Last month, I talked about how Pinduoduo has become more popular over the years, becoming even more convenient to use than Taobao. Well, today, I’ve got to share one of the cutest custom-made things I’ve found on the app.

When it comes to little kids and their adorable drawings, I know I’m not alone when I say that every parent is proud of their little artist and their creations. I’ve got plenty of cute drawings my 4-year-old made at home, and I’ve discovered vendors on Pinduoduo who can turn them into jewelry. And when the grandparents come to visit (or when you’re getting ready to come up with creative holiday gifts) these make adorable stocking stuffers.

It all started when my daughter drew a “blue yellow fish” for her grandpa. She was so proud of it that I really wanted to find a way to keep this artwork.

Then, as if Pinduoduo read my mind, the algorithm pushed a seller who takes kids’ drawings and turns them into keychains and necklaces. For about RMB 90 you send them a picture of the drawing directly on the app and they’ll send you a confirmation along with the size.

Then a few weeks later they mail you the actual keychain all wrapped up in a pretty little gift box. My dad absolutely adored his fish and has been sporting his new keychain ever since.

The seller has different options of colored or clear pendants. As for myself, I couldn’t help but get one as well. My “rinosaurus” now hangs proudly on my purse and my little girl loves showing people her artwork.

Pro tip: They can only work with artwork that’s done in markers. Crayons and colored pencils are too light.

There are plenty of vendors on Pinduoduo who make these products. If you’d like to try it out with the one who made ours, scan the QR code below.

Images: Mina Yan, Pexels

We all know what Taobao is. It’s been China’s biggest online shopping platform for ages, where you can find everything you’re looking for and get pushed items that you had no idea you were even interested in, based on the incredibly attuned algorithm.

We’ve previously published a step-by-step guide on how to set up and use Taobao as well as how to return items you’ve purchased.

However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in consumer preference from Taobao to Pinduoduo. It used to be that Pinduoduo was almost like a dirty little secret. It was the platform that was primarily popular in non-first-tier cities that sold low-end products for super cheap, and many users would add an embarrassed giggle after telling their friends that they purchased something on Pinduoduo. However, nowadays it’s no longer that.

Now it’s the go-to platform, especially for teens and young adults, when it comes to online shopping, and it’s no longer the platform that only sells super cheap-quality products. Many legitimate brands have opened up their own verified shops on the platform in order to reach more users.

I mean, you’ll never find luxury brands like Louis Vuitton with a Pinduoduo store account, but common household brands like Dettol have opened their own stores selling trusted products that come directly from the company.

So, why are consumers switching to Pinduoduo, or for some, finally outing themselves as long-time users? Several factors contribute to this trend.

One key reason is affordability. Can we all agree that the pandemic left a strain on our finances regardless of what sector we work in? Pinduoduo offers extremely competitive prices on a wide range of products. It often provides deep discounts and promotions, allowing consumers to purchase items at significantly lower costs. This is especially appealing to budget-conscious shoppers who are looking for good deals. 
Then there’s the social shopping experience. Pinduoduo encourages users to invite friends and family to join group buys, which not only makes shopping more fun by being dinner table conversations but also further reduces prices. This unique feature creates a sense of community and interaction among users.

Finally, there’s how Pinduoduo has been successful in targeting a broader consumer base, including those in lower-tier cities and rural areas. It has made efforts to improve logistics and accessibility in these regions, ensuring that people who were previously underserved by e-commerce can now easily shop online. It also works perfectly with WeChat pay, where Taobao does not.

So, while Taobao has long been a dominant player in the e-commerce market, they don’t focus on offering the rock-bottom prices and social shopping dynamics the way Pinduoduo does.

This combination of affordability, social shopping, and a wider reach has made Pinduoduo an attractive choice for many consumers who might have previously turned to Taobao.

Want a step-by-step guide on how to use Pinduoduo? Let us know in the comment section.

