"Would you ever buy a handmade item from country you have never heard about before?

[mandarine]

only sincere answers please

country-Rep.of Moldova

My dear guys and gals.My questions is not for advertising.I just want to know your sincere opinion at my question, and THAT'S ALL!Oh my Goodness!
I know here are many clever people and i am veeeeeeeeeeerrrrrry glad to know that almost all of you know where Moldova is located.
I appreciate your sincere answers, but so many comments, but so few answers at my question.
By the way: I am from Moldova and all items from my site are MADE IN MOLDOVA BY MOLDAVIAN CRAFTSMEN!!!!!!!Do tread my question as I crime.It is just a simple question.
If you have any question or my question is vague, just ask i will try to explain :-) T

[AmyE]

A country I have never heard of?? I like to think my world geography is not too bad - I can't imagine there are many countries I have never even heard of.

[beckyboo]

hmmm
Sorry but I'm with Amy here.
I'm a bubble head at the best of times but I do like to think I know most countries and if not I would goggle it before hand.

[Tip Top]

Bit of a strange question

And I've deleted your other thread as its a duplication of this one, in case you were wondering where it went

[mandarine]

Bit of a strange question

And I've deleted your other thread as its a duplication of this one, in case you were wondering where it went

that is ok. i am mostly interested to get answers

[woodtattoos]

I agree with everyone else so far. A country I haven't heard of? I'm with AmyE and beckyboo on this. Seems a very odd question... :confused:

Si.

[mandarine]

From Rep. of Moldova, for instance.Sorry for vagueness.

[creativeclare]

In a veiled way, are you asking us if we would buy from Republic of Moldova?

[AmyE]

I have heard of Moldova and know where it is....this is getting stranger by the minute!!

[lauralou1601]

I just said no coz I still think of handmade as code for 'handmade in a sweat shop' unless its from like UK, USA, France n places like that. This isnt, by the way, some kind of obscure racism, this is just a dislike of sweatshops.

[nattynetty]

If I was in Moldova then yes quite possibly as I like buying locally handmade products, would I buy something online...probably not.

And I think most of us here have heard of Moldova it is part of Europe after all.

[lauralou1601]

yeah Maldova - nil pwoah! (Thats points in french like they say at eurovision btw, i have aboslutely no idea how to spell it though!)

[Ideas In Paper]

I'm with everyone else, can't think there are many countries I have not heard and Moldova is in Europe like someone said earlier. Very strange question

[ladyluckjewellery]

I think the OP is just advertising, their website is based in Moldova, with the head office in Hong Kong!!!

[lauralou1601]

Is in near hong kong?! Bang goes my theory about eurovision! Although saying that, I dont think Israel is in europe either... Oh well! That is bad anyway, if you want people to go n check out your website - ask them! They generally will! Its a friendly group of people here

[nattynetty]

Hmmm nope Moldova is nowhere near Hong Kong which has me wondering the following.....

Mandarine, are the products on your website handmade by you personally? :confused:

[Critchley]

I can't vote, the "for instance" is a bit puzzling. Is it or is't it Moldova. If it is also somewhere else then where.
Please clarify then I will vote for you.

[woodtattoos]

I still think that it's a question I can't possibly answer! If you are trying to find out 'subtly' how many of us have heard of Moldova and how many of us would be willing to buy from there, ASK! Just please bear in mind the purpose of the Forum. :D

Si.

[Pebbles]

I said no, if there is a country I have never heard of, it is likely that it does not exist.......

I generally try to buy British where possible too, it's 'cos I am in Scotland though and trying to reduce my carbon footprint. I buy Scottish veg and meat where possible and generally try to buy from 'local' shops

I did exactly the same when I was in Australia, I only bought Australian food

[janetdc]

Well no need to shout! I HAVE heard of Rep of Moldova, in fact I read a very funny book by Tony Hawkes called Playing the Moldovan's at Tennis (or something like that!).:confused:

[Pagan]

mmmm, nice!

