As a global football fan, getting official merchandise of your favorite players can sometimes be a logistical challenge. This was precisely my situation when I decided I wanted the official Emiliano Martínez Aston Villa and Argentina jersey. Living outside China, buying directly from Tmall (one of China’s largest retail platforms) was impossible due to shipping restrictions and language barriers. That’s when I discovered KaKobuy, a Chinese forward and reverse proxy shopping service, which became my gateway to securing the coveted Dibu jersey.
KaKobuy acts as a professional shopping agent. In simple terms, you use their platform to browse and purchase items from Chinese e-commerce sites like Tmall, Taobao, and JD.com, which typically don't ship internationally or require a local payment method. You provide them with the product link, they purchase it on your behalf, receive it at their warehouse in China, and then forward it to your international address. Their interface is available in English, which significantly simplifies the entire process.
For my purchase, I navigated to Tmall’s official store for the brand. After confirming the jersey's authenticity, sizing chart (Asian sizing can differ!), and price, I copied the product URL into KaKobuy's order form.
The process on KaKobuy was surprisingly straightforward. After pasting the Tmall link, their system automatically fetched the product details – images, color options, sizes, and price. I selected my size (carefully checking their sizing advice against the store's chart), chose the "Argentina Home 2022" version with Martínez's name and number, and proceeded to checkout.
Payment was smooth, accepting international credit cards and PayPal. KaKobuy charges a service fee and then estimates the international shipping cost separately. You can choose to pay for shipping upfront or later once your item reaches their warehouse and is weighed. I opted for their consolidated shipping option to save costs.
An essential tip I found helpful was using their product inquiry service
A key advantage of using an agent like KaKobuy is the ability to purchase multiple items from different sellers and have them combined into one single international shipment. While I only bought the jersey this time, I’ve read this is a massive cost-saver for frequent shoppers. About two days after ordering, KaKobuy updated my dashboard showing "Purchased Successfully." Three days later, the status changed to "Arrived at Warehouse," along with photos of my jersey for quality verification – a fantastic service that ensures you received the exact item you ordered.
I then paid the calculated shipping fee (I chose a standard air mail option) and my parcel was on its way. The entire journey, from clicking "buy" on Tmall to receiving the package at my door, took approximately 18 days.
The Emiliano Martínez jersey I received was flawless – authentic, perfect stitching, and brilliant colors. It was absolutely worth the wait and the process.
For anyone considering a similar purchase, doing thorough research on the product and comparing prices is crucial. I found an incredibly useful resource that helped me make an informed decision. While exploring options, I came across a detailed spreadsheet that compares different jersey sellers, versions (player vs. fan), prices, and links. This external resource, https://spreadsheet.help/, is an excellent tool for any savvy shopper looking to navigate the vast options on Chinese platforms. It helped me confirm that the Tmall store I chose via KaKobuy offered the best value for an official product.
My experience with KaKobuy was overwhelmingly positive. They solved the core problem of accessibility and trust. While the shipping time is longer than domestic purchases, and the total cost (item + service fee + international shipping) needs to be factored in, the access to otherwise unreachable products is unparalleled. For exclusive items like region-specific football jerseys, electronics, or fashion, KaKobuy is a reliable bridge between international consumers and the massive Chinese market. I will undoubtedly use their service again for my next coveted find on Tmall.