Images: Pinduoduo

We’re on a long trip visiting my extended family for a month, and for RMB 22.8 I bought my daughter hours of creative crafting fun and myself hours of peace and quiet.

It all started when a crafting supply box got pushed onto my Pinduoduo feed. For those who still don’t know what Pinduoduo is, think of it as an even cheaper version of Taobao. You can get virtually anything on it for a super low price.

Pro Tip: While I’m sure there are plenty of trusty merchants on Pinduoduo, the general consensus is that you should only buy basic stuff on this platform and not foods, skincare, or expensive things, since the quality can sometimes be a bit dogy.

The art boxes come in sets designed for kids in different age groups. They’ve got essentially everything you’d need in them already, and each craft is individually packaged, which makes picking and choosing which one to work on so much easier. You’d still need to have your own markers if you want to color, and your own scissors to cut things, but stuff like double-sided tape, glue, and all the supplies and directions you’d need are in the box.

It’s perfect for when you’re on a long holiday and away from your plethora of arts and crafts supplies at home.

For RMB 22.8 I got a box of 16 different arts and crafts items, all perfect for my almost 3-year-old toddler to entertain herself with.

Each craft comes with instructions (but really, they’re so simple you don’t even need them). From gluing fluffy balls onto a unicorn to decorating a blue whale with glittery stickers, this box of arts and crafts has kept my toddler occupied all by herself for hours while I’ve gotten to enjoy some quiet time close by.

To purchase the kit, download the Pinduoduo app and put the photo of the product into the search function. Or scan the QR code below to buy the exact same product for RMB 35.9 on Taobao.

Images: Mina Yan

If there’s one thing I got really good at doing in 2020 it’s online shopping. Not even a language barrier could stop me! There’s baopals, which is basically an English version of Taobao but with fewer choices. Then there’s JD.com that’s delivered goods so quickly that I’ve received purchases on the same day. And of course, there’s Taobao, everyone’s favorite go-to place for basically anything you could ever need.

With all the time spent at home in 2020, I discovered that I love to buy (sometimes useless things) on Pinduoduo (拼多多).

Pinduoduo is an app that was created a few years back and unlike its competitors who spend time, money, and energy marketing themselves as the platform that carries quality high-end products, Pinduoduo went in the other direction. It targeted second and third-tier cities in China and became known as the platform where you go to buy cheap everyday goods for insanely cheap prices.

Back in 2018 our sister site the Beijinger looked into these online shopping apps. “Another misconception about mobile marketing in China is that “high-value users are coming from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities,” said Daisy Wu, Vice President of YeahMobi. Rather, lower-tier cities have a user base that should not be overlooked. The two recently IPO’d Chinese internet companies, Pinduoduo (拼多多) and Qutoutiao (趣头条), both focus their businesses on capturing consumers who reside in lower-tier cities.” says the Beijinger.

And with that business strategy, Pinduoduo has launched itself to the top of China’s list of online shopping heavy hitters.

Its interface is almost identical to that of Taobao, except in red instead. The app offers an easy registration option by linking to your WeChat account so the only step that you’d need to fill in is confirmation and then input your address for delivery.

To search for an item you can either type in the Chinese characters at the top of the search bar, use the voice search function, or (my personal favorite) use the photo search function by literally taking a picture of what you want and then just wait for Pinduoduo to search its database for items that resemble the photo. This comes in handy when you don’t know what something is called.

Since discovering Pinduoduo most of my basic household supplies have come from this platform. Laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, etc. It’s where you go when you want simple things for cheap, but as my local friends recommend, don’t purchase anything expensive from Pinduoduo since sellers are not verified like some on JD.com.

So with a long holiday just around the corner, put your online shopping hobbies to work and scroll through hundreds of thousands of gadgets for the price of a Starbucks coffee.

KEEP READING: Sign Up for Taobao, and Beat the Face Mask Scammers

Images: Mina Yan