[nattynetty]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_972.html
quote: Racially motivated incidents against foreigners and persons of color have occurred in Moldova. Persons of African, Asian, or Arab heritage may be subject to various types of harassment, such as verbal abuse, and denied entrance into some clubs and restaurants. end quote.


Much like a lot of East European countries nowadays unfortunately, it's so sad to hear the racist chanting at a lot of the international football games and it's getting worse not better since the fall of communism (part of my disertation at uni so I could waffle for ever...but won't ;)) I'd still love to visit Moldova and the neighbouring countries and definitely will one day.

And Janet I read that book too 'Playing the Moldovans at Tennis' I'd recommend it to anyone - funny and enlightening :)

[Selina]

This gets more biziarre by the minute, Selina

[Pink Giraffe]

"Playing the Moldovians at Tennis" is an excellent book by Tony Hawkes, but his other book, "Around Ireland With A Fridge" is even better.

As for the original post I agree with an earlier comment, I'd buy handmade products from a country I was travelling in, but unlikely to buy this kind of product online, regardless of whether or not I had heard of the country.

[goldy1]

Sorry wouldn't buy anything on your web site. you state...


"Safety of client's money
All financial transactions are processed by the processing center independent from us, so we don’t have any access to your funds. We will refund your money or replace your order in case it was lost, damaged or stolen."


Who handles the money? I wouldn't give my card details to an unknown source.:o

[Critchley]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_972.html
quote: Travelers should be aware that there are numerous road checkpoints along roads leading into and out from Transnistria. Taking photographs of military facilities, public buildings, and security forces, including checkpoints along roads leading into and out from Transnistria, is strictly prohibited. Racially motivated incidents against foreigners and persons of color have occurred in Moldova. Persons of African, Asian, or Arab heritage may be subject to various types of harassment, such as verbal abuse, and denied entrance into some clubs and restaurants. end quote.

Nice place. ;)
That certainly answers my query - thanks Beadsage. Subject closed as far as I am concerned

[AmyE]

I think we are being a bit mean about Moldova! Did you see Michael Palin's Eastern European series - one of his favourite places was Moldova.

However, this does not really affect whether I buy. I certaintly wouldnt rule out buying from someone in Moldova as long as I felt that they were an honest crafter and I liked the product. I am not sure this is the case with your items..

[nattynetty]

I think we are being a bit mean about Moldova! Did you see Michael Palin's Eastern European series - one of his favourite places was Moldova.


Absolutely! I believe Transnistria is a disputed territory within Moldova hence the road checkpoints and all the strict rules etc, I think the FO advise against travelling there but the rest is not meant to be too bad (you can tell I've looked into Moldova as part of my one-day-it'll-happen trip round Eastern Europe).

However, contrary to my previous post I don't think I'd be buying anything from this company on my travels as their links to Hong Kong make me suspect their products may not be quite as they seem.

[gypsypunk]

only sincere answers please

country- Moldova, Rep.of, for example

Actually, it is quite OK to purchase handmade items from countries one haven't heard of... but we only do not hear much about suppressed slavery, and not the country or the people.

I went through your website... and if you have browsed over the net recently, you have to be very cautious about Chinese made-goods as it will beat your product price any time with better visual presentations.

But it's just another honest opinion

[edenworkshops]

A country I had never heard of?

Unlikely, but if it did occur I would be very careful.

Richard

[woodtattoos]

I'm careful when people use words that I've never heard of as well. That sort of thing makes me really lebstronomous.

:D

Si.

[Tip Top]

I'm careful when people use words that I've never heard of as well. That sort of thing makes me really lebstronomous.

:D

Si.

Heheheheh!! I just spat my tea all over the monitor!

Very good!!:D

[mandarine]

I think the OP is just advertising, their website is based in Moldova, with the head office in Hong Kong!!!

