moto1: yes
[3:06:31 PM] ken and lynne: That must be one VERY special controller!!!
[3:07:03 PM] ken and lynne: What voltage does the motor run at...and what is it's peak power please
[3:07:22 PM] e-moto1: 90km/h
[3:07:39 PM] ken and lynne: What is the voltage please?
[3:08:08 PM] ken and lynne: and can I use a higher voltage......what is its PEAK power in KW please
[3:08:35 PM] e-moto1: 80kw
[3:09:09 PM] ken and lynne: 80KW!!!!....I think you must be mistaken......can you check that figure please?
[3:09:21 PM] e-moto1: ok ,let me check
[3:09:31 PM] e-moto1: the storage volume :72 v
[3:09:54 PM] e-moto1: and the max speed :50km/h ,adjustable to 90km/h
[3:10:40 PM] e-moto1: power 3.7kw *2
[3:11:08 PM] ken and lynne: what hapend to 7.4kw?.....what is *2?
[3:11:26 PM] e-moto1: two wheel rim motors
[3:12:14 PM] ken and lynne: ?????
[3:12:24 PM] ken and lynne: This is getting confusing
[3:12:42 PM] ken and lynne: So they are 3.7kw EACH?
[3:12:48 PM] e-moto1: the ev have own two pieces wheel rim motors
[3:12:59 PM] e-moto1: yes ,3.7kw each
[3:13:07 PM] ken and lynne: I only asked about 1 wheel
[3:13:13 PM] e-moto1: 3.7
[3:14:36 PM] ken and lynne: ok.......I think we may be losing something in translation here......Can you plese send me ALL the stats on the motor and controller with prices to my email address?
[3:14:55 PM] e-moto1: ok
[3:15:05 PM] e-moto1: ask me your email address ,plese
[3:15:22 PM] ken and lynne: my addy: @hotmail.com
[3:15:35 PM] e-moto1: ok ,i will reply
[3:15:51 PM] ken and lynne: what is the width of the tyre?
[3:16:16 PM] ken and lynne: are they only suited to those off road tyres?
[3:16:20 PM] e-moto1: i will reply you all datas by email
[3:16:27 PM] ken and lynne: Thankyou
[3:16:34 PM] e-moto1: wlc
[3:16:58 PM] ken and lynne: Please include current prices and any dealers you may have in Australia.
[3:17:04 PM] e-moto1: ok
[3:17:55 PM] ken and lynne: I am a member of a group of people who convert vehicles to EV.....will you do a discount for buying a few of these wheels?
[3:18:39 PM] e-moto1: ok
[3:18:41 PM] e-moto1: thanks
[3:19:19 PM] ken and lynne: plese include a bulk discount price in the price list thankyou
[3:19:33 PM] e-moto1: ok ,i will
[3:19:38 PM] ken and lynne: when will I get this email from you?
[3:20:18 PM] e-moto1: may i reply you on next Monday ?
[3:20:21 PM] ken and lynne: Many Australians are doing conversions...It may be a good market for you
[3:20:23 PM] e-moto1: because i am on holidays now
[3:20:35 PM] e-moto1: good
[3:20:48 PM] ken and lynne: I was hoping for today but I won't be in a position to buy for a little while anyway
[3:20:58 PM] e-moto1: are you only needing the wheel rim motors ?
[3:21:00 PM] ken and lynne: ahh...well enjoy your holidays
[3:21:37 PM] ken and lynne: prices for motors and controlers as well as seperately...so I can make a decision
[3:21:51 PM] e-moto1: ok ,i see
[3:22:08 PM] e-moto1: did you have any targe price ?
[3:22:16 PM] e-moto1: i want to get a reference
[3:23:11 PM] ken and lynne: My target price is as low as I can get....Just like any business transaction.....if your price is too high I will buy somewhere else...
[3:23:28 PM] e-moto1: i see
[3:24:06 PM] ken and lynne: If you are smart you will price it well...you must make a profit but if you are greedy no body will buy...
[3:24:26 PM] e-moto1: yes ,i see
[3:24:44 PM] e-moto1: we should get a certain profit ,and give you best price only
[3:24:59 PM] ken and lynne: Like I said...there are many more like me in Aust....if you make a good quallity motor at a good price...they will want to buy them
[3:25:18 PM] e-moto1: ok ,thanks
[3:25:21 PM] ken and lynne: Is there a waranty?
[3:25:23 PM] e-moto1: we belive we can
[3:25:27 PM] e-moto1: yes ,we have
[3:25:38 PM] e-moto1: 2 years waranty
[3:25:42 PM] ken and lynne: how much for shipping?
[3:26:26 PM] e-moto1: i need to check according your order quantities
[3:26:42 PM] ken and lynne: fair enough.....
[3:27:08 PM] e-moto1:
[3:27:32 PM] ken and lynne: I will leave you to your holliday...Thankyou for your time....I look forward to recieving your email
[3:27:57 PM] e-moto1: ok , http://e-motor-cn.com/

