My Alibaba Roof Top Tent purchase journey

[SRFRAT67]

So, I have been researching RTT's for a while now as I wait for my bed rack to be delivered and am amazed at the crazy prices that these US importers are asking just because they slap their logo on it.I have looked at all the major players and can't bring myself to spend that much for something made in China. I was looking at TopOak and Natures Nest as they are at a much better price point.
I stumbled on a thread on expedition portal where someone was ordering a camper off of Alibaba and was amazed at how many brands of Aussie style off road campers sold there and in the US were imported from china then outfitted locally. It got me to thinking...well, what about a RTT. I found a reputable manufacturer on Alibaba that was selling a RTT that was exactly the same as the TOP OAK Vision, looked the same and all the specs were the same. As I looked through hundreds of RTT's on Alibaba I noticed that all these tents looked exactly like the RTT's from US retailers, down to the colors and materials. I plan on ordering a tent from the supplier in the attached link.
I have been chatting with them online for a couple of days and they even said they could make the tent with heavier material than spaced out if I wanted and do some other minor customizations, such as adding a second heater port so I can exhaust a portable AC unit out instead of hanging the intake/exhaust vents out a window. I have also attached the companies product catalog for reference..I am looking to get the New Sunda-002-1.
I just wanted to put this out there for anyone else that may be interested in saving hundreds to a couple of thousand dollars over something rebranded for the US market. The only thing that may be a deal killer is Tariff's and import duties, will have to see. If it ends up being more I will go with the TOP OAK Vision, which is a great deal, especially if you can pick it up at their California warehouse and save $ 380 in shipping that they add into the price. I am being quoted 799 for the tent and 412 for shipping to the US and then truck freight to my door.



https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...d_similar.normal_offer.d_image.7f945f939DgQVZ

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[Trauma PA]

That tent sure looks a lot like the Topoak Vision RTT. You probably don’t stand to lose much by going for it. Almost all of the tents are made in China anyways with the exception of IKamper being made in South Korea.

 

[Blade1668]

I was looking there before I got the one I have. I liked the aluminum shell version but decided on the pop up box shaped one. Worked out the order ect ect. Then came the shipping and they tried to change shipping costs, port, and port fees on and on shenanigans. I did briefly consider ordering several then to sell. As said most of the RTT sold in USA are actually made in China including several marked as made here. If I had ordered 5 I would get a substantial discount, at other quantities it would include custom markings and material used. My shutdown was the shenanigans with the shipping and doubling prices there.

 

[SRFRAT67]

Well, as it turns out Blade1668 my experience was the same, when it got down to brass tacks with shipping the juice isn't worth the squeeze...lol, plus the tariffs and duties. I guess I will go with the Top Oak, it is still IMO at a great price point.

 

[Blade1668]

Well, as it turns out Blade1668 my experience was the same, when it got down to brass tacks with shipping the juice isn't worth the squeeze...lol, plus the tariffs and duties. I guess I will go with the Top Oak, it is still IMO at a great price point.

I hope your experience with it ended before the C.C. charges went through.

 

[SRFRAT67]

it did

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Imports from China are a bitch right now. Between tariffs and the 90 day pause I wont see my tent until early August now. Hopefully your TopOak won't be the same.

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