Oh my Goodness!I guarantee you my website, handicrafts and head office are 100000000% located/from Moldova.I am very curious to know how did you arrive at this conclusion????

[mandarine]

I think we are being a bit mean about Moldova! Did you see Michael Palin's Eastern European series - one of his favourite places was Moldova.

However, this does not really affect whether I buy. I certaintly wouldnt rule out buying from someone in Moldova as long as I felt that they were an honest crafter and I liked the product. I am not sure this is the case with your items..

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AMY. I sincerely appreciate your answer:kiss:

[mandarine]

That certainly answers my query - thanks Beadsage. Subject closed as far as I am concerned

You'd better visit Moldova firstly and then state such funny thoughts as we read. You know it's VERY FUNNY to hear such things FROM PEOPLE WHO NEVER WERE IN MOLDOVA

[woodtattoos]

If your original question is now "Would you buy a handmade item from Moldova?", my answer would be "Yes, I would buy something from Moldova if it appealed to me."

I think you did yourself an injustice by assuming we would not have heard of you! ;)

Si.

[mandarine]

Much like a lot of East European countries nowadays unfortunately, it's so sad to hear the racist chanting at a lot of the international football games and it's getting worse not better since the fall of communism (part of my disertation at uni so I could waffle for ever...but won't ;)) I'd still love to visit Moldova and the neighbouring countries and definitely will one day.

And Janet I read that book too 'Playing the Moldovans at Tennis' I'd recommend it to anyone - funny and enlightening :)

Thanks for answer and for veeeerrrry interesting link. Truly speaking,i am from Moldova and I am 24 years old, but i HAVE NEVER HEARD such stupidities, moreover FROM PEOPLE WHO NEVER WERE IN MOLDOVA.
(welcome)Nattynetty to Moldova.I am sure you'll like here:)

[mandarine]

Sorry wouldn't buy anything on your web site. you state...


"Safety of client's money
All financial transactions are processed by the processing center independent from us, so we don’t have any access to your funds. We will refund your money or replace your order in case it was lost, damaged or stolen."


Who handles the money? I wouldn't give my card details to an unknown source.:o

hi,
if you read http://www.thehandicrafts.net/terms-of-use/ (http://www.thehandicrafts.net/terms-of-use/)attentively you would find the following:
Processing Company

All products and services, displayed in the Internet-shop www.thehandicrafts.net (http://www.thehandicrafts.net/), are accepted for payment via VISA and Mastercard by "TELETRANSINFO" SRL,

Legal address: S. Lazo str., 40, MD-2004, Chisinau, Moldova, through a protected URL https://secure.e-centru.com. (https://secure.e-centru.com) For security purposes, the card numbers are not kept by the company.

[silvermaid]

I would not rule out buying anything from any country if they were selling something that appealed to me.
I have looked at your site. I love the patchwork items, the fabric and patterns are beautiful and they look well made. It is also nice to have a lot of close-up photos of them.
I think you are selling some good items but not the sort of things that I would buy.

Melanie

[Poppy4lee]

Could you say why you posted such an abstract question?

If people don't state their purpose, or, say what they mean, from the start, it leads to others suspecting that there may be covert reasons for their questioning. I believe that openness & honesty are always the best way forward, especially if you want to make friends in a new environment.

Also, do you handcraft all the items on your site yourself?

[Critchley]

You'd better visit Moldova firstly and then state such funny thoughts as we read. You know it's VERY FUNNY to hear such things FROM PEOPLE WHO NEVER WERE IN MOLDOVA

You very clearly stated "Muldova for instance" If you didn't want to be misunderstood you should not go round the houses but straight. Had you done that this thread would have had quite different results.

[ladyluckjewellery]

Oh my Goodness!I guarantee you my website, handicrafts and head office are 100000000% located/from Moldova.I am very curious to know how did you arrive at this conclusion????

ermmm - in the 'contact us' section of your website - it says your managing company is in Hong Kong and is called Rossman Trading Ltd.