[Richo]

Yeah it's not so bad when they e-mail but when they call it's very frustrating.

[Paul9]

Who's on first?? Or is it watts on second!

[TropicalEV]

LOL Paul Exactly.....

I finaly got the detailed info I asked for..Well...Not exactly..It was in the form of a pdf sales brochure, mostly about the EV they are selling and how wonderful their company is...The following is an extract of the only relevant info.
"In-Wheel motor
Volt: 48-72V DC
Rated power: 3000W/4000W/5000W/6000W/8000W/10KW
Rated current : 50A/65A/80A/100A/130A/160A
RPM: 600-850rpm/min
Brake: hydraulic brake
Price : 630USD FOB shanghai"
It turns out the controler is included in the $630us for the 3.7kw motor....They list motors up to 10kw because they can get them from their suppliers...After all that, these guys don't even make them!!!
The following is about the EV..

"Electric car
Technology Data
PEFORMANCE
Model:…ESRV-01
Max range : …150km
Max speed: …50km/h adjustable to 90km/h
Ground clearance :…210mm
Acceleration (0-max speed)…8s
DRIVE SYSTEM
Gear box: ……NO
Drive way: ……RR drive
Motion Transfer…direct output
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
L*W*H: …2630x1580x1330mm
Wheel base…1970mm
Weight with batteries: …550kg
Batteries weight…300kg
Storage Volume…72V
SUSPENSION
Front: …macpherson type
Rear…...macpherson type
BRAKING SYSTEM
Front … brake hydraulic disc
Back… Drum-type hydraulic brakes
Parking Brake…hydraulic
Braking Distance with Full Load at
20Km/h…3m
40Km/h…6m
Full speed…7m
POWER SYSTEM
Power:3.7kw X 2
Batteries: …12V200Ah
Battery Charger: ……72V
Electric efficiency: ……90%
Charger time: …8-10h
www.e-motor-cn.com www.emotorschina.com
BODY&CHASIS
Body Material: …ABS Plastic
Colors: …red/blue/yellow/green
Frame: …Wholly Welded
Seating: …2 seat
Accessories
OPTIONAL FEATURES( Chargeable)
Air-conditioner…NO
Heater …Yes
Glass roof…Yes
4 wheel disc break……No
ABS……NO
DVD+MP4……YES
GPS……NO
STEERING
Steering……6m(turning radius)
TIRES & WHEELS
Front:24x8-12
Back: 24x10-12
It is worth to mention the saving ,too
Lower insurance fees ,
Lower power taxes
Environmental protection revision not needed
Lower maintenance costs (exchange of carbon brushes in the motor every 15-20.000km)
Lower fuel costs (less with 0.04-0.08Euro/km)
Zero emission(less with 150-200g/km CO2)
Price :4950USD FOB shanghai"

[EEV]

I guess you've had no follow up?

[TropicalEV]

Nope...not a word.....Too hard for them maybe? ..Too hard for me that's for sure! LOL...I'll buy localy, I just thought there might be something useful in it for the EV community....

[blue1128]

There are downsides in purchasing stuff from a different country. I think it would be better to buy locally if you could find it in your place. Aside from being more convenient it's more easy to replace whenever problems should arise.

[tanker24]

It's a little scary to buy from someone from far away who doesn't even speak your language clearly. What if you get the wrong parts? What if you get charged incorrectly? There are many good things that are made in China but when it comes to car parts, cars, and things that involves your human life, it's better to buy NOT from China.

[oknevets]

yes at rdean
i believe most of the things they sell are of poor durability really
and yes they come in low prices, and they'll tell you it's of good quality, but no it won't be