[RenataHarris]

Hello. I think the comments are a bit harsh and quick to the gun. Yes I would consider overseas, but i wouldnt buy anything in england either at the moment! :o

[lauraj]

Yes, I would buy from Moldova. I would buy from Montenegro. I would buy from Mongolia. I would buy from anywhere if they had a product I liked and wanted.

Give them a break guys, so what the question was worded slightly oddly. Not everyone has a fluent grasp of the English language. Including a lot of you guys.

[ladyluckjewellery]

Hi Laura,

I don't think people are picking on them because of their English (I certainly hope you don't think I was) - I have an issue with the fact that they keep saying they are from Moldova and their goods are handcrafted, yet when I go onto their website I can clearly see they or their company are based in Hong Kong.

Claire

[Critchley]

Hello Laura, I agree with Claire. I have no issue whatsoever with Muldova or anywhere else for that matter. I do, however have issues with people making vast amounts of money at the cost of others lives, well being, health, living standards etc., I am not yet convinced that this is not so in this case.
I also appreciate that this is probably over simplifying the matter and there are so many other issues to be taken into consideration. This is how I feel and I am sorry if it offends anyone here.

[Poppy4lee]

Yes, I would buy from Moldova. I would buy from Montenegro. I would buy from Mongolia. I would buy from anywhere if they had a product I liked and wanted.

Give them a break guys, so what the question was worded slightly oddly. Not everyone has a fluent grasp of the English language. Including a lot of you guys.

I agree with Claire, we're not 'arguing semantics' we are just somewhat confused about the head office being based in Hong Kong, when this is actually a forum for crafters. I think, as very little information was given and a fairly cryptic question was posed by Mandarine, it's not unfair for us to want verify the underlying rationale. To be honest, I don't give a donkey's d*ck about syntax, or, grammatical correctness, I just like chatting to people on here!

[mandarine]

Thanks everyone for your comments.Well, English is not my native language(Romanian is native) and perhaps that's why my question is "cryptic":behindsofa: but I am glad that among "too sincere" answers :D some members answered at my question.I just want to add that my site as all our things are 100% from Moldova.

Moldavian representation & permanent establishment, support & delivery company:
TABTIM SRL str. M. Costin 19/5, of. 82, MD-2045, Chisinau, Moldova

Our processing center is located in Hong Kong and they just process our orders.
Poll is not closed so you can vote :) If you have any question. just ask.

[goldieab]

This is really bizarre.

I recently had an order placed on my website and their email address was @moldova.com. How strange. Unfortunately, it was a bogus order as they gave an incomplete address, within the UK, and incomplete mobiile number. They didn't pay.

I "investigated" and found a Moldova website relating to the country.

And I've now stumbled across this thread about Moldova.

How bizarre.

xx

[Poppy4lee]

I just want to add that my site as all our things are 100% from Moldova.

Moldavian representation & permanent establishment, support & delivery company:
TABTIM SRL str. M. Costin 19/5, of. 82, MD-2045, Chisinau, Moldova

Our processing center is located in Hong Kong and they just process our orders.
Poll is not closed so you can vote :) If you have any question. just ask.

So, I take it that you don't handcraft the items yourself. Also, why are your orders processed in Hong Kong :confused: are you drop shipping??

[rixyswrappers]

What a truly bizarre thread!!lol.

What in the name of all things crafty is "drop shipping"? I have never heard of such a thing.[rhetorical question- i can look it up on Wiki]

and just to add my 5 pence worth, I love to buy handcrafted products from the people who handcrafted them, in the countries where they were handcrafted.:b:

[Critchley]

Drop shipping is a supply chain management (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_chain_management) technique in which the retailer does not keep goods in stock, but instead transfers customer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer) orders and shipment details to wholesalers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wholesalers), who then ship the goods directly to the customer. The retailers make their profit on the difference between the wholesale and retail price.

[Poppy4lee]

just to add my 5 pence worth, I love to buy handcrafted products from the people who handcrafted them, in the countries where they were handcrafted.:b: Me too :D
If Mandarine is hand crafting the items herself, why does she need her orders to be processed in Hong Kong :confused:

[mandarine]

for those who never deal with or heard about processing centers:PROCESSING CENTERS PROCESS MONEY TRANSACTIONS BUT NOT ORDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If your store has international customers you should have a processing center.

[Poppy4lee]

Do you handcraft the items yourself??

[woodtattoos]

And here I was thinking that this thread had gone to sleep...

Poppy, I don't think you will get an answer as I'm sure it has been asked before.

[Poppy4lee]

Poppy, I don't think you will get an answer as I'm sure it has been asked before.
I don't think I will either, I was just being naughty - I wanted to see if the question would be avoided again :D

[woodtattoos]

It got avoided back in July... I think you know what the result will be this time as well.

[mandarine]

Do you handcraft the items yourself??

I make bags.We are group of craftsmen and we decided to open an online store and here it is :)

[mandarine]

And here I was thinking that this thread had gone to sleep...

believe me, me too LoL

[Peter]

Now let me get this right...................you are in Moldova, your managing company is in Hong Kong, and you ship via USPS - United States Postal Service.......................do you wonder why we are a little suspicious? :confused:

[Poppy4lee]

For some reason the phrase "pull the other one, it's got bells on it" springs to mind ....no idea why;)

[mandarine]

well, well, well .... Let's try to explain this complex thing again....
The company and the manufacturers are located in Moldova.
When someone pays for the orders the transaction goes via a number of banks(maybe it's a revelation for you, but not all the banks which accept US Dollars' payments are situated in the US). The processing center we cooperate with works with Hong Kong Bank, because it works efficiently unlike many well-known American Processings(I can mention them BTW). USPS works with other world-known postal companies, they deliver the goods to the American customs where USPS delivers them to your doors. I doubt the names of these famous companies tell you something if you don't know how delivery from overseas works, unless you want that to know.

[Peter]

Patronising a mod is never a good move.;)

[mandarine]

So,if you penetrate deeper into some ordinary for any Eastern Europeans processes I'm sure all your fears and suspicious disappear.You know almost all answers I read here cause the intention to investigate the difference between cultures deeper.It's a pity this forum doesn't let me to carry out that.Thank you for your time

[Bath-Bomb.Com]

I don't find this hard to believe - Paypal Pro is based in Ireland and their head office is based in Luxumberg - I just wouldn't put it on my website because I'm not sure it's anyone's business, although I can understand wanting to put something on about who processes your payments.

I guess Mandarine using USPS is no different to me using Fed-EX (apart from the fact they are very expensive, of course!).

Anyway, that's my twopenneth...

:)

[mandarine]

I don't find this hard to believe - Paypal Pro is based in Ireland and their head office is based in Luxumberg - I just wouldn't put it on my website because I'm not sure it's anyone's business, although I can understand wanting to put something on about who processes your payments.

I guess Mandarine using USPS is no different to me using Fed-EX (apart from the fact they are very expensive, of course!).

Anyway, that's my twopenneth...

:)

Thank you for your support, I'm glad we re not alone:)
I'd just want to say, that we do really make them and we are really from Moldova

[Poppy4lee]

well, well, well .... Let's try to explain this complex thing again....
The company and the manufacturers are located in Moldova.


Well, it's clarified one point for me, that your website belongs to a comany that works with different 'manufacturers'. Phew, that was a long road to a short answer!

[lauraj]

I cant believe this post is still going and people are still being so nasty and rude to a forum member. I totally understand mandarine and good luck with your biz. Laura, x

[nattynetty]

for those who never deal with or heard about processing centers:PROCESSING CENTERS PROCESS MONEY TRANSACTIONS BUT NOT ORDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If your store has international customers you should have a processing center.

OMG and I've survived this long without one :o Anyone know the dialing code for Hong Kong ;)

[Peter]

Quote: The company and the manufacturers are located in Moldova. Unquote:
Now, correct me if I'm - still - wrong, but this is a forum for people who MAKE handcrafted goods, not MARKET them. It isn't rocket science - you are being ostracised because you have intimated you are a 'crafter'..............and you are not. What is so difficult to grasp here? Said he, patronisingly. :)

[urbtaf]

After a quick look around the net, its my opinion that this is drop shipping.
Unless Moldova is a province of China that ive never heard of;)
Never been to Moldova, but have traveled to a few countries in that part of the world, and I am not impressed with the underhand attitude to business that I found!
One chap who was tying to sell me fake (german) silver was very proud of the fact that they were eating of silver plates when we in Britain were still living in caves! his exact words, He got quite upset when I pointed out that we had evolved since then, unlike him.
So sorry mate but if you want to sell on the net, do it through E-bay or similar, dont think you belong on this forum

[goldy1]

I have just been to your site and looked at the items for sale .
1. nothing special related to your country apart from the dols.
2. Wayyy over priced. Air fresheners. Made from scraps of material 9USD I presume that's US dollars.
3. There is no consistency to what you rite in your blog it does no trelate to Moldavia at all.


OOHHH I give up why are we giving this thread so much time??? :confused:

sorry spelling bad got steaming head cold. :rolleyes:

[Lilac Moon]

"Playing the Moldovians at Tennis" is an excellent book by Tony Hawkes, but his other book, "Around Ireland With A Fridge" is even better.

As for the original post I agree with an earlier comment, I'd buy handmade products from a country I was travelling in, but unlikely to buy this kind of product online, regardless of whether or not I had heard of the country.

I agree with Pink Giraffe, I would buy if i were there but not online. so I voted maybe.

[Bath-Bomb.Com]

Quote: The company and the manufacturers are located in Moldova. Unquote: Now, correct me if I'm - still - wrong, but this is a forum for people who MAKE handcrafted goods, not MARKET them. It isn't rocket science - you are being ostracised because you have intimated you are a 'crafter'

Please don't take this the wrong way but maybe the poster's english isn't as good as we might wish. Sometimes a simple translation doesn't translate the subtleties of language (as I'm always telling my Amercan husband who thinks that "sure" connotes excited acceptance, whereas I think it means "oh if we must").

I have an Italian customer who emails and asks how much the "expedition" will cost (she means carriage - I HOPE!!!) and she wanted to know if her items had "escaped" - took me a while to work out she meant dispatched (oh God I do hope she mean dispatched).

Anyway, literally speaking manufacture does mean to produce or make - someone whose first language isn't English might not realise that we understand it as something a bit bigger and more industrial than sitting in the spare room or kitchen stitching quilts or making soaps...

I'm not trying to be patronising or rude (especially to a mod) but I do feel that people aren't being very fair in their judgements of someone who may be just as honest, hardworking and crafty as everyone else on the forum, but hasn't introduced themselves in a manner we find acceptable and, perhaps, didn't understand all the unwritten rules, which, in the main come from our understanding of cultural norms... (oh lord.....that's my Sociology Degree speaking - please excuse me)..

I'm done


:)

[Critchley]

Forgive me for noticing that post 63 is in perfect English but from 65 onwards it appears to deteriorate or is it my imagination.

[goldy1]

Have you been to their site and had a good deep look round?

[candles by lisa]

No - what would I find?


I think goldy was responding to bath bombs post - looks like your postings have crossed.

[Critchley]

I think goldy was responding to bath bombs post - looks like your postings have crossed.
Thanks - you are right and I have deleted it so there wont be any more confusion.

[Peter]

OooooKaaaayyy.........................think that's about run it's course eh? :D Thread closed.